Arundel

Population growth drivers in Arundel are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Arundel's population, as of February 2026, is approximately 11,943 people. This figure represents an increase of 772 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 11,171 people. The growth was inferred from the estimated resident population of 11,919 in June 2024 and an additional 76 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,226 persons per square kilometer, which is higher than the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Arundel's growth rate of 6.9% since the 2021 census exceeds that of the SA3 area at 6.5%, positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 79.8% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including natural growth and interstate migration were positive factors.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are used, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 and based on 2022 data. Considering projected demographic shifts, Arundel is expected to experience a population increase just below the median of regional areas across the nation by 2041. Based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, the area is projected to increase by 1,652 persons over these 17 years, reflecting an overall increase of 13.6%.

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 each year over the past five financial years, totalling 78 homes. As of FY26, there have been 1 approval recorded to date. On average, for every home built between FY21 and FY25, 13 new residents were added annually. This high demand coupled with limited supply typically leads to price growth and increased buyer competition.

New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $356,000. In the current financial year, there have been $34.5 million in commercial approvals, indicating robust local commercial activity. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Arundel has significantly lower building activity, 65.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new homes often strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Nationally, this figure is also reflective of the area's maturity and potential planning constraints. New development in Arundel consists of 57.0% detached dwellings and 43.0% attached dwellings, offering a range of housing options from spacious family homes to more affordable compact choices.

This shift marks a notable departure from existing housing patterns, which are currently 83.0% houses, suggesting diminishing developable land availability and responding to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. With approximately 3588 people per dwelling approval, Arundel reflects a highly mature market. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Arundel is projected to add 1628 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 39 projects likely impacting this region. Notable initiatives include Arundel Hills Residential Development, Smith Street Motorway Connection, Molendinar Creek Flood Mitigation, and Arundel Springs by AVID. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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Employment performance in Arundel has been broadly consistent with national averages

Arundel has an educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 3.8%, with estimated employment growth of 2.4% over the past year. As of September 2025, 6,075 residents are employed, while the unemployment rate is 0.2% lower than Rest of Qld's 4.1%.

Workforce participation in Arundel is similar to Rest of Qld at 65.7%. According to Census responses, only 13.3% of residents work from home. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance (20.2%), retail trade (18.9%), and education & training (14.5%).

Agriculture, forestry & fishing employs just 0.2% of local workers, below Rest of Qld's 4.5%. Over the past year, employment increased by 2.4%, labour force grew by 2.2%, reducing unemployment by 0.2 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of Qld saw employment grow by 1.7%, labour force expand by 2.1%, and unemployment rise by 0.3 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Arundel's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, assuming no changes in population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that median income in Arundel SA2 is $49,743 and average income stands at $62,340. This contrasts with Rest of Qld's median income of $53,146 and average income of $66,593. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Arundel would be approximately $54,673 (median) and $68,518 (average) as of September 2025. According to 2021 Census figures, household income ranks at the 34th percentile, family income at the 39th percentile, and personal income at the 46th percentile in Arundel. Income distribution shows that 34.1% of individuals earn between $1,500 - $2,999, consistent with metropolitan trends (31.7%). Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 81.8% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 44th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the fifth decile.

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

Arundel's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, comprised 83.0% houses and 17.1% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Arundel was 34.2%, similar to Non-Metro Qld's figure. The remaining dwellings were either mortgaged (37.5%) or rented (28.3%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Arundel was $2,000, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent figure for Arundel was $470, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $345. Nationally, Arundel's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,000 than the Australian average of $1,863, while 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 constitute 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 account for the remaining 22.6%, with lone person households at 18.4% and group households comprising 4.2% of the total. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 27.3%, exceeding the Rest of Queensland average of 20.6%. This rate also surpasses that of the SA3 area at 22.9%, indicating a strong emphasis on higher education in the community. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 18.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 7.1% and graduate diplomas at 2.2%.

Vocational credentials are held by 34.8% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 11.8% and certificates at 23.0%. Educational participation is high, with 28.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.2% in primary education, 7.4% in secondary education, and 6.0% pursuing tertiary education.

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, serving a variety of bus routes. These stops are serviced by six individual routes, facilitating 1,567 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport accessibility is deemed good, with residents typically situated 333 meters from the nearest stop. Predominantly residential, most residents commute outward, with car being the primary mode at 90%. On average, there are 1.5 vehicles per dwelling. According to the 2021 Census data, a relatively low 13.3% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages 223 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately 52 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Arundel is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Arundel faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high, with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover is relatively low at approximately 50% of the total population (~6,019 people), compared to 52.5% in Rest of Qld and the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (8.7%) and mental health issues (8.1%). 68.2% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.6% in Rest of Qld. Under-65 population health outcomes are better than average. The area has 18.7% of residents aged 65 and over (2,228 people), lower than the 20.4% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

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 showed higher linguistic diversity, with 22.0% speaking a language other than English at home and 38.2% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion in Arundel, accounting for 46.6%. Notably, Islam had a higher representation in Arundel at 4.4%, compared to 0.6% across Rest of Qld.

Regarding ancestry, the top groups were English (28.3%), Australian (20.5%), and Other (11.6%). Some ethnic groups showed significant differences: New Zealanders comprised 1.5% in Arundel versus 0.9% regionally, Maori were at 1.7% compared to 0.8%, and Koreans at 0.8% against 0.2%.

Arundel's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Arundel's median age is 40, closely matching Rest of Qld's figure of 41 but slightly exceeding Australia's national norm of 38. The 25-34 age group constitutes 14.7% of Arundel's population, higher than Rest of Qld's percentage. Conversely, the 65-74 cohort makes up 8.7%, lower than Rest of Qld's figure. Post-2021 Census, the 25-34 age group increased from 11.8% to 14.7%. The 65-74 cohort decreased from 10.6% to 8.7%, and the 45-54 group fell from 13.2% to 12.2%. By 2041, Arundel's age profile is projected to change significantly. The 25-34 group is expected to grow by 28% (489 people), reaching 2,246 from 1,756. Meanwhile, population declines are forecast for the 55-64 and 15-24 cohorts.