Newstead - Bowen Hills

Newstead - Bowen Hills lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Newstead-Bowen Hills' population is around 21,421 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 3,405 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 18,016 people. The change was inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 20,923 in June 2024 and an additional 966 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 7,000 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Newstead-Bowen Hills' 18.9% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the national average (8.9%), indicating significant growth. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 58.2% of overall population gains.

All drivers including overseas migration and natural growth were positive factors. AreaSearch adopts 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. These state projections do not provide age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age cohort are applied where utilised. Future population dynamics anticipate a significant increase in the top quartile of statistical areas across the nation, with Newstead-Bowen Hills expected to increase by 8,294 persons to 2041, reflecting a gain of 36.4% in total over the 17 years.

The level of residential development activity in Newstead - Bowen Hills was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

Newstead - Bowen Hills has received approximately 306 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 1530 homes. As of FY26184 approvals have been recorded. On average, around three people moved to the area each year for every dwelling built between FY21 and FY25, indicating high demand outstripping supply. New dwellings are developed at an average cost of $372,000.

This financial year has seen $242.6 million in commercial approvals, reflecting strong business investment locally. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Newstead - Bowen Hills exhibits 136.0% higher development activity per capita, offering buyers more choice and demonstrating robust developer confidence. Development consists predominantly of townhouses or apartments (99.0%), with detached houses comprising only 1.0%. This focus on higher-density living creates more affordable entry points, benefiting downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. With around 391 people per dwelling approval, Newstead - Bowen Hills shows a developed market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the area is projected to add approximately 7796 residents by 2041.

If current development rates persist, housing supply may struggle to keep pace with population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Newstead - Bowen Hills has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 127 projects likely to impact the area. Notable projects include Waterfront Newstead - Mirvac Masterplan, Teneriffe Banks, Cross River Rail - Exhibition Station, and Bowen Bridge Road Upgrade. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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.

Newstead - Bowen Hills ranks among the top 25% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance

Newstead-Bowen Hills has a highly educated workforce with professional services being strongly represented. The unemployment rate is 2.4%, with an estimated employment growth of 0.9% over the past year as of September 2025.

There are 16,524 residents in work, and the unemployment rate is 1.6% lower than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation is high at 77.7%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Key industries for employment among residents include professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and accommodation & food. The area specializes in professional & technical services with an employment share 2.2 times the regional level.

In contrast, construction employs only 4.9% of local workers, below Greater Brisbane's 9.0%. There are 1.4 workers for every resident, indicating that the area functions as an employment hub hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas. Employment levels increased by 0.9%, while labour force increased by 0.9% during the year to September 2025, keeping the unemployment rate relatively stable. In comparison, Greater Brisbane experienced employment growth of 3.8% and labour force growth of 3.3%. State-level data from QLD as of 25-Nov shows employment contracted by 0.01%, with a state unemployment rate of 4.2%, broadly in line with the national rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Newstead-Bowen Hills' employment should increase by 7.4% over five years and 14.9% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

The Newstead-Bowen Hills SA2 had one of the highest income levels nationally according to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest ATO data for financial year 2022. Its median income among taxpayers was $64,314 and average income stood at $95,925, compared to Greater Brisbane's figures of $55,645 and $70,520 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $73,312 (median) and $109,345 (average). In the 2021 Census, individual earnings stood at the 96th percentile nationally ($1,405 weekly). The income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 dominated with 37.6% of residents (8,054 people), similar to the surrounding region where 33.3% occupied this bracket. Higher earners formed a substantial presence with 32.1% exceeding $3,000 weekly. High housing costs consumed 18.4% of income, yet strong earnings placed disposable income at the 72nd percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 9th decile.

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

Newstead-Bowen Hills dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, had 3.8% houses and 96.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Brisbane metro's 36.5% houses and 63.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Newstead-Bowen Hills was at 12.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 17.7% and rented ones at 70.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, below Brisbane metro's average of $2,167. Median weekly rent in Newstead-Bowen Hills was $450, higher than Brisbane metro's $410. Nationally, Newstead-Bowen Hills' mortgage repayments were higher at $2,000 compared to Australia's average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 45.7% of all households, including 8.0% couples with children, 32.6% couples without children, and 3.9% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 54.3%, with lone person households at 43.5% and group households comprising 10.7%. The median household size is 1.7 people, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.2.

The educational profile of Newstead - Bowen Hills exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

In Newstead - Bowen Hills, the percentage of residents aged 15 and above with university qualifications is significantly higher than broader benchmarks. Specifically, 56.1% of residents in this area have university qualifications compared to 25.7% in Queensland (QLD) and 30.4% in Australia. This high educational attainment positions the area favourably for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 38.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 12.8% and graduate diplomas at 4.6%.

Vocational pathways account for 24.0% of qualifications among those aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 11.0% and certificates at 13.0%. Educational participation is notably high in the area, with 25.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 13.5% in tertiary education, 2.6% in primary education, and 2.1% pursuing secondary education.

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

Transport analysis shows 45 active stops in Newstead - Bowen Hills offering ferry, train, and bus services. These stops are served by 223 routes, facilitating 17,707 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 131 meters to the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 2,529 daily trips across all routes, equating to around 393 weekly trips per individual stop.

Newstead - Bowen Hills's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Newstead-Bowen Hills shows excellent health outcomes, with very low prevalence of common conditions across all ages. Approximately 69% of its total population (14,844 people) has private health cover, higher than the national average of 55.3%.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent conditions, affecting 10.8 and 7.3% of residents respectively. About 73.9% of residents report no medical ailments, comparable to Greater Brisbane's 73.7%. The area has 11.1% (2,369 people) aged 65 and over, lower than Greater Brisbane's 12.2%. Senior health outcomes align with the general population's profile.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Newstead - Bowen Hills was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Newstead-Bowen Hills has a higher cultural diversity than most local areas, with 19.4% of its residents speaking a language other than English at home and 34.6% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Newstead-Bowen Hills, comprising 37.4% of the population. Notably, Judaism is overrepresented here compared to Greater Brisbane, making up 0.3% versus 0.2%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (26.6%), Australian (17.7%), and Other (11.0%). Some ethnic groups show significant differences in representation: French is more common at 1.0% compared to the regional average of 0.7%, Spanish at 0.9% versus 0.5%, and Welsh at 0.8% versus 0.7%.

Newstead - Bowen Hills's young demographic places it in the bottom 15% of areas nationwide

Newstead-Bowen Hills has a median age of 34, which is slightly younger than Greater Brisbane's figure of 36 and significantly under Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Newstead-Bowen Hills has a higher concentration of residents aged 25-34 (34.1%), but fewer residents aged 5-14 (2.9%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is well above the national average of 14.5%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, residents have aged on average by 1.1 years, with the median age rising from 33 to 34. Notably, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 2.8% to 4.1% of the population during this period. Conversely, the 25 to 34 age cohort has declined from 36.4% to 34.1%, and the 15 to 24 age group has dropped from 12.8% to 10.8%. Demographic projections suggest that Newstead-Bowen Hills' age profile will evolve significantly by 2041, with the 45 to 54 age cohort projected to rise substantially, expanding by 1,546 people (66%) from 2,337 to 3,884.