Stanthorpe Surrounds

Population growth drivers in Stanthorpe Surrounds are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

Stanthorpe Surrounds' population was around 6,577 as of May 2026. Between the 2021 Census and June 2025, it increased by approximately 330 people (5.3%), reaching an estimated resident population of 6,544. This growth is attributed to 143 validated new addresses since the Census date and inferred from ABS data. The population density was around 2.5 persons per square kilometer as of May 2026. Stanthorpe Surrounds' growth rate exceeded that of its SA4 region (5.0%) between the 2021 Census and June 2025. Interstate migration contributed approximately 59.5% to this population increase, with other factors like overseas migration and natural growth also being positive contributors.

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, applying proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 using 2022 data for age cohort splits. By 2041, Stanthorpe Surrounds' population is projected to increase by approximately 565 persons, reflecting an overall increase of around 8.1% over the 16-year period based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.

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

Stanthorpe Surrounds has averaged approximately 22 new dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling 110 homes. As of FY-26, 9 approvals have been recorded. Each dwelling built in the area between FY-21 and FY-25 has resulted in an average of 3 new residents per year, indicating solid demand that supports property values. The average construction cost value for new homes is $238,000, which is under regional levels, suggesting more accessible housing choices for buyers.

This financial year, there have been $2.4 million in commercial approvals, indicating limited commercial development focus compared to other areas. When measured against the Rest of Qld, Stanthorpe Surrounds has around three-quarters the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and places among the 44th percentile nationally, resulting in relatively constrained buyer choice and supporting interest in existing properties. This is under the national average, indicating the area's established nature and suggesting potential planning limitations. All new construction in the area since FY-21 has been comprised of detached dwellings, preserving its low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers.

The estimated count of 372 people per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment. Future projections estimate Stanthorpe Surrounds will add 532 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.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 11 projects likely affecting the region. Notable ones include Emu Swamp Dam Project (Granite Belt Irrigation Project), 14 Wallangarra Road Student Accommodation, The Avenues Stanthorpe, and Stanthorpe Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade.

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.

The employment landscape in Stanthorpe Surrounds shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

Stanthorpe Surrounds has a skilled workforce with diverse sector representation. The unemployment rate was 4.1% as of December 2025. Employment grew by an estimated 4.5% over the past year.

There were 3,131 residents in work as of December 2025, with an unemployment rate aligned with Regional Qld's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation was at 58.6%, significantly lower than Regional Qld's 64.5%. According to Census responses, 17.4% of residents worked from home. Employment is concentrated in agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and construction.

Stanthorpe Surrounds has a particular employment specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with an employment share 5.4 times the regional level. Health care & social assistance employs 12.2% of local workers, below Regional Qld's 16.1%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 4.5%, while labour force increased by 6.4%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 1.7 percentage points. In comparison, Regional Qld saw employment grow by 0.7%, labour force expand by 1.0%, and unemployment rise by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest potential future demand within Stanthorpe Surrounds. National employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Stanthorpe Surrounds' employment mix suggests local employment should increase by approximately 5.2% over five years and 11.6% 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 Stanthorpe Surrounds SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $40,001 and an average of $48,665. This is lower than the national average. In comparison, Regional Qld has a median income of $53,146 and an average of $66,593. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of March 2026 would be approximately $44,545 (median) and $54,193 (average). Census data indicates household, family and personal incomes in Stanthorpe Surrounds are between the 7th and 9th percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals that 29.7% of locals (1,953 people) fall into the $800 - 1,499 income category, unlike the regional pattern where the $1,500 - 2,999 category dominates with 31.7%. Despite modest housing costs allowing for 88.3% of income retention, total disposable income ranks at just the 13th percentile nationally.

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

Dwelling structure in Stanthorpe Surrounds, as evaluated at the Census conducted 2016, comprised 97.6% houses and 2.4% other dwellings. In Regional Qld, this was 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Stanthorpe Surrounds was 50.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 31.9% and rented dwellings at 17.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,248, compared to Regional Qld's $1,655. Median weekly rent figure in Stanthorpe Surrounds was $240, while Regional Qld's was $345. Nationally, Stanthorpe Surrounds' mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents substantially below the national figure of $375.

Stanthorpe Surrounds has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 74.6% of all households, including 25.4% of couples with children, 39.9% of couples without children, and 8.6% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 25.4%, with lone person households at 23.2% and group households comprising 2.1%. The median household size is 2.5 people, aligning with the Regional Queensland average.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 17.3%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.1%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 40.3% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 10.0% and certificates at 30.3%. Educational participation is high, with 28.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 11.4% in primary, 10.0% in secondary, and 2.0% in tertiary education.

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

Stanthorpe Surrounds has 26 operational public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by three different routes that together offer 27 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these transport services is moderate, with residents on average located 484 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents in this predominantly residential area commute outwards. Cars remain the primary mode of transportation, used by 90% of residents, while walking accounts for 7%. On average, there are 1.9 vehicles per dwelling, higher than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 17.4% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency across all routes is an average of three trips per day, resulting in approximately one weekly trip per individual stop.

The level of general health in Stanthorpe Surrounds is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Stanthorpe Surrounds demonstrates above-average health outcomes based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both young and old age cohorts show low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover is extremely low at approximately 46% of the total population (~3,031 people), compared to 52.5% across Regional Qld and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (11.5%) and mental health issues (8.8%). 62.9% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. The working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 28.2% of residents aged 65 and over (1,855 people), higher than the 20.4% in Regional Qld. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, with national rankings even higher than the general population.

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

Stanthorpe Surrounds, surveyed in June 2016, had a population with 86.3% being Australian citizens, 85.8% born in Australia, and 94.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 58.3%, compared to 52.2% regionally (as of June 2016). The top three ancestral groups were English (30.8%), Australian (28.1%), and Irish (9.0%).

Notably, Italian ancestry was overrepresented at 6.7% compared to the regional average of 2.4%, German at 5.0% versus 4.7%, and Dutch at 1.5% versus 1.1%.

Stanthorpe Surrounds hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Stanthorpe Surrounds has a median age of 49 years, which is significantly higher than Regional Queensland's average of 41 years and exceeds the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 65-74 years are particularly prominent, making up 16.6% of the population, while those aged 25-34 years make up only 8.5%, which is smaller than the Regional Queensland average. This concentration of those aged 65-74 years is well above the national average of 9.4%. Between 2021 and the present day, the percentage of the population aged 75 to 84 years has grown from 6.9% to 9.2%, while those aged 85 years and over have increased from 1.3% to 2.4%. Conversely, the percentage of those aged 5-14 years has declined from 12.8% to 10.3%, and the percentage of those aged 55-64 years has dropped from 17.4% to 16.3%. By the year 2041, Stanthorpe Surrounds is expected to experience notable shifts in its age composition. Leading this demographic shift, the number of people aged 75 to 84 years is projected to grow by 30%, reaching 791 from 607. The aging population trend is evident, with those aged 65 and over comprising 53% of the projected growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for those aged 5-14 years and 15-24 years.