Drayton

Drayton has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validation, as of Nov 2025, Drayton's estimated population is around 1,883. This reflects a 70-person increase (3.9%) since the 2021 Census, which reported 1,813 people. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 1,874 in June 2024, using latest ERP data from ABS and 22 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 181 persons per square kilometer. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration (38.0% of gains), although all factors including overseas migration and natural growth were positive.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered or years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections (released in 2023, based on 2021 data) are adopted, applying proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections for age cohorts. Projected demographic shifts indicate an above median population growth for Australia's regional areas by 2041, with Drayton expected to increase by 279 persons, reflecting a 15.9% total increase over the 17 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Drayton recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Drayton shows approximately 15 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling about 77 homes. As of FY-26, one approval has been recorded. This results in an average of around 1.5 new residents per year per dwelling constructed between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating a balanced supply and demand market with stable conditions.

The average construction cost for new dwellings is approximately $361,000. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Drayton has had 51.0% more new home approvals per person. Recent construction comprises 67.0% detached houses and 33.0% attached dwellings, with a growing mix of townhouses and apartments offering options across various price points. The area has around 172 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low-density market.

According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Drayton is expected to grow by approximately 299 residents by 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially allowing growth that exceeds current forecasts.

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

The performance of a region is significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified 14 such projects that are expected to impact the area. Notable among these are South Street Industrial Precinct, Essence Estate Cotswold Hills, Prime Industrial Development at 29 Croft Crescent, and Ladbroke Grove Estate. The following list details those projects deemed 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.

Drayton has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Drayton has a skilled workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate is 4.3%, and there was an estimated 5.0% employment growth over the past year, according to AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation.

As of September 2025, 1,047 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 0.2% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation in Drayton is 63.6%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Leading employment industries among residents include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.

Mining, however, is under-represented at 1.4% of the workforce compared to Rest of Qld's 3.6%. The worker-to-resident ratio of 1.0 indicates substantial local employment opportunities. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 5.0% and labour force by 3.6%, resulting in a 1.3 percentage point decrease in unemployment. In contrast, Rest of Qld experienced employment growth of 1.7% and labour force growth of 2.1%, with a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01%, with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest potential future demand within Drayton. These projections estimate national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Drayton's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localized population projections.

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

The suburb of Drayton's income level is lower than average nationally according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers in Drayton is $49,003 with an average income of $60,211. This compares to figures for Rest of Qld's median and average incomes of $53,146 and $66,593 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $53,859 (median) and $66,178 (average) as of September 2025. Census data shows household, family and personal incomes in Drayton rank modestly, between the 25th and 29th percentiles. The $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 32.2% of the community (606 individuals), reflecting regional patterns where 31.7% occupy this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe with only 84.1% of income remaining, ranking at the 25th percentile.

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

Drayton's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 73.3% houses and 26.7% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 81.4% houses and 18.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Drayton was at 28.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 29.2% and rented ones at 42.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,400, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,517. The median weekly rent figure in Drayton was $290, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $310. Nationally, Drayton's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 66.3% of all households, including 23.4% couples with children, 28.0% couples without children, and 12.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 33.7%, with lone person households making up 28.0% and group households comprising 5.8%. The median household size is 2.4 people, smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 18.7%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 12.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.5%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 41.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 9.0% and certificates at 32.8%.

Educational participation is high, with 30.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.4% in primary, 7.5% in secondary, and 4.8% in tertiary education.

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

Drayton has 18 operational public transport stops. All these stops serve buses and are covered by two distinct routes. These routes combined offer 147 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of the transport system in Drayton is deemed good, with residents on average being located 335 meters away from their nearest transport stop. On average, there are 21 daily trips across all routes, which translates to around 8 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Drayton is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Drayton faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts.

Approximately 51% (~961 people) of its total population has private health cover. The most common medical conditions are asthma (9.7%) and arthritis (9.3%). About 65.4% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 65.3% across the rest of Queensland. Drayton has 18.2% (342 people) of its population aged 65 and over. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, even better than those of the general population in health metrics.

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

Drayton's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 87.7% of its population being citizens born in Australia who speak English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Drayton, comprising 59.6%, slightly higher than the regional average of 58.8%. The top three ancestry groups are Australian (30.2%), English (27.6%), and Irish (8.3%).

Notably, German ancestry is overrepresented at 6.9% compared to the regional average of 8.0%, as are Australian Aboriginal at 5.5% versus 3.3%, and Dutch at 1.4% versus 1.0%.

Drayton's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Drayton is 35 years, which is lower than the Rest of Qld average of 41 years and also under the national average of 38 years. The percentage of people aged 15-24 in Drayton is notably higher at 17.5%, compared to the Rest of Qld's average of 16.9%. Conversely, the percentage of people aged 5-14 is lower at 10.2%. Nationally, the 15-24 age group makes up 12.5% of the population. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 25 to 34 age group has grown from 14.7% to 16.8%, while the 75 to 84 cohort has increased from 4.7% to 5.8%. However, the 45 to 54 age group has declined from 11.4% to 10.2%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Drayton. The 25 to 34 age group is expected to grow by 39%, reaching 440 people from the current 316. Meanwhile, both the 15 to 24 and 5 to 14 age groups are projected to decrease in number.