Bahrs Scrub

Bahrs Scrub lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Based on analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, the suburb of Bahrs Scrub's population is estimated at around 7,214 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 2,706 people (60.0%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,508 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 6,605, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest Economic Regional Population (ERP) data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 922 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 733 persons per square kilometer, which is relatively in line with averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Bahrs Scrub's 60.0% growth since the 2021 census exceeded both the national average (8.9%) and the state average, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration that contributed approximately 79.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including natural growth and overseas migration were positive factors.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and for years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections, released in 2023 and based on 2021 data, are adopted. It should be noted that these state projections do not provide age category splits; hence where utilised, AreaSearch is applying proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age cohort. Anticipating future population dynamics, exceptional growth, placing in the top 10 percent of statistical areas across the nation, is predicted over the period with the area expected to expand by 5,157 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 55.5% in total over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data shows Bahrs Scrub experienced around 212 dwelling approvals each year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 1,064 homes. So far in FY-26, 35 approvals have been recorded. On average, 2.2 new residents per year were associated with each dwelling between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating healthy demand. New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost of $384,000, below the regional average.

$16.4 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded this financial year. Relative to Greater Brisbane, Bahrs Scrub shows 358.0% higher construction activity per person as of recently. New development consists of 85.0% detached houses and 15.0% attached dwellings, maintaining the area's traditional low density character. There are approximately 30 people per dwelling approval in the location, indicating an expanding market. Future projections estimate Bahrs Scrub to add 4,001 residents by 2041, with current construction levels expected to adequately meet demand.

Future projections show Bahrs Scrub adding 4,001 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Bahrs Scrub has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

AreaSearch has identified 12 projects that are expected to impact the area significantly due to their influence on local infrastructure. Notable among these are The Heights Bahrs Scrub, Bahrs Scrub Road & Wuraga Road Residential Estate, Emerald Lakes Bahrs Scrub, and Brookwater Rise Estate. The following list provides details of those projects deemed most relevant.

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

Bahrs Scrub has a skilled workforce with the construction sector being particularly prominent. Its unemployment rate was 1.9% in June 2025, lower than Greater Brisbane's 4.1%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 4.9%. There are 3,561 residents currently employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.2%, below Greater Brisbane's rate. Workforce participation is high at 74.5% compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.

Construction has notable concentration, with levels at 1.6 times the regional average. Professional & technical services show lower representation at 4.6%, below the regional average of 8.9%. Employment opportunities locally appear limited based on Census working population vs resident population data. Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 4.9% while labour force grew by 4.8%, reducing unemployment by 0.1 percentage points. Greater Brisbane recorded employment growth of 4.4%, labour force growth of 4.0%, and a fall in unemployment of 0.4 percentage points during the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Bahrs Scrub's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.3% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only and do not account for localised population projections.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 indicates Bahrs Scrub's median income among taxpayers is $69,895, with an average of $78,141. Nationally, this is extremely high compared to Greater Brisbane's median of $55,645 and average of $70,520. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates suggest approximately $79,673 (median) and $89,073 (average) as of September 2025. According to 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes in Bahrs Scrub cluster around the 74th percentile nationally. Distribution data shows the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 46.9% of the community (3,383 individuals), consistent with broader trends across the metropolitan region showing 33.3% in the same category. High housing costs consume 17.9% of income, placing disposable income at the 68th percentile nationally and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Bahrs Scrub is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Dwelling structure in Bahrs Scrub, as per the latest Census, consisted of 94.7% houses and 5.4% other dwellings. In Brisbane metro, it was 78.9% houses and 21.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bahrs Scrub stood at 11.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 49.2% and rented ones at 39.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,863, higher than Brisbane metro's $1,560. Median weekly rent in Bahrs Scrub was $420, compared to Brisbane metro's $340. Nationally, Bahrs Scrub's mortgage repayments were similar to the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were higher at $420 versus the national figure of $375.

Bahrs Scrub features high concentrations of family households and group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 82.2% of all households, including 37.2% couples with children, 28.4% couples without children, and 15.3% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 17.8%, with lone person households at 14.0% and group households comprising 3.8%. The median household size is 2.9 people, which is larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

Bahrs Scrub shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

The area has lower university qualification rates at 18.3%, compared to Greater Brisbane's average of 30.5%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 13.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.9%) and graduate diplomas (2.2%). Vocational credentials are held by 43.6% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 12.2% and certificates at 31.4%. Educational participation is high, with 31.1% currently enrolled in formal education: primary (11.4%), secondary (8.1%), and tertiary (4.8%).

Windaroo Valley State High School serves 1,204 students and is the area's main educational institution. It has typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 976) with balanced opportunities. Secondary education dominates with one school, while primary students often attend schools in nearby areas.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Bahrs Scrub's residents are extremely healthy with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Bahrs Scrub. Younger cohorts particularly have a very low prevalence of common health conditions.

The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 58% of the total population (4,195 people), compared to 49.1% across Greater Brisbane. The most common medical conditions in the area are asthma and mental health issues, impacting 9.5% and 9.4% of residents respectively. A total of 72.4% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.1% across Greater Brisbane. The area has 6.8% of residents aged 65 and over (490 people), lower than the 16.1% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than the broader population.

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

Bahrs Scrub has a higher than average cultural diversity, with 12.2% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 25.7% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Bahrs Scrub, comprising 40.8% of the population. Notably, the 'Other' religious category makes up 1.1%, compared to 1.4% across Greater Brisbane.

The top three ancestry groups are English at 27.0%, Australian at 26.6%, and Other at 8.7%. There are significant differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups, such as New Zealanders at 3.0% (compared to 1.7% regionally), Maori at 3.0% (the same as regionally), and Samoans at 1.1% (also the same as regionally).

Bahrs Scrub hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Bahrs Scrub's median age is 28 years, which is lower than Greater Brisbane's average of 36 and Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Bahrs Scrub has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (23.5%) but fewer residents aged 65-74 (4.1%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is significantly higher than the national average of 14.5%. According to the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 35 to 44 has increased from 13.6% to 15.3%, while the proportion of those aged 45 to 54 has decreased from 9.7% to 8.5%. Population forecasts for 2041 suggest significant demographic changes in Bahrs Scrub, with the 35 to 44 age group projected to grow by 59%, reaching 1,751 people from its current size of 1,103 people.