Ferny Grove

An assessment of population growth drivers in Ferny Grove reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis of ABS population updates and new addresses validated for Ferny Grove statistical area (Lv2), its estimated population is around 6,124 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 253 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,871 people. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 6,092 following examination of ABS' latest ERP data release (June 2024), along with an additional 23 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,603 persons per square kilometer, above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Ferny Grove (SA2) has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 2.6%, outpacing its SA3 area. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 41.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. These state projections do not provide age category splits; hence AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Moving forward with demographic trends, an above median population growth is projected for Ferny Grove (SA2), expected to increase by 1,132 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a total increase of 22.8% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Ferny Grove among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Ferny Grove has received around 23 dwelling approvals per year on average over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 117 homes. In Financial Year 26, six approvals have been recorded to date. The area has seen an average of 6.5 new residents arriving per dwelling constructed annually between Financial Years 21 and 25.

This supply lagging demand suggests heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures, with new homes being built at an average construction cost value of $569,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Ferny Grove has similar development levels per person, maintaining market balance. However, recent periods have seen increased development activity.

Recent construction comprises 83% detached dwellings and 17% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's suburban nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. The location has approximately 127 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low density market. Population forecasts suggest Ferny Grove will gain 1,395 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified six projects potentially affecting this region. Notable projects are Ferny Grove Central Mixed Use Development, Ferny Grove Station Car Park Upgrade, Ferny Hills Precinct Planning Project, and Keperra Country Golf Club Residential Precinct. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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The employment environment in Ferny Grove shows above-average strength when compared nationally

Ferny Grove has an educated workforce with professional services well represented. Its unemployment rate is 3.1%, as per AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation.

As of September 2025, there are 3,286 employed residents, with an unemployment rate 0.9% below Greater Brisbane's 4.0%. Workforce participation matches Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Key employment sectors include health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and education & training. Notably, public administration & safety has a high concentration with levels at 1.7 times the regional average.

Manufacturing's presence is limited at 2.9% compared to the regional 6.4%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, indicated by Census working population vs resident population count. Over the year to September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 3.4%, employment declined by 2.6%, reducing unemployment rate by 0.8 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane saw employment growth of 3.8% and labour force growth of 3.3%. State-level data from 25-Nov shows Queensland employment contracted by 0.01%, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, closely aligned with the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts, released in May-25, project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Ferny Grove's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.1% over ten years.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

As per AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released on 30 June 2023 for financial year 2023, the suburb of Ferny Grove's median income among taxpayers is $55,654. The average income in Ferny Grove for this period was $66,117. This figure is below the national average. In comparison, Greater Brisbane had a median income of $58,236 and an average income of $72,799 during the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Ferny Grove would be approximately $61,169 median and $72,669 average as of September 2025. Census data shows that incomes in Ferny Grove cluster around the 72nd percentile nationally. In terms of income distribution, 31.9% of Ferny Grove's population (1,953 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, which aligns with the surrounding region where this cohort represents 33.3%. A significant 34.0% earn above $3,000 weekly in Ferny Grove, reflecting pockets of prosperity that drive robust local economic activity. After housing costs, residents retain 87.5% of their income, indicating strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

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

Ferny Grove's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 87.8% houses and 12.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Brisbane metro's 81.6% houses and 18.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Ferny Grove stood at 38.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 38.8% and rented ones at 23.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, below Brisbane metro's average of $2,167. The median weekly rent was $400, matching Brisbane metro's figure but exceeding the national average of $375. Nationally, Ferny Grove's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863.

Ferny Grove features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 82.7% of all households, including 39.2% couples with children, 30.4% couples without children, and 12.5% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 17.3%, with lone person households at 15.9% and group households comprising 1.3% of the total. The median household size is 2.8 people, larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.7.

Ferny Grove shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

The area's university qualification rate is 32.5%, significantly lower than the SA4 region average of 47.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 21.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.7%) and graduate diplomas (3.8%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 33.6% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 13.0% and certificates at 20.6%. Educational participation is high, with 29.5% currently enrolled in formal education: 10.3% in primary, 9.7% in secondary, and 4.9% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 29.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.3% in primary education, 9.7% in secondary education, and 4.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Ferny Grove has 21 operational public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 25 unique routes, facilitating 1,901 weekly passenger trips in total. Residents enjoy good transport accessibility, with an average distance of 370 meters to the nearest stop.

On average, there are 271 daily trips across all routes, translating to about 90 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health outcomes in Ferny Grove are marginally below the national average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Ferny Grove shows below-average health indicators. Common conditions are prevalent across both younger and older age groups.

Private health cover rate is approximately 53%, slightly higher than the average SA2 area but lower than Greater Brisbane's 62.9%. Mental health issues and arthritis are the most common, affecting 9.6% and 7.5% of residents respectively. 67.3% report no medical ailments, compared to 69.6% in Greater Brisbane. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 19.1%, or 1,169 people, compared to Greater Brisbane's 15.2%. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges broadly inline with the general population's health profile.

In terms of cultural diversity, Ferny Grove records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Ferny Grove's population, as per the 2016 Census, had 78.3% born in Australia, 91.7% being citizens, and 90.4% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, with 50.7%. Judaism was slightly overrepresented at 0.1%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 0.1%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (28.9%), Australian (25.7%), and Irish (9.9%). Welsh (0.8% vs regional 0.6%) and Hungarian (0.4% vs 0.3%) were notably overrepresented, while South African was slightly higher at 0.9% compared to the region's 0.8%.

Ferny Grove's median age exceeds the national pattern

Ferny Grove's median age of 41 is higher than Greater Brisbane's figure of 36 and Australia's median age of 38. The 45-54 cohort is over-represented in Ferny Grove at 15.2%, compared to the Greater Brisbane average, while the 25-34 year-olds are under-represented at 8.2%. Between 2021 and present, the 15-24 age group has grown from 11.8% to 14.1%, and the 75-84 cohort increased from 5.0% to 6.3%. Conversely, the 5-14 cohort declined from 14.8% to 12.8%, and the 65-74 group dropped from 11.7% to 10.5%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Ferny Grove's age profile will change significantly. The 45-54 age cohort is projected to expand by 295 people (32%), from 930 to 1,226, while the 25-34 group is expected to contract by 1 resident.