Bellara

Bellara is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Bellara's population was 3,278 as of Nov 2021, according to the Census. By Nov 2025, it is estimated at around 3,434, reflecting an increase of 156 people (4.8%). This inference comes from AreaSearch's validation of new addresses and examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024, which estimates the resident population at 3,429. The suburb's population density is 1,619 persons per square kilometer, above national averages assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Bellara has shown resilient growth with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%, outpacing national averages. Interstate migration contributed approximately 79.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

For projections until 2032, AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. Post-2032 projections for Bellara use Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections from 2023, based on 2021 data. These state projections lack age category splits; hence AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023, based on 2022 data. Future population dynamics anticipate a median increase for Australian statistical areas by 2041, with Bellara expected to grow by 254 persons over the next 17 years, reflecting an overall increase of 9.5%.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Bellara according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Bellara has had virtually no dwelling approvals in recent years. Between FY21 and FY25, an estimated 3 homes were approved, with none so far in FY26.

On average, each home built over these five financial years was expected to accommodate approximately 106.7 new residents per year. The average construction cost value of new homes during this period was $513,000. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Bellara's building activity is significantly lower, indicating constrained new construction which typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing homes. However, building activity has accelerated in recent years. This level remains below the national average, suggesting the area's established nature and potential planning limitations.

Bellara has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified one major project likely affecting this region. Key projects include Solana Bribie Island Lifestyle Resort, Bribie Pines Island Village, Moreton Bay Rail Link Stage 2, and Queensland Energy Roadmap 2025.

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.

Employment conditions in Bellara remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Bellara has a balanced workforce comprising white and blue collar jobs across various sectors. Its unemployment rate was 4.6% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 11.5%.

As of June 2025, 1,241 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.6%, which is 0.5% higher than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation in Bellara lags at 36.9%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Key industries include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Construction shows strong specialization with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level.

However, professional & technical services are under-represented, at 3.9% of Bellara's workforce compared to Greater Brisbane's 8.9%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited, as indicated by the difference between Census working population and resident population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 11.5%, labour force grew by 7.9%, leading to a 3.1 percentage point drop in unemployment rate. In comparison, Greater Brisbane saw employment grow by 4.4%, labour force expand by 4.0%, and unemployment fall by 0.4 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia (September 2022) project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Bellara's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data shows Bellara had a median taxpayer income of $38,820 and an average income of $53,055 for the financial year 2022. These figures are below national averages of $55,645 and $70,520 in Greater Brisbane respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since FY2022, estimated median income is approximately $44,251 and average income is $60,477 as of September 2025. Census data indicates Bellara's household, family, and personal incomes fall between the 1st and 4th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows 36.2% (1,243 people) earn between $400-$799 weekly, differing from metropolitan Brisbane where 33.3% earn between $1,500-$2,999 weekly. The concentration of 45.0% in sub-$800 brackets highlights economic challenges faced by a significant portion of Bellara's community. Housing affordability pressures are severe with only 80.4% of income remaining, ranking at the 3rd percentile nationally.

Bellara displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Bellara's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 67.5% houses and 32.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Brisbane metro had 78.8% houses and 21.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bellara stood at 45.9%, with the rest either mortgaged (20.8%) or rented (33.3%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,394, below Brisbane metro's average of $1,647. Median weekly rent in Bellara was $320, compared to Brisbane metro's $350. Nationally, Bellara's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Bellara features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 56.8% of all households, including 11.8% couples with children, 30.9% couples without children, and 12.8% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 43.2%, with lone person households at 38.9% and group households comprising 4.3%. The median household size is 2.0 people, smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.1.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 11.2%, significantly lower than Greater Brisbane's average of 30.5%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 8.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.6%) and graduate diplomas (1.0%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 42.2% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 10.8% and certificates at 31.4%. School attendance comprises 19.3% of the community: 6.8% in secondary education, 6.7% in primary education, and 1.6% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational facilities seem to lie outside immediate boundaries, necessitating families to access schools in neighboring areas.

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

Bellara has 20 operational public transport stops. All these stops service buses. There are 4 distinct routes running in Bellara, collectively offering 283 weekly passenger trips.

Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 146 meters to the nearest stop. The service frequency across all routes averages 40 trips per day, translating to about 14 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Bellara is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Bellara faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Private health cover is low at approximately 48%, compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (15.4%) and mental health issues (10.5%). Around half (50.1%) of residents report no medical ailments, slightly lower than Greater Brisbane's 52.7%. Bellara has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 45.8%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 44.7%. Health outcomes among seniors are generally in line with the overall population's health profile.

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

Bellara was found to have a below average level of cultural diversity, with 79.0% of its population born in Australia, 88.4% being citizens, and 96.5% speaking English only at home. The predominant religion in Bellara is Christianity, which accounts for 55.6% of the population, compared to 56.3% across Greater Brisbane. In terms of ancestry, the top three represented groups in Bellara are English (35.2%), Australian (25.2%), and Scottish (9.9%).

There are notable differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: New Zealand is overrepresented at 1.3% compared to the regional average of 0.9%, Welsh at 0.8% versus 0.7%, and French at 0.6% compared to 0.5%.

Bellara ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Bellara's median age is 60, which is significantly higher than Greater Brisbane's figure of 36 and the national norm of 38. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Bellara has a higher proportion of residents aged 65-74 (22.3%), but fewer individuals aged 25-34 (4.8%). This concentration of 65-74 year-olds is notably above the national figure of 9.4%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the median age has increased by 1.1 years from 59 to 60, indicating an aging population. Specifically, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 has grown from 13.8% to 18.0%. Conversely, the proportion of individuals aged 25 to 34 has decreased from 6.6% to 4.8%, and those aged 5 to 14 have dropped from 7.5% to 6.0%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Bellara's age profile. The 75 to 84 age cohort is expected to expand by 319 people (52%), from 618 to 938. This growth will be driven entirely by the aging population dynamic, with those aged 65 and above comprising all projected growth. Meanwhile, both the 0 to 4 and 55 to 64 age groups are projected to decrease in numbers.