Kirwan - East

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

Kirwan - East's population was around 7,910 as of Nov 2025, reflecting an increase of 217 people since the 2021 Census. This increase represents a 2.8% rise from the 2021 figure of 7,693 people. The change is inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 7,910 as of June 2024 and address validation since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2,247 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds 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 adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 and based on 2022 data. Examining future population trends indicates an overall decline by 2 persons by 2041 according to this methodology. However, specific age cohorts are projected to grow, notably the 25 to 34 age group, which is expected 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 averaged approximately five new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 29 homes. As of FY-26 so far, two approvals have been recorded. Each year, an average of 2.5 new residents per dwelling was reflected between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating robust demand that supports property values. New homes were built at an average expected construction cost value of $427,000 annually during this period.

In FY-26, there have been $3.3 million in commercial approvals, demonstrating the area's primarily residential nature. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Kirwan - East shows substantially reduced construction activity, with 82.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established homes, though building activity has accelerated in recent years. This is also under the national average, suggesting the area's established nature and potential planning limitations. New building activity shows 20.0% detached dwellings and 80.0% townhouses or apartments, indicating a focus on higher-density living to create more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. This represents a notable shift from the area's existing housing composition of 84.0% houses, suggesting decreasing availability of developable sites and reflecting changing lifestyles and demand for diverse, affordable housing options. The location has approximately 2175 people per dwelling approval, indicating an established market with population expected to remain stable or decline, potentially reducing pressure on housing and creating opportunities for buyers.

With population expected to remain stable or decline, Kirwan - East should see reduced pressure on housing, potentially creating opportunities for buyers.

Kirwan - East has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 11 projects that could impact the area. Notable ones include Kirwan Health Campus Expansion, Willowbank Estate, Garbutt - Upper Ross Road (Riverway Drive) Stage 2 Duplication, and Kirwan Police Complex. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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

Kirwan - East has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. Essential services sectors are well represented, and the unemployment rate is 11.3%.

As of September 2025, there are 3,174 employed residents, with an unemployment rate of 7.2%, which is higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation is lower at 55.3% compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key industries include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. Public administration & safety has a significant presence with an employment share 1.5 times the regional level.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 0.9%, compared to the regional level of 4.5%. Over the year to September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 0.2% and employment declined by 3.3%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 2.8 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment grow by 1.7% and labour force expand by 2.1%. State-level data to 25-Nov shows Queensland employment contracted by 0.01%, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, closely aligned with the national rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts from May-25 project a growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Kirwan - East's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localized population projections.

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ended June 2022, Kirwan - East SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $47,740. The average income stood at $54,149. This is lower than national averages which were $50,780 and $64,844 respectively for Rest of Qld. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% from financial year ended June 2022 to September 2025, current estimates would be approximately $54,419 (median) and $61,724 (average). From the Census conducted in August 2021, household incomes in Kirwan - East fell between the 19th and 23rd percentiles nationally. The data shows that 29.9% of the population, which is 2,365 individuals, fall within the $1,500 to $2,999 income range. This is consistent with broader trends across the surrounding region where 31.7% fall in the same category. Housing affordability pressures are severe, 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 the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (33.9%) or rented (37.1%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, below Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,517 and the national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent figure was $273, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $305 and the national figure of $375.

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

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

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

The area's university qualification rate is 13.2%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 39.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (8.8%) and certificates (30.6%). Educational participation is high, with 30.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including primary (11.4%), secondary (9.3%), and tertiary (4.0%) levels.

Educational participation is notably high, with 30.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.4% in primary education, 9.3% in secondary education, and 4.0% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Transport analysis in Kirwan - East shows 28 active public transport stops operating. These are served by buses along four different routes, offering a total of 528 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy good transport accessibility, with an average distance of 218 meters to the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 75 trips per day across all routes, resulting in approximately 18 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Kirwan - East faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older age groups. The region has a low private health cover rate of approximately 47%, covering around 3,717 people, compared to 53.3% in the rest of Queensland and the national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues and arthritis are the most prevalent conditions, affecting 10.9% and 9.7% of residents respectively.

However, 59.8% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 67.8% in the rest of Queensland. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, with 20.0%, or 1,585 people, compared to 14.9% in the rest of Queensland. Health outcomes among seniors largely align with those of the general population.

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 was found to have a cultural diversity below average, with 86.3% of its population being Australian citizens, born in Australia (85.9%), and speaking English only at home (90.9%). Christianity was the predominant religion in Kirwan-East, comprising 56.3%, compared to 52.7% across the Rest of Qld. The top three ancestry groups were English (27.1%), Australian (27.0%), and Other (9.0%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal (7.8%) was overrepresented in Kirwan-East compared to the regional average of 5.0%. Similarly, Filipino (1.8% vs 1.1%) and Maori (0.6% vs 0.5%) were also more prevalent than the regional averages.

Kirwan - East's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age in Kirwan - East is 38 years, slightly below Rest of Qld's average of 41 but equal to Australia's median age of 38 years. The 15-24 age group comprises 14.4% of the population in Kirwan - East, higher than Rest of Qld's percentage. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort makes up 10.7%, lower than Rest of Qld's figure. According to post-2021 Census data, the 15-24 age group has increased from 13.0% to 14.4%, while the 25-34 cohort rose from 11.6% to 12.9%. Meanwhile, the 45-54 cohort decreased from 11.8% to 10.5%, and the 55-64 group fell from 11.9% to 10.7%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate 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.