Fairfield - Dutton Park

Population growth drivers in Fairfield - Dutton Park are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Fairfield - Dutton Park's population is approximately 5,440 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 432 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 5,008. The growth is inferred from ABS estimated resident population data for June 2024 and validated new addresses since the Census date. The area's population density is 2,615 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch assessments. Fairfield - Dutton Park's population growth rate of 8.6% since the census is within 0.2 percentage points of its SA3 area's growth rate. Overseas migration contributed approximately 80.7% of recent population gains.

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 from 2023, based on 2021 data, are adopted. Age category splits are applied proportionally using ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023, based on 2022 data. Projected demographic shifts indicate above median population growth for the area. By 2041, Fairfield - Dutton Park is projected to increase by 783 persons, reflecting a total gain of 14.4% over the 17-year period, based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Fairfield - Dutton Park according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Fairfield - Dutton Park has seen approximately 84 residential properties granted approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, around 420 homes were approved, with a further 3 approved so far in FY26. On average, about 0.6 new residents have been arriving per new home each year during this period.

This suggests that supply is meeting or exceeding demand, offering greater buyer choice and supporting potential population growth beyond projections. The average expected construction cost of these dwellings was $121,000, which is below the regional average, indicating more affordable housing options for buyers. In FY26, commercial development approvals totalled $115.5 million, reflecting robust local business investment. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Fairfield - Dutton Park shows 127.0% higher construction activity per person, suggesting strong developer interest in the area. Recent construction comprises 17.0% standalone homes and 83.0% townhouses or apartments, indicating a trend towards denser development that appeals to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers. This shift represents a notable change from the area's existing housing composition, which is currently 53.0% houses. With around 1349 people per dwelling approval, Fairfield - Dutton Park reflects a highly mature market.

According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, the area is expected to grow by approximately 783 residents through to 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Fairfield - Dutton Park has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 33 potential impact projects in total. Notable ones include Cross River Rail, Princess Alexandra Hospital Expansion, Cross River Rail - Dutton Park Station, and Coles Annerley Supermarket. The following list details those likely to have the most relevance.

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

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Fairfield - Dutton Park has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Fairfield - Dutton Park has an educated workforce with strong professional services representation. As of September 2025, its unemployment rate is 4.9%.

Over the past year, there was estimated employment growth of 0.8%. In September 2025, 3,467 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 0.9% higher than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation in Fairfield - Dutton Park is at 72.0%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Leading employment industries among residents include health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical services.

Education & training has a particularly strong share of employment at 1.5 times the regional level. Construction, however, is under-represented with only 4.6% of Fairfield - Dutton Park's workforce compared to Greater Brisbane's 9.0%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 0.8% while the labour force also grew by 0.8%, keeping unemployment relatively stable at 4.9%. In contrast, Greater Brisbane experienced employment growth of 3.8% and labour force growth of 3.3%, with a drop in unemployment rate by 0.5 percentage points. State-wide, Queensland employment contracted by 0.01% between November 2024 and November 2025, losing 1,210 jobs. The state's unemployment rate was at 4.2%, broadly inline with the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Fairfield - Dutton Park's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.2% over five years and 14.6% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

The median taxpayer income in Fairfield - Dutton Park SA2 was $54,984 and the average was $69,814 according to AreaSearch's aggregation of postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022. This was higher than national averages at that time, with Greater Brisbane having a median income of $55,645 and an average income of $70,520. Based on Wage Price Index growth since FY2022, current estimates suggest approximately $62,676 (median) and $79,581 (average) as of September 2025. Census data indicates that incomes in Fairfield - Dutton Park cluster around the 69th percentile nationally. The predominant income cohort spans 32.6% of locals, with 1,773 people earning between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly. This is similar to the regional trend where 33.3% fall into this bracket. Economic strength is evident through 30.7% of households achieving high weekly earnings exceeding $3,000, which supports elevated consumer spending. High housing costs consume 17.0% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 67th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Fairfield - Dutton Park features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Fairfield - Dutton Park's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 53.2% houses and 46.8% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Brisbane metro had 47.7% houses and 52.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Fairfield - Dutton Park was 19.6%, similar to Brisbane metro's level. Mortgaged dwellings were 28.2%, rented ones 52.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, higher than Brisbane metro's $2,100. Median weekly rent was $400, compared to Brisbane metro's $390. Nationally, Fairfield - Dutton Park's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,167 versus Australia's average of $1,863, while rents were also higher at $400 compared to the national figure of $375.

Fairfield - Dutton Park features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 57.8 percent of all households, including 23.4 percent couples with children, 24.2 percent couples without children, and 7.8 percent single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 42.2 percent, with lone person households at 29.0 percent and group households comprising 13.4 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.4 people, larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.3.

Fairfield - Dutton Park shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Fairfield - Dutton Park has a notably higher educational attainment than broader benchmarks. Among residents aged 15+, 52.3% hold university qualifications, compared to 25.7% in Queensland and 30.4% nationwide. This area's educational advantage is attributed to its significant bachelor degree holders (31.7%), postgraduate qualifications (16.0%), and graduate diplomas (4.6%). Vocational pathways account for 21.1%, with advanced diplomas at 8.2% and certificates at 12.9%.

Educational participation in the area is high, with 34.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 15.7% in tertiary, 6.7% in secondary, and 6.0% pursuing primary education.

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

The analysis of public transport in Fairfield - Dutton Park shows that there are currently 53 active transport stops operating in the area. These include a mix of train stations and bus stops. The services provided by these stops consist of 77 individual routes which together facilitate approximately 8,717 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility to public transport is rated as excellent with residents typically located only 133 meters away from the nearest transport stop. On average, there are around 1,245 trips made per day across all routes, resulting in about 164 weekly trips per individual stop.

Fairfield - Dutton Park's residents are extremely healthy with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Analysis shows Fairfield - Dutton Park performed strongly across various health metrics. Prevalence of common conditions was very low across all ages.

Private health cover rate was approximately 54%, compared to 61.3% in Greater Brisbane. Mental health issues impacted 10.9% and asthma affected 8.6%. Around 72% reported no medical ailments, similar to the 71.8% in Greater Brisbane. The area has 9.6% residents aged 65 and over, lower than Greater Brisbane's 12.4%. Senior health outcomes align with general population's profile.

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

Fairfield-Dutton Park has a higher cultural diversity than most local areas, with 30.7% of its population born overseas and 22.0% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Fairfield-Dutton Park, making up 35.5% of its population. Buddhism is notably overrepresented compared to Greater Brisbane, comprising 3.5% versus 2.5%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (24.5%), Australian (19.8%), and Other (11.6%). Some ethnic groups show significant differences: French (0.9% vs regional 0.5%), Welsh (0.8% vs 0.6%), and Russian (0.6% vs 0.5%) are overrepresented in Fairfield-Dutton Park.

Fairfield - Dutton Park hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Fairfield-Dutton Park's median age in 2021 was 32 years, which is lower than Greater Brisbane's average of 36 and Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Fairfield-Dutton Park had a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (22.0%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (8.9%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds was well above the national average of 14.5%. Between 2021 and present, the 35 to 44 age group has increased from 14.5% to 15.8% of the population, while the 25 to 34 cohort has decreased from 23.3% to 22.0%. By 2041, demographic projections suggest significant changes in Fairfield-Dutton Park's age profile. The 45 to 54 age group is expected to grow steadily, increasing by 236 people (38%) from 626 to 863. Conversely, the 0 to 4 and 25 to 34 age cohorts are projected to experience population declines.