Ipswich - East

An assessment of population growth drivers in Ipswich - East reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

As of November 2025, Ipswich - East's population is approximately 18,957. This figure represents an increase of 982 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 17,975. The growth is inferred from ABS estimates: 18,923 in June 2024 and 22 additional validated addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 1,651 persons per square kilometer, higher than national averages assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed approximately 63.5% to population gains recently.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections from 2023 (based on 2021 data) are adopted. These state projections lack age category splits; thus, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings based on ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 using 2022 data. By 2041, the area is projected to expand by 3,957 persons, reflecting a total gain of 20.7% over the seventeen years, based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Ipswich - East recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Ipswich - East has recorded approximately 38 residential properties granted approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, around 190 homes were approved, with a further 5 approved in FY26 so far. On average, 1.4 people have moved to the area per dwelling built over these years.

This suggests a balance between supply and demand, maintaining stable market conditions. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $349,000. In FY26, there have been $6.7 million in commercial approvals, indicating limited focus on commercial development compared to residential. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Ipswich - East has significantly less development activity, 83.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new homes can strengthen demand and prices for existing properties. However, recent periods have seen an increase in development activity. The current location has approximately 276 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low-density market.

Future projections estimate Ipswich - East to add 3,923 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases. New development consists of 35.0% detached dwellings and 65.0% medium and high-density housing, creating more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. This represents a significant change from the current housing mix, which is currently 84.0% houses.

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

Changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 30 such projects likely affecting the area. Notable ones include the East Ipswich Train Station Upgrade, Ipswich Hospital Expansion Stage 2, Mary and Williams Streets Intersection Upgrade, and the Multiple Residential development at 145 Chermside Road East Ipswich. 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 performance in Ipswich - East has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Ipswich - East has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs, prominent essential services sectors, an unemployment rate of 6.4%, and estimated employment growth of 4.9% over the past year. As of September 2025, 8,771 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 2.4% higher than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.0%.

Workforce participation in Ipswich - East lags at 55.2%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Leading industries include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training. Manufacturing stands out with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level. Conversely, professional & technical services are under-represented, at 4.7% of Ipswich - East's workforce compared to Greater Brisbane's 8.9%.

Limited local employment opportunities are indicated by Census data. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 4.9% and labour force grew by 3.2%, reducing the unemployment rate by 1.5 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Brisbane saw employment growth of 3.8%, labour force growth of 3.3%, with a 0.5 percentage point decrease in unemployment. Statewide, Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1,210 jobs) as of 25-Nov, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, aligning with the national rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts from May-25 project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, varying by industry sector. Applying these projections to Ipswich - East's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 13.1% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that income in Ipswich - East SA2 is below the national average. The median income is $51,155 and the average income stands at $56,488. 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 for Ipswich - East would be approximately $58,312 (median) and $64,391 (average) as of September 2025. The 2021 Census reports that household, family and personal incomes in Ipswich - East fall between the 18th and 25th percentiles nationally. Distribution data shows that the $1,500 - $2,999 earnings band captures 29.9% of the community (5,668 individuals), consistent with broader trends across the region showing 33.3% in the same category. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.0% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 18th percentile nationally.

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

Ipswich - East's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 83.9% houses and 16.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Brisbane metro had a higher percentage of houses at 88.4%, with 11.6% being other dwellings. Home ownership in Ipswich - East was 27.1%. The remaining dwellings were either mortgaged (32.7%) or rented (40.3%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,323, lower than Brisbane metro's average of $1,517. The median weekly rent figure for Ipswich - East was $290, compared to Brisbane metro's $300. Nationally, mortgage repayments were higher at $1,863 and rents stood at $375.

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

Family households account for 63.2% of all households, including 22.5% couples with children, 22.6% couples without children, and 16.5% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 36.8%, with lone person households at 32.8% and group households comprising 4.0%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

Ipswich - East faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 16.4%, significantly lower than Greater Brisbane's average of 30.5%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.8%) and graduate diplomas (2.1%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 39.9% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.0%) and certificates (29.9%). Educational participation is high at 28.0%, with 10.3% in primary education, 8.4% in secondary education, and 4.0% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 28.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.3% in primary education, 8.4% in secondary education, and 4.0% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Ipswich - East has 98 active public transport stops. These include train and bus services. There are 53 different routes operating weekly, providing a total of 2,472 passenger trips.

The average distance from residents to the nearest stop is 215 meters. On average, there are 353 daily trips across all routes, which equates to approximately 25 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Ipswich - East faces significant health challenges, with a variety of conditions affecting both younger and older residents. The rate of private health cover in the area is low at approximately 48%, covering around 9,099 people, compared to the national average of 55.3%.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent medical conditions, impacting 13.1% and 10.6% of residents respectively. Conversely, 57.0% of residents report having no medical ailments, compared to 62.2% in Greater Brisbane. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, at 19.3% (3,656 people), compared to 15.3% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among seniors in the area are broadly similar to those of the general population.

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

Ipswich-East, surveyed in 2016, had a culturally diverse population with 88.5% citizens, 86.3% born in Australia, and 94.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, accounting for 49.9%. Other religions comprised 0.8%, slightly higher than Greater Brisbane's 0.7%.

The top three ancestral groups were English (29.4%), Australian (28.2%), and Irish (8.8%). Notably, German ancestry was equally represented at 6.4% compared to the regional average. Samoan ancestry was also similarly represented at 0.9%, as was Maori at 0.8%.

Ipswich - East's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age in Ipswich - East is 39 years, slightly higher than Greater Brisbane's average of 36 years and close to Australia's median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Ipswich - East has a higher proportion of residents aged 55-64 (12.7%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (12.4%). Between the 2021 Census and the present day, the percentage of the population aged 75-84 has increased from 5.9% to 6.4%, while the proportion of those aged 5-14 has decreased from 12.8% to 11.6%. By 2041, Ipswich - East's age composition is projected to change significantly. The number of residents aged 75-84 is expected to grow by 78%, reaching 2,165 from 1,215. Those aged 65 and above are projected to comprise 57% of the population growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for those aged 0-4 and 25-34 years.