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 is around 12,708 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase of 1,027 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 11,681 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 12,642 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 213 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 962 persons per square kilometer. Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove's 8.8% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area (8.0%) and the SA4 region, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 40.8% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. 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. These state projections do not provide age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings are applied in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Moving forward with demographic trends, a population increase just below the median of statistical areas across the nation is expected. The area is expected to grow by 1,824 persons to 2041 based on the latest population numbers, recording a gain of 13.8% in total over the 17 years.

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. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, around 431 homes were approved. In the current financial year, FY-26, about two homes have been approved so far.

On average, approximately 3.2 people have moved to the area for each dwelling built over these five years. This suggests that supply is lagging behind demand, potentially leading to increased buyer competition and pricing pressures. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $569,000, which is slightly above the regional average, indicating a focus on quality developments. There have been approximately $88.4 million in commercial approvals this financial year, suggesting robust local business investment.

When compared to Greater Brisbane, Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove has 77.0% more building activity per person, offering buyers greater choice. However, building activity has slowed in recent years. The majority of new building activity consists of detached houses (92.0%), with medium and high-density housing making up the remaining 8.0%. This sustains the area's suburban identity, with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space. With around 337 people per dwelling approval, Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove shows a developing market. Population forecasts indicate that the area will gain approximately 1,758 residents by 2041. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good 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 six projects likely impacting the area. Key projects are Ferny Grove Central Mixed Use Development, Ferny Grove Station Car Park Upgrade, Ferny Hills Precinct Planning Project, and Great Western Super Centre Expansion & Renovation. Relevant projects are listed below.

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

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 well represented. As of June 2025, its unemployment rate is 2.9%.

In this month, 6822 residents are employed while the area's unemployment rate is 1.2% lower than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation in Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove is high at 70.9%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. The leading employment industries among residents include public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and professional & technical services. Notably, public administration & safety has an employment share of 2.4 times the regional average.

Conversely, manufacturing shows lower representation at 2.9% compared to the regional average of 6.4%. The predominantly residential area offers limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the census working population versus resident population count. Between June 2024 and June 2025, Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove's labour force decreased by 1.5% while employment declined by 1.3%, leading to a fall in unemployment rate of 0.2 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane recorded employment growth of 4.4% and labour force growth of 4.0%, with unemployment falling by 0.4 percentage points during the same period. State-level data from Sep-25 shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.23%, losing 8070 jobs, while its unemployment rate was 4.2%. This compares favourably to the national unemployment rate of 4.5% and lags behind the national employment growth of 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest that Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove's employment may grow by approximately 6.8% over five years and 13.9% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

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

The latest postcode level ATO data for Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove, released for the financial year 2022, indicates a median income among taxpayers of $65,155 and an average of $77,404. These figures are notably high compared to national averages. Greater Brisbane's median income is $55,645 with an average of $70,520 in the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth from financial year 2022 to March 2025 (11.71%), estimated current incomes would be approximately $72,785 median and $86,468 average. Census 2021 income data ranks Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove between the 84th and 92nd percentiles nationally for household, family, and personal incomes. Income analysis shows that 33.3% of residents earn $1,500 to $2,999 weekly (4,231 individuals), which mirrors the metropolitan region's earnings distribution. Notably, 41.3% of residents earn above $3,000 weekly, indicating substantial economic capacity in the suburb. After housing costs, residents retain 87.3% of their income, reflecting strong 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 assessed in the most recent Census, comprised 93.4% houses and 6.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Brisbane metropolitan area had 81.6% houses and 18.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Upper Kedron-Ferny Grove was 29.3%, similar to Brisbane metro's level. Mortgaged dwellings were 45.9%, rented ones 24.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, aligning with the Brisbane metro average. Median weekly rent was $400, matching Brisbane metro's figure. Nationally, Upper Kedron-Ferny Grove's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,167 compared to Australia's average of $1,863. Rents in the area 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 constitute 87.3 percent of all households, including 48.0 percent couples with children, 27.8 percent couples without children, and 10.6 percent single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 12.7 percent, with lone person households at 11.7 percent and group households comprising 1.1 percent of the total. 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's university qualification rate is 34.4%, significantly lower than the SA4 region average of 47.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 22.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.1%) and graduate diplomas (4.0%). Vocational credentials, held by 34.4% of residents aged 15+, include advanced diplomas (13.1%) and certificates (21.3%). Educational participation is high at 32.7%, with 12.0% in primary education, 10.1% in secondary education, and 5.3% pursuing tertiary education.

The area's three schools have a combined enrollment of 3,185 students. Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove has above-average socio-educational conditions (ICSEA: 1080), with balanced educational provision including two primary schools 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 offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are covered by 22 routes, collectively making 1,760 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated good with residents typically located 360 metres 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 better-than-average health outcomes with low prevalence of common conditions among its general population. However, older and at-risk cohorts have higher rates compared to national averages.

Approximately 59% (7,472 people) have private health cover, slightly lower than Greater Brisbane's 61.5%. Mental health issues affect 9.4% and asthma impacts 7.0% of residents. Overall, 71.4% report no medical ailments, compared to 69.6% in Greater Brisbane. The area has 13.2% (1,671 people) aged 65 and over, lower than 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 showed cultural diversity with 10.4% speaking a language other than English at home and 21.7% born overseas, as of the latest data. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 50.4%. Hinduism was slightly overrepresented 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 differences 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's median age is nearly matching Greater Brisbane's average of 36 years at the current figure of 37 years, also close to Australia's median age of 38 years. Relative to Greater Brisbane, Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove has a higher concentration of residents aged 45-54 (15.6%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (10.0%). Between the censuses of 2021 and the latest one, the proportion of residents aged 15-24 increased from 11.7% to 14.0%, while those aged 75-84 grew from 3.4% to 4.7%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 5-14 decreased from 17.1% to 15.1%, and the age group 65-74 dropped from 8.1% to 7.1%. Demographic modeling projects significant changes in Upper Kedron - Ferny Grove's age profile by 2041. The 45-54 cohort is projected to grow strongly at 25%, adding 499 residents to reach a total of 2,482. In contrast, both the 0-4 and 25-34 age groups are projected to decrease in numbers.