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 is 5,349 as of Aug 2025. This shows an increase of 158 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,191. The change is inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 5,345 in June 2024 and three validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density of 1,258 persons per square kilometer, above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed approximately 71.6% of overall 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 and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are used. Future population dynamics anticipate significant growth in the top quartile of Australia's non-metropolitan areas, with Manunda 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. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis: 23 homes over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, and zero so far in FY-26. Despite population decline in the area, development activity has been adequate relative to other regions, which may positively impact buyers due to increased supply of new dwellings at an average construction cost value of $519,000, consistent with regional patterns. This year, $13.3 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating moderate levels of commercial development compared to the rest of Queensland, where Manunda has significantly less development activity, 76.0% below the regional average per person.

This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing homes, although building activity has accelerated in recent years. Recent development has consisted entirely of detached houses, maintaining the area's suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space. Developers are constructing more detached housing than the existing pattern implies (39.0% at Census), suggesting persistent strong demand for family homes. With around 710 people per dwelling approval, Manunda reflects a highly mature market. Population forecasts indicate 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

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 34 projects that could impact this region. Notable ones are Stan Williams Park Upgrades, 164 & 172 Hoare Street and 10-30 Pease Street Residential Development, Raintrees Shopping Centre Redevelopment, and 4 Mayers Street Apartments. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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

Manunda has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate in June 2025 was 8.7%.

As of this date, 2,553 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 4.8% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%, indicating room for improvement. Workforce participation was somewhat below standard at 54.9%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key industries of employment among residents included health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade. Manunda demonstrated notable concentration in accommodation & food, with employment levels at 1.7 times the regional average.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing was under-represented, with only 1.3% of Manunda's workforce compared to 4.5% in Rest of Qld. The ratio of 0.8 workers for each resident indicated substantial local employment opportunities. In the 12-month period prior to June 2025, labour force decreased by 1.5%, and employment declined by 4.2%, resulting in an unemployment rate rise of 2.5 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld experienced employment growth of 1.8% and labour force growth of 2.0%, with a 0.2 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. As of Sep-25, state-level data showed Queensland employment contracted by 0.23% (losing 8,070 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%. This compared favourably to the national unemployment rate of 4.5%, but lagged behind national employment growth of 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 projected national employment expansion by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying growth rates between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Manunda's employment mix suggested local growth of approximately 6.5% over five years and 13.6% over ten years.

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

Manunda's median income among taxpayers in financial year 2022 was $40,413. The average income stood at $50,262 during the same period. These figures are lower compared to Rest of Qld's $50,780 and $64,844 respectively. According to Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year 2022, estimated median income as of March 2025 is approximately $45,145, with average income estimated at $56,148 during the same period. 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, equating to 1,577 individuals, fall within the $800 - $1,499 income range. This differs from patterns across the surrounding region where $1,500 - $2,999 dominates 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 structures, as per the latest Census data, comprised 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 was at 21.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 21.9% and rented ones at 57.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,300, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,517. Median weekly rent in Manunda was recorded at $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 constitute 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 account for 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

Manunda's university qualification rate is 18.2%, substantially lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.0%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 41.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.7%) and certificates (30.7%). Educational participation is high at 30.6%, comprising 9.2% in primary education, 8.0% in secondary education, and 4.2% pursuing tertiary education.

Manunda operates six schools educating approximately 8,284 students, including two primary, three secondary, and one K-12 school. It functions as an education hub with 154.9 school places per 100 residents, significantly higher than the regional average of 22.5, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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 stops are serviced by five individual routes, collectively providing 640 weekly passenger trips. 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, equating to approximately 30 weekly trips per 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. Approximately 46% of Manunda's total population (~2,471 people) have private health cover, compared to Rest of Qld's 50.1% 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. About 69.9% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to Rest of Qld's 71.7%. Manunda 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's population shows high cultural diversity, with 30.4% born overseas and 23.3% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, accounting for 47.7%. The percentage of Other religions is higher in Manunda (2.5%) compared to Rest of Qld (1.5%).

In terms of ancestry, the top groups are English (21.9%), Other (20.9%), and Australian (18.5%). Notably, Australian Aboriginal, Filipino, and Korean ethnicities have a higher representation in Manunda compared to regional averages: 8.7% vs 6.7%, 2.5% vs 1.8%, and 0.7% vs 0.4% respectively.

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 aligns with Australia's median age of 38. The 25-34 age group constitutes 15.7% of Manunda's population, higher than Rest of Qld's figure, while the 5-14 cohort makes up 9.6%, which is lower compared to Rest of Qld. According to data from the 2021 Census, the proportion of people aged 25 to 34 has increased from 14.5% to 15.7%. Conversely, the percentage of individuals aged 65 to 74 has decreased from 10.1% to 8.6%. Population projections for 2041 suggest significant demographic changes in Manunda. Notably, the 25-34 age group is forecasted to grow by 53%, adding 445 people and reaching a total of 1,286 from its current figure of 840. In contrast, the 15-24 cohort is expected to grow by only 7%, an increase of 54 people.