Highgate Hill

Highgate Hill has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Highgate Hill's population was approximately 7,211 as of November 2025, marking a 13.2% increase from the 6,372 people recorded in the 2021 Census. This growth is inferred from an estimated resident population of 7,207 in June 2024 and 37 additional validated addresses since the Census date. The area's population density was around 5,959 persons per square kilometer, placing it within the top 10% nationally according to AreaSearch assessments. Highgate Hill's growth rate exceeded both national (8.9%) and state averages, indicating its status as a regional growth leader. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population gains in recent periods. 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, with proportional growth weightings applied in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023. Future population projections indicate a significant increase in the top quartile of statistical areas nationally, with Highgate Hill expected to grow by 1,870 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 25.9% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Highgate Hill when compared nationally

Highgate Hill has averaged approximately 19 new dwelling approvals annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, 96 homes were approved, with an additional 11 approved so far in FY26. This results in a demand significantly exceeding new supply, leading to price growth and increased buyer competition.

The average value of new dwellings constructed is $580,000, indicating a focus on the premium market segment. In contrast, commercial development approvals this financial year totalled $80,000, suggesting a predominantly residential focus. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Highgate Hill shows substantially reduced construction, with 81.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing homes. Nationally, it is also lower, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints. New building activity in Highgate Hill consists of 24.0% detached dwellings and 76.0% medium to high-density housing. This trend towards denser development offers accessible entry options appealing to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers.

It represents a notable shift from the area's existing housing composition, which is currently 39.0% houses. The location has approximately 511 people per dwelling approval, reflecting an established area. Future projections estimate Highgate Hill will add 1,866 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Highgate Hill has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 17 projects that could impact the area. Notable projects include Hampstead & Jones, Highgate Hill Terraces, 164 Melbourne Street, and Cross River Rail. The following details those most relevant.

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

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Highgate Hill shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Highgate Hill has an educated workforce with significant representation in professional services. The unemployment rate is 7.1%.

Over the past year, there's been relative employment stability. As of September 2025, 4,449 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 3.1% higher than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.0%, indicating room for improvement. Workforce participation is fairly standard at 68.3%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, professional & technical, and education & training.

The area specializes strongly in professional & technical jobs with an employment share 1.8 times the regional level. Conversely, construction shows lower representation at 4.9% compared to the regional average of 9.0%. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 0.1%, while labour force grew by 1.0%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.9 percentage points in Highgate Hill. In contrast, Greater Brisbane experienced employment growth of 3.8% and a drop in unemployment rate by 0.5 percentage points. State-level data from QLD to 25-Nov shows employment contracted by 0.01%, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Highgate Hill's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.3% over five years and 14.7% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that Highgate Hill SA2 has an income above the national average. The median income is $49,372 and the average income stands at $71,277. This contrasts with Greater Brisbane's figures of a median income of $55,645 and an average income of $70,520. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $56,279 (median) and $81,249 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data shows that incomes in Highgate Hill cluster around the 66th percentile nationally. The predominant income cohort spans 28.8% of locals (2,076 people) with incomes between $1,500 and $2,999, similar to the surrounding region where 33.3% occupy this bracket. Economic strength is evident through 31.2% of households achieving high weekly earnings exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. High housing costs consume 16.8% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 60th percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Highgate Hill features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Highgate Hill's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, comprised 39.0% houses and 61.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Brisbane metro had 12.9% houses and 87.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Highgate Hill was at 25.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 23.8% and rented ones at 51.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,383, higher than Brisbane metro's average of $2,000. Median weekly rent in Highgate Hill was $380, compared to Brisbane metro's $440. Nationally, Highgate Hill's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Highgate Hill features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 57.2% of all households, including 22.6% couples with children, 24.2% couples without children, and 9.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 42.8%, with lone person households at 31.7% and group households comprising 11.0%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 1.9.

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

Highgate Hill's educational attainment is notably higher than broader standards. Among residents aged 15+, 55.1% have university qualifications, compared to Queensland's 25.7% and Australia's 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 32.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (17.5%) and graduate diplomas (4.8%). Vocational pathways account for 19.3% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 8.7% and certificates at 10.6%.

Educational participation is high, with 35.9% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 14.5% in tertiary education, 9.4% in secondary education, and 6.6% pursuing primary education.

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

Highgate Hill has 21 operational public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by three distinct routes that together facilitate 821 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these transport services is rated as excellent, with residents on average residing just 121 meters from the nearest stop.

Across all routes, service frequency averages 117 trips per day, equating to roughly 39 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Health outcomes data shows excellent results across Highgate Hill, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is approximately 55% (around 3,966 people), compared to 64.3% in Greater Brisbane.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions, affecting 10.3 and 7.2% of residents respectively. About 73.2% report being completely free from medical ailments, compared to 75.5% across Greater Brisbane. The area has 11.9% (858 people) aged 65 and over, higher than the 10.5% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among seniors are notably strong, broadly aligning with the general population's health profile.

Highgate Hill was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Highgate Hill's population shows high cultural diversity, with 26.8% speaking a language other than English at home and 35.1% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion, comprising 33.4%. Buddhism stands out at 4.8%, higher than Greater Brisbane's 3.9%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (21.5%), Australian (17.5%), and Other (11.5%). Notably, Greeks make up 4.9% compared to the regional average of 1.5%, French is at 0.9% (matching the regional average), and Vietnamese comprise 2.1% versus a regional 1.2%.

Highgate Hill's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Highgate Hill's median age is nearly 37 years, closely matching Greater Brisbane's average of 36 and approaching Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Highgate Hill has a higher concentration of residents aged 15-24 at 18.6%, but fewer residents aged 5-14 at 8.3%. This 15-24 concentration is notably higher than the national average of 12.5%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 15.8% to 18.6%, while the 25 to 34 cohort rose from 18.3% to 19.5%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 10.0% to 8.3%, and the 35 to 44 group decreased from 14.5% to 13.0%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Highgate Hill's age profile. The 45 to 54 cohort is expected to grow by 44%, adding 452 residents for a total of 1,485. Meanwhile, the 0 to 4 cohort is projected to grow by a modest 3% (an increase of 4 people).