Parkwood
Statistical Area - sa2

An assessment of population growth drivers in Parkwood reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Parkwood's population, as per AreaSearch's analysis, is approximately 9,151 as of August 2025. This figure represents an increase of 314 people, a 3.6% rise from the 8,837 recorded in the 2021 Census. This change is inferred from the ABS's estimated resident population of 9,145 in June 2024 and the addition of 4 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density is around 1,473 persons per square kilometer, higher than the national average assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed approximately 77.8% of Parkwood's recent population growth.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years beyond 2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections from 2023, based on 2021 data, are adopted. These state projections lack age category splits; thus, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age cohort. Based on projected demographic shifts, Parkwood is expected to experience an above-median population growth by 2041. The latest population numbers project an increase of 1,343 persons by then, representing a total rise of 14.6% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Parkwood, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Parkwood has recorded approximately 43 residential properties granted approval annually. Development approval data is provided by the ABS on a financial year basis, totalling 216 approvals over the past five financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, with no approvals recorded so far in FY-26. On average, about 0.4 people have moved to the area per dwelling built each year over these five years. This pace of new supply keeps up with or exceeds demand, offering ample buyer choice and creating capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts.

New homes are being constructed at an average expected cost of $398,000, below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers. In FY-26, $11.9 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating balanced commercial development activity. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Parkwood maintains similar construction rates per person, preserving market equilibrium consistent with surrounding areas. New building activity consists of 7.0% standalone homes and 93.0% townhouses or apartments, reflecting a shift from the current housing mix of 91.0% houses. This focus on higher-density living creates more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers.

The location has approximately 1901 people per dwelling approval, indicating an established market. By 2041, Parkwood is projected to grow by 1,337 residents. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified a total of 34 projects likely to impact the area. Notable projects include New Coomera Hospital, Coomera Connector Stage 1 - Central Section, Griffith University Gold Coast Campus Expansion, and Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 4. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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

Parkwood has a skilled workforce with an unemployment rate of 3.8% as of June 2025. The estimated employment growth over the past year is 1.5%.

There are 5,262 residents in work while the unemployment rate is 0.2% below Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation is at 64.8%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key industries of employment among residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence with 0.3% employment compared to 4.5% regionally. Employment levels increased by 1.5% during the year to June 2025, while labour force increased by 2.1%, resulting in an unemployment rise of 0.6 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of Qld recorded employment growth of 1.8%, labour force growth of 2.0%, with unemployment rising 0.2 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 shows QLD employment contracted by 0.23% (losing 8,070 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Parkwood's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.7%% over five years and 13.9% over ten years.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2022 shows Parkwood had a median taxpayer income of $48,663 and an average income of $63,270. These figures are slightly lower than the national averages of $50,780 and $64,844 respectively for Rest of Qld. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of March 2025 would be approximately $54,361 (median) and $70,679 (average). According to 2021 Census figures, household income ranks at the 70th percentile ($2,064 weekly), while personal income sits at the 36th percentile. Distribution data shows that 37.5% of locals (3,431 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 income category, consistent with broader trends in the surrounding region where 31.7% are in the same category. High housing costs consume 16.8% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 68th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

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

Parkwood's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 90.7% houses and 9.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro Qld's 44.5% houses and 55.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Parkwood was higher at 27.7%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (41.9%) or rented (30.4%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,894, exceeding Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,750. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $538, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $420. Nationally, Parkwood's mortgage repayments are higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are substantially above the national figure of $375.

Parkwood features high concentrations of group households and family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 80.6% of all households, including 38.1% couples with children, 27.5% couples without children, and 13.3% single parent families. Non-family households account for 19.4%, comprising 12.8% lone person households and 6.8% group households. The median household size is 3.0 people, larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.3.

Parkwood performs slightly above the national average for education, showing competitive qualification levels and steady academic outcomes

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates at 26.8% among residents aged 15+, surpassing the Rest of Qld average of 20.6%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 18.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.7%) and graduate diplomas (2.0%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 36.4% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 11.9% and certificates at 24.5%.

Educational participation is high, with 32.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.6% in tertiary education, 9.0% in primary education, and 7.8% pursuing secondary education. Schooling facilities appear to be located outside the immediate catchment boundaries, necessitating families to access schools in neighboring areas.

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

Parkwood has 43 active public transport stops, offering a mix of lightrail and bus services. These stops are served by 5 different routes that together facilitate 1,755 weekly passenger trips. The transport system in Parkwood is rated as good, with residents situated an average of 209 meters from their nearest stop.

On average, there are 250 trips per day across all routes, which amounts to roughly 40 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Parkwood is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Parkwood shows better-than-average health outcomes, with low prevalence of common conditions across both younger and older age groups.

Private health cover is present in approximately 51% of the total population (~4,685 people), slightly lower than the average SA2 area. The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma (7.4%) and arthritis (7.3%). About 71.5% of residents report no medical ailments, higher than the Rest of Qld's 69.4%. The population aged 65 and over is 14.3% (1,308 people), lower than Rest of Qld's 17.1%. Seniors' health outcomes are above average, generally aligning with the overall population's health profile.

Parkwood was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Parkwood's population was found to be more linguistically diverse than most local markets, with 17.9% speaking a language other than English at home as of the latest data. Additionally, 33.3% were born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion in Parkwood, comprising 47.2% of its population.

However, Islam was notably overrepresented compared to regional averages, with 2.6% of Parkwood's population identifying as such, compared to 1.8% across Rest of Qld. In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (29.0%), Australian (21.9%), and Other (9.9%). Notably, New Zealanders comprised 1.7% of Parkwood's population, Maori made up 2.0%, and Koreans constituted 0.8%.

Parkwood's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Parkwood's median age in 2021 was 36 years, lower than the Rest of Qld figure of 41 years and Australia's median age of 38 years. The 15-24 cohort was notably over-represented at 18.7%, compared to the Rest of Qld average, while the 75-84 year-olds were under-represented at 4.3%. This 15-24 concentration was well above the national figure of 12.5%. Between 2021 and the present day, the 25 to 34 age group grew from 13.3% to 15.2%, while the 15 to 24 cohort increased from 17.2% to 18.7%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 11.8% to 10.1%, and the 45 to 54 group dropped from 13.6% to 12.1%. Demographic modeling projects significant changes in Parkwood's age profile by 2041. The 25 to 34 age cohort is projected to expand notably, increasing by 580 people (42%) from 1,390 to 1,971. Conversely, both the 55 to 64 and 15 to 24 age groups are projected to see reduced numbers.