Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove's population was around 12,708 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 1,027 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 11,681. The growth is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 12,642 in June 2024 and 213 validated new addresses post-Census. This results in a population density ratio of 962 persons per square kilometer, comparable to averages seen across similar locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's growth rate of 8.8% since the 2021 Census exceeded both its SA3 and SA4 regions, indicating it as a growth leader. Overseas migration contributed approximately 40.8% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including natural growth and interstate migration being positive factors.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 using 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data or years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are used, with proportional growth weightings applied for age cohorts. Future demographic trends suggest a population increase just below the national median statistical areas' average, with the area expected to grow by 1,824 persons to reach 2041, recording a total gain of 13.8% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove has seen approximately 86 new homes approved annually. Between FY21 and FY25431 homes were approved, with an additional 18 approved in FY26 to date. On average, 3.2 people moved to the area for each dwelling built over these five financial years.

This demand has outpaced supply, potentially influencing property prices and competition among buyers. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $290,000. In FY26, $88.4 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating high local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove has 77.0% more building activity per person.

While offering buyers greater choice, building activity has slowed in recent years. The area's new building activity comprises 92.0% detached houses and 8.0% medium and high-density housing, maintaining its suburban identity with a focus on family homes. With around 337 people per dwelling approval, Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove exhibits a developing market. Population forecasts project an increase of 1,758 residents by 2041. Given current development patterns, new housing supply is expected to meet demand, creating favorable conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 45thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified ten projects likely impacting the area. Key projects include Ferny Grove Central - Mixed Use Development, Ferny Grove Station Car Park Upgrade, Ferny Hills Precinct Planning Project, and Great Western Super Centre Expansion & Renovation. Below is a list detailing those 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.

The labour market in Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove shows considerable strength compared to most other Australian regions

Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove has a highly educated workforce with professional services being notably represented. Its unemployment rate is 2.9%.

As of June 2025, there are 6822 residents employed, which is 1.2% lower than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.1%. The area's workforce participation rate is high at 70.9%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Key employment industries include public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and professional & technical services. Notably, the former has an employment share that is 2.4 times higher than the regional level.

Conversely, manufacturing shows lower representation at 2.9% compared to the regional average of 6.4%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as seen in the count of Census working population versus resident population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force decreased by 1.5%, while employment declined by 1.3%, leading to a fall in unemployment rate by 0.2 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane saw employment growth of 4.4% and labour force growth of 4.0%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 indicate that national employment is expected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove's employment mix suggests potential local growth of approximately 6.8% over five years and 13.9% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only and do not account for localised population projections.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove had a median income among taxpayers of $65,155 and an average of $77,404. These figures are significantly higher than the national averages. Greater Brisbane's median income was $55,645 with an average of $70,520 during the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, estimates for September 2025 suggest a median income of approximately $74,270 and an average of $88,233 in Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove. According to Census 2021 income data, household, family, and personal incomes in Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove rank highly nationally, between the 84th and 92nd percentiles. Income analysis reveals that 33.3% of residents earn between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, which is identical to the metropolitan region's largest segment. Notably, 41.3% of residents earn above $3,000 per week, indicating strong economic capacity in the suburb. After housing costs, residents retain 87.3% of their income, reflecting robust purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Upper Kedron-Ferny Grove's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, had 93.4% houses and 6.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Brisbane metro's 81.6% houses and 18.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Upper Kedron-Ferny Grove was 29.3%, similar to Brisbane metro, with mortgaged dwellings at 45.9% and rented ones at 24.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, aligning with the Brisbane metro average, while the median weekly rent was $400, also matching the Brisbane metro figure. Nationally, Upper Kedron-Ferny Grove's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 87.3% of all households, including 48.0% couples with children, 27.8% couples without children, and 10.6% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 12.7%, with lone person households at 11.7% and group households comprising 1.1%. The median household size is 3.0 people, which is larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.7.

Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 34.4%, significantly lower than the SA4 region average of 47.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent (22.3%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.1%) and graduate diplomas (4.0%). Vocational credentials are common, held by 34.4% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 13.1% and certificates at 21.3%. Educational participation is high, with 32.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 12.0% in primary, 10.1% in secondary, and 5.3% in tertiary education.

The three schools in Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove have a combined enrollment of 3,185 students, with the area showing above-average socio-educational conditions (ICSEA: 1080). Education provision is balanced, with two primary and one secondary school serving distinct age groups. School capacity exceeds typical residential needs, at 25.1 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 19.2, indicating that the area serves as an educational center for the broader region.

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

Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove has 35 active public transport stops operating. These comprise a mix of train and bus services. There are 22 individual routes serving these stops, collectively providing 1760 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 360 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 251 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 50 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove shows superior health outcomes with low prevalence of common conditions among its general population compared to national averages. However, older and at-risk cohorts exhibit higher rates.

Approximately 59% of the total population (7,472 people) have private health cover, slightly lower than Greater Brisbane's 61.5%. Mental health issues affect 9.4% of residents, while asthma impacts 7.0%. Conversely, 71.4% report being completely free from medical ailments, compared to Greater Brisbane's 69.6%. The area has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 13.2% (1,671 people), compared to Greater Brisbane's 15.2%. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than the broader population.

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

Upper Kedron-Ferny Grove, as per the 2016 Census, exhibited cultural diversity with 10.4% of its population speaking languages other than English at home and 21.7% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 50.4%. Hinduism showed overrepresentation at 1.7%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 1.4%.

Top ancestry groups were English (28.3%), Australian (27.0%), and Irish (9.1%). Notable divergences included South African (1.0% vs regional 0.8%), Hungarian (0.4% vs 0.3%), and Welsh (0.7% vs 0.6%).

Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove has a median age of 37 years, nearly matching Greater Brisbane's average of 36 and close to Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove has a higher proportion of residents aged 45-54 (15.6%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (10.0%). Between the 2021 Census and the latest data, the 15-24 age group grew from 11.7% to 14.0%, while the 75-84 cohort increased from 3.4% to 4.7%. Conversely, the 5-14 age group declined from 17.1% to 15.1%, and the 65-74 age group dropped from 8.1% to 7.1%. Demographic projections suggest significant changes in Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove's age profile by 2041. The 45-54 cohort is projected to grow by 25%, adding 499 residents to reach a total of 2,482. In contrast, both the 0-4 and 25-34 age groups are expected to decrease in number.