Brinsmead

An assessment of population growth drivers in Brinsmead reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census Brinsmead's estimated population is around 5711 as of November 2025. This reflects an increase of 174 people, a rise of 3.1% since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 5537 people in the suburb of Brinsmead. The change is inferred from the resident population estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS on June 2024 and an additional 41 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1115 persons per square kilometer, which is relatively in line with averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by natural growth that contributed approximately 52.0% 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. Considering the projected demographic shifts, lower quartile growth of regional areas across the nation is anticipated, with the area expected to grow by 193 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 3.4% in total over the 17 years.

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

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Brinsmead has experienced around 9 dwellings receiving development approval each year over the past 5 financial years ending June 2025. This totals an estimated 46 homes. So far in FY-26 (ending June 2026), 7 approvals have been recorded. With an average of 2 people moving to the area per new home constructed over these years, indicating healthy demand that supports property values, new homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $412,000, reflecting more affordable housing options compared to regional norms.

Also, $95,000 in commercial approvals have been registered this financial year, suggesting a predominantly residential focus. When measured against the Rest of Qld, Brinsmead has significantly less development activity (78.0% below regional average per person). This constrained new construction usually reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings, though building activity has accelerated in recent years. This is also below average nationally, reflecting the area's maturity and pointing to possible planning constraints. Further, new construction has been completely comprised of standalone homes, preserving the area's suburban nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers.

With around 356 people per dwelling approval, Brinsmead shows a developed market. Future projections show Brinsmead adding 193 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Brinsmead has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 13thth percentile nationally

Eleven projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area. These include the Kamerunga to Woree Transmission Line Replacement Project, Brinsmead Road Service Centre Overhaul, Cairns Western Arterial Road Duplication, and Larsen Place Estate, with the following list detailing those most likely relevant.

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

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The exceptional employment performance in Brinsmead places it among Australia's strongest labour markets

Brinsmead has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 1.6% as of June 2025, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

In this month, 3413 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 2.3 percentage points lower than Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation in Brinsmead was 72.4%, exceeding Rest of Qld's 59.1%. The dominant employment sectors among residents included health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. Health care & social assistance particularly showed strong specialization with an employment share 1.2 times the regional level.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing was under-represented at 1.2% of Brinsmead's workforce compared to Rest of Qld's 4.5%. The area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census working population vs resident population data. Over the 12 months to June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 1.6% and employment decreased by 2.0%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. This contrasted with Rest of Qld where employment grew by 1.8%, labour force expanded by 2.0%, and unemployment rose by 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 offered insights into potential future demand within Brinsmead. These projections estimated that national employment would expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying growth rates between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Brinsmead's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 14.1% over ten years.

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

AreaSearch aggregated latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2022. Brinsmead's median income among taxpayers was $61,056 with an average of $75,935. Nationally, these figures are high compared to Rest of Qld's $50,780 and $64,844 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Brinsmead as of September 2025 would be approximately $69,598 (median) and $86,558 (average). According to 2021 Census figures, incomes in Brinsmead rank highly nationally, between the 77th and 77th percentiles for household, family, and personal incomes. Income distribution shows that 38.6% of locals (2,204 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly income category, similar to the broader area at 31.7%. Higher earners make up a substantial presence with 30.1% exceeding $3,000 weekly. After housing costs, residents retain 86.9% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power and the area's SEIFA income ranking in the 7th decile.

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

In Brinsmead, as per the latest Census evaluation, 97.2% of dwellings were houses while 2.8% were other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This contrasts with Non-Metro Qld's figures of 80.8% houses and 19.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Brinsmead stood at 30.6%, with mortgaged properties making up 49.0% and rented dwellings comprising 20.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, aligning with Non-Metro Qld's average, while the median weekly rent figure was $450 compared to Non-Metro Qld's averages of $1,733 and $390 respectively. Nationally, Brinsmead's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, but rents were substantially higher at $450 compared to the national figure of $375.

Brinsmead features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 81.9% of all households, consisting of 40.1% couples with children, 29.0% couples without children, and 12.2% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 18.1%, with lone person households at 15.2% and group households comprising 2.6% of the total. The median household size is 2.8 people, larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 27.7% among residents aged 15+, surpassing both the Rest of Queensland average of 20.6% and the SA4 region average of 21.1%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 19.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.3%) and graduate diplomas (3.2%). Vocational credentials are also common, with 39.7% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (13.3%) and certificates (26.4%).

Educational participation is high, with 32.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes primary education (11.7%), secondary education (11.3%), and tertiary education (4.3%). Freshwater Christian College serves Brinsmead with an enrollment of 542 students. The area's schools offer balanced educational opportunities, with an ICSEA score of 1041. All 1 school provides integrated K-12 education. School places per 100 residents (9.5) are lower than the regional average (14.4), indicating some students may attend schools in nearby areas.

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

Brinsmead has six active public transport stops in operation, all of which are bus stops. There is one route serving these stops collectively providing 123 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility to transport is rated as moderate with residents typically located 425 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 17 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 20 weekly trips per individual stop.

Brinsmead's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Health outcomes data shows excellent results across Brinsmead, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is high at approximately 57% of the total population (around 3,271 people), compared to 52.7% in the rest of Queensland.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 6.7% and 6.3% of residents respectively. A significant majority, 74.9%, report being completely free from medical ailments, compared to 73.1% in the rest of Queensland. As of 2021, 14.2% of Brinsmead's residents are aged 65 and over (810 people), lower than the 16.7% in the rest of Queensland. Health outcomes among seniors in Brinsmead align well with those of the general population.

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

Brinsmead's population shows above-average cultural diversity, with 21.8% born overseas and 11.9% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Brinsmead, accounting for 50.0% of its population. Judaism, however, is slightly overrepresented compared to the rest of Queensland, comprising 0.2% versus 0.2%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (26.8%), Australian (24.2%), and Other (10.5%). Notably, Korean (0.6%) and Dutch (1.6%) ethnicities are slightly overrepresented in Brinsmead compared to regional averages of 0.4% and 1.5%, respectively. New Zealand ethnicity is equally represented at 0.9%.

Brinsmead's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Brinsmead is 39 years, which is lower than the Rest of Qld average of 41 but close to the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that individuals aged 35-44 are prominent at 15.8%, while those aged 25-34 make up a smaller proportion at 9.3%. Between 2021 and present, the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 11.5% to 13.7%, and the 65 to 74 cohort has increased from 7.9% to 9.1%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 age group has declined from 16.5% to 14.6%, and the 45 to 54 age group has dropped from 15.7% to 14.4%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate that the 25 to 34 age cohort is expected to increase by 113 people (21%), from 531 to 645. Meanwhile, both the 55 to 64 and 5 to 14 age groups are projected to decrease in numbers.