Chapel Hill
Statistical Area - sa2

Chapel Hill is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Chapel Hill's population was around 10,731 as of the 2021 Census. By Nov 2025, it is estimated to be approximately 11,170, reflecting an increase of 439 people (4.1%) since the Census date. This growth can be inferred from the estimated resident population of 11,170 as of June 2024 and an additional 13 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio is around 2,068 persons per square kilometer, which is higher than the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Chapel Hill's growth rate of 4.1% since the census is within 1.6 percentage points of the SA3 area (5.7%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Population growth in the area was primarily driven by overseas migration, which was the main driver of population gains during recent periods.

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 used, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 using 2022 data as the base year. Looking ahead, demographic trends indicate a decline in overall population by 282 persons by 2041 according to this methodology. However, specific age cohorts are expected to grow, with the 85 and over age group projected to increase by 344 people.

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

Chapel Hill has seen approximately 20 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling 102 homes. As of FY-26, 4 approvals have been recorded. On average, around 3 new residents arrive per dwelling constructed each year between FY-21 and FY-25. This suggests supply is lagging demand, potentially leading to heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures.

New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $641,000, indicating a focus on the premium market with high-end developments. In FY-26, $10.6 million in commercial approvals have been registered, demonstrating moderate levels of commercial development compared to Greater Brisbane. Chapel Hill shows approximately 60% of the construction activity per person and ranks among the 41st percentile nationally for areas assessed, suggesting limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing dwellings. Recent construction comprises 71.0% standalone homes and 29.0% attached dwellings, sustaining the area's suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space, marking a departure from existing housing patterns which are currently 97.0% houses. Chapel Hill has around 588 people per approval, indicating a mature, established area.

Population projections show stability or decline, suggesting reduced housing demand pressures and benefiting potential buyers in the future.

Chapel Hill has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified seven projects likely affecting the region. Notable ones are Woodlands Residences, Mount Coot-tha Precinct Upgrades, Centa Property Group Lambert Road Development, and 2172 Moggill Road Townhouses. 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.

Chapel Hill ranks among the top 25% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance

Chapel Hill has a highly educated workforce with professional services well represented. Its unemployment rate is 2.2%.

As of June 2025, 5846 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.9% below Greater Brisbane's 4.1%, and workforce participation similar to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Key industries for Chapel Hill residents are professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training. The area shows strong specialization in professional & technical services with an employment share of 2.1 times the regional level. Conversely, construction is under-represented at 5.3% compared to Greater Brisbane's 9%.

Limited local employment opportunities are indicated by Census working population vs resident population counts. Between June 2024 and June 2025, Chapel Hill's labour force decreased by 1.5%, employment declined by 1.0%, causing unemployment to fall by 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane saw employment rise by 4.4% and the labour force grow by 4.0%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Chapel Hill's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 7.4% over five years and 15.0% over ten years, though these are simple weighted extrapolations for illustrative purposes only and do not account for localized population projections.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

Chapel Hill had a median taxpayer income of $66,927 and an average income of $111,218 in financial year 2022, according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is notably higher than the national median income of $55,645 and average income of $70,520 for Greater Brisbane during the same period. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $76,290 (median) and $126,777 (average), based on a 13.99% growth in wages since financial year 2022. In Chapel Hill, household, family, and personal incomes ranked highly nationally, between the 85th and 96th percentiles according to the 2021 Census. The income distribution showed that 33.9% of locals (3,786 people) fell into the $4000+ category, differing from the regional predominance of the $1,500 - 2,999 category at 33.3%. A significant 49.4% earned above $3,000 weekly, indicating areas of prosperity that contribute to robust local economic activity. After housing costs, residents retained 89.3% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 10th decile.

Chapel Hill is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

The latest Census evaluation of Chapel Hill's dwelling structures showed 97.3% houses and 2.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Brisbane metro's 95.2% houses and 4.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Chapel Hill was at 43.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 42.9% and rented ones at 14.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,407, higher than Brisbane metro's average of $2,311. The median weekly rent in Chapel Hill was $555, compared to Brisbane metro's $500. Nationally, Chapel Hill's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Chapel Hill features high concentrations of family households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 84.5% of all households, including 47.0% couples with children, 28.7% couples without children, and 7.9% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 15.5%, with lone person households at 12.7% and group households comprising 2.7%. The median household size is 2.9 people, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 3.0.

Chapel Hill demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

Educational attainment in Chapel Hill is notably high, with 57.9% of residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications, compared to 25.7% in Queensland (QLD) and 30.4% nationally. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 33.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 19.4% and graduate diplomas at 5.5%. Vocational pathways account for 18.5%, with advanced diplomas at 9.0% and certificates at 9.5%. Educational participation is high, with 32.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 10.9% in primary, 9.5% in secondary, and 7.6% in tertiary education.

Chapel Hill State School serves the local area, enrolling 807 students as of a certain date. The school's ICSEA score is 1169, indicating high advantage nationally. It offers primary education exclusively; secondary options are available nearby. There are 7.2 school places per 100 residents in Chapel Hill, lower than the regional average of 13.4, suggesting some students may attend schools in adjacent areas.

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

Chapel Hill has 47 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 18 different routes that together facilitate 1,842 weekly passenger trips. The town's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents on average located 197 meters from the nearest stop.

On a daily basis, there are an average of 263 trips across all routes, which equates to approximately 39 weekly trips per individual stop.

Chapel Hill's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis shows Chapel Hill performed well on health metrics. Both young and elderly cohorts had low prevalence of common conditions. Private health cover was high at approximately 76% (8,511 people), compared to Greater Brisbane's 72.0%.

Nationally, it stands at 55.3%. Mental health issues and arthritis were most common, affecting 6.5% and 6.4% respectively. 74.0% reported no medical ailments, versus Greater Brisbane's 73.1%. Chapel Hill has 20.1% (2,246 people) aged 65 and over, higher than Greater Brisbane's 18.2%. Seniors' health outcomes align with the general population's profile.

Chapel Hill 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

Chapel Hill, as of a study conducted in 2018-2023, had higher cultural diversity than most local markets, with 23.7% speaking a language other than English at home and 36.5% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 48.0%. Judaism, however, was more prevalent in Chapel Hill at 0.6%, compared to 0.3% across Greater Brisbane.

In ancestry, the top groups were English (25.7%), Australian (20.2%), and Other (10.5%). Some ethnic groups had notable differences: South African at 1.6% (vs regional 2.0%), Korean at 1.0% (vs 0.7%), and Sri Lankan at 0.6% (vs 0.4%).

Chapel Hill hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Chapel Hill's median age is 42 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Brisbane's average of 36 years and considerably older than Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Chapel Hill has a notably over-represented cohort of individuals aged 45-54 (15.9%) and an under-represented cohort of individuals aged 25-34 (6.6%). According to the 2021 Census, the population of individuals aged 15-24 has grown from 11.7% to 14.1%, while the cohort aged 75-84 has increased from 5.8% to 7.6%. Conversely, the cohort aged 35-44 has declined from 14.2% to 12.9%. Demographic modeling suggests that Chapel Hill's age profile will change significantly by 2041, with the 85+ cohort projected to grow by 140%, adding 334 residents to reach a total of 574 residents in this age group. This growth is part of an overall demographic aging trend, with individuals aged 65 and older representing 80% of anticipated population growth. However, population declines are projected for the cohorts aged 0-4 and 65-74 years.