Ashgrove

An assessment of population growth drivers in Ashgrove reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

As of Feb 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Ashgrove is around 14,600, reflecting an increase of 1,150 people since the 2021 Census. This growth represents an 8.6% increase from the previous population count of 13,450. The resident population estimate of 14,565 by AreaSearch, following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024, and the validation of 42 new addresses since the Census date, supports this estimation. This results in a population density ratio of 2,504 persons per square kilometer, placing Ashgrove in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's population growth rate of 8.6% since the census is within 1.3 percentage points of the national average (9.9%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 57.99999999999999% 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 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 used. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 and based on 2022 data. Looking ahead, a population increase just below the median of statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch is expected for Ashgrove, with an anticipated increase of 767 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections. This reflects a total gain of 4.9% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Ashgrove recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Ashgrove experienced approximately 27 dwelling approvals annually based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers. Between FY-21 and FY-25, around 138 homes were approved, with a further 10 in FY-26 as of the present time. This results in an average of about 3.7 new residents per year arriving per dwelling constructed over these five financial years.

The demand for housing significantly exceeds new supply, which typically leads to price growth and increased buyer competition. New dwellings are developed at an average expected construction cost value of $1,078,000, indicating that developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties. In FY-26, approximately $53.5 million in commercial approvals have been registered, reflecting high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Ashgrove has significantly less development activity, at 60.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new homes tends to strengthen demand and prices for existing properties, with this level also being below average nationally.

This suggests that the area is mature and potentially faces planning constraints. New building activity in Ashgrove shows 96.0% standalone homes and 4.0% attached dwellings, preserving the area's suburban nature and emphasizing detached housing which attracts space-seeking buyers. New construction favours detached housing more than current patterns suggest (77.0% at Census), demonstrating ongoing robust demand for family homes despite increasing density pressures. Ashgrove has a population density of around 555 people per approval, indicating a mature, established area. Future projections estimate Ashgrove to add approximately 720 residents by 2041 based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Current development levels appear aligned with future requirements, maintaining stable market conditions without significant price pressures.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified fifteen projects that may impact the area. Major projects include Ile Ashgrove, Sanctuary Residences Ashgrove, 28 Kadanga Street Ashgrove, and Dorset Residences Ashgrove. The following list details 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.

Ashgrove ranks among the top 25% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance

Ashgrove has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. The unemployment rate was 2.4% as of September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 0.7% over the past year, according to AreaSearch data aggregation. There were 8,776 residents employed at that time, with an unemployment rate of 1.6% below Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.0%.

Workforce participation was higher than standard at 76.4%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 70.7%. Census responses showed that 34.2% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. The dominant employment sectors were professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Ashgrove had a particularly notable concentration in professional & technical services, with employment levels at 1.8 times the regional average.

Manufacturing had limited presence with 2.8% employment compared to 6.4% regionally. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. In the 12-month period prior to September 2025, employment increased by 0.7% alongside labour force increasing by 0.8%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.2 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Brisbane recorded employment growth of 3.8%, labour force growth of 3.3%, with unemployment falling 0.5 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Ashgrove's employment should increase by 7.3% over five years and 14.7% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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 2023 shows that Ashgrove suburb has incomes among the top percentile nationally. The median income is $71,291 and the average income stands at $109,085. This contrasts with Greater Brisbane's figures of 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, current estimates would be approximately $78,356 (median) and $119,895 (average) as of September 2025. From the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Ashgrove rank highly nationally, between the 88th and 95th percentiles. Income analysis reveals that 36.0% of locals (5,256 people) fall into the $4000+ category, contrasting with the surrounding region where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket leads at 33.3%. The substantial proportion of high earners (48.4% above $3,000/week) indicates strong economic capacity throughout the locality. After housing costs, residents retain 87.3% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

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

Ashgrove's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 77.3% houses and 22.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Brisbane metro's 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Ashgrove stood at 31.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 41.0% and rented ones at 27.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,600, higher than Brisbane metro's average of $1,863. The median weekly rent in Ashgrove was $440, compared to Brisbane metro's $380. Nationally, Ashgrove's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,600 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 74.4% of all households, including 42.2% couples with children, 22.0% couples without children, and 9.1% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 25.6%, with lone person households at 20.8% and group households comprising 4.9%. The median household size is 2.8 people, which is larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

Ashgrove demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

Ashgrove's educational attainment is notably higher than broader averages. Among residents aged 15+, 52.3% hold university qualifications compared to 25.7% in Queensland (QLD) and 30.4% nationally. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 32.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (14.1%) and graduate diplomas (5.5%). Vocational pathways account for 20.5% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 9.1% and certificates at 11.4%.

Educational participation is high, with 35.8% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.2% in secondary education, 10.8% in primary education, and 9.2% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Ashgrove has 79 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 20 different routes that collectively facilitate 3,420 weekly passenger trips. The average distance from a resident's location to the nearest transport stop is 165 meters, indicating excellent transport accessibility in the area. Most residents commute outward due to its predominantly residential nature. Cars remain the primary mode of transportation for 80% of residents, while 10% use buses. On average, there are 1.4 vehicles per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census data (which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions), 34.2% of residents work from home. The service frequency across all routes averages 488 trips per day, equating to approximately 43 weekly trips per individual stop.

Ashgrove's residents are extremely healthy with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Ashgrove. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were very low across all age groups. Private health cover was found to be exceptionally high at approximately 70% of the total population (10,281 people), compared to 55.8% across Greater Brisbane and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions in the area were mental health issues impacting 7.8% of residents and asthma impacting 7.3%. A total of 74.9% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 69.2% across Greater Brisbane. Working-age residents showed notably healthy outcomes with low chronic condition prevalence. The area had 13.4% of residents aged 65 and over (1,956 people), lower than the 15.2% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among seniors were particularly strong, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

Ashgrove ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Ashgrove had a cultural diversity level below average, with 80.2% of its population born in Australia, 91.7% being citizens, and 91.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 54.5% of Ashgrove's population. However, Judaism was notably overrepresented, making up 0.2% compared to 0.1% across Greater Brisbane.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (27.2%), Australian (24.4%), and Irish (14.1%), significantly higher than regional averages. Other ethnicities with notable representation included Scottish at 9.3%, French at 0.7%, and Welsh at 0.7%.

Ashgrove's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

Ashgrove's median age stands at 38 years, slightly higher than Greater Brisbane's 36 but equal to Australia's figure of 38 years. The 15-24 age group comprises 18.1% of Ashgrove's population, compared to Greater Brisbane's figure, and is significantly higher than the national average of 12.5%. Between 2021 and present day, the 15-24 age group has grown from 15.4% to 18.1%, while the 75-84 cohort increased from 3.4% to 4.5%. Conversely, the 35-44 cohort has declined from 13.6% to 11.8%, and the 25-34 group dropped from 9.9% to 8.6%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Ashgrove's age structure. Notably, the 85+ group is expected to grow by 118% (310 people), reaching 573 from a starting point of 262. The aging population trend is evident, with those aged 65 and above accounting for 57% of projected growth. Meanwhile, the 15-24 and 0-4 age groups are anticipated to experience population declines.