Thornlands
Statistical Area - sa2

Thornlands lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Thornlands' population was approximately 21,783 as of August 2025. This figure showed an increase of 2,520 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 19,263. The increase is inferred from the ABS's estimated resident population of 21,476 in June 2024 and an additional 386 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 1,006 persons per square kilometer, which aligns with averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Thornlands' growth rate exceeded both the SA4 region (7.6%) and national average since the 2021 Census, marking it as a regional growth leader. Interstate migration contributed approximately 52.7% of overall population gains during recent periods, though all drivers including overseas migration and natural growth were positive factors.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area until 2032, after which Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are used for years not covered by the former data. For age category splits where state projections do not provide them, proportional growth weightings based on ABS Greater Capital Region projections are applied. Future population trends project an above median growth for Australian statistical areas, with Thornlands expected to grow by 3,792 persons to 2041, recording a total gain of 16.0% over the 17-year period.

The level of residential development activity in Thornlands was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

Thornlands averaged approximately 324 new dwelling approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis, totalling 1,623 approvals across the past five financial years from FY-20 to FY-25, with 47 approvals recorded so far in FY-26. On average, each new dwelling accommodated around 5.7 new residents annually over the past five financial years. This supply has significantly lagged demand, suggesting heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures.

The average construction cost value of new homes was $397,000, aligning with broader regional development trends. In FY-26, $9.6 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating balanced commercial development activity. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Thornlands had around three-quarters the rate of new dwelling approvals per person as of FY-25, while it placed among the 72nd percentile of areas assessed nationally. New building activity showed 68.0% detached houses and 32.0% attached dwellings, demonstrating an expanding range of medium-density options that cater to various price brackets, from traditional family housing to more affordable compact alternatives.

This change reflects reduced availability of development sites and shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements, marking a significant shift from the current housing mix of 87.0% houses. Thornlands had approximately 180 people per dwelling approval as of FY-25, indicating an expanding market. Looking ahead, Thornlands is projected to grow by 3,485 residents through to 2041. If development rates continue at their current pace, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing favorable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Thornlands has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 25thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 16 projects that could impact the region. Notable ones include Cleveland-Redland Bay Road Duplication, Retirement Facility - Redland Bay Road, Paradise Garden Shopping Village, and Southern Thornlands Priority Development Area. The following list details those most relevant.

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

Employment conditions in Thornlands rank among the top 10% of areas assessed nationally

Thornlands' workforce is skilled with well-represented essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 1.8% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 4.3%.

As of June 2025, 12,930 residents were employed at a 2.3% lower unemployment rate than Greater Brisbane's 4.1%. Workforce participation was 70.3%, higher than Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Leading employment industries included health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Construction had notably high concentration with employment levels at 1.4 times the regional average.

Professional & technical services had limited presence at 6.5% compared to the regional 8.9%. The predominantly residential area offered limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by Census data comparison of working population versus resident population. Over a 12-month period ending June 2025, employment increased by 4.3% alongside labour force growth of 4.3%, maintaining a stable unemployment rate. In contrast, Greater Brisbane saw employment rise by 4.4%, labour force grow by 4.0%, and unemployment fall by 0.4 percentage points. As of Sep-25, Queensland's employment contracted by 0.23% (losing 8,070 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%. This compared favourably to the national unemployment rate of 4.5%, but lagged behind national employment growth of 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 projected national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across industry sectors. Applying these projections to Thornlands' employment mix suggested local growth of approximately 6.5% over five years and 13.5% over ten years.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

Thornlands' median income among taxpayers was $57,898, with an average of $71,035, according to AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for the financial year 2022. This is higher than the national average and compares to Greater Brisbane's median of $55,645 and average of $70,520. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $64,678 (median) and $79,353 (average) as of March 2025. Census data from 2021 shows incomes in Thornlands cluster around the 74th percentile nationally. Distribution data indicates that 36.9% of the population falls within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, reflecting patterns seen in the broader area where 33.3% similarly occupy this range. Economic strength is evident through 31.3% of households achieving high weekly earnings exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. High housing costs consume 16.5% of income, though strong earnings still place disposable income at the 78th percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

Thornlands is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Thornlands' dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 87.4% houses and 12.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Brisbane metro's 83.9% houses and 16.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Thornlands stood at 25.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 48.0% and rented ones at 26.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, surpassing Brisbane metro's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent in Thornlands was recorded at $470, higher than Brisbane metro's $425. Nationally, Thornlands' mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Thornlands features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 84.2% of all households, including 43.3% couples with children, 28.0% couples without children, and 12.0% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 15.8%, with lone person households at 13.9% and group households at 1.9%. The median household size is 2.9 people, which is larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

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

Educational qualifications in Thornlands trail regional benchmarks, with 21.9% of residents aged 15+ holding university degrees compared to 30.5% in Greater Brisbane. This gap highlights potential for educational development and skills enhancement. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 15.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.0%) and graduate diplomas (2.4%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 42.0% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (13.8%) and certificates (28.2%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 30.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.5% in primary education, 9.8% in secondary education, and 4.6% pursuing tertiary education. Thornlands's 5 schools have combined enrollment reaching 2,993 students as of the latest data. The schools demonstrate typical Australian school conditions with balanced educational opportunities, having an ICSEA score of 1029. The educational mix includes 2 primary schools, 2 secondary schools, and 1 K-12 school.

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

Thornlands has 70 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 11 different routes that together offer 1,028 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is considered good, with residents usually located about 346 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 146 trips per day across all routes, which translates to roughly 14 weekly trips per individual stop.

Thornlands's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Health data for Thornlands shows relatively positive health outcomes among its residents.

The prevalence of common health conditions is quite low among the general population but higher than the national average in older, at-risk cohorts. Approximately 55% (~11,980 people) of the total population has private health cover. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 8.1 and 8.0% of residents respectively. About 71.1% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 64.6% across Greater Brisbane. Thornlands has 15.7% (3,413 people) of its residents aged 65 and over, which is lower than the 25.3% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than those in the broader population.

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

Thornlands' population showed higher-than-average linguistic diversity, with 9.2% speaking a language other than English at home, and 26.3% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion in Thornlands at 52.4%, slightly lower than Greater Brisbane's 52.8%. The top three ancestry groups were English (31.8%), Australian (25.4%), and Scottish (8.6%).

Notably, New Zealanders made up 1.3% of Thornlands' population compared to the regional average of 1.2%, South Africans were at 1.2% versus 1.0%, and Maori represented 1.1% against a regional 0.9%.

Thornlands's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Thornlands' median age is 36 years, equal to Greater Brisbane's but younger than Australia's national average of 38 years. The 5-14 age group comprises 14.4%, higher than Greater Brisbane, while the 25-34 cohort stands at 10.7%. Between 2021 and present, the 75-84 age group has increased from 4.2% to 5.4% of the population. Conversely, the 25-34 age group has decreased from 12.0% to 10.7%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic shifts in Thornlands. The 45-54 age cohort is projected to grow by 897 people (a 30% increase) from 3,016 to 3,914. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 50% of total population growth, reflecting Thornlands' aging demographic trend. Meanwhile, both the 35-44 and 0-4 age groups are projected to decrease in numbers.