Boonah

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

Boonah's population is approximately 13,698 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 1,081 people since the census in June 2021, which reported a population of 12,617. The growth is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 13,306 in June 2024 and validated new addresses totaling 489 since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 6.5 persons per square kilometer. Boonah's population grew by 8.6% between the census and November 2025, which is within 0.3 percentage points of the national average growth rate of 8.9%. Interstate migration contributed approximately 65.3% to this overall population increase during recent periods.

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 from 2023 are adopted. These projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings based on ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 using 2022 data for each age cohort. Based on projected demographic shifts, Boonah is expected to have above median population growth by 2041, with an increase of 2,377 persons from the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total gain of 14.4% over 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Boonah among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Boonah has recorded approximately 90 residential properties granted approval annually. Between FY21 and FY25453 homes were approved, with an additional 93 approved in FY26 to date. Over these five financial years, the average number of new residents per year arriving for each new home was 1.4.

This indicates a balanced supply and demand market, supporting stable conditions. The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings over this period was $370,000. In FY26, Boonah has registered $12.8 million in commercial approvals, showing steady commercial investment activity.

Compared to Greater Brisbane, Boonah's rate of new dwelling approvals per person is approximately three-quarters. Nationally, it ranks among the 84th percentile of areas assessed. Recently, construction activity has intensified, with 97.0% detached houses and 3.0% townhouses or apartments being developed, maintaining the area's traditional low density character. Boonah has around 118 people per dwelling approval, suggesting an expanding market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Boonah is forecasted to gain 1,973 residents by 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 67 projects that may affect this region. Notable projects include Wyaralong Water Treatment Plant, Bromelton State Development Area, Ferndale Estate Ripley, and Bromelton Water Supply Infrastructure. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Boonah ranks among the top 25% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance

Boonah has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, representing various sectors. Its unemployment rate is 2.4%, with an estimated employment growth of 3.6% over the past year as of September 2025.

There are 6,824 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.6% below Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation in Boonah is lower at 56.6%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Leading industries include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and construction. Agriculture, forestry & fishing has particularly high employment levels, at 16.8 times the regional average.

However, professional & technical services are under-represented, with only 4.6% of Boonah's workforce compared to 8.9% in Greater Brisbane. Local Census data shows limited local employment opportunities as more residents work elsewhere. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment increased by 3.6%, labour force by 3.2%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Brisbane saw employment grow by 3.8% and unemployment fall by 0.5 percentage points. Statewide in Queensland, employment contracted by 0.01% between November 2024 and November 2025, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, closely aligned with the national rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% growth over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Boonah's current employment mix suggests local employment could increase by 5.6% over five years and 12.2% over ten years, though this is an illustrative extrapolation not accounting for local population changes.

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

Boonah SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $46,008 and an average of $55,116 in the financial year 2022, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is lower than the national average, with Greater Brisbane's median income being $55,645 and average income $70,520 during the same period. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $52,445 (median) and $62,827 (average), based on a 13.99% increase since financial year 2022. Census data shows household, family, and personal incomes in Boonah are between the 20th and 26th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile indicates that 30.2% of residents (4,136 people) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket, reflecting regional patterns where 33.3% occupy this range. Housing costs are modest, with 87.2% of income retained, but total disposable income ranks at just the 30th percentile nationally.

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

Boonah's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 96.2% houses and 3.8% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and others. This is compared to Brisbane metropolitan area's 96.6% houses and 3.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Boonah stood at 47.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 36.1% and rented ones at 16.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,517, matching Brisbane metro's average, while the median weekly rent was $295 compared to Brisbane metro's $300. Nationally, Boonah's mortgage repayments were lower than Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Boonah has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 76.2% of all households, including 28.8% couples with children, 37.3% couples without children, and 9.5% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 23.8%, with lone person households at 21.7% and group households comprising 2.2% of the total. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

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

The area has university qualification rates of 15.4%, significantly lower than the Greater Brisbane average of 30.5%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 40.2% of residents aged 15 and above holding them - advanced diplomas at 10.4% and certificates at 29.8%. Educational participation is high, with 26.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 10.3% in primary education, 9.6% in secondary education, and 2.5% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

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

Health data shows significant challenges for Boonah with high prevalence of common health conditions across both younger and older age groups. Approximately 48% (~6,520 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (10.5%) and asthma (8.9%). A total of 63.7% claim to be free from medical ailments, compared to Greater Brisbane's 60.9%. Boonah has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 26.9% (3,683 people), compared to Greater Brisbane's 21.8%.

The latest Census data sees Boonah placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Boonah's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 90.3% of its population being citizens, 89.9% born in Australia, and 97.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Boonah, accounting for 62.1% of people, compared to 54.9% across Greater Brisbane. The top three ancestry groups are English (32.3%), Australian (29.3%), and German (11.6%).

Notably, Korean representation is higher than the regional average at 0.5% in Boonah versus 0.1%. Scottish and Irish representations are also slightly higher at 7.7% and 8.1%, respectively, compared to regional averages of 7.9% and 7.8%.

Boonah hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Boonah's median age is 48 years, higher than Greater Brisbane's average of 36 years and exceeding the national average of 38 years. The 65-74 age group comprises 14.5% of Boonah's population, compared to Greater Brisbane's percentage and significantly higher than the national average of 9.4%. Post-2021 Census data shows the 75-84 age group grew from 7.5% to 9.2%, while the 5-14 cohort declined from 12.1% to 10.7% and the 25-34 group dropped from 9.5% to 8.2%. By 2041, Boonah's age profile is projected to change significantly. The 65-74 cohort is expected to grow by 36%, adding 718 residents to reach 2,699. Residents aged 65 and above will drive 78% of population growth, indicating demographic aging trends. Meanwhile, population declines are projected for the 15-24 and 5-14 age cohorts.