Kirwan - East
Statistical Area - sa2

Kirwan - East has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Kirwan - East's population, as of August 2025, is approximately 7,910 people. This figure represents an increase of 217 individuals since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 7,693 people. The growth was inferred from ABS estimated resident population data for June 2024 and address validation since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 2,247 persons per square kilometer, above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed approximately 65.2% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary growth for the area.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are used, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections lack age category splits; thus, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort. Examining future population trends indicates an overall decline by 2 persons to 2041 according to current methodology. However, specific age cohorts are expected to grow, notably the 25 to 34 age group projected to increase by 266 people.

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

Kirwan - East has averaged approximately five new dwelling approvals annually. Development approval data, sourced from the ABS on a financial year basis, totals 29 approvals over the past five years (FY-21 to FY-25), with one recorded so far in FY-26. Each dwelling has resulted in an average of 2.5 new residents per year over these five years, indicating strong demand that supports property values. New homes are being constructed at an average cost of $750,000, which is higher than regional norms due to quality-focused development.

Additionally, commercial approvals worth $3.3 million have been registered this financial year, reflecting the area's predominantly residential nature. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Kirwan - East has exhibited significantly reduced construction activity (82.0% below the regional average per person), which typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing properties. However, development activity has increased recently. This level is also below the national average, suggesting maturity in the area and possible planning constraints. New development consists of 20.0% detached houses and 80.0% attached dwellings, indicating a trend towards denser development that caters to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers. This shift contrasts with the area's existing housing stock, which is currently 84.0% houses, suggesting decreasing availability of developable sites and changing lifestyles requiring more diverse and affordable housing options. With approximately 2175 people per dwelling approval, Kirwan - East reflects a highly mature market.

Given stable or declining population forecasts, the area may experience less housing pressure in the future, creating favorable conditions for buyers.

Kirwan - East has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 39thth percentile nationally

Twelve projects were identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area, with key ones including Kirwan Health Campus Expansion, Willowbank Estate, Garbutt - Upper Ross Road (Riverway Drive) Stage 2 Duplication, and Kirwan Police Complex. The following list details those considered most relevant.

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

Employment conditions in Kirwan - East face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Kirwan - East has a balanced workforce with white collar and blue collar jobs. Key sectors include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction.

It has a notable concentration in public administration & safety, at 1.5 times the regional average. However, agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 0.9% of local workers, below Rest of Qld's 4.5%. As of June 2025, 3,271 residents are employed with an unemployment rate of 11.0%, above Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation is lower at 55.3% compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%.

Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force decreased by 2.0% and employment declined by 5.4%, causing unemployment to rise by 3.2 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of Qld saw employment growth of 1.8% and labour force growth of 2.0%. State-level data from Sep-25 shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.23%, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, compared to the national rate of 4.5% and national employment growth of 0.26%. National employment forecasts project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but localised projections based on Kirwan - East's employment mix suggest approximately 6.4%% growth over five years and 13.5% over ten years.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

Kirwan - East's median taxpayer income is $47,740 and average is $54,149 based on latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. This is lower than national averages compared to Rest of Qld's median income of $50,780 and average income of $64,844. Current estimates project median income at approximately $53,330 and average at $60,490 as of March 2025, considering Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year 2022. According to 2021 Census figures, incomes in Kirwan - East fall between the 20th and 24th percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. The income bracket $1,500 - 2,999 dominates with 29.9% of residents (2,365 people), similar to regional levels at 31.7%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Kirwan - East, with only 84.3% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 21st percentile nationally.

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

Dwelling structure in Kirwan - East, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 83.9% houses and 16.1% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 81.3% houses and 18.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kirwan - East was 29.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 33.9% and rented dwellings at 37.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,300, below Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,517. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $273, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $305. Nationally, Kirwan - East's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Kirwan - East has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households comprise 67.8% of all households, including 22.8% couples with children, 26.8% couples without children, and 17.0% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 32.2%, with lone person households at 28.8% and group households making up 3.2%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which aligns with the average in the Rest of Qld.

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

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 13.2%, substantially below the Australian average of 30.4%. This represents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees lead at 9.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 39.4% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (8.8%) and certificates (30.6%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 30.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 11.4% in primary education, 9.3% in secondary education, and 4.0% pursuing tertiary education. Kirwan State High School serves as the anchor institution for educational services in the area, enrolling 1,877 students. Secondary education dominates with one school serving the region, while primary students typically attend schools in adjacent catchments. School capacity exceeds typical residential needs (23.7 places per 100 residents vs regional average of 16.7), indicating that the area serves as an educational center for the broader region.

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

The analysis of public transportation in the Kirwan - East area shows that there are currently 28 active transport stops operating. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 4 individual routes providing service to these locations. Together, these routes facilitate 528 weekly passenger trips across the area.

The accessibility of public transportation is rated as good, with residents typically residing within 218 meters of the nearest transport stop. On average, there are approximately 75 trips per day across all routes, which equates to about 18 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Kirwan - East is well below average with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Health data indicates significant health issues in Kirwan - East affecting both younger and older age groups. Approximately 47% (~3,717 people) have private health cover, lower than Rest of Qld's 53.3% and the national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues (10.9%) and arthritis (9.7%) are prevalent conditions in the area.

Around 59.8% report no medical ailments, compared to 67.8% across Rest of Qld. The senior population (aged 65 and over) comprises 20.0% (1,585 people), higher than Rest of Qld's 14.9%. Health outcomes among seniors are challenging, generally aligning with the overall health profile of the area.

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

Kirwan-East, surveyed in August 2016, had a predominantly homogeneous population: 86.3% were citizens, 85.9% were born in Australia, and 90.9% spoke English only at home. Christianity was the primary religion, practiced by 56.3%, compared to 52.7% regionally. Ancestry wise, the top groups were English (27.1%), Australian (27.0%), and Other (9.0%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal representation was higher at 7.8% versus 5.0% regionally, while Filipino was 1.8% compared to 1.1%, and Maori was 0.6% versus 0.5%.

Kirwan - East's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Kirwan-East is 38 years, slightly below Rest of Qld's average of 41 but matching Australia's median age of 38 years. The 15-24 age group comprises 14.4% of Kirwan-East's population compared to Rest of Qld, while the 55-64 cohort makes up 10.7%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 15-24 age group has increased from 13.0% to 14.4%, and the 25-34 cohort has risen from 11.6% to 12.9%. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort has decreased from 11.8% to 10.5%, and the 55-64 group has fallen from 11.9% to 10.7%. Population forecasts for 2041 suggest significant demographic shifts in Kirwan-East, with the 25-34 age group expected to grow by 21% (218 people), reaching 1,240 from 1,021. Conversely, the 45-54 and 65-74 cohorts are projected to experience population declines.