Carina Heights
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Carina Heights' population was 6,884 as of August 2021. By June 2024, it had increased to an estimated 7,404. This increase is attributed to 72 new addresses and reflects a growth rate of 8.1%. The population density in Carina Heights was 2,189 persons per square kilometer as of June 2024, exceeding the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Between August 2021 and June 2024, overseas migration accounted for approximately 62.5% of population gains in Carina Heights. AreaSearch projects that Carina Heights' population will increase by 992 persons to reach 8,376 by 2041, reflecting a total increase of 12.8%.

This growth is expected to be just below the median for statistical areas across the nation. For years post-2032 and areas not covered by ABS/Geoscience Australia projections, AreaSearch adopts Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data. Where age category splits are unavailable, proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections are applied.

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

Carina Heights has experienced approximately 31 dwelling approvals per year. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces this data on a financial year basis, totalling 155 approvals from FY21 to FY25 and 1 recorded so far in FY26. On average, each dwelling has brought in about 2.9 new residents annually over the past five years, indicating strong demand that supports property values. New homes are being constructed at an average cost of $640,000, which is moderately higher than regional levels, suggesting a focus on quality construction.

This financial year has seen $29.0 million in commercial approvals, reflecting robust commercial development activity. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Carina Heights has about three-quarters the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 46th percentile nationally, offering limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing homes. New development consists of 54% detached dwellings and 46% townhouses or apartments, providing a mix of medium-density options across various price brackets.

The area has around 368 people per dwelling approval, reflecting an established neighbourhood. Future projections indicate Carina Heights will add approximately 951 residents by 2041. Current development levels appear to align with future requirements, maintaining stable market conditions without significant price pressures.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 17 projects that could impact the area. Notable ones are Greendale Village Shopping Centre, Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, 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.

Carina Heights has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Carina Heights has an educated workforce with strong professional services representation. The unemployment rate was 5.4% in the past year, showing a 0.7% employment growth.

As of June 2025, 4,298 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 1.3% higher than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation is high at 69.6%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Key employment sectors are health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical services, with the latter having particularly notable concentration at 1.2 times the regional average. Transport, postal & warehousing has limited presence with 4.0% employment compared to 5.6% regionally.

Over the year to June 2025, employment increased by 0.7% while labour force grew by 1.8%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.0 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane saw employment rise by 4.4% and unemployment fall by 0.4%. State-level data to Sep-25 shows QLD employment contracted by 0.23%, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. National projections forecast employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but local growth rates may differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Carina Heights's employment mix suggests potential growth of approximately 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

Carina Heights' median income among taxpayers was $62,337 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $83,381 during the same period. These figures compare to Greater Brisbane's median and average incomes of $55,645 and $70,520 respectively. By March 2025, estimated median and average incomes in Carina Heights would be approximately $69,637 and $93,145 based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year 2022. Census data shows that household, family, and personal incomes in Carina Heights are around the 71st percentile nationally. The largest income bracket comprises 34.3% of residents earning between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly (2,553 residents), similar to broader trends across the area showing 33.3% in the same category. High housing costs consume 16.3% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 65th 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

In Carina Heights, as per the latest Census evaluation, 53.8% of dwellings were houses while 46.3% consisted of other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments and 'other' dwellings. In contrast, Brisbane metropolitan area had 71.2% houses and 28.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Carina Heights stood at 23.4%, with mortgaged properties at 34.9% and rented ones at 41.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,950, lower than Brisbane's average of $2,200. The median weekly rent was recorded at $400 compared to Brisbane's $450. Nationally, Carina Heights' mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

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

Family households comprise 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 account for 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 a higher university qualification rate of 38.9% compared to Queensland's 25.7% and Australia's 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 26.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.4%) and graduate diplomas (3.9%). Vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (11.7%) and certificates (19.1%), are held by 30.8% of residents aged 15+. Current educational participation is high at 28.0%, with 7.9% in tertiary education, 7.8% in primary education, and 6.1% pursuing secondary education.

Educational facilities may not be within immediate catchment boundaries, requiring families to access schools in neighboring areas.

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

Transport analysis shows 49 active transport stops in Carina Heights, serving a mix of buses. These stops are covered by 14 routes, offering 2,586 weekly passenger trips combined. Transport access is rated excellent, with residents usually 141 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 369 trips daily across all routes, equating to about 52 weekly trips per individual stop.

Carina Heights's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Health data shows Carina Heights residents have relatively positive health outcomes. The prevalence of common health conditions among them is low compared to the general population but higher than the national average for older and at-risk cohorts. Approximately 61% of Carina Heights' total population (4,563 people) has private health cover, which is higher than Greater Brisbane's 63.9% and the national average of 55.3%.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 10.6% and 8.1% of residents respectively. Around 68.7% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to Greater Brisbane's 72.4%. Carina Heights has 13.6% of residents aged 65 and over (1,011 people), lower than Greater Brisbane's 15.6%. Health outcomes among seniors in the area require more attention than those for the broader population.

Carina Heights 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 Heights, surveyed between January-February 2016, had a population with 27.4% born overseas and 19.3% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, with 50.4%. Buddhism, at 2.0%, was higher compared to Greater Brisbane's 1.8%.

Ancestry wise, English (24.8%), Australian (21.9%) and Other (10.1%) were most represented. Notably, Russian (0.7% vs regional 0.5%), New Zealand (1.2% vs 1.0%) and Korean (0.8% vs 0.7%) groups were overrepresented compared to Greater Brisbane figures.

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 Australia's national average of 38 years. The age group of 25-34 years is strongly represented at 17.5%, higher than in Greater Brisbane, while the 5-14 cohort is less prevalent at 10.7%. Between 2021 and present, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 3.6% to 4.7% of the population. Conversely, the 25 to 34 age group has decreased from 18.6% to 17.5%. By 2041, demographic forecasts suggest significant changes in Carina Heights' population. The 45-54 age cohort is projected to increase by 241 people (25%) from 970 to 1,212. Conversely, population declines are forecast for the 35-44 and 0-4 cohorts.