Carina
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Carina are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Carina's population is approximately 12,726 as of August 2025. This figure represents an increase of 900 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 11,826. The growth is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 12,703 in June 2024 and validated new addresses totalling 413 since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 2,905 persons per square kilometer, placing Carina in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch assessments. Carina's growth rate of 7.6% since the 2021 census exceeded that of its SA3 area at 7.2%, indicating it as a growth leader. Overseas migration contributed approximately 75.5% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all migration drivers being positive factors.

AreaSearch projections for Carina are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024, using 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered or years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections from 2023, based on 2021 data, are adopted. Age category splits for these state projections are applied proportionally in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023, using 2022 data as the base year. Considering projected demographic shifts, Carina is expected to grow by approximately 1,512 persons to reach a population of 14,238 by 2041, an increase of 11.7% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Carina among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

Carina averaged approximately 87 new dwelling approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis, totalling 437 approvals from FY-21 to FY-25 and 23 so far in FY-26. Over the past five financial years (FY-21 to FY-25), an average of 1.9 new residents arrived per new home built, suggesting balanced supply and demand conditions. However, this increased to 4.9 people per dwelling over the last two financial years, indicating growing popularity and potential undersupply. New homes are constructed at an average value of $559,000, slightly above the regional average, reflecting a focus on quality developments.

In FY-26, $18.3 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, suggesting balanced commercial development activity. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Carina records elevated construction levels (29.0% above the regional average per person over the past five years), maintaining good buyer choice while supporting existing property values. However, building activity has slowed in recent years.

New development consists of 74.0% detached dwellings and 26.0% medium and high-density housing, preserving Carina's suburban nature with a focus on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. Interestingly, developers are building more traditional houses than the current mix suggests (55.0% at Census), indicating continued strong demand for family homes. With around 207 people per approval, Carina reflects a developing area. Looking ahead, Carina is expected to grow by 1,489 residents through to 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 17 projects likely affecting the region. Notable ones are Kensho Carina Retail Community Use Centre & Place of Worship at Creek Road, Shopping Centre Expansion at 789-805 Old Cleveland Road in Carina, and Winstanley Street Medical Centre Development. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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

Carina's workforce is well-educated with strong representation in professional services. The unemployment rate was 2.9% as of June 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 1.8% over the past year.

As of that month, 7,342 residents were employed at a rate 1.2% lower than Greater Brisbane's 4.1%, and workforce participation was 69.0%. Dominant sectors include health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical, with the latter being particularly notable at 1.2 times the regional average. Manufacturing is under-represented at 4.8% compared to Greater Brisbane's 6.4%. Employment opportunities appear limited locally based on Census data analysis by AreaSearch.

Over June 2024 to June 2025, employment increased by 1.8%, labour force also grew by 1.8%, keeping unemployment broadly flat. In comparison, Greater Brisbane had employment growth of 4.4% and a 0.4 percentage point unemployment rate decrease. State-level data for Queensland up to Sep-25 shows employment contracted by 0.23%, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 4.5%, and employment grew by 0.26% during this period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Carina's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.9% 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

Carina had a median taxpayer income of $65,145 and an average of $87,136 according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2022. Nationally, these figures are extremely high, contrasting with Greater Brisbane's median income of $55,645 and average income of $70,520 in the same period. Based on a Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes for March 2025 would be approximately $72,773 (median) and $97,340 (average). According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Carina rank highly nationally, between the 71st and 81st percentiles. The income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 captures 33.6% of the community (4,275 individuals), consistent with broader trends across regional levels showing 33.3% in the same category. High housing costs consume 16.0% of income. Despite this, strong earnings place disposable income at the 71st percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

Carina displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Carina's dwellings, as per the latest Census data, consisted of 55.4% houses and 44.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Brisbane metro had 71.2% houses and 28.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Carina was at 26.7%, with mortgages at 39.3% and rentals at 34.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, below Brisbane metro's average of $2,200. Median weekly rent in Carina was $440, compared to Brisbane metro's $450. Nationally, Carina's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Carina features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 69.0% of all households, including 29.0% couples with children, 26.5% couples without children, and 11.8% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 31.0%, with lone person households at 26.4% and group households comprising 4.7%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

Carina shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

In Carina, a notable 37.7% of residents aged 15 years and above possess university qualifications, outpacing Queensland's (25.7%) and Australia's (30.4%) averages. This educational advantage is driven by bachelor degrees held by 25.9%, postgraduate qualifications by 7.7%, and graduate diplomas by 4.1%. Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 30.7% of residents holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (11.8%) and certificates (18.9%). Educational participation is high at 27.4%, comprising primary education (8.9%), tertiary education (6.7%), and secondary education (6.0%).

The three schools in Carina collectively enroll 1,800 students. Carina's socio-educational conditions are above average, with an ICSEA value of 1089. Educational provision is balanced across two primary and one secondary school serving distinct age groups.

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

Carina has 35 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 21 different routes that together facilitate 3,294 weekly passenger trips. Residents have good access to these services, with an average distance of 226 meters to the nearest stop.

The service frequency is 470 trips per day across all routes, which translates to approximately 94 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Carina is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Carina demonstrates health outcomes with a low prevalence of common conditions among its general population compared to national averages. However, older cohorts at risk have higher rates of these conditions.

Approximately 64% of Carina's total population (8,119 people) has private health cover, which is higher than the national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, impacting 8.8% and 7.4% of residents respectively. 70.2% of residents declare they are completely clear of medical ailments compared to 72.4% across Greater Brisbane. Carina has 16.8% of its residents aged 65 and over (2,136 people), which is higher than the 15.6% in Greater Brisbane.

Carina was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Carina's population comprises 25.1% overseas-born individuals and 15.8% who speak a language other than English at home, making it more culturally diverse than most local markets. Christianity is the predominant religion in Carina, with 52.4%, compared to 54.6% across Greater Brisbane. The top three ancestry groups are English (26.4%), Australian (23.8%), and Irish (10.1%).

Notably, New Zealanders are overrepresented at 1.1% in Carina versus 1.0% regionally, Koreans also show a similar representation at 0.7%, and Spanish-speaking individuals slightly exceed regional averages at 0.6%.

Carina's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Carina's median age at 37 years is close to Greater Brisbane's average of 36 and Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Carina has a higher percentage of residents aged 35-44 (17.7%) but fewer residents aged 15-24 (10.9%). Between the 2021 Census and now, the 35-44 age group has increased from 16.5% to 17.7%, while the 0-4 cohort has decreased from 6.7% to 5.9%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Carina's age profile will change significantly. The 75-84 cohort is projected to grow by 58%, adding 467 residents to reach 1,278. Residents aged 65 and above will drive 58% of population growth, reflecting demographic aging trends. Conversely, the 0-4 and 35-44 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.