Esk (Qld)

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

As of November 2025, the estimated population of Esk is around 1,716. This represents an increase of 75 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,641. The current population is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 1,691 residents following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024, along with an additional 25 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 28 persons per square kilometer. Interstate migration contributed approximately 82.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. 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, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 and based on 2022 data. Looking ahead, an above median population growth is projected for the suburb of Esk. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the area is expected to grow by 235 persons to reach a total population of approximately 1,951 by 2041, reflecting a gain of 13.0% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Esk, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data indicates Esk experienced around 9 dwelling approvals per year over the past 5 financial years, totalling an estimated 47 homes. As of FY-26, 2 approvals have been recorded. The average new residents per year per dwelling constructed between FY-21 and FY-25 was 0.6, suggesting supply is keeping pace with or exceeding demand. Average construction value for new dwellings was $399,000, consistent with regional patterns.

This financial year has seen $3.4 million in commercial approvals, reflecting Esk's primarily residential nature. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Esk shows approximately 63% of the construction activity per person and ranks among the 55th percentile nationally. All recent development comprised detached dwellings, maintaining the area's low density character with a focus on family homes.

With around 283 people per dwelling approval, Esk exhibits characteristics of a low density area. Future projections estimate Esk to add 223 residents by 2041 based on AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate. Current development patterns suggest new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Esk has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

No changes can impact an area's performance more than alterations to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. Zero projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially affecting this area. Significant projects include Proposed Inland Rail Tunnel (Gowrie to Brisbane Port), Queensland Supergrid South, Inland Rail - Queensland Sections, and Inland Rail - Gowrie to Kagaru (G2K). The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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Employment drivers in Esk are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Esk has a balanced workforce across white and blue collar jobs, with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 6.0% as of the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 1.2%.

As of June 2025, there are 613 residents employed, while the unemployment rate is 1.9% higher than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation in Esk lags behind Greater Brisbane at 38.5% compared to 64.5%. The leading employment industries among residents include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and public administration & safety. Esk shows strong specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with an employment share of 6.8 times the regional level.

Conversely, professional & technical services employ only 4.1% of local workers, below Greater Brisbane's 8.9%. The area may have limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the difference between the Census working population and resident population. In the 12-month period ending in Sep-22, employment increased by 1.2% while labour force grew by 0.6%, resulting in a 0.5 percentage point drop in unemployment rate. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across industry sectors. Applying these projections to Esk's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 13.2% over ten years.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

Esk's median income among taxpayers was $37,883 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $47,965 during the same period. In comparison, Greater Brisbane had figures of $55,645 and $70,520 respectively. Based on a 13.99% increase since financial year 2022, current estimates for Esk would be approximately $43,183 (median) and $54,675 (average) as of September 2025. Census data shows that incomes in Esk fall between the 1st and 2nd percentiles nationally. The predominant income cohort spans 34.5% of locals, with incomes ranging from $400 to $799 per week. This is unlike broader trends where 33.3% fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 range. A significant proportion of residents, 43.4%, have incomes below $800 per week, indicating constrained household budgets across much of the district. After accounting for housing costs, 86.0% of income remains, ranking at only the 4th percentile nationally.

Esk is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Esk's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 93.1% houses and 7.0% other dwellings such as semi-detached properties, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. In contrast, Brisbane metro had 96.6% houses and 3.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Esk was higher at 52.4%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (28.0%) or rented (19.6%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Esk was $1,181, lower than Brisbane metro's average of $1,517. Weekly rent in Esk was recorded at $260, compared to Brisbane metro's $300. Nationally, Esk's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households comprise 63.0% of all households, including 15.4% couples with children, 37.9% couples without children, and 8.0% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 37.0%, with lone person households at 33.1% and group households comprising 4.5%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 11.9%, significantly lower than the Greater Brisbane average of 30.5%. This disparity presents both challenges and opportunities for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 8.4%, followed by graduate diplomas (2.2%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.3%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 43.2% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas (11.4%) and certificates (31.8%).

School and university attendance encompasses 18.5% of the community, including 7.2% in secondary education, 6.7% in primary education, and 1.3% pursuing tertiary education. Esk State School serves the local area with an enrollment of 129 students as of a recent report. The school's ICSEA value is 970, indicating typical Australian school conditions with balanced educational opportunities. It focuses exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in nearby areas. The area has 7.5 school places per 100 residents, lower than the regional average of 12.5, suggesting some students may attend schools outside the immediate area.

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

Esk has four operational public transport stops, all of which offer bus services. These stops are served by one route in total, facilitating 13 weekly passenger trips combined. The accessibility to these transport facilities is deemed limited, with Esk residents residing an average of 1543 meters from the nearest stop.

Each route offers approximately one trip daily, resulting in around three weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Esk faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low, at approximately 46% of Esk's total population (~792 people), compared to 48.5% in Greater Brisbane and a national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (14.6%) and mental health issues (11.0%), with 48.5% reporting no medical ailments, lower than Greater Brisbane's 60.9%.

Esk has 40.0% residents aged 65 and over (686 people), higher than Greater Brisbane's 21.8%. Health outcomes among seniors are challenging, mirroring the general population's health profile.

Esk is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Esk had a cultural diversity level below average, with 81.6% of its population born in Australia, 91.1% being citizens, and 97.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Esk, comprising 55.4% of people, compared to 54.9% across Greater Brisbane. The top three ancestry groups were English (33.3%), Australian (30.1%), and Scottish (8.9%).

Notably, German ethnicity was overrepresented at 7.1%, New Zealanders were equally represented at 0.7%, and Maori people were slightly overrepresented at 0.5%.

Esk ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Esk's median age is 58 years, significantly higher than the Greater Brisbane average of 36 and older than Australia's median age of 38. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Esk has a notably higher proportion of people aged 65-74 (23.2% vs 9.4%) but fewer people aged 25-34 (5%). Post-2021 Census data shows the 75-84 age group grew from 11.9% to 14.2%, while the 45-54 cohort declined from 12.1% to 10.6% and the 5-14 group dropped from 7.9% to 6.8%. By 2041, Esk's population aged 85+ is projected to grow by 254%, reaching 158 people from 44. The aging population trend is clear, with those aged 65 and above comprising 94% of projected growth, while both the 5-14 and 0-4 age groups are expected to decrease in number.