Paddington - Milton

Population growth drivers in Paddington - Milton are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Paddington - Milton's population is approximately 13,292 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 1,095 people, a 9.0% rise since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 12,197. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 13,272 in June 2024 and an additional 178 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 3,712 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Paddington - Milton's growth rate of 9.0% since the 2021 census exceeds the national average of 8.9%, indicating its status as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 72.5% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving this growth.

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 are used, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 using 2022 data. Examining future population trends, an above median population growth is projected for national statistical areas. By 2041, Paddington - Milton is expected to grow by 2,003 persons, reflecting a total increase of 14.9% over the 17-year period, based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Paddington - Milton according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Paddington - Milton has received around 91 dwelling approvals per year on average over the past five financial years, totalling 456 homes. As of FY26, three approvals have been recorded so far. On average, 1.8 new residents arrived annually for each new home between FY21 and FY25, suggesting balanced supply and demand. However, this figure has increased to 34.3 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, indicating growing popularity and potential undersupply. The average construction cost value of new homes is $204,000, reflecting more affordable housing options compared to regional norms.

This financial year alone, commercial development approvals worth $40.1 million have been recorded, demonstrating high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Paddington - Milton has seen slightly more development, with 46.0% above the regional average per person over the past five years. This balances buyer choice while supporting current property values, although development activity has moderated in recent periods. New developments consist of 21.0% detached houses and 79.0% townhouses or apartments, offering affordable entry pathways for downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. This shift away from the area's existing housing composition (currently 52.0% houses) indicates decreasing availability of developable sites and reflects changing lifestyles.

The location has approximately 1197 people per dwelling approval, indicating an established market. According to AreaSearch quarterly estimates, Paddington - Milton is projected to gain 1,983 residents by 2041. Given current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

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

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified a total of sixty projects expected to impact the region. Notable projects include Milton Development (305 units), Kings Row Redevelopment, The Governess, 49 Reading Street, and The Manning by Mosaic. Below is a list detailing those likely 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.

AreaSearch analysis places Paddington - Milton well above average for employment performance across multiple indicators

Paddington - Milton has an educated workforce with professional services well represented. The unemployment rate was 2.9% in the past year, with estimated employment growth of 0.7%.

As of September 2025, 9,315 residents were employed, and the unemployment rate was 1.0% lower than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation was high at 77.2%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Employment is concentrated in professional & technical services, health care & social assistance, and education & training. The area specializes in professional & technical jobs, with an employment share twice the regional level, but has lower construction representation at 5.5% versus the regional average of 9.0%.

There were 1.6 workers per resident as of the Census, indicating it functions as an employment hub attracting workers from surrounding areas. In the year to September 2025, employment increased by 0.7%, labour force grew by 0.8%, and unemployment rose by 0.1 percentage points. This contrasts with Greater Brisbane where employment rose by 3.8%, labour force grew by 3.3%, and unemployment fell by 0.5 percentage points. Statewide, Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1,210 jobs) as of 25-Nov, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 14.8% over ten years. Applying these projections to Paddington - Milton's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 7.4% over five years and 14.8% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not consider localized population projections.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

The Paddington - Milton SA2 had exceptionally high national income levels according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. Its median income among taxpayers was $68,379 and average income stood at $111,494, 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, estimates for September 2025 would be approximately $77,945 (median) and $127,092 (average). Census data shows household, family and personal incomes all rank highly in Paddington - Milton, between the 88th and 93rd percentiles nationally. Income distribution reveals that 30.8% of the population (4,093 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, consistent with broader trends across regional levels showing 33.3% in the same category. A substantial proportion of high earners (41.0%) are above $3,000/week, indicating strong economic capacity throughout Paddington - Milton. High housing costs consume 16.0% of income, but strong earnings still place disposable income at the 87th percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 10th decile.

Paddington - Milton displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Dwelling structure in Paddington-Milton, as per the latest Census, consisted of 52.2% houses and 47.8% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Brisbane metro had 56.6% houses and 43.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Paddington-Milton was at 21.2%, with the rest either mortgaged (27.3%) or rented (51.5%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,500, below Brisbane metro's average of $2,513. Median weekly rent in Paddington-Milton was $450, compared to Brisbane metro's $430. Nationally, Paddington-Milton's mortgage repayments were higher at $1,863 and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 58.2% of all households, including 23.3% couples with children, 26.8% couples without children, and 6.3% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 41.8%, with lone person households at 30.7% and group households comprising 11.1%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.5.

Paddington - Milton shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Paddington - Milton residents aged 15 and above have a higher educational attainment than Queensland's and Australia's averages. Specifically, 58.3% of these residents hold university qualifications compared to 25.7% in QLD and 30.4% nationally. This is largely due to Bachelor degrees (38.7%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (14.6%) and graduate diplomas (5.0%). Vocational pathways account for 19.1%, with advanced diplomas at 9.0% and certificates at 10.1%.

Educational participation in the area is high, with 31.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 13.2% in tertiary education, 7.1% in primary education, and 5.9% pursuing secondary education.

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

Paddington-Milton has 79 active public transport stops offering a mix of ferry, train, and bus services. These stops are served by 105 individual routes, facilitating 7,755 weekly passenger trips in total. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 135 meters to the nearest stop.

Service frequency across all routes averages 1,107 trips per day, equating to approximately 98 weekly trips per stop.

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

Paddington - Milton shows excellent health outcomes, with low prevalence of common conditions across all ages. Private health cover is high at around 76% (10,128 people), compared to 72.2% in Greater Brisbane and a national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent conditions, affecting 9.8% and 7.9% respectively.

About 74.3% report no medical ailments, similar to Greater Brisbane's 74.7%. The area has 10.4% (1,375 people) aged 65 and over, lower than Greater Brisbane's 11.6%. Seniors' health outcomes align with the general population's profile.

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

Paddington-Milton's cultural diversity was found to be above average, with 13.6% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 25.2% born overseas. Christianity was the main religion in Paddington-Milton, comprising 40.8% of the population. However, Judaism was notably overrepresented, making up 0.2% compared to 0.2% across Greater Brisbane.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English at 27.3%, Australian at 20.8%, and Irish at 12.3%. There were also notable divergences in certain ethnic groups: Scottish was overrepresented at 9.4% compared to 9.4% regionally, French at 0.8% versus 0.7%, and Welsh at 0.7% versus 0.7%.

Paddington - Milton's young demographic places it in the bottom 15% of areas nationwide

Paddington-Milton's median age is 33 years, which is younger than Greater Brisbane's average of 36 years and significantly lower than the national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Paddington-Milton has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (23.6%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (8.7%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is well above the national average of 14.5%. According to data from the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 75-84 has grown from 2.4% to 3.2%, while the proportion of those aged 0-4 has declined from 4.9% to 4.1%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests that Paddington-Milton's age profile will change significantly. The 55-64 age group is projected to grow by 35%, adding 439 residents and reaching a total of 1,705. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 0-4 and 35-44 age groups.