Stanthorpe

Stanthorpe has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Stanthorpe's population is around 5,494 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 208 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,286 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 5,455 in June 2024 and an additional 33 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 163 persons per square kilometer. Stanthorpe's growth of 3.9% since census positions it within 1.4 percentage points of the SA4 region (5.3%). Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 54.9% 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 in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections are applied where utilised. Demographic trends anticipate lower quartile growth for Australia's regional areas. The area is expected to increase by 17 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a decline of 0.4% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Stanthorpe, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Stanthorpe averaged approximately 13 new dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling 66 homes. As of FY26, 9 approvals have been recorded. The average population increase per dwelling built over these years is 0.6 people. This suggests that supply meets or exceeds demand, offering more buyer choices and supporting potential population growth.

The average value of new homes being built is $312,000, which is lower than regional levels, indicating more affordable housing options for buyers. In FY26, there have been $8.5 million in commercial approvals, suggesting limited focus on commercial development. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Stanthorpe has around two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 39th percentile nationally, resulting in relatively constrained buyer choice and interest in existing properties. New building activity comprises 80.0% detached houses and 20.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers.

The estimated population per dwelling approval is 428 people, reflecting its quiet development environment. With stable or declining population forecasts, Stanthorpe may experience less housing pressure, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

Stanthorpe has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Five projects identified by AreaSearch may impact the area's performance: 14 Wallangarra Road Student Accommodation, The Avenues Stanthorpe, Stanthorpe Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade, and Stanthorpe Streetscape Project.

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 analysis reveals Stanthorpe recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Stanthorpe's workforce is balanced across white and blue collar jobs, with varied sector representation. The unemployment rate was 5.4% as of September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 3.8% over the past year. There were 2,296 residents employed while the unemployment rate was higher than Rest of Qld's rate by 1.3%, at 4.1%.

Workforce participation in Stanthorpe was lower at 51.2%, compared to Rest of Qld's 65.7%. According to Census responses, only 8.0% of residents worked from home. Leading employment industries were health care & social assistance, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and retail trade. Agriculture, forestry & fishing had a significant share at 3.0 times the regional level.

Mining employed just 0.6% of local workers, below Rest of Qld's 3.6%. Many residents commuted elsewhere for work based on Census data. Over a 12-month period ending in September 2025, employment increased by 3.8%, labour force grew by 6.9%, leading to an unemployment rise of 2.8 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment grow by 1.7%, labour force by 2.1%, and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across industry sectors. Applying these projections to Stanthorpe's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.0% over five years and 12.8% over ten years.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that income in Stanthorpe SA2 is below the national average. The median income is $39,766 and the average income stands at $49,384. In contrast, Rest of Qld has a median income of $53,146 and an average income of $66,593. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Stanthorpe would be approximately $43,707 (median) and $54,278 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals that household, family, and personal incomes in Stanthorpe all fall between the 2nd and 7th percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate that the $400 - $799 bracket dominates with 33.2% of residents (1,824 people), differing from the broader area where the $1,500 - $2,999 category predominates at 31.7%. Economic circumstances reflect widespread financial pressure, with 42.7% of households operating within modest weekly budgets below $800. After housing expenses, 85.1% of income remains, ranking at only the 4th percentile nationally.

Stanthorpe is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Stanthorpe's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 88.4% houses and 11.6% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Stanthorpe was at 44.8%, with mortgaged properties at 23.8% and rented ones at 31.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,200, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,655. Stanthorpe's median weekly rent figure was $250, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $345. Nationally, Stanthorpe's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 61.1% of all households, including 18.6% couples with children, 31.7% couples without children, and 9.8% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 38.9%, with lone person households at 36.2% and group households comprising 2.6%. The median household size is 2.1 people, smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

Stanthorpe faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 16.3%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.5%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 37.2% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.2%) and certificates (28.0%). Educational participation is high, with 25.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising primary (10.3%), secondary (8.7%), and tertiary (1.9%) levels.

Educational participation is notably high, with 25.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.3% in primary education, 8.7% in secondary education, and 1.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Stanthorpe has seven active public transport stops, all serving buses. These are covered by two routes, offering a combined 22 weekly passenger trips. Residents have limited access to transport, living an average of 977 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outwards daily using cars, with 92% doing so and 6% walking. On average, there are 1.2 vehicles per dwelling, below the regional norm. According to the 2021 Census, only 8% of residents work from home, which could be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages three trips per day across all routes, resulting in approximately three weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Stanthorpe is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Stanthorpe faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are notable across both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover is extremely low, at approximately 46% of the total population (around 2,527 people), compared to 52.5% in the rest of Queensland and a national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 12.4% and 8.9% of residents respectively. However, 59.6% of residents claim to be completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.6% in the rest of Queensland. Working-age populations face notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. The area has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over, at 32.8% (1,799 people), compared to 20.4% in the rest of Queensland.

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

Stanthorpe's cultural diversity was found to be below average. As of the census on 31 August 2016, 88.3% of its population were Australian citizens, with 83.2% born in Australia and 90.4% speaking English only at home. The predominant religion in Stanthorpe was Christianity, comprising 62.6% of the population, compared to 52.2% across the rest of Queensland.

Regarding ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups were English (30.0%), Australian (27.2%), and Irish (8.5%). Notably, Italian ethnicity was overrepresented at 8.2%, compared to 2.4% regionally, while German stood at 4.4% (vs 4.7%) and Korean at 0.4% (vs 0.2%).

Stanthorpe ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Stanthorpe's median age is 50 years, significantly older than Rest of Qld's 41 and the Australian median of 38. The age profile shows that 16.5% are aged 65-74, while only 8.7% are aged 5-14. This compares to Rest of Qld where 9.5% are aged 65-74 and 12.0% are aged 5-14. Post-2021 Census data shows the 15-24 age group grew from 8.9% to 11.4%, while the 75-84 cohort increased from 10.5% to 11.9%. Conversely, the 5-14 group declined from 11.6% to 8.7% and the 45-54 group dropped from 11.3% to 10.0%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests that Stanthorpe's age profile will evolve significantly. The 85+ age cohort is projected to expand by 136 people (58%), from 236 to 373. Senior residents aged 65 and above will drive 72% of population growth, underscoring demographic aging trends. Meanwhile, both the 35-44 and 65-74 age groups are projected to decrease in number.