St Lucia

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

St Lucia's population is approximately 15,276 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 3,056 people, a 25.0% rise from the 2021 Census population of 12,220. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 14,981 in June 2024 and an additional 129 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 4,466 persons per square kilometer, placing St Lucia in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's growth rate exceeds both the SA4 region (8.3%) and the national average, making it a growth leader. Overseas migration contributed approximately 96.4% of overall population gains during recent periods.

For projections, AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for each SA2 area. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections from 2023, based on 2021 data, are used. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 and based on 2022 data for each age cohort. Future population trends indicate a slight increase below the national median statistical areas' average by 2041, with an expected gain of 6.5% over 17 years to reach a total population of approximately 16,568 persons.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees St Lucia recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

St Lucia has averaged approximately 27 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 135 homes. As of FY-26, there has been 1 recorded approval. Historically, around 10 new residents have arrived per year for each dwelling constructed between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating significant demand exceeding supply. New properties are constructed at an average value of $536,000, targeting the premium market segment with higher-end properties.

In this financial year, there have been $138.6 million in commercial approvals, reflecting high local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Brisbane, St Lucia has notably less development activity, 57.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings. Additionally, it is lower than nationally, suggesting market maturity and possible development constraints. New development in St Lucia consists of 73.0% detached dwellings and 27.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's suburban nature with a focus on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers.

This favours detached housing more than current patterns suggest (33.0% at Census), indicating ongoing robust demand for family homes despite increasing density pressures. St Lucia has approximately 699 people per approval, demonstrating a mature, established area. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, St Lucia is projected to add 997 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

St Lucia has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 33 projects likely impacting the region. Notable initiatives include the 525-Home Indooroopilly Development, University of Queensland Student Residence Complex, University of Queensland Paralympic Centre of Excellence, and St Lucia Site Development Plan. The following list details those most relevant.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

AreaSearch assessment positions St Lucia ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

St. Lucia has a highly educated workforce with professional services well-represented and an unemployment rate of 2.5%.

As of September 2025, 8,285 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 1.5% lower than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.0%, but workforce participation is somewhat lower at 60.4%. Leading employment sectors among residents include education & training, professional & technical services, and health care & social assistance, with a notable concentration in education & training (2.2 times the regional average). Construction has limited presence with 3.3% employment compared to the regional average of 9.0%. The worker-to-resident ratio is substantial at 0.9.

Over the year to September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 3.0%, accompanied by a 2.5% decrease in employment, leading to a fall in unemployment rate by 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane saw employment rise by 3.8%. State-level data from 25-Nov shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01% with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, closely aligned with the national rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary significantly between sectors. Applying these projections to St. Lucia's employment mix suggests local employment should grow by 6.8% over five years and 13.9% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The St Lucia SA2's median income among taxpayers was $39,312 during financial year 2022. The average income stood at $77,848 in the same period. These figures compare to those for Greater Brisbane, which were $55,645 and $70,520 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates project median income at approximately $44,812 and average income at $88,739 as of September 2025. According to Census 2021 income data, individual incomes lagged at the 6th percentile ($548 weekly), while household income performed better at the 51st percentile. The predominant income cohort in St Lucia SA2 spans 31.0% of locals (4,735 people) with incomes ranging from $1,500 to 2,999 per week, reflecting a pattern seen in the broader area where 33.3% similarly occupy this range. Housing affordability pressures were severe, with only 82.6% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 49th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 7th decile.

St Lucia features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

The dwelling structure in St Lucia, as per the latest Census evaluation, consisted of 33.1% houses and 66.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Brisbane metro had 48.9% houses and 51.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in St Lucia was at 27.4%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (18.3%) or rented (54.3%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in St Lucia was $2,000, below Brisbane metro's average of $2,167. The median weekly rent figure for St Lucia was recorded at $410, matching Brisbane metro's figure. Nationally, St Lucia's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

St Lucia features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 55.1% of all households, including 21.9% couples with children, 23.9% couples without children, and 6.3% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 44.9%, with lone person households making up 25.0% and group households comprising 19.9%. The median household size is 2.4 people, smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.5.

St Lucia shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

St Lucia's educational attainment significantly exceeds broader benchmarks. Among residents aged 15+, 51.6% hold university qualifications, compared to 25.7% in Queensland (QLD) and 30.4% in Australia overall. This educational advantage positions the area favourably for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 27.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 21.9%, and graduate diplomas at 2.7%.

Technical qualifications represent 13.6% of educational achievements, with advanced diplomas at 6.2% and certificates at 7.4%. Educational participation is notably high, with 56.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 41.9% in tertiary education, 5.8% in primary education, and 3.9% pursuing secondary education.

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

The analysis shows that St Lucia has 54 active public transport stops. These are a mix of ferry and bus services. There are 18 individual routes operating collectively providing 6,187 weekly passenger trips.

The average distance from residents to the nearest stop is 149 meters. Service frequency averages 883 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 114 weekly trips per individual stop.

St Lucia's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

St Lucia's health outcomes show excellent results across all age groups, with very low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 59% of the total population (8,982 people), compared to 66.6% in Greater Brisbane.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent medical conditions, affecting 8.6 and 7.3% of residents respectively. A significant majority, 77.2%, report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 74.7% across Greater Brisbane. The area has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 10.7% (1,639 people), compared to 14.4% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, broadly aligning with the general population's health profile.

St Lucia is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

St Lucia has a significant cultural diversity, with 33.6% speaking a language other than English at home and 42.9% born overseas. Christianity is the main religion, comprising 34.9% of the population. Judaism, however, is overrepresented at 0.3%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 0.3%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (21.4%), Australian (19.1%), and Other (14.3%). Notably, Chinese are overrepresented at 10.9% versus the regional average of 7.2%, South African at 0.8% compared to 0.7%, and Russian remains unchanged at 0.5%.

St Lucia hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

St Lucia's median age is 24, lower than Greater Brisbane's 36 and Australia's 38. The age profile shows a prominent 15-24 group (41.6%) and a smaller 55-64 group (4.7%). Post-2021 Census data indicates rejuvenation with median age falling from 25 to 24, 15-24 population growing from 38.1% to 41.6%, while 55-64 and 35-44 groups declined to 4.7% and 9.6% respectively. By 2041, demographic projections show the 85+ cohort surging from 197 to 625 (217%), with residents aged 65 and older accounting for 66% of growth. Conversely, 5-14 and 0-4 cohorts are expected to decline in population.