Sunnybank

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

Sunnybank's population was around 10,313 as of February 2026. This reflected an increase of 1,280 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 9,033. The growth was inferred from the estimated resident population of 10,292 in June 2024 and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This resulted in a density ratio of 2,349 persons per square kilometer, placing Sunnybank in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch's assessments. Sunnybank's growth rate of 14.2% since the 2021 census exceeded both its SA3 area (9.6%) and the national average, indicating it was a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 91.5% 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 released in 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort. Future population trends project an above median growth for the statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch, with Sunnybank expected to expand by 2,056 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total increase of 19.7% over the 17 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Sunnybank when compared nationally

Sunnybank has received approximately 36 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling 182 homes. As of FY-26, 20 approvals have been recorded. On average, 4.7 new residents have arrived annually for each dwelling constructed between FY-21 and FY-25. The supply of dwellings has lagged behind demand, indicating heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures.

Developers focus on the premium segment, with an average construction value of $453,000 per dwelling. In FY-26, commercial approvals worth $17.0 million have been registered, demonstrating moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Sunnybank has experienced 23.0% more development per person over the past five years, balancing buyer choice while supporting current property values.

However, building activity has slowed in recent years. Recent construction comprises 96.0% standalone homes and 4.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's suburban nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. With around 345 people per dwelling approval, Sunnybank shows a developed market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Sunnybank is projected to add 2,035 residents by 2041. Construction maintains a reasonable pace with projected growth, although buyers may encounter growing competition as the population increases.

Sunnybank has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

The performance of an area is significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of 23 projects that are expected to impact the area. Notable projects include the 12-20 Bothwell Street Apartments, Pavilion The Residences, Macgregor State High School Major Upgrade & Expansion, and Sunnybank Market Square and Plaza Redevelopment. The following list details those projects likely to be 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 Sunnybank has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Sunnybank's workforce is highly educated with diverse sector representation. The unemployment rate in the area was 5.8% as of September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 0.7% over the past year. As of that date, 5,200 residents were employed, but the unemployment rate was higher than Greater Brisbane's at 1.8%, and workforce participation was lower at 62.2%.

According to Census responses, 13.8% of residents worked from home. The leading employment industries among Sunnybank residents are health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade. Notably, the area has a high concentration in accommodation & food, with employment levels at 1.9 times the regional average. However, public administration & safety employs only 4.4% of local workers, below Greater Brisbane's 7.0%.

Over the year to September 2025, employment increased by 0.7%, while the labour force grew by 1.3%, leading to an unemployment rise of 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane saw employment rise by 3.8% and unemployment fall by 0.5 percentage points during the same period. National employment forecasts from May-25 project a growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Sunnybank's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

The latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that Sunnybank SA2 has an income below the national average. The median income is $42,909 and the average income stands at $55,571. In contrast, Greater Brisbane's figures are a median income of $58,236 and an average income of $72,799. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, the current estimates for Sunnybank SA2 would be approximately $47,161 (median) and $61,078 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, individual incomes in Sunnybank SA2 lag at the 15th percentile ($630 weekly), while household income performs better at the 41st percentile. The $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 31.4% of the community (3,238 individuals). Housing affordability pressures are severe with only 83.3% of income remaining, ranking at the 40th percentile. Sunnybank SA2's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

Sunnybank's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 86.3% houses and 13.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Brisbane metro's 76.5% houses and 23.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Sunnybank was at 36.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 22.7% and rented ones at 40.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,961, higher than Brisbane metro's average of $1,863. Median weekly rent in Sunnybank was recorded at $400, compared to Brisbane metro's $380. Nationally, Sunnybank's mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were higher than the national figure of $375.

Sunnybank features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 70.4% of all households, including 30.3% couples with children, 25.2% couples without children, and 12.5% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 29.6%, with lone person households at 20.0% and group households comprising 9.6%. The median household size is 3.0 people, larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

Sunnybank performs slightly above the national average for education, showing competitive qualification levels and steady academic outcomes

In Sunnybank, the proportion of residents aged 15 and above with university qualifications is 37.8%, exceeding Queensland's 25.7% and Australia's 30.4%. This high educational attainment is driven by Bachelor degrees (25.1%), postgraduate qualifications (10.1%), and graduate diplomas (2.6%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 25.5% of residents holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (10.9%) and certificates (14.6%). Educational participation is notably high, with 32.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 8.9% in tertiary education, 7.9% in primary education, and 6.9% pursuing secondary education.

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

Sunnybank has 57 active public transport stops, offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 58 different routes, providing a total of 5,032 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents located an average of 185 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward daily. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 75%, followed by bus at 11% and train at 8%. On average, there are 1.4 vehicles per dwelling in Sunnybank.

According to the 2021 Census, 13.8% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 718 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 88 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Health outcomes data shows excellent results in Sunnybank, according to AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were very low across all age groups. Approximately 47% of the total population (~4,888 people) had private health cover, compared to 55.8% in Greater Brisbane and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions were asthma (5.4%) and arthritis (5.3%). A total of 77.8% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, higher than the 69.2% reported across Greater Brisbane. Working-age residents had particularly low chronic condition prevalence. Sunnybank has 16.0% of residents aged 65 and over (1,654 people), with health outcomes among seniors being strong but ranking lower nationally compared to the broader population.

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

Sunnybank's population is predominantly diverse, with 59.6% speaking a language other than English at home and 58.5% born overseas. Christianity is the primary religion in Sunnybank, accounting for 35.8%. However, Buddhism is significantly overrepresented at 7.9%, compared to the Greater Brisbane average of 2.0%.

In terms of ancestry, Chinese is the most prevalent group at 29.3%, substantially higher than the regional average of 3.4%. English ancestry comprises 15.4% in Sunnybank, notably lower than the regional average of 26.8%. Other ancestry makes up 14.1%. Korean (2.8%), Vietnamese (2.5%), and Filipino (2.7%) ethnic groups are also notably overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0.5%, 0.8%, and 1.2% respectively.

Sunnybank's population is younger than the national pattern

Sunnybank's median age is 35 years, nearly matching Greater Brisbane's average of 36 and slightly younger than Australia's 38 years. Sunnybank has a higher concentration of 25-34 residents at 20.1%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 19.7% and Australia's 14.4%. It has fewer 5-14 year-olds at 10.1% than both Greater Brisbane (16.8%) and Australia (18%). Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Sunnybank's 15 to 24 age group grew from 13.9% to 16.4%, while its 65 to 74 cohort declined from 9.0% to 7.9%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes in Sunnybank. The 45 to 54 age group is projected to grow by 33%, adding 374 residents to reach 1,500. Conversely, the 0 to 4 age group shows minimal growth of just 4% (13 people).