Manunda
Statistical Area - sa2

An assessment of population growth drivers in Manunda reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Manunda's population as of November 2025 is approximately 5,349, reflecting an increase of 158 people since the 2021 Census. The 2021 Census reported a population of 5,191. This change is inferred from ABS estimates and additional validated addresses. This results in a population density ratio of 1,258 persons per square kilometer, above national averages assessed by AreaSearch. Recent population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 71.6% of overall gains.

AreaSearch adopts 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 from 2023 based on 2021 data are used, applying proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Future population dynamics anticipate significant non-metropolitan area increases, with this area expected to expand by 1,568 persons to 2041, recording a gain of 29.2% over the 17 years.

The level of residential development activity in Manunda is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Manunda has recorded approximately four residential properties granted approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, 23 homes were approved, with one more approved so far in FY26. The population has declined recently, but housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with good buyer choice.

New properties are constructed at an average value of $492,000, which is higher than regional norms due to quality-focused development. In the current financial year, $13.3 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Manunda has significantly less development activity, 76.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties, although building activity has accelerated recently. Manunda's recent development has consisted entirely of detached houses, maintaining its suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space.

Developers are constructing more detached housing than the existing pattern implies, reflecting persistent strong demand for family homes despite densification trends. With around 710 people per dwelling approval, Manunda reflects a highly mature market. Population forecasts indicate that Manunda will gain 1,564 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Manunda has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 36thth percentile nationally

Area infrastructure changes significantly impact performance. AreaSearch identified 35 projects likely affecting the area. Notable ones include Stan Williams Park Upgrades, 164 & 172 Hoare Street development, 10-30 Pease Street Residential Development, Raintrees Shopping Centre Redevelopment, and 4 Mayers Street Apartments. Below are details of most relevant projects.

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

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

Manunda has a skilled workforce with notable representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 8.7%.

As of June 2025, there are 2,553 residents employed while the unemployment rate stands at 4.8%, which is 0.9% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation in Manunda is lower, at 54.9% compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key industries of employment among residents are health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade. Notably, the area has a high concentration in accommodation & food, with employment levels at 1.7 times the regional average.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented, with only 1.3% of Manunda's workforce compared to 4.5% in Rest of Qld. The ratio of 0.8 workers per resident indicates substantial local employment opportunities. Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force decreased by 1.5%, while employment declined by 4.2%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 2.5 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment growth of 1.8% and labour force growth of 2.0%, with a slight rise in unemployment rate of 0.2%. According to Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025, national employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. However, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Manunda's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.5% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

Manunda's median income among taxpayers was $40,413 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $50,262 during the same period. In comparison, Rest of Qld's median and average incomes were $50,780 and $64,844 respectively. Based on a Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, Manunda's estimated median income is approximately $46,067 as of September 2025, with the average being around $57,294. Census data indicates that household, family and personal incomes in Manunda fall between the 6th and 19th percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals that 29.5% of Manunda's population (1,577 individuals) earn within the $800 - $1,499 income range, unlike the surrounding region where the dominant range is $1,500 - $2,999 with 31.7%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Manunda, with only 80.0% of income remaining, ranking at the 6th percentile nationally.

Manunda features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Manunda's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 38.8% houses and 61.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 68.4% houses and 31.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Manunda stood at 21.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 21.9% and rented ones at 57.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,517. The median weekly rent in Manunda was $259, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $315. Nationally, Manunda's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 51.6% of all households, including 15.0% couples with children, 18.8% couples without children, and 16.0% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 48.4%, with lone person households at 43.0% and group households comprising 5.3%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.4.

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

The area has lower university qualification rates at 18.2% compared to the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 13.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.0%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Vocational credentials are held by 41.4% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 10.7% and certificates at 30.7%. Educational participation is high, with 30.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 9.2% in primary, 8.0% in secondary, and 4.2% pursuing tertiary education. Six schools operate within Manunda, educating approximately 8,284 students. The educational mix consists of two primary, three secondary, and one K-12 school. Manunda functions as an education hub with 154.9 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 22.5.

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

Transport analysis shows 21 active stops operating in Manunda, serving a mix of bus routes. These are covered by 5 individual routes, offering 640 weekly passenger trips combined. Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 255 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 91 trips per day across all routes, resulting in approximately 30 weekly trips per individual stop.

Manunda's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Manunda's health metrics closely align with national benchmarks. Common health conditions are seen across both young and old age cohorts at a fairly standard level. The rate of private health cover is extremely low, approximately 46% of the total population (~2,471 people), compared to 50.1% in the rest of Queensland and the national average of 55.3%.

Mental health issues and arthritis are the most common medical conditions, impacting 8.9 and 7.5% of residents respectively. 69.9% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 71.7% in the rest of Queensland. The area has 16.4% of residents aged 65 and over (878 people). Health outcomes among seniors are above average, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

Manunda was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Manunda has a higher cultural diversity than most local markets, with 30.4% of its population born overseas and 23.3% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Manunda, accounting for 47.7% of the population. Notably, the 'Other' religious category comprises 2.5% of Manunda's population, compared to 1.5% across the rest of Queensland.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups in Manunda are English (21.9%), Other (20.9%), and Australian (18.5%). There are also significant differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Australian Aboriginal is overrepresented at 8.7% compared to the regional average of 6.7%, Filipino at 2.5% versus 1.8%, and Korean at 0.7% versus 0.4%.

Manunda's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Manunda is 38 years, which is slightly below Rest of Qld's average of 41 but matches Australia's median age of 38 years. The 25-34 age group comprises 15.7% of Manunda's population, higher than Rest of Qld, while the 5-14 cohort makes up 9.6%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 25-34 age group has increased from 14.5% to 15.7%, and the 65-74 cohort has decreased from 10.1% to 8.6%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes in Manunda. The 25-34 age group is projected to grow by 53% (445 people), reaching 1,286 from the current 840. Conversely, the 15-24 cohort will show minimal growth of just 7% (54 people).