Highfields

Highfields lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on demographic assessments by AreaSearch, the resident population of Highfields stands at approximately 17,007 in May 2026. This represents an expansion of 2,425 people (16.6%) relative to the 2021 Census, when the area recorded 14,582 people. This shifting figure is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 16,630 alongside 604 validated new addresses registered since the Census. Such a population size results in a density of 113 persons per square kilometer, indicating low density with substantial space per resident and capacity for future expansion. The 16.6% rate of growth since the 2021 census outpaced both the SA3 area (9.2%) and the surrounding SA4 region, establishing the locality as a regional leader in expansion. Population gains were primarily fueled by interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 77.3% of the overall increase, though natural growth and overseas migration also made positive contributions.

Projections from ABS and Geoscience Australia, published in 2024 using a 2022 baseline, are utilised for each SA2 area. For localities without this coverage, and for any years beyond 2032, projections from the Queensland State Government released in 2023 (utilising 2021 baseline data) are adopted. Because the Queensland state data lacks age cohort distributions, AreaSearch distributes growth across age segments using weights from the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections, which rely on 2022 data. Future demographic forecasts point to substantial growth that ranks in the top quartile of Australian non-metropolitan zones, with the resident count expected to rise by 4,931 persons by 2041 relative to the latest annual ERP statistics, representing a total increase of 26.8% over the 16 years.

The level of residential development activity in Highfields was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

An average of 211 new residential approvals have been logged annually in Highfields, totaling 1,059 home approvals over the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, with an additional 327 recorded during FY-26. Over the 5 financial years spanning FY-21 to FY-25, the local population grew by an average of 2 people for each new home built, showing solid demand that helps sustain property values. The average construction value for these new dwellings is $312,000, which is below the wider regional average and indicates more budget-friendly options for purchasers. Furthermore, commercial building approvals have reached $92.4 million during the current financial year, pointing to significant local corporate investment.

Highfields registers 150.0% more new home approvals per capita than the Rest of Qld, offering purchasers a wide selection of choices even though residential construction has moderated recently. Developer confidence remains high, with building approvals running well above the national average. Detached houses account for 99.0% of the new building approvals, while townhouses or apartments make up the remaining 1.0%, preserving a low-density residential footprint suited to families. With approximately 110 people for every dwelling approval, the locality displays typical attributes of an expanding growth area.

Demographic projections indicate that Highfields will add 4,554 residents by 2041, based on the most recent quarterly estimates from AreaSearch. Given established construction trends, the supply of new housing is anticipated to keep pace with demand, maintaining favorable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth above baseline forecasts.

Highfields has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Local performance is heavily shaped by developments in infrastructure, planning initiatives, and major projects. AreaSearch has tracked a total of 35 projects expected to influence the local area. Key developments include the Central Highfields Masterplan, the Highfields/Kratzke/O'Brien Roads Intersections Upgrade, The Avenues of Highfields, and GemLife Highfields Heights, with the main relevant projects detailed below.

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 Highfields performing better than 85% of local markets assessed across Australia

The local workforce is characterized by high skill levels and a strong representation in essential services, alongside an exceptionally low unemployment rate of 1.1%. As of March 2026, employed residents numbered 8,586, with the unemployment rate sitting 2.8% below the Regional Qld benchmark of 3.9%, while the labor force participation rate matches the Regional Qld figure of 64.3%. Census data indicates that a modest 11.4% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure may reflect the influence of pandemic-era lockdowns.

The primary sectors employing local residents are health care & social assistance, education & training, and public administration & safety. Public administration & safety is a key local specialty, employing residents at a rate 1.9 times the regional average. Conversely, the accommodation & food services sector is underrepresented, employing 5.7% of the local workforce compared to 8.3% across Regional Qld. A comparison of the locally working population against the resident workforce suggests a shortage of local employment opportunities.

According to AreaSearch evaluations of SALM and ABS figures, the labour force fell by 6.7% and employment dropped by 7.0% during the year to March 2026, which led to a 0.4 percentage point increase in unemployment. Meanwhile, Regional Qld saw employment grow by 0.1% and the labour force grow by 0.3%, resulting in a 0.1 percentage point rise. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 provide additional context for anticipated future demand in Highfields. These forecasts span five and ten year horizons and have been overlaid onto the local employment structure to project growth trends. National employment is projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, yet sectoral growth varies considerably. When these sectoral estimates are applied to Highfields's employment composition, local employment is expected to grow by 6.5% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, though this represents a basic weighting extrapolation for illustrative use and does not incorporate localized population projections.

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

According to the latest postcode-level ATO statistics released by AreaSearch for the 2023 financial year, taxpayers in the Highfields SA2 recorded a median income of $56,073 and an average income of $66,953. These figures are close to the national averages, and compare to a median of $53,146 and average of $66,593 in Regional Qld. Adjusting for a 11.36% increase in the Wage Price Index since the 2023 financial year yields estimated figures of approximately $62,443 for the median and $74,559 for the average as of March 2026. Census findings show personal, family, and household incomes in Highfields sit near the 67th percentile nationally. Income distribution data indicates that 34.8% of the population (5,918 individuals) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly earnings bracket, compared to 31.7% in the wider region. Residents retain 88.1% of their income after meeting housing costs, indicating substantial discretionary spending power, while the area ranks in the 7th decile of the SEIFA index for income.

Highfields is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Census data shows the local housing stock is heavily dominated by detached houses, which make up 96.4% of dwellings, while semi-detached homes, apartments, and other housing structures account for 3.6%. This compares to 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings across Regional Qld. Home ownership rates are high at 41.7%, with mortgaged properties making up 43.4% and rental properties accounting for 14.8%. The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,900 is considerably higher than the Regional Qld average of $1,655, while the median weekly rent of $408 exceeds the Regional Qld figure of $345. Locally, mortgage payments sit above the national average of $1,863, and rents are higher than the Australian median of $375.

Highfields features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households represent the vast majority of local living arrangements at 85.5%, consisting of couples with children at 40.1%, couples without children at 37.8%, and single parents at 7.2%. Non-family households account for 14.5% of the total, with single-person households representing 13.5% and group households at 1.0%. The median household size of 2.9 individuals is larger than the Regional Qld average of 2.5.

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

The local educational profile is distinguished by high rates of tertiary attainment, with 26.2% of residents aged 15+ holding a university qualification compared to the Rest of Qld average of 20.6%. Bachelor degrees represent the most common higher qualification at 18.0%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 4.6% and graduate diplomas at 3.6%. Technical and trade qualifications are also common, with 39.0% of the population aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, including 12.7% with advanced diplomas and 26.3% with certificates.

Enrolment in study is high throughout the community, with 31.3% of residents participating in formal education. Primary school students account for 11.7% of the population, secondary school students make up 11.1%, and tertiary students represent 3.7%.

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

Public transport services in Highfields include 78 active transit stops, consisting of bus services. These stops are served by 1 separate routes that provide 100 passenger trips each week. Transport access is moderate, with residents living an average of 509 meters from their nearest stop. The area is predominantly residential, and 95% of commuters travel by car. Households own an average of 2.0 vehicles, which is higher than the regional average. A low 11.4% of residents worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 restrictions.

Transit routes run an average of 14 trips daily, which equates to approximately 1 weekly trip for each individual stop.

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

Health assessments indicate highly positive outcomes for Highfields residents, based on AreaSearch's analysis of mortality and chronic disease data, with particularly low rates of common health conditions among younger cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is slightly below the SA2 average, held by approximately 52% of the population (~8,860 people).

Arthritis and asthma are the most prevalent long-term conditions locally, affecting 8.7% and 8.0% of the population, respectively. Meanwhile, 67.9% of residents reported having no chronic health issues, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Health outcomes for working-age residents are typical for the region. Residents aged 65 and over make up 23.7% of the population (4,027 people), compared to 20.4% in Regional Qld. Senior residents enjoy above-average health outcomes, though they rank lower nationally than the broader local population.

Highfields is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Highfields displays lower cultural diversity than the national average, with Australian-born residents accounting for 88.7% of the population, citizens representing 93.6%, and English-only speakers at home making up 96.3%. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 66.5% of residents, which is higher than the 52.2% recorded across Regional Qld.

The primary ancestries reported by local residents are English (30.7%), Australian (27.9%), and Irish (10.0%). There are also notable differences in other ethnic heritages, with German ancestry overrepresented at 8.4% of the population (compared to 4.7% regionally), Scottish ancestry at 9.4% (compared to 7.8%), and South Australian ancestry at 0.5% (matching the regional average of 0.5%).

Highfields's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age of residents is 42 years, which is close to the Regional Qld average of 41 and above the national median of 38. The 65 - 74 age group is overrepresented locally at 13.1% of the population, while 25 - 34 year-olds are underrepresented at 8.8%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 has risen from 6.1% to 8.3%, and the 65 to 74 cohort has grown from 11.8% to 13.1%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 age group has shrunk from 15.9% to 13.4%, and the 45 to 54 group has declined from 14.0% to 12.7%. Projections for 2041 point to significant demographic shifts, with the 75 to 84 cohort expected to grow by 830 people (59%) from 1,404 to 2,235, while the 15 to 24 cohort is forecast to decrease by 13 people.