Redland Bay
Statistical Area - sa2

Redland Bay lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Redland Bay's population, as of Aug 2025, is around 20,520. This figure reflects an increase of 2,755 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 17,765. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 19,594 in June 2024 and an additional 810 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 437 persons per square kilometer. Redland Bay's growth rate of 15.5% since the 2021 census exceeded both the SA4 region (7.6%) and the national average. Interstate migration contributed approximately 45.1% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including natural growth and overseas 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 are adopted, 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 ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Looking ahead, a significant population increase is forecast for the top quartile of statistical areas across the nation. Redland Bay is expected to increase by 5,085 persons by 2041, with an overall increase of 20.3% over the 17-year period based on the latest population numbers.

The level of residential development activity in Redland Bay was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

Redland Bay has seen approximately 204 new home approvals each year. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis, totalling 1,022 approvals across the past five financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, with 38 approvals so far in FY-26. On average, around 1.9 new residents have arrived per new home over the past five financial years. The supply and demand seem well-matched, indicating stable market dynamics.

New dwellings are developed at an average expected construction cost of $434,000, aligning with regional trends. There have been $34.9 million in commercial approvals this financial year, suggesting strong commercial development momentum. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Redland Bay shows moderately higher new home approvals, with 13.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period, providing reasonable buyer options while sustaining existing property demand. This is notably above the national average, reflecting strong developer confidence in the area.

New building activity comprises approximately 82.0% detached houses and 18.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's low density nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. The location has about 76 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. Population forecasts indicate Redland Bay will gain around 4,159 residents by 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Redland Bay has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 29thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 13 projects potentially impacting this region. Notable initiatives include Weinam Creek Priority Development Area, Marina Redland Bay, Shoreline Master Planned Community, and Southern Thornlands Priority Development Area. The following list details those likely most relevant.

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

AreaSearch analysis reveals Redland Bay significantly outperforming the majority of regions assessed nationwide

Redland Bay has a skilled workforce with the construction sector notably prominent. The unemployment rate was 2.5% in June 2025, below Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.1%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 4.7%, with 11,008 residents employed. Workforce participation is similar to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Leading employment industries are construction, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Construction shows strong specialization, with an employment share of 1.7 times the regional level.

Professional & technical services have lower representation at 5.0% compared to the regional average of 8.9%. The area may offer limited local employment opportunities. Over a 12-month period ending June 2025, employment increased by 4.7%, labour force grew by 4.4%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.3 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.23% with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. National forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Redland Bay's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.3% over five years and 13.0% over ten years.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ended June 2022 shows median income in Redland Bay was $60,354 and average income was $72,429. This compares to Greater Brisbane's median income of $55,645 and average income of $70,520. Based on Wage Price Index growth rate of 11.71% from July 2022 to March 2025, estimated median income in Redland Bay would be approximately $67,421 and average income would be around $80,910 by March 2025. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Redland Bay fall predominantly within the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket, with 37.4% of residents (7,674 people). This is consistent with broader regional trends where 33.3% of residents fall within the same income category. Housing costs consume 16.1% of income in Redland Bay, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 70th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

Redland Bay is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Redland Bay's housing structure, as per the latest Census, had 94.6% houses and 5.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Brisbane metro's 83.9% houses and 16.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Redland Bay was at 29.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 47.1% and rented ones at 23.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,076, above Brisbane metro's average of $2,000. Median weekly rent in Redland Bay was $470, higher than Brisbane metro's $425. Nationally, Redland Bay's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Redland Bay features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 84.2% of all households, including 40.1% couples with children, 32.3% couples without children, and 11.2% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 15.8%, comprising 13.6% lone person households and 2.0% group households. The median household size is 2.8 people, which is larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

Educational attainment in Redland Bay aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 17.5%, significantly lower than the Greater Brisbane average of 30.5%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 12.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.1%) and graduate diplomas (1.9%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 44.0% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 12.5% and certificates at 31.5%.

Educational participation is high, with 28.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.6% in primary education, 8.9% in secondary education, and 3.4% pursuing tertiary education. The area has two state schools - Redland Bay State School and Scenic Shores State School - serving a total of 996 students. These schools primarily focus on primary education, with secondary options available nearby due to limited local capacity (4.8 places per 100 residents vs the regional average of 14.4).

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

Redland Bay has 51 active public transport stops. These are a mix of ferry and bus services. There are 6 different routes operating in total, which together provide 1,810 weekly passenger trips.

The average distance from residents to the nearest transport stop is 366 meters. On average, there are 258 trips per day across all routes. This equates to approximately 35 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Redland Bay has below-average health outcomes, with common conditions more prevalent than average among both younger and older residents.

Approximately 55% (~11,347 people) have private health cover, a rate significantly higher than the Queensland average of around 28%. The most common medical conditions are asthma (affecting 8.8% of residents) and mental health issues (8.5%), compared to approximately 64.6% in Greater Brisbane who report no medical ailments. Around 19.2% of Redland Bay's population is aged 65 and over (3,945 people), lower than the 25.3% in Greater Brisbane.

Redland Bay ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Redland Bay had a lower than average cultural diversity with 79.3% born in Australia, 89.8% citizens, and 94.5% speaking English only at home as of the 2016 Census. Christianity was the predominant religion at 51.1%, compared to 52.8% in Greater Brisbane. The top three ancestry groups were English (32.5%), Australian (26.9%), and Scottish (8.5%).

Notably, New Zealanders made up 1.4%, South Africans 1.0%, and Maori 0.9%.

Redland Bay's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Redland Bay is 39 years, which is slightly higher than Greater Brisbane's average of 36 years and close to Australia's median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Redland Bay has a higher percentage of residents aged 65-74 (11.0%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (10.2%). Between the 2021 Census and the present, the population aged 75 to 84 has increased from 5.2% to 6.3%, while the percentage of those aged 5 to 14 has decreased from 14.4% to 13.2%. By 2041, Redland Bay's age composition is expected to change significantly. The number of residents aged 75 to 84 is projected to grow by 85%, reaching 2,393 from 1,292. This growth will be led by the aging population dynamic, with those aged 65 and above comprising 62% of the projected growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the age groups 35-44 and 0-4 years.