Kelvin Grove - Herston

Population growth drivers in Kelvin Grove - Herston are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

Kelvin Grove-Herston's population was around 12,189 as of November 2025, an increase of 2,024 people since the 2021 Census. The 2021 Census reported a population of 10,165. This growth reflects ABS estimated resident populations and validated new addresses between June 2024 and the Census date. The population density was 3,616 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile nationally. Growth since the 2021 Census exceeded national (8.9%) and state averages, driven primarily by overseas migration contributing approximately 94.3% of overall gains. AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.

For areas not covered or years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections from 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted, applying proportional growth weightings for age cohorts. Future trends project an above median population growth, with the area expected to expand by 3,232 persons to 2041, reflecting a 26.4% increase over 17 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Kelvin Grove - Herston when compared nationally

Kelvin Grove - Herston averaged approximately 21 new dwelling approvals per year from FY-21 to FY-25. A total of 107 homes were approved during this period, with an additional 25 approved in FY-26. On average, 9.8 people moved to the area for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating high demand outpacing supply.

The average construction value of new homes was $526,000, suggesting a focus on premium developments. Commercial development approvals reached $155.0 million in FY-26. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Kelvin Grove - Herston had 73.0% fewer construction approvals per person from FY-21 to FY-25. New development consisted of 15.0% detached houses and 85.0% townhouses or apartments, a shift from the area's existing housing composition of 34.0% houses. As of approximately 383 people per dwelling approval, the location reflects an established area. By 2041, Kelvin Grove - Herston is projected to grow by 3,216 residents. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth.

Looking ahead, Kelvin Grove - Herston is expected to grow by 3,216 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Should current construction levels persist, housing supply could lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Kelvin Grove - Herston has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 67 projects likely impacting the area. Key projects include Herston Quarter Redevelopment, Queensland Cancer Centre, Victoria Park Stadium (Brisbane 2032 Olympic Stadium), and Brisbane 2032 Games Infrastructure Program. 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.

AreaSearch analysis indicates Kelvin Grove - Herston maintains employment conditions that align with national benchmarks

Kelvin Grove - Herston has a highly educated workforce with strong professional services representation. Its unemployment rate was 4.4% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 1.8%.

As of September 2025, there are 7,732 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.4%, which is 0.4% above Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation in the area is 69.8%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. The dominant employment sectors among residents include health care & social assistance, professional & technical, and education & training. The area specializes in professional & technical jobs, with an employment share of 1.6 times the regional level, while construction shows lower representation at 4.1% compared to the regional average of 9.0%.

There are 1.9 workers for every resident, indicating that the area is an employment hub attracting workers from surrounding areas. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment increased by 1.8%, while labour force increased by 1.3%, causing a fall in unemployment rate of 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane experienced employment growth of 3.8% and labour force growth of 3.3%, with a similar drop in unemployment rate. As of 25-November-2025, Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01%, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. Nationally, employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Kelvin Grove - Herston's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.2% over five years and 14.7% over ten years.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

The Kelvin Grove - Herston SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $56,261 and an average income of $81,796 in the financial year 2022, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This places it among the highest incomes in Australia, compared to Greater Brisbane's median income of $55,645 and average income of $70,520. By September 2025, estimates suggest the median income would be approximately $64,132 and the average income $93,239, based on a Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022. In 2021 Census figures, Kelvin Grove - Herston's household, family, and personal incomes ranked modestly, between the 45th and 50th percentiles. The largest income segment comprised 30.9% earning $1,500 to $2,999 weekly, with 3,766 residents falling into this category, aligning with regional trends where this cohort also represents 33.3%. Housing affordability pressures were severe in the area, with only 79.5% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 46th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 7th decile.

Kelvin Grove - Herston features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Dwelling structure in Kelvin Grove-Herston, as per the latest Census, comprised 34.0% houses and 66.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Brisbane metropolitan area had 36.5% houses and 63.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kelvin Grove-Herston was at 14.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 21.6% and rented ones at 64.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,080, below Brisbane metro's average of $2,167. Median weekly rent was recorded at $400, compared to Brisbane metro's $410. Nationally, Kelvin Grove-Herston's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Kelvin Grove - Herston features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 53.8% of all households, including 20.5% couples with children, 21.9% couples without children, and 9.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 46.2%, with lone person households at 30.3% and group households comprising 16.0%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.2.

Kelvin Grove - Herston shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Educational attainment in Kelvin Grove - Herston is notably higher than broader benchmarks. As of the 2016 Census, 52.2% of residents aged 15 years and over held university qualifications, compared to 25.7% in Queensland and 30.4% nationally. Bachelor degrees were the most common at 32.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (16.0%) and graduate diplomas (4.1%). Vocational pathways accounted for 20.3% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 9.1% and certificates at 11.2%.

Educational participation was high, with 44.2% of residents enrolled in formal education as of the Census date. This included 24.9% in tertiary education, 6.9% in secondary education, and 6.2% pursuing primary education.

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

Kelvin Grove - Herston has 54 active public transport stops. These are served by buses on 40 different routes. Together, these provide 6,205 weekly passenger trips.

Residents have excellent accessibility to transport, with an average distance of 137 meters to the nearest stop. Services run at a frequency of 886 trips per day across all routes, equating to about 114 weekly trips per individual stop.

Kelvin Grove - Herston's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Kelvin Grove - Herston's health outcomes show notably positive results, with younger populations exhibiting low prevalence rates for common health conditions. Approximately 61% of its total population (7,410 people) has private health cover, higher than Greater Brisbane's 71.3%, but close to the national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent medical conditions in the area, affecting 11.2% and 6.5% of residents respectively.

A total of 76.1% of residents report being completely free from medical ailments, slightly higher than Greater Brisbane's 73.7%. The area has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 6.1% (742 people), compared to Greater Brisbane's 12.2%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors require more attention than the broader population.

Kelvin Grove - Herston is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Kelvin Grove-Herston has high cultural diversity, with 31.8% speaking a language other than English at home and 40.9% born overseas by 2016 Census. Christianity is the main religion, comprising 31.6%. Judaism is overrepresented at 0.3%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 0.2%.

Top ancestry groups are English (21.7%), Australian (18.6%), and Other (13.9%). French (0.8% vs regional 0.7%), Korean (0.9% vs 0.5%), and Vietnamese (1.5% vs 0.5%) are notably overrepresented.

Kelvin Grove - Herston hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Kelvin Grove - Herston's median age is 28 years, which is notably lower than Greater Brisbane's average of 36 and Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Kelvin Grove - Herston has a higher concentration of residents aged 15-24 (28.0%) but fewer residents aged 65-74 (3.1%). This concentration of 15-24 year-olds is well above the national average of 12.5%. According to the 2021 Census, the area has become younger, with its median age dropping by 1 year to 28 from 29. Specifically, the proportion of residents aged 15 to 24 grew from 25.6% to 28.0%, while those aged 25 to 34 increased from 23.1% to 24.7%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 5 to 14 declined from 9.5% to 8.2%, and those aged 45 to 54 decreased from 10.9% to 9.7%. Demographic modeling suggests that Kelvin Grove - Herston's age profile will significantly change by 2041. The 15 to 24 age cohort is projected to increase solidly, with an additional 601 people (an 18% rise) from 3,416 to 4,018 residents. Meanwhile, the 0 to 4 age cohort is expected to grow by a modest 10%, adding 39 people.