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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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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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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New Farm has an estimated 13,895 residents, up from 12,454 at the 2021 Census — a change of 1,441 people, or 11.6%. Growth has averaged 1.0% a year over five years, faster than 76% of areas nationally. 133 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Overseas migration accounts for 99.6% of that increase. That puts 6,493 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
AreaSearch evaluates New Farm's population at approximately 13,895 as of Aug 2026. This represents an addition of 1,441 people (11.6%) relative to the 12,454 individuals counted in the 2021 Census. Such movement combines the ABS June 2025 estimated resident population of 13,880 alongside 133 validated new addresses registered following the Census. With 6,493 persons per square kilometer, the locality falls in the top 10% nationwide for population density, making local land exceptionally sought-after. New Farm outpaced broader trends with its 11.6% post-2021 census surge beating both the state and the 9.5% national benchmark.
Recent demographic expansion was almost entirely propelled by incoming overseas migrants. Projections utilize ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 figures published in 2024 (2022 base year), supplemented beyond 2032 or where missing by 2023 Queensland State Government releases (2021 base year). Because state releases omit age brackets, proportional weightings from the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region data (2022 base year) are integrated. Looking ahead, prospective growth sits slightly beneath median benchmarks across AreaSearch statistical areas, with New Farm modeled to gain 1,321 persons by 2041 compared to recent annual ERP data, marking an overall 9.4% rise over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
189 new dwellings have been approved in New Farm over the past five years, an average of 37 a year. That places the area in the 65th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 3 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 38 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 13% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Around 37 residential dwellings receive building permits each year in New Farm, accumulating to 189 homes across the preceding 5 financial years. With 3.7 incoming residents per dwelling finished between FY-22 and FY-26, construction activity fails to match resident influx, compounding competitive buying and boosting pricing levels. Construction costs average $1,239,000 per dwelling, showing that home builders are primarily focusing on high-end, luxury stock. Meanwhile, commercial project approvals reached $21.4 million during the ongoing financial year, underlining continuous commercial capital inflow. Per-capita building volume in New Farm sits 82.0% below the Greater Brisbane norm, an undersupply that supports existing property values despite recent pickups in approvals.
Local output also trails nationwide levels, highlighting urban maturation alongside physical planning restrictions. Approvals consist of 13.0% detached dwellings against 87.0% medium and high-density formats, a balance offering relatively accessible options suited to downsizers, first-home buyers, and property investors. The market records roughly 296 people per dwelling permit. AreaSearch's newest quarterly calculations indicate New Farm will expand by 1,306 residents up to 2041. While current construction tracks reasonably against demographic forecasts, ongoing population gains could tighten market conditions for future purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around New Farm
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 11 current infrastructure and development projects inside New Farm, worth an estimated $549 million. A further 189 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $367.6 billion. 55 are already under construction and 100 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and transport & logistics. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Infrastructure works, planning schemes, and major developments exert substantial influence over localized market performance. AreaSearch tracks 54 projects positioned to shape the district, with principal developments including Howard Smith Wharves, Moray House, and two separate James Place projects.
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
James Place
James Place is a six to seven level mixed-use retail, dining, wellness and boutique office precinct by Forme on James Street. The project includes about 4,200 sqm of retail, 4,500 sqm of office space, restaurants, a central plaza, landscaped terraces, dual street frontages and a rooftop venue. Construction is underway by Graya, with completion expected in late 2026 to early 2027.
James Place
James Place is a major mixed-use precinct by Forme at 75-85 James Street, Fortitude Valley. Designed by Richards & Spence, built by Graya and landscaped by Wild Studio, the seven-level project includes about 4,200 sqm of retail, 4,500 sqm of office space, hospitality tenancies, landscaped terraces, 190 car spaces and a central piazza connecting the James Street precinct. The project is under construction, with Forme reporting a construction timeline from mid 2024 to early 2027 and recent updates noting the structure is rising above ground.
Moray House
Luxury riverfront development featuring six exclusive full-floor residences in New Farm, Brisbane. A collaboration between Spyre Group and bureau proberts architects, the project offers a premium lifestyle with direct Brisbane River access and uninterrupted views of the Story Bridge. The design includes bespoke finishes, a sky garage, and wellness facilities.
Riverton
Designed by Bureau Proberts, Riverton is an ultra-exclusive riverfront development in New Farm consisting of five full-floor luxury apartments. The six-storey building features three and four-bedroom residences with private courtyards, premium stone and timber finishes, and a residents pool area, offering uninterrupted views of the Brisbane River and city skyline.
The Bedford by Mosaic
The Bedford by Mosaic is a mixed-use luxury apartment development on a long-vacant Kangaroo Point site. The project includes premium 2- and 3-bedroom residences and sky homes over 17 levels, rooftop resort-style resident amenities, and ground-floor retail anchored by a full-line Woolworths supermarket, cafe and liquor store. Mosaic reports construction has commenced and recent progress updates describe basement works advancing toward ground level.
Elystan Road Drainage Upgrade
The Elystan Road Drainage Upgrade was a critical flood resilience project that installed new underground stormwater pipes, manhole chambers, and roadside gullies in New Farm. Part of the broader New Farm Park Upgrades 2025 program, the project utilized micro-tunnelling techniques to install infrastructure with minimal surface disruption and community impact. The works were successfully completed in mid-2025 to protect local residents and businesses from severe weather events.
Rotherham Hotel
A 16-level boutique luxury hotel redevelopment of the existing Il Mondo Hotel site in Kangaroo Point. Designed by Plus Architecture, the 15,500 sqm development will feature 179 guest rooms, wellness facilities, a rooftop infinity pool, and conference spaces. The architectural design is inspired by the Story Bridge, featuring green brickwork and distinctive porthole windows.
Bowen Tce
Fortis has received development approval for Bowen Tce, a residential redevelopment of the former Ozcare/Palm Lodge aged care site at 424 Bowen Terrace, New Farm. The DKO-designed proposal comprises 74 large apartments and four architecturally designed freehold homes on a 5,727 sqm corner site, arranged around landscaped communal open space with gardens, pool, spa and wellness facilities.
9,041 residents of New Farm are employed, from a labour force of 9,529. Unemployment sits at 5.1%, with participation at 75.2%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 7.5% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 11,500, about 83% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
A well-qualified workforce characterizes New Farm, which demonstrates high concentrations in professional services, an unemployment rate of 5.1%, and annual jobs growth of 1.4%. Employed residents numbered 9,041 as of March 2026. Local joblessness exceeds Greater Brisbane's 4.3% by 0.8%, whereas labor participation is markedly elevated at 75.2% against 70.1% across Greater Brisbane. In addition, 29.4% of working residents noted working from home on their Census forms, an outcome subject to Covid-19 restrictions at the time. Key employment sectors for the resident labor pool are professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and accommodation & food.
Specialization in professional & technical fields is notable, capturing 2.2 times the Greater Brisbane proportion. Conversely, construction accounts for 5.4% locally versus 9.0% regionally. The disparity between Census working population numbers and resident numbers underscores that this primarily residential area has limited local job opportunities. AreaSearch review of ABS and SALM metrics over the 12-month timeframe shows local employment grew 1.4% while the labor pool expanded 2.3%, leading to an unemployment lift of 0.8 percentage points. For comparison, Greater Brisbane saw jobs rise 3.2%, labor force increase 3.4%, and unemployment edge up 0.1 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts from Mar-26 project national employment to climb 6.6% across five years and 13.7% over ten years, with performance varying by industry. Applying these sectoral trajectories to New Farm's local profile projects prospective job gains of 7.5% over five years and 15.0% over ten years (calculated via simple weighting for context, omitting localized population adjustments).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in New Farm is $2,069 a week (about $108,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,220 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $75,998 a year against an average of $127,744. The average runs 68% above the median, a wider spread than most areas and a sign of a concentrated group of high earners. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Taxpayer income within the New Farm SA2 ranks in the uppermost percentile across the country according to ATO statistics aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. Median taxable income reached $75,998 alongside an average of $127,744, outperforming Greater Brisbane equivalents of $58,236 and $72,799. Factoring in an 11.36% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, modeled figures as of March 2026 reach $84,631 (median) and $142,256 (average). In the 2021 Census, individual weekly earnings attained the 92nd percentile nationally at $1,220. The $1,500 - 2,999 weekly bracket encompasses 29.1% of residents (4,043 people), aligning with the wider region's 33.3%.
Those earning upwards of $3,000 weekly make up 33.8% of the cohort, underscoring substantial local wealth. Although housing takes up 16.0% of income, disposable earnings sit at the 70th percentile and the SEIFA income measure places the suburb in the 9th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
New Farm had 5,808 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 21% detached houses and 74% apartments. 21% are owned with a mortgage, 55% rented and 25% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $405 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,276 a month, a total housing cost higher than 75% of areas nationally. Rent absorbs 19.6% of household income here and mortgage repayments 25.4%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
The most recent Census indicated New Farm's housing stock was 20.9% standalone houses and 79.1% alternative types including apartments and semi-detached properties, contrasting with Brisbane metro's split of 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings. Outright home ownership stood at 24.6%, slightly trailing Brisbane metro, while remaining properties were mortgaged (20.6%) or rented (54.9%). Median monthly mortgage costs of $2,276 and weekly rents of $405 both exceeded Brisbane metro levels of $1,863 and $380. On a national scale, New Farm mortgage payments surpass the Australian median of $1,863, and rents outpace the $375 national figure.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
New Farm counted 5,808 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 6,480 today, averaging 1.9 people each. 14% are couples with children, fewer than in 95% of areas nationally, against 29% couples without children. 42% of households are people living alone, and families average 0.9 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute 48.9% of households, comprising 28.7% childless couples, 13.9% couples with children, and 5.0% single parent arrangements. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 51.1%, broken down into 42.3% single occupants and 8.8% group living. Median household size is 1.9 people, notably smaller than the Greater Brisbane benchmark of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
54.2% of adults in New Farm hold a university qualification, including 35.1% with a bachelor degree and 14.0% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 94% of areas nationally. A further 12.1% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 829 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,127 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Higher education qualifications in New Farm far exceed broader averages, with 54.2% of residents aged 15+ holding a tertiary degree compared to 25.7% across QLD and 30.4% across Australia. Bachelor degrees form the largest segment at 35.1%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 14.0% and graduate diplomas at 5.1%. Vocational credentials cover 22.5% of people aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas (10.4%) and certificates (12.1%). Engagement in learning is elevated, with 25.5% of New Farm locals participating in formal schooling. Tertiary students make up 9.9% of the population, while primary and secondary schooling account for 5.0% and 4.1% respectively.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around New Farm means driving: households keep an average of 0.8 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
70.0% of residents in New Farm report no long-term health condition. 4.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 80.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.4 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators in New Farm remain positive, with AreaSearch analysis showing mortality and condition incidence aligning with national standards and low disease rates across age brackets. Private health insurance coverage is exceptionally high at roughly 80% (11,171 people), substantially exceeding the Greater Brisbane rate of 55.8% and the Australian average of 55.7%. Asthma and mental health issues represent the primary diagnosed conditions, recording 7.2% and 10.3% respectively. Fully 70.0% of the population reported no medical ailments, outperforming Greater Brisbane at 69.2%. Better than average health outcomes are evident in the under-65 cohort.
Seniors aged 65 and over comprise 18.2% of residents (2,535 people), higher than the 15.0% regional level, with senior health metrics ranking above general population averages nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
29.9% of New Farm residents were born overseas and 17.0% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (26.8%) and Australian (17.6%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
New Farm demonstrates strong multicultural diversity, with 29.9% of residents born abroad and 17.0% using a non-English language in the home. Christianity represents the predominant faith, claiming 43.6% of residents. Judaism shows a distinct overrepresentation, capturing 0.4% of locals compared to 0.1% throughout Greater Brisbane. Leading parental ancestries in New Farm are English (26.8%), Australian (17.6%, underperforming the regional 23.2%), and Irish (12.5%). Other distinct ethnic groups show higher local presence relative to the broader region, including Scottish at 9.3% (vs 7.4%), French at 1.0% (vs 0.5%), and Spanish at 0.7% (vs 0.4%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of New Farm is 38. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 35.0% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
New Farm's age structure diverges from Greater Brisbane, particularly among younger cohorts. Residents aged 25 - 44 represent 40.1% as at August 2026 (up from 38.6% at the 2021 Census), surpassing the 30.6% Greater Brisbane figure. The 0 - 24 age bracket captures only 18.3%, well beneath the regional 31.8%. The estimated median age stood at 38 as at August 2026, dropping from 39 at the 2021 Census and remaining 2 years above the Greater Brisbane Census median of 36. Through to 2041, the 65+ cohort is projected to see the greatest growth, increasing by 1,295 residents (51%) to reach 3,831, whereas younger demographics and the 25 - 44 group are expected to reduce.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for New Farm
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Apr 2026 6 months ago all 11 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Apr 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 133 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (12,454 at the 2021 Census → 13,895 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (305011109). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.