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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Carina (Qld) has an estimated 12,751 residents, up from 11,678 at the 2021 Census — a change of 1,073 people, or 9.2%. Growth has averaged 1.5% a year over five years. 431 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Overseas migration accounts for 76.0% of that increase. That puts 2,952 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to AreaSearch evaluations combining ABS demographic updates for the surrounding region and post-Census address validations, the suburb of Carina (Qld) has an estimated resident count of approximately 12,751 as of Aug 2026. This marks a rise of 1,073 people (9.2%) compared to the 2021 Census tally of 11,678 people. The updated estimate builds on an ERP baseline of 12,723 derived from the June 2025 ABS release, alongside 431 validated new addresses confirmed since the Census. With a density of 2,951 persons per square kilometer, the suburb of Carina (Qld) sits within the top quartile of areas assessed nationally by AreaSearch.
Furthermore, the 9.2% expansion recorded since the 2021 census outpaced the broader SA3 area rate of 8.1%, positioning the suburb as a regional growth outperformer. Inbound international migration served as the principal demographic catalyst, generating roughly 76.0% of recent population additions, while interstate arrivals and natural increases also remained positive contributors. Projections utilised by AreaSearch draw from the 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia series using 2022 as its baseline for SA2 divisions. Where coverage is unavailable or extends beyond 2032, Queensland State Government projections published in 2023 (utilising 2021 data) are integrated. Because these state forecasts lack age-bracket breakdowns, AreaSearch applies proportional distribution weights derived from the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region release (based on 2022 figures). Taking these demographic trajectories into account, future expansion in the suburb of Carina (Qld) is tracking marginally below the national statistical area median, with aggregated SA2 figures projecting an increase of 1,216 persons by 2041, representing a cumulative 16-year gain of 9.3%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
437 new dwellings have been approved in Carina (Qld) over the past five years, an average of 87 a year. That places the area in the 78th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 7 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 57 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 67% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 72, broadly in line with that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Analysis of ABS building approvals by AreaSearch shows that Carina has averaged approximately 87 approved residential dwellings per year, accumulating an estimated 437 residences across the last 5 financial years. Within FY-25 to date, 72 dwelling approvals have been recorded. Over the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, an average of 3.3 people arrived annually for each newly constructed dwelling, creating an environment where residential construction significantly trails demand, intensifying buyer competition and exerting upward pressure on real estate prices. The average construction cost for new dwellings stands at $701,000, underscoring a builder focus on higher-end, premium residential developments.
Additionally, commercial development approvals have reached $18.3 million during this financial year, demonstrating consistent commercial investment. Carina demonstrates per-capita building activity comparable to Greater Brisbane, reflecting regional development trends that help maintain local market equilibrium. Modern residential approvals are divided between separate houses at 67.0% and medium-density attached homes at 33.0%, delivering a balanced variety of housing forms across different price segments, ranging from traditional family homes to more accessible compact dwellings. With approximately 194 people per dwelling approval, the locality retains capacity for future development. According to the most recent quarterly projections from AreaSearch, Carina is slated to add 1,188 residents by 2041. Under current construction trajectories, incoming residential stock is well positioned to satisfy demand, creating favorable market conditions for purchasers while potentially enabling demographic growth beyond current estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Carina (Qld)
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 10 current infrastructure and development projects inside Carina (Qld), worth an estimated $200 million. A further 67 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $44 billion. 9 are already under construction and 28 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and communities, precincts & urban renewal. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure investment, major development proposals, and town planning strategies exert a profound influence on district performance. AreaSearch has identified 20 significant projects anticipated to shape the surrounding area. Prominent undertakings include the Shopping Centre Expansion - 789-805 Old Cleveland Road, Carina, Kensho Carina, Greendale Village Shopping Centre, and Retail, Community Use Centre & Place of Worship - Creek Road.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Retail, Community Use Centre and Place of Worship - Creek Road
Proposed mixed-use development by The Salvation Army involving a four-stage rollout at 1529 Creek Road. The project includes a shop, community care centre, and a place of worship. The design features a two-storey community building, 105 car parking spaces, and extensive landscaping, replacing the existing single-storey buildings on the site to better serve the Carina community.
Shopping Centre Expansion - 789-805 Old Cleveland Road, Carina
Expansion and refurbishment of the Carina neighbourhood shopping centre into an open-air, four-storey complex delivered over two stages. The development, designed by WSA Architecture and planned by Place Design Group, includes new shops, food and drink outlets, office space, healthcare services, and indoor sport and recreation facilities. Stage 1 provides 181 car spaces (including 23 motorcycle) with the full two-stage build providing 441 spaces. The project maintains a local scale while significantly upgrading customer amenity and the streetscape along Old Cleveland Road.
Winstanley Street Medical Centre Development
Development of a four-storey commercial and medical facility spanning 2,833 sqm of gross floor area across three street frontages. The approved project includes dedicated healthcare suites, consulting spaces, professional offices, a neighbourhood supermarket, and ground-floor food and drink outlets serving Carina Heights and surrounding eastern Brisbane suburbs.
Kensho Carina
Proposed residential townhouse development at 141 Fursden Road, Carina by Roycorp. Previously planned for 85 attached dwellings with 193 car spaces, the development application faced refusal from the Brisbane City Council due to the site's Community Facilities zoning, and a subsequent appeal was dismissed by the Planning and Environment Court in early 2025. The site remains in the planning phase pending an updated proposal or alternative development strategy.
Cannon Hill Shopping Centre Bus Station Upgrade
Upgrade of existing bus facility to meet accessibility requirements in accordance with Disability Discrimination Act. Improvements to operational efficiency during peak periods and special events.
Gym & Office Development - Wynnum Road
Two-storey commercial building with Indoor Sport and Recreation (Gym) on first floor and Office Space on second floor. Located at 1041-1045 Wynnum Road & 67 Ludwick Street. Features 54 car parking spaces and quality architectural design.
Aveo Parkside Carindale Redevelopment
$280 million transformation of a 38-year-old retirement village into a modern multi-storey community with 405 independent living apartments and a privately owned 140-bed residential care facility across six stages. Features resort-style amenities and is close to Westfield Carindale.
20 Dickenson Street Carina Apartments
A contemporary apartment development at 20 Dickenson Street featuring one, two and three-bedroom units with modern design and quality finishes. The development offers convenient access to local shops, schools and transport.
7,592 residents of Carina (Qld) are employed, from a labour force of 7,782. Unemployment sits at 2.4%, with participation at 73.8%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.9% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 10,257, about 80% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Carina possesses a highly educated talent base with a prominent professional services footprint, a low unemployment rate of 2.4%, and an estimated annual jobs growth rate of 5.5% according to AreaSearch statistical aggregations. By March 2026, employed residents reached 7,592, with the jobless rate tracking 1.9% below the Greater Brisbane figure of 4.3%, while the local participation rate stood at 73.8% against 70.1% across Greater Brisbane. Census records indicate that 23.7% of local workers operated from home, though this figure reflects the influence of Covid-19 restrictions. Local workforce engagement is heavily concentrated across professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training sectors.
The professional & technical category is particularly prominent, employing residents at 1.2 times the Greater Brisbane average. Conversely, manufacturing demonstrates a lower profile, engaging 4.8% of local workers compared to 6.4% across Greater Brisbane. Given the discrepancy between the Census working population and resident totals, this largely residential district provides a relatively modest volume of local employment opportunities. According to AreaSearch evaluations of SALM and ABS figures, compiled from larger statistical regions, the period leading to March 2026 witnessed a 5.5% rise in employment and a 5.0% expansion in the labour force, which caused unemployment to drop by 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane experienced employment growth of 3.2%, a labour force increase of 3.4%, and a 0.1 percentage point rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment outlooks from Mar-26 provide additional perspective on possible future demand in Carina. These forecasts, spanning five and ten-year horizons, were overlaid onto the local employment structure to estimate growth trajectories. Although national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, expansion varies considerably across different industry sectors. When these sector-specific projections are applied to Carina's employment composition, local employment is expected to rise by 6.9% over five years and 14.1% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Carina (Qld) is $2,064 a week (about $107,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,017 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $64,889 a year against an average of $86,794. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Aggregated ATO statistics for financial year 2023 place taxpayer income levels in the suburb of Carina in an exceptionally high national tier. Taxpayer median income reaches $64,889 and average earnings stand at $86,794, outperforming the Greater Brisbane benchmarks of $58,236 and $72,799. Following an 11.36% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, updated estimates as of March 2026 indicate a median of roughly $72,260 and an average of $96,654. The 2021 Census situated Carina's household, family, and individual incomes around the 74th percentile nationwide. The dominant earnings tier is the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, capturing 34.0% of the population (4,335 people), which closely mirrors the Greater Brisbane proportion of 33.3%.
Although accommodation expenses absorb 16.0% of local income, strong base earnings keep disposable income at the 69th percentile, with the area achieving a SEIFA income placement in the 7th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Carina (Qld) had 4,685 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 55% detached houses and 11% apartments. 39% are owned with a mortgage, 34% rented and 27% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $440 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,000 a month, a total housing cost higher than 76% of areas nationally. Rent absorbs 21.3% of household income here and mortgage repayments 22.4%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the most recent Census, the local housing landscape comprised 54.7% detached houses alongside 45.3% other dwellings (including semi-detached units, apartments, and alternative structures), contrasting with the wider Brisbane metro split of 73.5% separate houses and 26.5% other dwellings. Outright home ownership matched the Brisbane metro figure at 26.7%, while 39.1% of properties were being purchased with a mortgage and 34.2% were occupied by tenants. Median monthly mortgage payments stood at $2,000, exceeding the Brisbane metro benchmark of $1,863 and the national average of $1,863. Median weekly rental costs reached $440, surpassing the Brisbane metro level of $380 and the national standard of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Carina (Qld) counted 4,685 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 5,115 today, averaging 2.4 people each. 29% are couples with children, against 27% couples without children. 27% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.3 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units constitute 68.6% of households in Carina, comprising couples with children (28.5%), couples without children (26.6%), and single parent families (11.8%). Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 31.4%, consisting of single-person households at 26.7% and group households at 4.7%. The local median household size of 2.4 people sits below the Greater Brisbane benchmark of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
37.6% of adults in Carina (Qld) hold a university qualification, including 25.8% with a bachelor degree and 7.7% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 84% of areas nationally. A further 19.0% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 1,800 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,089 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational attainment among Carina residents exceeds regional and national benchmarks, with 37.6% of individuals aged 15+ holding a tertiary qualification compared to 25.7% across QLD and 30.4% across Australia, giving the area a notable edge in knowledge-intensive fields. Bachelor degrees represent the largest qualification category at 25.8%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 7.7% and graduate diplomas at 4.1%. Vocational and technical training is also well represented, with 30.9% of residents aged 15+ possessing vocational credentials, including 11.9% with advanced diplomas and 19.0% holding certificates. Participation in formal learning is notably strong across Carina, with 27.2% of the local population actively attending educational institutions.
This includes 8.7% enrolled in primary education, 6.8% undertaking tertiary studies, and 5.9% engaged in secondary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Carina (Qld) means driving: households keep an average of 1.2 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
70.1% of residents in Carina (Qld) report no long-term health condition. 6.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 61.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.2 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators for Carina show generally favorable outcomes, with AreaSearch evaluations of mortality statistics and medical conditions tracking in line with national standards. While common chronic ailments remain low within the broader population, rates are comparatively elevated among older, higher-risk groups. Furthermore, private healthcare coverage is exceptionally widespread, encompassing approximately 62% of all residents (7,853 people), compared to 55.8% for Greater Brisbane and 55.7% nationally. Mental health conditions and asthma represent the most widespread medical issues locally, reported by 8.9 and 7.4% of residents, respectively. A total of 70.1% of the population reported no long-term medical conditions, slightly higher than the 69.2% recorded for Greater Brisbane.
While health profiles among residents under 65 are particularly robust, the 15.7% of the community aged 65 and over (2,001 people) ranks comparatively lower across national health benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
25.2% of Carina (Qld) residents were born overseas and 15.9% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (26.2%) and Australian (23.8%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in Carina tracks above standard benchmarks, with 25.2% of the community born abroad and 15.9% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religious faith, observed by 52.4% of residents. The most noticeable religious divergence occurs within Judaism, which accounts for 0.1% of the population, matching the 0.1% proportion recorded across Greater Brisbane. Looking at ancestral backgrounds based on parental birthplace, the three largest groups in Carina are English at 26.2%, Australian at 23.8%, and Irish at 10.1%. Several other cultural backgrounds also show notable differences compared to regional proportions, including New Zealand at 1.1% (compared to 1.0% regionally), Russian at 0.5% (against 0.3%), and Korean at 0.7% (compared to 0.5%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Carina (Qld) is 37. 27.8% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The age profile of Carina leans towards younger demographics. As of August 2026, AreaSearch estimates indicate that 34.7% of the population consists of young to middle-aged adults (25 - 44), compared to 30.6% in Greater Brisbane, while children and young adults (0 - 24) represent 28.4% compared to 31.8% regionally. The estimated median age as at August 2026 is 37, matching the 2021 Census figure and sitting 1 year above the Greater Brisbane median of 36 recorded at that Census. Since the Census, the share of 25 - 44 year olds has risen from 33.0% to an estimated 34.7%.
Looking ahead to 2041, senior cohorts (65+) are projected to drive local growth by adding 844 residents (42%) to reach 2,846, while the young to middle-aged adult bracket is forecast to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Carina (Qld)
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 2 months ago all 10 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 431 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (11,678 at the 2021 Census → 12,751 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL30538). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.