Ashfield - Kepnock
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Ashfield-Kepnock's population is 6,048 as of August 2025. This figure reflects an increase of 389 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,659. The growth is inferred from ABS estimates: 5,923 in June 2024 and 119 additional validated addresses since the Census date. Population density is 749 persons per square kilometer. Ashfield-Kepnock's growth rate of 6.9% since the census is within 1.5 percentage points of its SA3 area, indicating competitive fundamentals. Interstate migration contributed approximately 80.8% of population gains recently.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a 2022 base year. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted. Future trends project an above median population growth nationally for regional areas. Ashfield-Kepnock is expected to expand by 812 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of 11.4% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Ashfield - Kepnock recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Ashfield-Kepnock has received approximately 21 dwelling approvals each year. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) provides this data on a financial year basis, totalling 105 approvals from FY-21 to FY-25, with 15 approved in FY-26 so far. On average, each dwelling has attracted 3 new residents annually over the past five financial years. The average construction cost of new homes is $597,000.

This year, commercial development approvals reached $1.4 million, indicating limited commercial activity compared to residential developments. Compared to the rest of Queensland and nationally, Ashfield-Kepnock records around 57% of building activity per person, placing it in the 49th percentile. This suggests fewer property choices for buyers, supporting demand for existing homes.

All new constructions have been detached houses, maintaining the area's low-density character favoured by families seeking space. As of recent data, there are approximately 374 people per dwelling approval in the area. Population forecasts indicate Ashfield-Kepnock will gain about 687 residents by 2041. Development pace is keeping up with projected growth, but increasing competition among buyers is expected as the population expands.

Ashfield - Kepnock has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 37thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 15 projects that could affect the region. Notable ones include Sienna Boulevard, Ashfield Growth Precinct Sewerage Infrastructure, Gympie Estate Affordable Housing Project, and St Vincent de Paul Social Housing Walkervale Bundaberg. The following list details those most relevant.

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

The employment landscape in Ashfield - Kepnock shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

Ashfield-Kepnock has a diverse workforce with both white and blue-collar jobs, prominent essential services sectors, an unemployment rate of 4.7% as of June 2025, and estimated employment growth of 6.4% over the past year. The area's unemployment rate is 0.7% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%, with workforce participation at 54.3%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%.

Key employment industries include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training. Health care & social assistance is particularly strong, with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level, while professional & technical services show lower representation at 2.7% compared to the regional average of 5.1%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited, as indicated by Census data comparing working population and resident population. From June 2024 to June 2025, employment levels increased by 6.4%, labour force grew by 7.5%, leading to a 1.0 percentage point rise in unemployment rate.

In contrast, Rest of Qld had employment growth of 1.8% and labour force growth of 2.0%, with a 0.2 percentage point increase in unemployment rate. State-level data from Sep-25 shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.23% (losing 8,070 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%. National forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Ashfield-Kepnock's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.2% over five years and 13.4% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data, released for financial year 2022, shows Ashfield - Kepnock had a median income among taxpayers of $48,493 and an average of $59,921. Both figures are below the national average. In comparison, Rest of Qld's median was $50,780 with an average of $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of March 2025 would be approximately $54,172 (median) and $66,938 (average). According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Ashfield - Kepnock fall between the 18th and 21st percentiles nationally. Income distribution data shows that 29.2% of locals (1,766 people) earn between $1,500 and $2,999, mirroring regional levels where 31.7% occupy this bracket. After housing costs, 85.0% of income remains, ranking at the 20th percentile nationally.

Ashfield - Kepnock is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Ashfield-Kepnock's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, had 88.1% houses and 11.9% other dwellings. Non-Metro Qld had 84.6% houses and 15.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Ashfield-Kepnock was at 35.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 33.8% and rented ones at 30.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, similar to Non-Metro Qld's average. Median weekly rent in Ashfield-Kepnock was $290, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $285. Nationally, Ashfield-Kepnock's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,300 versus Australia's $1,863, and rents were substantially lower at $290 compared to the national figure of $375.

Ashfield - Kepnock has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 70.3% of all households, including 26.1% couples with children, 29.0% couples without children, and 14.0% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 29.7%, with lone person households at 26.5% and group households comprising 3.3% of the total. The median household size is 2.5 people, larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.4.

Educational outcomes in Ashfield - Kepnock fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 14.7%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 11.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.8%) and graduate diplomas (1.4%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 40.6% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas (8.5%) and certificates (32.1%).

Educational participation is high at 28.2%, including primary education (12.0%), secondary education (9.0%), and tertiary education (2.5%). Ashfield-Kepnock's three schools have a combined enrollment of 1,936 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 984) offering balanced educational opportunities. The area functions as an education hub with 32.0 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 13.9, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

The analysis shows 15 active transport stops operating within Ashfield-Kepnock, consisting of bus services. These stops are served by three individual routes, offering a total of 61 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of public transport is rated as good, with residents typically located 324 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages eight trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately four weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Ashfield - Kepnock is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Ashfield-Kepnock has significant health challenges, as indicated by health data. Both younger and older age groups have notable prevalence of common health conditions.

Private health cover is relatively low at approximately 50% of the total population (~2,993 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (10.8%) and mental health issues (9.4%). In contrast, 61.6% of residents declare they have no medical ailments, slightly higher than the Rest of Qld's 59.1%. The area has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 21.4% (1,291 people), compared to Rest of Qld's 26.3%. Health outcomes among seniors broadly align with the general population's health profile.

Ashfield - Kepnock ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Ashfield-Kepnock showed lower cultural diversity with 88.1% citizens, 86.1% born in Australia, and 91.9% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion at 54.1%, close to Rest of Qld's 54.0%. Top ancestry groups were English (30.5%), Australian (29.4%), Scottish (7.0%).

Notably, German (6.6%) and Korean (0.7%) were overrepresented, while Australian Aboriginal (3.9%) was slightly higher than the regional average of 3.4%.

Ashfield - Kepnock's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Ashfield-Kepnock has a median age of 40, close to Rest of Qld's figure of 41 and slightly higher than Australia's norm of 38. The 0-4 age group is strongly represented at 6.6%, compared to Rest of Qld, while the 55-64 cohort is less prevalent at 10.6%. Post the 2021 Census, the 35-44 age group has increased from 11.6% to 13.0%, but the 5-14 cohort has declined from 13.7% to 12.6%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Ashfield-Kepnock's age profile will significantly change. The 25-34 group is projected to grow by 24%, reaching 950 people from the current 768. Conversely, the 15-24 age range is expected to decrease by 62 people.