Highland Park
Statistical Area - sa2

Highland Park is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Highland Park's population was around 8,795 as of August 2025. This showed an increase of 362 people from the 2021 Census figure of 8,433. The change was inferred from ABS estimated resident population data of 8,793 in June 2024 and three validated new addresses since the Census date. This resulted in a population density ratio of 1,899 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Highland Park's growth rate of 4.3% since the census was close to that of its SA3 area (6.0%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Natural growth contributed approximately 56.4% of overall population gains during 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 are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. These state projections lack age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings using ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort. Considering projected demographic shifts, Highland Park is expected to experience a population increase just below the median of regional areas nationally by 2041. Based on latest population numbers, the area is projected to expand by 648 persons over these 17 years, reflecting an overall increase of approximately 7.3%.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Highland Park according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Highland Park has averaged approximately seven new dwelling approvals annually. Development approval data from the ABS is on a financial year basis: 36 homes approved over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, with four already approved in FY26. On average, ten people have moved to the area each year for every dwelling built between FY21 and FY25, indicating substantial demand outstripping supply, which typically results in heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $451,000, below regional levels, suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers.

This financial year has seen $2.0 million in commercial approvals, indicating a predominantly residential focus compared to the Rest of Qld. Highland Park shows significantly reduced construction activity, 68.0% below the regional average per person, which usually reinforces demand and pricing for existing properties, although recent construction activity has increased. This level is also below the national average, reflecting the area's maturity and potential planning constraints. Recent development has consisted entirely of detached dwellings, maintaining Highland Park's suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space. With around 885 people per dwelling approval, Highland Park reflects a highly mature market.

By 2041, Highland Park is projected to grow by 646 residents. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to keep pace with population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Highland Park has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Area infrastructure changes significantly influence local performance. Five key projects identified by AreaSearch may impact this area: Mooyumbin Creek Riparian Restoration, The Summit Highland Park, Hinkler Drive Retail Showroom Complex, and Highland Park Investigation Area. These are detailed in the following list for relevance.

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

The labour market in Highland Park demonstrates typical performance when compared to similar areas across Australia

Highland Park's workforce is skilled with notable representation in construction. The unemployment rate was 4.0% as of June 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 1.9% over the past year.

By June 2025, 4715 residents were employed, aligning with Rest of Qld's unemployment rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation was 63.6%, slightly higher than Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key industries for Highland Park residents are health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Construction is particularly specialized, with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing is underrepresented at 0.3% compared to Rest of Qld's 4.5%. Employment opportunities appear limited locally as Census working population vs resident population suggests. From June 2024 to June 2025, employment increased by 1.9% while labour force grew by 2.1%, raising the unemployment rate by 0.1 percentage points. State-level data from Sep-25 shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.23% (losing 8070 jobs), with a state unemployment rate of 4.2%. Nationally, unemployment was at 4.5%, with employment growth of 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Highland Park's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.4% over five years and 13.3% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

Highland Park had a median taxpayer income of $50,415 and an average of $63,067 according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2022. This was slightly lower than national averages, with Rest of Qld's median income being $50,780 and average income being $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes for March 2025 would be approximately $56,319 (median) and $70,452 (average). Census data shows Highland Park's household, family, and personal incomes rank modestly between the 35th and 46th percentiles. Income distribution indicates that 34.8% of residents (3,060 individuals) fall within the $1,500-$2,999 income range, consistent with surrounding regions at 31.7%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.0% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 46th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the fifth decile.

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

Highland Park's dwelling structure as evaluated in the latest Census comprised 88.8% houses and 11.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro Qld's 71.9% houses and 28.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Highland Park was at 32.6%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (49.8%) or rented (17.7%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,820, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,950 and the national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $420, higher than Non-Metro Qld's $435 but substantially above the national figure of $375.

Highland Park features high concentrations of family households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 78.9% of all households, consisting of 35.8% couples with children, 28.8% couples without children, and 13.8% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 21.1%, with lone person households at 17.7% and group households comprising 3.2%. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.8.

Highland Park shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

The area has lower university qualification rates than the Australian average, at 18.0% compared to 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common among qualifications, with a rate of 12.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 3.3% and graduate diplomas at 1.8%. Vocational credentials are held by 43.1% of residents aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 13.4% and certificates at 29.7%. Educational participation is high, with 27.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 9.7% in primary education, 8.1% in secondary education, and 3.9% pursuing tertiary education. William Duncan State School and Worongary State School serve a total of 1,112 students, focusing exclusively on primary education. Highland Park demonstrates typical Australian school conditions with balanced educational opportunities. Secondary education options are available in surrounding areas.

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

Highland Park has 23 active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with four individual routes in total providing 355 weekly passenger trips combined. The accessibility of the transport system is rated as good, with residents typically located 346 meters away from their nearest transport stop.

On average, there are 50 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 15 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health outcomes in Highland Park are marginally below the national average with common health conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts

Highland Park shows below-average health indicators with common conditions slightly more prevalent than average across all age groups.

Private health cover stands at approximately 51% (~4,494 people), which is lower than the average SA2 area. The most frequent medical conditions are arthritis (9.1%) and asthma (8.3%). A total of 67.1% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 69.5% in Rest of Qld. Highland Park has 18.1% of residents aged 65 and over (1,590 people), higher than the 16.7% in Rest of Qld. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are above average, outperforming the general population in health metrics.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Highland Park was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Highland Park, surveyed in August 2016, had a cultural diversity index above average, with 9.4% of residents speaking languages other than English at home and 26.1% born overseas. Christianity was the dominant religion, comprising 48.9%. Judaism, however, was overrepresented compared to regional averages, making up 0.2% of Highland Park's population.

In terms of ancestry (parental birth countries), the top three groups were English at 31.3%, Australian at 24.7%, and Scottish at 7.6%. Notable ethnic group divergences included New Zealanders at 1.7% (vs regional 1.8%), Maori at 1.8% (vs 1.9%), and Hungarians at 0.4% (vs 0.3%).

Highland Park's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Highland Park is 39 years, lower than Rest of Qld's average of 41 but close to the national average of 38. The most prominent age group is 35-44 year-olds at 14.9%. The 65-74 age group is smaller at 9.1% compared to Rest of Qld. Between 2021 and present, the 35-44 age group grew from 13.6% to 14.9%, while the 45-54 cohort declined from 13.1% to 11.8% and the 55-64 group dropped from 12.9% to 11.7%. By 2041, demographic projections show the 25-34 age cohort is expected to increase by 305 people (26%) from 1,174 to 1,480. Meanwhile, both 15-24 and 55-64 age groups are projected to decrease in numbers.