Doolandella
Statistical Area - sa2

Doolandella lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Doolandella's population is 10,104 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase of 1,506 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 8,598. The change is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 9,788 in June 2024 and an additional 336 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 2,507 persons per square kilometer, placing Doolandella in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's growth rate of 17.5% since the 2021 census exceeded the national average of 8.6%. Population growth was primarily driven by natural growth contributing approximately 37.3% during recent periods, although all drivers including overseas and interstate migration were positive factors.

AreaSearch adopts 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 released in 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted. These state projections do not provide age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings are applied in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data for each age cohort. Examining future trends, a significant population increase is forecasted, with the area expected to expand by 2,737 persons to 2041 reflecting an increase of 24.0% over the 17 years.

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

Doolandella has received approximately 140 dwelling approvals annually. Development approval data is provided by the ABS on a financial year basis, totalling 704 approvals from FY20 to FY25, with 5 approvals recorded in FY26 so far. On average, about 5.1 people have moved into the area each year for every dwelling built over these five years.

This high demand outstrips new supply, leading to price growth and increased buyer competition. The average construction cost of new homes is around $445,000. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Doolandella has 148% more construction activity per person, offering buyers greater choice. New building activity consists of 85% detached houses and 15% attached dwellings, maintaining the area's suburban character while attracting space-seeking buyers.

With around 206 people moving in for each dwelling approval, Doolandella exhibits growth area characteristics. Population forecasts suggest Doolandella will gain approximately 2,421 residents by 2041. Given current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified seven projects expected to influence the region. Major initiatives include Queensland Health Hospital Expansion Program, Pallara Development Project at 78-88 Vied Road, 40-60 Woodvale Crescent State Facilitated Development, and Forest Lake Shopping Centre ALDI Extension. The following list details projects of highest relevance.

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

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

Doolandella has an educated workforce with diverse sector representation and a low unemployment rate of 3.5%. As of June 2025, there are 5,214 employed residents, with an unemployment rate of 0.6% below Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.1%, and workforce participation at 68.8%.

Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and retail trade. Manufacturing stands out with employment levels at 1.7 times the regional average. Construction has limited presence with 5.5% employment compared to 9.0% regionally. Over the year to June 2025, employment increased by 0.1%, labour force by 0.2%, raising unemployment by 0.2 percentage points.

By comparison, Greater Brisbane saw employment growth of 4.4%. State-level data to Sep-25 shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.23% with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, compared to the national rate of 4.5%. National employment forecasts from May 2025 project a 6.6% growth over five years and 13.7% over ten years, suggesting local growth in Doolandella of approximately 6.2%% over five years and 13.4% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Doolandella had a median taxpayer income of $46,533 and an average income of $51,769 in financial year 2022, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is lower than the national average, with Greater Brisbane's median income being $55,645 and average income $70,520 during the same period. By March 2025, estimates suggest the median income will be approximately $51,982 and the average income around $57,831, based on a 11.71% increase from the financial year 2022 Wage Price Index growth. Census data shows incomes in Doolandella cluster at the 53rd percentile nationally. The largest income bracket comprises 42.5% of residents earning between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly. This mirrors the surrounding region where 33.3% fall into this bracket. High housing costs consume 17.6% of income in Doolandella, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 54th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

Doolandella is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Doolandella's residential structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 77.5% houses and 22.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Brisbane metro's 80.2% houses and 19.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Doolandella stood at 15.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 42.4% and rented ones at 42.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, higher than Brisbane metro's average of $1,630. The median weekly rent was recorded at $365, compared to Brisbane metro's $355. Nationally, Doolandella's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Doolandella features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 80.9% of all households, including 44.5% couples with children, 21.1% couples without children, and 13.6% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 19.1%, with lone person households at 15.4% and group households comprising 3.5%. The median household size is 3.1 people, which is larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.8.

Educational outcomes in Doolandella fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates at 27.0% for residents aged 15+, surpassing the SA4 region average of 18.8%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 18.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.8%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 31.9% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas (11.1%) and certificates (20.8%).

Educational participation is high at 34.1%, including primary education (11.6%), secondary education (8.2%), and tertiary education (6.5%). Serviceton South State School, established in Doolandella, has an enrollment of 462 students. The area offers varied educational conditions; the single school focuses on primary education, with secondary options available nearby due to limited local capacity (4.6 places per 100 residents vs regional average of 13.3).

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

Doolandella has 11 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by four different routes that together facilitate 774 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as good, with residents typically living within 274 meters of the nearest stop.

On average, there are 110 trips per day across all routes, equating to around 70 weekly trips per individual stop.

Doolandella's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Health outcomes data shows notable results across Doolandella. Both younger and older age groups have a low prevalence of common health conditions. Private health cover rate is approximately 46%, with about 4,668 people covered (~46% of total population), compared to Greater Brisbane's 49.5%.

Nationally, the average is 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma and mental health issues, affecting 6.8% and 6.5% of residents respectively. About 78.8% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 72.1% across Greater Brisbane. Doolandella has 8.6% (873 people) aged 65 and over, lower than Greater Brisbane's 13.6%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors require more attention than the broader population.

Doolandella is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Doolandella has high cultural diversity, with 51.2% speaking a language other than English at home and 49.2% born overseas. Christianity is the main religion, making up 40.9%. Buddhism is overrepresented at 7.9%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 8.7%.

Top ancestry groups are Other (22.7%), English (16.3%), Australian (15.3%). Vietnamese (11.2%) and Samoan (3.4%) are notably overrepresented, while Maori is at 1.8%, above the regional average of 1.2%.

Doolandella hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Doolandella's median age stands at 32 years, which is lower than the Greater Brisbane average of 36 and significantly below the Australian median of 38. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Doolandella has a higher proportion of residents aged 0-4 years (8.7%) but fewer residents aged 65-74 years (5.3%). Between 2021 and present, the population aged 75-84 years has increased from 1.6% to 2.8%. Conversely, the 25-34 age group has decreased from 18.5% to 17.4%. By 2041, demographic projections suggest significant changes in Doolandella's age profile. The 45-54 age cohort is expected to grow by 530 people (43%), rising from 1,223 to 1,754. Meanwhile, the 0-4 age group is projected to decline by 0 people.