Freshwater - Stratford
Statistical Area - sa2

An assessment of population growth drivers in Freshwater - Stratford reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Freshwater - Stratford's population, as per AreaSearch's analysis, is approximately 3881 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 139 individuals, a growth rate of 3.7%, since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 3742 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 3855 in June 2024 and the addition of 21 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 256 persons per square kilometer, indicating significant space per person and potential for further development. Overseas migration contributed approximately 66.7% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary growth in the area.

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 are used, 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 2022 data as the base year. Considering projected demographic shifts, lower quartile growth of non-metropolitan areas nationally is anticipated. The area is expected to grow by 166 persons to 2041 based on latest population numbers, indicating a total gain of 3.5% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Freshwater - Stratford, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Freshwater - Stratford has seen approximately seven new homes approved annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, 36 homes were approved, with an additional 15 approved so far in FY26. On average, 1.8 people moved to the area per dwelling built over these years. However, this figure has increased to 8.3 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, indicating growing demand and tightening supply.

The average construction value of new properties is $324,000, aligning with regional trends. This year, $1.1 million in commercial approvals have been registered, reflecting the area's residential nature. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Freshwater - Stratford has significantly less development activity, at 74.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established dwellings. Similarly, the area's development activity is under the national average, suggesting its established nature and potential planning limitations.

The majority of new building activity consists of detached houses (83.0%) and attached dwellings (17.0%), maintaining the area's traditional low density character focused on family homes. Notably, developers are constructing more detached housing than the existing pattern implies (67.0% at Census), reflecting persistent strong demand for family homes despite densification trends. The estimated population count per dwelling approval is 915 people, indicating a quiet, low activity development environment. Population forecasts project Freshwater - Stratford to gain 137 residents by 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Freshwater - Stratford has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 48thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 16 projects that may influence the region. Notable initiatives include the Cairns Airport International Terminal Upgrade, Cairns Western Arterial Road Duplication, establishment of the Cairns Chinese Culture and Heritage Centre, and expansion of Redlynch Central Shopping Centre (Stage 3). The following list details those most likely to be 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.

AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Freshwater - Stratford performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Freshwater - Stratford has an educated workforce with prominent essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 1.7% as of June 2025.

The area had 2,348 residents employed at this time, with an unemployment rate 2.2 percentage points lower than the Rest of Queensland's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation in Freshwater - Stratford was higher at 72.2%, compared to the Rest of Queensland's 59.1%. Key industries for employment among residents were health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction. The area had a particular specialization in health care & social assistance, with an employment share 1.5 times the regional level.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing was under-represented, with only 1.2% of Freshwater - Stratford's workforce compared to 4.5% in the Rest of Queensland. The ratio of 0.9 workers per resident indicated substantial local employment opportunities as at the Census. Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force decreased by 1.6%, while employment decreased by 2.0%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.4 percentage points in Freshwater - Stratford. In comparison, the Rest of Queensland recorded employment growth of 1.8% and labour force growth of 2.0%, with unemployment rising by 0.2 percentage points during the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 projected national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Freshwater - Stratford's employment mix suggested local growth of approximately 7.2% over five years and 14.8% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that Freshwater - Stratford has one of the highest incomes in Australia. The median income is $63,987 and the average income stands at $79,581. This contrasts with Rest of Qld's figures of a median income of $50,780 and an average income of $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $72,939 (median) and $90,714 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals that individual earnings are at the 81st percentile nationally ($1,026 weekly). The data shows that 35.1% of the population (1,362 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range. After housing, 86.2% of income remains for other expenses and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

Freshwater - Stratford displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

The dwelling structure in Freshwater - Stratford, as per the latest Census, consisted of 66.6% houses and 33.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro Qld's 80.8% houses and 19.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Freshwater - Stratford stood at 31.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 40.6% and rented ones at 28.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,647, below Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent figure was $350, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $390. Nationally, Freshwater - Stratford's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,647 against the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less at $350 than the national figure of $375.

Freshwater - Stratford features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 67.2% of all households, including 26.8% couples with children, 26.2% couples without children, and 13.4% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 32.8%, with lone person households at 28.7% and group households comprising 4.2%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

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

Freshwater - Stratford's educational attainment significantly surpasses broader benchmarks. Among residents aged 15 and above, 36.7% hold university qualifications, compared to 20.6% in the rest of Queensland and 21.1% in the SA4 region. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 23.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.6%) and graduate diplomas (4.6%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 36.8% of residents holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 12.4% and certificates at 24.4%.

Educational participation is notably high, with 30.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.4% in secondary education, 10.1% in primary education, and 4.4% pursuing tertiary education. Freshwater State School provides local educational services within Freshwater - Stratford, with an enrollment of 622 students as of the latest data. The school's ICSEA score is 1060, indicating above-average socio-educational conditions. It focuses exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in surrounding areas.

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

Transport analysis shows 25 active stops operating within Freshwater-Stratford, serving a mix of bus routes. These stops are served by 7 individual routes, collectively providing 631 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 222 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 90 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 25 weekly trips per individual stop.

Freshwater - Stratford's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Freshwater - Stratford shows excellent health outcomes with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 59% of the total population (2,305 people), compared to 52.7% across the rest of Queensland.

Mental health issues and arthritis are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 7.4 and 6.4% of residents respectively, while 75.1% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 73.1% across the rest of Queensland. The area has 15.9% of residents aged 65 and over (616 people). Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, performing even better than the general population in health metrics.

In terms of cultural diversity, Freshwater - Stratford records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Freshwater-Stratford's cultural diversity aligns with the wider region, with 79.7% born in Australia, 89.2% being citizens, and 91.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, accounting for 42.3%. Judaism is overrepresented at 0.1%, compared to 0.2% regionally.

The top three ancestral groups are English (29.2%), Australian (22.7%), and Irish (10.4%). Notably, Scottish (9.3%) and German (4.8%) are overrepresented compared to regional figures of 8.0% and 4.3%, respectively. Dutch representation is also slightly higher at 1.6%.

Freshwater - Stratford's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age in Freshwater - Stratford is 41 years, matching Rest of Qld's average but somewhat older than Australia's average of 38 years. Compared to Rest of Qld, Freshwater - Stratford has a higher proportion of residents aged 45-54 (15.4%) but fewer residents aged 65-74 (9.2%). According to the Census conducted on 28 August 2021, the population aged 25-34 grew from 10.3% to 12.1%, while the 75-84 cohort increased from 4.0% to 5.4%. Conversely, the 5-14 cohort declined from 14.4% to 12.5%, and the 45-54 group decreased from 16.7% to 15.4%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Freshwater - Stratford's age structure. Notably, the 25-34 group is expected to grow by 22%, reaching 574 people from 468. Conversely, the 55-64 and 5-14 cohorts are projected to experience population declines.