Newtown (Qld)
Statistical Area - sa2

Newtown is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Newtown, Queensland's population was approximately 10,720 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 681 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 10,039. The growth is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 10,650 in June 2024 and an additional 54 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,935 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Newtown's growth rate of 6.8% since the census places it within 2.0 percentage points of the non-metro area's growth rate of 8.8%. Population growth was primarily driven by natural growth, contributing approximately 54.2% 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 from 2023 based on 2021 data are used, applying proportional growth weightings for age cohorts as per ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 with a base year of 2022. Projected demographic shifts indicate an overall population decline of 155 persons by 2041, but specific age cohorts like the 25 to 34 group are expected to grow, with a projected increase of 357 people.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Newtown when compared nationally

Newtown has received approximately 28 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 141 homes. In the current financial year FY-26217 approvals have been recorded. On average, around 5 people moved to the area each year for every dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25. This high demand coupled with limited supply typically leads to price growth and increased buyer competition.

The average construction cost of new homes is $243,000, below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options. In terms of commercial activity, $23.8 million in approvals have been registered this financial year, indicating steady investment. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Newtown has significantly less development activity, with 51.0% fewer approvals per person. This scarcity often strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Recent construction trends show 25.0% detached dwellings and 75.0% townhouses or apartments, a notable shift from the area's current housing composition of 71.0% houses. This trend may reflect decreasing availability of developable sites and changing lifestyles. With approximately 364 people per approval, Newtown indicates a mature market with stable or declining population forecasts, potentially reducing future housing pressure and favouring buyers.

Given stable or declining population forecasts, Newtown may experience less housing pressure, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

Newtown has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 31 projects that may impact this region. Notable ones include Mission Australia Social and Affordable Housing Development, Pinnacle of Kearneys, Hill Street Social and Affordable Housing, and New Toowoomba Hospital. The following list details those most likely to be 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.

AreaSearch analysis indicates Newtown maintains employment conditions that align with national benchmarks

Newtown Queensland has a skilled workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 4.8% as of June 2025, which is 0.8% higher than the Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%.

The area experienced an estimated employment growth of 15.2% over the past year. As of June 2025, 5,496 residents were in work and workforce participation was on par with Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Leading industries for Newtown residents include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training. Health care & social assistance has a particularly strong specialization with an employment share of 1.3 times the regional level, while mining shows lower representation at 1.0% compared to the regional average of 3.6%.

Employment levels increased by 15.2% and labour force increased by 13.1% during the year to June 2025, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 1.7 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest that Newtown's employment may increase by approximately 6.5% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation of industry-specific projections against the local employment mix.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Newtown's median income among taxpayers is $47,913. The average income in Newtown during this period was $58,872. This is lower than the national average. Comparing to Rest of Qld, Newtown's median income is $50,780 and average is $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Newtown would be approximately $54,616 (median) and $67,108 (average) as of September 2025. According to 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes in Newtown fall between the 13th and 26th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows that 30.9% of residents earn $800 - $1,499 weekly (3,312 residents). This is unlike trends in the metropolitan region where 31.7% fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 range. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Newtown, with only 81.8% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 12th percentile nationally.

Newtown is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Dwelling structure in Newtown, as evaluated at the 2016 Census, consisted of 70.9% houses and 29.1% other dwellings including semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This contrasts with Non-Metro Qld's dwelling structure which was 81.4% houses and 18.6% other dwellings. The home ownership rate in Newtown stood at 24.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 27.3% and rented dwellings at 48.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,254, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,517. The median weekly rent figure for Newtown was recorded at $289, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $310. Nationally, Newtown's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 57.3% of all households, including 17.7% couples with children, 23.2% couples without children, and 15.0% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 42.7%, with lone person households at 38.0% and group households making up 4.8%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

Educational outcomes in Newtown fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 18.3%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.5%) and graduate diplomas (2.4%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 36.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas comprise 9.0% and certificates make up 27.8%. Educational participation is high at 30.1%, including 9.2% in primary, 9.2% in secondary, and 4.3% in tertiary education.

Newtown has a robust network of 8 schools educating approximately 3,072 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 996) and balanced educational opportunities. The mix includes 3 primary, 3 secondary, and 2 K-12 schools. As an education hub, Newtown has 28.7 school places per 100 residents, significantly higher than the regional average of 17.2, attracting students from surrounding communities. Note: for schools with 'n/a' enrolments, please refer to their parent campus.

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

Transport analysis in Newtown shows 57 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by five different routes that together facilitate 822 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as excellent, with residents on average being located just 192 meters from the nearest stop.

On an average day, there are 117 trips across all routes, which equates to approximately 14 weekly trips per individual bus stop.

Health performance in Newtown is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data indicates significant health challenges in Newtown, with common conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Approximately 49% (~5,263 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

Mental health issues affect 11.3% of residents, while asthma impacts 9.5%. About 62.7% report no medical ailments, compared to 65.3% in Rest of Qld. Newtown has 16.8% (1,795 people) aged 65 and over, lower than the 18.8% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges broadly aligned with the general population's health profile.

In terms of cultural diversity, Newtown records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Newtown's cultural diversity was found to be roughly comparable to the wider region, with 84.6% of its population being citizens, 82.7% born in Australia, and 86.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was identified as the main religion in Newtown, accounting for 51.6% of people. However, there was an overrepresentation in the 'Other' category, comprising 5.4% of Newtown's population compared to 2.2% across Rest of Qld.

The top three ancestry groups were English at 26.8%, Australian at 26.7%, and Irish at 9.8%. Notably, German was overrepresented at 7.1% in Newtown (vs 8.0% regionally), Australian Aboriginal at 5.2% (vs 3.3%), and Korean at 0.2% (vs 0.2%).

Newtown's population is younger than the national pattern

The median age in Newtown is 35 years, which is lower than the Rest of Qld average of 41 years and also under the national average of 38 years. The 25-34 cohort makes up 18.1% of Newtown's population, notably higher than the Rest of Qld average, while the 45-54 age group is under-represented at 10.2%. According to data from the post-2021 Census, the proportion of people aged 25 to 34 has increased from 16.0% to 18.1%, whereas the percentage of those aged 5 to 14 has decreased from 12.5% to 10.7%. By 2041, population forecasts suggest significant demographic changes for Newtown. The 25-34 age group is projected to grow by 15%, reaching 2,230 people from the current figure of 1,945. Conversely, both the 45-54 and 65-74 age groups are expected to see a reduction in numbers.