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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Birkdale has an estimated 16,164 residents, up from 15,230 at the 2021 Census — a change of 934 people, or 6.1%. Growth has averaged 0.7% a year over five years. 170 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Overseas migration accounts for 64.2% of that increase. That puts 1,393 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Demographic assessments by AreaSearch indicate that Birkdale has an estimated population of roughly 16,164 as of Aug 2026. This represents an addition of 934 residents (6.1%) relative to the 2021 Census tally of 15,230 people. This updated figure is derived from the ABS estimated resident population of 16,024 recorded in June 2025 alongside 170 validated new addresses added post-Census. With 1,393 persons per square kilometer, the locality exhibits a population density that surpasses the benchmark across nationwide areas evaluated by AreaSearch. Furthermore, the 6.1% expansion achieved by Birkdale following the 2021 census outpaced the broader SA3 area (5.6%), establishing it as an outperforming pocket of regional expansion.
Inward overseas migration served as the primary growth catalyst, generating approximately 64.2% of the overall population rise in recent periods. Projections published by ABS/Geoscience Australia in 2024 (using 2022 as a base year) are utilised by AreaSearch across SA2 regions. In instances where SA2 boundaries lack coverage or extend past 2032, Queensland State Government SA2 modeling released in 2023 (utilising 2021 figures) is applied instead. Because state-level forecasts omit detailed age brackets, AreaSearch incorporates cohort weightings derived from the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (published in 2023 from 2022 benchmarks). Under these projected demographic patterns, Birkdale tracks within the lower quartile of nationwide statistical areas, with expectations of adding 398 persons to 2041 according to recent annual ERP population metrics, representing an overall increase of 1.6% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
341 new dwellings have been approved in Birkdale over the past five years, an average of 68 a year. That places the area in the 66th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 4 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 68 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 85% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential building approvals in Birkdale have averaged roughly 68 dwellings annually, accumulating to 341 homes across the preceding 5 financial years. Between FY-22 and FY-26, the arrival rate averaged 1.5 people per year for every completed home, reflecting balanced underlying supply-demand dynamics that foster stable conditions, with new homes carrying an average construction cost of $456,000. Additionally, non-residential building activity saw $4.2 million in commercial approvals lodged in this financial year, underscoring the predominantly residential focus of the local planning landscape. Per capita residential development in Birkdale has outpaced Greater Brisbane by 26.0% over the 5 year period, sustaining healthy options for incoming buyers while safeguarding existing home equity.
The composition of this development activity remains heavily weighted toward detached houses at 85.0%, with medium and high-density housing accounting for 15.0%, reinforcing the established suburban neighborhood character and catering to households prioritizing standalone space. Furthermore, the market records roughly 184 people per dwelling approval, representative of a low density property environment. According to the latest quarterly analysis from AreaSearch, Birkdale is anticipated to expand by 258 residents through to 2041. Ongoing building activity is positioned to comfortably absorb this anticipated demand, creating favorable market conditions for prospective purchasers and providing sufficient capacity to accommodate population gains exceeding baseline projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Birkdale
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 3 current infrastructure and development projects inside Birkdale. A further 77 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $7.61 billion. 18 are already under construction and 24 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and transport & logistics. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Capital works, major planning strategies, and local infrastructure projects serve as crucial drivers of neighborhood development. AreaSearch has highlighted a total of 8 projects anticipated to influence the district, prominent among which are Birkdale Grove, the Birkdale Community Precinct including Redland Whitewater Centre, Eastwood Birkdale, and the Harrogate Park Upgrade - Birkdale, with the core initiatives itemized in the ensuing overview.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Birkdale Grove
A private residential neighbourhood of 34 lots in a leafy bayside setting, approximately 17km from Brisbane CBD. Current sales are underway following development approval for reconfiguring a lot and associated works. Easy access to public transport, schools and shopping centres.
Birkdale Community Precinct including Redland Whitewater Centre
A 62-hectare destination transforming Birkdale into a world-class community precinct featuring the Redland Whitewater Centre, an Olympic-standard venue for the Brisbane 2032 Games. The precinct includes 38.8 hectares of conservation area, the heritage-listed Willards Farm, and a WWII Radio Receiving Station, with recent statutory planning and EPBC approvals progressing in 2026. It serves as a swift-water rescue training hub for emergency services and includes public open spaces, adventure playgrounds, and community hubs focused on innovation, entertainment, and recreation.
Capalaba Town Centre Revitalisation Project
A $183 million to $250 million urban renewal initiative transforming 1.55 hectares into the civic and commercial heart of Capalaba. The masterplan features a new Redland City Council library, customer service centre, arts centre, and community hall. The precinct includes a town square, village green with a large entertainment screen, commercial office space, and boutique residential apartments. Stage 1 construction, focusing on the library and civic facilities, commenced in May 2026 to stimulate a day/night economy and improve transport connectivity.
Alexandra Hills Social Housing
Three-storey social housing building delivering 20 accessible one-bedroom units for young people, with shared landscaped areas and 21 undercroft car spaces. Part of the Homes for Queenslanders plan and jointly funded with the Australian Government's Social Housing Accelerator.
Daveson Road Social and Affordable Housing
Low-rise development delivering 55 one, two and three bedroom social and affordable homes with onsite communal spaces, car parking and sustainability features (targeting 7+ star NatHERS), led by Brisbane Housing Company with Paladin as builder under Queensland Government Quickstarts funding.
Eastwood Birkdale
Small house-and-land estate opposite the proposed Birkdale Community Precinct, delivering 18 titled lots (all 400m2 or larger) with wide frontages and level blocks. Estate infrastructure complete and lots reported sold out by Sep 2025; individual home construction by purchasers ongoing.
Harrogate Park Upgrade - Birkdale
Park upgrade including removal of existing play unit and replacement with slides, climbing elements, double swing, trail play elements, rotating net, new fencing, landscaping and pathway improvements. Enhances local recreational facilities for families in Birkdale area.
Wellington Point Village Streetscape Revitalisation
Redland City Council is upgrading the Wellington Point Village heart to create a more vibrant and walkable precinct. The project includes widening footpaths, installing new street furniture, and integrated landscaping to support local traders and enhance the public realm. Recent efforts in late 2025 and 2026 have focused on activating the precinct through collaboration between the Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce and local businesses.
9,146 residents of Birkdale are employed, from a labour force of 9,406. Unemployment sits at 2.8%, with participation at 71.1%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.5% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 12,771, about 79% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Birkdale features a capable local workforce anchored by significant representation in essential service industries, maintaining a low unemployment rate of 2.8% alongside an estimated 3.8% annual job expansion. As of March 2026, employed residents total 9,146, while the local jobless rate sits 1.6% under the Greater Brisbane benchmark of 4.3%, and the participation rate tracks closely with Greater Brisbane's 70.1%. At the time of the Census, approximately 18.4% of workers operated from home, though broader Covid-19 restrictions formed an important backdrop to these figures. The primary employment drivers for the local labour force are health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.
Notably, the workforce demonstrates distinct specialization in construction, which holds a share 1.4 times the regional level. Conversely, professional & technical roles are comparatively sparse, comprising 7.0% of Birkdale's workers versus 8.9% in Greater Brisbane. Comparisons between local worker counts and resident totals suggest that this largely residential enclave provides a limited volume of jobs within its immediate boundaries. An examination of ABS and SALM metrics by AreaSearch indicates that during the 12 months to March 2026, resident employment rose by 3.8% against a 4.1% expansion in the labour pool, which pushed the unemployment rate up by 0.2 percentage points. Over the same timeframe, Greater Brisbane recorded a 3.2% increase in employment, a 3.4% rise in the labour force, and a 0.1 percentage points uptick in unemployment. Broader perspective on future workforce trends is available via national projections published by Jobs and Skills Australia in Mar-26. When applied to the local industry framework across five and ten-year horizons, these figures show varied industry trajectories against national growth forecasts of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Extrapolating these industry weightings to Birkdale's specific employment distribution points to potential workforce expansions of 6.5% over five years and 13.5% over ten years (offered purely as an illustrative weighting model without local demographic adjustment).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Birkdale is $1,944 a week (about $101,000 a year), with median personal income at $822 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $60,749 a year against an average of $74,638. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
According to AreaSearch's aggregation of postcode ATO records for financial year 2023, the Birkdale SA2 recorded a median taxpayer earnings figure of $60,749 and an average of $74,638. These figures rank prominently on a national scale and exceed Greater Brisbane, where median income stood at $58,236 and average income was $72,799. Adjusting for an 11.36% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023 brings estimated benchmarks to roughly $67,650 (median) and $83,117 (average) as of March 2026. Across personal, family, and household measures at the Census, local earnings sit around the 57th percentile nationwide.
The dominant earnings cohort represents 30.6% of residents (4,946 residents) bringing in $1,500 - 2,999 weekly, aligning with the 33.3% share observed across the surrounding district. Furthermore, 85.3% of income remains uncommitted following housing outlays, situating the suburb in the 6th decile on the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Birkdale had 5,465 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 85% detached houses and 5% apartments. 44% are owned with a mortgage, 19% rented and 37% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $440 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,000 a month. Rent absorbs 22.6% of household income here and mortgage repayments 23.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census findings, Birkdale's residential stock is dominated by separate houses at 84.9%, while semi-detached dwellings, apartments, and other configurations account for 15.1%, contrasting with the Brisbane metro split of 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings. Fully owned homes represent 37.3% of tenures, significantly outpacing the Brisbane metro level, while properties with a mortgage make up 43.6% and rental properties constitute 19.2%. Monthly mortgage commitments sit at a median of $2,000, higher than the Brisbane metro benchmark of $1,863, and weekly rents reflect a median of $440 compared to $380 regionally.
Relative to national figures, local mortgage outlays surpass the Australian baseline of $1,863, and rental payments considerably exceed the nationwide median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Birkdale counted 5,465 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 5,800 today, averaging 2.7 people each. 35% are couples with children, against 31% couples without children. 20% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the vast majority of local living arrangements at 77.9% of all households, encompassing couples with children at 35.3%, couples without children at 30.7%, and single parent families at 10.9%. The remaining 22.1% consists of non-family living situations, with lone person households representing 20.3% and group households making up 1.9%. Overall, the median household size of 2.7 people slightly exceeds the Greater Brisbane benchmark of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
22.3% of adults in Birkdale hold a university qualification, including 15.5% with a bachelor degree and 4.2% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 28.0% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 1,501 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,020 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Tertiary attainment in Birkdale remains below broader regional levels, with 22.3% of people aged 15+ holding a higher education degree compared to 30.5% in Greater Brisbane, indicating room for future educational upskilling. By specific credential, bachelor degrees account for 15.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 4.2% and graduate diplomas at 2.6%. Meanwhile, vocational qualifications are widespread, with 39.8% of individuals aged 15+ possessing vocational credentials, divided into certificates (28.0%) and advanced diplomas (11.8%). A significant proportion of the local community is engaged in study, with 28.0% of residents actively undertaking formal education.
Among these learners, primary education enrollments account for 10.1%, secondary schooling represents 8.5%, and 4.1% are enrolled in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Birkdale means driving: households keep an average of 1.7 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
66.1% of residents in Birkdale report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 77% of areas nationally. 6.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 56.1% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.7 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Evaluations by AreaSearch regarding mortality and long-term health patterns indicate notable health considerations in Birkdale, where common chronic illnesses affect both younger and older cohorts, alongside an exceptionally high private health insurance coverage rate of roughly 56% of the overall population (~9,068 people). Mental health conditions and arthritis represent the most prevalent diagnoses among residents, impacting 8.5 and 8.4% of the population, respectively, while 66.1% of the community reported having no long-term medical conditions compared to 69.2% in Greater Brisbane. Health metrics among working-age individuals align with typical standards. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 21.9% of the local population (3,533 people), outpacing the 15.0% proportion seen across Greater Brisbane, with senior health indicators reflecting some difficulties while tracking closely with nationwide benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Birkdale is largely Australian-born, at 76.7% of residents, with 8.6% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (31.0%) and Australian (25.4%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Birkdale displays cultural demographics comparable to regional norms, with 76.7% of its residents born in Australia, 89.0% holding Australian citizenship, and 91.4% communicating exclusively in English at home. Christianity forms the principal religious affiliation, observed by 55.6% of the community in Birkdale, relative to 47.8% recorded throughout Greater Brisbane. Regarding parental ancestry, the primary backgrounds reported in Birkdale are English at 31.0%, Australian at 25.4%, and Irish at 8.8%. Furthermore, specific immigrant ancestries show higher concentrations than the surrounding district, including New Zealand heritage at 1.3% (vs 1.0% regionally), Dutch at 1.8% (vs 1.2%), and South Australian at 0.8% (vs 0.6%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Birkdale is 43. 22.2% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The demographic profile of Birkdale leans older than that of Greater Brisbane. Updated estimates as of August 2026 show that retiree and elderly cohorts (65+) account for 21.9% of the community versus 15.0% across Greater Brisbane, whereas young to middle aged adults (25 - 44) comprise 22.0% compared to a regional level of 30.6%. Consequently, the estimated median age is 43, matching the 2021 Census result and sitting 7 years above the Greater Brisbane Census median of 36, as well as exceeding the nationwide Census figure of 38. By 2041, expansion will be heavily concentrated among older residents, with retiree and elderly cohorts projected to add 885 residents (25%) to reach 4,418, while contractions are anticipated among young to middle aged adults as well as children and young adults.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Birkdale
8 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 8 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Oct 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 3 sections | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Sep 2025 about a year ago all 3 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Sep 2025. | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 170 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (15,230 at the 2021 Census → 16,164 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (301011003). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.