Stanthorpe Surrounds
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Stanthorpe Surrounds are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Stanthorpe Surrounds' population is approximately 6,564 as of August 2025. This represents an increase of 317 individuals since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 6,247 people. The growth was inferred from ABS estimates showing an resident population of 6,499 in June 2024 and an additional 89 validated new addresses post-census. This results in a population density ratio of 2.5 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Stanthorpe Surrounds exhibited a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%, exceeding the SA3 area's growth. Interstate migration contributed approximately 53.8% to recent population gains, with all drivers including natural growth and overseas migration being positive factors.

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 are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. Note that these state projections lack age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 using 2022 data as the base year. Future demographic trends indicate a population increase just below Australia's regional median by 2041, with Stanthorpe Surrounds expected to gain approximately 600 persons over this period, reflecting an 8.2% total increase from the latest 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 averaged approximately 22 new dwelling approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis. Between FY-21 and FY-25110 dwellings were approved, with no recorded approvals yet in FY-26. On average, each dwelling accommodates around three new residents per year over the past five financial years.

The average construction cost value of new homes is $334,000, which is below regional levels, suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers. In FY-26, commercial approvals totalled $2.4 million, indicating a limited focus on commercial development. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Stanthorpe Surrounds has about three-quarters the building activity per person and ranks in the 45th percentile nationally when assessed areas are considered, suggesting more limited housing choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing dwellings. Recent development has been exclusively standalone homes, maintaining the area's traditional low-density character with a focus on family homes.

The estimated population count is 372 people per dwelling approval, reflecting its quiet, low-activity development environment. Population forecasts indicate Stanthorpe Surrounds will gain 535 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 emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 20thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 11 projects that could affect the region. Notable projects include Emu Swamp Dam Project (Granite Belt Irrigation Project), 14 Wallangarra Road Student Accommodation, The Avenues Stanthorpe, and Stanthorpe Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade. The following list details those expected to be most relevant.

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

AreaSearch assessment positions Stanthorpe Surrounds ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Stanthorpe Surrounds has a skilled workforce with diverse sector representation. The unemployment rate in the area was 3.3% as of June 2025.

This is 0.6% lower than Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 4.5%. There were 3,068 residents employed while workforce participation stood at 51.7%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Leading employment industries among residents include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and construction.

The area has a particular specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with an employment share of 5.4 times the regional level. In contrast, health care & social assistance employs just 12.2% of local workers, below Rest of Qld's 16.1%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited as indicated by Census data on working population vs resident population. During the year to June 2025, employment levels increased by 4.5% while labour force increased by 5.7%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 1.1 percentage points. This compares to Rest of Qld where employment grew by 1.8%, labour force expanded by 2.0%, and unemployment rose by 0.2 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 shows QLD employment contracted by 0.23% (losing 8,070 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%. This compares favourably to the national unemployment rate of 4.5%, but lags behind national employment growth of 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest that national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these industry-specific projections to Stanthorpe Surrounds' employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.2% over five years and 11.6% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections.

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

AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2022 shows Stanthorpe Surrounds had a median income among taxpayers of $38,566 and an average income of $46,118. These figures are lower than national averages of $50,780 and $64,844 for Rest of Qld respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% from financial year 2022 to March 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $43,082 (median) and $51,518 (average). Census data indicates household, family, and personal incomes in Stanthorpe Surrounds fall between the 8th and 9th percentiles nationally. The largest income segment comprises 29.7% earning $800 - $1,499 weekly with 1,949 residents, differing from broader areas where the $1,500 - $2,999 category is predominant at 31.7%. Housing costs are modest, with 88.3% of income retained, but total disposable income ranks at just the 14th percentile nationally.

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

The dwelling structure in Stanthorpe Surrounds, as recorded at the latest Census held on 27 August 2016, consisted of 97.6% houses and 2.4% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This is compared to Non-Metro Qld's structure which was 92.3% houses and 7.6% other dwellings. In Stanthorpe Surrounds, the level of home ownership was 50.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 31.9% and rented ones at 17.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,248, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $240. Nationally, Stanthorpe Surrounds' median mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, which was recorded in the year ending June 2021. Similarly, rents in Stanthorpe Surrounds were substantially below the national figure of $375, as reported by the Real Estate Institute of Australia on 14 December 2021.

Stanthorpe Surrounds has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 74.6% of all households, including 25.4% couples with children, 39.9% 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, larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.3.

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 significantly lower than the Australian average at 17.3% compared to 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common among residents with higher education qualifications at 12.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 3.1% and graduate diplomas at 1.6%. Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 40.3% of residents aged 15 and above holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (10.0%) and certificates (30.3%). Educational participation is high, with 28.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes primary education at 11.4%, secondary education at 10.0%, and tertiary education at 2.0%. As of the date provided, there are 11 schools serving 391 students within Stanthorpe Surrounds. These schools focus exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in surrounding areas. Local school capacity is limited at 6.0 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 14.1, leading many families to travel for schooling.

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

Stanthorpe Surrounds has 26 active public transport stops, all serving buses. These stops are operated by three different routes, offering a total of 25 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is moderate, with residents on average being located 484 meters from the nearest stop.

Each route provides an average of three trips per day, resulting in approximately zero weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Stanthorpe Surrounds faces significant health challenges, with common conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low, with approximately 46% of the total population (~3,045 people) having it, compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (11.5%) and mental health issues (8.8%). About 62.9% of residents report no medical ailments, slightly higher than the Rest of Qld's 62.0%. Approximately 27.0% of residents are aged 65 and over (1,773 people). Health outcomes among seniors in Stanthorpe Surrounds are notably strong, outperforming those of 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, in its demographic assessment, showed lower cultural diversity with 86.3% of residents being Australian citizens, 85.8% born within Australia, and 94.5% primarily speaking English at home. Christianity stood as the predominant religion, accounting for 58.3% of Stanthorpe Surrounds' population, compared to 63.9% in the broader Queensland region (Rest of Qld). In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English at 30.8%, Australian at 28.1%, and Irish at 9.0%.

Notably, Italian, German, and Dutch ethnicities showed variations: Italians were overrepresented at 6.7% versus the regional average of 2.8%, Germans stood at 5.0% compared to 5.6%, and Dutch residents comprised 1.5% against a regional average of 0.9%.

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 the Rest of Qld average of 41 years and exceeds the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 65-74 are particularly prominent at 16.6%, while the 25-34 group is comparatively smaller at 9.0%. This concentration of those aged 65-74 is well above the national average of 9.4%. Between 2021 and present, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 6.9% to 8.4% of the population, while the 5 to 14 cohort has declined from 12.8% to 10.4%. By 2041, Stanthorpe Surrounds is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. The 75 to 84 group is projected to grow by 35%, reaching 746 people from 552. Those aged 65 and above are projected to comprise 51% of the population growth, while declines are expected for the 5 to 14 and 15 to 24 cohorts.