Balmoral
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Balmoral's population was approximately 4,554 people as of Aug 2021. By Aug 2025, this had increased to around 4,855, a rise of 301 individuals (6.6%). This growth is inferred from the ABS estimated resident population of 4,845 in June 2024 and an additional 20 validated new addresses since Aug 2021. The population density was approximately 3,518 persons per square kilometer as of Aug 2025, placing Balmoral in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Balmoral's growth rate of 6.6% since Aug 2021 is within 2.0 percentage points of the national average (8.6%) during this period. Natural growth contributed approximately 56.4% of overall population gains recently, with other drivers such as overseas and interstate migration also 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 released in 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted. Due to the lack of age category splits in state projections, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort. By 2041, Balmoral is projected to increase by approximately 273 persons, recording a total gain of about 5.4% over the 17-year period based on the latest population numbers.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Balmoral when compared nationally

Balmoral has seen approximately 17 new homes approved each year. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, 89 homes were approved, with an additional one approved so far in FY-26. On average, around 2.3 people have moved to the area per new home constructed over these years, indicating consistent demand which supports property values.

New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $1,217,000, suggesting developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties. In FY-26, commercial approvals valued at $1.1 million have been registered, indicating minimal commercial development activity. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Balmoral records about three-quarters of the building activity per person while it ranks among the 71st percentile nationally in terms of development activity, though recent periods show increasing activity.

New building activity comprises 56.0% detached houses and 44.0% townhouses or apartments, offering a mix of medium-density options across various price brackets. The area has approximately 233 people per dwelling approval, indicating potential for growth. Future projections estimate Balmoral will add 263 residents by 2041. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should meet demand, creating favorable conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Balmoral has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

The area's performance is significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of 13 such projects that are expected to impact the area. Notable among these are the Bulimba Barracks Master Plan - Shayher Group Development, QParks Group - 5 Riding Road Mixed-Use Development, Bhode Bulimba - 360 Riding Road Mixed-Use Residences, and Bhode. The following list details those projects likely to be most relevant.

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

The exceptional employment performance in Balmoral places it among Australia's strongest labour markets

Balmoral has a highly educated workforce with professional services well represented. Its unemployment rate was 2.2% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 4.5%.

As of June 2025, 3144 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.8%, below Greater Brisbane's 4.1%. Workforce participation is high at 75.4% compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Employment is concentrated in professional & technical (1.7 times the regional level), health care & social assistance, and education & training. Retail trade is under-represented with only 7.5% of Balmoral's workforce compared to Greater Brisbane's 9.4%.

Limited local employment opportunities are indicated by Census data. During June 2024-June 2025, employment levels increased by 4.5%, labour force by 2.9%, reducing unemployment by 1.5 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane saw employment grow by 4.4%, labour force expand by 4.0%, and unemployment fall by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 shows Queensland employment contracted by 0.23% (losing 8070 jobs), with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. National unemployment was 4.5%, with national employment growth at 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across sectors. Applying these projections to Balmoral's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 7.1% over five years and 14.3% over ten years.

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

Balmoral's median taxpayer income was $76,135 with an average of $130,694 according to AreaSearch's postcode level ATO data for the financial year 2022. This is significantly higher compared to Greater Brisbane's median income of $55,645 and average income of $70,520. By March 2025, estimates suggest the median income could reach approximately $85,050 and the average $145,998 based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022. The 2021 Census data ranks Balmoral's household, family, and personal incomes between the 94th and 95th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows that 32.5% of residents earn $4,000 or more weekly (1,577 residents), differing from regional patterns where the dominant segment is $1,500 to $2,999 with 33.3%. Economic strength is evident through 46.3% of households earning high weekly incomes exceeding $3,000, supporting increased consumer spending. High housing costs consume 15.2% of income, yet strong earnings place disposable income at the 94th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Balmoral displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

The dwelling structure in Balmoral, as per the latest Census, consisted of 62.0% houses and 38.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Brisbane metro's 52.7% houses and 47.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Balmoral stood at 23.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 41.0% and rented ones at 35.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,708, higher than the Brisbane metro average of $2,500. The median weekly rent figure in Balmoral was $450, compared to Brisbane metro's $440. Nationally, Balmoral's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 72.5% of all households, consisting of 35.7% couples with children, 25.1% couples without children, and 10.7% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 27.5%, with lone person households at 24.0% and group households comprising 3.5%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which is larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.4.

Educational achievement in Balmoral places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

Balmoral's educational attainment is notably high with 47.9% of residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications, surpassing Queensland's 25.7% and Australia's 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 30.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (12.5%) and graduate diplomas (4.6%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent with 25.8% of residents holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (11.0%) and certificates (14.8%). Educational participation is high, with 32.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 10.7% in primary, 8.7% in secondary, and 7.2% in tertiary education.

Balmoral's three schools have a combined enrollment of 2,217 students, serving distinct age groups with two primary and one secondary school. The area functions as an educational hub with 45.7 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 13.5, attracting students from surrounding communities. Balmoral demonstrates significant socio-educational advantages and academic achievement, with an ICSEA score of 1109.

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

Balmoral has 20 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by five different routes that together facilitate 501 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 167 meters to the nearest stop.

The service frequency is 71 trips per day across all routes, equating to about 25 weekly trips per individual stop.

Balmoral's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Balmoral shows excellent health outcomes across all age groups, with very low prevalence of common health conditions. Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 81% of the total population (3,942 people), compared to 73.8% in Greater Brisbane and a national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions are mental health issues affecting 7.9% of residents and asthma impacting 7.5%, while 75.3% report being completely clear of medical ailments, slightly higher than the 74.9% in Greater Brisbane.

In Balmoral, 10.3% of residents are aged 65 and over (498 people), lower than the 11.3% in Greater Brisbane. Senior health outcomes align with those of the general population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Balmoral was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Balmoral, assessed in the 2016 Census, exhibited cultural diversity above the average. 10.5% of its population spoke a language other than English at home, while 24.5% were born overseas. Christianity dominated as the main religion, comprising 50.7%, slightly higher than Greater Brisbane's 47.7%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (28.7%), Australian (22.7%), and Irish (11.8%). Notably, New Zealanders were overrepresented at 1.1% compared to the regional average of 0.9%, South Africans at 0.8% versus 0.6%, and French at 0.7% against a regional figure of 0.8%.

Balmoral's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Balmoral's median age is 38 years, slightly higher than Greater Brisbane's 36 but equal to Australia's median age of 38 years. The 45-54 age group comprises 16.8% of Balmoral's population compared to Greater Brisbane, while the 75-84 cohort makes up only 2.7%. Between 2021 and the present day, the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 11.9% to 13.1%, whereas the 5 to 14 cohort has decreased from 14.5% to 12.9%, and the 35 to 44 age group has dropped from 17.4% to 16.0%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Balmoral's age structure. Notably, the 45-54 age group is expected to grow by 20%, reaching 976 people from its current total of 816. Conversely, both the 0-4 and 5-14 age groups are projected to decrease in number.