Brisbane City
Statistical Area - sa2

Brisbane City lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Brisbane City's population was approximately 18,102 as of November 2025. This represented an increase of 4,792 people, a 36.0% rise from the 2021 Census figure of 13,310. The growth was inferred from the ABS's estimated resident population of 16,884 in June 2024 and an additional 1,410 validated new addresses since the Census date. This resulted in a population density of 7,638 persons per square kilometer, placing Brisbane City in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The city's growth exceeded both the national average (8.9%) and the state average since the 2021 census. Overseas migration contributed approximately 92.7% of overall population gains during recent periods, although natural growth and interstate migration also played positive roles.

AreaSearch adopted ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area as 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 released in 2023 based on 2021 data were used. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applied proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023, based on 2022 data. Looking ahead, exceptional population growth is predicted for Brisbane City, placing it in the top 10 percent of Australian statistical areas. The area is expected to increase by 14,600 persons to 2041 based on the latest population numbers, recording a gain of 73.9% over the 17-year period.

The level of residential development activity in Brisbane City was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

Brisbane City averaged approximately 481 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, totaling 2,406 homes. In FY26, one home has been approved so far. On average, 1.6 new residents arrived per new home each year during these five years, indicating a balance between supply and demand.

The average construction cost value of new dwellings was $608,000, suggesting developers targeted the premium market segment with higher-end properties. This financial year has seen $1175.5 million in commercial approvals, reflecting high local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Brisbane City had 116.0% more building activity per person as of recent data, offering buyers ample choice and indicating strong developer confidence. All recent building activity comprised townhouses or apartments, promoting denser development that caters to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers. With around 24 people per dwelling approval, Brisbane City exhibits growth area characteristics. Future projections anticipate an addition of 13,382 residents by 2041, with current development levels seemingly aligned with future requirements, maintaining stable market conditions without significant price pressures.

Future projections show Brisbane City adding 13,382 residents by 2041. Existing development levels seem aligned with future requirements, maintaining stable market conditions without significant price pressures.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 112 projects likely impacting the region. Notable initiatives include Queen's Wharf Brisbane, Cross River Rail, Adelaide Street Tunnel (Brisbane Metro), and Waterfront Brisbane. The following list details projects expected to have the most relevance.

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

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AreaSearch analysis indicates Brisbane City maintains employment conditions that align with national benchmarks

Brisbane City has a highly educated workforce with strong professional services representation. Its unemployment rate in 2025 was 4.3%, showing employment growth of 3.9% over the past year.

As of June 2025, 11,389 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 0.2% higher than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation stands at 67.5%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Employment is concentrated in professional & technical, accommodation & food, and health care & social assistance sectors. The area has a notable concentration in accommodation & food services with employment levels at 2.5 times the regional average.

Health care & social assistance employment stands at 10.2%, compared to the regional average of 16.1%. There are 11.0 workers per resident, indicating that Brisbane City functions as an employment hub hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas. Over a 12-month period ending in June 2025, employment increased by 3.9% while the labour force grew by 2.9%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.9 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane saw employment rise by 4.4%, with the labour force growing by 4.0% and unemployment falling by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest that national employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with growth patterns varying significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Brisbane City's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.8% over five years and 13.8% over ten years.

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

Brisbane City's median income among taxpayers was $49,753 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $83,490 during the same period. These figures compare to Greater Brisbane's median and average incomes of $55,645 and $70,520 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, estimated median income is approximately $56,713 and average income is around $95,170 as of September 2025. Census data shows that household, family, and personal incomes in Brisbane City are at the 62nd percentile nationally. The largest income bracket comprises 32.6% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (5,901 residents), consistent with broader trends across the broader area showing 33.3% in the same category. High housing costs consume 20.7% of income. Despite this, disposable income is at the 51st percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Brisbane City features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Dwelling structure in Brisbane City, as evaluated at the latest Census conducted on 9 August 2016, comprised 6.2% houses and 93.9% other dwellings including semi-detached, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This compares to Brisbane metropolitan area's 12.9% houses and 87.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Brisbane City was at 16.5%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged at 16.6% or rented at 66.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,000, aligning with the Brisbane metropolitan average, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $460, compared to Brisbane metropolitan averages of $2,000 and $440 respectively. Nationally, Brisbane City's mortgage repayments are higher than the Australian average of $1,863 as reported in the 2017 Housing Industry Association - Bankwest Housing Finance Report, while rents are substantially above the national figure of $375 according to the same report.

Brisbane City features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 45.0% of all households, including 9.0% that are couples with children, 29.7% that are couples without children, and 4.6% that are single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 55.0%, with lone person households at 41.7% and group households comprising 13.2%. The median household size is 1.8 people, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 1.9.

Educational attainment in Brisbane City aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

Brisbane City has a higher educational attainment than broader averages. 53.0% of its residents aged 15 and above have university qualifications, compared to 25.7% in Queensland and 30.4% nationally. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 33.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (15.8%) and graduate diplomas (3.3%). Vocational pathways account for 22.7% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 11.0% and certificates at 11.7%.

Educational participation is high, with 39.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 24.4% in tertiary education, 2.3% in secondary education, and 2.1% pursuing primary education. Educational provision includes Indie School, Logan - Brisbane City Campus and Albert Park Flexible School, serving a total of 94 students. The area has typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 997) with balanced educational opportunities. Secondary education dominates with two schools, while primary students typically attend schools in nearby areas due to limited local school capacity (0.5 places per 100 residents vs 18.1 regionally). Many families travel to nearby areas for schooling. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

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

Brisbane City has 159 active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These comprise a mix of ferry, train, and bus services. There are 409 individual routes serving these stops, collectively facilitating 47,938 weekly passenger trips.

Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 82 meters to the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 6,848 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 301 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Brisbane City has excellent health outcomes, with low prevalence rates for common conditions across all age groups. Private health cover is high at approximately 61% of the total population (11,096 people), compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.3%, and the national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues affect 8.0% of residents, while asthma impacts 5.9%.

A majority, 79.4%, report being free from medical ailments, compared to Greater Brisbane's 75.5%. The area has a senior population (aged 65 and over) of 9.7% (1,759 people), with seniors' health outcomes aligning well with the general population's profile.

Brisbane City is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Brisbane City has a high level of cultural diversity, with 41.5% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 54.3% born overseas. Christianity is the main religion in Brisbane City, comprising 33.5% of people. However, Buddhism is overrepresented, making up 5.8% compared to 3.9% across Greater Brisbane.

The top three ancestry groups are English (20.4%), Other (15.8%), and Australian (13.6%). Notably, Korean (3.3%) and Chinese (12.4%) are overrepresented in Brisbane City compared to the regional averages of 1.3% and 7.7%, respectively. Spanish is also present at 0.9%.

Brisbane City hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Brisbane City has a median age of 31 years, which is younger than the Greater Brisbane average of 36 and significantly under the Australian median of 38. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Brisbane City has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (30.8%), but fewer residents aged 5-14 (2.3%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is notably higher than the national average of 14.5%. According to post-2021 Census data, the proportion of Brisbane City's population aged 25-34 has increased from 29.8% to 30.8%, while the proportions for the 45-54 and 35-44 age groups have decreased to 9.2% and 13.6% respectively, from their previous levels of 10.4% and 14.8%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests that Brisbane City's age profile will change significantly. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to grow steadily, with an increase of 2,699 people (48%), reaching a total of 8,279 residents in this age group.