Sheldon - Mount Cotton

Sheldon - Mount Cotton has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Sheldon - Mount Cotton's population is around 8,706 as of November 2025. This reflects an increase of 349 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 8,357 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 8,703 in June 2024 and an additional 1 validated new address since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 133 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Sheldon - Mount Cotton has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%, outpacing its SA4 region. Population growth was primarily driven by natural growth, contributing approximately 69.7% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. These state projections do not provide age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings are applied in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Future population trends anticipate lower quartile growth of statistical areas across the nation, with Sheldon - Mount Cotton expected to expand by 190 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of 2.1% over the 17 years.

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

Mount Cotton in Sheldon has averaged approximately 10 new dwelling approvals per year. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, a total of 53 homes were approved, with an additional 5 approved so far in FY26. On average, around 5.5 people have moved to the area each year for every dwelling built over these five years.

This has led to demand significantly outpacing supply, which typically puts upward pressure on prices and increases competition among buyers. The average value of new homes being built is $395,000, indicating an emphasis on quality construction that is moderately above regional levels. In FY26 alone, $4.2 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, suggesting the area's residential character. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Sheldon - Mount Cotton shows substantially reduced construction activity, with 87.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction usually reinforces demand and pricing for existing homes.

Nationally, this activity is also below average, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. Recent development has been entirely comprised of standalone homes, preserving the area's low density nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated count of 1051 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment. Looking ahead, Sheldon - Mount Cotton is expected to grow by 187 residents through to 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Sheldon - Mount Cotton has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 23rdth percentile nationally

The performance of an area can significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of fifteen such projects that are expected to impact the area. Notable among these are Redlands Coast Regional Sport and Recreation Precinct, Birkdale Community Precinct, Redland Whitewater Centre, and Edge 521 Townhouses. The following list details those projects considered most relevant.

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

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Employment conditions in Sheldon - Mount Cotton rank among the top 10% of areas assessed nationally

Sheldon - Mount Cotton's workforce is skilled with a notable presence in the construction sector. The unemployment rate was 1.2% as of September 2025, lower than Greater Brisbane's 4.0%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 6.3%. In September 2025, 5,537 residents were employed with a participation rate of 74.8%, higher than Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Dominant employment sectors include construction, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Construction is particularly specialized, with an employment share 1.7 times the regional level.

Conversely, health care & social assistance has lower representation at 13.0% compared to the regional average of 16.1%. Employment opportunities locally appear limited based on Census data comparison. Over a 12-month period ending in September 2025, employment increased by 6.3%, labour force by 6.0%, and unemployment rate fell by 0.2 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane had employment growth of 3.8% and labour force growth of 3.3%, with a 0.5 percentage point drop in unemployment rate. State-level data up to 25-Nov-25 shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1,210 jobs) with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Sheldon - Mount Cotton's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 13.0% over ten years, assuming constant population projections for illustrative purposes.

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 2022 shows that income in Sheldon - Mount Cotton SA2 is slightly above average nationally. The median income is $55,674 and the average income stands at $66,350. This contrasts with Greater Brisbane's figures of a median income of $55,645 and an average income of $70,520. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $63,463 (median) and $75,632 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes in Sheldon - Mount Cotton rank highly nationally, between the 82nd and 93rd percentiles. Income brackets indicate that 36.3% of locals (3,160 people) fall into the $1,500 - $2,999 category, aligning with the region where this cohort likewise represents 33.3%. A significant 40.5% earn above $3,000 weekly. Housing accounts for 13.9% of income and strong earnings rank residents within the 93rd percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Sheldon - Mount Cotton is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Sheldon - Mount Cotton's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, was 99.4% houses and 0.6% other dwellings. In comparison, Brisbane metro had 83.9% houses and 16.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Sheldon - Mount Cotton stood at 26.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 62.7% and rented ones at 10.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, higher than Brisbane metro's $2,000. Weekly rent median was $475, compared to Brisbane metro's $425. Nationally, Sheldon - Mount Cotton's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,167 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Sheldon - Mount Cotton features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 89.6% of all households, including 52.3% couples with children, 27.9% couples without children, and 8.9% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 10.4%, with lone person households at 9.0% and group households comprising 1.5%. The median household size is 3.1 people, larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

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

Sheldon-Mount Cotton trail residents aged 15+ have 23.4% with university degrees, compared to Greater Brisbane's 30.5%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 16.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.4%) and graduate diplomas (2.5%). Vocational credentials are held by 42.8% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 13.8% and certificates at 29.0%. Educational participation is high, with 31.2% currently enrolled in formal education: primary (11.7%), secondary (9.4%), and tertiary (4.0%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 31.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.7% in primary education, 9.4% in secondary education, and 4.0% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Sheldon-Mount Cotton has 22 active public transport stops, serving a mix of bus routes. These stops are covered by six different routes that together facilitate 392 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport in the area is rated as moderate, with residents typically living about 584 meters from their nearest stop.

On average, there are 56 trips per day across all routes, which works out to approximately 17 weekly trips per individual stop.

Sheldon - Mount Cotton's residents are extremely healthy with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population and nearer the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Sheldon-Mount Cotton, with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population.

Among older cohorts and those at risk, prevalence is near the nation's average. The rate of private health cover in the area is approximately 52% of the total population (~4,561 people), leading that of the average SA2 area. The most common medical conditions are mental health issues and asthma, impacting 8.2 and 7.7% of residents respectively. A total of 72.9% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 64.6% across Greater Brisbane. Sheldon-Mount Cotton has 12.9% of residents aged 65 and over (1,126 people), which is lower than the 25.3% in Greater Brisbane. However, health outcomes among seniors require more attention than those for the broader population.

Sheldon - Mount Cotton ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Mount Cotton, Sheldon had a cultural diversity rating below average. Its population was predominantly Australian-born, with 80.2%, and citizens, at 92.0%. English was the language spoken at home by 94.2% of residents.

Christianity was the dominant religion in Mount Cotton, Sheldon, accounting for 49.0% of people, compared to 52.8% across Greater Brisbane. The top three ancestry groups were English (33.0%), Australian (27.6%), and Scottish (8.0%). Notably, South African ethnicity was overrepresented at 1.3%, compared to the regional average of 1.0%. Similarly, New Zealand ethnicity stood at 1.1% versus 1.2% regionally, and Dutch ethnicity was at 1.7% against a regional average of 1.6%.

Sheldon - Mount Cotton's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Sheldon - Mount Cotton has a median age of 38, which is slightly older than Greater Brisbane's figure of 36 but equal to Australia's 38 years. The 5-14 age group makes up 16.5% of the population, higher than Greater Brisbane, while the 25-34 cohort comprises 8.5%. Between 2021 and the present, the 75-84 age group has increased from 3.2% to 5.0% of the population. Conversely, the 25-34 cohort has decreased from 11.2% to 8.5%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Sheldon - Mount Cotton's age structure. The 75-84 group is expected to grow by 57%, reaching 678 people from 430. Those aged 65 and above will account for 58% of the projected population growth. Meanwhile, the 0-4 and 25-34 age groups are anticipated to experience population declines.