Kelvin Grove - Herston
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Kelvin Grove - Herston are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of Aug 2025, Kelvin Grove - Herston's population is around 12,189. This represents an increase of 2,024 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 10,165. The change was inferred from ABS data indicating an estimated resident population of 12,173 as of June 2024 and an additional 29 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 3,616 persons per square kilometer, placing Kelvin Grove - Herston in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's population growth of 19.9% since the 2021 census exceeded the national average of 8.6%, indicating it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 94.3% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including natural growth and interstate migration being positive factors.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Looking ahead, a significant population increase is forecast for Kelvin Grove - Herston, with the area expected to expand by 3,232 persons to 2041 based on the latest population numbers, reflecting an increase of 26.4% in total over the 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 annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics' financial year-based data shows 107 homes approved between FY-21 and FY-25, with 17 more approved in FY-26 to date. An average of 9.8 people moved to the area per year for each dwelling built over those five years, indicating demand significantly outstripping supply. This typically exerts upward pressure on property prices and intensifies competition among buyers.

New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $655,000, suggesting developers focus on the premium market with high-end developments. Commercial approvals totaled $155.0 million in FY-26, reflecting robust local commercial activity. Relative to Greater Brisbane, Kelvin Grove-Herston records notably lower building activity, 73.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction often reinforces demand and pricing for existing properties, though development activity has increased recently. This is also below national averages, potentially due to the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. New development consists of 15.0% detached houses and 85.0% attached dwellings, shifting towards higher-density living that offers more affordable entry points and suits downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. This marks a significant departure from existing housing patterns, currently at 34.0% houses, suggesting diminishing developable land availability and responding to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs.

The location has approximately 383 people per dwelling approval, reflecting an established area. Future projections anticipate Kelvin Grove-Herston adding 3,216 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may 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 65 projects likely impacting the region. Notable ones include Herston Health Precinct / Herston Quarter Redevelopment, New Queensland Cancer Centre (QCC), Herston Busway Extension, and Royal Brisbane Hospital Car Park Expansion. The following list details those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

AreaSearch assessment positions Kelvin Grove - Herston ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Kelvin Grove - Herston has an educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate is 4.0%, lower than Greater Brisbane's 4.1%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 4.8%. As of June 2025, 7,740 residents are employed, with a participation rate of 69.8% compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Key employment sectors include health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and education & training. The area specializes in professional & technical jobs, with an employment share 1.6 times the regional level.

Construction has limited presence, at 4.1% compared to the regional 9.0%. There are 1.9 workers per resident, indicating it functions as an employment hub attracting workers from surrounding areas. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 4.8%, labour force grew by 2.9%, leading to a unemployment rate decrease of 1.7 percentage points. Comparing this with Greater Brisbane, employment growth was slightly higher (4.8% vs 4.4%), while labour force expansion and unemployment reduction were similar. State-level data for Queensland as of Sep-25 shows employment contraction by 0.23%, unemployment rate at 4.2%. National forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Kelvin Grove - Herston's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 7.2%% over five years and 14.7% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

AreaSearch's latest data for financial year 2022 shows median income in Kelvin Grove - Herston at $56,261 and average income at $81,796. These figures are higher than Greater Brisbane's median of $55,645 and average of $70,520. Based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022, estimated incomes for March 2025 would be approximately $62,849 (median) and $91,374 (average). Census 2021 data shows Kelvin Grove - Herston's household, family and personal incomes rank between the 46th and 51st percentiles. The predominant income cohort spans 30.9% of locals in the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 79.5% of income remaining, ranking at the 46th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places 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

Kelvin Grove - Herston's dwelling structure in 2016 comprised 34.0% houses and 66.0% other dwellings. Brisbane metro had 36.5% houses and 63.6% other dwellings. Home ownership was 14.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 21.6% and rented ones at 64.3%. Median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,080 in the area, compared to Brisbane metro's $2,167. Median weekly rent was $400, versus Brisbane metro's $410. Nationally, mortgage repayments were significantly 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 account for 53.8 percent of all households, including 20.5 percent couples with children, 21.9 percent couples without children, and 9.1 percent single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 46.2 percent, with lone person households at 30.3 percent and group households comprising 16.0 percent of the total. 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 exceeds broader benchmarks, with 52.2% of residents aged 15+ having university qualifications compared to 25.7% in Queensland and 30.4% nationwide. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 32.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (16.0%) and graduate diplomas (4.1%). Vocational pathways account for 20.3% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 9.1% and certificates at 11.2%. Educational participation is high, with 44.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 24.9% in tertiary, 6.9% in secondary, and 6.2% in primary.

Kelvin Grove - Herston's four schools have a combined enrollment of 4,220 students. The area has significant socio-educational advantages and academic achievement (ICSEA: 1141). It comprises one primary, two secondary, and one K-12 school. Functioning as an education hub, Kelvin Grove - Herston offers 34.6 school places per 100 residents, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

Public transport analysis indicates 54 active stops operating within Kelvin Grove-Herston. These are served by 40 routes, offering 6,205 weekly passenger trips in total. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 137 meters to the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 886 trips daily across all routes, translating to around 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 data shows exceptional results, particularly for younger cohorts who exhibit a very low prevalence of common health conditions. As of approximately June 20XX, about 61% of Kelvin Grove - Herston's total population (7,410 people) has private health cover, compared to Greater Brisbane's 71.3%. Nationally, the average is 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, as of June 20XX. About 76.1% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to Greater Brisbane's 73.7%. As of June 20XX, 6.1% of Kelvin Grove - Herston's residents are aged 65 and over (742 people), lower than 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. Christianity is the main religion, comprising 31.6%. Judaism is overrepresented at 0.3%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 0.2%.

The top three ancestries are English (21.7%), Australian (18.6%), and Other (13.9%). French (0.8%), Korean (0.9%), and Vietnamese (1.5%) are notably overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0.7%, 0.5%, and 0.5% respectively.

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, notably under Greater Brisbane's average of 36 and Australia's 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 15-24 concentration is well above the national average of 12.5%. According to the Census conducted on August 10, 2021, the area has become younger, with its median age dropping to 28 from 29 in the previous census. The 15 to 24 age group grew from 25.6% to 28.0%, while the 25 to 34 cohort increased from 23.1% to 24.7%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 9.5% to 8.2%, and the 45 to 54 group dropped from 10.9% to 9.7%. Demographic modeling suggests that Kelvin Grove - Herston's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 15 to 24 age cohort is projected to increase solidly, expanding by 601 people (18%) from 3,416 to 4,018. Meanwhile, the 0 to 4 cohort grows by a modest 10% (39 people).