Newtown (Qld)

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's population was approximately 10,724 as of February 2026. This figure represents an increase of 685 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 53 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 is within 2.3 percentage points of the Rest of Qld (9.1%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Natural growth contributed approximately 54.2% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including overseas and interstate migration being 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 from 2023 based on 2021 data are used, applying proportional growth weightings for age cohorts in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023. Projections indicate an overall population decline of 155 persons by 2041, but growth across specific age cohorts is anticipated, particularly the 25 to 34 age group projected to expand by 357 people.

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

Newtown has received approximately 28 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling 141 homes. As of FY-26217 approvals have been recorded. Each year, an average of 5 people move to the area for each 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 value of new homes is $243,000, below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options. In FY-26, commercial approvals worth $23.8 million have been registered, indicating steady commercial investment activity. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Newtown has significantly less development activity, being 51.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new dwellings often strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Nationally, Newtown's development activity is also below average, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. Recent construction comprises 25.0% detached dwellings and 75.0% townhouses or apartments, indicating a shift towards denser development to provide accessible entry options for downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers. This trend represents a notable change from the area's existing housing composition of 71.0% houses, suggesting decreasing availability of developable sites and reflecting changing lifestyles and the need for more diverse, affordable housing options.

Newtown indicates a mature market with around 364 people per approval. Given stable or declining population forecasts, Newtown may experience less housing pressure in the future, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

Newtown has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 31 projects likely influencing the area. Key projects include Mission Australia Social and Affordable Housing Development, Hill Street Social and Affordable Housing, Pinnacle of Kearneys, and New Toowoomba Hospital. 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.

The employment landscape in Newtown shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

Newtown has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 5.2% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 5.6%. As of September 2025, 5,359 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 1.1% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%.

Workforce participation was similar to Rest of Qld's 65.7%. According to Census responses, only 5.7% of residents worked from home. The leading employment industries among residents were health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training. Newtown showed strong specialization in health care & social assistance with an employment share of 1.3 times the regional level, while mining had lower representation at 1.0% compared to the regional average of 3.6%.

The area offered limited local employment opportunities as indicated by the Census working population vs resident population count. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 5.6%, labour force grew by 4.2%, reducing the unemployment rate by 1.2 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld recorded employment growth of 1.7%, labour force growth of 2.1%, with unemployment rising by 0.3 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, released in May-25, projected national employment to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Newtown's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.8% over ten years.

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

As per AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released on June 30, 2023, Newtown SA2's median income among taxpayers is $50,129. The average income for Newtown SA2 is $61,462. This is lower than the national average. In comparison, Rest of Qld has a median income of $53,146 and an average income of $66,593. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Newtown SA2 would be approximately $55,097 (median) and $67,553 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census figures, household incomes in Newtown fall between the 13th and 25th percentiles nationally. The largest segment of earners comprises 30.9% earning $800 - $1,499 weekly (3,313 residents). In contrast, metropolitan regions have 31.7% falling 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

Newtown's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 70.9% houses and 29.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro Qld's 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Newtown stood at 24.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 27.3% and rented ones at 48.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,254, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent figure in Newtown was $289, significantly below the Non-Metro Qld figure of $345 and the national average of $375. Nationally, Newtown's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863.

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

Family households constitute 57.3 percent of all households, including 17.7 percent couples with children, 23.2 percent couples without children, and 15.0 percent single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 42.7 percent, with lone person households at 38.0 percent and group households making up 4.8 percent of the total. 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 prevalent, with 36.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.0%) and certificates (27.8%). Educational participation is high at 30.1%, with 9.2% in primary education, 9.2% in secondary education, and 4.3% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 30.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.2% in primary education, 9.2% in secondary education, and 4.3% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Newtown has 64 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by five different routes that collectively facilitate 822 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 187 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a predominantly residential area, most residents commute outward. Car remains the primary mode of transportation at 90%, with 4% walking. On average, there is one vehicle per dwelling, which is below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, only 5.7% of residents work from home, a figure that may reflect COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 117 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 12 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health outcomes in Newtown are marginally below the national average with the level of common health conditions among the general population somewhat typical, though higher than the nation's average among older cohorts

Newtown's health indicators show below-average outcomes according to AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are higher than the national average, particularly among older cohorts. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions, affecting 11.3% and 9.5% of residents respectively.

Around 62.7% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 67.6% in Rest of Qld. Private health cover is relatively low at approximately 50% of the total population (~5,340 people), lower than the national average of 55.7%. The working-age population faces notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. Newtown has 16.7% of residents aged 65 and over (1,787 people), which is lower than Rest of Qld's 20.4%. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges but rank lower nationally than the broader population.

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 population was found to align with the wider area's average in terms of cultural diversity, with 84.6% being citizens, 82.7% born in Australia, and 86.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Newtown, comprising 51.6% of its population. However, there was a notable overrepresentation in the 'Other' category, which made up 5.4% compared to the region's average of 0.8%.

The top three ancestry groups were English at 26.8%, Australian at 26.7%, and Irish at 9.8%. There were also significant differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: German was overrepresented at 7.1% compared to the regional average of 4.7%, Australian Aboriginal at 5.2% versus 3.9%, and Korean at 0.2% each for Newtown and the region.

Newtown's population is younger than the national pattern

The median age in Newtown is 34 years, which is lower than the average for Rest of Qld at 41 years and also lower than Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Rest of Qld, Newtown has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (18.8%) but fewer residents aged 45-54 (9.9%). Between the 2021 Census and present day, the percentage of residents aged 25-34 has increased from 16.0% to 18.8%. Conversely, the percentage of residents aged 5-14 has decreased from 12.5% to 10.2%, and the percentage of residents aged 45-54 has dropped from 11.0% to 9.9%. By 2041, Newtown's age composition is expected to change significantly. The number of residents aged 25-34 is projected to grow by 10%, reaching 2,230 from the current figure of 2,019. Meanwhile, both the 35-44 and 65-74 age groups are expected to see a decrease in numbers.