North Stradbroke Island

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

According to research conducted by AreaSearch, the population of North Stradbroke Island is estimated at 2,276 in May 2026. This represents a growth of 120 people (5.6%) from the 2,156 residents recorded in the 2021 Census. The calculation is derived using the ABS estimated resident population of 2,276 from June 2025 alongside 44 validated new addresses identified after the Census. This population density stands at 8.2 persons per square kilometer, which ensures residents have plenty of personal space. This 5.6% post-census growth rate is within 2.7 percentage points of the broader SA4 region (8.3%), indicating solid growth metrics. The population increase was primarily driven by overseas migration, which made up approximately 79.0% of the total demographic gains in recent times.

AreaSearch utilizes population projections from the ABS/Geoscience Australia published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline for each SA2 area. When these datasets are unavailable, or for periods after 2032, projections from the Queensland State Government released in 2023 (utilizing 2021 data) are substituted. Because the state-level data does not provide age cohort breakdowns, AreaSearch allocates growth weightings across age categories based on the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections (using 2022 baseline data). Looking at future demographic trends, projections using this framework indicate a downward trend, with the total population expected to decrease by 63 persons by 2041. Conversely, expansion is projected in particular age groups, most notably the 75 to 84 cohort, which is expected to grow by 133 people. Detailed age statistics can be found in the corresponding age section.

Residential development activity is lower than average in North Stradbroke Island according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Approximately 15 new residential approvals are registered annually on North Stradbroke Island, amounting to a total of 76 homes over the last 5 financial years. In the current FY-26 period, 10 approvals have been documented. With an average of 1.4 new residents added per built dwelling during the 5 financial years spanning FY-21 to FY-25, demand and supply appear balanced, promoting market stability, while new builds average a construction value of $285,000. Furthermore, $67,000 in commercial building approvals have been registered this financial year, pointing to a heavily residential development profile.

North Stradbroke Island registers approximately 75% of the per capita construction volume seen in Greater Brisbane, placing it in the 60th percentile of all examined locations nationwide. The new housing supply consists of 86.0% detached houses and 14.0% medium and high-density developments, preserving the historic low-density profile of the community with spacious properties suited for families. With about 265 people per residential approval, North Stradbroke Island is characterized as a low-density region.

Faced with flat or shrinking population projections, North Stradbroke Island could see decreased housing demand, establishing advantageous purchasing conditions for buyers.

North Stradbroke Island has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 20thth percentile nationally

Regional development, major planning schemes, and infrastructure upgrades are major drivers of local performance. AreaSearch has identified 4 key projects expected to influence the local area. These primary projects include the Moreton Bay Research Station, the Southern Moreton Bay Islands Ferry Terminals Upgrade, the Redlands Coast Smart and Connected City Strategy, and the Cleveland Line Duplication (Park Road to Cleveland), with the following details focusing on those of highest local relevance.

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

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AreaSearch assessment indicates North Stradbroke Island faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

North Stradbroke Island possesses a skilled labour pool, with strong representation in tourist and hospitality industries, an unemployment rate of 7.4%, and an estimated 3.3% annual growth in employment. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 1,071, while the unemployment rate is 3.0% higher than the 4.3% reported in Greater Brisbane, indicating potential for labor market improvements. Additionally, the workforce participation rate of 58.4% is notably lower than Greater Brisbane's 70.4%. Census figures indicate that a modest 19.7% of employees worked from home, though this may have been influenced by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

The primary employment sectors for local workers are accommodation & food, health care & social assistance, and construction. The community displays an exceptionally high density of workers in accommodation & food, with employment concentrations sitting at 2.9 times the regional benchmark. Conversely, health care & social assistance is under-represented, employing only 10.2% of the local workforce compared to 16.1% across Greater Brisbane. The local economy seems to provide a constrained number of jobs within the island itself, as shown by comparing the count of Census local jobs against the resident workforce.

According to an analysis of SALM and ABS statistics by AreaSearch, the 12 months ending March 2026 saw employment expand by 3.3% while the total labor force grew by 4.1%, leading to an increase in the unemployment rate of 0.8 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Brisbane experienced employment growth of 3.2%, a labor force expansion of 3.4%, and an increase in unemployment of 0.1 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment projections from May-25 offer additional context regarding future employment trends for North Stradbroke Island. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential growth. While national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates vary widely across different industries. Applying these sector-specific trends to the employment distribution of North Stradbroke Island suggests local job numbers could rise by 6.0% over five years and 12.6% over ten years (note that this is a basic weighted extrapolation for demonstration purposes and does not incorporate local population forecasts).

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

According to the most recent postcode-level ATO data released for financial year 2023, the median income of taxpayers in the North Stradbroke Island SA2 is $40,983, with an average income of $55,919. These figures sit below national benchmarks, comparing to a median of $58,236 and an average of $72,799 in Greater Brisbane. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, current estimates correspond to approximately $45,639 (median) and $62,271 (average) as of March 2026. Census statistics show that household, family, and individual incomes on North Stradbroke Island place between the 9th and 18th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows that the largest group contains 26.5% of residents (603 people) earning in the $1,500 - 2,999 range, which aligns with the broader region where 33.3% of the population falls into this same bracket. Housing affordability pressure is high, with residents retaining only 84.6% of their income, which ranks in the 12th percentile.

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

At the time of the last Census, the housing stock on North Stradbroke Island consisted of 83.9% standalone houses and 16.1% alternative housing types (such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and other dwellings), compared to 73.5% houses and 26.5% alternative dwellings in the Brisbane metro area. The home ownership rate on North Stradbroke Island was significantly higher than the Brisbane metro rate, standing at 49.0%, while the remaining properties were either mortgaged (23.1%) or rented (27.9%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,733 was below the Brisbane metro average of $1,863, and the median weekly rent was $300 compared to Brisbane metro's $380. On a national scale, mortgage payments on North Stradbroke Island are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rent prices are notably below the national average of $375.

North Stradbroke Island features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Families represent the majority of local households at 63.4%, which includes couples without children at 34.6%, couples with children at 18.5%, and single parent households at 10.1%. The remaining 36.6% consists of non-family households, with single-person households representing 32.8% and group households making up 3.7% of the total. The median household size of 2.1 people is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

North Stradbroke Island faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

Educational attainment levels on North Stradbroke Island are lower than regional averages, with 24.8% of residents aged 15+ holding a tertiary degree compared to 30.5% in Greater Brisbane. This difference points to opportunities for training and educational advancement. Bachelor degrees represent the largest segment at 16.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 6.0% and graduate diplomas at 2.8%. Vocational and technical training is highly represented, with 41.5% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas (10.9%) and certificates (30.6%).

A significant 24.0% of the local population is enrolled in formal studies. This group is composed of 10.1% in primary school, 8.2% in secondary school, and 2.2% in tertiary education.

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

An analysis of public transport reveals 44 active transport stops on North Stradbroke Island, which are served by buses. These stops accommodate 2 routes that provide a combined 259 passenger trips weekly. Accessibility is rated as good, with residents living an average of 309 meters from the nearest stop. The island is primarily residential, and most workers commute to external areas, with private vehicles remaining the primary transport mode at 76%, while 16% of residents walk and 2% cycle. The average number of vehicles per dwelling is 1.3. A total of 19.7% of residents worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 pandemic conditions.

Service frequency averages 37 trips daily across all transport routes, which equals roughly 5 weekly trips for each individual stop.

Health outcomes in North Stradbroke Island are marginally below the national average with common health conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts

Health assessments indicate below-average wellness outcomes on North Stradbroke Island, based on mortality statistics and the prevalence of chronic illnesses, with common health issues slightly more frequent than average in both younger and older demographics. Additionally, the rate of private health insurance is low, covering about 48% of the population (~1,081 people). This is lower than the 55.8% recorded across Greater Brisbane and the national average of 55.7%.

Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent medical issues locally, affecting 10.0% and 8.3% of the population, respectively. Meanwhile, 62.1% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 69.2% in Greater Brisbane. The working-age population exhibits a higher-than-average rate of chronic illness. Residents aged 65 and over make up 34.9% of the population (795 people), which is significantly higher than the 15.1% share in Greater Brisbane. However, health status among older residents is strong, ranking higher nationally than the local population average.

North Stradbroke Island is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

North Stradbroke Island shows lower levels of cultural diversity than average, with citizens representing 85.2% of the population, 86.1% of residents born in Australia, and 96.1% of households speaking only English. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 45.0% of the population. The most distinct religious overrepresentation is Buddhism, which represents 1.9% of residents, compared to 2.0% in Greater Brisbane.

Regarding ancestry (the birthplace of parents), the three largest groups on North Stradbroke Island are English at 29.0%, Australian at 22.6%, and Australian Aboriginal at 11.0%, which is significantly higher than the regional average of 2.1%. Other notable ancestry concentrations include Scottish at 10.4% (compared to 7.4% regionally), Irish at 10.3% (compared to 8.2%), and French at 0.7% (compared to 0.5%).

North Stradbroke Island ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age on North Stradbroke Island is 52 years, which is significantly higher than the median age of 36 in Greater Brisbane and the national average of 38. The 65 - 74 age group is highly over-represented, making up 19.7% of the island's population, while the 25 - 34 age bracket is under-represented at 7.0%. This local concentration of 65 - 74 year-olds is much higher than the national share of 9.4%. Since 2021, the cohort aged 75 to 84 has expanded from 8.6% to 12.1% of the population, and the 85+ cohort has risen from 1.8% to 3.1%. In contrast, the 55 to 64 group decreased from 17.3% to 14.3%, and the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 10.5% to 8.8%. Demographic projections suggest the age distribution of North Stradbroke Island will change significantly by 2041. The 75 to 84 cohort is expected to grow by 115 people (42%), rising from 275 to 391. The combined cohorts aged 65 and over are projected to account for 100% of the total population growth, reflecting a rapidly aging community. Conversely, population declines are forecast for the 45 to 54 and 55 to 64 age brackets.