Arundel
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Arundel are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Arundel's population was 11,937 as of August 2025. This reflected an increase of 766 people from the 2021 Census figure of 11,171. The increase was inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 11,919 in June 2024 and 75 validated new addresses since the Census date. This resulted in a population density of 1,225 persons per square kilometer, higher than average national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Arundel's growth rate of 6.9% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area's rate of 6.5%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 79.8% of overall population gains during recent periods, with natural growth and interstate migration also being positive factors.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age cohort. Based on projected demographic shifts, Arundel is expected to increase by just below the median of regional areas nationally. By 2041, the area's population is projected to increase by 1,652 persons, representing a total increase of 13.7% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Arundel according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Arundel has averaged approximately 15 new dwelling approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis, with 78 dwellings approved between the years ending June 2021 and June 2025. In the current financial year up to June 2026, one dwelling has been approved so far. Over the past five financial years, an average of 13 new residents have arrived per dwelling constructed.

This demand significantly exceeds new supply, typically leading to price growth and increased buyer competition. New dwellings are developed at an average expected construction cost value of $468,000, consistent with regional patterns. In the current financial year, there have been $34.5 million in commercial approvals, indicating high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to the Rest of Queensland, Arundel records markedly lower building activity, at 65.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new homes typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Nationally, this figure is also below average, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints.

New development consists of 57.0% detached dwellings and 43.0% attached dwellings, featuring an increasing blend of attached housing types offering choices across price ranges. This marks a significant departure from existing housing patterns, currently at 83.0% houses, suggesting diminishing developable land availability and responding to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. With around 3588 people per dwelling approval, Arundel reflects a highly mature market. Future projections show Arundel adding 1634 residents by the year 2041. Should current construction levels persist, housing supply could lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Arundel has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 41 projects likely affecting the region. Notable initiatives include Smith Street Motorway Connection, Arundel Hills Residential Development, Molendinar Creek Flood Mitigation, and Arundel Springs by AVID. The following list outlines those most pertinent.

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

Employment performance in Arundel has been broadly consistent with national averages

Arundel has an educated workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 3.5%, lower than the Rest of Qld's 3.9%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 2.5%. As of June 2025, 6,095 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.4% below the state average and workforce participation similar to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Local employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training, while agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 0.2% of local workers compared to Rest of Qld's 4.5%.

Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data analysis. In the past year, employment increased by 2.5% alongside labour force growth of 2.1%, decreasing unemployment by 0.4 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of Qld where employment grew by 1.8%, labour force expanded by 2.0%, and unemployment rose by 0.2 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.23% (losing 8,070 jobs), with a state unemployment rate of 4.2%. National unemployment is at 4.5% with national employment growth of 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment expansion by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Arundel's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.7%% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, using simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 indicates that income in Arundel is below the national average. The median income is assessed at $47,275 while the average income stands at $61,464. This contrasts with Rest of Qld's figures where the median income is $50,780 and the average income is $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $52,811 (median) and $68,661 (average) as of March 2025. According to 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes all rank modestly in Arundel, between the 31st and 46th percentiles. Income distribution shows that the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 34.1% of the community (4,070 individuals), consistent with broader trends across the metropolitan region showing 31.7% in the same category. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 81.8% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 45th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Arundel is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

In Arundel, as recorded in the latest Census, 83.0% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 17.1% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments and other types. Compared to Non-Metro Qld where 41.7% were houses and 58.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Arundel stood at 34.2%, similar to Non-Metro Qld's figure. Mortgaged dwellings made up 37.5% and rented ones 28.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Arundel was $470 compared to Non-Metro Qld's $410. Nationally, Arundel's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,000 against the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Arundel features high concentrations of group households and family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 77.4% of all households, including 33.2% couples with children, 30.0% couples without children, and 13.1% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 22.6%, with lone person households at 18.4% and group households comprising 4.2%. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.2.

The educational profile of Arundel exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

The area's educational profile stands out regionally, with university qualification rates at 27.3% among residents aged 15+, surpassing both the Rest of Qld average of 20.6% and the SA3 area average of 22.9%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 18.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.1%) and graduate diplomas (2.2%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 34.8% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas comprise 11.8% and certificates make up 23.0%.

Educational participation is high at 28.5%, including primary education (9.2%), secondary education (7.4%), and tertiary education (6.0%). The area's educational provision includes Arundel State School and A B Paterson College, serving a total of 2,587 students. Arundel demonstrates above-average socio-educational conditions with an ICSEA score of 1075. The educational mix consists of one primary school and one K-12 school. Functioning as an education hub, the area offers 21.7 school places per 100 residents, significantly higher than the regional average of 8.8, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

A total of 30 operational public transport stops exist within Arundel. These stops are served by a combination of bus routes, amounting to six individual routes in total. The weekly passenger trips facilitated by these routes number 1,567.

Residents' access to transport is considered good, with an average distance of 333 meters to the nearest stop. On average, there are 223 daily trips across all routes, which equates to approximately 52 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health outcomes in Arundel are marginally below the national average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Arundel's health indicators show below-average results, with common health conditions being somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Approximately 51% of Arundel's total population (~6,040 people) has private health cover, compared to Rest of Qld's 53.9%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (8.7%) and mental health issues (8.1%). Around 68.2% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to Rest of Qld's 64.5%. Arundel has 18.9% of residents aged 65 and over (2,251 people), lower than Rest of Qld's 25.8%. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

Arundel was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Arundel's population, as per the data, showed higher cultural diversity than most nearby markets, with 22.0% speaking a language other than English at home and 38.2% born overseas. Christianity was found to be the predominant religion in Arundel, comprising 46.6% of its residents. Notably, Islam was overrepresented in Arundel compared to the rest of Queensland, making up 4.4% versus 2.5%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (28.3%), Australian (20.5%), and Other (11.6%). There were also notable differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: New Zealanders were overrepresented at 1.5%, Maori at 1.7%, and Koreans at 0.8%.

Arundel's median age exceeds the national pattern

Arundel's median age is 40, closely matching Rest of Qld's figure of 41 and slightly exceeding the national norm of 38. The 25-34 age group comprises 14.2%, higher than Rest of Qld, while the 65-74 cohort stands at 8.9%. Post-2021 Census, the 25-34 age group increased from 11.8% to 14.2%, and the 65-74 cohort decreased from 10.6% to 8.9%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant shifts in Arundel's age profile. The 25-34 group is expected to grow by 33% (552 people), reaching 2,246 from 1,693. Conversely, the 15-24 age range is projected to decrease by 72%.