Acacia Ridge vs Willawong

Acacia Ridge is the younger of the two, with a median age of 34 against 49 in Willawong. In both, the large majority of homes are detached houses. In Acacia Ridge, about half of households rent. In Willawong, most households own their home. Houses cost more in Willawong: a median of $1.73 million, against $862,000 in Acacia Ridge. Acacia Ridge is closer to the city centre: 15.1 km, against 17.6 km. On these figures, Acacia Ridge tends to suit families with children and buyers on a tighter budget.

Which one suits you?

There is no overall winner — the suburb that suits a family with school-age kids is routinely the wrong one for someone commuting into the city. So each of these answers its own question, against a checklist you can see, using the same figures in the tables below.

Families with school-age kids

Acacia Ridge

ahead on 3 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more childcare (8 vs 0)
  • has more schools inside the suburb (5 vs 0)
  • has more parks and reserves (10 vs 5)

Weighs schools, house stock, crime, parks, childcare, and who already lives there.

First-home buyers

They split

one each way, out of the 2 things we measure here

  • Acacia Ridge has cheaper houses ($862,500 vs $1,725,000)
  • Willawong leaves households under less mortgage stress (20% vs 27%)

Weighs house prices and mortgage stress.

Renters

Willawong

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • leaves renters under less rental stress (16% vs 26%)

Weighs rent, rental stress, and how much is for rent.

Commuting to the city

Acacia Ridge

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • is more walkable (84/100 vs 21/100)
  • sits closer to the CBD (15.1 km vs 17.6 km)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Acacia Ridge

ahead on 2 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more GPs (6 vs 0)
  • is more walkable (84/100 vs 21/100)
  • But Willawong has more residents already 65 and over (19% vs 14%)

Weighs smaller dwellings, who already lives there, GPs, walkability, and crime.

Investors

Acacia Ridge

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is growing faster (0.8% vs -18.1%)

Weighs population growth.

Where they sit

Acacia Ridge and Willawong drawn to the same scale. Both outlines are shown together, so the map answers whether they share a border and how their areas compare.

Acacia Ridge Willawong
Hides rows where both suburbs match

Bars start at zero. Scores, risks and rankings are drawn against their full 0–100 range; other rows are drawn in proportion to the larger of the two.

Side by side, out of 100

Risks are inverted — shown as safety and low exposure — so a longer bar always means better.

Acacia Ridge Willawong
Walkability 84 / 21
Acacia Ridge — Walkability: 84/100 Willawong — Walkability: 21/100
Safety 10 / 1
Acacia Ridge — Safety: 10/100 Willawong — Safety: 1/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Acacia Ridge — Low fire risk: 100/100 Willawong — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

Acacia Ridge has more residents (7,486 vs 145); Willawong has higher household incomes ($105,612 vs $68,276).

Acacia Ridge Willawong
Population 7,486
+98% vs other
 145
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +0.8% -18.1%
Median age 34 49
Median household income $68,276/yr $105,612/yr
+55% vs other
Median weekly rent $335/wk
+2% vs other
 $328/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Acacia Ridge Willawong
0-4 7.4% / —
Acacia Ridge — 0-4: 7.4% Willawong — 0-4: not among its largest
5-14 13.6% / 7.6%
Acacia Ridge — 5-14: 13.6% Willawong — 5-14: 7.6%
15-19 5.4% / 2.8%
Acacia Ridge — 15-19: 5.4% Willawong — 15-19: 2.8%
20-24 6.9% / 7.6%
Acacia Ridge — 20-24: 6.9% Willawong — 20-24: 7.6%
25-34 17.3% / 18.6%
Acacia Ridge — 25-34: 17.3% Willawong — 25-34: 18.6%
35-44 13.4% / 9.7%
Acacia Ridge — 35-44: 13.4% Willawong — 35-44: 9.7%
45-54 11.6% / 17.9%
Acacia Ridge — 45-54: 11.6% Willawong — 45-54: 17.9%
55-64 10.0% / 19.3%
Acacia Ridge — 55-64: 10.0% Willawong — 55-64: 19.3%
65-74 7.6% / 14.5%
Acacia Ridge — 65-74: 7.6% Willawong — 65-74: 14.5%
75-84 4.8% / 2.8%
Acacia Ridge — 75-84: 4.8% Willawong — 75-84: 2.8%
85+ 1.8% / 2.1%
Acacia Ridge — 85+: 1.8% Willawong — 85+: 2.1%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (19.3%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Acacia Ridge 33.1% lone person
Acacia Ridge — Lone Person: 33.1% Acacia Ridge — Couple Families: 32.6% Acacia Ridge — One Parent Families: 24.9% Acacia Ridge — Group Household: 7.0% Acacia Ridge — Other Families: 2.4%
Willawong 35.7% lone person
Willawong — Lone Person: 35.7% Willawong — Couple Families: 26.2% Willawong — One Parent Families: 26.2% Willawong — Group Household: 11.9% Willawong — Other Families: 0.0%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Acacia Ridge 50.8% renting
Acacia Ridge — Owned Outright: 20.1% Acacia Ridge — Mortgage: 29.1% Acacia Ridge — Renting: 50.8%
Willawong 44.4% renting
Willawong — Owned Outright: 40.7% Willawong — Mortgage: 14.8% Willawong — Renting: 44.4%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

Highest non-school qualification, residents 15+, 2021 Census.

Acacia Ridge Willawong
Certificate III & IV 13.0% / 15.2%
Acacia Ridge — Certificate III & IV: 13.0% Willawong — Certificate III & IV: 15.2%
Bachelor Degree 9.3% / 12.4%
Acacia Ridge — Bachelor Degree: 9.3% Willawong — Bachelor Degree: 12.4%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 6.5% / 9.7%
Acacia Ridge — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 6.5% Willawong — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.7%
Postgraduate Degree 2.8% / 2.8%
Acacia Ridge — Postgraduate Degree: 2.8% Willawong — Postgraduate Degree: 2.8%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.2% / 2.1%
Acacia Ridge — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.2% Willawong — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.1%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (15.2%).

Where residents were born

Largest overseas birthplaces, as a share of all residents, 2021 Census. A dash means that country is not among the suburb's own eight largest.

Acacia Ridge Willawong
Afghanistan 1.5% / 8.3%
Acacia Ridge — Afghanistan: 1.5% Willawong — Afghanistan: 8.3%
India 3.5% / 3.4%
Acacia Ridge — India: 3.5% Willawong — India: 3.4%
Vietnam 1.9% / 4.8%
Acacia Ridge — Vietnam: 1.9% Willawong — Vietnam: 4.8%
Taiwan — / 5.5%
Acacia Ridge — Taiwan: not among its largest Willawong — Taiwan: 5.5%
Philippines 2.0% / 2.1%
Acacia Ridge — Philippines: 2.0% Willawong — Philippines: 2.1%
England 2.0% / 2.1%
Acacia Ridge — England: 2.0% Willawong — England: 2.1%
New Zealand 3.7% / —
Acacia Ridge — New Zealand: 3.7% Willawong — New Zealand: not among its largest
Ireland — / 3.4%
Acacia Ridge — Ireland: not among its largest Willawong — Ireland: 3.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (8.3%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Acacia Ridge 84.7% houses
Acacia Ridge — Houses: 84.7% Acacia Ridge — Flats / Apartments: 3.0% Acacia Ridge — Townhouses: 12.3%
Willawong 88.5% houses
Willawong — Houses: 88.5% Willawong — Flats / Apartments: 11.5% Willawong — Townhouses: 0.0%
Houses Flats / Apartments Townhouses

Property market

Acacia Ridge Willawong
Median house price $862,500 $1,725,000
Median unit price $605,500 —
Median land price — $2,700,000
Typical days to sell (houses) 22 days
from 67 sales
 30 days
from 8 sales

Development activity

Acacia Ridge Willawong
New dwellings approved 9,382
across Brisbane
same for both
Approvals change year on year +9%
same for both

Ranking within QLD

Acacia Ridge Willawong
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 35% of QLD —
Schools Higher than 50% of QLD —
Walkability Higher than 97% of QLD Higher than 79% of QLD
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 95% of QLD
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 90% of QLD Higher than 95% of QLD

Liveability

Acacia Ridge is more walkable (84 vs 21).

Acacia Ridge Willawong
Grade C —
Score 44/100 —
Socio-economic band high-need area
decile 1/10
 mid-range socio-economic
decile 6/10

Risk profile

Acacia Ridge Willawong
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime High
90/100
 High
99/100
Flood —
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise High
83/100
 High
70/100
Industrial facilities nearby 21
within 5 km
 19
within 5 km

Schools

Acacia Ridge Willawong
Inside the suburb 5 0
Rated above peers 1 0
Rated at peers 1 0
Rated below peers 3 0
Universities within 10 km 2
Brisbane South (Nathan), 5.0 km
 1
Brisbane South (Nathan), 7.0 km

Schools in Acacia Ridge

  • Aboriginal & Islander Independent Community School Independent · Combined above peers
  • Our Lady of Fatima Primary School Catholic · Primary at peers
  • Acacia Ridge State School Government · Primary below peers
  • Watson Road State School Government · Primary below peers
  • Y Schools Queensland - Brisbane South Independent · Secondary · Special school below peers

Schools in Willawong

No schools recorded inside this suburb's boundary. Children here will be zoned to schools nearby.

Amenities in the suburb

Acacia Ridge Willawong
Supermarkets 3 0
Cafes & restaurants 1 0
Parks & reserves 10 5
Childcare 8 0
GPs 6 0
Pharmacies 2 0
Police stations 1 0
Banks & Bank@Post 4 0
Fuel stations 6 1
Waterways 1 6

Mobility

Willawong sits further from the CBD (17.6 km vs 15.1 km).

Acacia Ridge Willawong
Walkability score 84/100 21/100
Distance to Brisbane 15.1 km 17.6 km
+17% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 23 min 27 min
Public transport score 79/100
Bus
 55/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 142.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
 12.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
 3 min
scheduled, not actual
Electric vehicle share 2.2%
postcode 4110
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 93
postcode 4110
same for both

How people get to work

Method of travel on census day 2021 — which fell during COVID restrictions, so working from home is inflated and every travel mode understated.

Acacia Ridge Willawong
Car (driver) 73.0% / 56.7%
Acacia Ridge — Car (driver): 73.0% Willawong — Car (driver): 56.7%
Worked from Home 10.8% / 20.0%
Acacia Ridge — Worked from Home: 10.8% Willawong — Worked from Home: 20.0%
Walked Only 2.0% / 15.0%
Acacia Ridge — Walked Only: 2.0% Willawong — Walked Only: 15.0%
Car (passenger) 6.2% / 8.3%
Acacia Ridge — Car (passenger): 6.2% Willawong — Car (passenger): 8.3%
Bus 4.5% / —
Acacia Ridge — Bus: 4.5% Willawong — Bus: not among its largest
Train 2.8% / —
Acacia Ridge — Train: 2.8% Willawong — Train: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (73.0%).

Setting

Acacia Ridge Willawong
Elevation 31 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 14 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 19.6 km 21.6 km

NBN connectivity

Acacia Ridge Willawong
Connectivity score 79/100 90/100
Most common technology Hybrid fibre-coaxial Fibre to the premises
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 20%
4,279 premises
 80%
404 premises

Climate

Acacia Ridge Willawong
Annual rainfall 1,032 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 30.5°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 8.9°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Acacia Ridge Willawong
PM2.5 6.5 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 17.3 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ 0.99 pphm
same for both

Council rates

Acacia Ridge Willawong
Average residential rate $1,519/yr
same for both
Council Brisbane
same for both

Federal electorate

Acacia Ridge Willawong
Division Moreton
same for both
Member Julie-Ann Campbell
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Acacia Ridge Willawong
Grant amount $30,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Acacia Ridge

Middle-Ring Multicultural Parks

Willawong

Middle-Ring Premium

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Acacia Ridge

Acacia Ridge vs Sunnybank Hills Acacia Ridge vs Algester Acacia Ridge vs Sunnybank Acacia Ridge vs Coopers Plains Acacia Ridge vs Archerfield

Other comparisons with Willawong

Willawong vs Oxley Willawong vs Algester Willawong vs Durack Willawong vs Doolandella Willawong vs Pallara Willawong vs Rocklea
Full data on Acacia Ridge Full data on Willawong
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Information shown is provided as-is from Australian government and commercial data sources.
Always verify with the relevant authority before making property decisions.
See Data Sources and How We Calculate for details.

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