Stafford
Statistical Area - sa2

Stafford has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Stafford's population, as of November 2025, is approximately 7400. This figure represents an increase of 483 people, a 7.0% rise from the 6917 reported in the 2021 Census. The estimated resident population of 7378 in June 2024, along with 31 validated new addresses since the Census date, supports this inference. This results in a population density ratio of 2151 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Stafford's growth rate of 7.0% since the census is within 0.3 percentage points of the SA3 area's 7.3%, indicating strong growth fundamentals. Natural growth contributed approximately 56.3% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses 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 from 2023, based on 2021 data, are adopted. However, these state projections lack age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023, using 2022 data for each age cohort. Future population trends suggest a median national area increase, with Stafford expected to grow by 604 persons to 2041, representing a total increase of 7.9% over the 17 years.

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

Stafford has received approximately 21 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 109 homes. In FY-26 so far, 70 approvals have been recorded. On average, 3.9 new residents arrive per year per dwelling constructed between FY-21 and FY-25. This supply is lagging demand, leading to heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures.

New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost of $467,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. In this financial year, $17.7 million in commercial approvals have been registered, showing moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Stafford has around three-quarters the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 33rd percentile nationally, resulting in relatively constrained buyer choice and interest in existing homes. Recent construction comprises 80% standalone homes and 20% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's suburban nature and attracting space-seeking buyers.

With around 518 people per dwelling approval, Stafford shows a developed market with future projections indicating an addition of 582 residents by 2041. Present construction rates appear balanced with future demand, fostering steady market conditions without excessive price pressure.

Stafford has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 48thth percentile nationally

The performance of an area is significantly influenced by changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of 23 projects that are likely to impact the area. Notable projects include Stafford City Shopping Centre Redevelopment, Haven Townhomes (Stafford Heights), Stafford Central Mixed-Use Development, and Norman Avenue Apartments (Lutwyche). The following list details those considered 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.

Employment performance in Stafford has been broadly consistent with national averages

Stafford has a highly educated workforce with significant representation in professional services. The unemployment rate was 5.4% as of June 2025.

This represents an increase of 11.1% from the previous year. In comparison to Greater Brisbane's unemployment rate of 4.1%, Stafford's is 1.3% higher. Workforce participation in Stafford stands at 68.4%, slightly above Greater Brisbane's rate of 64.5%. The leading employment industries among residents are health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and education & training.

Notably, the professional & technical sector has employment levels at 1.3 times the regional average, while manufacturing employs only 4.3% of local workers, below Greater Brisbane's 6.4%. The worker-to-resident ratio in Stafford is 0.7, indicating a higher level of local employment opportunities compared to the norm. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment in Stafford increased by 11.1%, while the labour force grew by 10.6%. This resulted in a decrease in unemployment by 0.4 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane saw employment rise by 4.4% over the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Stafford's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 7.0% over five years and 14.2% over ten years, although these are simple weighted extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localized population projections.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that Stafford has a high national median assessed income of $60,061 and an average income of $72,211. This contrasts with Greater Brisbane's median income of $55,645 and average income of $70,520. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, estimated current incomes are approximately $68,464 (median) and $82,313 (average) as of September 2025. The 2021 Census reports that personal income ranks at the 76th percentile ($968 weekly), while household income is at the 51st percentile. Income brackets indicate that 31.6% of Stafford residents earn between $1,500 and $2,999 (2,338 individuals). Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 81.8% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 49th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

Stafford displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Stafford's dwellings, as per the latest Census, consisted of 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. In Brisbane metro, this was 67.2% houses and 32.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Stafford stood at 19.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 30.9% and rented ones at 49.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Stafford was $2,000, lower than Brisbane metro's $2,100. Median weekly rent in Stafford was $360, compared to Brisbane metro's $390. Nationally, Stafford's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,000 versus the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were lower at $360 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 60.6% of all households, including 23.0% that are couples with children, 24.4% that are couples without children, and 11.6% that are single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 39.4%, with lone person households at 33.3% and group households comprising 6.1% of the total. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.4.

The educational profile of Stafford exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Stafford's educational attainment is notably high with 36.3% of residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications compared to the Queensland average of 25.7% and the national average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 25.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.2%) and graduate diplomas (3.2%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 32.6% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (10.6%) and certificates (22.0%). Educational participation is high in Stafford, with 29.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 8.8% in primary education, 7.9% in tertiary education, and 6.3% pursuing secondary education.

The area's educational provision includes Queen of Apostles Primary School and Stafford State School, serving a total of 581 students. These schools focus exclusively on primary education, with ICSEA scores indicating above-average socio-educational conditions (1060). Secondary schooling options are available in surrounding areas due to limited local school capacity (7.8 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 16.0), leading many families to travel for schooling.

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

Stafford has 64 active public transport stops, all of which are bus services. These stops are served by 14 different routes that together facilitate 2,222 weekly passenger trips. The city's transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically residing just 123 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 317 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 34 weekly trips per individual stop.

Stafford's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with the level of common health conditions among the general population somewhat typical, though higher than the nation's average among older cohorts

Stafford's health metrics closely mirror national benchmarks, with common health conditions among its general population being somewhat typical but higher than the national average among older cohorts.

Approximately 55% (~4,092 people) of Stafford's total population has private health cover, which is very high compared to other areas. The most prevalent medical conditions in Stafford are mental health issues and asthma, affecting 11.4 and 8.8% of residents respectively. Conversely, 67.9% of residents claim to be completely free of medical ailments, slightly lower than the 69.1% reported across Greater Brisbane. As of 2021, 11.9% (878 people) of Stafford's residents are aged 65 and over, which is lower than the 16.6% recorded in Greater Brisbane. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Stafford require more attention than those for the broader population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Stafford was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Stafford has a higher-than-average cultural diversity, with 20.1% of its population born overseas and 12.3% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Stafford, accounting for 49.1% of the population. However, the category 'Other' shows an equal representation compared to Greater Brisbane, comprising 1.0% of Stafford's population.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups are English (26.9%), Australian (24.0%), and Irish (10.9%). Some ethnic groups have notable differences in representation: Italians are slightly overrepresented at 3.9%, New Zealanders at 0.8%, and Germans at 4.0%.

Stafford's population is younger than the national pattern

Stafford's median age is 35 years, nearly matching Greater Brisbane's average of 36 years, which is slightly younger than Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Stafford has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (20.3%), but fewer residents aged 75-84 (3.4%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is significantly higher than the national average of 14.5%. According to the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 5-14 has increased from 10.9% to 11.6%, while the proportion of residents aged 65-74 has decreased from 7.0% to 6.4%. Population forecasts for 2041 suggest significant demographic changes in Stafford, with the strongest projected growth in the 45-54 age group (24%), adding 203 residents to reach a total of 1,061. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 5-14 and 0-4 age groups.