Area profile · Greater Brisbane
Forest Lake - Ellen Grove has an estimated 24,091 residents, up 7.2% since the 2021 Census, with 87 projects tracked in the area around Forest Lake - Ellen Grove.
Updated 14 Oct 2026.
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Forest Lake - Ellen Grove Statistical Area (Lv2) lies 18 kilometres south-southwest of the Brisbane CBD. As of Aug 2026, AreaSearch estimates its population at about 24,091, an increase of 1,613 people (7.2%) since the 2021 Census, which counted 22,478 residents. This figure builds on the ABS estimated resident population (ERP) of 24,080 as of June 2025, together with 200 validated new addresses added since the Census. The local economy shows an unemployment rate below the average, a high share of residents born overseas, strong representation of mortgage holders, and an employment base with notable strength in wholesale trade and manufacturing.
Demographically, the area is somewhat younger than the typical Australian locality, with a median age of 36, and it has experienced moderate population expansion. A notable share of residents are aged 15 to 24. The area is known for its lush greenery, tranquil lakes and well-planned community settings, with numerous parks, recreational facilities, sports clubs, community centres and educational institutions.
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01Profile
The analysis, national rankings and who lives there.
Forest Lake - Ellen Grove Statistical Area (Lv2) lies 18 kilometres south-southwest of the Brisbane CBD. As of Aug 2026, AreaSearch estimates its population at about 24,091, an increase of 1,613 people (7.2%) since the 2021 Census, which counted 22,478 residents. This figure builds on the ABS estimated resident population (ERP) of 24,080 as of June 2025, together with 200 validated new addresses added since the Census. The local economy shows an unemployment rate below the average, a high share of residents born overseas, strong representation of mortgage holders, and an employment base with notable strength in wholesale trade and manufacturing.
Demographically, the area is somewhat younger than the typical Australian locality, with a median age of 36, and it has experienced moderate population expansion. A notable share of residents are aged 15 to 24. The area is known for its lush greenery, tranquil lakes and well-planned community settings, with numerous parks, recreational facilities, sports clubs, community centres and educational institutions.
Estimated resident population by year (ABS, not Census counts): 14,091 in 2001 and 24,080 in 2025. The dashed segment ends at the AreaSearch estimate for Aug 2026: 24,091 (ABS June 2025 base).
Share of residents in each age band (ABS age profile, scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate). Largest: 15 to 24, 14.4%.
Share of households in each weekly household income band (2021 Census). Largest: $1,500 - 2,999, 39.2%.
Forest Lake - Ellen Grove ranks in the 92nd percentile nationally for employment drivers and the 82nd for cultural diversity.
Each bar and spoke is a national percentile; the dashed ring is the typical area. 99th = higher than 99 in every 100 neighbourhood-sized areas across Australia (ABS SA2 areas). Higher means more of the measure, not necessarily better. Orange marks the top three measures where a higher percentile is better; not Age, Housing or Housing Cost.
02Market and pipeline
Rents, sale prices and what is being built.
The median rent in Forest Lake - Ellen Grove is $651 a week, up 5.9% over 12 months to Jun 2026 and 4% above Greater Brisbane.
4% above Greater Brisbane on median weekly rent
Median weekly rent by year, lodged bonds. Houses (solid line): $404 in 2017, $668 in 2026; Units (dashed orange line): $336 in 2019, $307 in 2022. A break means no rent was reported that year. The latest is to Jun 2026.
Some rents are estimated from nearby areas.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $651 a week | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Change in median rent over 12 months | +5.9% | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Median rent, houses | $668 a week | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Change in median rent for houses over 12 months | +6.2% | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Median rent, Forest Lake - Oxley | $595 a week | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Change in median rent, Forest Lake - Oxley, over 12 months | +5.1% | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Median rent, Ipswich | $574 a week | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Change in median rent, Ipswich, over 12 months | +7.2% | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Median rent, Greater Brisbane | $627 a week | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Change in median rent, Greater Brisbane, over 12 months | +7.6% | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Median rent, QLD | $632 a week | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Change in median rent, QLD, over 12 months | +7.3% | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 |
See the development applications we track, then draw your own catchment and map retailers, health, schools and more.
Status of the 62 tracked applications: 52 approved, 7 under assessment, 3 other (refused, withdrawn or no status).
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AreaSearch tracks 87 projects in and around Forest Lake - Ellen Grove, 20 of them under construction.
Woodvale Village is a $100 million masterplanned community in Forest Lake delivering 151 new homes, including 3- and 4-bedroom turnkey house and land packages. Fast-tracked as a State Facilitated Development (SFD), it requires a minimum 15% affordable housing allocation. Construction has commenced, with first residents expected by mid-2027.
QIC Real Estate's redevelopment proposal for Forest Lake Shopping Centre in southwest Brisbane originally included an extension to the existing ALDI supermarket, four additional specialty retail tenancies, improved pedestrian areas, a refurbished northern courtyard and changes to vehicle access and parking.
1.013 hectare residential development site in Forest Lake offered for sale. The site sits within an established suburb about 25km south west of Brisbane CBD and has an 88m frontage to Woodvale Crescent.
Acacia Doolandella is a boutique Ausbuild house and land estate in Brisbane's south, delivering 23 premium homesites within an established, quiet neighbourhood close to schools, parks, retail and major transport routes. The community focuses on low rise detached housing with a mix of lot sizes and contemporary family homes.
Construction of three five-bedroom co-living houses in Forest Lake, Brisbane. Financed through CrowdProperty, the residential project delivers shared rental accommodation to support local housing supply within the master-planned suburb. Practical delivery is scheduled across a 15-month construction timeframe.
The project comprises a multi-building industrial and warehousing complex across three stages, featuring five buildings accommodating 29 warehouse units with a combined gross floor area of 10,148 square metres. Development approval was granted by Brisbane City Council under Application A006248488.
Golden Grove Estate is a 98 dwelling townhouse community at 73 Redhead Street, Doolandella, delivering three and four bedroom homes next to more than 1 hectare of parkland about 25 minutes from Brisbane CBD. Stages 1 to 5 are now complete and sold out, with the final Stage 6 townhomes under construction and expected to settle by 2027.
Proposed subdivision over a 10,185 sqm site comprising a single-storey childcare centre accommodating up to 165 children alongside 11 residential building lots and associated civil works.
Proposed master-planned residential development comprising 86 dwellings across townhouses and a 5-storey apartment building. The project includes communal open space amenities such as a swimming pool, outdoor dining pavilion, and yoga lawn.
Proposed neighbourhood shopping centre anchored by a full-line Coles supermarket with approximately 18 specialty retail tenancies, food and service outlets, around 265 car parking spaces and associated access works.
Proposed reconfiguration of a 1.6-hectare site into 34 residential lots, including a new 14-metre-wide local road and land dedication for Wadeville Street widening. Planning and surveying consultancy is managed by Saunders Havill Group on behalf of the developer.
Final stages of the boutique Camira Springs residential estate delivering elevated land lots with city views, directly within Camira suburb.
Images marked AI impression are illustrative only and not photographs of the project; follow the project links for actual imagery. Original imagery? Contact us.
Estimated completion year of the 39 projects in and around the area that are not yet completed and have one: 2025 4, 2026 9, 2027 14, 2028 5, 2029 2, 2030 2, 2031 2, 2032 0, 2033 0, 2034 0, 2035 1. 9 have no completion year.
AreaSearch has tracked 62 substantial development applications lodged in and around Forest Lake - Ellen Grove over the past 5 years, 14 in the last 12 months; 7 are recorded as under assessment. Coverage varies by council.
Applications per year (dashed: part year): 2022 10, 2023 8, 2024 9, 2025 27, 2026 (to Nov) 8.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tracked applications | 62 | Tracked by AreaSearch, in and around the area, last 5 years | |
| Tracked, last 12 months | 14 | Tracked by AreaSearch, in and around the area | |
| ABS building approvals | 1.1 per 1,000 people | ABS building approvals | 11th percentile nationally |
| Average approvals a year | 26 | ABS building approvals | 38th percentile nationally |
| Applications approved | 52 | Tracked by AreaSearch, in and around the area, last 5 years | |
| Applications under assessment | 7 | Tracked by AreaSearch, in and around the area, last 5 years |
Key infrastructure and planning changes likely to influence the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 include: Woodvale Village (Construction); Forest Lake Shopping Centre ALDI Extension (Planning); 31 Woodvale Crescent Residential Development Site (Planning); Golden Grove Estate (Construction); and Acacia Doolandella (Construction). These projects represent significant developments that will shape the area's future infrastructure landscape.
Infrastructure development impacting the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 spans multiple sectors including Residential Development, Retail, and Communities, Precincts & Urban Renewal, among others.
On AreaSearch's development drivers ranking, residential development activity is lower than average in Forest Lake - Ellen Grove compared with local real estate markets nationally.
Dwelling approval activity in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 area has seen 15 residential approvals over the past two financial years, based on AreaSearch's SA2 aggregation method. The Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2's current population of 24,091 has been supported by 26 approvals on average over recent years.
The Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 has seen 1.1 approval per 1,000 people in recent years, compared to 8.1 approval in Greater Brisbane. This means that one dwelling has been approved for every 3341 people in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2, compared to one for every 117 in Greater Brisbane.
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Looking at development activity over the past five years, the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2's approval levels have been significantly below the yearly average of 26, showing a notable downturn in recent development.
Over the past five years, the population in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 has grown by approximately 1,184 people, while 128 residential approvals were recorded. This equates to a ratio of 9.2 people added for each new dwelling approval. This high ratio suggests strong population growth relative to housing supply, potentially indicating unmet housing demand.
03People
Population, age, income, work, education and more.
99th = higher than 99 in every 100 neighbourhood-sized areas across Australia (ABS SA2 areas). Higher means more of the measure, not necessarily better.
An assessment of population growth drivers in Forest Lake - Ellen Grove reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,091 | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026, from the ABS June 2025 base | |
| Growth since 2021 Census | +7.2% | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026, against the 2021 Census | 53rd percentile nationally |
| Population density | 2,189 per km² | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026, from the ABS June 2025 base | 73rd percentile nationally |
| Average yearly growth, 2020 to 2025 | +1.0% | ABS estimated resident population series to June 2025 | |
| Average yearly growth, 2015 to 2025 | +0.8% | ABS estimated resident population series to June 2025 |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population at the 2021 Census | 22,478 | 2021 Census | |
| Residents added since the 2021 Census | 1,613 | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026, against the 2021 Census | |
| Average yearly growth, 2022 to 2025 | +1.5% | ABS estimated resident population series to June 2025 | |
| Population growth, 2024 to 2025 | +0.2% | ABS estimated resident population series to June 2025 | |
| Land area | 11.01 km² | AreaSearch boundary analysis |
Total population for the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 was estimated to be approximately 24,091 as at Aug 2026. This is based upon an estimated resident population of 24,080 from the ABS up to June 2025.
The forest lake - ellen grove sa2 has added approximately 1,613 people and shown a 7.18% increase from the 22,478 people recorded at the 2021 Census period.
The population density in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 is estimated at 2,188 persons per square kilometre based on the latest population estimate.
Over the past 10 years, the population in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 has shown a compound annual growth rate of 0.8% per annum.
Population growth in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 is driven by: Overseas migration (72.8%), Natural increase (27.2%), Interstate migration (0.0%). The primary driver is Overseas migration, contributing 72.8% of overall population gains.
Forest Lake - Ellen Grove's population is slightly younger than the national pattern.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36 years | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | 27th percentile nationally |
| Aged 65 and over | 14.4% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Children under 15 | 18.0% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 15 to 34 | 28.5% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 25 to 64 | 53.2% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age at the 2021 Census | 36 years | 2021 Census | |
| Aged 0 to 4 | 5.7% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 5 to 14 | 12.2% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 15 to 24 | 14.4% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 25 to 34 | 14.1% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 35 to 44 | 14.3% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 45 to 54 | 13.0% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 55 to 64 | 11.9% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 65 to 74 | 8.3% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 75 to 84 | 4.8% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 85 and over | 1.3% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate |
AreaSearch estimates the median age in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 at 36 years as at August 2026. That is in line with the 2021 Census figure of 36 years, on an age profile AreaSearch re-estimates for population change recorded since the Census.
At an estimated 36 years as at August 2026, Forest Lake - Ellen Grove is equal to the Greater Brisbane 2021 Census average and 2 years younger than the national Census average (38 years).
On AreaSearch estimates updated to August 2026, the most over-represented age group in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 compared to the Greater Brisbane region is the 55 - 64 group, making up 11.9% of the population.
On AreaSearch estimates updated to August 2026, the most under-represented age group in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 compared to the Greater Brisbane region is the 25 - 34 group, making up 14.1% of the population.
No, the age distribution in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 is broadly in line with Greater Brisbane.
AreaSearch estimates children aged 0-14 years at 18.0% of the population in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 as at August 2026.
AreaSearch estimates people aged 65 and over at 14.4% of the population in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 as at August 2026.
Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median taxable income (ATO) | $58,496 a year | ATO FY-24, annual | 47th percentile nationally |
| Average taxable income | $66,239 a year | ATO FY-24, annual |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Census household income / week | $1,900 | 2021 Census, weekly | 59th percentile nationally |
| Census personal income / week | $805 | 2021 Census, weekly | 50th percentile nationally |
| High-income households | 22.2% | 2021 Census | |
| Census family income / week | $2,101 | 2021 Census, weekly | |
| Low-income households | 17.1% | 2021 Census |
Based on Wage Price Index adjustments to June 2026, the estimated median taxable income in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 is approximately $62,655. The official ATO data from FY-24 recorded a median of $58,496.
Based on Wage Price Index adjustments to June 2026, the estimated average taxable income in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 is approximately $70,949. The official ATO data from FY-24 recorded an average of $66,239.
Based on Wage Price Index adjustments to June 2026, the estimated median taxable income in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 is approximately $62,655 compared to $66,053 in Greater Brisbane. The official ATO data from FY-24 shows $58,496 and $61,668 respectively.
Based on Wage Price Index adjustments to June 2026, the estimated average taxable income in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 is approximately $70,949 compared to $82,596 in Greater Brisbane. The official ATO data from FY-24 shows $66,239 and $77,113 respectively.
As per the 2021 Census, the weekly household income bracket containing the largest proportion of the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2's households (~39.2% / 3,020 households) is the $1,500 - 2,999 cohort.
The largest weekly household income cohort in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 is the $1,500 - 2,999 group, representing about 39.2% of households. In comparison, Greater Brisbane's largest household income cohort is the $1,500 - 2,999 group, representing 33.3% of its households, according to the 2021 Census.
The 2021 Census data indicates that the median household income in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 is $1,900/wk.
According to the 2021 Census, the median family income in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 is $2,101/wk.
The 2021 Census shows that the median personal income in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 is $805/wk.
AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for FY-24 reveals that income in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 is lower than average on a national basis, with the median assessed at $58,496 while the average income stands at $66,239. This contrasts to Greater Brisbane's figures of a median income of $61,668 and an average income of $77,113. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 7.11% since FY-24, current estimates would be approximately $62,655 (median) and $70,949 (average) as of June 2026.
The estimated disposable income in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 is $6,954 per year according to AreaSearch analysis.
The forest lake - ellen grove sa2's disposable income is $6,954 compared to $6,725 for Greater Brisbane, based on AreaSearch analysis.
The exceptional employment performance in Forest Lake - Ellen Grove places it among Australia's strongest labour markets.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate | 2.3% | ABS and DEWR labour data, compiled by AreaSearch | |
| Workforce participation | 73.4% | ABS and DEWR labour data, compiled by AreaSearch | |
| Employed residents | 13,971 | ABS and DEWR labour data, compiled by AreaSearch | |
| Daytime population | 18,654 | AreaSearch estimate of residents and workers present on a weekday | |
| Labour force | 14,303 | ABS and DEWR labour data, compiled by AreaSearch |
As of June 2026, the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 has approximately 13,971 employed residents with an unemployment rate of 2.3%. This very low unemployment rate indicates a tight labour market with strong demand for workers. The area ranks in the top 25% nationally for employment performance, indicating a robust job market.
As of June 2026, the unemployment rate in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 stands at 2.3%, which is 2.2 percentage points below Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.5%. This lower unemployment rate suggests stronger local employment conditions. For comparison, the national unemployment rate is 4.2%.
The employment landscape in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 is dominated by several key sectors. The largest employers are health care & social assistance (16.3% of employment), retail trade (10.7%), and education & training (9.5%). Other significant employers include manufacturing and public administration & safety.
Over the past year to June 2026, the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 has experienced employment growth, with total employment increasing while the labour force increased. As a result, the unemployment rate has fallen. By comparison, Greater Brisbane saw employment increased and its unemployment rate rose.
The workforce participation rate in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 is 73.4%, which represents the proportion of working-age residents who are either employed or actively seeking work. This high participation rate indicates strong workforce engagement and economic vitality. The local rate leading the Greater Brisbane average of 70.1%, showing similar workforce dynamics to Greater Brisbane.
The forest lake - ellen grove sa2 shows notable specialisation in manufacturing, which employs 9.3% of the local workforce compared to 6.4% across Greater Brisbane. This moderate specialisation indicates some local strength in the sector.
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The forest lake - ellen grove sa2's employment market shows strong performance nationally, ranking in the top 25% of areas assessed by AreaSearch. This indicates robust employment conditions and economic vitality compared to other regions. Recent job advertisement trends show the broader employment region saw a 2.9% decline, ranking 29th out of 37 regions nationally.
The educational profile of Forest Lake - Ellen Grove ranks above average relative to locations nationally, based on AreaSearch's ranking of qualification and academic performance metrics.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor qualifications | 18.2% | 2021 Census | 54th percentile nationally |
| Postgraduate qualifications | 6.7% | 2021 Census | 61st percentile nationally |
| University qualifications | 27.6% | 2021 Census | |
| Vocational qualifications | 21.7% | 2021 Census | 40th percentile nationally |
| Graduate diploma or certificate | 2.7% | 2021 Census | 59th percentile nationally |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced diploma or diploma | 11.5% | 2021 Census | 68th percentile nationally |
| No post-school qualification | 39.2% | 2021 Census | |
| Residents attending an educational institution | 30.7% | 2021 Census | |
| Residents attending university or other higher education | 5.9% | 2021 Census | 68th percentile nationally |
| Residents attending primary school | 10.0% | 2021 Census | 46th percentile nationally |
| Residents attending secondary school | 9.2% | 2021 Census | 76th percentile nationally |
27.6% of people aged 15 and over in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 have university qualifications, compared to 30.5% in Greater Brisbane.
39.2% of people aged 15 and over in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 have no formal qualifications, compared to 35.8% in Greater Brisbane.
The forest lake - ellen grove sa2 ranks in the 61th percentile nationally for education based on AreaSearch's analysis of qualification and performance metrics.
The most common qualifications in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 are: Certificate (21.7%), Bachelor Degree (18.2%), Advanced Diploma (11.5%).
30.7% of the population in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 is currently engaged in formal education, including 10.0% in primary school, 9.2% in secondary school, 5.9% at university (all shares of total residents).
The average ICSEA (Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage) score for schools in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 is 1032, indicating average socio-educational advantage (national average is 1000).
There are 6 schools within the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2, with a combined enrollment of approximately 4,590 students.
The forest lake - ellen grove sa2 includes 3 primary schools, 3 secondary schools.
Forest Lake - Ellen Grove features high concentrations of single parent families and family households but relatively few lone person households, with a larger average household size than Greater Brisbane.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household size | 2.8 people | 2021 Census | 75th percentile nationally |
| Lone-person households | 18.7% | 2021 Census | 23rd percentile nationally |
| Couples with children | 38.3% | 2021 Census | 74th percentile nationally |
| Couples without children | 24.4% | 2021 Census | 29th percentile nationally |
| One-parent families | 14.5% | 2021 Census | 86th percentile nationally |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group households | 2.9% | 2021 Census | 52nd percentile nationally |
| Households at the 2021 Census | 7,703 | 2021 Census | |
| Estimated households | 8,256 | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026 | |
| Family households | 78.4% | 2021 Census | 76th percentile nationally |
| Average children per family | 1.6 per family | 2021 Census | 39th percentile nationally |
As of the 2021 Census, the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 had 7,703 households. Based on population growth patterns, this has grown by approximately 7.2% to an estimated 8,256 households today.
The average household size in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 is 2.8 people. This compares to 2.6 in Greater Brisbane and reflects the area's household composition mix.
Family households dominate at 78.4% of all households. Non-family households consist of lone person households (18.7%), group households (2.9%), and other household types (0.0%).
Of the 6,039 family households, couples with children account for 38.3% of all households, couples without children at home 24.4%, and single parent families 14.5%. This mix shapes local demand for schools, family services, and housing types.
Compared to Greater Brisbane, the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 shows distinct household patterns. Family households are notably over-represented at 78.4% (versus 71.7% in Greater Brisbane). This family-oriented profile influences local demand for family homes, schools, and children's services.
Families in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 have an average of 1.6 children, slightly above the Greater Brisbane average of 1.5. This influences local demand for child-related services and larger family homes.
Marriage patterns reveal 48.3% of the adult population are currently married, while 35.2% have never married. This compares to 45.0% married and 38.4% never married across Greater Brisbane.
Single-person households represent 18.7% of all households in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2, similar to the average for Greater Brisbane of 23.6%. This affects demand for smaller dwellings and single-person accommodation.
Group households (unrelated people sharing) account for 2.9% of households, below the Greater Brisbane average of 4.7%. This lower rate suggests less student or young professional shared accommodation.
Forest Lake - Ellen Grove is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Born overseas | 40.6% | 2021 Census | 81st percentile nationally |
| Speak another language at home | 34.4% | 2021 Census | 79th percentile nationally |
| English only at home | 65.6% | 2021 Census | 20th percentile nationally |
| Australian citizens | 81.8% | 2021 Census | 27th percentile nationally |
| Born in Australia | 59.4% | 2021 Census | 18th percentile nationally |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents | 1.4% | 2021 Census | 49th percentile nationally |
Forest Lake - Ellen Grove scores quite highly on cultural diversity, with 34.4% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 40.6% born overseas.
The main religion in Forest Lake - Ellen Grove was found to be Christianity, which makes up 46.4% of people in Forest Lake - Ellen Grove. However, the most apparent overrepresentation was in Buddhism, which comprises 6.0% of the population, compared to 2.0% across Greater Brisbane.
In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Forest Lake - Ellen Grove are English, comprising 22.5% of the population, Australian, comprising 19.2% of the population, and Other, comprising 13.3% of the population. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Samoan is notably overrepresented at 2.7% of Forest Lake - Ellen Grove (vs 0.9% across Greater Brisbane), Vietnamese at 5.7% (vs 0.8%) and Maori at 1.6% (vs 1.1%).
40.6% of the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 population was born overseas, compared to 28.5% across Greater Brisbane.
34.4% of the population in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 speaks a language other than English at home, compared to 18.7% in Greater Brisbane.
1.4% of the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 population identifies as Australian Aboriginal, compared to 2.1% in Greater Brisbane.
81.8% of the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 population holds citizenship, compared to 83.6% in Greater Brisbane.
04Place
Housing, health, transport, local services and the reports on them.
Forest Lake - Ellen Grove is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to Greater Brisbane.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rented homes | 32.2% | 2021 Census | 62nd percentile nationally |
| Owned outright | 23.7% | 2021 Census | 22nd percentile nationally |
| Detached houses | 86.7% | 2021 Census | 53rd percentile nationally |
| Median mortgage repayment | $1,700 a month | 2021 Census, monthly | 39th percentile nationally |
| Owned with a mortgage | 44.1% | 2021 Census | 77th percentile nationally |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semi-detached, terrace and townhouses | 11.5% | 2021 Census | 61st percentile nationally |
| Median weekly rent paid, 2021 Census | $380 | 2021 Census, weekly | 54th percentile nationally |
| Median rent as a share of median household income | 20.0% | 2021 Census, ratio calculated by AreaSearch | 43rd percentile nationally |
| Median mortgage repayment as a share of household income | 20.6% | 2021 Census, ratio calculated by AreaSearch | 19th percentile nationally |
| People per bedroom | 0.8 per bedroom | 2021 Census | 47th percentile nationally |
In the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2, 23.7% of homes are owned outright, 44.1% are owned with a mortgage, and 32.2% are rented.
According to the latest data, 86.7% of dwellings in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 are houses.
In the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2, 1.9% of dwellings are apartments or units, with an additional 11.5% being semi-detached dwellings.
Outright home ownership in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 stands at 23.7%, compared to 26.7% in Greater Brisbane.
The median monthly mortgage repayment in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 is $1,700, compared to $1,863 in Greater Brisbane.
The aggregate monthly housing cost in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 is $1,279, which represents the average monthly cost across all housing types.
In the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2, households with mortgages typically spend 20.6% of their income on mortgage repayments, while renters spend 20.0% of their income on rent.
The average persons per bedroom ratio in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 is 0.8, indicating the level of household density.
Housing affordability in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 shows mortgage holders spending 20.6% of income on repayments (vs 23.3% in Greater Brisbane), while renters spend 20.0% of income on rent (vs 20.6% in Greater Brisbane).
The dwelling mix in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 consists of 86.7% detached houses, 11.5% semi-detached dwellings, 1.9% apartments, and 0.0% other dwelling types.
Housing in Forest Lake - Ellen Grove consumes approximately 15.6% of median household income ($8,227 monthly), indicating costs are highly affordable. The generally accepted benchmark is that housing should not exceed 30% of household income.
Recent development applications in Forest Lake - Ellen Grove show attached dwellings contributing 0% of approvals compared to 13% of existing stock, while detached houses represent 100% of applications versus 87% of current dwellings. This suggests development patterns consistent with existing housing mix. Housing density growth is around the national average.
Health in Forest Lake - Ellen Grove: private health cover 50.4%, no long-term health condition 70.6%.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private health cover | 50.4% | ATO FY 2024, private health cover | 32nd percentile nationally |
| No long-term health condition | 70.6% | 2021 Census | 57th percentile nationally |
| Need help with daily activities | 5.7% | 2021 Census | 56th percentile nationally |
| No long-term health condition, under 65 | 76.2% | 2021 Census | 51st percentile nationally |
| Three or more long-term health conditions, under 65 | 1.4% | 2021 Census | 55th percentile nationally |
Around 50.4% of people in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 are covered by private health insurance, which compares to 56.1% in Greater Brisbane.
In the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2, 5.7% of the population is identified as requiring ongoing medical assistance. By comparison, 5.7% of people in Greater Brisbane require similar assistance.
7.4% of people in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 are diagnosed with asthma. In comparison, 8.0% of the population across Greater Brisbane is affected by asthma.
Diabetes affects 4.7% of the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 population, while in Greater Brisbane, 4.0% of people are diagnosed with diabetes.
3.3% of people in the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 have heart disease. Across Greater Brisbane,3.5% of the population is affected by heart disease.
In the Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2, 50.4% of the population are estimated to have private health insurance. Comparatively, Greater Brisbane sees an estimated private health coverage rate of 56.1%.
From the typical resident, the nearest child care centre is 529 m away and the nearest supermarket 712 m.
Distance from the typical resident to the nearest of each service. Every bar starts at 0 m. The nearest is orange.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amenity score | 52 out of 100 | AreaSearch proximity analysis | 52nd percentile nationally |
| Nearest child care | 529 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest supermarket | 712 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest school | 718 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest pharmacy | 817 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearest GP | 861 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest fitness centre | 865 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest dentist | 1.1 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest shopping centre | 1.3 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest bank | 1.4 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest government service | 2.7 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest hospital | 5.5 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident |
Sector reports that go deeper on these services: child care, medical, retail, aged care and specialist disability accommodation (SDA). There are 6 long day care centres with 586 places in Forest Lake - Ellen Grove, about 2.4 children aged 0-4 per place.
Short silent previews of sample pages. Sector reports are ordered for a catchment you draw, not for the suburb as a whole.
05Reports and tools
Order a report and find more tools.
An area report on Forest Lake - Ellen Grove is built to order and emailed to you.
Ordered reports
The other sector reports are ordered on a custom catchment: draw your own area to add them. The order window shows the estimate before you place the order.
Order a reportShort silent previews of sample pages. Base and Child Care can be ordered for Forest Lake - Ellen Grove.
06About this profile
Where the figures come from, downloads and nearby areas.
On AreaSearch's development drivers ranking, residential development activity is lower than average in Forest Lake - Ellen Grove compared with local real estate markets nationally.
Forest Lake - Ellen Grove ranks in the 53rd percentile nationally for infrastructure.
No headline figures are reported for this area.
Median rent in Forest Lake - Ellen Grove is $651 a week, +5.9% over 12 months to Jun 2026.
An assessment of population growth drivers in Forest Lake - Ellen Grove reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends.
Forest Lake - Ellen Grove's population is slightly younger than the national pattern.
Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis.
The exceptional employment performance in Forest Lake - Ellen Grove places it among Australia's strongest labour markets.
The educational profile of Forest Lake - Ellen Grove ranks above average relative to locations nationally, based on AreaSearch's ranking of qualification and academic performance metrics.
Forest Lake - Ellen Grove features high concentrations of single parent families and family households but relatively few lone person households, with a larger average household size than Greater Brisbane.
Forest Lake - Ellen Grove is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics.
Forest Lake - Ellen Grove is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to Greater Brisbane.
Health in Forest Lake - Ellen Grove: private health cover 50.4%, no long-term health condition 70.6%.
Transport in Forest Lake - Ellen Grove: transport access 10/100.
Amenity provision was found to be in line with the typical area assessed nationally by AreaSearch, based on counts and proximity analysis.
Forest Lake - Ellen Grove has an estimated 24,091 residents, up 7.2% since the 2021 Census, with 87 projects tracked in the area around Forest Lake - Ellen Grove.
Latest estimate as at Aug 2026; other figures from the 2021 Census, ATO FY-24 and AreaSearch estimates where labelled. Updated 14 Oct 2026.
Sources: ABS Census 2021, ABS estimated resident population, ATO taxation statistics, state rental bonds and property sales records where published, and AreaSearch analysis for Forest Lake - Ellen Grove.
Data currency
Refreshed . Rents to Jun 2026, population and age estimated to Aug 2026, taxable income FY 2024 and projects to Oct 2026. Housing and cultural diversity are from the 2021 Census (next update with the 2026 Census results).
Infrastructure projects and development applications also include sites in the surrounding area, and are labelled as such. Other sections were compiled 14 Oct 2026 from sources that update on their own cycles; "See the evidence" lists each source and its cycle.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (for example census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb or locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For a complete picture, consider both boundary types where available.
Main sources: ABS, Geoscience Australia, GNAF, ATO, State governments, Valuer General, Rental Board and Infrastructure Australia.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (310011564). QuickStats reports 2021 only; the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.
This page uses ABS Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2) boundaries for statistical reporting (for example census and ERP). SA2 areas can differ materially from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, even when they share similar names, because they are defined for different purposes and often use different geographic boundaries.
AreaSearch compiles this page from official and industry sources, including ABS, Geoscience Australia, GNAF, ATO, State governments, Valuer General, Rental Board and Infrastructure Australia, then calculates statistics for the boundary shown, and ranks, growth rates and benchmarks itself. Property sales come from the state valuation authority, rents from state rental bond lodgements, development applications from council and state planning portals, school data from ACARA, and public transport from state transport departments. Infrastructure projects and development applications also include sites in the surrounding area, labelled as such.
No. Most of this page is built beyond the Census. Dated for this area: population (Aug 2026), age profile (Aug 2026), infrastructure projects (Oct 2026) and income (FY 2024). Compiled with this profile from sources that publish on their own cycles: development and approvals, property sales and rents, employment, households, education, transport, health and services and amenities. Only housing and cultural diversity remain wholly Census-based, because no more current small-area dataset exists for those measures.
Key demographics and figures for Forest Lake - Ellen Grove from the 2021 Census, ATO taxpayer data and AreaSearch estimates and analysis. Each topic has its own table of key figures beside the section it belongs to, and each row names its source and date. The percentile compares Forest Lake - Ellen Grove with every neighbourhood-sized area across Australia (ABS SA2 areas): a higher percentile means more of that measure than most, not necessarily better.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport access | 10 out of 100 | AreaSearch transport analysis of timetable data | 10th percentile nationally |
| Vehicles per dwelling | 1.5 per dwelling | 2021 Census | |
| Working residents who worked from home | 16.9% | 2021 Census, taken during COVID-19 restrictions |
Source: AreaSearch (areasearch.com.au) compiled from ABS Census 2021, ATO and other public sources.
