McDowall
Statistical Area - sa2

McDowall has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

As of August 2025, McDowall's population is approximately 9,066, showing a growth of 1,148 people since the 2021 Census. The 2021 Census recorded a population of 7,918 in McDowall. This increase reflects an estimated resident population of 8,602 in June 2024 and 334 additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2,065 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. McDowall's population growth rate of 14.5% since the 2021 Census surpasses both the SA4 region (8.3%) and the national average, positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Interstate migration contributed approximately 49.2% to overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including overseas migration and natural growth being positive factors.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are used, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age cohort are applied where necessary. Looking ahead to future population dynamics, McDowall is expected to experience a population increase just below the median of statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch. By 2041, based on the latest population numbers, the area is projected to increase by 755 persons, reflecting an overall increase of approximately 3.2% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees McDowall among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

McDowall has averaged approximately 55 new dwelling approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis, with 279 dwellings approved over the past five financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), and 23 approved so far in FY-26. On average, each dwelling built has resulted in approximately 2.3 new residents per year over the past five financial years. This suggests solid demand for new homes, which supports property values.

New homes are being constructed at an average expected cost of $565,000, moderately above regional levels, indicating a focus on quality construction. Additionally, commercial approvals totalling $1.6 million have been registered this financial year, suggesting a predominantly residential focus in McDowall compared to Greater Brisbane. Over the past five years, McDowall has had 13.0% more development per person than the regional average, maintaining good buyer choice while supporting existing property values. Recent construction comprises 12.0% detached dwellings and 88.0% townhouses or apartments, marking a significant shift from the current housing pattern of 86.0% houses. This trend suggests diminishing developable land availability and responds to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs.

With around 185 people per dwelling approval, McDowall exhibits characteristics of a growth area. Looking ahead, it is projected that McDowall will grow by approximately 291 residents through to the year 2041. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating further population growth beyond current projections.

McDowall has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Area infrastructure changes significantly affect local performance. Five projects identified by AreaSearch may impact the region. Notable projects include Cove McDowell, Everton Park Urban Village, Old Northern Road Childcare Centre, and MONARC Mixed-Use Precinct. The following details these potentially relevant projects.

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

AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees McDowall performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

McDowall has an educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate is 2.0% and it has seen a 10.3% employment growth over the past year, as of June 2025.

There are 5,214 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.1%, lower than Greater Brisbane's 4.1%. Workforce participation is high at 71.5%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and education & training, with a notable concentration in the latter at 1.6 times the regional average. Manufacturing has limited presence at 3.7% compared to 6.4% regionally.

Over the year to June 2025, employment increased by 10.3%, labour force by 10.6%, raising unemployment by 0.2 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Brisbane had employment growth of 4.4% and a fall in unemployment of 0.4%. State-wide in Queensland to Sep-25, employment contracted by 0.23% with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, favourable compared to the national rate of 4.5%. National forecasts from May 2025 project total employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to McDowall's industry mix suggests local growth of approximately 7.0% over five years and 14.4% over ten years.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 indicates McDowall's median income among taxpayers is $62,800, with an average of $75,619. This is notably high compared to national figures and Greater Brisbane's median of $55,645 and average of $70,520. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year 2022, current estimates suggest approximately $70,154 (median) and $84,474 (average) as of March 2025. Census data shows household, family, and personal incomes in McDowall rank highly nationally, between the 83rd and 90th percentiles. Income distribution reveals 33.7% of the population (3,055 individuals) earn within the $1,500 - $2,999 range, aligning with surrounding regions where this cohort represents 33.3%. Notably, 38.8% earn above $3,000 weekly, reflecting areas of prosperity driving local economic activity. After housing costs, residents retain 87.4% of income, indicating strong purchasing power and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

McDowall is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

McDowall's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census data, comprised 85.7% houses and 14.3% other dwellings. In comparison, Brisbane metro had 77.8% houses and 22.1% other dwellings. The home ownership level in McDowall was at 36.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 40.1% and rented ones at 23.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,167, higher than Brisbane metro's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent figure in McDowall was recorded at $460, compared to Brisbane metro's $430. Nationally, McDowall's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households represent 83.2% of all households, consisting of 43.6% couples with children, 29.6% couples without children, and 9.0% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 16.8%, with lone person households at 14.6% and group households comprising 2.5%. The median household size is 2.8 people, larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.7.

McDowall demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

McDowall's educational attainment notably exceeds broader benchmarks. As of 2021, 37.7% of its residents aged 15+ hold university qualifications, compared to 25.7% in Queensland and 30.4% nationally. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 24.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (9.3%) and graduate diplomas (4.0%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 30.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 11.7% and certificates at 19.1%.

Educational participation is high, with 30.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education as of 2021. This includes 10.0% in primary education, 8.5% in secondary education, and 6.5% pursuing tertiary education. McDowall State School and Northside Christian College serve a total of 2,248 students, demonstrating significant socio-educational advantages with an ICSEA score of 1132. The educational mix includes one primary school and one K-12 school. As of 2021, the area functions as an education hub with 24.8 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 11.5.

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

McDowall has 24 active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These stops serve a mix of bus routes totaling eight individual routes. Together, these routes facilitate 911 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of transport in McDowell is rated as good, with residents typically residing 216 meters away from the nearest transport stop. On average, service frequency across all routes amounts to 130 trips per day, equating to approximately 37 weekly trips per individual stop.

McDowall's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics indicates strong performance across McDowall.

Both younger and older age cohorts exhibit low prevalence of common health conditions. Approximately 57% (~5,176 people) of the total population has private health cover, a rate found to be very high. The most prevalent medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and asthma, affecting 7.6 and 7.4% of residents respectively. A total of 71.7% of residents claim to be completely free from medical ailments, compared to 70.5% across Greater Brisbane. McDowell has 15.5% (1,404 people) of its population aged 65 and over, which is lower than the 16.6% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, broadly aligning with the general population's health profile.

McDowall 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

McDowell was found to have a higher cultural diversity compared to most local markets, with 25.0% of its population born overseas and 17.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The predominant religion in McDowell is Christianity, accounting for 59.5% of the population, which is slightly higher than the 54.6% figure across Greater Brisbane. When considering ancestry based on parents' country of birth, the top three groups in McDowell are English (24.9%), Australian (24.8%), and Irish (9.0%).

Notably, some ethnic groups have different representations compared to regional averages: Italian is overrepresented at 5.4% in McDowell versus 3.8% regionally, South African representation remains the same at 0.7%, while Indian is underrepresented at 3.1% compared to the regional average of 4.3%.

McDowall's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

McDowall's median age is 38, slightly higher than Greater Brisbane's 36 but equal to Australia's 38 years. The 5-14 age group comprises 13.9%, compared to Greater Brisbane's figure, while the 25-34 cohort makes up 10.8%. Between January 2021 and January 2022, the 75-84 age group grew from 4.4% to 5.4% of McDowall's population. Conversely, the 55-64 age group declined from 11.8% to 11.0%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in McDowall's age structure. The 45-54 group is expected to grow by 21%, adding 255 people and reaching 1,489 from 1,233. The aging population trend is evident, with those aged 65 and above accounting for 54% of projected growth. Meanwhile, the 15-24 and 5-14 age cohorts are projected to experience population declines.