Eight Mile Plains
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Eight Mile Plains' population was recorded as 15,186 people during the 2021 Census. By August 2025, it is estimated to have increased to around 16,645 people, reflecting a rise of 1,459 individuals (9.6%) since the census date. This increase can be inferred from the ABS's estimated resident population of 16,541 as of June 2024 and an additional 226 validated new addresses since then. The population density in Eight Mile Plains is approximately 2,167 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Between the 2021 Census and August 2025, Eight Mile Plains experienced a growth rate of 9.6%, surpassing the national average of 8.6%. This growth was primarily driven by overseas migration, accounting for approximately 85.8% 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. 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. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 using a base year of 2022. By 2041, Eight Mile Plains is projected to grow by an additional 2,556 persons, representing a total increase of 14.7% over the 17-year period from August 2025.

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

Eight Mile Plains has averaged approximately 56 new dwelling approvals each year over the past five financial years, totalling 284 homes. As of FY-26 so far, 8 approvals have been recorded. On average, around 2.8 people per year moved to the area for each new home constructed between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating strong demand that supports property values. New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $599,000, slightly above the regional average, suggesting a focus on quality developments.

In this financial year, there have been $34.3 million in commercial approvals, reflecting high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Eight Mile Plains has roughly half the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 28th percentile nationally for areas assessed, resulting in relatively constrained buyer choice and supporting interest in existing dwellings. This is also lower than national averages, indicating market maturity and possible development constraints. New development consists of 84.0% detached dwellings and 16.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's suburban nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers.

However, this favours detached housing more than current patterns suggest (65.0% at Census), demonstrating ongoing robust demand for family homes despite increasing density pressures. With around 718 people per approval, Eight Mile Plains shows a mature, established area. Future projections indicate that Eight Mile Plains will add approximately 2,452 residents by 2041. Current development appears well-matched to future needs, supporting steady market conditions without extreme price pressure.

Eight Mile Plains has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 58 projects potentially affecting the region. Notable initiatives include Retirement Village & Medical Centre at 161 Underwood Road, The Collective Residences, Eight Mile Plains Gateway Neighbourhood Plan, and 18 MacGregor Street Mixed-Use Development. Below is a list of most relevant projects.

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.

AreaSearch assessment positions Eight Mile Plains ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Eight Mile Plains has a highly educated labour force with prominent essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 3.1% as of June 2025, which is below Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.1%.

Employment growth in the past year was estimated at 1.6%. There were 9,024 residents employed in June 2025, with an unemployment rate of 3.2%, similar to Greater Brisbane's workforce participation rate of 64.5%. Key employment sectors include health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and retail trade. Notably, accommodation & food services have a high concentration with employment levels at 1.3 times the regional average.

Conversely, construction has a limited presence with 6.7% employment compared to the regional average of 9.0%. The ratio of workers to residents is 0.8, indicating ample local employment opportunities. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 1.6%, while labour force grew by 1.9%, leading to a slight rise in unemployment rate by 0.2 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane saw employment growth of 4.4% and a decrease in unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points during the same period. Job forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, released in May 2025, project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Eight Mile Plains' employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.7% over five years and 13.9% over ten years.

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

Eight Mile Plains' income level is below the national average according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. Eight Mile Plains' median income among taxpayers is $46,099 and average income stands at $57,395, compared to Greater Brisbane's figures of $55,645 and $70,520 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $52,548 (median) and $65,425 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals household income ranks at the 62nd percentile ($1,942 weekly), while personal income sits at the 44th percentile. Looking at income distribution, 34.8% of the population (5,792 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, consistent with broader trends across the surrounding region showing 33.3% in the same category. After housing, 85.4% of income remains for other expenses and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

Eight Mile Plains displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Eight Mile Plains, as per the latest Census data, 65.2% of dwellings were houses while 34.7% consisted of other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and others. This differed from Brisbane's metropolitan area where 74.0% were houses and 26.0% were other dwellings. Home ownership in Eight Mile Plains stood at 32.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 32.3% and rented ones at 35.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,831, lower than Brisbane's average of $2,100. The median weekly rent in Eight Mile Plains was $420, matching the Brisbane metro figure but higher than the national average of $375. Nationally, Eight Mile Plains' mortgage repayments were below the Australian average of $1,863.

Eight Mile Plains features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 76.5% of all households, including 39.6% couples with children, 24.8% couples without children, and 10.3% single parent families. Non-family households account for 23.5%, with lone person households at 18.1% and group households comprising 5.5%. The median household size is 2.9 people, larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.8.

The educational profile of Eight Mile Plains exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Eight Mile Plains has a notably high level of educational attainment among its residents aged 15 and above. Specifically, 43.9% hold university qualifications, which is higher than both the Queensland average of 25.7% and the Australian average of 30.4%. The area's residents have a substantial advantage in education, with bachelor degrees being the most common qualification at 28.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 13.2% and graduate diplomas at 2.7%. Vocational pathways account for 24.4% of qualifications among those aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas making up 11.0% and certificates accounting for 13.4%.

Educational participation in Eight Mile Plains is also high, with 31.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.3% in primary education, 7.9% in tertiary education, and 6.8% pursuing secondary education. The area has two schools serving its educational needs: Warrigal Road State School and Eight Mile Plains State School. Together, they cater to 1,568 students. The area demonstrates above-average socio-educational conditions, with an ICSEA score of 1055. Both schools focus exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in surrounding areas. There is limited local school capacity, with only 9.4 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 24.9, which means many families travel to nearby areas for schooling.

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

Transport analysis indicates 47 active transport stops in Eight Mile Plains, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 21 individual routes, collectively facilitating 2,189 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 226 meters from the nearest transport stop.

Service frequency averages 312 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 46 weekly trips per individual stop.

Eight Mile Plains's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Health outcomes data shows excellent results across Eight Mile Plains, particularly for younger cohorts who have a very low prevalence of common health conditions. Approximately 48% (~8,039 people) of the total population has private health cover, compared to Greater Brisbane's 52.4%. Nationally, this figure stands at 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma and mental health issues, affecting 5.2% and 5.2% of residents respectively. 78.5% of residents report being completely free from medical ailments, compared to Greater Brisbane's 75.7%. Eight Mile Plains has 16.0% (2,659 people) of its population aged 65 and over, higher than Greater Brisbane's 14.3%. While health outcomes among seniors are above average, they require more attention than the broader population.

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

Eight Mile Plains has a population where 58.5% speak a language other than English at home, with 55.0% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion, practiced by 38.9%. The category 'Other' comprises 4.9%, higher than Greater Brisbane's 2.1%.

For ancestry, Chinese is highest at 24.0%, compared to 15.2% regionally, followed by Other (15.5%) and English (14.3%). Korean (5.1%), Indian (6.8%), and Serbian (0.6%) are overrepresented compared to regional averages of 2.6%, 4.5%, and 0.4% respectively.

Eight Mile Plains's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Eight Mile Plains' median age is 36 years, equal to Greater Brisbane's but younger than the national average of 38 years. The 25-34 age group constitutes 17.7%, higher than Greater Brisbane's percentage, while the 0-4 cohort makes up 4.8%. Between 2021 and present, the 75-84 age group has increased from 4.2% to 5.2%. Conversely, the 0-4 cohort has decreased from 6.0% to 4.8%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic shifts in Eight Mile Plains. The 75-84 age cohort is projected to rise by 733 people (84%), from 868 to 1,602. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 53% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic trend. In contrast, both 0-4 and 25-34 age groups are expected to decrease in number.