Deception Bay

Deception Bay is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, as of November 2025, the estimated population of the Deception Bay statistical area (Lv2) is around 20,369. This reflects an increase of 796 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 19,573. The change is inferred from the resident population of 20,296 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 286 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,047 persons per square kilometer. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 49.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For any SA2 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. Moving forward with demographic trends, an above median population growth of national areas is projected for the Deception Bay (SA2), expected to grow by 4,098 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 22.1% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Deception Bay among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, shows Deception Bay has seen around 105 new homes approved each year. Over the past five financial years, between FY-21 and FY-25, approximately 528 homes were approved. In FY-26 up to now, 75 homes have been approved.

On average, 1.2 people moved to the area for each dwelling built over these five years. This suggests a balanced supply and demand, creating stable market conditions.

New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $322,000. Commercial development approvals totalled $6.3 million in FY-26, reflecting Deception Bay's primarily residential nature. Building activity comprises 76.0% detached houses and 24.0% medium to high-density housing, sustaining the area's suburban identity with a focus on family homes. The population density is around 102 people per approval, indicating a low-density area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Deception Bay is projected to gain 4,506 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may struggle to keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing buyer competition and supporting price increases.

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

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 31 projects likely to affect the region. Notable initiatives include First Nations Elders Housing Project, Deception Bay Road Upgrade (Bruce Highway to Park Road), Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan - South East Queensland, and Peninsula Power Sports Complex. Relevant projects are detailed below.

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.

AreaSearch analysis reveals Deception Bay recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Deception Bay's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs, with essential services well represented. The unemployment rate was 6.2% in the past year, showing an estimated employment growth of 10.7%.

As of September 2025, 9,347 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.2% higher than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation is lower at 53.4%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Leading employment industries include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. The area specializes in health care & social assistance, with an employment share 1.2 times the regional level, while professional & technical jobs are lower at 3.0% compared to Greater Brisbane's 8.9%.

Employment opportunities locally may be limited, as indicated by Census data comparing working population and resident population. In the past year, employment increased by 10.7% alongside labour force growth of 6.0%, reducing the unemployment rate by 4.0 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Brisbane recorded employment growth of 3.8%. State-level data to 25-Nov shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01%, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, aligning with the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but industry-specific projections suggest Deception Bay's employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.4% over ten years.

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

AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ended June 2023 indicates median taxpayer income in Deception Bay suburb was $48,554 with average at $54,549. This is below national averages of $61,726 and $76,713 respectively. By September 2025, estimates based on Wage Price Index growth suggest median and average incomes would be approximately $53,366 and $59,955 respectively. According to Australian Bureau of Statistics' Census data from 2021, household, family, and personal incomes in Deception Bay fall between 14th and 18th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows predominant cohort is 30.5% (6,212 people) earning $1,500 - 2,999, similar to broader regional trends at 33.3%. Housing affordability pressures are severe with only 80.3% of income remaining, ranking at 15th percentile nationally.

Deception Bay is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile

The latest Census evaluation found that dwelling structures in Deception Bay comprised 84.2% houses and 15.8% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. Home ownership in the area stood at 25.7%, with 34.5% of dwellings mortgaged and 39.8% rented. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,517, and the median weekly rent figure was $325. Nationally, Deception Bay's median monthly mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while median weekly rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Deception Bay has a typical household mix, with a median household size of 2.5 people

Family households account for 70.2 percent of all households, including 25.8 percent couples with children, 24.9 percent couples without children, and 18.0 percent single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 29.8 percent, with lone person households at 26.5 percent and group households comprising 3.3 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.5 people.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 11.4%, significantly lower than Greater Brisbane's average of 30.5%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 8.7%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.4%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.3%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 43.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.9%) and certificates (33.5%). Educational participation is high, with 28.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 11.2% in primary education, 9.5% in secondary education, and 2.7% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Transport analysis shows that as of 2021 there were 49 active public transport stops in Deception Bay. These stops served a mix of bus routes, with a total of 3 individual routes operating. Collectively, these routes provided 993 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of the transport system was rated as good, with residents on average located 246 meters from their nearest stop. Service frequency averaged 141 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 20 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Deception Bay is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Deception Bay faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low, at approximately 49% of the total population (~9,944 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues are the most common medical condition in the area, impacting 11.5% of residents, followed by arthritis at 10.3%. Notably, 58.0% of residents report having no medical ailments, which is higher than the 0% reported across Greater Brisbane. As of June 20XX (exact year not provided), 21.4% of Deception Bay's population consists of seniors aged 65 and over (4,358 people). The health outcomes among seniors are broadly in line with those of the general population.

Deception Bay ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Deception Bay, as per the census conducted on Tuesday 9 June 2020, showed low cultural diversity with 85.0% of its population being Australian citizens, 79.6% born in Australia, and 92.2% speaking only English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 49.7%. This contrasts with the regionally reported None% for Christianity.

The top three ancestry groups were English (29.9%), Australian (27.5%), and Scottish (7.2%). Notably, Samoan (2.1%) and New Zealand (1.4%) ethnicities were overrepresented compared to regional figures of None%. Maori ethnicity was also present at 1.8%, higher than the regional None% figure.

Deception Bay's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Deception Bay is 40 years, which is higher than Greater Brisbane's average of 36 years and modestly exceeds the national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Brisbane, the 75-84 age cohort is notably over-represented in Deception Bay at 8.1%, while the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 10.5%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 5.9% to 8.1% of the population, while the 45 to 54 age cohort has declined from 13.0% to 12.3%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Deception Bay. The 75 to 84 age group is expected to grow by 71%, reaching 2,822 people from 1,649. Demographic aging continues as residents aged 65 and older represent 59% of anticipated growth. Conversely, the 35 to 44 and 0 to 4 age groups are expected to experience population declines.