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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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Fernvale (Qld) has an estimated 4,101 residents, up from 3,629 at the 2021 Census — a change of 472 people, or 13.0%. Growth has averaged 2.4% a year over five years, faster than 79% of areas nationally. 120 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Interstate and internal migration accounts for 58.0% of that increase. That puts 148 residents on each 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
In the suburb of Fernvale (Qld), the population is estimated to reach approximately 4,101 as of Aug 2026, according to AreaSearch evaluations combining broader ABS updates with post-Census address validations. This represents an expansion of 472 people (13.0%) compared to the 3,629 people recorded in the 2021 Census. AreaSearch deduced this trajectory from a baseline ERP of 4,073 reported in the ABS release of June 2025 alongside 120 validated new addresses identified following the Census. Consequently, population density settles at 147 persons per square kilometer, preserving generous open space per resident and providing capacity for future expansion.
Outperforming both Queensland and the 9.5% national benchmark, the 13.0% expansion recorded since the 2021 census positions the suburb of Fernvale (Qld) as a notable regional growth focal point. Interstate migration served as the primary growth catalyst, generating approximately 57.99999999999999% of recent net population additions, supported additionally by positive contributions from natural increase and overseas migration. Projections for the suburb of Fernvale (Qld) utilise ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 models published in 2024 (taking 2022 as their baseline year), supplemented beyond 2032 or for unlisted areas by Queensland State Government SA2 forecasts issued in 2023 (utilising 2021 figures). Because the state models omit cohort breakdowns, AreaSearch applies proportional weighting aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region forecasts from 2023 (based on 2022 data) across each demographic band. Looking ahead, the suburb of Fernvale (Qld) is forecast to record population growth above the median of benchmarked locations, adding an expected 564 persons by 2041 across aggregated SA2 boundaries, which equates to an overall 13.1% rise over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
114 new dwellings have been approved in Fernvale (Qld) over the past five years, an average of 22 a year. That places the area in the 71st percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 5 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 25 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 100% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 29, 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
Examining ABS residential approval statistics aggregated by AreaSearch, property development across Fernvale has maintained an annual cadence of approximately 22 dwellings, accumulating to an estimated 114 homes across the preceding 5 financial years. Within FY-25 to date, 29 approvals have been logged. An average influx of 3.6 people per year for every home constructed between FY-21 and FY-25 indicates that construction activity has trailed population growth, tightening housing supply and increasing competitive pricing pressures. Newly built dwellings carry an average expected construction cost of $463,000. Furthermore, commercial building approvals have reached $3.7 million this financial year, underscoring the predominantly residential orientation of the area.
Per capita residential development in Fernvale runs at roughly three-quarters the level observed across Greater Brisbane, positioning the locality in the 72nd percentile across Australian benchmarks. Residential construction has been comprised entirely of detached houses, maintaining a low-density urban footprint that caters to buyers seeking spacious living environments. Generating one new dwelling approval for roughly every 161 people, Fernvale displays clear hallmarks of an expanding growth precinct. From the most recent AreaSearch quarterly benchmark, Fernvale is projected to expand by 536 residents up to 2041. Under prevailing residential development trends, oncoming housing supply is well positioned to absorb projected demand, fostering favorable buyer conditions while potentially accommodating residential growth beyond initial forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Fernvale (Qld)
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 10 current infrastructure and development projects close to Fernvale (Qld), worth an estimated $78 million. 4 are already under construction and 2 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and retail. 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
Local capital investments, major infrastructure, and strategic planning frameworks exert substantial influence over regional economic trajectory. AreaSearch has identified no active major infrastructure projects directly impacting the immediate locality, though broader regional frameworks of relevance include the Ipswich City Plan 2025, Ipswich Smart City Program, Ipswich Better Bus Network, and the Moreton Bay Regional Council Planning Scheme.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Eureka Brassall Expansion
Completed expansion delivering 51 new 2-bedroom rental villas within Eureka Gainsborough Lifestyle Village, including refurbished community facilities (pool house and community room). Staged handover in 2023 with final 11 villas completed and fully leased by Feb 2024.
Gainsborough Meadows Estate
Masterplanned house and land estate in Brassall, Ipswich, delivering new residential lots with local roads, drainage, and landscaping in staged releases. Close to schools, shopping, and transport with house and land packages marketed by Tribeca.
Woolworths West Brassall Shopping Centre
Construction is underway on a Woolworths-anchored neighbourhood shopping centre at West Brassall / Emerald Hill. The project spans about 25,500 sqm and will deliver about 6,000 sqm of retail space, including a full-line Woolworths supermarket, approximately 15 specialty shops and kiosks, BWS, food and service tenancies, a medical and health precinct, outdoor dining and about 300 on-grade car parks. The centre is positioned to serve the growing Brassall and Emerald Hill residential catchment near the Warrego Highway connection and is due for completion in late April 2026.
North Ipswich Apartments
Ipswich City Council approved a two-stage multiple dwelling project for 104 apartments (22 x 1-bedroom and 82 x 2-bedroom) across five titles at 28-30 Lowry St, 45-47 Flint St and 12 Pelican St (Approval: 2367/2016/MCU). As of mid-2025, council records show a later MCU for single residential use affecting 12 Pelican St, indicating at least part of the original scheme has been modified and the 104-unit approval may not be proceeding in full. No construction activity is evident on council's Development.i portal.
Cunningham Highway Upgrade
The $276 million Cunningham Highway upgrade will enhance one of the region's major arterial roads. This project aims to improve safety, reduce travel times, and accommodate increasing traffic volumes between Ipswich and surrounding areas.
South East Queensland Inland Rail Project
The $10 billion Inland Rail project will pass through Ipswich, enhancing freight connectivity between Brisbane and Melbourne. This project will create new business opportunities, support industrial growth, and stimulate economic activity in Ipswich. It is part of a larger 1700km freight rail line connecting Melbourne and Brisbane via regional areas, with ongoing construction as of 2025, including sections like Helidon to Calvert near Ipswich.
Ipswich Riverlink North (Riverlink Village)
A residential development with 472 modern one and two-bedroom apartments in mid-rise buildings, located adjacent to the Riverlink Shopping Centre. The project includes over 600 car parking spaces and community-focused features such as a lap pool, BBQ areas, a community garden, and shared office spaces.
The Terrace
The Terrace complex consists of two nine-storey and two 11-storey buildings, totaling 31,000sq m. Developed by Christopher Zenonos in Brisbane, the project includes an increase to 303 apartments and basement levels with flood immunity.
2,054 residents of Fernvale (Qld) are employed, from a labour force of 2,102. Unemployment sits at 2.3%, with participation at 67.3%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.0% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth, so in an area growing as fast as this one it understates the likely rise in local jobs. The working-day population is estimated at 3,144, about 77% 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
Fernvale maintains a balanced labour market covering both blue and white collar roles, marked by solid representation in essential services, an unemployment rate standing at only 2.3%, and annual workforce expansion estimated at 11.6% via AreaSearch aggregated data. As of March 2026, employed residents total 2,054, with local unemployment sitting 2.0% below the 4.3% benchmark of Greater Brisbane, while labour force participation registers slightly lower at 67.3% compared to 70.1% across Greater Brisbane. Census figures show 10.9% of workers operating from home, an outcome potentially shaped by Covid-19 restrictions. Local workforce concentration is heavily weighted toward health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, along with construction.
Public administration & safety forms a standout local specialization, capturing an employment proportion 1.5 times the wider regional benchmark. Conversely, professional & technical roles are less prevalent, accounting for 4.0% of local workers relative to 8.9% in Greater Brisbane. Comparisons between resident workers and local jobs recorded in Census tallies indicate limited on-site employment opportunities within the immediate locality. SALM and ABS metrics aggregated by AreaSearch reveal that over the 12-month period, local employment expanded by 11.6% while the total labour pool increased by 10.9%, driving an unemployment reduction of 0.6 percentage points. Across Greater Brisbane over the same timeframe, jobs increased by 3.2%, the labour force expanded by 3.4%, and joblessness rose by 0.1 percentage points. Looking forward, national employment projections released by Jobs and Skills Australia in Mar-26 provide context for future workforce trajectory. Extrapolating their 6.6% five-year and 13.7% ten-year national forecasts across Fernvale's unique sectoral distribution indicates local employment increases of 6.0% over five years and 12.9% over ten years (representing an illustrative weighting model that excludes local population adjustments).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Fernvale (Qld) is $1,771 a week (about $92,000 a year), with median personal income at $776 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $62,335 a year against an average of $70,187. 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
Taxation records aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 show personal earnings in Fernvale tracking marginally higher than the Australian baseline. Local taxpayers recorded a median income of $62,335 and an average income of $70,187, compared against $58,236 and $72,799 across Greater Brisbane. Factoring in Wage Price Index movement of 11.36% since financial year 2023, updated earnings are estimated at roughly $69,416 (median) and $78,160 (average) as of March 2026. Across household, family, and individual income tiers, Census rankings position the area between the 44th and 51st percentiles. Income distribution shows a major cohort of 41.9% of residents (1,718 people) earning between $1,500 - 2,999, which aligns with regional patterns where 33.3% occupy this tier.
While mortgage and rent payments account for 15.5% of income, net disposable earnings remain at the 53rd percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Fernvale (Qld) had 1,185 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 98% detached houses and 1% apartments. 51% are owned with a mortgage, 24% rented and 25% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $350 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,630 a month. Rent absorbs 19.8% of household income here and mortgage repayments 21.2%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the most recent Census, the residential landscape in Fernvale is made up of 98.3% houses alongside 1.6% other dwellings (including semi-detached properties, apartments, and alternative structures), contrasting with the Brisbane metro split of 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings. Outright home ownership stands at 25.3%, slightly trailing Brisbane metro, while 51.1% of properties carry a mortgage and 23.5% are rented. Typical mortgage repayments of $1,630 per month sit considerably under the Brisbane metro figure of $1,863, and the median weekly rental cost of $350 compares favorably to $380 in Brisbane metro.
Relative to national figures, Fernvale mortgage costs are noticeably lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents sit below the nationwide figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Fernvale (Qld) counted 1,185 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 1,339 today, averaging 3.0 people each. 40% are couples with children, more than in 79% of areas nationally, against 27% couples without children. 16% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.9 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the vast majority of local living arrangements at 82.3% of all households, consisting of 39.8% couples with children, 27.1% couples without children, and 14.2% single parent families. The remaining 17.7% non-family households consist of lone person households at 16.1% and group households at 2.1%. The average household size in the area is 3.0 people, exceeding the 2.6 figure recorded across Greater Brisbane.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
13.2% of adults in Fernvale (Qld) hold a university qualification, including 8.9% with a bachelor degree and 1.7% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 35.4% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 495 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 980 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
Educational attainment levels show that 13.2% of local residents hold university qualifications, lagging the Greater Brisbane benchmark of 30.5%. Attainment includes bachelor degrees at 8.9%, graduate diplomas at 2.6%, and postgraduate qualifications at 1.7%. Conversely, vocational and technical credentials are widespread, with 46.6% of residents aged 15+ holding trade qualifications, comprising 11.2% with advanced diplomas and 35.4% holding certificates. Formal study engagement is substantial across the community, with 32.4% of the population attending an educational institution. This cohort comprises 14.8% enrolled in primary education, 9.3% in secondary education, and 3.0% undertaking tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Fernvale (Qld) means driving: households keep an average of 1.8 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
64.8% of residents in Fernvale (Qld) report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 87% of areas nationally. 6.9% need daily assistance with core activities, and 55.0% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.3 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Evaluations by AreaSearch regarding mortality and long-term health metrics highlight prominent wellness challenges across Fernvale, with chronic illnesses present in both youth and older demographics, while private health insurance uptake is elevated at approximately 55% of the community (~2,255 people). Asthma and mental health issues represent the most prevalent diagnosed conditions, recorded among 9.3% and 10.7 of local citizens respectively, while 64.8% of the community reported having no long-term medical conditions compared to 69.2% in Greater Brisbane. Working-age residents experience notable rates of chronic health challenges. Furthermore, seniors aged 65 and over account for 15.4% of the population (631 people), exhibiting health outcomes generally consistent with nationwide demographic standards.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Fernvale (Qld) is largely Australian-born, at 87.3% of residents, with 3.2% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (31.4%) and Australian (30.5%). 4.5% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity metrics position Fernvale below national averages, with Australian-born residents accounting for 87.3% of the community, Australian citizens comprising 90.8%, and 96.8% communicating exclusively in English at home. Christianity forms the dominant religious faith at 44.9%. The Other category represents 0.6% of local respondents, compared with 1.3% throughout Greater Brisbane. Parental ancestry records show the top three origins in Fernvale are English (31.4%), Australian (30.5%, significantly above the regional 23.2% level), and Scottish (7.9%). Representation among other backgrounds includes New Zealand ancestry at 1.3% (versus 1.0% regionally), German ancestry at 6.3% (versus 4.2%), and Samoan ancestry at 0.4% (versus 0.9%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Fernvale (Qld) is 36, younger than 76% of areas nationally. That is 1 year older than at the 2021 Census. 23.0% 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
Demographic age distributions in Fernvale align closely with Greater Brisbane, diverging by at most 4.1 percentage points. The estimated median age has reached 36, rising from 35 at the 2021 Census and matching the Greater Brisbane median of 36 from that period. The proportion of residents aged 65 and over has increased from 11.8% at the Census to an estimated 15.4%. By 2041, older residents aged 65+ are forecast to experience the largest numerical increase, adding 334 residents (53%) to total 966, while young to middle aged adult cohorts are projected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Fernvale (Qld)
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 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 2 months ago 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 2 months ago 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 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| 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 Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 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 7 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) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month 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 — 120 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (3,629 at the 2021 Census → 4,101 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 (SAL31030). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.