Highgate Hill
Statistical Area - sa2

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 around 7,211 as of November 2025. This figure reflects an increase of 839 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,372. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 7,207 in June 2024 and an additional 37 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 5,959 persons per square kilometer, placing Highgate Hill within the top 10% nationally assessed by AreaSearch. The area's growth rate of 13.2% since the 2021 census exceeded both national (8.9%) and state averages. Overseas migration was the primary driver for this growth.

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 or years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are used, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. These projections do not provide age category splits; thus, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023, based on 2022 data. Future population projections indicate a significant increase in the top quartile of statistical areas nationally by 2041. Highgate Hill is forecast to grow by 1,870 persons by then, reflecting an overall 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 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. On average, 5.2 new residents arrived per year for each dwelling constructed during these years.

This significant demand exceeds new supply, typically leading to price growth and increased buyer competition. The average construction value of new dwellings is $580,000, indicating a focus on the premium market segment with higher-end properties. In FY26, commercial development approvals totaled $80,000, suggesting a predominantly residential focus. Comparatively, Highgate Hill shows substantially reduced construction activity compared to Greater Brisbane, at 81.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction usually reinforces demand and pricing for existing homes. Nationally, this rate 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 provides accessible entry options, appealing to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers. This represents a notable shift from the area's existing housing composition, currently at 39.0% houses, indicating decreasing availability of developable sites and reflecting changing lifestyles and the need for more diverse, affordable housing options. The location has approximately 511 people per dwelling approval, reflecting an established area. Future projections show Highgate Hill adding 1,866 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Highgate Hill has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

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

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

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Employment conditions in Highgate Hill remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Highgate Hill has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. The unemployment rate was 6.6% as of June 2025.

Employment grew by an estimated 3.1% over the past year. As of June 2025, 4,492 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 2.5% higher than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation was at 68.3%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and education & training.

The area has a particularly strong specialization in professional & technical services, with an employment share of 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 June 2025, employment increased by 3.1% while labour force increased by 2.8%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest potential future demand within Highgate Hill. These projections estimate local growth of approximately 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 income in Highgate Hill is 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 household, family and personal incomes in Highgate Hill cluster around the 67th percentile nationally. The predominant income cohort spans 28.8% of locals (2,076 people) in the $1,500 - 2,999 category, mirroring 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, though strong earnings still 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 structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 39.0% houses and 61.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In contrast, Brisbane metro had 12.9% houses and 87.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Highgate Hill stood at 25.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 23.8% and rented ones at 51.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,383, higher than Brisbane metro's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent figure in Highgate Hill was recorded as $380, compared to Brisbane metro's $440. Nationally, Highgate Hill's mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were higher than 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 account for 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 make up 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 has a higher educational attainment than Queensland and Australia averages. 55.1% of residents aged 15+ have university qualifications, compared to 25.7% in QLD and 30.4% nationally. 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% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 14.5% in tertiary, 9.4% in secondary, and 6.6% in primary. Educational facilities may be outside immediate catchment boundaries, requiring families to access schools in neighboring areas.

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

Highgate Hill has 21 active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with three individual routes in total providing 821 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as excellent, with residents typically living just 121 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 117 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 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

Highgate Hill shows excellent health outcomes, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. Approximately 55% (~3966 people) have private health cover, compared to 64.3% in Greater Brisbane.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent conditions, affecting 10.3% and 7.2% of residents respectively. 73.2% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 75.5% in Greater Brisbane. The area has 11.9% (858 people) aged 65 and over, higher than the 10.5% in Greater Brisbane. Seniors' health outcomes align with those of the general population.

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 showed higher cultural diversity, with 26.8% speaking a language other than English at home and 35.1% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 33.4%. Buddhism was notably overrepresented at 4.8%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 3.9%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (21.5%), Australian (17.5%), and Other (11.5%). Some ethnic groups showed significant differences: Greek at 4.9% (regional 1.5%), French at 0.9% (regional 0.9%), and Vietnamese at 2.1% (regional 1.2%).

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

Highgate Hill's median age is 37 years, nearly matching Greater Brisbane's average of 36 and close to 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 above the national average of 12.5%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 15.8% to 18.6%, while the 25 to 34 cohort increased 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 dropped from 14.5% to 13.0%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Highgate Hill's age profile will change significantly. The 45 to 54 cohort is projected to grow by 44%, adding 452 residents to reach 1,485. Meanwhile, the 0 to 4 cohort grows by a modest 3% (4 people).