Browns Plains (Qld)

Population growth drivers in Browns Plains are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validation, as of Nov 2025, Browns Plains (Qld) (SA2)'s estimated population is around 7,915. This reflects a 19.3% increase since the 2021 Census, which reported 6,632 people. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 7,601 residents following June 2024 ABS ERP data release and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 1,545 persons per square kilometer, above national averages assessed by AreaSearch. Browns Plains (Qld) (SA2)'s growth exceeded both national average (9.7%) and state levels, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Interstate migration contributed approximately 41.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, with other drivers including overseas migration and natural growth also positive factors.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 using 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data or years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted, with proportional growth weightings applied for age cohorts. Future population dynamics forecast a significant increase in Browns Plains (Qld) (SA2), with an expected rise of 2,174 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 22.0% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Browns Plains among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Browns Plains has averaged approximately 75 new dwelling approvals each year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 378 homes. As of FY-26, 7 approvals have been recorded. On average, 2.4 people per year move to the area with each new home constructed between FY-21 and FY-25, reflecting strong demand that supports property values. New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $423,000, slightly above the regional average, suggesting a focus on quality developments.

This financial year has seen $66.5 million in commercial approvals, indicating high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Browns Plains has around two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and places among the 87th percentile of areas assessed nationally, demonstrating robust developer interest in the area. New building activity shows 34.0% detached houses and 66.0% attached dwellings, offering affordable entry pathways for downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. This shift from the current housing mix (currently 78.0% houses) reflects reduced availability of development sites and addresses shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements. The location has approximately 101 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Browns Plains is expected to grow by 1,742 residents through to 2041.

At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Browns Plains has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 11 projects expected to impact the area. Notable ones are The Avenues at Browns Plains, Grand Plaza Browns Plains - Amenities Refurbishment (completed Jun-2018), Grand Plaza Shopping Centre Refurbishment (scheduled Aug-2020), and Browns Plains Central (commenced Apr-2019). Below is a list of those most 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.

Browns Plains shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Browns Plains has a balanced workforce with representation from both white and blue collar jobs. The manufacturing and industrial sectors are strongly represented in the area.

As of September 2025, the unemployment rate stands at 5.9%, with an estimated employment growth of 4.4% over the past year based on AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. There are currently 3,674 residents employed, while the unemployment rate is 1.9% higher than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.0%. The workforce participation rate in Browns Plains is significantly lower at 56.3%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. The leading employment industries among Browns Plains' residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing.

Notably, the area has a high concentration of manufacturing jobs, with employment levels at 1.8 times the regional average. Conversely, professional & technical services have limited presence in the area, with only 3.4% of residents employed in this sector compared to the regional average of 8.9%. The ratio of workers to residents in Browns Plains, as recorded in the Census, is 0.7, indicating a level of local employment opportunities above the norm. Over the past year, there has been an increase of 4.4% in employment and a rise of 2.5% in the labour force, leading to a decrease of 1.7 percentage points in the unemployment rate. This contrasts with Greater Brisbane where employment rose by 3.8%, the labour force grew by 3.3%, and unemployment fell by 0.5 percentage points. State-level data as of 25-Nov shows that Queensland's employment has contracted by 0.01% (losing 1,210 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%, closely aligned with the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 provide further insight into potential future demand within Browns Plains. These projections suggest that national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. However, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Browns Plains' employment mix suggests that local employment should increase by 6.1% over five years and 13.0% over ten years. It is important to note that this extrapolation is for illustrative purposes only and does not take into.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

Browns Plains' median income among taxpayers was $49,912 in financial year 2023, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data. The suburb's average income stood at $55,470 during the same period. In Greater Brisbane, these figures were $58,236 and $72,799 respectively. By September 2025, estimated median and average incomes in Browns Plains would be approximately $54,858 and $60,967, based on a 9.91% growth since financial year 2023. Census 2021 data ranks Browns Plains' household, family, and personal incomes modestly, between the 25th and 28th percentiles. The predominant income cohort in Browns Plains, comprising 35.5% of locals (2,809 people), falls within the $1,500 - 2,999 category. This is similar to the broader area's pattern, where 33.3% occupy this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Browns Plains, with only 80.2% of income remaining, ranking at the 22nd percentile.

Browns Plains is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Browns Plains dwellings, as per the latest Census, consisted of 78.1% houses and 21.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Brisbane metro's 89.2% houses and 10.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Browns Plains was at 19.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 31.9% and rented ones at 48.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,434, below Brisbane metro's average of $1,600. Median weekly rent in Browns Plains was $350, compared to Brisbane metro's $360. Nationally, Browns Plains' mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Browns Plains features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 73.4% of all households, including 29.7% couples with children, 22.2% couples without children, and 19.5% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 26.6%, with lone person households at 22.4% and group households comprising 4.3%. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 3.0.

Browns Plains faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 14.9%, significantly lower than Greater Brisbane's average of 30.5%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.1%) and graduate diplomas (0.8%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 41.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.5%) and certificates (30.6%). Educational participation is high, with 33.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including primary (12.4%), secondary (10.2%), and tertiary (3.8%) levels.

Educational participation is notably high, with 33.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.4% in primary education, 10.2% in secondary education, and 3.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Browns Plains has 24 operational public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 16 different routes that facilitate a total of 3,162 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is deemed good, with residents on average situated 317 meters from their nearest transport stop.

Across all routes, service frequency averages 451 trips per day, translating to approximately 131 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Browns Plains is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, though to a considerably higher degree among older age cohorts

Browns Plains faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent among its residents, particularly so among older age cohorts. Approximately 49% (~3,892 people) have private health cover, compared to the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are asthma and mental health issues, affecting 9.5% and 9.5% of residents respectively. Conversely, 67.3% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, slightly lower than the Greater Brisbane average of 69.2%. The area has an older population, with 11.3% (894 people) aged 65 and over. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention due to specific challenges they face.

Browns Plains was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Browns Plains was found to be more culturally diverse than most local markets, with 27.3% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 34.9% born overseas. The predominant religion in Browns Plains is Christianity, accounting for 42.3% of the population. However, Islam is notably overrepresented, comprising 6.5% compared to 5.8% across Greater Brisbane.

The top three ancestry groups are English at 23.6%, Australian at 21.7%, and Other at 16.3%. Some ethnic groups show significant differences: Maori is overrepresented at 3.0% (vs regional 3.2%), Samoan at 2.3% (vs 3.0%), and Hungarian at 0.4% (vs 0.3%).

Browns Plains hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

Browns Plains has a median age of 34, which is slightly younger than Greater Brisbane's figure of 36 and substantially under Australia's median age of 38. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Browns Plains has a higher proportion of residents aged 5-14 (15.2%) but fewer residents aged 75-84 (3.2%). Between the 2021 Census and the present, the population aged 15-24 has grown from 14.0% to 15.5%, while the 25-34 age group has declined from 15.5% to 14.0%. By 2041, significant demographic changes are forecast for Browns Plains. The 45-54 age cohort is projected to grow by 44%, adding 408 residents to reach a total of 1,342. Conversely, both the 0-4 and 25-34 age groups are expected to decrease in number.