Forest Lake - Ellen Grove

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 was 24,033 as of November 2025, according to AreaSearch's analysis. This figure reflects a growth of 1,555 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 22,478. The increase is inferred from ABS' estimated resident population of 24,020 in June 2024 and an additional 182 validated new addresses post-Census. This results in a density ratio of 2,182 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the national average assessed by AreaSearch. The area's 6.9% growth since the Census places it within 2.0 percentage points of the national average (8.9%). Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 63.8% of overall population gains recently.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections from 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted. However, these state projections lack age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 and based on 2022 data for each age cohort. Considering projected demographic shifts, the area is expected to grow by just below the median of national statistical areas by 2041, with an increase of 2,224 persons reflecting a total increase of 9.2% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Forest Lake - Ellen Grove recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Forest Lake - Ellen Grove averaged approximately 39 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 197 homes. As of FY26 so far, three approvals have been recorded. This results in an average of 6.6 new residents per year for every home built between FY21 and FY25, indicating demand significantly outpaces supply. The average construction cost value of these dwellings is $205,000, which is below regional norms, offering more affordable housing options.

In FY26, there have been $2.2 million in commercial approvals, reflecting the area's residential nature. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Forest Lake - Ellen Grove records markedly lower building activity, 55.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established dwellings, which is also below average nationally. This can be attributed to the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. New building activity shows 54.0% detached dwellings and 46.0% attached dwellings, with a growing mix of townhouses and apartments providing options across different price points. This represents a notable shift from the area's existing housing, which is currently 87.0% houses, indicating decreasing availability of developable sites and reflecting changing lifestyles and the need for more diverse, affordable housing options.

The location has approximately 3022 people per dwelling approval, demonstrating an established market. Looking ahead, Forest Lake - Ellen Grove is expected to grow by 2,211 residents through to 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Should current construction levels persist, housing supply could lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Forest Lake - Ellen Grove has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 22 projects that may impact this region. Notable projects include Golden Grove Estate, Acacia Doolandella, Forest Lake Shopping Centre ALDI Extension, and 31 Woodvale Crescent Residential Development Site. The following list details those most relevant.

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.

Employment conditions in Forest Lake - Ellen Grove demonstrate exceptional strength compared to most Australian markets

Forest Lake - Ellen Grove has a skilled workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 2.7% as of September 2025, lower than Greater Brisbane's 4.0%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 4.1%. There were 13,394 residents employed by September 2025, with an unemployment rate of 1.3% below Greater Brisbane's and workforce participation at 66.9%, slightly higher than Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Key employment sectors among residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training. The area has a notable specialization in manufacturing, with an employment share 1.5 times the regional level.

However, construction is under-represented, at 5.9% compared to Greater Brisbane's 9.0%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited, suggested by the difference between Census working population and resident population counts. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment increased by 4.1%, labour force grew by 3.4%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.7 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Brisbane saw employment grow by 3.8% and unemployment fall by 0.5 percentage points. Statewide in Queensland, as of 25-November 2025, employment contracted by 0.01%, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Forest Lake - Ellen Grove's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.4% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localized population projections.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

The median taxpayer income in Forest Lake - Ellen Grove SA2 was $52,837 and the average was $59,658 according to AreaSearch's aggregation of postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022. This is lower than national averages; Greater Brisbane had a median income of $55,645 and an average of $70,520 during the same period. By September 2025, estimates suggest these figures would be approximately $60,229 (median) and $68,004 (average), based on a 13.99% increase since financial year 2022 as per Wage Price Index growth. Income data from Census 2021 indicates that Forest Lake - Ellen Grove's household, family, and personal incomes fall around the 54th percentile nationally. In this area, 39.2% of individuals (9,420 people) earn within the $1,500-$2,999 range, similar to regional levels where 33.3% are in this bracket. High housing costs consume 15.5% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 60th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it within the fifth decile.

Forest Lake - Ellen Grove is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Forest Lake - Ellen Grove's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 86.7% houses and 13.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Brisbane metro's 80.2% houses and 19.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Forest Lake - Ellen Grove stood at 23.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 44.1% and rented ones at 32.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,700, higher than Brisbane metro's average of $1,630. The median weekly rent figure was $380, compared to Brisbane metro's $355. Nationally, Forest Lake - Ellen Grove's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Forest Lake - Ellen Grove features high concentrations of family households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 78.4% of all households, including 38.3% composed of couples with children, 24.4% consisting of couples without children, and 14.5% being single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 21.6%, with lone person households at 18.7% and group households comprising 2.9%. The median household size is 2.8 people, which aligns with the Greater Brisbane average.

The educational profile of Forest Lake - Ellen Grove exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

The area's educational profile is notable regionally with university qualification rates at 27.6%, exceeding the SA4 region average of 18.8% and the SA3 area rate of 24.6%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 18.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.7%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%). Vocational credentials are held by 33.2% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 11.5% and certificates at 21.7%.

Educational participation is high, with 30.7% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.0% in primary education, 9.2% in secondary education, and 5.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Forest Lake - Ellen Grove has 39 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 7 different routes that together facilitate 2,005 weekly passenger trips. The area's public transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents on average located 291 meters from the nearest stop.

Across all routes, there are an average of 286 trips per day, which translates to approximately 51 weekly trips per individual stop.

Forest Lake - Ellen Grove's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Forest Lake - Ellen Grove residents have a relatively low prevalence of common health conditions compared to the general population, but higher than the national average for older, at-risk cohorts. Approximately 50% of the total population (~11,896 people) has private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are mental health issues (8.4%) and asthma (7.4%), while 70.6% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments compared to 72.1% across Greater Brisbane. The area has 14.6% of residents aged 65 and over (3,508 people), with health outcomes among seniors requiring more attention than the broader population.

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 has a high level of cultural diversity, with 34.4% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 40.6% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Forest Lake-Ellen Grove, comprising 46.4% of people. Buddhism is notably overrepresented, making up 6.0% compared to 8.7% across Greater Brisbane.

The top three ancestry groups are English (22.5%), Australian (19.2%), and Other (13.3%). Some ethnic groups show significant differences: Samoan is at 2.7%, Vietnamese at 5.7%, and Maori at 1.6%.

Forest Lake - Ellen Grove's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Forest Lake - Ellen Grove has a median age of 36 years, equal to Greater Brisbane's but younger than the national average of 38 years. The 55-64 age group makes up 12.0%, higher than Greater Brisbane, while the 25-34 cohort is less prevalent at 12.7%. Between 2021 and present, the 75 to 84 age group has increased from 4.0% to 4.9%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 group decreased from 14.5% to 13.2%, and the 5 to 14 group dropped from 13.9% to 12.8%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes. The 75 to 84 age cohort is projected to rise substantially, with an increase of 788 people (67%), from 1,170 to 1,959. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 69% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, both 5 to 14 and 0 to 4 age groups are expected to decrease in numbers.