Sherwood
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Sherwood's population was approximately 7,080 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 628 people from the 2021 Census count of 6,452 individuals. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 6,985 in June 2024 and an additional 80 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 3,105 persons per square kilometer, placing Sherwood in the upper quartile relative to other locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's 9.7% growth since the 2021 census exceeded both the SA4 region (8.3%) and the national average, indicating it as a growth leader during this period. Overseas migration contributed approximately 63.3% of overall population gains in recent periods, although natural growth and interstate migration also played positive roles.

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 or years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections from 2023 based on 2021 data are used. These state projections do not provide age category splits; thus, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 using a base year of 2022 for each age cohort. Future population trends suggest an increase just below the median of statistical areas analyzed by AreaSearch, with the area expected to gain 764 persons by 2041 based on current numbers, resulting in a total growth of approximately 9.4% over this period.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Sherwood when compared nationally

Sherwood has received approximately 25 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 127 homes. As of FY-26, 7 approvals have been recorded. On average, 5.5 people move to Sherwood each year for every dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25. This has led to high demand and increased competition among buyers, with new dwellings constructed at an average cost of $415,000.

In FY-26, there have been $2.2 million in commercial approvals, indicating the area's residential focus. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Sherwood has 17.0% less building activity per person but ranks in the 52nd percentile nationally for areas assessed. New developments consist of equal parts detached houses and townhouses/apartments, promoting higher-density living which can be more affordable and appealing to downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. With around 450 people moving to Sherwood for each dwelling approval, it indicates a developed market.

Future projections estimate an increase of 669 residents by 2041. Current construction rates appear balanced with future demand, maintaining steady market conditions without excessive price pressure.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects that may impact this region. Major initiatives include Oxley Creek Transformation, Parklands At Sherwood, Cross River Rail - Graceville Station, and Centenary Motorway Bypass. The following details those likely to be most relevant.

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Employment performance in Sherwood exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

Sherwood's workforce is highly educated with significant representation in professional services. The unemployment rate as of June 2025 was 3.4%.

At this time, 3951 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate 0.7% lower than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation was 68.6%, slightly higher than Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. The dominant employment sectors were health care & social assistance, professional & technical, and education & training. Sherwood had a particular specialization in professional & technical services, with an employment share 1.7 times the regional level.

Conversely, construction employed only 4.8% of local workers, below Greater Brisbane's 9.0%. The area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data analysis. Between June 2024 and June 2025, Sherwood's labour force decreased by 1.4%, while employment declined by 1.3%, with unemployment remaining largely unchanged. In comparison, Greater Brisbane saw employment growth of 4.4% and labour force growth of 4.0%, with a reduction in unemployment by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 projected national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates varied significantly between sectors. Applying these projections to Sherwood's employment mix suggested local growth of approximately 7.1% over five years and 14.5% over ten years.

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

Sherwood's median income among taxpayers was $66,970 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $91,328 during the same period. These figures compare to Greater Brisbane's median and average incomes of $55,645 and $70,520 respectively. As of September 2025, estimates based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% suggest median income would be approximately $76,339 and average income around $104,105. Census data shows household, family, and personal incomes in Sherwood rank highly nationally, between the 71st and 84th percentiles. Income brackets indicate that 28.8% of locals (2,039 people) fall into the $1,500 - $2,999 weekly category, similar to the metropolitan region where this cohort represents 33.3%. Higher earners make up a substantial presence with 34.3% exceeding $3,000 weekly, indicating strong purchasing power within the community. High housing costs consume 15.3% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 72nd percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Sherwood displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Sherwood's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, comprised 53.9% houses and 46.1% other dwellings. In Brisbane metro, this was 48.9% houses and 51.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Sherwood stood at 29.8%, similar to Brisbane metro's level. Mortgaged dwellings constituted 33.8%, while rented ones were at 36.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,210, higher than Brisbane metro's average of $2,167. Median weekly rent in Sherwood was $395, compared to Brisbane metro's $410. Nationally, Sherwood's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,210 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were also higher at $395 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 65.6% of all households, including 30.6% couples with children, 25.1% couples without children, and 8.2% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 34.4%, with lone person households at 30.6% and group households comprising 4.1% of the total. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.5.

Educational achievement in Sherwood places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

In Sherwood, educational attainment is notably high, with 50.8% of residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications, compared to 25.7% in Queensland (QLD) and 30.4% nationally. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 32.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (13.9%) and graduate diplomas (4.6%). Vocational pathways account for 21.5% of qualifications among those aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 9.6% and certificates at 11.9%. Educational participation is also high, with 31.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 9.0% in primary, 9.0% in tertiary, and 8.9% pursuing secondary education.

Sherwood State School serves the local area, enrolling 643 students as of a given date, and demonstrates significant socio-educational advantages with an ICSEA score of 1140. The school focuses exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in surrounding areas. Local school capacity is limited at 9.2 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 26.1, resulting in many families traveling for schooling.

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

Sherwood has 22 operational public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 76 distinct routes, facilitating a total of 3,329 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport is deemed good, with residents on average situated 213 meters from the nearest stop.

Across all routes, service frequency averages 475 trips per day, translating to roughly 151 weekly trips per individual stop.

Sherwood's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Sherwood. Both young and old age cohorts exhibit low prevalence of common health conditions.

The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 67% of the total population (4,750 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%. The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and asthma, impacting 8.3 and 7.4% of residents respectively. Seventy-two point nine percent of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 74.7% across Greater Brisbane. Eighteen point zero percent of residents are aged 65 and over (1,276 people), higher than the 14.4% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

Sherwood 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

Sherwood's population showed higher cultural diversity than most local markets, with 14.9% speaking a language other than English at home and 26.5% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion in Sherwood, accounting for 47.5%. While Judaism made up only 0.3%, this was similar to Greater Brisbane's 0.3%.

The top three parental ancestry groups were English (27.5%), Australian (22.1%), and Irish (11.1%). Notable differences existed in the representation of Scottish (9.9% vs regional 8.7%), Russian (0.6% vs 0.5%), and Welsh (0.7% vs 0.6%) groups.

Sherwood's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Sherwood's median age is 38 years, slightly higher than Greater Brisbane's figure of 36 but equal to Australia's median age of 38 years. The 75-84 age group makes up a strong 7.6% of Sherwood's population compared to Greater Brisbane, while the 25-34 cohort is less prevalent at 12.8%. Between 2021 and now, the proportion of the population in the 75-84 age group has grown from 5.2% to 7.6%, whereas the 25-34 cohort has decreased from 13.8% to 12.8%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Sherwood's age structure. Notably, the 75-84 group is expected to grow by 73%, adding 393 people and reaching a total of 932 from its current figure of 538. The aging population trend is evident with those aged 65 and above contributing to 72% of the projected growth. Conversely, the 15-24 and 0-4 age cohorts are anticipated to experience population declines.