Boonah (Qld)

Boonah has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validation, as of November 2025, Boonah's estimated population is around 2,838. This reflects an increase of 281 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,557. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 2,704 in June 2024, following examination of ABS ERP data and validation of 76 new addresses since the Census date. This level of population results in a density ratio of 255 persons per square kilometer. Boonah's growth rate exceeded the national average (9.7%) since the 2021 Census. Primary drivers for this growth were interstate migration, contributing approximately 65% of overall gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 projections from 2023 are used, applying proportional growth weightings based on ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort. Future demographic trends forecast significant population increase in the top quartile of statistical areas nationwide, with Boonah expected to expand by 721 persons to 2041, reflecting an overall increase of 21.1%.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Boonah when compared nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data shows Boonah averaged around 18 new dwelling approvals annually over the past 5 financial years, totalling an estimated 90 homes. So far in FY26, 23 approvals have been recorded. This averages out to approximately 1.9 new residents arriving per year per new home between FY21 and FY25, indicating well-matched supply and demand with stable market dynamics. The average construction value of new properties is $428,000, suggesting a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties.

In this financial year, $3.3 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, reflecting the area's residential character. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Boonah shows approximately 75% of the construction activity per person and ranks among the 84th percentile nationally, though recent construction activity has intensified. New development consists of 95.0% detached houses and 5.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space.

With around 117 people per dwelling approval, Boonah shows characteristics of a growth area. Looking ahead, Boonah is expected to grow by 600 residents through to 2041 according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Development appears to be keeping reasonable pace with projected growth, though buyers may face increasing competition as the population expands.

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

No factors affect an area's performance more than local infrastructure changes. AreaSearch identified zero projects potentially impacting this region. Key initiatives are: Wyaralong Water Treatment Plant, Inland Rail Kagaru to Acacia Ridge and Bromelton (K2ARB), Queensland Energy Roadmap 2025, and Inland Rail Queensland Sections. Most relevant projects are listed below.

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AreaSearch assessment positions Boonah ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Boonah has a balanced workforce with diverse sector representation. As of September 2025, the unemployment rate is 2.9%.

There was an estimated employment growth of 3.3% over the past year. The area has 1,120 residents in work, with an unemployment rate of 1.1% below Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation lags significantly at 45.4%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Employment is concentrated in agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade.

The area shows strong specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing (13.8 times the regional level), but under-representation in health care & social assistance (12.2% compared to Greater Brisbane's 16.1%). Employment levels increased by 3.3% and labour force increased by 2.8% during the year to September 2025, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.5 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. State-level data to 25-Nov shows QLD employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1,210 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest national employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Boonah's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.8% over five years and 12.3% over ten years.

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

As per AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023, Boonah's median income among taxpayers is $39,215. The average income in Boonah is $46,978. Both figures are below the national average. In comparison, Greater Brisbane has a median income of $58,236 and an average of $72,799. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Boonah's median income would be approximately $43,101 by September 2025, with the average estimated at $51,634. Census data shows that household, family and personal incomes in Boonah all fall between the 4th and 7th percentiles nationally. In terms of income distribution, 30.5% of Boonah's community earns between $400 and $799 (865 individuals), unlike broader trends where 33.3% fall within the $1,500 to $2,999 range. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Boonah, with only 84.7% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 6th percentile nationally.

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

Boonah's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 88.9% houses and 11.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Brisbane metro's 96.6% houses and 3.4% other dwellings. Boonah's home ownership rate was 46.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 28.0% and rented ones at 25.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,261, lower than Brisbane metro's average of $1,517. The median weekly rent figure in Boonah was recorded at $300, matching Brisbane metro's figure but significantly lower than the national average of $375. Nationally, Boonah's mortgage repayments were notably lower than the Australian average of $1,863.

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

Family households account for 67.3% of all households, including 21.1% couples with children, 33.0% couples without children, and 12.1% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 32.7%, with lone person households at 30.8% and group households comprising 2.2% of the total. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

Educational outcomes in Boonah fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 15.7%, significantly lower than Greater Brisbane's average of 30.5%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 36.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.7%) and certificates (25.4%). A total of 23.2% of the population is actively engaged in formal education, comprising 9.5% in secondary, 9.0% in primary, and 1.7% in tertiary education.

A substantial 23.2% of the population actively pursues formal education. This includes 9.5% in secondary education, 9.0% in primary education, and 1.7% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

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

Boonah faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 46%, covering around 1,300 people, compared to Greater Brisbane's 49.2% and the national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 11.9%) and mental health issues (9.2%).

Around 58.0% of residents report no medical ailments, slightly lower than Greater Brisbane's 60.9%. Boonah has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 34.1%, or 967 people, compared to Greater Brisbane's 21.8%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are challenging but perform better than the general population in health metrics.

Boonah is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Boonah, as per the findings, had a lower-than-average cultural diversity level. Its population composition was predominantly Australian citizens at 89.1%, with 86.8% born in Australia and 94.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion in Boonah, accounting for 58.0% of its population, slightly higher than the 54.9% recorded across Greater Brisbane.

The top three ancestry groups in Boonah were English (31.4%), Australian (27.8%), and German (11.1%). Notably, certain ethnic groups showed significant differences compared to regional averages: Korean was overrepresented at 1.6% in Boonah compared to the region's 0.1%, Welsh at 0.5% versus 0.4%, and Polish at 0.6% against 0.4%.

Boonah ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Boonah has a median age of 50, which is higher than Greater Brisbane's figure of 36 and also above the national average of 38. The age profile shows that those aged 65-74 years make up 15.0% of the population, a proportion significantly higher than both Greater Brisbane's (9.2%) and the national average (9.4%). Conversely, the 25-34 age group comprises only 8.5%, lower than Greater Brisbane's figure of 11.7%. Between the 2021 Census and the present day, the proportion of those aged 75-84 has increased from 10.3% to 11.9%, while the 5-14 age group has decreased from 10.9% to 8.7%, and the 25-34 group has dropped from 10.0% to 8.5%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Boonah's age structure. The 85+ age group is expected to grow by 130%, reaching 470 people from its current figure of 265. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 87% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Conversely, both the 5-14 and 15-24 age cohorts are projected to experience population declines.