Railway Estate vs West End

Railway Estate is the younger of the two, with a median age of 36 against 40 in West End. In Railway Estate, most households own their home, most homes are detached houses, and about half of households are people living alone. In West End, about half of households rent and most households are people living alone. Houses cost more in West End: a median of $680,000, against $613,000 in Railway Estate, though rent is higher in Railway Estate. On these figures, West End tends to suit renters and people living alone.

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

Railway Estate

ahead on 2 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more separate houses rather than flats (71% vs 49%)
  • is already more of a family suburb (43% vs 35%)
  • But West End has more parks and reserves (10 vs 5)

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

First-home buyers

Railway Estate

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has cheaper units ($371,000 vs $438,500)
  • has cheaper houses ($612,750 vs $680,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

West End

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (52% vs 42%)
  • has cheaper rent ($250/wk vs $300/wk)

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

Commuting to the city

They split

one each way, out of the 3 things we measure here

  • Railway Estate sits closer to the CBD (1349.2 km vs 1352.4 km)
  • West End is more walkable (79/100 vs 48/100)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

West End

ahead on 2 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (51% vs 29%)
  • is more walkable (79/100 vs 48/100)

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

Investors

Railway Estate

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • is growing faster (0.7% vs -4.3%)
  • returns a higher gross yield on houses (5.0% vs 4.4%)

Weighs house yield, unit yield, and population growth.

Where they sit

Railway Estate and West End drawn to the same scale. Both outlines are shown together, so the map answers whether they share a border and how their areas compare.

Railway Estate West End
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.

Railway Estate West End
Walkability 48 / 79
Railway Estate — Walkability: 48/100 West End — Walkability: 79/100
Safety 13 / 8
Railway Estate — Safety: 13/100 West End — Safety: 8/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Railway Estate — Low fire risk: 100/100 West End — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

West End has more residents (3,891 vs 2,871); Railway Estate rents higher ($300/wk vs $250/wk).

Railway Estate West End
Population 2,871 3,891
+36% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +0.7% -4.3%
Median age 36 40
Median household income $79,508/yr
+8% vs other
 $72,904/yr
Median weekly rent $300/wk
+17% vs other
 $250/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Railway Estate West End
0-4 5.2% / 5.2%
Railway Estate — 0-4: 5.2% West End — 0-4: 5.2%
5-14 11.7% / 9.2%
Railway Estate — 5-14: 11.7% West End — 5-14: 9.2%
15-19 6.2% / 4.6%
Railway Estate — 15-19: 6.2% West End — 15-19: 4.6%
20-24 8.9% / 7.4%
Railway Estate — 20-24: 8.9% West End — 20-24: 7.4%
25-34 16.1% / 16.0%
Railway Estate — 25-34: 16.1% West End — 25-34: 16.0%
35-44 12.5% / 14.0%
Railway Estate — 35-44: 12.5% West End — 35-44: 14.0%
45-54 13.3% / 15.3%
Railway Estate — 45-54: 13.3% West End — 45-54: 15.3%
55-64 13.1% / 13.7%
Railway Estate — 55-64: 13.1% West End — 55-64: 13.7%
65-74 8.9% / 9.1%
Railway Estate — 65-74: 8.9% West End — 65-74: 9.1%
75-84 3.0% / 4.7%
Railway Estate — 75-84: 3.0% West End — 75-84: 4.7%
85+ 1.4% / 1.1%
Railway Estate — 85+: 1.4% West End — 85+: 1.1%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (16.1%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Railway Estate 47.0% lone person
Railway Estate — Lone Person: 47.0% Railway Estate — Couple Families: 25.4% Railway Estate — One Parent Families: 17.3% Railway Estate — Group Household: 8.0% Railway Estate — Other Families: 2.3%
West End 57.3% lone person
West End — Lone Person: 57.3% West End — Couple Families: 20.9% West End — One Parent Families: 13.7% West End — Group Household: 6.6% West End — Other Families: 1.6%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Railway Estate 42.0% renting
Railway Estate — Owned Outright: 24.9% Railway Estate — Mortgage: 33.2% Railway Estate — Renting: 42.0%
West End 52.3% renting
West End — Owned Outright: 19.5% West End — Mortgage: 28.2% West End — Renting: 52.3%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

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.

Railway Estate West End
England 2.6% / 2.7%
Railway Estate — England: 2.6% West End — England: 2.7%
New Zealand 2.6% / 2.5%
Railway Estate — New Zealand: 2.6% West End — New Zealand: 2.5%
India 0.5% / 0.9%
Railway Estate — India: 0.5% West End — India: 0.9%
Philippines 0.5% / 0.8%
Railway Estate — Philippines: 0.5% West End — Philippines: 0.8%
Germany 0.6% / 0.6%
Railway Estate — Germany: 0.6% West End — Germany: 0.6%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (2.7%).

Qualifications

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

Railway Estate West End
Certificate III & IV 17.5% / 16.7%
Railway Estate — Certificate III & IV: 17.5% West End — Certificate III & IV: 16.7%
Bachelor Degree 12.0% / 13.9%
Railway Estate — Bachelor Degree: 12.0% West End — Bachelor Degree: 13.9%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 8.1% / 6.9%
Railway Estate — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.1% West End — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 6.9%
Postgraduate Degree 3.1% / 5.1%
Railway Estate — Postgraduate Degree: 3.1% West End — Postgraduate Degree: 5.1%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.8% / 1.9%
Railway Estate — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.8% West End — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.9%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (17.5%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Railway Estate 71.2% houses
Railway Estate — Houses: 71.2% Railway Estate — Townhouses: 23.3% Railway Estate — Flats / Apartments: 5.5%
West End 48.7% houses
West End — Houses: 48.7% West End — Townhouses: 41.6% West End — Flats / Apartments: 9.7%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Railway Estate West End
Median house price $612,750 $680,000
Median unit price $371,000 $438,500
Median land price — $482,750
Typical days to sell (houses) 30 days
from 38 sales
 20 days
from 40 sales

Unit price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

Railway Estate West End
2 bed $360K / $400K
Railway Estate — 2 bed: $360K (15 sales) West End — 2 bed: $400K (57 sales)

15 vs 57 sales

3 bed $519K / $535K
Railway Estate — 3 bed: $519K (6 sales) West End — 3 bed: $535K (16 sales)

6 vs 16 sales

House price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

Railway Estate West End
2 bed $545K / $589K
Railway Estate — 2 bed: $545K (23 sales) West End — 2 bed: $589K (16 sales)

23 vs 16 sales

3 bed $600K / $670K
Railway Estate — 3 bed: $600K (58 sales) West End — 3 bed: $670K (48 sales)

58 vs 48 sales

4 bed $700K / $800K
Railway Estate — 4 bed: $700K (27 sales) West End — 4 bed: $800K (29 sales)

27 vs 29 sales

5 bed $825K / $1.11M
Railway Estate — 5 bed: $825K (7 sales) West End — 5 bed: $1.11M (5 sales)

7 vs 5 sales

Development activity

Railway Estate West End
New dwellings approved 1,096
across Townsville
same for both
Approvals change year on year -22%
same for both

Gross rental yield

Gross — before strata, rates, management, insurance and vacancy. From median advertised rents and median asking prices over the last 6 months. How we calculate.

Railway Estate West End
Houses 5.0%
$650/wk on $675K
 4.4%
$550/wk on $649K
Units 5.6%
$450/wk on $419K
 5.4%
$485/wk on $469K

Ranking within QLD

Railway Estate West End
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 50% of QLD Higher than 43% of QLD
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 86% of QLD Higher than 95% of QLD
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 84% of QLD Higher than 85% of QLD
NBN connectivity Higher than 99% of QLD
same for both
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 91% of QLD Higher than 73% of QLD
Rental yield (units) Higher than 83% of QLD Higher than 79% of QLD

Liveability

West End is more walkable (79 vs 48).

Railway Estate West End
Grade C
same for both
Score 39/100 41/100
Socio-economic band mid-range socio-economic
decile 5/10
 mid-range socio-economic
decile 4/10

Risk profile

Railway Estate West End
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime High
87/100
 High
92/100
Flood Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 11
within 5 km
 10
within 5 km

Schools

Railway Estate West End
Inside the suburb 2
same for both
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 2 1
Rated below peers 0
same for both
Universities within 10 km 1
James Cook University - Townsville, 1.9 km
 1
James Cook University - Townsville, 2.5 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 2.3% 1.7%

Schools in Railway Estate

  • Railway Estate State School Government · Primary at peers
  • Townsville State High School Government · Secondary at peers

Schools in West End

  • Townsville West State School Government · Primary at peers
  • Townsville Flexible School Catholic · Secondary · Special school

Amenities in the suburb

Railway Estate West End
Cafes & restaurants 0 3
Parks & reserves 5 10
Childcare 2 4
Banks & Bank@Post 0 1
Fuel stations 1 2
Waterways 3 6

Mobility

West End sits further from the CBD (1352.4 km vs 1349.2 km).

Railway Estate West End
Walkability score 48/100 79/100
Distance to Brisbane 1349.2 km 1352.4 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 921 min 925 min
Public transport score 58/100
Bus
 76/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 18.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
 45.2
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 1.2%
postcode 4810
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 34
postcode 4810
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.

Railway Estate West End
Car (driver) 83.0% / 79.9%
Railway Estate — Car (driver): 83.0% West End — Car (driver): 79.9%
Car (passenger) 7.1% / 6.0%
Railway Estate — Car (passenger): 7.1% West End — Car (passenger): 6.0%
Worked from Home 5.2% / 7.2%
Railway Estate — Worked from Home: 5.2% West End — Worked from Home: 7.2%
Walked Only 1.7% / 3.3%
Railway Estate — Walked Only: 1.7% West End — Walked Only: 3.3%
Bicycle 1.7% / 2.6%
Railway Estate — Bicycle: 1.7% West End — Bicycle: 2.6%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (83.0%).

Setting

Railway Estate West End
Elevation 5 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 11 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 1.7 km
2.1 km to a named beach
 2.5 km
2.8 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Railway Estate West End
Connectivity score 100/100 99/100
Most common technology Fibre to the premises
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 100%
1,657 premises
 96%
2,578 premises

Climate

Railway Estate West End
Annual rainfall 1,304 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 31.8°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 15.0°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Railway Estate West End
PM2.5 — 6.0 µg/m³
PM10 15.6 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ — 0.25 pphm

Council rates

Railway Estate West End
Average residential rate $1,810/yr
same for both
Council Townsville
same for both

Federal electorate

Railway Estate West End
Division Herbert
same for both
Member Phillip Thompson
same for both
Party Liberal National Party of Queensland
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Railway Estate West End
Grant amount $30,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Railway Estate

Affordable Coastal Parks Quiet Townhouses

West End

Coastal Parks Townhouses

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Railway Estate

Railway Estate vs Hermit Park Railway Estate vs Townsville City Railway Estate vs South Townsville Railway Estate vs Oonoonba Railway Estate vs Stuart

Other comparisons with West End

West End vs Hermit Park West End vs Townsville City West End vs Pimlico West End vs Currajong West End vs Garbutt West End vs Belgian Gardens
Full data on Railway Estate Full data on West End
Unlock full address-level data — $29/month

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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