Queanbeyan Surrounds
Statistical Area - sa2

Queanbeyan Surrounds lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Queanbeyan Surrounds' population is 18,160 as of Aug 2025. This shows an increase of 1,621 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 16,539. The change is inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 17,667 in June 2024 and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 6.0 persons per square kilometer. Queanbeyan Surrounds' growth of 9.8% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA4 region's 4.7%. Growth was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 46.5% of overall population gains.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections are used, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future trends forecast significant population increase in the top quartile of national non-metropolitan areas, with Queanbeyan Surrounds expected to grow by 7,469 persons to 2041, recording a gain of 38.4% over the 17 years.

The level of residential development activity in Queanbeyan Surrounds was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

Queanbeyan Surrounds has averaged approximately 189 new dwelling approvals per year. Development approval data is provided by the ABS on a financial year basis, totalling 946 approvals over the past five financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, with 27 approvals recorded so far in FY-26. On average, each new dwelling constructed over these five years has resulted in 1.7 new residents per year. This balance between supply and demand supports stable market conditions.

The average construction value of new homes is $559,000, which is somewhat higher than regional norms, reflecting quality-focused development. In the current financial year, $580,000 in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating a predominantly residential focus. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Queanbeyan Surrounds has had slightly more development activity, at 43.0% above the regional average per person over the past five years. This level is well above the national average, suggesting strong developer confidence in the area.

Recent construction comprises 91.0% detached dwellings and 9.0% medium to high-density housing, preserving the area's low density nature while also providing some options for buyers seeking alternative housing types. With around 81 people per approval, Queanbeyan Surrounds indicates a developing area. Looking forward, projections suggest that Queanbeyan Surrounds is expected to grow by approximately 6,973 residents by the year 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections.

Queanbeyan Surrounds has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 297 projects likely to affect the region. Notable ones include South Jerrabomberra (Tralee) Estate, Googong Convenience Centre, Kings Highway Upgrades, and Googong Hotel, with the following list highlighting those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Queanbeyan Surrounds performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Queanbeyan Surrounds has a highly educated workforce with a low unemployment rate of 0.8% as of June 2025. The area's employment rate is 2.8 percentage points below the Rest of NSW average of 3.7%, and its participation rate is higher at 69.5%.

Key industries for residents include public administration & safety, construction, and professional & technical services. Public administration & safety has a notably high concentration, being 3.5 times the regional average. However, health care & social assistance is underrepresented with only 8.4% of the workforce compared to 16.9% in Rest of NSW. Labour force levels decreased by 3.6% over the year to June 2025, accompanied by a 3.9% decrease in employment, leading to an unemployment rate rise of 0.3 percentage points.

In contrast, Rest of NSW experienced a 0.1% employment decline and 0.3% labour force growth, with a 0.4 percentage point unemployment rate increase. State-level data from Sep-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.41%, losing 19,270 jobs, with an unemployment rate of 4.3%. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 4.5% with employment growth of 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest a potential local growth in Queanbeyan Surrounds' employment mix of approximately 6.1% over five years and 12.5% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

Queanbeyan Surrounds showed a median taxpayer income of $68,216 and an average income of $81,215 in financial year 2022. This was significantly higher than the national figures for Rest of NSW, which had a median income of $49,459 and an average income of $62,998. By March 2025, these incomes are estimated to have increased to approximately $75,447 (median) and $89,824 (average), based on a Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% since financial year 2022. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Queanbeyan Surrounds ranked between the 93rd and 96th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile indicated that 32.4% of locals (5,883 people) fell into the $4000+ category, unlike the regional pattern where the $1,500 - 2,999 category dominated with 29.9%. Economic strength was evident as 48.8% of households earned high weekly incomes exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. After housing costs, residents retained 88.1% of their income, demonstrating strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 9th decile.

Queanbeyan Surrounds is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Queanbeyan Surrounds, as per the latest Census evaluation, 98.1% of dwellings were houses while 1.8% comprised semi-detached homes, apartments and other types. This contrasts with Non-Metro NSW's dwelling structure of 74.5% houses and 25.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Queanbeyan Surrounds stood at 35.8%, with mortgaged properties at 54.2% and rented ones at 9.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,417, higher than Non-Metro NSW's average of $2,167. The median weekly rent in the area was $465, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $355. Nationally, Queanbeyan Surrounds' mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,417 than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially higher at $465 compared to the national figure of $375.

Queanbeyan Surrounds features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 84.8% of all households, including 42.0% couples with children, 34.7% couples without children, and 7.3% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 15.2%, with lone person households at 14.2% and group households comprising 1.2%. The median household size is 2.9 people, larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.6.

Educational attainment in Queanbeyan Surrounds aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

Queanbeyan Surrounds' residents aged 15+ have a higher university qualification rate of 33.3% compared to the broader NSW average of 21.3%. This is also above the SA4 region's 24.1%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 19.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 9.8% and graduate diplomas at 4.2%. Vocational credentials are common, with 35.9% of residents holding these, including advanced diplomas (12.3%) and certificates (23.6%).

Educational participation is high, with 30.5% currently enrolled in formal education, including primary (10.9%), secondary (9.2%), and tertiary (4.5%) levels. The area has five schools with a combined enrollment of 762 students, serving balanced educational opportunities typical of Australian schools (ICSEA: 984). There are four primary and one secondary school. School capacity is limited locally at 4.2 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 10.1, leading many families to seek schooling in nearby areas.

Transport servicing is low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Queanbeyan Surrounds has 319 active public transport stops, including both train and bus services. These stops are served by 79 individual routes that together facilitate 961 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as good, with residents typically located approximately 368 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 137 trips per day across all routes, equating to around three weekly trips per individual stop.

Queanbeyan Surrounds's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Health data for Queanbeyan Surrounds indicates a relatively positive picture regarding residents' health conditions. Both younger and older age groups exhibit common health conditions at standard levels.

Notably, 61% of residents have private health cover, surpassing the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 8.9% of residents) and asthma (8.2%). A significant portion of residents, 68.3%, claim to be entirely free from medical ailments, a figure slightly lower than the Rest of NSW average at 68.7%. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, with 16.1% (2,932 people) compared to the Rest of NSW's 13.4%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Queanbeyan Surrounds are particularly strong, even outperforming those of the general population when measured by health metrics.

Queanbeyan Surrounds is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Queanbeyan Surrounds, as per the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2016 data, had a lower cultural diversity with 86.5% of its population born in Australia and 92.5% being citizens. English was spoken at home by 94.9%. Christianity was the predominant religion, practiced by 51.7%, slightly below the Rest of NSW average of 52.1%.

In terms of ancestry, Australians comprised 30.4%, English 29.3%, and Irish 9.8% of Queanbeyan Surrounds' population. Certain ethnic groups showed notable differences in representation: Macedonian was overrepresented at 0.3% (regional average 1.5%), Scottish at 8.6% (vs regional 7.6%), and Dutch at 1.5% (vs regional 1.2%).

Queanbeyan Surrounds hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Queanbeyan Surrounds's median age is 41 years, which is lower than Rest of NSW's average of 43 but higher than the national average of 38. The age group of 45-54 has strong representation at 14.5%, compared to Rest of NSW. The 75-84 age group is less prevalent at 4.9%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 75-84 age group grew from 4.0% to 4.9%. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort declined from 16.3% to 14.5%, and the 55-64 group dropped from 15.5% to 14.0%. Demographic modeling suggests that Queanbeyan Surrounds's age profile will significantly evolve by 2041. The 35-44 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 56%, adding 1,369 residents to reach 3,801. In contrast, the 55-64 cohort shows minimal growth of just 9% (231 people).