Lowood
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Lowood's population is approximately 15,382 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 1,185 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 14,197. The growth is inferred from the estimated resident population of 15,256 in June 2024 and an additional 275 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 24 persons per square kilometer. Lowood's population growth rate of 8.3% since the census is within 0.6 percentage points of the national average, indicating competitive growth trends. Interstate migration contributed approximately 58.2% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including natural growth and overseas migration being positive factors.

AreaSearch uses 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 adopted. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data for each age cohort. Based on projected demographic shifts, above median population growth is expected across the nation, with Lowood projected to increase by 3,303 persons to 2041, representing a total increase of 20.6% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Lowood among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Lowood has recorded approximately 99 residential properties granted approval annually over the past five financial years, totalling 496 homes. As of FY-26, 23 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.7 people per year moved to the area for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating a balanced supply and demand creating stable market conditions. The average construction cost value of new homes was $305,000.

In FY-26, $6.2 million in commercial approvals have been registered, reflecting the area's predominantly residential nature. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Lowood records about three-quarters the building activity per person and ranks among the 73rd percentile of areas assessed nationally. Recent development has comprised entirely detached dwellings, maintaining the area's low density character and attracting space-seeking buyers with around 193 people per dwelling approval.

Looking ahead, Lowood is projected to grow by 3,177 residents by 2041. Building activity is keeping pace with growth projections, though increased competition may be experienced by buyers as the population expands.

Lowood has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified eight projects that may impact this region. Notable initiatives include the Cunningham Highway Upgrade, South East Queensland Inland Rail Project, Ipswich City Plan 2025, and Ipswich Smart City Program. The following details those most relevant:.

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

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Employment performance in Lowood has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Lowood's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs, with prominent representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate stood at 5.1% as of June 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 0.9% over the preceding year.

In June 2025, 6,811 residents were employed, while the unemployment rate was 1.0% higher than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation in Lowood was at 55.0%, significantly lower than Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Key industries for employment among residents included health care & social assistance, construction, and manufacturing. Notably, agriculture, forestry & fishing showed a high concentration with employment levels at 6.9 times the regional average.

Conversely, professional & technical services had lower representation at 4.3% compared to the regional average of 8.9%. Employment opportunities locally appeared limited, as indicated by the difference between Census working population and resident population. Over the year to June 2025, employment levels increased by 0.9%, and labour force grew by 0.2%, leading to a fall in unemployment rate by 0.6 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Brisbane recorded employment growth of 4.4% and labour force growth of 4.0%, with unemployment falling by 0.4 percentage points. For future insights, Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest that while national employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates vary significantly across industry sectors. Applying these projections to Lowood's employment mix indicates potential local growth of approximately 5.8% over five years and 12.6% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localized population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Lowood had a median taxpayer income of $51,812 and an average income of $58,339. These figures are below the national averages of $55,645 and $70,520 in Greater Brisbane respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, estimated median and average incomes for Lowood as of September 2025 would be approximately $59,060 and $66,501 respectively. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Lowood rank modestly, between the 19th and 32nd percentiles. Income distribution data indicates that 33.5% of Lowood's population (5,152 individuals) fall within the $1,500-$2,999 income range, similar to regional levels where 33.3% occupy this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Lowood, with only 84.8% of income remaining, ranking at the 34th percentile.

Lowood is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Lowood's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 97.1% houses and 2.8% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Brisbane metro had 96.6% houses and 3.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Lowood was at 34.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 42.6% and rented ones at 22.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,517, aligning with Brisbane metro's average, while the median weekly rent was $310, compared to Brisbane metro's $1,517 and $300 respectively. Nationally, Lowood's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Lowood features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 77.3% of all households, including 32.1% couples with children, 30.3% couples without children, and 13.7% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 22.7%, with lone person households at 19.9% and group households making up 2.8%. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

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

The area has university qualification rates of 11.8%, significantly lower than the Greater Brisbane average of 30.5%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 8.3%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.8%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.7%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 43.4% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 9.9% and certificates at 33.5%. Educational participation is high, with 29.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 12.6% in primary, 9.6% in secondary, and 2.8% in tertiary education.

There are 11 schools serving 1,934 students in the area, with educational conditions varying across Lowood. Education provision is balanced, featuring 10 primary and 1 secondary school serving distinct age groups.

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

Lowood has 15 active public transport stops. These stops are served by buses only. There is 1 route operating, offering a total of 26 weekly passenger trips.

Transport access in Lowood is limited, with residents on average located 2256 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 3 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 1 weekly trip per individual stop.

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

Lowood faces significant health challenges, as indicated by its health data. Both younger and older age groups show a high prevalence of common health conditions.

Only approximately 49% of Lowood's total population (~7,521 people) has private health cover, which is lower than the national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues and arthritis are the most prevalent medical conditions in the area, affecting 11.1% and 10.3% of residents respectively. However, 60.7% of Lowood's residents report having no medical ailments, which is similar to Greater Brisbane's 60.9%. The proportion of seniors aged 65 and over in Lowood is 20.2% (3,108 people), slightly lower than Greater Brisbane's 21.8%. Health outcomes among seniors in Lowood present some challenges, generally aligned with the overall population's health profile.

Lowood is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Lowood had a cultural diversity profile as follows: 90.3% citizens, 87.9% born in Australia, and 96.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion with 50.8%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 54.9%. Ancestry wise, Australian (30.9%), English (30.6%), and German (8.2%) were the top groups.

Notable differences existed for Australian Aboriginal (3.9% vs regional 3.2%), New Zealand (0.8% vs 0.7%), and Maltese (0.5% vs 0.2%).

Lowood's median age exceeds the national pattern

Lowood has a median age of 41, which is higher than Greater Brisbane's figure of 36 and Australia's figure of 38 years. Compared to Greater Brisbane's average, Lowood has a notably over-represented cohort of 65-74 year-olds (12.2%) and an under-represented group of 25-34 year-olds (9.0%). Between 2021 and the present, the 75 to 84 age group has increased from 5.2% to 6.8%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort has decreased from 15.3% to 13.8%, and the 25 to 34 group has dropped from 10.3% to 9.0%. Demographic modeling indicates that Lowood's age profile will significantly evolve by 2041. The 65 to 74 age cohort is projected to expand by 838 people (45%), growing from 1,868 to 2,707. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are expected to account for 61% of total population growth, reflecting Lowood's aging demographic profile. Meanwhile, the 35 to 44 and 0 to 4 cohorts are projected to experience population declines.