Chermside

Chermside lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

As per ABS population updates for the broader area and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, as of May 2026, the estimated population of Chermside is around 13,429. This figure reflects a growth of 2,003 people (17.5%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 11,426. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimated resident population of 13,137 following examination of ABS's latest ERP data release in June 2025 and an additional 575 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 3,374 persons per square kilometer, placing Chermside in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's 17.5% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area (8.0%) and the SA4 region, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 62.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts 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 are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits; hence AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Future population trends indicate a significant increase in the top quartile of national areas is forecast for Chermside, with an expected increase of 4,460 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a total increase of 31.0% over the 16 years.

The level of residential development activity in Chermside was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

Chermside has experienced approximately 123 dwelling approvals annually, with 615 approved over the past five financial years from FY-21 to FY-25. As of FY-26166 dwellings have been approved. Each year, around 2.3 new residents are gained per dwelling built in Chermside during these years.

The average construction cost value for new homes is $685,000, indicating a focus on premium properties. This financial year has seen $52.1 million in commercial approvals, suggesting strong local business investment. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Chermside records 142.0% more development activity per person. New developments consist of 10.0% detached dwellings and 90.0% attached dwellings, promoting higher-density living for affordability and suitability for various buyer types. As of around 103 people per approval, Chermside reflects an area experiencing growth.

By 2041, population forecasts estimate Chermside will gain approximately 4,168 residents. Construction pace is maintaining reasonable growth, but buyers may face increasing competition as the population grows.

Chermside 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 has identified 23 projects likely to affect the area. Notable projects include The Prince Charles Hospital Expansion, Brisbane Metro Northern Extension - CBD to Carseldine, 705-707 Hamilton Road Development, and 26-30 Kuran Street Development. The following list details 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.

Employment conditions in Chermside remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Chermside has a well-educated workforce with strong representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 6.3% as of an unspecified past year, with estimated employment growth of 11.3%. As of December 2025, there were 8,022 residents employed, and the unemployment rate was 2.2% higher than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.1%.

Workforce participation was 73.5%, slightly above Greater Brisbane's 69.6%. According to Census responses, 17.1% of residents worked from home, potentially impacted by Covid-19 lockdowns. Key industries for employment are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food. Health care & social assistance is particularly notable with employment levels at 1.3 times the regional average.

Conversely, education & training shows lower representation at 5.9% compared to the regional average of 9.4%. There were 1.5 workers for every resident as per Census data, indicating Chermside functions as an employment hub attracting workers from surrounding areas. In the 12-month period ending unspecified, employment increased by 11.3%, labour force grew by 10.1%, and unemployment fell by 1.0 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Brisbane recorded lower growth rates for employment, labour force, and unemployment reduction. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest potential future demand within Chermside. Applying these projections to Chermside's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.4% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released for financial year 2023 shows Chermside had a median taxpayer income of $52,811 and an average income of $63,323. This is below the national averages of $58,236 and $72,799 respectively in Greater Brisbane. Based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023, current estimates for March 2026 would be approximately $58,810 (median) and $70,516 (average). According to the 2021 Census, personal income ranks at the 58th percentile ($844 weekly), with household income at the 30th percentile. Income distribution shows 33.8% of residents fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 range, similar to regional levels (33.3%). Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 77.8% of income remaining, ranking at the 21st percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

Chermside features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Chermside's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 21.4% houses and 78.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Brisbane metro's 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Chermside was at 15.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 17.7% and rented ones at 66.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,690, below Brisbane metro's average of $1,863. The median weekly rent figure was $370, compared to Brisbane metro's $380. Nationally, Chermside's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 50.5 percent of all households, consisting of 13.7 percent couples with children, 24.6 percent couples without children, and 10.0 percent single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 49.5 percent, with lone person households at 41.8 percent and group households comprising 7.6 percent of the total. The median household size is 1.9 people, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

Chermside demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

The area's educational profile is notable regionally with university qualification rates at 34.7%, exceeding Queensland's average of 25.7% and Australia's rate of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 24.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.5%) and graduate diplomas (2.6%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 32.0% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas account for 11.3% and certificates for 20.7%.

Educational participation is high, with 28.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.0% in tertiary education, 6.3% in primary education, and 4.7% pursuing secondary education.

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

Chermside has 71 active public transport stops, all serving buses. These stops are covered by 25 different routes, offering a total of 3,957 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 145 meters to the nearest stop. Most residents commute outwards from this predominantly residential area. Cars remain the primary mode of transport, used by 71% of residents, followed by buses at 12% and walking at 9%. On average, there are 0.7 vehicles per dwelling, lower than the regional norm.

According to the 2021 Census, 17.1% of residents work from home, a figure potentially influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Across all routes, service frequency averages 565 trips per day, equating to approximately 55 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Chermside is well below average with considerably higher than average prevalence of common health conditions and to an even higher degree among older age cohorts

Chermside faces significant health challenges, according to AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are substantially higher than average.

Mental health issues affect 11.0% of residents, with asthma impacting 7.7%. Only 66.0% report being completely clear of medical ailments. Working-age residents show above-average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 18.4% of residents aged 65 and over (2,470 people), higher than Greater Brisbane's 15.1%. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges, ranking lower nationally than the broader population. Private health cover is at approximately 52%, leading the average SA2 area but lower than Greater Brisbane's 55.8%.

Chermside 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

Chermside has a high level of cultural diversity, with 28.1% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 36.1% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Chermside, accounting for 45.6% of the population. Hinduism is notably overrepresented in Chermside, comprising 5.6% compared to 2.2% across Greater Brisbane.

The top three ancestry groups are English at 23.3%, Australian at 19.6%, and Other at 13.2%. Filipino (3.3%), Korean (1.1%), and New Zealand (1.0%) ethnicities are notably overrepresented in Chermside compared to regional percentages of 1.2%, 0.5%, and 1.0% respectively.

Chermside's population is younger than the national pattern

Chermside's median age is 35 years, nearly matching Greater Brisbane's average of 36 and somewhat younger than Australia's average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Chermside has a higher concentration of residents aged 25-34 years at 23.0%, but fewer residents aged 5-14 years at 7.2%. This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is well above the national average of 14.6%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the population aged 35 to 44 years has grown from 14.2% to 15.2%, while the population aged 85 years and over has declined from 4.6% to 3.1%. By 2041, Chermside's population is forecasted to experience substantial demographic changes. The 75-84 age group is projected to grow by 79%, adding 754 residents to reach a total of 1,708. Conversely, the 0-4 age group shows minimal growth of just 7% (39 people).