Carrara
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Carrara's population was approximately 14,143 as of November 2025. This represented an increase of 996 people from the 2021 Census figure of 13,147, indicating a growth rate of 7.6%. The estimated resident population in June 2024 was 14,145, with an additional 37 validated new addresses since the Census date contributing to this increase. This resulted in a population density ratio of 969 persons per square kilometer. Carrara's growth exceeded that of its SA3 area (6.0%), making it a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration drove most of the population growth, accounting for approximately 56.2% of overall gains.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area 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 from 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted. Age category splits are applied proportionally according to ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 using 2022 data. By 2041, Carrara's population is projected to increase by just below the median of national regional areas, with an expected growth of 1,530 persons over the period, reflecting a total increase of 10.8%.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Carrara recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Carrara has received approximately 26 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 133 homes. In FY2026 so far, 59 approvals have been recorded. On average, 8.1 new residents per year arrive per dwelling constructed between FY2021 and FY2025. This indicates demand outpaces supply, potentially exerting upward pressure on prices and increasing competition among buyers.

New homes are being built at an average construction cost of $550,000, suggesting developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties. In FY2026, $15.8 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to the rest of Queensland and nationally, Carrara records about three-quarters the building activity per person and ranks among the 14th percentile of areas assessed, suggesting relatively constrained buyer choice and supporting interest in existing homes. New building activity comprises 42.0% detached houses and 58.0% medium to high-density housing, offering affordable entry pathways and attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. With around 1134 people per dwelling approval, Carrara reflects a highly mature market.

Population forecasts project Carrara will gain 1,532 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 24 projects likely to affect the area. Notable ones include Coomera Connector Stage 1 South, Cumulus Grand Villas, Kokomo Gold Coast, and Nielsens Road Apartment Development. The following list details those most relevant.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

The employment environment in Carrara shows above-average strength when compared nationally

Carrara has a skilled workforce with diverse sector representation. Its unemployment rate was 3.2% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 2.1%.

As of June 2025, 7,706 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.9%, 0.7% below Rest of Qld's rate. Workforce participation was 63.1%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Leading employment industries were health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Arts & recreation had notably high concentration, at 2.0 times the regional average.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing showed lower representation at 0.4% versus the regional average of 4.5%. Many residents commuted elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 2.1%, labour force by 2.0%, reducing unemployment by 0.1 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld had employment growth of 1.8% and a rise in unemployment rate by 0.2 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, May 2025, project national growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Carrara's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.5% over five years and 13.4% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that income in Carrara is below the national average. The median assessed income is $50,238 and the average income stands at $61,092. This contrasts with Rest of Qld's figures where the median income is $50,780 and the average income is $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $57,266 (median) and $69,639 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes in Carrara rank modestly, between the 39th and 43rd percentiles. Income brackets indicate that the largest segment comprises 32.5% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (4,596 residents), similar to the surrounding region where this cohort represents 31.7%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Carrara, with only 80.8% of income remaining, ranking at the 36th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Carrara displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Dwelling structure in Carrara, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 52.1% houses and 47.9% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 71.9% houses and 28.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Carrara was 32.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 39.5% and rented ones at 28.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,900, below Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,950. The median weekly rent figure in Carrara was $450, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $435. Nationally, Carrara's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households comprise 71.0% of all households, including 28.0% couples with children, 29.4% couples without children, and 12.5% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 29.0%, with lone person households at 24.8% and group households comprising 4.3%. The median household size is 2.4 people, smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.8.

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

Carrara trail regional benchmarks indicate that 23.2% of residents aged 15+ hold university degrees, compared to the national average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 16.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.5%) and graduate diplomas (2.5%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 40.0% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas (13.4%) and certificates (26.6%). Educational participation is high, with 26.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 8.9% in primary education, 7.7% in secondary education, and 4.5% pursuing tertiary education. Carrara's three schools have a combined enrollment of 1,748 students. The area demonstrates significant socio-educational advantages with an ICSEA score of 1107. All three schools offer integrated K-12 education for academic continuity.

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

Carrara has 32 operational public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by seven different routes that collectively facilitate 1,033 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as good, with residents typically living within 356 meters of the nearest stop.

On average, there are 147 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 32 weekly trips per individual stop.

Carrara's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Carrara's health metrics closely match national benchmarks. Common health conditions are seen similarly across young and older age groups.

Approximately half (50%) of Carrara's total population (~7,071 people) have private health cover, compared to the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (8.5% of residents) and asthma (7.4%). Around two-thirds (68.9%) of residents report no medical ailments, similar to Rest of Qld's 69.5%. Carrara has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 21.1% (2,978 people), compared to Rest of Qld's 16.7%. Health outcomes among seniors in Carrara exceed average levels, outperforming the general population in health metrics.

Carrara 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

Carrara's population showed higher linguistic diversity, with 13.1% speaking a language other than English at home, compared to the majority of local markets. Born overseas, 29.5% of Carrara residents were born outside Australia. Christianity was the predominant religion in Carrara, comprising 51.7% of its population.

Notably, Judaism was more prevalent in Carrara at 0.3%, compared to 0.2% across the rest of Queensland. The top three ancestry groups based on parental birth countries were English (30.2%), Australian (22.8%), and Other (8.5%). Significant differences were observed in the representation of New Zealanders, Maori, and South Africans: New Zealanders made up 1.4% of Carrara's population versus 1.8% regionally; Maori comprised 1.1%, compared to 1.9%; and South Africans constituted 0.8%, slightly higher than the regional average of 0.7%.

Carrara hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Carrara is 42 years, close to Rest of Qld's average of 41 years but well above the Australian median of 38 years. Comparing Carrara to Rest of Qld, the 25-34 age cohort is notably over-represented at 13.8% locally, while the 5-14 year-olds are under-represented at 10.2%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 10.4% to 12.6%, and the 25 to 34 cohort has increased from 12.7% to 13.8%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 age group has declined from 12.9% to 11.1%, and the 5-14 age group has dropped from 11.6% to 10.2%. Population forecasts for Carrara in 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes, with the 25-34 age cohort projected to expand by 630 people (32%), from 1,944 to 2,575. Meanwhile, the 15 to 24 and 5 to 14 age cohorts are expected to experience population declines.