Labrador

Population growth drivers in Labrador are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Labrador's population was 18,643 people according to the 2021 Census. By Feb 2026, it had increased to around 19,853, a rise of 1,210 people (6.5%). This growth is inferred from ABS estimates: the population was 19,529 in June 2024, with an additional 342 validated new addresses since the Census date. Labrador's population density of 3,970 persons per square kilometer places it within the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch, indicating high demand for land in the area. Labrador's growth rate of 6.5% since the census is close to that of the Rest of Qld (9.1%), demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population gains during recent periods.

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 released in 2023 based on 2021 data are used. 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 using a base year of 2022. By 2041, Labrador's population is forecast to increase by 7,262 persons, reflecting a gain of 35.0% over the 17 years based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Labrador when compared nationally

Labrador has averaged approximately 91 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 459 homes. As of FY26, 12 approvals have been recorded. Between FY21 and FY25, an average of 0.8 people moved to Labrador for each dwelling built. The average expected construction cost value of new homes was $319,000 during this period.

In FY26, there have been $3.4 million in commercial approvals. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Labrador had 20.0% more development per person over the past five years. New building activity showed 19.0% detached houses and 81.0% medium and high-density housing. There were approximately 399 people per dwelling approval in Labrador.

According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Labrador is projected to add 6,938 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth.

Labrador has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Twenty projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area. Key projects include Benowa Gardens Shopping Centre Redevelopment, Labrador-Brisbane Road & Marine Parade Stormwater Upgrade, Labrador-Carrara Road, Gold Coast Highway to Napper Road Cycleway, and Freedom Vantage Labrador. The following list details those likely to be 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.

The labour market performance in Labrador lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Labrador's workforce is skilled with well-represented essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 6.8% in September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 2.4% over the past year. As of this date, 9,806 residents were employed while the unemployment rate stood at 2.7%, higher than Rest of Qld's 4.1%.

Workforce participation was lower at 60.5% compared to Rest of Qld's 65.7%. Census responses showed that only 12.1% of residents worked from home, potentially impacted by Covid-19 lockdowns. Key employment sectors in Labrador are health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade. The area has a strong specialization in accommodation & food with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 0.4% compared to the regional average of 4.5%. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment increased by 2.4% while labour force grew by 2.2%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.2 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of Qld saw employment grow by 1.7%, labour force expand by 2.1%, and unemployment rise by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 indicate a potential future demand within Labrador. National employment is projected to increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying growth rates across industry sectors. Applying these projections to Labrador's employment mix suggests local employment should grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.8% over ten years.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

The latest postcode level ATO data from AreaSearch for the financial year 2023 shows that in Labrador SA2, median income is $47,148 and average income is $58,053. This is lower than the national averages of $53,146 (median) and $66,593 (average) for Rest of Qld. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, estimated median income in Labrador as of September 2025 would be approximately $51,820, with average income at around $63,806. Census data indicates that incomes in Labrador fall between the 12th and 20th percentiles nationally for household, family, and personal incomes. In Labrador, 28.6% of individuals (5,677 people) earn within the $800 - $1,499 range, compared to 31.7% in the metropolitan region who earn between $1,500 - $2,999. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 76.7% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 8th percentile nationally.

Labrador displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

The latest Census data shows that in Labrador, 19.1% of dwellings were houses while 80.9% were other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Labrador stood at 25.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 27.1% and rented ones at 47.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,517, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent in Labrador was $380, higher than Non-Metro Qld's figure of $345. Nationally, Labrador's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Labrador features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 55.5% of all households, including 15.6% couples with children, 24.8% couples without children, and 13.6% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 44.5%, with lone person households at 38.1% and group households comprising 6.3%. The median household size is 2.0 people, smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

Educational attainment in Labrador aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

Labrador Trail residents aged 15+ have 22.5% with university degrees, compared to Australia's 30.4%. This suggests potential for educational development. Bachelor degrees are most common at 15.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.1%) and graduate diplomas (1.9%). Vocational credentials are held by 40.0%, including advanced diplomas (12.6%) and certificates (27.4%).

Educational participation is high, with 26.2% currently enrolled in formal education: 7.1% in primary, 6.1% in tertiary, and 6.0% in secondary education.

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

Labrador has 72 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by six different routes that together facilitate 1,437 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 144 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to Labrador's primarily residential nature. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 86%. Vehicle ownership averages 0.9 per dwelling, which is below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, only 12.1% of residents work from home, a figure that may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 205 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 19 weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Labrador is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Labour data shows significant health issues in Labrador. AreaSearch's analysis found high mortality rates and widespread chronic conditions across both younger and older age groups. Only about 48% (~9,569 people) have private health cover, compared to 52.5% in the rest of Queensland (Rest of Qld) and a national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues affect 10.2% and arthritis impacts 9.9% of residents. About 63.2% claim no medical ailments, compared to 67.6% in Rest of Qld. Working-age adults face notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 22.8% (4,528 people) than the 20.4% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors present additional challenges, ranking even worse than the general population nationally.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Labrador was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Labrador's population, as per the 2016 Census, showed higher cultural diversity compared to most local markets, with 19.1% speaking a language other than English at home and 36.2% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion in Labrador, accounting for 46.0%. Notably, Judaism's representation stood at 0.3%, higher than the Rest of Qld average of 0.1%.

In terms of ancestry, the top groups were English (28.9%), Australian (20.4%), and Other (11.8%). Some ethnic groups showed significant differences: New Zealanders comprised 1.5% in Labrador compared to 0.9% regionally, Maori made up 1.9% versus 0.8%, and Serbians accounted for 0.6% against 0.1%.

Labrador hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Labrador's median age is 44 years, which is marginally higher than Rest of Qld's average of 41 years and considerably older than Australia's median age of 38 years. The age profile shows that the 25-34 year-olds are particularly prominent, making up 17.1% of Labrador's population, while the 5-14 year-old group is comparatively smaller at 6.1%. In the period since 2021, the percentage of the population aged 25 to 34 has grown from 14.3% to 17.1%, while the 15-24 age cohort increased from 10.2% to 11.2%. Conversely, the 5-14 year-old group declined from 8.3% to 6.1%, and the 45-54 year-old group dropped from 13.4% to 11.8%. Population forecasts for Labrador in 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to grow by 52%, adding 1,759 residents to reach a total of 5,156. Meanwhile, the 15-24 year-old group is expected to grow by a modest 8%, an increase of 170 people.