🔍

Wacol

QLD 4076 • Greater Brisbane

4,253
Population (2021)
$71,708
Median Household Income
17.74 km²
Area
$320/wk
Median Rent
IndustrialSuburbanCommuter Belt

About Wacol

Wacol is a large semi-industrial suburb located approximately 20 kilometres south-west of Brisbane CBD within the Brisbane City Council area. Covering over 17 square kilometres, the suburb is primarily known as an institutional and employment precinct, home to several major correctional and detention facilities as well as the Queensland Police Academy, which significantly shapes the resident population profile. The suburb's demographics reflect a predominantly institutional community, with a strongly male-skewed population and a median age of 35.

Beyond its institutional facilities, Wacol contains industrial and logistics precincts and borders more residential suburbs of Greater Brisbane. The suburb is served by Wacol railway station on the Springfield/Ipswich rail lines, providing direct access to Brisbane CBD in under 40 minutes and connecting the precinct to the wider South East Queensland transport network. While Wacol is not a conventional residential destination, its location along major transport corridors and its employment base as an institutional and light-industrial precinct give it an important role within the broader Brisbane metropolitan area.

Wacol falls under postcode 4076 and is governed by Brisbane Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Inala electorate.

📰 Featured In

📰 Queensland Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4076
Urban Area
Wacol - Doolandella - Forest Lake
LGA / Council
Brisbane
Federal Electorate
Oxley
State Electorate
Inala
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-27.59°, 152.92°
Statistical Area
Greater Brisbane
Area
17.74 km²
Elevation
38m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$320
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,387
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
35 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
9%

26 state housing + 0 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Wacol
1 km
12 min

Bus Services

  • Translink Bus Routes — Brisbane CBD (Roma Street) 40-50 min

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
20 km
By Train
35-40 min to Roma Street via Ipswich/Springfield Line
By Car (Peak)
30-50 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
20-30 min

🛣️ Ipswich Motorway and Centenary Highway provide arterial road access to Brisbane; Wacol station on Springfield/Ipswich lines

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Wacol is an institutional and industrial precinct with no significant retail or services; a car is essential for all daily needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Brisbane Local Government Area, which contains Wacol. Rates are per 100,000 residents for calendar year 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
832.9 / 100k
2yr Down 25.0% 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
371.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 77.2%
Non-FV assault
713.9 / 100k
2yr Up 17.9% 10yr Up 138.5%
Robbery (unarmed)
29 / 100k
2yr Down 15.0% 10yr Up 83.4%
Steal from vehicle
616.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 28.4%
View all offence categories for Brisbane →

Source: Queensland Police Service via data.qld.gov.au

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,761
Census 2021
4,253
▲ 13.1% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$26,156
Personal Income 2021
$26,728
▲ 2.2% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$26,728 / yr
$514/wk
Household
$71,708 / yr
$1379/wk
Family
$82,316 / yr
$1583/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,417
Born Overseas 747

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. New Zealand 219
  • 2. England 81
  • 3. Vietnam 38
  • 4. Philippines 32
  • 5. Fiji 18
  • 6. India 17
  • 7. South Africa 15
  • 8. China 14
  • 9. Malaysia 14
  • 10. Papua New Guinea 14

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 261
English 252
Australian Aboriginal 68
Scottish 64
Irish 60
German 53
Samoan 33
Italian 32
Chinese 30
Filipino 30

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

387
Both parents born in Australia
320
Both parents born overseas
106
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
9.1%
Christianity
8.7%
Buddhism
0.5%
Hinduism
0.2%
Islam
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
34 (0.8%)
5-14 years
85 (2.0%)
15-19 years
196 (4.6%)
20-24 years
403 (9.5%)
25-34 years
1,326 (31.2%)
35-44 years
1,152 (27.1%)
45-54 years
581 (13.7%)
55-64 years
274 (6.4%)
65-74 years
127 (3.0%)
75-84 years
62 (1.5%)
85+ years
15 (0.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Wacol known for? +

Wacol is a large semi-industrial suburb located approximately 20 kilometres south-west of Brisbane CBD within the Brisbane City Council area. Covering over 17 square kilometres, the suburb is primarily known as an institutional and employment precinct, home to several major correctional and detention facilities as well as the Queensland Police Academy, which significantly shapes the resident popul

How far is Wacol from Brisbane CBD? +

Wacol is approximately 20 km from Brisbane CBD. By car, the journey takes around 20-30 min off-peak and 30-50 min during peak hours.

Does Wacol have public transport? +

Wacol is served by Wacol (1 km away) on the Ipswich Line / Springfield Line. Bus services also connect to Brisbane CBD (Roma Street). The commute to Brisbane CBD takes approximately 20-30 min by car.

What is the population of Wacol? +

According to the 2021 Census, Wacol has a population of approximately 4,253 residents. It is a mid-sized suburb within the Brisbane (City).

Is Wacol a good place to live? +

Wacol offers a comfortable suburban lifestyle with access to local amenities and services. It suits a range of residents from families to retirees, depending on personal preferences for pace of life and proximity to urban centres.

What is the postcode for Wacol? +

The postcode for Wacol, QLD is 4076.

What is the average income in Wacol? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Wacol is about $514 per week (around $26,700 per year). The median household income is $1,379 per week and the median family income is $1,583 per week.

What is the age profile of Wacol? +

The median age in Wacol is 35. The largest age group is 25–34 (1,326 residents, around 31%). Around 7% of residents are under 20 and about 5% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Wacol a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Wacol is part of the Brisbane LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Wacol? +

In Wacol, the median weekly rent is $320, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,387 (2021 Census).