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 is around 14,141 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase of 994 people from the 2021 Census figure of 13,147. The change is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 14,145 in June 2024 and an additional 36 validated new addresses since the Census date. This equates to a density ratio of 969 persons per square kilometer, similar to averages seen across other areas assessed by AreaSearch. Carrara's 7.6% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area's 6.0%, marking it as a region growth leader. Overseas migration contributed approximately 56.2% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including natural growth and interstate migration being positive factors.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 using 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. These state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 using 2022 data. Considering projected demographic shifts, a population increase just below the median of national regional areas is expected by 2041, with Carrara expected to increase by 1,530 persons reflecting a total 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. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that from FY-21 to FY-25, a total of 133 dwelling approvals were granted in Carrara. As of FY-26, no dwelling approvals have been recorded yet. On average, over the past five financial years, 8.1 people moved to the area annually for each dwelling built.

This demand significantly outpaces supply, which can put upward pressure on prices and increase competition among buyers. The average construction cost value of new homes being built is $654,000, slightly above the regional average, suggesting a focus on quality developments. In FY-26, commercial approvals worth $15.8 million have been registered, indicating steady commercial investment activity in Carrara. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Carrara has about three-quarters the building activity per person and ranks among the 14th percentile nationally for assessed areas, resulting in relatively constrained buyer choice and supporting interest in existing dwellings. This level reflects market maturity and possible development constraints.

New building activity shows a split of 42% detached houses and 58% medium to high-density housing, with around 1134 people per dwelling approval, indicating a highly mature market. By 2041, Carrara is expected to grow by 1,534 residents. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

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 identified 27 projects likely affecting the region. Notable ones are 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.

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 are employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.7% below Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%, and a workforce participation rate of 63.1%. Key employment industries include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Notably, arts & recreation has high concentration with employment levels at 2.0 times the regional average, while agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 0.4% versus the regional average of 4.5%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data.

Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels in Carrara increased by 2.1%, labour force increased by 2.0%, leading to a decrease in unemployment rate 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 during the same period. State-level data from Sep-25 shows QLD employment contracted by 0.23%, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. National forecasts from May 2025 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but these rates vary significantly between industry sectors. 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 ending June 2022 shows Carrara's median income at $50,238 and average income at $61,092. This is below the national averages of $50,780 (median) and $64,844 (average) in Rest of Qld. By March 2025, estimated median and average incomes would be approximately $56,121 and $68,246 respectively, based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year ending June 2022. The 2021 Census figures rank Carrara's household, family, and personal incomes modestly, between the 39th and 43rd percentiles. Income brackets indicate that 32.5% of residents earn $1,500 - $2,999 weekly. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 80.8% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 36th percentile. Carrara'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 dwellings at 28.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,900, below Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,950. The median weekly rent 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 constitute 71.0% of all households, consisting of 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% of the total. 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's residents aged 15+ have 23.2% with university degrees, compared to Australia's 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 16.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.5%) and graduate diplomas (2.5%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 40.0% of residents holding them - advanced diplomas at 13.4% and certificates at 26.6%. Educational participation is high, with 26.8% currently enrolled in formal education: 8.9% in primary, 7.7% in secondary, and 4.5% in tertiary.

Carrara's three schools have a combined enrollment of 1,748 students. The ICSEA score for Carrara is 1107, indicating significant socio-educational advantages and academic achievement. All three schools offer integrated K-12 education for academic continuity. Note: for schools with 'n/a' enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

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 seven different routes that together facilitate 1033 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is considered good, with residents typically living 356 meters from 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 mirror national benchmarks, with common health conditions prevalent across both young and elderly residents. Approximately half (50%) of Carrara's total population (~7,070 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%), while 68.9% report being free from 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%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Carrara exceed the average, performing better than 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 than most local markets, with 13.1% speaking a language other than English at home. Born overseas, 29.5% of Carrara residents were not Australian-born. Christianity was the dominant religion in Carrara, accounting for 51.7%.

Notably, Judaism was slightly overrepresented compared to regional figures, comprising 0.3% versus 0.2%. In terms of ancestry, English (30.2%), Australian (22.8%), and Other (8.5%) were the top groups. Some ethnicities showed significant variations: New Zealand-born residents were 1.4%, higher than regional levels; Maori residents made up 1.1% versus a regional average of 1.9%; South African residents comprised 0.8% compared to regional levels of 0.7%.

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

The median age in Carrara is 42 years, which is 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 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 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 year-olds have dropped from 11.6% to 10.2%. Population forecasts for Carrara indicate substantial demographic changes by 2041. The 25 to 34 age cohort is projected to expand by 630 people (32%), growing from 1,944 to 2,575. Meanwhile, the 15 to 24 and 5 to 14 age cohorts are expected to experience population declines.