Bells Creek

Bells Creek 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 ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, the suburb of Bells Creek's population is estimated at around 4,764 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 4,421 people (1288.9%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 343 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 4,764, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024) and an additional 3,469 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 191 persons per square kilometer. The suburb's 1288.9% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the Rest of Qld (9.1%), along with the national average, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration that contributed approximately 82.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

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. Moving forward with demographic trends, exceptional growth is predicted over the period with the suburb expected to increase by 2,561 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a decrease of 36.1% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Bells Creek among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Bells Creek shows around 593 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 2,969 homes. As of FY-26286 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.1 new residents arrive per year per new home between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating that new supply is meeting or exceeding demand. The average construction cost value of new homes is $389,000.

In FY-26, $8.9 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, suggesting limited focus on commercial development compared to the rest of Queensland. Bells Creek has 11353.0% more new home approvals per person than the rest of Queensland, reflecting strong developer confidence in the location. New developments consist of 81.0% detached dwellings and 19.0% attached dwellings, maintaining the area's low density character and appealing to families seeking space. This represents a significant change from the current housing mix, which is currently 100.0% houses. Bells Creek reflects a developing area with around 1 person per approval. With population expected to remain stable or decline, there may be reduced pressure on housing in the future, creating opportunities for buyers.

With population expected to remain stable or decline, Bells Creek should see reduced pressure on housing, potentially creating opportunities for buyers.

Bells Creek 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 44 projects that may impact this area. Key projects include the Aura Water Project, New Bells Creek Zone Substation, Gagalba Precinct (Aura), and Aura Business Park. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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Employment performance in Bells Creek exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

Bells Creek has a skilled workforce with well-represented essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 5.1% as of September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 10.8% over the past year, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of that date, 542 residents were employed, while the unemployment rate was 1.0% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%.

Workforce participation lagged significantly at 14.2%, compared to Rest of Qld's 65.7%. Census responses showed that only 13.2% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. The key industries for employment among residents were health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Bells Creek had a particular specialization in health care & social assistance, with an employment share of 1.3 times the regional level.

Conversely, manufacturing employed only 1.5% of local workers, below Rest of Qld's 5.6%. The predominantly residential area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. During the year to September 2025, employment levels increased by 10.8%, and labour force increased by 10.0%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.7 percentage points. This contrasted with Rest of Qld, where employment rose by 1.7%, the labour force grew by 2.1%, and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 offered further insight into potential future demand within Bells Creek. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, suggested that national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. However, growth rates differed significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Bells Creek's employment mix suggested that local employment should increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.4% over ten years, though this was a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and did not take into account localized population projections.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ended June 2023, Bells Creek had a median income among taxpayers of $65,331 with an average level standing at $83,411. Nationally, this is extremely high compared to levels of $53,146 and $66,593 across Rest of Qld respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year ended June 2023, current estimates for median income would be approximately $71,805 and average income at $91,677 as of September 2025. Census data shows household, family and personal incomes in Bells Creek cluster around the 69th percentile nationally. Income distribution data indicates that the predominant cohort spans 52.7% of locals (2,510 people) with incomes ranging from $1,500 to $2,999, which aligns with the broader area where this cohort represents 31.7%. High housing costs consume 19.0% of income in Bells Creek, however strong earnings place disposable income at the 58th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

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

Bells Creek's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, comprised 100.0% houses with 0.0% other dwellings such as apartments or semi-detached homes, contrasting Non-Metro Qld's 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bells Creek stood at 12.8%, lower than Non-Metro Qld's rate. Mortgaged dwellings accounted for 74.4%, with rented properties also at 12.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,655. Weekly rent in Bells Creek was recorded at $560, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $345. Nationally, Bells Creek's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially higher at $375.

Bells Creek has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 76.3% of all households, including 20.6% couples with children, 38.2% couples without children, and 17.6% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 23.7%, with lone person households at 19.1% and group households comprising 3.7%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

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

The area's educational profile is notable regionally with university qualification rates of 25.6% among residents aged 15+, surpassing the Rest of Qld average of 20.6%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 19.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.0%) and graduate diplomas (2.2%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 44.6% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas comprise 13.9% while certificates account for 30.7%.

Educational participation is high at 29.2%, including 8.7% in primary education, 6.3% in tertiary education, and 6.0% pursuing secondary education.

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

Public transport analysis indicates five active transport stops operating within Bells Creek, serving a mix of bus routes. These stops are served by two individual routes, collectively facilitating 206 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 394 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a predominantly residential area, most residents commute outward; car remains the dominant mode at 93%, with 5% walking. Vehicle ownership averages 1.5 per dwelling. According to the 2021 Census, a relatively low 13.2% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages 29 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 41 weekly trips per individual stop.

Bells Creek's residents are extremely healthy with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Analysis of health metrics indicates strong performance throughout Bells Creek, based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were found to be low among the general population, although they were higher than the national average for older, at-risk cohorts.

The rate of private health cover was exceptionally high, with approximately 60% of the total population (2,870 people) having it, compared to 52.5% across the rest of Queensland. The most common medical conditions in the area were mental health issues and asthma, impacting 7.7% and 6.8% of residents respectively. A total of 77.6% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.6% across the rest of Queensland. The area has 9.9% of residents aged 65 and over (471 people), which is lower than the 20.4% in the rest of Queensland, but ranks lower nationally than the broader population.

In terms of cultural diversity, Bells Creek records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Bells Creek's cultural diversity aligns with its wider region, with 83.7% citizens, 76.3% born in Australia, and 92.4% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the prevalent religion, comprising 37.3%. The 'Other' category shows overrepresentation at 1.8%, compared to Rest of Qld's 0.8%.

Top ancestry groups are English (36.3%), Australian (25.4%), and Scottish (8.8%). Notable divergences include Welsh (1.6% vs regional 0.5%), French (1.2% vs 0.5%), and Russian (0.6% vs 0.2%).

Bells Creek hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Bells Creek's median age of 31 years is notably younger than Rest of Qld's 41 years and considerably younger than the national average of 38 years. The age group of 25-34 years shows strong representation at 27.0% compared to Rest of Qld, while the 45-54 cohort is less prevalent at 6.5%. This concentration of the 25-34 age group is well above the national average of 14.4%. From 2021 to present, the 35 to 44 age group has increased from 10.9% to 14.2% of the population. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort has declined from 12.1% to 10.7%, and the 55 to 64 age group has dropped from 11.8% to 10.7%. Population forecasts for Bells Creek indicate significant demographic changes by the year 2041. The 85+ age cohort is projected to increase substantially, expanding by -7 people (-13%) from 57 to 50. Conversely, population declines are projected for both the 85+ and 75 to 84 cohorts.