Carrara

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

Carrara's population is around 14,143 as of November 2025. This reflects an increase of 996 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 13,147. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 14,145 in June 2024 and an additional 37 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 969 persons per square kilometer. Carrara's growth of 7.6% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area's growth of 6.0%. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 56.2% of overall population gains.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. Considering projected demographic shifts, the area is expected to increase by 1,530 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of 10.8% over the 17 years.

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. As of FY-26, 59 approvals have been recorded. On average, each year between FY-21 and FY-25, around 8.1 new residents arrived per dwelling constructed. This indicates that demand significantly outpaces supply, which typically exerts upward pressure on prices and intensifies competition among buyers.

The average construction value of these new homes is $550,000, suggesting developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties. In FY-26, commercial approvals totalling $15.8 million have been registered, indicating moderate levels of commercial development in Carrara compared to other areas. Relative to the rest of Queensland and nationally, Carrara records around three-quarters the building activity per person, placing it among the 14th percentile of areas assessed. This results in relatively constrained buyer choice, supporting interest in existing homes. The area's new building activity shows a skew towards compact living, with 42.0% detached houses and 58.0% medium to high-density housing.

This offers affordable entry pathways and attracts downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. With approximately 1134 people per dwelling approval, Carrara reflects a highly mature market. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Carrara is forecasted to gain 1532 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

Twenty-four infrastructure projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area. Key projects include Coomera Connector Stage 1 South, Nielsens Road Apartment Development, Serenity Estate - Gilston, and Carrara Stadium - 2032 Olympics Venue. The following list details those most likely to be 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 is 3.3%, with an estimated employment growth of 2.4% over the past year as of September 2025.

In this month, 7,776 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.4%, below Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation is at 63.1%, slightly higher than Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key employment industries include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Notably, arts & recreation shows high concentration with employment levels at 2.0 times the regional average.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing has lower representation at 0.4% compared to the regional average of 4.5%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data analysis. From September 2024 to September 2025, employment levels increased by 2.4%, and labour force grew by 2.5%, keeping unemployment relatively stable at 3.4%. In contrast, Rest of Qld had employment growth of 1.7% and labour force growth of 2.1%, with a slight rise in unemployment to 4.4%. State-level data from 25-Nov-25 shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01%, losing 1,210 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Carrara's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by approximately 6.5% over five years and 13.4% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 2022 shows that income in Carrara SA2 is below national average. The median income was $50,238 while the average stood at $61,092. This contrasts with Rest of Qld's figures where median income was $50,780 and average income was $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year ending June 2022, current estimates would be approximately $57,266 (median) and $69,639 (average) as of September 2025. According to Australian Bureau of Statistics Census figures from 2021, household, family and personal incomes in Carrara rank modestly, between the 38th and 42nd percentiles. Income brackets indicate that the largest segment comprises 32.5% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (4,596 residents), similar to 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 fifth 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 (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 71.9% houses and 28.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Carrara was at 32.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 39.5% and rented dwellings at 28.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Carrara was $1,900, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,950. The median weekly rent figure for Carrara was $450, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $435. Nationally, Carrara's mortgage repayments were higher at $1,900 compared to 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 constitute 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 comprise the remaining 29.0%, with lone person households at 24.8% and group households making up 4.3%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is 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 has regional benchmarks in educational qualifications, with 23.2% of residents aged 15 and above holding university degrees compared to the national average of 30.4%. This indicates a gap that suggests potential for educational development and skill enhancement. Bachelor degrees are the most common, at 16.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.5%) and graduate diplomas (2.5%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 40.0% of residents aged 15 and above holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (13.4%) and certificates (26.6%).

Educational participation is high, with 26.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes primary education (8.9%), secondary education (7.7%), and tertiary education (4.5%).

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

Carrara has 32 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 7 different routes that together facilitate 1,033 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of the transport system is considered good, with residents on average being located 356 meters from their nearest stop.

On a daily basis, there are an average of 147 trips 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 align with national benchmarks, showing standard levels of common health conditions across both young and old age cohorts. Approximately 50% (~7,071 people) have private health cover, slightly lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 8.5% of residents) and asthma (7.4%). A significant majority, 68.9%, report no medical ailments, similar to the 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 are above average, outperforming the general population in health metrics.

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

Carrara's population shows higher cultural diversity than most local areas, with 13.1% speaking a language other than English at home and 29.5% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Carrara, comprising 51.7% of its population. Notably, Judaism is slightly overrepresented compared to the rest of Queensland, with 0.3% of Carrara's population identifying as such.

Regarding ancestry, the top three groups are English (30.2%), Australian (22.8%), and Other (8.5%). Some ethnic groups show notable differences: New Zealanders make up 1.4% of Carrara's population compared to 1.8% regionally, Maori comprise 1.1% versus 1.9%, and South Africans account for 0.8% versus 0.7%.

Carrara's median age exceeds the national pattern

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