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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Karana Downs has an estimated 6,261 residents, up from 6,032 at the 2021 Census — a change of 229 people, or 3.8%. That puts 101 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to research conducted by AreaSearch, the resident count of Karana Downs stands at approximately 6,261 as of Aug 2026. This represents an expansion of 229 people (3.8%) compared to the 2021 Census tally of 6,032 people. This shift draws on the ABS estimated resident population figure of 6,261 recorded as of June 2025 alongside 30 validated new addresses added post-Census. With a population density of 100 persons per square kilometer, the locality offers generous living space and capacity for additional residential expansion. International arrivals served as the primary growth catalyst, generating roughly 60.2% of the overall population additions over recent intervals.
Projections published by ABS/Geoscience Australia in 2024 (using 2022 as their baseline) are utilized by AreaSearch across SA2 regions. In instances where SA2 areas lack coverage or extend beyond post-2032, Queensland State Government projections released in 2023 from 2021 figures are implemented instead. Because state forecasts do not provide age-specific breakdowns, AreaSearch incorporates proportional age cohort distributions derived from the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (published in 2023, utilizing 2022 data). Looking ahead across this timeframe, demographic models project an overall contraction, reducing the community by 145 persons by 2041 under this framework. Conversely, specific demographics will expand, notably individuals aged 85 and over, with a projected addition of 218 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
44 new dwellings have been approved in Karana Downs over the past five years, an average of 8 a year. That is 1.4 approvals per 1,000 residents. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential building approvals in Karana Downs average approximately 8 dwellings each year, totaling 44 homes over the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26). A steady influx averaging 2.9 people annually per newly built residence across the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26) underpins local demand and property valuations. The average construction cost for these new builds is $345,000, which sits below broader regional figures and highlights more budget-friendly development opportunities. In comparison to Greater Brisbane, residential building activity in Karana Downs is substantially subdued, trailing the per-capita regional benchmark by 88.0%.
A restricted volume of incoming housing stock tends to bolster asset values and buyer competition for existing residences. Local building volume also falls behind nationwide rates, indicating established urban development alongside potential building constraints. Furthermore, all recent building approvals have consisted exclusively of detached houses, preserving the low-density neighborhood fabric centered on spacious family living. The ratio of 739 people for each approved dwelling underlines the calm, low-scale nature of the local construction sector. With demographic forecasts indicating stable or diminishing population numbers, Karana Downs could face reduced housing demand pressures, potentially offering advantages for prospective purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Karana Downs
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 24 current infrastructure and development projects close to Karana Downs, worth an estimated $2.14 billion. 7 are already under construction and 6 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and education & training. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Major infrastructure developments and urban initiatives exert significant influence on surrounding localities. AreaSearch has pinpointed 2 projects expected to affect the region. Prominent initiatives include the Warrego Highway - Mount Crosby Road Interchange Upgrade, Centenary Motorway (Darra - Yamanto), planning, Cunningham Highway Upgrade, and the South East Queensland Inland Rail Project.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Warrego Highway - Mount Crosby Road Interchange Upgrade
Upgrade of the Warrego Highway and Mount Crosby Road interchange at Chuwar, including a new interchange at the future Moggill Pocket Arterial location, a new dual-lane bridge connecting Karalee via Junction Road, service roads with active transport paths, and minor upgrades to Mount Crosby Road. Complementary works involve rehabilitation and re-decking of the westbound Bremer River Bridge at Karalee to extend its service life and lift existing speed restrictions. The project is jointly funded 50:50 by the Australian and Queensland governments.Detailed design is underway, with additional ecological surveys required under the EPBC Act delaying the construction timeline.
Citiswich Business Park
Queensland's largest industrial development, Citiswich Business Park is a 350-hectare master-planned estate at Bundamba in the logistics hub of Brisbane's south-western corridor. Developed by Walker Corporation, the estate provides serviced industrial land and facilities for logistics, manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, and wholesale retail. Active staged expansion continues with Stage 6 sub-stages (6C1, 6C2, 6D) and Stage 7 (67.3 ha footprint north of Warrego Highway at Riverview) underway, alongside the $45 million SmartStores workstore development under construction at 183 Hume Drive.
Munro Bundamba
Munro by Azure Development Group is a $59 million masterplanned residential community located in Bundamba, comprising 100 terrace residences across a 4.7-hectare estate. The gated community features a resort-style pool, private resident pavilion, and expansive landscaped open space. Civil works and residential construction are actively progressing under Azure's building arm.
Riverview Townhomes and Apartments
Residential development approved for 115 townhomes, 3 retail tenancies, and 4 apartments. Total development costs of $53.45 million.
Bundamba Creek Environmental Restoration & Linear Park
A multi-stage environmental restoration program along Bundamba Creek jointly funded by the Australian Government's Urban Rivers and Catchments Program ($3M) and Ipswich City Council ($1M). Works include streambank stabilisation, erosion control, weed removal, native revegetation and habitat enhancement across priority sites including Jack Barkley Park at North Booval. Since September 2024, over 781 metres of creek bank and more than one hectare of riparian land have been restored, with nearly 50,000 native plants installed. The broader program also incorporates Ironpot Creek and Woogaroo Creek.Longer-term plans include creation of a continuous linear park and shared pathway with boardwalks and community recreation areas.
Bundamba Industrial Precinct Expansion
Expansion of the Bundamba Industrial Precinct to deliver new serviced industrial lots, road and utility infrastructure, and improved freight access including integration with the Bundamba Bypass and surrounding transport network. The project continues to be identified by Ipswich City Council as a strategic employment and industrial growth area.
145 Chermside Road Multiple Residential
Development application for a Material Change of Use to establish Multiple Residential housing comprising 3 attached townhouses at 145 Chermside Road. The proposal includes associated car parking, private open space, landscaping, and civil infrastructure connections under assessment by Ipswich City Council.
Bundamba State Secondary College Redevelopment
Major $80+ million redevelopment and expansion of Bundamba State Secondary College, including new teaching blocks, a performing arts centre, sports facilities, a leadership centre with rock climbing facilities, and an upgraded administration building. The school now operates with a maximum enrolment capacity of 1,124 students. An enrolment management plan was gazetted in August 2025, reflecting the expanded capacity delivered by the redevelopment.
3,883 residents of Karana Downs are employed, from a labour force of 3,922. Unemployment sits at 1.0%, with participation at 76.5%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.7% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 4,707, about 75% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local labour market in Karana Downs is characterized by an educated talent base and solid presence across essential services, featuring a minimal unemployment rate of 1.0% alongside an estimated 10.5% annual employment growth. Figures from March 2026 show 3,883 employed residents, an unemployment rate 3.3% below the 4.3% recorded for Greater Brisbane, and an elevated participation rate of 76.5% versus 70.1% across Greater Brisbane. Census data indicates 24.6% of workers operated remotely from home, a metric influenced by Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Major sectors employing local residents comprise health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction.
Specialization is particularly elevated in education & training, which claims a workforce proportion 1.4 times greater than the regional benchmark. Conversely, transport, postal & warehousing remains relatively small, accounting for 3.1% of the Karana Downs workforce compared to 5.6% throughout Greater Brisbane. Comparing local working population metrics against the resident labor force suggests that nearby workplace positions remain restricted. According to AreaSearch evaluation of ABS and SALM figures, the 12 months leading to March 2026 saw employment climb by 10.5% against a 10.1% rise in the labour force, lowering the local unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Brisbane logged a 3.2% rise in employment, a 3.4% expansion in the labour pool, and a 0.1 percentage points uptick in unemployment. National employment outlooks released by Jobs and Skills Australia in Mar-26 provide additional context regarding future workforce trajectories. Nationwide employment is anticipated to grow by 6.6% across five years and 13.7% over ten years, though trajectories diverge by sector. Applying these industry growth rates to the employment structure of Karana Downs yields projected local gains of 6.7% over five years and 13.9% across ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Karana Downs is $2,385 a week (about $124,000 a year), with median personal income at $962 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $62,124 a year against an average of $70,427. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
ATO postcode records compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 demonstrate above-average earnings in the Karana Downs SA2, where median income reaches $62,124 and average earnings stand at $70,427. For comparison, Greater Brisbane averages $72,799 alongside a median of $58,236. Incorporating a Wage Price Index increase of 11.36% since financial year 2023 places estimated current figures around $69,181 (median) and $78,428 (average) as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census positions local household, family, and individual incomes between the 74th and 87th percentiles across Australia. The most common bracket covers 33.6% of residents (2,103 people) earning between $1,500 - 2,999, mirroring the regional proportion of 33.3%.
Local financial capacity is highlighted by 37.6% of households generating over $3,000 per week, fostering robust retail spending. Furthermore, households retain 87.5% of their income after meeting housing obligations, placing the region in the 8th decile for SEIFA economic advantage.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Karana Downs had 2,054 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 96% detached houses and 1% apartments. 58% are owned with a mortgage, 10% rented and 32% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $400 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,918 a month. Rent absorbs 16.8% of household income here and mortgage repayments 18.6%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Housing stock in Karana Downs during the most recent Census was composed of 95.8% detached houses and 4.3% other dwellings (apartments, attached homes, and other residential types), compared with 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings throughout Brisbane metro. Fully owned homes represented 31.6% of properties, well above metropolitan levels, while 58.0% carried a mortgage and 10.3% were occupied by tenants. Median monthly mortgage commitments averaged $1,918, compared to $1,863 across Brisbane metro, while median weekly rent was $400 versus $380 regionally. Relative to the Australian medians of $1,863 for monthly mortgages and $375 for weekly rents, local housing payments remain elevated.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Karana Downs counted 2,054 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.9 people each. 45% are couples with children, more than in 88% of areas nationally, against 31% couples without children. 13% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the vast majority of local living arrangements at 85.9%, consisting of couples with children (44.5%), couples without children (31.3%), and single parent households (9.6%). Non-family residences make up the remaining 14.1%, comprising 13.2% single-person dwellings and 0.9% group accommodations. The typical household size stands at 2.9 people, exceeding the Greater Brisbane benchmark of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
33.3% of adults in Karana Downs hold a university qualification, including 20.7% with a bachelor degree and 8.0% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 23.7% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 589 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,042 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Qualifications among residents in Karana Downs exceed regional standards, as 33.3% of individuals aged 15+ hold tertiary degrees, compared to 17.2% across the SA3 area and 18.8% in the SA4 region. Bachelor degrees are held by 20.7% of the adult population, while postgraduate qualifications account for 8.0% and graduate diplomas represent 4.6%. In addition, technical and trade credentials are widespread, with 36.1% of residents aged 15+ having vocational training, split between certificates (23.7%) and advanced diplomas (12.4%). A significant share of the population is actively engaged in studies, with 31.0% currently enrolled across educational institutions.
This enrollment consists of 10.7% attending primary schools, 10.0% in secondary schooling, and 5.6% participating in tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Karana Downs means driving: households keep an average of 2.1 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
69.0% of residents in Karana Downs report no long-term health condition, a healthier profile than 75% of areas nationally. 4.1% need daily assistance with core activities, and 54.1% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 3.5 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health assessments across Karana Downs reflect positive outcomes based on AreaSearch evaluations of mortality statistics and chronic illnesses, with younger demographics demonstrating very low rates of common medical ailments. Furthermore, private healthcare coverage is substantial, encompassing approximately 54% of the community (~3,387 people). Asthma and mental health issues represent the primary chronic conditions recorded locally, affecting 8.4% and 8.7% of residents, respectively. Meanwhile, 69.0% of individuals reported having no chronic medical conditions, closely matching the 69.2% rate across Greater Brisbane. Working-age wellness indicators align with broader norms. Seniors aged 65 and over constitute 16.8% of the populace (1,051 people), above the 15.0% proportion seen in Greater Brisbane, exhibiting favorable health standards that nonetheless sit slightly lower nationally than the general community.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Karana Downs is largely Australian-born, at 77.6% of residents, with 6.0% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (31.4%) and Australian (24.7%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity metrics in Karana Downs are lower than average, with 77.6% of residents born in Australia, 91.4% holding citizenship, and 94.0% using English as their sole language at home. Christianity is the predominant religious faith, representing 47.0% of local inhabitants. The most noticeable relative concentration occurs within Judaism, which comprises 0.2% of residents compared to 0.1% across Greater Brisbane. The principal ancestries reported in Karana Downs are English at 31.4%, Australian at 24.7%, and Irish at 9.3%. Notable variations also appear among other heritages, with Dutch background representing 2.2% locally versus 1.2% regionally, Welsh at 0.9% versus 0.5%, and South Australian at 1.1% compared to 0.6%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Karana Downs is 43. That is 1 year older than at the 2021 Census. 20.6% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The age distribution of Karana Downs generally mirrors Greater Brisbane benchmarks, with the greatest variance across the four broad cohorts reaching 10.3 percentage points. As at August 2026, the estimated median age is 43, rising from 42 at the 2021 Census, which compares to median ages of 36 for Greater Brisbane and 38 nationally at that Census. Since then, the proportion of seniors and retirees (65+) has risen from 14.2% to an estimated 16.8%. Projections out to 2041 indicate older residents will generate the vast majority of growth, adding 388 residents (37%) to reach 1,439, while child, young adult, and middle-aged brackets are expected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Karana Downs
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 4 months ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 30 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (6,032 at the 2021 Census → 6,261 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (310031290). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.