Darling Heights
Statistical Area - sa2

Darling Heights lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Darling Heights' population is approximately 16,334 as of August 2025. This figure reflects a growth of 1,758 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 14,576. The increase is inferred from ABS estimated resident population data of 16,099 in June 2024 and an additional 258 validated new addresses post-Census date. This results in a population density of 1,302 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Darling Heights' growth rate of 12.1% since the 2021 Census exceeds both non-metro areas (8.6%) and national averages. Overseas migration contributed approximately 77.4% of overall population gains in recent periods.

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 are adopted, based on 2021 data and released in 2023. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) are applied for each age cohort when utilised. Future population trends forecast a significant increase in the top quartile of regional areas nationwide. Based on current numbers, Darling Heights is expected to expand by 6,096 persons to reach 2041, reflecting an overall increase of approximately 35.9% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Darling Heights among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Darling Heights has received around 68 dwelling approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that between financial year 2021 and 2025, approximately 340 dwellings were approved, with an additional 25 approved in the current financial year 2026. On average, each new dwelling constructed over these five years has accommodated around 3.6 new residents annually. This suggests a significant gap between supply and demand, leading to increased buyer competition and pricing pressures.

The average construction cost of new dwellings is $461,000, which is below the regional average, indicating more affordable housing options. In the current financial year, Darling Heights has recorded $21.4 million in commercial development approvals, reflecting moderate levels of commercial growth. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Darling Heights has approximately three-quarters the rate of new dwelling approvals per person.

Nationally, it ranks among the 62nd percentile of assessed areas for new dwelling approvals. New developments in Darling Heights consist predominantly of standalone homes (90.0%) and a smaller proportion of townhouses or apartments (10.0%). This maintains the area's suburban character and caters to space-seeking buyers. Notably, the current development trend favours detached housing more than the existing pattern (66.0% at Census), indicating strong demand for family homes. With around 240 people per dwelling approval, Darling Heights reflects a transitioning market. Based on current trends, projections suggest that Darling Heights will add approximately 5,861 residents by 2041. If development rates continue at their current pace, housing supply may not keep up with population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting stronger price growth.

Darling Heights has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 29 projects likely to impact the area. Notable ones include Pinnacle of Kearneys, Kearney West Estate, Ladbroke Grove Estate, and Kearneys Spring Recreation Park Clubhouse Upgrade. The following list details those most relevant.

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

Employment conditions in Darling Heights demonstrate strong performance, ranking among the top 35% of areas assessed nationally

Darling Heights has a well-educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 3.1% as of June 2025, showing an estimated employment growth of 14.8% over the past year.

In June 2025, 8,441 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate 0.8% lower than Rest of Qld's 3.9%. Workforce participation was broadly similar to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade, with a particularly strong specialization in health care & social assistance at 1.6 times the regional level. Construction employment, however, is limited at 5.4% compared to the regional average of 10.1%.

The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data comparisons between working population and resident population. In the year to June 2025, employment levels increased by 14.8%, labour force by 13.0%, leading to a unemployment rate decrease of 1.5 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of Qld, where employment grew by 1.8% and unemployment rose by 0.2 percentage points. State-level data from Sep-25 shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.23%, losing 8,070 jobs, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 4.5%, with employment growth of 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest total employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Darling Heights' employment mix, local growth is estimated at approximately 6.9% over five years and 14.6% 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 income in Darling Heights is below the national average. The median income is $50,490 and the average income is $62,038. 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 11.71% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $56,402 (median) and $69,303 (average) as of March 2025. Census 2021 income data shows household, family and personal incomes all rank modestly in Darling Heights, between the 26th and 33rd percentiles. Income brackets indicate that 33.8% of locals (5,520 people) fall into the $1,500 - $2,999 category, which is similar to the metropolitan region where this cohort also represents 31.7%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Darling Heights, with only 83.1% of income remaining, ranking at the 26th percentile.

Darling Heights displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Dwelling structure in Darling Heights, as evaluated at the 2016 Census, comprised 65.6% houses and 34.5% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 81.4% houses and 18.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Darling Heights was 27.8%, with the remainder mortgaged at 26.9% or rented at 45.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,450, below Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,517. Median weekly rent in Darling Heights was $315, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $310. Nationally, Darling Heights' mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Darling Heights features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 65.4% of all households, including 25.4% couples with children, 25.9% couples without children, and 13.0% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 34.6%, with lone person households at 30.5% and group households comprising 4.1%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

Educational attainment in Darling Heights aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area's educational profile is notable with university qualification rates at 28.2%, surpassing the Rest of Qld average of 20.6% and the SA3 area's 23.1%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 17.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.1%) and graduate diplomas (2.3%). Vocational credentials are held by 33.6% of residents aged 15+, including advanced diplomas (10.0%) and certificates (23.6%).

Educational participation is high, with 33.8% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.1% in primary, 9.4% in tertiary, and 7.3% in secondary education. Schools include Darling Heights State School and Highlands Christian College, serving a total of 1,295 students. Darling Heights has typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 1005) with balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix consists of 1 primary and 1 K-12 school. Local school capacity is limited at 7.9 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 17.2, leading many families to seek schooling in nearby areas.

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

Darling Heights has 75 active public transport stops. These are served by buses on five different routes, offering a total of 839 weekly passenger trips. The average distance to the nearest stop for residents is 238 meters.

Stops are serviced an average of 119 times per day across all routes, which equates to about 11 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Darling Heights is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, though to a considerably higher degree among older age cohorts

Darling Heights faces significant health challenges.

Common health conditions are somewhat prevalent across all age groups but particularly higher among older cohorts. Private health cover rate is relatively low at approximately 51% of the total population (~8,265 people). The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and arthritis, affecting 9.4 and 8.8% of residents respectively. 67.1% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 65.3% across Rest of Qld. As of June 20XX (exact year not provided), 17.1% of residents are aged 65 and over (2,801 people), which is lower than the 18.8% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than the broader population.

Darling Heights 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

Darling Heights, surveyed in 2016, had a higher cultural diversity than most local areas, with 29.4% of its residents born overseas and 26.5% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, making up 52.7% of the population. The 'Other' religious category comprised 4.7%, higher than the Rest of Qld average of 2.2%.

In terms of ancestry, the top groups were English (24.2%), Australian (23.9%), and Other (16.1%), which was significantly higher than the regional average of 7.2%. Some ethnic groups showed notable differences: German at 6.1% (vs regional 8.0%), Indian at 3.9% (vs regional 1.0%), and Filipino at 1.5% (vs regional 0.8%).

Darling Heights's young demographic places it in the bottom 15% of areas nationwide

At 32 years, Darling Heights' median age is considerably lower than the Rest of Qld average of 41 and substantially under the Australian median of 38. Relative to Rest of Qld, Darling Heights has a higher concentration of 25-34 residents at 20.4%, but fewer 55-64 year-olds at 6.9%. This 25-34 concentration is well above the national average of 14.5%. Since the Census on 28th August, 2021, the 25 to 34 age group has grown from 17.7% to 20.4%, while the 15 to 24 cohort increased from 14.0% to 15.7%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 8.4% to 6.9%, and the 5 to 14 group dropped from 13.1% to 11.8%. Demographic modeling suggests Darling Heights' age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 25 to 34 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 56%, adding 1,874 residents to reach a total of 5,203.