Southern Moreton Bay Islands
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Southern Moreton Bay Islands' population was around 10,021 as of November 2025. This reflected an increase of 1,540 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 8,481 people. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 9,993 from the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 127 validated new addresses since the Census date. This resulted in a density ratio of 251 persons per square kilometer. Southern Moreton Bay Islands' growth rate of 18.2% since the 2021 census exceeded both the SA4 region's 7.7% and the national average, positioning it as a growth leader. Interstate migration contributed approximately 89.3% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopted 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 were used, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections did not provide age category splits. Therefore, AreaSearch applied proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Considering projected demographic shifts, a significant population increase was forecast for the area, expected to grow by 3,126 persons to 2041 based on the latest population numbers, recording a gain of 30.9% over the 17 years.

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

Southern Moreton Bay Islands saw approximately 255 new homes approved annually. From Financial Year 21 to Financial Year 25, a total of 1,276 homes were approved, with an additional 118 approved in Financial Year 26. On average, each new home attracted around 1.7 new residents per year over the past five financial years.

This balance between supply and demand has maintained stable market conditions. The average construction cost of these new homes was $170,000, below the regional average, indicating more affordable housing options for buyers. In Financial Year 26, commercial approvals totalled $200,000, reflecting the area's residential nature. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Southern Moreton Bay Islands had 201.0% more new home approvals per person as of Financial Year 25, offering greater choice for buyers and indicating robust developer interest in the area. All recent development comprised detached dwellings, preserving the area's low-density character and attracting space-seeking buyers with an average of around 39 people per dwelling approval.

By 2041, population forecasts suggest Southern Moreton Bay Islands will gain approximately 3,098 residents. Given current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially facilitating growth beyond current projections.

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

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects expected to influence the region: Marina Redland Bay, Scenic Shores State School, Shoreline Redlands Master-Planned Community, and Southern Moreton Bay Islands Ferry Terminals Upgrade. The following list highlights those likely most relevant.

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

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Employment drivers in Southern Moreton Bay Islands are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Southern Moreton Bay Islands has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs. The unemployment rate was 17.8% in June 2025, compared to Greater Brisbane's 4.1%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 6.0%. As of June 2025, 2,666 residents were employed. Workforce participation was 31.1%, significantly lower than Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Key industries for employment among residents are health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.

The area has a high specialization in construction, with an employment share of 1.5 times the regional level. However, professional & technical services were under-represented at 5.1%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 8.9%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited, as indicated by Census data comparing working population to resident population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 6.0% and labour force grew by 4.4%, reducing the unemployment rate by 1.2 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Brisbane recorded employment growth of 4.4%, labour force growth of 4.0%, with a reduction in unemployment of 0.4 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia (May 2025) project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Southern Moreton Bay Islands' employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.6%% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

Southern Moreton Bay Islands had a median taxpayer income of $32,445 and an average income of $43,126 in the financial year 2022. These figures are lower than national averages. Greater Brisbane, for comparison, had a median income of $55,645 and an average income of $70,520 in the same period. By September 2025, estimates suggest these incomes would have increased to approximately $36,984 (median) and $49,159 (average), based on a 13.99% growth rate since financial year 2022. Census data indicates that income levels in Southern Moreton Bay Islands fall between the 0th and 2nd percentiles nationally for household, family, and personal incomes. The $400 - $799 earnings band captures 42.0% of the community (4,208 individuals), contrasting with the metropolitan region where the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket is the highest at 33.3%. Economic circumstances show widespread financial pressure, with 54.2% of households operating on weekly budgets below $800 after housing costs. After housing expenses, 85.4% of income remains, which ranks at only the 3rd percentile nationally.

Southern Moreton Bay Islands is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Southern Moreton Bay Islands' dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 99.4% houses and 0.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Brisbane metro's 83.9% houses and 16.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Southern Moreton Bay Islands was at 52.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 23.4% and rented ones at 23.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $904, lower than Brisbane metro's average of $2,000. Weekly rent in the area was recorded at $260, compared to Brisbane metro's $425. Nationally, Southern Moreton Bay Islands' mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Southern Moreton Bay Islands features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 53.6% of all households, including 9.1% that are couples with children, 33.7% that are couples without children, and 9.8% that are single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 46.4%, with lone person households at 40.8% and group households comprising 5.7%. The median household size is 1.9 people, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

Southern Moreton Bay Islands faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 15.3%, significantly lower than the Greater Brisbane average of 30.5%. This indicates an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 10.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.1%) and graduate diplomas (2.1%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 45.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas (12.5%) and certificates (32.6%).

School and university attendance comprises 19.1% of the community, including 6.3% in primary education, 6.1% in secondary education, and 2.1% pursuing tertiary education. MacLeay Island State School and Russell Island State School serve a total of 327 students, focusing exclusively on primary education with secondary options available nearby. The area has limited local school capacity (3.3 places per 100 residents vs 14.4 regionally), leading many families to travel for schooling.

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

Transport analysis shows six active stops operating in Southern Moreton Bay Islands. These stops offer a mix of ferry services. There is one route serving these stops, collectively providing 407 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated as limited, with residents typically located 2688 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 58 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 67 weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Southern Moreton Bay Islands is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Southern Moreton Bay Islands face significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Private health cover is low, at approximately 47% of the total population (~4,669 people), compared to 54.2% in Greater Brisbane and a national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (15.0%) and mental health issues (12.3%), while 47.2% report no medical ailments, lower than the 64.6% in Greater Brisbane.

The area has 42.8% of residents aged 65 and over (4,289 people), higher than the 25.3% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges but perform better than the general population in health metrics.

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

Southern Moreton Bay Islands had lower cultural diversity compared to the average, with 84.2% of its population being citizens, 73.5% born in Australia, and 95.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, comprising 49.1% of the population. The notable overrepresentation was in the 'Other' category, which accounted for 1.0% compared to 0.6% across Greater Brisbane.

For ancestry, the top three groups were English (34.1%), Australian (22.8%), and Irish (10.7%). Some other ethnic groups showed notable differences: Scottish was overrepresented at 9.8%, New Zealand at 1.3%, and French at 0.8%.

Southern Moreton Bay Islands ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Southern Moreton Bay Islands is 61 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Brisbane's average of 36 years and also older than the national norm of 38 years. Compared to Greater Brisbane, the 65-74 cohort is notably over-represented at 25.8% locally, while the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 3.8%. This concentration of the 65-74 age group is well above the national average of 9.4%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 11.7% to 14.6% of the population, while the 15 to 24 cohort increased from 5.5% to 6.8%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 age group has declined from 12.9% to 11.4%. By 2041, Southern Moreton Bay Islands is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. The 75 to 84 age cohort is projected to expand considerably by 1,156 people (79%), from 1,463 to 2,620. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 84% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. On the other hand, both the 15 to 24 and 0 to 4 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.