Ipswich - Central

Ipswich - Central has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Ipswich - Central's population is around 6,922 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 207 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,715 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 6,920 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 9 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 879 persons per square kilometer. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 75.8% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. Exceptional growth is predicted over the period to 2041, with the area expected to expand by 4,173 persons, reflecting an increase of 60.3% in total over the 17 years.

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

Ipswich - Central has received approximately 8 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 41 homes. As of FY26, 1 approval has been recorded. On average, 2.1 people have moved to the area per new home constructed over these five years (FY21-FY25), indicating solid demand that supports property values. New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $410,000, which is somewhat higher than regional norms, reflecting quality-focused development.

This financial year has seen $242.1 million in commercial approvals registered, demonstrating high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Ipswich - Central has significantly less development activity, 90.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing homes, although building activity has accelerated in recent years. The area's level is also under the national average, suggesting its established nature and potential planning limitations. Recent construction comprises 57.0% detached houses and 43.0% attached dwellings, with a growing mix of townhouses and apartments providing options across different price points. This represents a notable shift from the area's existing housing composition (currently 82.0% houses), indicating decreasing availability of developable sites and reflecting changing lifestyles and the need for more diverse, affordable housing options.

The estimated population per dwelling approval is 566 people, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment. Population forecasts indicate Ipswich - Central will gain 4,171 residents by 2041 (latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Ipswich - Central has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 22 projects likely to impact the region. Notable initiatives include Ipswich Hospital Expansion Stage 2, Ipswich Better Bus Network, Ipswich Smart City Program, and Brassall Bikeway Stage 6 Extension. The following list details those most 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.

Employment drivers in Ipswich - Central are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Ipswich - Central has a skilled workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 9.1% as of September 2025.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 5.1%. There were 3,175 residents employed while the unemployment rate was 5.1%, which is higher than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation in Ipswich - Central was 55.1%, lower than Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. The dominant employment sectors among residents include health care & social assistance, education & training, and public administration & safety.

Public administration & safety has particularly notable concentration, with employment levels at 1.5 times the regional average. However, professional & technical services are under-represented, with only 6.8% of Ipswich - Central's workforce compared to 8.9% in Greater Brisbane. There were 2.2 workers for every resident as at the Census, indicating that the area functions as an employment hub attracting workers from surrounding areas. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 5.1% while labour force increased by 3.0%, resulting in a decrease in unemployment by 1.9 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane experienced employment growth of 3.8% and labour force growth of 3.3%, with a drop in unemployment of 0.5 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1,210 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%, broadly in line with the national rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.9% over ten years when applied to Ipswich - Central's employment mix, although these projections are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localised population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 2022 shows that Ipswich - Central SA2 has lower incomes compared to national averages. The median income is $49,506 and the average is $55,230. In contrast, Greater Brisbane had a median income of $55,645 and an average of $70,520 in the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year ending June 2022, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $56,432 (median) and $62,957 (average). According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Ipswich - Central rank between the 25th and 28th percentiles. The earnings profile indicates that 28.8% of the population fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, which is similar to the surrounding region at 33.3%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Ipswich - Central, with only 83.6% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 28th percentile.

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

Ipswich - Central's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consists of 82.0% houses and 18.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Brisbane metro's 88.4% houses and 11.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Ipswich - Central stands at 25.9%, similar to Brisbane metro, with the rest of dwellings either mortgaged (32.3%) or rented (41.8%). The median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,500, below the Brisbane metro average of $1,517. The median weekly rent figure is $280, compared to Brisbane metro's $300. Nationally, Ipswich - Central's mortgage repayments are lower at $1,500 than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are substantially below the national figure of $375.

Ipswich - Central features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 64.0% of all households, including 23.5% couples with children, 22.9% couples without children, and 16.2% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 36.0%, with lone person households at 32.2% and group households comprising 3.9%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

Educational attainment in Ipswich - Central aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

Ipswich's educational qualifications align with Central Trail regional benchmarks, showing that 22.5% of residents aged 15+ possess university degrees, compared to Greater Brisbane's 30.5%. This indicates potential for educational development and skill enhancement in Ipswich. Bachelor degrees are the most common (15.3%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.9%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 38.4% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 11.0% and certificates at 27.4%.

Educational participation is high, with 30.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes secondary education (10.7%), primary education (9.4%), and tertiary education (5.2%).

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

The transport analysis indicates that Ipswich - Central has 53 active transport stops, offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 65 individual routes, collectively facilitating 3,985 weekly passenger trips. The report rates transport accessibility as good, with residents typically residing 254 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 569 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 75 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Ipswich - Central is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Ipswich - Central faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Private health cover is low, at approximately 48% of the total population (~3,294 people), compared to 49.9% across Greater Brisbane and a national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, impacting 12.8 and 9.9% of residents respectively.

However, 58.8% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 62.2% across Greater Brisbane. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 19.5% (1,350 people), compared to 15.3% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly aligned with the general population's health profile.

Ipswich - Central ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Ipswich-Central showed a cultural diversity below average, with 88.9% citizens, 85.9% born in Australia, and 93.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity dominated Ipswich-Central at 48.4%. Judaism was overrepresented at 0.1%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 0.1%.

Top three ancestral groups were English (28.3%), Australian (26.0%), and Irish (10.5%). German, Welsh, and Scottish groups showed notable divergences: German at 6.5% vs regional 6.4%, Welsh at 0.8% vs 0.6%, and Scottish at 8.9% vs 7.7%.

Ipswich - Central's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Ipswich-Central has a median age of 41, which is higher than Greater Brisbane's figure of 36 and Australia's figure of 38. Compared to the Greater Brisbane average, the 55-64 age cohort is notably over-represented in Ipswich-Central at 13.5%, while the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 11.0%. Between 2021 and present, the 65 to 74 age group has increased from 9.0% to 10.1%, and the 75 to 84 cohort has grown from 5.8% to 6.8%. Conversely, the 25 to 34 age group has decreased from 12.6% to 11.0%, and the 45 to 54 age group has dropped from 14.2% to 12.8%. Demographic modeling suggests that Ipswich-Central's age profile will significantly evolve by 2041, with the 75 to 84 age cohort projected to surge dramatically, expanding by 766 people (162%) from 472 to 1,239.