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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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Esk (Qld) has an estimated 1,699 residents, up from 1,641 at the 2021 Census — a change of 58 people, or 3.5%. Density is about 29 people per 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
As of Aug 2026, the suburb of Esk (Qld) has an estimated resident count of around 1,699, determined by AreaSearch through examining broader ABS population updates alongside new address validation following the Census. This represents an addition of 58 people (3.5%) compared to the 1,641 people counted in the 2021 Census. AreaSearch arrived at this shift by evaluating the latest ABS ERP release from June 2025 showing 1,671 residents, supplemented by 24 validated new addresses recorded post-Census. Consequently, the suburb of Esk (Qld) maintains a population density of 28 persons per square kilometer, ensuring considerable personal space for residents.
Over recent periods, inward interstate migration served as the primary catalyst for demographic expansion, generating approximately 82.0% of total population gains. Projections for the suburb of Esk (Qld) incorporate 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 modeling with a base year of 2022. For periods extending beyond 2032 or locations outside that scope, 2023 Queensland State Government SA2 estimates benchmarked to 2021 are integrated. Because these state figures omit age cohort breakdowns, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings sourced from the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections based on 2022 data across each cohort. Looking ahead, the suburb of Esk (Qld) is on track for population growth sitting just under the national statistical area median, with aggregated SA2 modeling indicating an increase of 180 persons to 2041, representing a cumulative gain of 8.9% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
26 new dwellings have been approved in Esk (Qld) over the past five years, an average of 5 a year. That is 2.3 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 8, running ahead of 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 across statistical area data by AreaSearch indicates that Esk averages approximately 5 residential approvals each year, totaling roughly 26 homes over the last 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), with 8 approved during FY-25 to date. An influx of only 0.1 people per year for every dwelling constructed over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) shows that supply matches or exceeds local demand, broadening buyer options and creating capacity for growth above projected levels, with new dwellings carrying an average construction cost of $451,000.
Additionally, commercial approvals worth $1.8 million were logged in the current financial year, underlining the dominant residential emphasis. Residential development in Esk is substantially subdued when benchmarked against Greater Brisbane, registering 75.0% below the regional per capita rate. While a restrained pipeline typically supports valuation and demand within established housing stock, local building activity has picked up recently. Construction rates also sit below national benchmarks, reflecting the locality's established footprint and possible planning restrictions. Furthermore, recent development activity has consisted exclusively of standalone houses, preserving the low-density neighborhood fabric and catering to households prioritizing spacious family homes. With approximately 239 people per dwelling approval, Esk exhibits classic low-density attributes. From the most recent quarterly estimate by AreaSearch, Esk is projected to add 152 residents through to 2041. Although local building activity is keeping reasonable step with anticipated expansion, purchasers may face heightening competition as the residential base expands.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Esk (Qld)
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 5 current infrastructure and development projects close to Esk (Qld), worth an estimated $62 billion. 3 are already under construction and 2 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans environmental & disaster management, energy and residential development. 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
Infrastructure investments, major projects, and strategic planning decisions play a critical role in shaping regional performance. AreaSearch has identified no major projects with a probable influence on the locality. Key initiatives across the surrounding network include Proposed Inland Rail Tunnel (Gowrie to Brisbane Port), Queensland Supergrid South, Inland Rail - Queensland Sections, and Inland Rail - Gowrie to Kagaru (G2K), with subsequent records detailing relevant regional items.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement
A $270 million project to upgrade the Cressbrook Dam, including spillway improvements and structural enhancements, to ensure long-term water security and flood management for the Toowoomba region. Construction started in 2024 and is expected to be completed in 2026.
Plainland Crossing - Endeavour Way Industrial Development
Industrial and bulky goods precinct within the Plainland Crossing town centre. The final release of commercial lots is actively being developed and marketed for showrooms, bulky goods, and warehousing. Fully serviced commercial lots with direct access to Warrego Highway via Gehrke Road. National retailers including Bunnings and Aldi are already established nearby.
Plainland Crossing
A master-planned residential and commercial community in Plainland, midway between Ipswich and Toowoomba on the Warrego Highway. The development delivers approximately 400 residential lots across multiple stages alongside an 11-hectare retail and commercial precinct now fully sold and occupied by national retailers including Bunnings, Aldi, and Woolworths. Commenced in 2015, the estate offers a range of lot sizes with underground power, NBN, and sewer connections, and includes multiple landscaped parks.
The Range View Estate
Acreage development offering vast plots of land for rural lifestyle. Focus on sustainable living, green spaces, and thoughtful infrastructure.
Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan - Borumba Pumped Hydro Project
The Borumba Pumped Hydro Project is a flagship 2,000 MW energy storage initiative under the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, designed to provide long-duration storage and grid stability. Being developed by Queensland Hydro, the project involves expanding Lake Borumba and constructing an upper reservoir linked via underground waterways and a power station. Currently in the exploratory works and environmental assessment phase as of 2026, it is backed by major transmission upgrades including the Borumba to Halys and Woolooga 500kV lines.
623 residents of Esk (Qld) are employed, from a labour force of 656. Unemployment sits at 4.9%, with participation at 43.6%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.2% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,413, about 83% 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
The local job market in Esk features a mix of blue-collar and white-collar roles alongside healthy representation across essential services, registering an unemployment rate of 4.9% and an estimated 11.2% annual increase in employment according to statistical area data from AreaSearch. By March 2026623 local residents were employed, while joblessness sat 0.6% higher than the 4.3% recorded for Greater Brisbane, and workforce participation remained subdued at 43.6% versus 70.1% across Greater Brisbane. Census findings revealed that only 9.4% of workers conducted their duties from home, though pandemic-era restrictions during that period must be factored in.
The primary employment fields for the local workforce include health care & social assistance, retail trade, along with public administration & safety. Agriculture, forestry & fishing represents a major area of specialization, capturing a workforce share 6.8 times higher than the broader region. Conversely, professional & technical roles account for only 4.1% of working residents, trailing Greater Brisbane's 8.9%. Comparing Census resident counts against local workplace positions highlights a limited volume of employment opportunities within the immediate boundary. AreaSearch assessment of broader ABS and SALM statistical data indicates that over the 12-month period, local employment expanded by 11.2% while the labor pool grew by 9.5%, reducing the local unemployment rate by 1.5 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Brisbane posted job growth of 3.2% alongside labor force expansion of 3.4%, resulting in a 0.1 percentage point increase in joblessness. National forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide additional context regarding future employment prospects in Esk across five and ten-year horizons. Across Australia, workforce numbers are anticipated to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though industry trajectories vary considerably. Projecting these trends onto Esk's sectoral composition indicates potential local employment gains of 6.2% over five years and 13.2% over ten years (noting this illustrative weighting model does not incorporate localized population forecasts).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Esk (Qld) is $910 a week (about $47,000 a year), with median personal income at $479 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $37,883 a year against an average of $47,965. 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
ATO data for financial year 2023 compiled by AreaSearch indicates that taxpayer income in the suburb of Esk sits below the national benchmark. Median taxpayer earnings stand at $37,883 and average income is $47,965, trailing Greater Brisbane benchmarks of $58,236 and $72,799 respectively. Accounting for an 11.36% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, updated estimates as of March 2026 place median earnings at approximately $42,187 and average earnings at $53,414. Census metrics position personal, family, and household incomes in Esk between the 1st and 2nd percentiles nationally.
In terms of weekly earnings, the largest group comprises 34.5% of residents (586 people) earning $400 - 799, contrasting with the wider metropolitan region where 33.3% earn between $1,500 - 2,999. With 43.4% of residents earning under $800/week, household spending capacity is noticeably constrained throughout the area. After meeting housing costs, residents retain 86.0% of their income, a figure that sits at the 4th percentile nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Esk (Qld) had 741 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 93% detached houses and 0% apartments. 28% are owned with a mortgage, 20% rented and 52% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $260 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,181 a month. Rent absorbs 28.6% of household income here and mortgage repayments 29.9%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census records show that separate houses comprise 93.1% of Esk's housing stock, while other dwellings (such as apartments, semi-detached properties, and 'other' accommodation types) make up 7.0%, compared to 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings throughout Brisbane metro. Outright property ownership stands at 52.4%, comfortably exceeding metropolitan levels, while mortgaged properties account for 28.0% and rental accommodation represents 19.6%. Typical monthly mortgage costs in Esk sit at $1,181 and median weekly rents are $260, well below Brisbane metro figures of $1,863 and $380. Compared against national benchmarks, local mortgage commitments remain substantially lower than the Australian average of $1,863, with rental rates also sitting well under the nationwide level of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Esk (Qld) counted 741 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.1 people each. 15% are couples with children, fewer than in 94% of areas nationally, against 38% couples without children. 33% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.0 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the majority of living arrangements at 63.0% of local households, consisting of couples without children (37.9%), couples with children (15.4%), and single parent families (8.0%). Non-family setups make up the remaining 37.0%, comprised of lone person households (33.1%) and group households (4.5%). Typical household occupancy is 2.1 people, sitting below the Greater Brisbane figure of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
11.9% of adults in Esk (Qld) hold a university qualification, including 8.4% with a bachelor degree and 1.3% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 78% of areas nationally. A further 31.8% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 129 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 970 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
Attainment figures highlight educational gaps in the district, where university completion among residents stands at 11.9%, substantially trailing the Greater Brisbane benchmark of 30.5% and highlighting scope for focused educational programs. Higher education qualifications consist of Bachelor degrees at 8.4%, graduate diplomas at 2.2%, and postgraduate awards at 1.3%. Technical and vocational training is widely represented, with 43.2% of individuals aged 15+ possessing vocational credentials, including certificates (31.8%) and advanced diplomas (11.4%). Overall formal education enrollment accounts for 18.5% of the local population. Within this cohort, secondary school students make up 7.2%, primary education accounts for 6.7%, and tertiary studies engage 1.3%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Esk (Qld) means driving: households keep an average of 1.3 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
48.5% of residents in Esk (Qld) report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 82% of areas nationally. 11.2% need daily assistance with core activities, and 46.2% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.7 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
AreaSearch evaluations of mortality and chronic health patterns indicate notable community health challenges in Esk across both younger and older demographics, while private health insurance coverage is notably constrained at approximately 46% of the population (~785 people). This lags the Greater Brisbane level of 55.8% and the Australian benchmark of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent ailments locally, diagnosed in 14.6% and 11.0% of residents respectively, while 48.5% of the community reported having no long-term medical conditions, compared to 69.2% in Greater Brisbane. Working-age residents face elevated rates of chronic illness, and individuals aged 65 and over account for 40.8% of the local population (693 people), well above the 15.0% observed across Greater Brisbane.
Senior health outcomes reflect ongoing care needs, aligning generally with broader national patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Esk (Qld) is largely Australian-born, at 81.6% of residents, with 2.5% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (33.3%) and Australian (30.1%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity measures for Esk sit below broader norms, with Australian-born residents accounting for 81.6% of the population, Australian citizens comprising 91.1%, and 97.5% speaking exclusively English in domestic settings. Christianity represents the leading religious affiliation, held by 55.4% of locals compared to 47.8% throughout Greater Brisbane. Regarding ancestral background based on parental birthplaces, the largest identified cohorts in Esk are English at 33.3% (surpassing the regional benchmark of 26.8%), Australian at 30.1% (exceeding the regional share of 23.2%), and Scottish at 8.9%. Other cultural groups exhibit differing levels of presence, with German background overrepresented at 7.1% (compared to 4.2% regionally), while New Zealand stands at 0.7% (against 1.0% regionally) and Maori accounts for 0.5% (against 1.1% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Esk (Qld) is 58, older than 98% of areas nationally. 13.5% 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 demographic profile of the suburb of Esk (Qld) leans heavily toward older age groups. AreaSearch estimates for August 2026 indicate that retiree and elderly cohorts (65+) constitute 40.8% of the community versus 15.0% across Greater Brisbane, whereas young to middle aged adults (25 - 44) represent only 13.6% compared to 30.6% regionally. The estimated median age reaches 58 as at August 2026, identical to the 2021 Census figure, sitting 22 years higher than the Greater Brisbane median of 36 and well above the Australian median of 38 recorded at that Census.
Since the Census, the most pronounced movement occurred within middle aged and young retiree cohorts (45 - 64), decreasing from 30.9% to an estimated 27.4%. Looking to 2041, seniors and retirees are projected to drive the majority of local growth, increasing by 223 residents (32%) to reach 916, while cohorts of children, young adults, and young to middle aged adults are expected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Esk (Qld)
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 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 last month 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 last month 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 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| 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 Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 4 months ago all 2 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 May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 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) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago 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 — 24 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (1,641 at the 2021 Census → 1,699 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 (SAL30984). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.