Brinsmead
Statistical Area - sa2

An assessment of population growth drivers in Brinsmead reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

As of November 2025, Brinsmead's population is approximately 5,711, marking an increase of 174 people since the 2021 Census. This growth represents a 3.1% rise from the previous figure of 5,537 residents. The increase is inferred from ABS estimates showing a resident population of 5,711 in June 2024 and an additional 41 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,115 persons per square kilometer, comparable with averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Natural growth contributed approximately 51.5% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch employs 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 from 2023, based on 2021 data, are used. However, these state projections lack age category splits; thus, proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age cohort are applied when utilized. Considering demographic trends, lower quartile growth of non-metropolitan areas nationally is anticipated. Based on the latest population numbers, the area is expected to grow by 193 persons to reach 2041, reflecting a total increase of 3.4% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Brinsmead according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Brinsmead has averaged approximately 9 new dwelling approvals each year over the past five financial years, totalling 46 homes. As of FY-26 so far, 7 approvals have been recorded. On average, 2 new residents have been gained for each dwelling built annually between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating strong demand which supports property values. New homes are being constructed at an average expected cost value of $512,000, higher than regional norms due to quality-focused development.

This financial year has seen $2.0 million in commercial development approvals, suggesting a predominantly residential focus. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Brinsmead shows significantly reduced construction levels, with 78.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established dwellings, although development activity has increased recently. The area's population density is approximately 380 people per dwelling approval, reflecting its established nature. Looking ahead, Brinsmead is projected to grow by 193 residents through to 2041.

With current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Brinsmead has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 49thth percentile nationally

Eleven projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area. Key projects include the Kamerunga to Woree Transmission Line Replacement Project, Brinsmead Road Service Centre Overhaul, Freshwater Pocket development, and Cairns Western Arterial Road Duplication. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

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

Brinsmead has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented, and an unemployment rate of 1.6% as of June 2025. It has 3,413 residents employed, with an unemployment rate 2.3% below Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation is high at 72.4%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Leading employment industries are health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. The area specialises in health care & social assistance, with an employment share 1.2 times the regional level. However, agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented at 1.2% compared to Rest of Qld's 4.5%.

Labour force decreased by 1.6% and employment declined by 2.0% in Brinsmead from June 2024 to June 2025, causing unemployment to rise by 0.4 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia (May 2025) project a 6.8% increase over five years and 14.1% over ten years in Brinsmead, based on its current employment mix.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

Brinsmead's median taxpayer income was $61,056, with an average of $75,935, based on the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. Nationally, this is very high, contrasting with Rest of Qld's median income of $50,780 and average income of $64,844. By September 2025, current estimates project the median to be approximately $69,598 and the average at $86,558, considering Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022. Census data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Brinsmead rank highly nationally, between the 77th and 77th percentiles. The data shows 38.6% of the population (2,204 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, consistent with broader trends across regional levels showing 31.7% in the same category. Notably, 30.1% earn above $3,000 weekly, reflecting pockets of prosperity that drive robust local economic activity. After housing costs, residents retain 86.9% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

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

In Brinsmead, as recorded in the latest Census, 97.2% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 2.8% consisting of semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This differs from Non-Metro Qld's composition of 80.8% houses and 19.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Brinsmead stood at 30.6%, with mortgaged properties making up 49.0% and rented dwellings accounting for 20.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,733, aligning with Non-Metro Qld's average. The median weekly rent in Brinsmead was $450, compared to Non-Metro Qld's averages of $1,733 and $390 respectively. Nationally, Brinsmead's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially higher than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households compose 81.9% of all households, including 40.1% couples with children, 29.0% couples without children and 12.2% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 18.1%, with lone person households at 15.2% and group households comprising 2.6%. The median household size is 2.8 people, larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

The educational profile of Brinsmead exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates at 27.7% of residents aged 15+, surpassing the Rest of Qld average of 20.6% and the SA4 region average of 21.1%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 19.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.3%) and graduate diplomas (3.2%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 39.7% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas (13.3%) and certificates (26.4%).

Educational participation is high, with 32.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 11.7% in primary, 11.3% in secondary, and 4.3% in tertiary education. Freshwater Christian College serves Brinsmead, enrolling 542 students. The area offers balanced educational opportunities (ICSEA: 1041), with all 1 schools providing integrated K-12 education for academic continuity. School places per 100 residents are lower than the regional average at 9.5, indicating some students may attend schools in nearby areas.

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

Brinsmead has six active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by a single route, together offering 123 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is moderate, with residents located an average of 425 meters from the nearest stop.

The service frequency averages 17 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 20 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Health outcomes data shows excellent results across Brinsmead, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is high at approximately 57% of the total population (around 3,260 people), compared to 52.7% in the rest of Queensland.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 6.7% and 6.3% of residents respectively. Around 74.9% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 73.1% in the rest of Queensland. As of 2021, 14.3% of Brinsmead's population is aged 65 and over (817 people), which is lower than the 16.7% figure for the rest of Queensland. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

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

Brinsmead's cultural diversity was above average, with 21.8% of its population born overseas and 11.9% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Brinsmead, constituting 50.0% of the population. Judaism, however, was overrepresented compared to the rest of Queensland, making up 0.2% of Brinsmead's population.

The top three ancestry groups were English (26.8%), Australian (24.2%), and Other (10.5%). Notably, Korean (0.6%) and Dutch (1.6%) ethnicities were overrepresented in Brinsmead compared to regional averages of 0.4% and 1.5%, respectively. New Zealand ethnicity was also present at 0.9%.

Brinsmead's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Brinsmead as of 2021 is 39 years, which is lower than the Rest of Qld's average of 41 but close to the national average of 38. The age profile shows that those aged 35-44 are prominent at 15.8%, while the 25-34 group is smaller at 9.4%. Since 2021, the 15-24 age group has grown from 11.5% to 13.7%, and the 65-74 cohort has increased from 7.9% to 9.1%. Conversely, the 5-14 cohort has declined from 16.5% to 14.6%, and the 45-54 group has dropped from 15.7% to 14.4%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections show that the 25-34 age cohort is expected to increase by 110 people (21%), from 534 to 645. Conversely, both the 55-64 and 5-14 age groups are projected to decrease in numbers.