Carina (Qld)

Population growth drivers in Carina are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

As of Feb 2026, the population of the suburb of Carina (Qld) is estimated at around 12,588. This reflects an increase of 910 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 11,678. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of the resident population as 12,531 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024, and an additional 426 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2,913 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Carina's growth of 7.8% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area's growth of 7.4%. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 76.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including interstate migration and natural growth were positive factors.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. 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, with proportional growth weightings applied for age cohorts in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the suburb of Carina (Qld) is expected to expand by 1,501 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of 11.3% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Carina among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data, Carina has recorded around 87 residential properties granted approval per year over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 437 homes. So far in FY-26, 48 approvals have been recorded. Over these five years, there has been an average of 1.9 new residents per dwelling constructed. However, recent data shows this rate has intensified to 4.9 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, indicating growing popularity and potential undersupply in Carina.

New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $559,000, suggesting developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties. This year alone, there have been $18.3 million in commercial approvals, indicating balanced commercial development activity in the area. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Carina shows moderately higher building activity, with 31.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period.

This maintains good buyer choice while supporting existing property values. However, construction activity has eased recently. Recent construction comprises 74.0% detached dwellings and 26.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining Carina's traditional suburban character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. New construction favours detached housing more than current patterns suggest (55.0% at Census), demonstrating ongoing robust demand for family homes despite increasing density pressures. With around 203 people per dwelling approval, Carina shows characteristics of a growth area. Future projections show Carina adding 1,424 residents by 2041, from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 21 projects likely affecting the region. Notable initiatives include Shopping Centre Expansion at 789-805 Old Cleveland Road, Carina; Kensho Carina; Greendale Village Shopping Centre; and Retail, Community Use Centre & Place of Worship on Creek Road. 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 conditions in Carina demonstrate strong performance, ranking among the top 35% of areas assessed nationally

Carina has an educated workforce with strong professional services representation. The unemployment rate is 2.9%. Employment stability was maintained over the past year, according to AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation.

As of September 2025, 7,230 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.1% below Greater Brisbane's 4.0%. Workforce participation is similar to Greater Brisbane's 70.7%. Census responses show 23.7% of residents work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Key industries are health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical services.

Carina specializes in professional & technical employment with a share 1.2 times the regional level. Manufacturing employs only 4.8% of local workers compared to Greater Brisbane's 6.4%. Limited local employment opportunities are indicated by Census working population vs resident population counts. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 0.3%, labour force by 0.5%, raising the unemployment rate by 0.2 percentage points. Greater Brisbane experienced higher growth: 3.8% employment increase and 3.3% labour force growth, with a 0.5 percentage point drop in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Carina's industry mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

The suburb of Carina has a median taxpayer income of $64,889 and an average income of $86,794 according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. These figures are high compared to Greater Brisbane's median income of $58,236 and average income of $72,799. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $71,319 (median) and $95,395 (average). According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Carina are at the 74th percentile nationally. The predominant income bracket is $1,500 - 2,999, with 34.0% of locals (4,279 people) falling into this category. This aligns with broader trends across the metropolitan region, where 33.3% of residents are in the same income bracket. High housing costs consume 16.0% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 69th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

Carina displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Carina's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 54.7% houses and 45.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Brisbane metro's figures of 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Carina was at 26.7%, similar to Brisbane metro, with the remaining dwellings being mortgaged (39.1%) or rented (34.2%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Carina was $2,000, higher than Brisbane metro's average of $1,863. Median weekly rent in Carina was recorded at $440, compared to Brisbane metro's $380. Nationally, Carina's median monthly mortgage repayments were higher at $2,000 versus Australia's average of $1,863, while median weekly rents were substantially higher at $440 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 68.6 percent of all households, including 28.5 percent couples with children, 26.6 percent couples without children, and 11.8 percent single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 31.4 percent, with lone person households at 26.7 percent and group households making up 4.7 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

Carina shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Educational attainment in Carina is notably higher than broader benchmarks. As of 2016 data, 37.6% of residents aged 15+ held university qualifications compared to 25.7% in Queensland and 30.4% in Australia. Bachelor degrees were the most common at 25.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.7%) and graduate diplomas (4.1%). Vocational credentials were also prominent, with 30.9% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas accounted for 11.9% while certificates made up 19.0%.

Educational participation was high, with 27.2% of residents enrolled in formal education as of the same year. This included 8.7% in primary education, 6.8% in tertiary education, and 5.9% pursuing secondary education.

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

Carina has 36 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 19 different routes that together facilitate 3,249 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is deemed good, with residents located an average of 222 meters from the nearest stop. As a predominantly residential zone, most commuters travel outward. Cars remain the primary mode of transport, used by 83% of residents, while buses are used by 9%. On average, there are 1.2 vehicles per dwelling, lower than the regional norm.

According to the 2021 Census, 23.7% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Across all routes, service frequency averages 464 trips per day, equating to roughly 90 weekly trips per individual stop.

Carina's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Health data for Carina shows positive outcomes with mortality rates and health conditions largely matching national averages. Common health conditions are relatively low among the general population but higher among older, at-risk cohorts. Private health cover is exceptionally high at 62%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 55.8% and the national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most common conditions, affecting 8.9% and 7.4% respectively, with 70.1% reporting no medical ailments, slightly higher than Greater Brisbane's 69.2%. Under-65 residents show better health outcomes. Carina has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 17.6%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 15.2%, but ranks lower nationally.

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

Carina's population showed cultural diversity with 25.2% born overseas and 15.9% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, comprising 52.4%. Judaism was slightly overrepresented at 0.1%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 0.1%.

In terms of ancestry, the top groups were English (26.2%), Australian (23.8%), and Irish (10.1%). Notable divergences included New Zealanders at 1.1% in Carina versus 1.0% regionally, Russians at 0.5% compared to 0.3%, and Koreans at 0.7% versus 0.5%.

Carina's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Carina's median age is nearly 37 years, closely matching Greater Brisbane's average of 36, and slightly below Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Carina has a higher proportion of residents aged 35-44 (17.6%) but fewer residents aged 15-24 (11.0%). Between the 2021 Census and present, the 35-44 age group grew from 16.5% to 17.6%, while the 0-4 cohort declined from 6.7% to 5.6% and the 25-34 group dropped from 16.5% to 15.4%. By 2041, Carina's age profile is projected to change significantly. The 75-84 cohort is expected to grow by 52%, adding 435 residents to reach 1,266. Residents aged 65 and above are anticipated to drive 58% of population growth. Conversely, the 5-14 and 0-4 age cohorts are projected to decrease in population.