Clayfield

An assessment of population growth drivers in Clayfield reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Clayfield's population was around 10,754 as of the 2021 Census. By Nov 2025, it had increased to approximately 11,618, reflecting a growth of 864 people (8.0%). This increase is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 11,622 as of June 2024 and the addition of 42 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio was around 3,965 persons per square kilometer, placing Clayfield in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. This growth is primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 84.1% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data for areas not covered by this data or years post-2032.

Future population trends suggest an increase just below the median of national areas to approximately 12,459 persons by 2041, reflecting a total gain of 6.4% over the 17-year period based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.

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

Clayfield has averaged approximately 20 new dwelling approvals per year. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25102 homes were approved, with an additional 26 approved so far in FY-26. On average, 5.7 new residents have arrived annually for each dwelling constructed during these years.

This significant demand outstrips supply, typically leading to price growth and increased buyer competition. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $463,000, indicating that developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties. In FY-26, $4.1 million in commercial approvals have been registered, suggesting the area's residential character. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Clayfield has significantly less development activity, 74.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new homes typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties.

Nationally, development activity is also lower than in Clayfield, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints. New building activity in Clayfield comprises 75.0% detached dwellings and 25.0% townhouses or apartments, sustaining the area's suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space. This pattern favours detached housing more than current patterns suggest (37.0% at Census), demonstrating ongoing robust demand for family homes despite increasing density pressures. With around 730 people per dwelling approval, Clayfield reflects a highly mature market. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Clayfield is expected to grow by 739 residents through to 2041. Building activity appears to be keeping pace with growth projections, though buyers may experience heightened competition as the population grows.

Clayfield has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Area infrastructure changes significantly influence local performance. AreaSearch identified 43 potential impact projects. Notable ones are Clayfield Development Aggregate, Northshore Hamilton Street Renewal, Nouveau Albion, and Clayfield Villagio Shopping Centre Revitalisation. The following 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.

Employment performance in Clayfield exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

Clayfield has a highly educated workforce with professional services well represented. The unemployment rate was 3.4% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 0.6%.

As of September 2025, 7,310 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.6%, below Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation was high at 71.8%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Leading employment industries were health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and retail trade. Professional & technical services had a particularly notable concentration, with employment levels at 1.6 times the regional average.

However, construction had limited presence with 5.2% employment compared to the regional average of 9.0%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 0.6%, labour force increased by 0.7%, resulting in a slight rise in unemployment to 3.5%. In contrast, Greater Brisbane saw employment rise by 3.8% and unemployment fall by 0.5 percentage points during the same period. State-level data from 25-Nov-25 shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01%, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, broadly in line with the national rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest a 6.6% expansion over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Clayfield's employment mix, local employment is estimated to increase by 7.2% over five years and 14.6% over ten years.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Clayfield SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $67,395 and an average of $116,622. Nationally, this places Clayfield in the top percentile. In comparison, Greater Brisbane's median was $55,645 with an average of $70,520. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, estimates for September 2025 would be approximately $76,824 (median) and $132,937 (average). According to the 2021 Census, individual earnings at the 85th percentile nationally were $1,099 weekly. In Clayfield, 30.7% of locals (3,566 people) earned between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, similar to the surrounding region's 33.3%. High household earnings exceeding $3,000 were seen in 30.3% of households, indicating strong consumer spending. Housing costs consumed 15.4% of income, but disposable income was at the 62nd percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 8th decile.

Clayfield features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Clayfield, as per the latest Census, 37.2% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 62.8% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types of dwellings. In contrast, Brisbane metropolitan area had 36.5% houses and 63.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Clayfield stood at 24.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 31.2% and rented ones at 44.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, lower than Brisbane's average of $2,167. Median weekly rent in Clayfield was $350, compared to Brisbane's $410. Nationally, Clayfield's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Clayfield features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 55.7 percent of all households, including 23.0 percent couples with children, 23.2 percent couples without children, and 7.8 percent single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 44.3 percent, with lone person households at 38.6 percent and group households comprising 5.7 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.2 people, which aligns with the Greater Brisbane average.

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

Clayfield's educational attainment is notably higher than broader averages. Among residents aged 15+, 48.2% possess university qualifications, compared to 25.7% in Queensland and 30.4% nationally. University graduates comprise 31.9%, postgraduate qualifications 11.6%, and graduate diplomas 4.7%. Vocational pathways account for 24.8% of qualifications among those aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 11.1% and certificates at 13.7%.

Educational participation is high, with 30.1% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.3% in tertiary education, 7.9% in primary education, and 6.8% pursuing secondary education.

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

Clayfield has 52 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 134 individual routes, facilitating 8,672 weekly passenger trips in total. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 141 meters to the nearest stop.

Service frequency across all routes averages 1,238 trips per day, equating to approximately 166 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Analysis shows Clayfield's health metrics are strong across all ages. Both young and elderly residents have low prevalence of common conditions. Private health cover is high at approximately 79%, compared to 71.3% in Greater Brisbane and a national average of 55.3%.

Mental health issues affect 9.6% of residents, while asthma impacts 7.4%. 72.4% report no medical ailments, similar to Greater Brisbane's 73.7%. The area has 15.3% seniors (aged 65 and over), higher than Greater Brisbane's 12.2%. Senior health outcomes align with the general population.

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

Clayfield's cultural diversity is notable, with 18.2% of residents speaking a language other than English at home and 28.1% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Clayfield, comprising 51.2% of its population. However, Hinduism is overrepresented compared to Greater Brisbane, making up 5.6% of Clayfield's population versus 2.7%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (26.6%), Australian (20.7%), and Irish (11.8%). Scottish ancestry is slightly overrepresented in Clayfield at 9.1%, compared to 8.7% regionally, while French (0.6%) and German (4.2%) ancestries show minor divergences from regional figures of 0.7% and 4.0%, respectively.

Clayfield's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Clayfield's median age is nearly 37 years, closely matching Greater Brisbane's average age of 36 and Australia's median age of 38. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Clayfield has a higher percentage of residents aged 25-34 (17.9%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (10.7%). Between the 2021 Census and the present, the population aged 65-74 has increased from 7.5% to 8.3%, while the percentage of those aged 45-54 has decreased from 14.0% to 13.2%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant changes in Clayfield's age profile. The 65-74 cohort is projected to grow by 36%, adding 350 residents to reach a total of 1,318. Residents aged 65 and above are expected to drive 69% of population growth, highlighting demographic aging trends. Conversely, the populations aged 5-14 and 0-4 are projected to decline.