Carina Heights

Population growth drivers in Carina Heights are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

Carina Heights' population, as per AreaSearch's analysis, was approximately 7,473 by February 2026. This figure represents an increase of 589 individuals, marking an 8.6% rise since the 2021 Census which recorded a population of 6,884. The change is inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 7,404 in June 2024 and an additional 81 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 2,197 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Carina Heights' growth rate of 8.6% since the 2021 census surpassed that of the SA3 area (7.4%), positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 62.5% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary population growth.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data 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; thus, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 and based on 2022 data. Examining future trends, a population increase just below the median of statistical areas across the nation is expected. Based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, Carina Heights is projected to increase by 992 persons to reach 8,465 by 2041, reflecting an overall increase of 12.3% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Carina Heights when compared nationally

Carina Heights has received approximately 31 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 155 homes. As of FY-26, 6 approvals have been recorded. On average, each dwelling has accommodated around 2.9 new residents per year between FY-21 and FY-25. The average construction cost value for new homes is $398,000.

In FY-26, commercial approvals worth $29.0 million have been registered. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Carina Heights has about three-quarters the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks in the 46th percentile nationally for housing choices. Recent construction comprises 54% detached dwellings and 46% townhouses or apartments.

The population is expected to grow by approximately 923 residents by 2041, with current development appearing well-suited to meet future needs.

Carina Heights has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 19 projects likely impacting the area. Notable ones include Greendale Village Shopping Centre, Queensland Energy Roadmap 2025, Aveo Parkside Carindale Redevelopment, and Belmont Private Hospital Expansion. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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The employment landscape in Carina Heights shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

Carina Heights has an educated workforce with strong professional services representation and an unemployment rate of 5.4% as of September 2025. The area's unemployment rate is 1.4% higher than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.0%, while workforce participation is similar at 73.9%. According to Census responses, 24.2% of residents work from home.

Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical services, with a notable specialization in the latter (1.2 times the regional level). Conversely, transport, postal & warehousing has lower representation at 4.0% compared to the regional average of 5.6%. Over the year to September 2025, labour force levels increased by 0.6%, while employment declined by 0.5%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.1 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane saw employment growth of 3.8% and a fall in unemployment by 0.5 percentage points.

National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Carina Heights' employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.3% over ten years.

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

The median taxpayer income in Carina Heights SA2 was $65,491 and the average was $86,037 according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This is higher compared to Greater Brisbane's median income of $58,236 and average income of $72,799. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91%, the estimated median taxpayer income as of September 2025 would be approximately $71,981 and the average would be around $94,563. Census data indicates that incomes in Carina Heights cluster around the 70th percentile nationally. The earnings band of $1,500 - 2,999 captures 34.3% of the community (2,563 individuals), which is consistent with broader trends across regional levels showing 33.3% in the same category. High housing costs consume 16.3% of income, however strong earnings place disposable income at the 64th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

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

Carina Heights' dwellings as per the latest Census were 53.8% houses and 46.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other'). Brisbane metro had 73.5% houses and 26.5% others. Home ownership in Carina Heights was 23.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 34.9% and rented ones at 41.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,950, above Brisbane's $1,863 average. Median weekly rent was $400, compared to Brisbane's $380. Nationally, Carina Heights' mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, and rents surpassed the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 67.7% of all households, including 25.2% couples with children, 26.8% couples without children, and 14.1% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 32.3%, with lone person households at 26.1% and group households making up 6.2%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

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

Carina Heights' residents aged 15+ have higher educational attainment than Queensland (QLD) or Australia averages. Specifically, 38.9% hold university qualifications compared to QLD's 25.7% and Australia's 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 26.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 8.4% and graduate diplomas at 3.9%. Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 30.8% holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (11.7%) and certificates (19.1%).

Educational participation is notably high in Carina Heights, with 28.0% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 7.9% in tertiary education, 7.8% in primary education, and 6.1% pursuing secondary education.

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

Carina Heights has 49 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 13 different routes that together facilitate 2,671 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 141 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to its residential nature. Cars remain the dominant mode of transport at 82%, while buses account for 12%. On average, there are 1.2 vehicles per dwelling, which is below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 24.2% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 381 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 54 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Carina Heights 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 Heights shows superior health outcomes based on AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The prevalence of common health conditions is low among the general population but higher than the national average for older, at-risk cohorts. Approximately 62% of the total population (4,633 people) has private health cover, compared to 55.8% in Greater Brisbane and a national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent medical conditions, affecting 10.6 and 8.1% of residents respectively. 68.7% of residents claim to be completely free from medical ailments, compared to 69.2% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among working-age individuals are generally typical. The area has 14.1% of residents aged 65 and over (1,056 people), lower than the 15.2% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes for seniors present some challenges but rank lower nationally than those of the broader population.

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

Carina Heights, surveyed in August 2021, showed higher cultural diversity than most local areas, with 27.4% of its residents born overseas and 19.3% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, making up 50.4% of the population as of 2021 data. Notably, Buddhism was equally represented in Carina Heights (2.0%) compared to Greater Brisbane (also 2.0%).

In terms of ancestry, the top groups were English (24.8%), Australian (21.9%), and Other (10.1%). Some ethnic groups showed notable differences: Russian was overrepresented at 0.7% versus 0.3% regionally, New Zealand at 1.2% versus 1.0%, and Spanish at 0.7% versus 0.4%.

Carina Heights's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Carina Heights' median age of 36 years is equal to Greater Brisbane's but younger than the national average of 38 years. The 25-34 age group makes up 16.8%, higher than Greater Brisbane, while the 5-14 cohort is less prevalent at 10.8%. Between 2021 and present, the 75-84 age group has grown from 3.6% to 5.0% of the population. Conversely, the 25-34 cohort has declined from 18.6% to 16.8%. By 2041, forecasts indicate substantial demographic changes for Carina Heights. The 45-54 age group is projected to increase by 227 people (23%) from 984 to 1,212. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 35-44 and 0-4 cohorts.