QLD 4350 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Westbrook

A median age of 33, seven years below the national figure, signals that Westbrook attracts young families, and the data confirms it. Average household size of 3.1 is 0.6 above the national average, 96% of dwellings are separate houses, and 76% of homes have four or more bedrooms. At 4,408 residents spread across 60.81 square kilometres, density runs at just 72.5 people per km2, making this a spacious fringe settlement west of Toowoomba. Weekly household income of $2,196 puts the suburb at the 83.5th percentile nationally, well above the median, even as the suburb maintains an affordable housing profile compared to capital-city fringe markets.

Westbrook urban fabric map

Population

4,408

Median Age

33.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$2,196/wk

DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year

7

Median House

$490K

Estimated from rent (2025)

60.81 km²· 72.5 people/km²· Family income $2,323/wk

The median house price of $490,000 sits materially lower than the national median for comparable family-oriented detached-house markets, making entry accessible for buyers with moderate deposits. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,825 consume about 19.2% of household income, below the 30% stress threshold and well below levels seen in southeast Queensland coastal markets. Stock is heavily weighted toward large detached homes: 96% separate houses and 76.1% with four or more bedrooms. Only 17.1% of households rent, meaning owner-occupiers dominate and the community has a settled, low-turnover character. With 58.4% of households carrying a mortgage compared to 24.5% who own outright, Westbrook is a genuine mortgage-belt suburb where most buyers are working through repayment rather than sitting on inherited wealth.

For Buyers

The median house price of $490,000 sits materially lower than the national median for comparable family-oriented detached-house markets, making entry accessible for buyers with moderate deposits. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,825 consume about 19.2% of household income, below the 30% stress threshold and well below levels seen in southeast Queensland coastal markets. Stock is heavily weighted toward large detached homes: 96% separate houses and 76.1% with four or more bedrooms. Only 17.1% of households rent, meaning owner-occupiers dominate and the community has a settled, low-turnover character. With 58.4% of households carrying a mortgage compared to 24.5% who own outright, Westbrook is a genuine mortgage-belt suburb where most buyers are working through repayment rather than sitting on inherited wealth.

For Investors

At $380 per week, rents are modest relative to the $490,000 median, implying a gross yield close to 4%, above what is achievable in most southeast Queensland urban centres. The 4.3% vacancy rate is higher than the typical investor comfort threshold of 3%, suggesting supply is not tight, so yield discipline matters. Only 17.1% of households rent, which limits the rental pool compared to inner-suburban markets, though the suburb's affordability attracts tenants priced out of Toowoomba proper. Seven development applications lodged in the past 12 months, covering operational works and material changes of use rather than large residential subdivisions, suggests limited near-term supply pressure on existing stock. Income levels at the 83.5th percentile nationally support repayment capacity among tenants and owner-occupiers alike.

Development Activity

Total DAs

21

Last 12 Months

7

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

+133.3%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Subdivision
5
Other
2
Change of Use
2
Renovation / Extension
1

Schools in Westbrook iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged

Ming-De International School Toowoomba

ICSEA 1075 Combined Independent

1-7 · 19 students

Bunker's Hill State School

ICSEA 1007 Primary Government

Prep-6 · 273 students

Demographics

The median age of 33 is seven years below the national figure, reflecting a resident base dominated by young families rather than retirees or singles. Overseas-born residents account for 8.4% of the population, which is 13.2 percentage points below the national average, giving the suburb a strongly locally-born character. The dominant ancestry is English (1,743 residents), followed by German (572) and Irish (515), with Scottish (425) also prominent, a profile typical of long-settled rural Queensland communities. Average household size of 3.1 is 0.6 above the national average, consistent with the high share of couples with children, where 2,039 families are couples with children compared to 816 couples without. University qualifications reach 24.3%, which is 5.8 percentage points below the national figure, reflecting a workforce oriented more toward trades, healthcare and community services.

Age Distribution

0-14
25.5%
15-24
13.4%
25-44
27.7%
45-64
23.4%
65+
10.1%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
0.2%
2 bed
1.7%
3 bed
21.9%
4+ bed
76.1%

Dwelling Structure

96.0%

Houses

4.0%

Townhouse

N/A

Apartment

Tenure

Own 24.5% Mortgage 58.4% Rent 17.1%

Westbrook is defined by large detached family homes: 96% of all dwellings are separate houses and 76.1% have four or more bedrooms, with three-bedroom homes accounting for 21.9%. Semi-detached dwellings make up the remaining 4% and apartments are effectively absent. This single-format stock means buyers looking for diversity of dwelling type will not find it here, but families wanting space and a proper backyard will find the dominant offering well matched to their needs. Tenure splits toward mortgage holders at 58.4%, with 24.5% owning outright and only 17.1% renting, lower than the state and national renter shares. At a median price of $490,000 with monthly repayments of $1,825, the mortgage-to-income ratio of 19.2% is comfortably below stress levels, a structural advantage over higher-cost markets.

Mortgage / mo

$1,825

Rent / wk

$380

HH Size

3.1

Personal Income / wk

$931

Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)

4.3%

Unoccupied

63

Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

17.3%

Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

19.2%

Community Profile

Ancestry

English
1,743
German
572
Irish
515
Scottish
425
Other
281
Ancestry NS
179

Household Composition

20.9%

Couples, no children

3,899

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare is the largest employer at 20.4% (307 workers), followed closely by Education at 14.5% (219 workers), together accounting for over a third of local employment. Construction comes third at 10.5% (159 workers), consistent with ongoing residential development in the Toowoomba region. By occupation, Professionals (391) lead the workforce, followed by Clerical and Administrative workers (343), Community and Personal Service workers (275) and Managers (272), with Labourers (248) rounding out the top five. The unemployment rate is low at 2.9%, below the national average, and the participation rate of 71.0% is healthy. Full-time employment accounts for 66.2% of workers, indicating a workforce weighted toward stable, full-time roles rather than casual or part-time arrangements, which supports the household income ranking at the 83.5th percentile nationally.

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Full-time

66.2%

Part-time

30.9%

Participation

71.0%

Employed

2,266

Occupations

Professionals 391
Clerical/Admin 343
Community/Personal 275
Managers 272
Labourers 248
Sales 235
Machinery/Drivers 184

Top Industries

Healthcare 20.4%
Education 14.5%
Construction 10.5%
Other Services 6.6%
Retail 6.5%

University

24.3%

Postgraduate

3.3%

Born Overseas

8.4%

Dwellings

1,380

Transport to Work

Car dependency is very high at 91.3% of residents commuting by car, which is expected given the low density of 72.5 people per km2 and the rural-fringe setting. Public transport use is minimal at 1.0% and walking or cycling accounts for just 1.6%, reflecting infrastructure suited to driving rather than active or transit modes. No schools are recorded within Westbrook's boundaries in this dataset, so families draw on schools in nearby Toowoomba, which limits walkable education access but is typical for low-density fringe suburbs. The rent-to-income ratio of 17.3% and mortgage-to-income ratio of 19.2% both sit below stress thresholds, meaning neither renters nor mortgage holders face financial pressure from housing costs. The volunteering rate of 15.9% points to a community-minded population, and only 3.2% of residents need daily assistance, in line with the young median age of 33.

Drive

91.3%

Public Transport

1.0%

Walk / Cycle

1.6%

Work from Home

N/A

National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs

How Westbrook compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 12%
Household Income
Top 16%
Rent Level
Top 21%
Renters
Bottom 40%
Uni Educated
Top 49%
Public Transport
Bottom 15%
Born Overseas
Bottom 21%
Density
Top 28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Westbrook a good suburb to live in?

Westbrook suits families who want space and affordability. With a median house price of $490,000, mortgage repayments at 19.2% of household income (below the stress threshold), and household income at the 83.5th percentile nationally, it offers solid financial conditions. The young median age of 33 reflects a community of families rather than retirees. Car dependency is high at 91.3%, so residents need a vehicle.

What is the median house price in Westbrook?

The median house price is $490,000, estimated from 2025 rental data. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,825, representing 19.2% of household income, well below the 30% stress threshold. Weekly rent averages $380. The vast majority of dwellings are large detached houses with 4 or more bedrooms, making up 76.1% of all homes.

What schools are in Westbrook?

No schools are recorded within the Westbrook suburb boundary in this dataset. Families typically access schools in nearby Toowoomba, which is the regional centre for the area. The local workforce has a university qualification rate of 24.3%, and 14.5% of residents work in the Education sector, indicating strong education engagement in the community.

Is Westbrook safe?

Specific crime statistics for Westbrook are not available in this dataset. As contextual indicators, unemployment is low at 2.9%, housing stress is below thresholds (mortgage-to-income 19.2%, rent-to-income 17.3%), and the residential stability rate is high at 80%, meaning 4 in 5 residents stay long term. These factors are generally associated with lower crime environments.

Is Westbrook good for property investment?

At $380 weekly rent against a $490,000 median, the gross yield is close to 4%, above typical urban southeast Queensland rates. The vacancy rate of 4.3% is above the 3% comfort threshold, so the rental market is not tight. The 17.1% renter share is low compared to most suburban markets. Household income at the 83.5th percentile nationally supports stable tenant repayment capacity.

How is Westbrook's population changing?

Westbrook has 4,408 residents with a young median age of 33 and an average household size of 3.1, both indicators of a growing family base. The residential turnover rate is 20%, meaning 80% of residents stayed in the same home, pointing to a settled, committed population. Development activity in the past year has been modest at 7 applications, suggesting gradual rather than rapid growth.

How to read these comparisons

Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.

Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.

Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.

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