Boonah (Qld)

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

As of November 2025, the estimated population of Boonah (Qld) is around 2,796 people. This reflects a growth of 239 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,557. The increase is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 2,724 residents, based on ABS ERP data released in June 2024, and an additional 76 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 251 persons per square kilometer. Boonah's population growth rate of 9.3% since the 2021 census exceeds the national average of 8.9%. Interstate migration contributed approximately 65.0% to overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers being positive factors.

AreaSearch uses 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 adopted. Age category splits are applied proportionally according to ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 using 2022 data. By 2041, the suburb is forecasted to expand by 755 persons, reflecting a total increase of 24.2% over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Boonah averaged around 19 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 98 homes. So far in FY26, 18 approvals have been recorded. Over these five years, an average of 1.8 new residents per year arrived per new home. Supply and demand appear well-matched, with stable market dynamics.

New properties are constructed at an average expected cost value of $428,000, aligning with broader regional development. In FY26, $1.3 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating a predominantly residential focus. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Boonah shows 16.0% lower construction activity per person while it ranks among the 88th percentile of areas assessed nationally.

However, construction activity has recently intensified. New development consists of 96.0% detached houses and 4.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's traditional low density character focused on family homes appealing to those seeking space. With around 93 people per dwelling approval, Boonah exhibits characteristics of a growth area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Boonah is expected to grow by 676 residents through to 2041. 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 changes can impact an area's performance more than modifications to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified zero projects that could potentially affect this area. Key projects include Wyaralong Water Treatment Plant, Inland Rail - Kagaru to Acacia Ridge and Bromelton (K2ARB), Queensland Energy Roadmap Infrastructure, and Inland Rail - Queensland Sections, with the following list detailing those most likely to be 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.

The employment landscape in Boonah presents a mixed picture: unemployment remains low at 3.2%, yet recent job losses have affected its comparative national standing

Boonah has a balanced workforce with diverse sector representation. As of June 2025, the unemployment rate is 3.2%.

This rate is below Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.1%, which was recorded in the same period. Workforce participation in Boonah lags significantly at 45.4% compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Employment among residents is concentrated in agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. The area shows strong specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing with an employment share of 13.8 times the regional level.

However, health care & social assistance is under-represented at 12.2% compared to Greater Brisbane's 16.1%. The labour force decreased by 0.4% and employment declined by 0.7% in Boonah during the year to June 2025, leading to a rise in unemployment rate of 0.2 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane experienced employment growth of 4.4% and labour force growth of 4.0%, with a drop in unemployment rate of 0.4 percentage points. According to Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22, national employment is forecast to expand 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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Boonah had a median taxpayer income of $39,215 and an average of $46,978. These figures are below national averages. Greater Brisbane, meanwhile, had a median income of $55,645 and an average of $70,520. By September 2025, adjusted for Wage Price Index growth of 13.99%, Boonah's estimated median income would be approximately $44,701 and the average around $53,550. Census data indicates Boonah's household, family, and personal incomes all fall between the 4th and 7th percentiles nationally. In terms of income distribution, 30.5% (852 individuals) in Boonah earn between $400 - 799, compared to broader trends where 33.3% earn between $1,500 - 2,999. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 84.7% of income remaining, 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 structure, as per the latest Census, comprised 88.9% houses and 11.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Brisbane metro, in comparison, had 96.6% houses and 3.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Boonah was at 46.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 28.0% and rented ones at 25.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Boonah was $1,261, lower than Brisbane metro's $1,517. Median weekly rent in Boonah was $300, equal to Brisbane metro's figure but significantly lower than the national average of $375. Nationally, Boonah's mortgage repayments were substantially below the Australian average of $1,863.

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

Family households comprise 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 account for 32.7%, with lone person households at 30.8% and group households making up 2.2%. The median household size is 2.3 people, 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 faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 15.7%, significantly below the Greater Brisbane average of 30.5%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 11.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 36.1% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas at 10.7% and certificates at 25.4%.

A substantial 23.2% of the population is actively pursuing formal education, including 9.5% in secondary education, 9.0% in primary education, and 1.7% in tertiary education. Boonah's three schools have a combined enrollment reaching 815 students as of the latest data. The area demonstrates typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 983) with balanced educational opportunities. Education provision is balanced with two primary and one secondary school serving distinct age groups. As of recent statistics, the area functions as an education hub with 29.1 school places per 100 residents – significantly above the regional average of 12.5 – attracting students from surrounding communities.

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. Approximately 46% of Boonah's total population (~1,281 people) has private health cover, compared to 48.5% in Greater Brisbane and the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 11.9% of residents) and mental health issues (9.2%).

Conversely, 58.0% of residents report having no medical ailments, compared to 60.9% in Greater Brisbane. Boonah has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 34.2% (956 people), compared to Greater Brisbane's 21.8%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Boonah are better than those of the general population.

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

Boonah, surveyed in June 2016, had a culturally diverse population with 89.1% citizens, 86.8% born in Australia, and 94.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity dominated Boonah's religious landscape at 58.0%, slightly higher than Greater Brisbane's 54.9%. In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (31.4%), Australian (27.8%), and German (11.1%).

Notably, Korean residents comprised 1.6% in Boonah compared to 0.1% regionally, Welsh at 0.5% vs 0.4%, and Polish at 0.6% vs 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 75-84 years make up 12.0% of Boonah's population, a significant proportion compared to the national figure of 6.0%. This group has grown from 10.3% in the 2021 Census to 12.0% currently. Conversely, the 5-14 age cohort has declined from 10.9% to 8.7%, and the 25-34 age group has decreased 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 136%, reaching 481 people from the current figure of 204. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are projected to account for 85% of total population growth, reflecting Boonah's aging demographic profile. In contrast, the 5-14 and 15-24 age cohorts are expected to experience population declines.