Woolloongabba
At 3,479.3 residents per sq km across 2.5 sq km, Woolloongabba has a strongly inner-city profile. Its median age is 29, or 11 years below the national comparison, while 57.1% of residents hold a university qualification, 27 percentage points above national. Overseas-born residents account for 43.0%, 21.4 points above national. Renting reaches 71.4%, apartments 69.5%, and vacancy 11.3%, because compact housing attracts a mobile population. Compared with nearby South Brisbane and Kangaroo Point, Woolloongabba is particularly renter-led and development-oriented, with 8,687 residents and an average household size of 2.1 people.
Population
8,687
Median Age
29.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,863/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
46
Woolloongabba suits buyers who prioritise apartment living, public transport access and proximity to inner-Brisbane employment over a traditional backyard. Apartments represent 69.5% of dwellings, while 46.2% contain 2 bedrooms and only 29.8% are separate houses. A median house price is not available, so buyers should compare recent sales by dwelling type rather than rely on a suburb-wide house figure. The monthly mortgage benchmark is $2,000, with mortgage costs at 24.8% of income compared with rent at 23.6%. Compared with renters, owner-occupiers are a small minority: 10.1% own outright and 16.9% have a mortgage, because high-density housing and a mobile population favour renting.
For Buyers
Woolloongabba suits buyers who prioritise apartment living, public transport access and proximity to inner-Brisbane employment over a traditional backyard. Apartments represent 69.5% of dwellings, while 46.2% contain 2 bedrooms and only 29.8% are separate houses. A median house price is not available, so buyers should compare recent sales by dwelling type rather than rely on a suburb-wide house figure. The monthly mortgage benchmark is $2,000, with mortgage costs at 24.8% of income compared with rent at 23.6%. Compared with renters, owner-occupiers are a small minority: 10.1% own outright and 16.9% have a mortgage, because high-density housing and a mobile population favour renting.
For Investors
Woolloongabba has a clear rental-investment profile, with 71.4% of occupied dwellings rented and a weekly rent of $440. The 11.3% vacancy rate is higher than in a tightly occupied rental market, which can increase leasing risk even when tenant demand is supported by the inner-city setting. Development activity is substantial, with 44 applications recorded over 12 months, including commercial uses and multiple dwellings, so competing supply should be monitored. Growth is forecast at 3.46% annually and is driven primarily by overseas migration. Compared with lower-vacancy locations, investors should place more weight on building quality, body corporate costs, tenant appeal and the amount of new apartment stock nearby.
Development Activity
Total DAs
204
Last 12 Months
46
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+31.4%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Woolloongabba
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Narbethong State Special School
Buranda State School
Demographics
Woolloongabba is younger and more internationally connected than the national profile. The median age of 29 is 11 years below national, university attainment is 57.1%, or 27 percentage points above national, and the overseas-born share is 43.0%, 21.4 points above national. English ancestry counts 2,374 residents, followed by Other at 1,442, Chinese at 1,175, Irish at 959 and Scottish at 727. Mandarin is the most common listed non-English language, with 329 speakers. Average household size is 2.1 people, 0.4 below national, because apartments, students and couples without children are common. Compared with nearby South Brisbane and Kangaroo Point, the suburb has a particularly mobile profile, with 51.2% of residents changing address within the relevant period.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
29.8%
Houses
0.7%
Townhouse
69.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Housing in Woolloongabba is dominated by compact apartments rather than detached homes. Apartments account for 69.5% of dwellings, separate houses 29.8% and semi-detached homes 0.7%. The largest bedroom category is 2 bedrooms at 46.2%, followed by 0 to 1 bedroom at 23.2%, reflecting demand from students, singles and smaller households. Renting is the dominant tenure at 71.4%, compared with 10.1% owning outright and 16.9% paying a mortgage. Average household size is 2.1 people, 0.4 below national, which helps explain the prevalence of smaller dwellings. Compared with detached-house suburbs, Woolloongabba requires buyers to assess apartment levies, maintenance planning and building amenities alongside the purchase price.
Mortgage / mo
$2,000
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (Jun 2026 quarter), QLD RTA bond data. Census 2021 median: $440.
$750
Bond data Jun 2026 quarter · houses $750 · units $800
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$866
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
11.3%
Unoccupied
439
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.8%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
27.4%
Couples with children
55.3%
Couples, no children
11.9%
Single parent
1,670
Total families
Economy & Employment
Woolloongabba's employment base is led by healthcare at 21.8% and 862 workers, followed by professional and technical services at 13.0% and 513, education at 11.3% and 446, hospitality at 10.1% and 399, and retail at 6.6% and 262. Professionals are the largest occupation group at 1,906 people, ahead of community and personal service workers at 635, clerical and administrative workers at 589, managers at 579 and trades workers at 467. Labour-force participation is 69.5%, unemployment is 6.6% and full-time employment is 57.0%. Household income sits at the 67.3 percentile nationally. SEIFA results are mixed: IEO ranks in decile 10, IRSD in decile 7, IRSAD in decile 9, but IER in decile 1. This contrast reflects strong education and occupation measures alongside a renter-heavy housing economy and uneven access to economic resources.
Unemployment
6.6%
Labour Force
5,566
Unemployed
368
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
57.0%
Part-time
33.1%
Participation
69.5%
Employed
5,198
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
57.1%
Postgraduate
15.5%
Born Overseas
43.0%
Dwellings
3,428
Transport to Work
Woolloongabba offers practical inner-city access, supported by 16.2% of commuters using public transport, 13.5% walking or cycling and 21.7% working from home. Car driving remains the largest listed travel mode at 44.6%, so convenience varies by building, workplace and parking needs. Two nearby government schools provide a state school option and a special school option; families should check enrolment zones against the exact address because boundaries can cross suburb lines. The suburb covers 2.5 sq km and has a density of 3,479.3 residents per sq km, making building access, noise, open space and traffic important daily considerations. Compared with lower-density outer suburbs, Woolloongabba offers shorter inner-city connections but less private space. Its IRSAD result sits in decile 9, indicating a high relative level of advantage overall.
Drive
44.6%
Public Transport
16.2%
Walk / Cycle
13.5%
Work from Home
21.7%
Population Forecast
+3.46%/yr
(+359 people/yr)
High GrowthWoolloongabba sits in a high-growth trajectory, with forecast annual growth of 3.46% and overseas migration identified as the primary driver. Population change across the wider area reaches 79.6% over 10 years, while the shift profile is labelled Declining young and records a 3.5 percentage-point fall in the young share. Rent growth is 33.3%, adding pressure to a suburb where 71.4% of households rent. Development activity also supports the growth outlook, with 44 applications in 12 months. Gentrification signals are mixed: the shift profile records a score of 40 and Early signs, while the current forecast stage is New development with a score of 0. Compared with slower-growth suburbs, new housing and overseas migration are likely to remain the main forces reshaping the area.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+299
Net Internal / yr
+83
Gentrification Signal
New development
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Woolloongabba compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Woolloongabba a good suburb to live in?
Woolloongabba can suit residents seeking inner-city access, apartment living and a younger social setting. The median age is 29, apartments account for 69.5% of dwellings and 16.2% use public transport. Compared with lower-density suburbs, it offers convenience but less private space and a higher 11.3% vacancy environment.
What is the median house price in Woolloongabba?
A reliable median house price is not available for Woolloongabba. Buyers should compare recent sales by dwelling type because 69.5% of dwellings are apartments, 46.2% contain 2 bedrooms and only 29.8% are separate houses. Compared with detached-house suburbs, a single house median would be less representative of local housing.
What schools are in Woolloongabba?
Woolloongabba has 2 nearby government schools: a state school and a special school. Families should check the enrolment zone against the exact address because school boundaries can differ from suburb boundaries. Compared with larger family-oriented suburbs, local schooling provision is more limited, so placement and travel arrangements should be confirmed early.
Is Woolloongabba safe?
Safety should be assessed by street, building and time of day rather than assigned a simple suburb-wide label. Woolloongabba has 8,687 residents across 2.5 sq km, creating a dense environment where foot traffic, venues and apartment access can vary sharply. Compare lighting, nearby activity and secure entry at the specific address before deciding.
Is Woolloongabba good for property investment?
It can suit investors seeking rental demand, with 71.4% of dwellings rented and weekly rent of $440. However, the 11.3% vacancy rate is higher than in tightly occupied markets, while 44 development applications may add competing supply. Forecast growth is 3.46% annually and is driven by overseas migration, so building selection and vacancy risk matter.
How is Woolloongabba's population changing?
Growth is strong across the wider area, with a 3.46% annual forecast trend and 79.6% population change over 10 years. Overseas migration is the primary driver, although the shift trajectory is labelled Declining young and the young share has fallen 3.5 percentage points. Compared with stable suburbs, development and migration are reshaping Woolloongabba faster.
What languages are spoken in Woolloongabba?
Woolloongabba has an overseas-born share of 43.0%, which is 21.4 percentage points above national. Mandarin is the leading listed language with 329 speakers, followed by Cantonese at 90, Korean at 78, Hindi at 49 and Portuguese at 45. Compared with less internationally diverse areas, language services and culturally familiar businesses are more relevant here.
What development is happening in Woolloongabba?
There were 44 development applications in the past 12 months, including commercial food and drink, healthcare, office uses and multiple dwellings. The forecast currently labels the area New development with a gentrification score of 0, while another shift measure records Early signs at 40. Compared with established low-growth suburbs, construction and land-use change are more prominent.
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 education open registers (school locations), 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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