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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 16,059 residents, up from 15,230 at the 2021 Census — a change of 829 people, or 5.4%. Growth has averaged 0.7% a year over five years. 118 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Overseas migration accounts for 64.2% of that increase. That puts 1,384 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
Birkdale had a resident count of approximately 16,059 in May 2026, according to analysis by AreaSearch. Compared to the 15,230 residents recorded during the 2021 Census, this indicates an expansion of 829 individuals, or 5.4%. The calculation relies on the ABS estimate of 16,024 residents in June 2025 alongside 118 validated new addresses registered after the census. This population size represents a density of 1,384 residents per square kilometer, which exceeds typical national averages. The 5.4% expansion rate since the census trails the broader SA4 region rate of 8.3% by 2.9 percentage points, highlighting solid local growth.
Overseas migration was the primary driver of these gains, accounting for roughly 64.2% of the total population increase during the recent period. Projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia, issued in 2024 with a 2022 baseline, are used for SA2 regions. For any SA2 locations missing from these releases, or for timeframes past 2032, projections from the Queensland State Government released in 2023 with a 2021 baseline are applied instead. Because the state-level data lacks age breakdowns, AreaSearch scales age groups proportionally to align with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections published in 2023 using 2022 statistics. Looking forward, demographic forecasts suggest growth in the lower quartile of Australian areas, with the local cohort projected to rise by 460 residents by 2041 using current annual ERP records, indicating an overall 16-year increase of 2.6%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
301 new dwellings have been approved in Birkdale over the past five years, an average of 60 a year. That places the area in the 59th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 4 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 46 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 91% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 102, running ahead of that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Birkdale averages roughly 60 residential approvals annually, totaling 301 home approvals over the 5 fiscal years from FY-21 to FY-25, and 94 approvals during FY-26 to date. An average of 1.7 residents moved to the district for every new housing unit built during the 5 financial years spanning FY-21 through FY-25, suggesting a balanced market of supply and demand. However, this ratio increased to 3.4 individuals per dwelling over the past 2 financial years, signaling elevated demand and a possible shortage of housing. Newly built properties have an average construction value of $345,000.
Additionally, commercial building approvals have reached $4.2 million this financial year, reflecting the predominantly residential nature of the locality. Birkdale shows a slightly elevated construction rate when compared to Greater Brisbane, exceeding the regional per capita average by 15.0% over the 5 year timeframe, which helps support local property values while offering options to buyers. Standalone houses make up 91.0% of the new construction projects, while townhouses or apartments comprise the remaining 9.0%, maintaining a traditional suburban feel that appeals to families wanting extra space. With approximately 290 residents per approved dwelling, Birkdale maintains its low density profile. Based on the most recent quarterly estimates from AreaSearch, the population of Birkdale is projected to grow by 425 people by 2041. Assuming current building rates continue, the supply of new housing is expected to satisfy consumer demand, ensuring favorable conditions for home buyers and potentially helping the area expand beyond current demographic projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Birkdale
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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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 $7.53 billion. 19 are already under construction and 22 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
Local infrastructure projects, major developments, and urban planning initiatives play a major role in regional performance. AreaSearch identified 8 key projects expected to influence the local area. Principal developments include Birkdale Grove, the Birkdale Community Precinct containing the Redland Whitewater Centre, Eastwood Birkdale, and the Harrogate Park Upgrade - Birkdale, with the details of the most significant works listed below.
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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. It serves as a swift-water rescue training hub for emergency services and includes a public swimming lagoon, adventure playground, and seven 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 71.3%. 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 12,658, 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 is characterized by a skilled resident workforce with a strong presence in essential services, an unemployment rate of only 2.8%, and job growth estimated at 3.8% over the past year. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 9,146, while the local unemployment rate was 1.6% lower than the 4.3% rate of Greater Brisbane. Workforce participation was similar to the 70.4% recorded in Greater Brisbane. According to census data, a moderate 18.4% of residents worked from home, although this figure may be influenced by lockdowns related to Covid-19. The primary sectors employing local residents are health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.
The local workforce has a notable concentration in construction, matching 1.4 times the regional average. Conversely, professional & technical roles are underrepresented, accounting for 7.0% of local workers compared to 8.9% in Greater Brisbane. The comparison between the census working population and the resident population suggests that this mostly residential suburb offers few local employment opportunities. An analysis of SALM and ABS statistics by AreaSearch shows that during the 12 months leading to March 2026, employment in the area grew by 3.8% and the labor force grew by 4.1%, resulting in a 0.2 percentage point increase in unemployment. Over the same period, Greater Brisbane recorded employment growth of 3.2% and labor force growth of 3.4%, with unemployment rising by 0.1 percentage points. National employment forecasts published in May-25 by Jobs and Skills Australia provide further context regarding future local demand. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce structure to estimate future job trends. While national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trends vary across different industries. Applying these national sector trends to the local industry mix suggests employment in Birkdale could increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, representing a simple weighting extrapolation for illustration that does not account for local population changes.
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
Aggregated ATO data from AreaSearch for financial year 2023 shows that income levels in the Birkdale SA2 are significantly above the national average. Taxpayers in the Birkdale SA2 recorded a median income of $60,749 and an average income of $74,638, compared to Greater Brisbane averages of $58,236 and $72,799. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 11.36% since financial year 2023 yields estimated values of approximately $67,650 for median income and $83,117 for average income in March 2026. According to census figures, local family, household, and individual incomes are around the 57th percentile nationally.
Income distribution data shows that 30.6% of the population, representing 4,914 residents, earn between $1,500 - 2,999, mirroring the 33.3% rate seen in the surrounding region. After housing costs, residents retain 85.3% of their income for other expenses, and the area is positioned in the 6th decile of 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 data, housing styles in Birkdale consist of 84.9% houses and 15.1% semi-detached properties, apartments, or other residences, compared to the 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings seen across metropolitan Brisbane. Home ownership rates in the area are high at 37.3%, with remaining households holding mortgages at 43.6% or renting at 19.2%. The median monthly mortgage payment of $2,000 exceeds the Brisbane metropolitan average of $1,863, and the median weekly rent of $440 is higher than the metropolitan average of $380. Compared to national statistics, local mortgage payments exceed the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are higher than the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Birkdale counted 5,465 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 5,762 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 make up the majority of households at 77.9%, consisting of couples with children at 35.3%, couples without children at 30.7%, and single parent households at 10.9%. Non-family households represent the remaining 22.1%, comprising lone person homes at 20.3% and group housing at 1.9% of the total. The median household size of 2.7 residents is larger than the Greater Brisbane average 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
Attainment levels in Birkdale are lower than the regional average, with 22.3% of residents aged 15+ holding university degrees, compared to 30.5% in Greater Brisbane. This differences point to opportunities for further educational growth and training. Among degree holders, bachelor degrees are the most common at 15.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 4.2% and graduate diplomas at 2.6%. Vocational qualifications are common, with 39.8% of residents aged 15+ holding credentials, including 11.8% with advanced diplomas and 28.0% with certificates. Student numbers are high, with 28.0% of the local population enrolled in education.
This group consists of 10.1% in primary school, 8.5% in secondary school, and 4.1% studying at tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Birkdale reaches 57 stops on 28 routes, timetabled for about 2,000 services a week. The typical home sits about 250 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.7 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transit options in Birkdale consist of 57 active stops, including both train stations and bus stops. These stops support 28 separate routes, providing 1,986 passenger journeys each week. Local access is good, with residents living an average of 246 meters from a transit stop. As a residential suburb, most workers commute to external areas, with cars remaining the main transit mode at 90% and trains at 5%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.7 cars per household, exceeding the regional average. In the 2021 Census, 18.4% of residents worked from home, which may reflect pandemic-related conditions.
Transit services average 283 daily trips across all routes, which corresponds to roughly 34 weekly trips at each active stop.
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
Analysis of mortality rates and chronic illness indicators by AreaSearch reveals notable health challenges in Birkdale, with common medical conditions affecting both young and old cohorts, while private health insurance coverage is high, representing approximately 56% of the population, or about 9,009 residents. Mental health conditions and arthritis are the most common diagnoses, affecting 8.5% and 8.4% of residents. Meanwhile, 66.1% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 69.2% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among working-age individuals are typical. Residents aged 65 and over make up 22.1% of the population, totaling 3,550 individuals, which is higher than the 15.1% rate in Greater Brisbane.
Senior health outcomes present challenges, with national rankings aligning with average levels.
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 matches the broader region's average for cultural diversity, with 76.7% of residents born in Australia, 89.0% holding citizenship, and 91.4% using only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 55.6% of the population, compared to 47.8% in Greater Brisbane. Regarding parental birthplaces, the most common ancestries are English at 31.0%, Australian at 25.4%, and Irish at 8.8%. Some ethnic cohorts show higher representation than the regional average, with New Zealanders at 1.3% compared to 1.0% regionally, Dutch at 1.8% compared to 1.2%, and South Australians at 0.8% compared to 0.6%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Birkdale is 43. 21.4% 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 median age of 43 in Birkdale is higher than Greater Brisbane's average of 36 and the national average of 38. The 75 - 84 age bracket is well represented at 8.5% compared to Greater Brisbane, while the 25 - 34 cohort is smaller at 8.4%. Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 cohort expanded from 6.9% to 8.5% of the population, and the 15 to 24 group grew from 11.6% to 12.9%. In contrast, the 25 to 34 age bracket decreased from 10.1% to 8.4%. Demographic projections for 2041 indicate significant changes for the suburb, led by the 75 to 84 cohort, which is expected to grow by 36%, rising to 1,868 from 1,371 residents.
Combined age groups of 65 and over are projected to drive 72% of total population growth, showing an aging population. Conversely, the 15 to 24 and 0 to 4 brackets are expected to experience population declines.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Birkdale
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 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 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Sep 2025 11 months 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. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 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) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| 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 — 118 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (15,230 at the 2021 Census → 16,059 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 May 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.