Karana Downs

Karana Downs has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Karana Downs' population was around 6,262 as of November 2025. This showed an increase from the 2021 Census figure of 6,032 people, reflecting a rise of 230 individuals (3.8%). The change is inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 6,254 in June 2024 and an additional 28 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of approximately 100 persons per square kilometer. Overseas migration contributed around 60.9% of overall 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. Note that state projections lack age category splits; proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) are applied when used. Future trends suggest a population decline of 104 persons by 2041, despite projected growth in specific age cohorts. The 85 and over age group is expected to expand by 231 people during this period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Karana Downs, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Karana Downs has seen approximately 9 new homes approved annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, a total of 46 homes were approved, with an additional 3 approved in FY26 so far. On average, 1.1 people have moved to the area per dwelling built over these five years.

However, this figure has intensified to 5.8 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, suggesting growing popularity and potential undersupply. The average construction cost value of new homes is $438,000, in line with regional trends. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Karana Downs shows significantly reduced construction activity, at 88.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established homes. Development activity in Karana Downs is also under the national average, indicating its established nature and suggesting potential planning limitations.

Recent development has been entirely comprised of detached dwellings, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. The estimated population count per dwelling approval is 778 people, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment. With population expected to remain stable or decline, Karana Downs should see reduced pressure on housing, potentially creating opportunities for buyers.

Karana Downs has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified two projects potentially affecting this region: Warrego Highway - Mount Crosby Road Interchange Upgrade and Centenary Motorway (Darra - Yamanto) planning. Other notable projects include Cunningham Highway Upgrade and South East Queensland Inland Rail Project, though the following list focuses on 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.

AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Karana Downs performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Karana Downs has an educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 1.3% as of June 2025.

Employment stability over the past year is relative. There were 3,634 residents employed in June 2025, with an unemployment rate 2.8% lower than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation was high at 70.3%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Leading employment industries include health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction.

Education & training has a particularly strong presence, with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level. Transport, postal & warehousing has limited presence at 3.1%, compared to 5.6% regionally. Local employment opportunities appear limited based on Census data comparison of working population versus resident population. Over the year ending June 2025, employment increased by 0.1% and labour force by 0.2%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 0.1 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane saw employment growth of 4.4% and labour force growth of 4.0%, with a drop in unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data from Nov-25 shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1,210 jobs), with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, closely aligned with the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Karana Downs' employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 13.9% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Karana Downs SA2 had a median income of $59,503 and an average of $68,047. These figures are higher than the national averages. Greater Brisbane's median was $55,645 with an average of $70,520. By September 2025, adjusted for Wage Price Index growth of 13.99%, Karana Downs' estimated median income would be approximately $67,827 and the average would be around $77,567. According to 2021 Census figures, incomes in Karana Downs rank highly nationally, between the 74th and 87th percentiles for household, family, and personal incomes. Distribution data indicates that 33.6% of locals (2,104 people) earn between $1,500 - 2,999, similar to the surrounding region at 33.3%. Economic strength is evident with 37.6% of households earning high weekly incomes exceeding $3,000, supporting increased consumer spending. After housing costs, residents retain 87.5% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

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

Karana Downs' dwellings, as per the latest Census, consisted of 95.8% houses and 4.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other'). Brisbane metro had 88.4% houses and 11.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Karana Downs was 31.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 58.0% and rented ones at 10.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,918, higher than Brisbane metro's $1,517 and the Australian average of $1,863. Median weekly rent in Karana Downs was $400, compared to Brisbane metro's $300 and the national figure of $375.

Karana Downs features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 85.9% of all households, including 44.5% couples with children, 31.3% couples without children, and 9.6% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 14.1%, with lone person households at 13.2% and group households comprising 0.9%. The median household size is 2.9 people, larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

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

Karana Downs' educational attainment exceeds broader averages: 33.3% of residents aged 15+ have university qualifications compared to 17.2% in the SA3 area and 18.8% in the SA4 region. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 20.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.0%) and graduate diplomas (4.6%). Vocational credentials are also common, with 36.1% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications: advanced diplomas account for 12.4% and certificates for 23.7%. Educational participation is high, with 31.0% currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 10.7% in primary, 10.0% in secondary, and 5.6% in tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Karana Downs's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data shows positive outcomes for Karana Downs residents, with low prevalence of common health conditions across younger and older age cohorts. Approximately 53% (~3,343 people) have private health cover, compared to 49.9% in Greater Brisbane.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions, affecting 8.7% and 8.4% of residents respectively. Around 69.0% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 62.2% across Greater Brisbane. The area has 17.0% (1,063 people) aged 65 and over, higher than the 15.3% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, aligning with the general population's health profile.

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

Karana Downs had a cultural diversity level below average, with 77.6% of its population born in Australia, 91.4% being citizens, and 94.0% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 47.0% of Karana Downs' population. Notably, Judaism was overrepresented at 0.2%, compared to 0.1% across Greater Brisbane.

The top three ancestry groups were English (31.4%), Australian (24.7%), and Irish (9.3%). Dutch (2.2%) and Welsh (0.9%) were notably overrepresented, while South African was also higher than the regional average at 1.1%.

Karana Downs's median age exceeds the national pattern

Karana Downs's median age is 42 years, which is significantly higher than the Greater Brisbane average of 36 years and older than the Australian median of 38 years. The 45-54 age cohort is notably over-represented in Karana Downs at 17.0%, compared to the Greater Brisbane average, while the 25-34 year-olds are under-represented at 7.0%. According to the 2021 Census, the 75-84 age group has increased from 4.0% to 5.7% of the population, and the 15-24 cohort has risen from 12.3% to 13.5%. Conversely, the 35-44 cohort has declined from 14.3% to 12.6%, and the 25-34 group has dropped from 8.4% to 7.0%. Demographic modeling suggests that Karana Downs's age profile will change significantly by 2041, with the 85+ cohort projected to grow by 247%, adding 214 residents to reach 302. This growth is driven entirely by demographic aging, as residents aged 65 and older represent all of the anticipated population increase. Meanwhile, population declines are projected for the 55-64 and 45-54 age cohorts.