Branyan - Kensington
Statistical Area - sa2

Branyan - Kensington lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Branyan - Kensington's population is around 5,942 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase since the 2021 Census figure of 5,384 people, marking a 10.4% growth rate. The change was inferred from ABS estimated resident population data of 5,856 in June 2024 and validated new addresses since the Census date, totalling 137. This results in a density ratio of 117 persons per square kilometer. Branyan - Kensington's growth exceeded that of its SA3 area (8.4%) and non-metro areas. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 74.1% of gains, although all factors were positive.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are used, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 using 2022 data. Looking ahead, Australia's regional areas are projected to have above median population growth, with Branyan - Kensington expected to grow by 1,170 persons to 2041 based on latest numbers, recording an 18.2% total gain over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Branyan - Kensington among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Kensington has averaged approximately 43 new dwelling approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis, totalling 217 approvals between the years ending June 2021 and June 2025, with an additional 10 approvals in the current financial year ending June 2026. Over the past five financial years, an average of 3.1 new residents has been associated with each dwelling built. This demand significantly outpaces supply, exerting upward pressure on prices and intensifying competition among buyers.

The average construction cost value for new homes is $681,000, which is higher than regional norms, indicating quality-focused development. In the current financial year, commercial approvals amount to $20.8 million, indicating moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Kensington has slightly more development activity, with 25.0% above the regional average per person over the past five years.

This preserves reasonable buyer options while sustaining existing property demand. However, building activity has slowed in recent years, consisting entirely of detached dwellings. This maintains the area's traditional low-density character, focusing on family homes that appeal to those seeking space. The location currently has approximately 202 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. Future projections estimate Kensington will add 1,084 residents by the year 2041. If current construction levels continue, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Branyan - Kensington has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 31stth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 18 projects likely impacting the area. Notable ones are The Ridge on Branyan, Bundaberg GHAG Solar PV Park, Vitwood Branyan Estate, and Branvale Estate, with relevant details below.

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

Employment conditions in Branyan - Kensington demonstrate strong performance, ranking among the top 35% of areas assessed nationally

Branyan - Kensington has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs, with essential services well represented. The unemployment rate in June 2025 was 3.2%, lower than the Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 6.5%. As of June 2025, 3,276 residents were employed with a workforce participation rate of 62.5%. Key industries include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. The area has a strong specialization in health care & social assistance (1.3 times the regional level), but limited presence in accommodation & food services (5.9% vs regional 8.3%).

Employment opportunities appear limited locally based on Census data analysis. In the 12 months prior to June 2025, employment increased by 6.5%, labour force by 7.4%, leading to a 0.7 percentage point rise in unemployment. This compares to Rest of Qld where employment grew by 1.8% and unemployment rose by 0.2 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 shows QLD's employment contracted by 0.23%, with an unemployment rate of 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 Branyan - Kensington's industry mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.4% over five years and 13.6% over ten years.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that income in Branyan - Kensington is aligned with national averages. The median income is $52,774 and the average income is $65,211. This contrasts with Rest of Qld's median income of $50,780 and average income of $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Branyan - Kensington would be approximately $58,954 (median) and $72,847 (average) as of March 2025. Census data reveals that household, family, and personal incomes in Branyan - Kensington rank modestly, between the 31st and 42nd percentiles. Income brackets indicate that 33.9% of the population, which consists of 2,014 individuals, fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, similar to the metropolitan region where this cohort represents 31.7%. After housing expenses, 86.3% of income remains for other expenses.

Branyan - Kensington is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

In Branyan - Kensington, as per the latest Census evaluation, 94.6% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 5.5% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This is in contrast to Non-Metro Qld's figures of 84.6% houses and 15.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Branyan - Kensington stood at 38.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 42.8% and rented ones at 19.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,600, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,300. The median weekly rent was recorded as $330 compared to Non-Metro Qld's figure of $285. Nationally, Branyan - Kensington's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,600 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national average of $375.

Branyan - Kensington features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 81.9% of all households, including 37.1% couples with children, 33.8% couples without children, and 10.5% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 18.1%, with lone person households at 15.6% and group households comprising 2.4%. The median household size is 2.8 people, larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.4.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 14.4%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 10.7%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.9%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.8%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 41.7% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 8.6% and certificates at 33.1%.

Educational participation is high, with 29.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.4% in primary, 10.5% in secondary, and 2.8% in tertiary education. Branyan Road State School serves the Branyan - Kensington area, enrolling 472 students as of its latest report. The school focuses exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available nearby. School places per 100 residents stand at 7.9, below the regional average of 13.9, suggesting some students may attend schools in adjacent areas.

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

Branyan-Kensington has one operational public transport hub serving a mix of bus routes. This hub is served by two distinct routes, facilitating 55 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport accessibility is considered limited, with residents generally situated 3523 meters from the nearest stop.

The service frequency averages seven trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 55 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Branyan - Kensington is lower than average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Kensington, part of the Branyan area, faces notable health challenges with common conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups. The rate of private health cover is approximately 52%, which is higher than the average SA2 area but still lower than the rest of Queensland at 48%.

The most frequent medical conditions are arthritis (9.9%) and asthma (8.4%). However, 65.6% of residents report having no medical ailments compared to 59.1% in the rest of Queensland. Kensington has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 17.9%, with only 1,062 people falling into this age group compared to the 26.3% in the rest of Queensland. Health outcomes among seniors are broadly similar to those of the general population.

Branyan - Kensington is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Branyan-Kensington was found to have below average cultural diversity, with 89.1% of its population born in Australia, 91.8% being citizens, and 95.3% speaking English only at home. The dominant religion in Branyan-Kensington is Christianity, comprising 52.7% of the population, compared to 54.0% across the rest of Queensland. In terms of ancestry, the top three groups are Australian (31.2%), English (31.1%), and Scottish (7.8%).

Notably, German ancestry is overrepresented at 6.4%, compared to 6.4% regionally, while Russian ancestry is at 0.4%, versus 0.2% regionally. Australian Aboriginal ancestry is present at 3.2%, compared to 3.4% regionally.

Branyan - Kensington's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Branyan - Kensington as of 2021 is 39 years, which is lower than the Rest of Qld average of 41 but close to the national average of 38. The age profile shows that those aged 15-24 make up 13.9% of the population, while those aged 85 and above comprise only 0.8%. Since 2021, the 15-24 age group has increased from 12.0% to 13.9%, the 75-84 cohort has grown from 5.3% to 6.5%, and the 5-14 cohort has declined from 15.5% to 14.0%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate that the 25-34 age group is expected to increase by 221 people (33%), rising from 669 to 891. Meanwhile, the 15-24 cohort is projected to grow by a modest 3%, adding 22 people.