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 August 2025, Brinsmead's population is approximately 5,711, reflecting a rise of 174 individuals since the 2021 Census. This increase represents a 3.1% growth from the previously reported figure of 5,537 inhabitants. The change was inferred using the estimated 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 approximately 1,115 persons per square kilometer, aligning with averages seen across various locations assessed by AreaSearch. Natural growth contributed roughly 51.5% of overall population gains during recent periods.

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 from 2023, based on 2021 data, are utilized. However, these state projections lack age category splits, prompting AreaSearch to apply proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023, based on 2022 data for each age cohort. Demographically, lower quartile growth of non-metropolitan areas nationally is anticipated moving forward, with Brinsmead expected to grow by approximately 193 persons by 2041, reflecting a total increase of around 3.4% over the 17-year period based on the latest population numbers.

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 annually. Development approval data is produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on a financial year basis, totalling 46 approvals across the past five financial years (between FY20-21 and FY25-26), with 3 so far in FY26-27. An average of 2 new residents per year has been gained for each dwelling built over the past five financial years, reflecting robust demand that supports property values. New homes are being constructed at an average expected cost value of $412,000, below regional norms, offering more affordable housing options for purchasers.

Additionally, $2.0 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded this financial year, indicating a predominantly residential focus. Compared to the Rest of Queensland, Brinsmead shows substantially reduced construction levels (78.0% below the regional average per person), which generally supports stronger demand and values for established dwellings. However, development activity has picked up in recent periods. This level is also below the national average, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. Recent development has been entirely comprised of standalone homes, preserving the area's suburban nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers.

The location has approximately 380 people per dwelling approval, indicating an established area. Looking ahead, Brinsmead is expected to grow by 193 residents through to 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, 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, with key ones including the Kamerunga to Woree Transmission Line Replacement Project, Brinsmead Road Service Centre Overhaul, Freshwater Pocket development, and Redlynch Central Shopping Centre Expansion (Stage 3).

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

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

Brinsmead has a skilled workforce with an unemployment rate of 1.6% as of June 2025. It has 3,413 residents employed, with an unemployment rate 2.3% lower than the 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 specializes in health care & social assistance with an employment share 1.2 times the regional level, but 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 during June 2024 to June 2025, causing unemployment to rise by 0.4 percentage points.

In contrast, Rest of Qld had employment growth of 1.8% and labour force growth of 2.0%, with a 0.2 percentage point rise in unemployment. State-level data to Sep-25 shows QLD employment contracted by 0.23%, losing 8,070 jobs, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. National employment forecasts from May 2025 project national growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Brinsmead's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.8% over five years and 14.1% over ten years.

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

Brinsmead shows a median taxpayer income of $61,056 and an average of $75,935 according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. This is high nationally compared to 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 would be approximately $68,206 (median) and $84,827 (average) as of March 2025. Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes all rank highly in Brinsmead, between the 77th and 77th percentiles nationally. 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. A significant 30.1% earn above $3,000 weekly. After housing costs, residents retain 86.9% of income. 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

Brinsmead's dwelling structure, as recorded in the latest Census, consisted of 97.2% houses and 2.8% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro Qld's figures of 80.8% houses and 19.2% other dwellings. In Brinsmead, home ownership stood at 30.6%, with mortgaged dwellings accounting for 49.0% and rented dwellings making up 20.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,733, aligning with Non-Metro Qld's average. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $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 constitute 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 comprise the remaining 18.1%, with lone person households at 15.2% and group households at 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+ exceeding both the Rest of Qld average (20.6%) and SA4 region average (21.1%). Bachelor degrees are the most common 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 at 13.3% and certificates at 26.4%.

Educational participation is high, with 32.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.7% in primary, 11.3% in secondary, and 4.3% pursuing tertiary education. Freshwater Christian College offers local educational services within Brinsmead, enrolling 542 students as of a specific date. Brinsmead has typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 1041), providing balanced educational opportunities. All schools offer integrated K-12 education for academic continuity. School places per 100 residents stand at 9.5, below the regional average of 14.5, indicating some students may attend schools in adjacent areas.

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

Transport analysis indicates six active stops operating in Brinsmead, serving a mix of bus routes. These stops are serviced by one route, collectively providing 123 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated moderate, with residents typically located 425 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 17 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 20 weekly trips per 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 for Brinsmead shows excellent results across all age groups, with a very low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover is high at approximately 57% of the total population, which totals around 3,260 people.

This compares to 52.7% in the rest of Queensland. The most prevalent medical conditions are mental health issues and asthma, affecting 6.7 and 6.3% of residents respectively. A significant majority, 74.9%, report being completely free from medical ailments, compared to 73.1% in the rest of Queensland. As of 2021, 14.3% of Brinsmead's residents are aged 65 and over, totaling approximately 817 people. This is lower than the 16.7% seen in the rest of Queensland. Health outcomes among seniors in Brinsmead are notably strong, aligning 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 dominant religion in Brinsmead as of July 2021, making up 50.0% of the population. However, Judaism was overrepresented compared to the rest of Queensland, comprising 0.2% of Brinsmead's population.

The top three ancestry groups were English at 26.8%, Australian at 24.2%, and Other at 10.5%. Notably, Korean ethnicity was higher in Brinsmead than regionally, at 0.6% versus 0.4%. Dutch ethnicity was also slightly overrepresented at 1.6% compared to the regional average of 1.5%. New Zealand ethnicity was equal to the regional average 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 average for the rest of Queensland at 41 years but close to the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that individuals aged 35-44 are prominent, making up 15.8% of the population, while those aged 25-34 comprise a smaller proportion at 9.4%. Since 2021, the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 11.5% to 13.7%, and the 65 to 74 cohort has grown from 7.9% to 9.1%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 age group has decreased from 16.5% to 14.6%, and the 45 to 54 age group has dropped from 15.7% to 14.4%. Looking forward to 2041, demographic projections indicate that the 25 to 34 age cohort is expected to increase significantly, with an expansion of 110 people (21%) from 534 to 645. Meanwhile, both the 55 to 64 and 5 to 14 age groups are projected to decrease in number.