Chart Color Schemes
This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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Sales Activity
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Sales Detail
What it costs to rent in Lawnton
Median weekly rents, year-on-year movement and bond-lodgement activity for Lawnton (4500). Sourced from the NSW Rental Bond Board, DCJ Family & Community Services.
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| Dwelling | Bedrooms | Median $/wk | Active bonds | New bonds (Qtr) | YoY | Quality |
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SOURCE: NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ Family & Community Services), processed by AreaSearch. Imputed values are flagged. Latest publication:
Population
Lawnton lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends
Lawnton's population was around 8,227 as of May 2026. This reflected an increase of 1,132 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 7,095 people. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 8,120 from the ABS in June 2025 and an additional 389 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equated to a density ratio of 884 persons per square kilometer, which was relatively in line with averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Lawnton's growth rate of 16.0% since the 2021 census exceeded both the national average (9.3%) and the SA3 area average. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration, contributing approximately 53.3% of overall population gains during recent periods.
AreaSearch adopted ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections were used, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. Exceptional growth was predicted over the period to 2041, with the area expected to increase by 3,910 persons, reflecting an overall increase of 46.2%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
The level of residential development activity in Lawnton was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country
Lawnton has received approximately 102 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 514 homes. As of FY-26, 74 approvals have been recorded. On average, each dwelling has accommodated 2.3 new residents per year between FY-21 and FY-25, reflecting strong demand that supports property values. The average expected construction cost value for these dwellings is $219,000, which is below regional norms, indicating more affordable housing options.
In FY-26, $7.8 million in commercial approvals have been registered, suggesting limited focus on commercial development. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Lawnton has 163.0% more building activity per person, offering buyers ample choice and reflecting strong developer confidence in the area. New developments consist of 87.0% detached dwellings and 13.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving Lawnton's low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. With around 85 people per dwelling approval, Lawnton exhibits characteristics of a growth area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Lawnton is projected to add 3,803 residents by 2041.
Construction pace is maintaining with population growth projections, but buyers may face increasing competition as the population rises.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Lawnton
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
Infrastructure
Lawnton has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally
Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 30 projects that could affect this region. Notable ones include the Strathpine Major Regional Activity Centre Master Plan, Petrie Central Retail and Residential Precinct Expansion, Strathpine-Samford Road Intersection Safety Upgrade, and Les Hughes Sports Complex Master Plan Implementation. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre
A 205 million dollar multi-sport facility planned within the Moreton Bay Central precinct (formerly The Mill) at Petrie, adjacent to Petrie train station. The centre will deliver 12 multi-purpose courts across two halls supporting basketball, netball, volleyball, futsal, badminton, pickleball, gymnastics and wheelchair rugby. Earmarked as a venue for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games with a Games-time spectator capacity of approximately 10,000, it is currently proposed to host boxing. Beyond 2032 the venue will operate as a community and regional sporting hub owned and run by City of Moreton Bay Council. The scope includes a cafe, athlete change rooms, more than 300 car parks, meeting rooms, offices and outdoor green space, and the building will target a 6-Star Green Star rating. Populous has been appointed as Principal Architect, with Aurecon and Northrop providing engineering services. Council has commenced enabling works on site and main construction is anticipated to begin in 2027 ahead of completion before the 2032 Games.
Strathpine Major Regional Activity Centre Master Plan
The Strathpine Major Regional Activity Centre (MRAC) Master Plan is a long-term strategic framework adopted by the City of Moreton Bay (formerly Moreton Bay Regional Council) to guide the transformation of Strathpine into a higher-density, transit-oriented mixed-use centre. The plan focuses development around Strathpine and Bray Park railway stations and along Gympie Road, and sets out a network of 'spines' including a Civic Spine linking the South Pine River to the rail station, a Centre Spine of urban plazas along Gympie Road, a Recreation Spine, an Environmental Spine along Four Mile Creek, and a Park Spine, all knitted together by a Green Web of streets and open space. The master plan informs the Strathpine Centre zone provisions in the MBRC Planning Scheme. In January 2026 Council resolved to replace the decade-old MBRC Planning Scheme 2016 with a new city-wide planning scheme, which will carry the master plan's intent forward through revised statutory controls.
Petrie Central Retail and Residential Precinct Expansion
An expansion of the existing Petrie Central shopping centre within the Moreton Bay Central Priority Development Area (formerly The Mill at Moreton Bay). The project includes additional retail floor space, a larger supermarket, and new integrated upper-level residential or commercial towers. It aims to transform the centre into a multi-purpose community hub supporting the growing University of the Sunshine Coast Moreton Bay campus nearby.
Strathpine Centre Redevelopment
Centre-wide redevelopment of Strathpine Centre delivering an Entertainment and Leisure Precinct, new and upgraded casual dining, cinema improvements and family entertainment (bowling and arcade), plus provisions for a child care centre. Works were staged from 2020 and key tenancies opened from mid-2021.
The Country Club Hotel & Entertainment Complex
A $50 million flagship entertainment and sporting precinct by Comiskey Group at the historic Country Club Hotel site in Strathpine. Features a rebuilt hotel with indoor/outdoor dining, bars, gaming, steakhouse, American BBQ pit, 8-lane bowling alley, 2 pickleball courts, virtual baseball simulators, 4 karaoke rooms, half-sized basketball courts, arcade, outdoor live music stage, and an adjacent 6,000sqm Area 51 indoor play centre (climbing walls, trampoline park, etc.) plus food precinct including Guzman Y Gomez. Site works underway with staged openings targeting early 2026.
Les Hughes Sports Complex Master Plan Implementation
Staged implementation of the Les Hughes Sports Complex master plan in Bray Park, including completed upgrades to playing fields, internal roads and carparks, shared rugby and baseball clubhouse, new field lighting and irrigation, and the approved $4.5 million netball clubhouse and car park expansion for Pine Rivers Netball Association. The project delivers district-level community sport infrastructure serving Bray Park, Lawnton, Strathpine and surrounding suburbs.
Les Hughes Sports Complex - Netball Clubhouse
A new $4.5 million netball clubhouse approved for construction at Les Hughes Sports Complex to replace the 40-year-old existing structure. The facility will serve the Pine Rivers Netball Association's 2,000 members across 11 local netball clubs and schools. Features include change rooms with toilets and showers, amenities with breezeway, timekeeper and office spaces, canteen and club room, medical and store rooms, BBQ area with landscaping, external covered deck with seating, tiered seating area, and a 74-space car park extension including 4 PWD spaces and ambulance bay. The project will support the growing residential population in southern Moreton Bay and enhance women's sport development in the region. Construction is scheduled for 2024-2026 with completion expected before December 2026.
Youngs Crossing Road Upgrade
The project involves upgrading Youngs Crossing Road at Joyner, where it crosses the North Pine River, to improve flood immunity, safety, and vehicle capacity due to expected population and traffic growth. It includes constructing a new bridge approximately 200 metres long, located west of the current road, spanning more than one kilometre from Protheroe Road to Dayboro Road. Key features include a signalised intersection at Protheroe Road, maintained access to Youngs Crossing Park, a lookout platform, fauna movement provisions, koala exclusion fencing, and extensive landscaping with tree planting.
Employment
AreaSearch assessment indicates Lawnton faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets
Lawnton has a balanced workforce comprising white and blue collar jobs, with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 9.7% as of December 2025. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 1.9%.
As of December 2025, 4,029 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 5.6%, higher than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation in Lawnton is similar to Greater Brisbane's 69.6%. According to Census responses, 14.9% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Employment among residents is concentrated in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction.
Construction employment levels are notably high at 1.2 times the regional average. Professional & technical employment is limited at 5.3%, compared to the regional average of 8.9%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, with a lower proportion of Census working population compared to resident population. Over the 12-month period ending in December 2025, employment increased by 1.9% and labour force grew by 1.8%, keeping the unemployment rate relatively stable. In contrast, Greater Brisbane saw employment rise by 3.2%, labour force grow by 3.0%, and unemployment fall by 0.1 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Lawnton's employment mix, local employment is estimated to increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.3% over ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis
Lawnton SA2's median income among taxpayers in financial year 2023 was $56,751. The average income stood at $62,181 during the same period. In comparison, Greater Brisbane had a median income of $58,236 and an average income of $72,799. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Lawnton SA2 would be approximately $63,198 (median) and $69,245 (average) as of March 2026. Census data shows that household, family, and personal incomes in Lawnton rank modestly, between the 35th and 47th percentiles. The largest income bracket comprises 34.9% earning between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, with 2,871 residents falling into this category. This is consistent with broader trends across the broader area, where 33.3% fall into the same income category. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Lawnton SA2, with only 81.1% of income remaining, ranking at the 32nd percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Lawnton is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region
Lawnton's dwellings, as per the latest Census, consisted of 72.4% houses and 27.7% other dwellings. In Brisbane metro, this was 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Lawnton stood at 20.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 39.7% and rented ones at 39.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,602, below Brisbane metro's $1,863. Median weekly rent was $340, compared to Brisbane metro's $380. Nationally, Lawnton's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Lawnton features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size
Family households account for 68.5% of all households, including 27.9% couples with children, 23.0% couples without children, and 16.0% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 31.5%, with lone person households at 27.5% and group households comprising 4.0% of the total. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Educational outcomes in Lawnton fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment
The area's university qualification rate is 17.3%, significantly lower than Greater Brisbane's average of 30.5%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.4%) and graduate diplomas (2.4%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 42.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 11.2% and certificates at 30.9%. Educational participation is high, with 28.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.
This includes 10.1% in primary, 7.8% in secondary, and 4.0% in tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is good compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
Lawnton has 50 active public transport stops serving a mix of train and bus services. These stops are covered by 36 different routes that facilitate 1,955 weekly passenger trips in total. The average distance from residents' homes to the nearest transport stop is 189 meters, indicating excellent accessibility. As a predominantly residential area, most commuters travel outward. Cars remain the primary mode of transportation, used by 82% of residents, while trains account for 12%. On average, there are 1.3 vehicles per dwelling.
According to the 2021 Census, 14.9% of residents work from home, which may be partly due to COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency across all routes averages 279 trips per day, equating to approximately 39 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Health performance in Lawnton is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts
Lawnton faces significant health challenges, as identified by AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Multiple health conditions affect both younger and older age groups, with approximately 50% (~4146 people) having private health cover, compared to Greater Brisbane's 55.8%. Nationally, the average is 55.7%.
Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent conditions, affecting 11.9% and 9.3% of residents respectively. However, 63.6% claim to be free from medical ailments, compared to Greater Brisbane's 69.2%. The working-age population faces notable health challenges due to high chronic condition rates. Lawnton has 13.8% (1132 people) of residents aged 65 and over, lower than Greater Brisbane's 15.1%. While senior health outcomes align with national rankings, they present some challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
Lawnton ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics
Lawnton exhibited lower cultural diversity, with 87.7% citizens, 80.4% born in Australia, and 91.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion at 46.5%. The 'Other' category was underrepresented compared to Greater Brisbane (0.9% vs 1.3%).
Top ancestry groups were English (28.7%), Australian (28.0%), and Scottish (7.9%). Some ethnic groups showed notable differences: Maori was overrepresented at 1.3% in Lawnton, Samoan at 0.7%, and New Zealand at 0.9%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Lawnton's population is younger than the national pattern
Lawnton has a median age of 34, which is slightly lower than Greater Brisbane's figure of 36 and significantly below Australia's median age of 38. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Lawnton has a higher proportion of residents aged 0-4 (6.9%) but fewer residents aged 55-64 (9.1%). Between the 2021 Census and the present day, the population aged 35-44 has increased from 14.3% to 15.8%, while the proportion of those aged 65-74 has decreased from 8.2% to 6.9%. By the year 2041, significant demographic changes are projected for Lawnton. The population aged 45-54 is expected to grow by 66%, adding 633 residents to reach a total of 1,592 in that age group.