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

Ferny Grove's population is estimated at around 6,125 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 254 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,871 people. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 6,092 following examination of ABS's latest ERP data release in June 2024 and an additional 24 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 has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 2.6%, outpacing the SA3 area. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 41.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including natural growth and interstate migration were positive factors.

AreaSearch is adopting 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 released in 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted. It should be noted that these state projections do not provide age category splits; hence where utilised, AreaSearch is applying proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data for each age cohort. Looking at population projections moving forward, an above median population growth of national areas is projected for Ferny Grove, with the suburb expected to increase by 1,122 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 22.7% in total over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers for Ferny Grove shows approximately 23 residential properties granted approval each year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 117 homes. Six approvals have been recorded so far in FY-26. On average, 6.5 new residents arrive per dwelling constructed annually between FY-21 and FY-25.

This indicates demand exceeds supply, potentially leading to price growth and increased buyer competition. The average construction value of new homes is $569,000, suggesting developers focus on the premium market with high-end developments. Comparing Ferny Grove's development levels per person to Greater Brisbane shows similar figures, supporting regional market stability.

However, recent construction activity has intensified, comprising 83.0% detached houses and 17.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's suburban character focused on family homes. The population density is approximately 127 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low-density market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Ferny Grove will gain 1,389 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag behind population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

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

AreaSearch has identified six projects that could impact the area, with key ones being 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 likely to be 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.

Employment performance in Ferny Grove exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

Ferny Grove has a well-educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate is 3.1%, lower than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.0%. As of September 2025, 3,272 residents are employed and the unemployment rate is 0.9% below the regional average.

Workforce participation stands at 67.8%, slightly below Greater Brisbane's 70.7%. Census data shows that 26.6% of residents work from home, potentially impacted by Covid-19 lockdowns. The leading employment industries are health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and education & training. Ferny Grove specializes in public administration & safety with an employment share 1.7 times the regional level.

However, manufacturing has limited presence at 2.9% compared to the regional average of 6.4%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities as indicated by the ratio of Census working population to resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 3.5%, while employment declined by 2.8%, resulting in a fall of 0.8 percentage points in unemployment rate. In comparison, Greater Brisbane recorded employment growth of 3.8% over the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Ferny Grove's employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

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

The suburb of Ferny Grove had a median taxpayer income of $55,654 and an average income of $66,117 in the financial year 2023, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is lower than the national average, with Greater Brisbane having a median income of $58,236 and an average income of $72,799. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $61,169 (median) and $72,669 (average), based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023. Census data shows that income levels in Ferny Grove cluster around the 72nd percentile nationally. The majority of residents, 31.9%, earn between $1,500 and $2,999 per week (1,953 people), which is similar to the regional distribution where this cohort also represents 33.3%. A significant proportion of high earners, 34.0%, have incomes above $3,000 per week, indicating strong economic capacity in Ferny Grove. After housing costs, residents retain 87.5% of their income, reflecting robust 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 structure, 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 73.5% houses and 26.5% 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, exceeding the Brisbane metro average of $1,863. The median weekly rent in Ferny Grove was $400, higher than Brisbane metro's $380 but lower than the national figure of $375. Nationally, Ferny Grove's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,000 compared to the Australian average of $1,863.

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

Family households comprise 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 account for 17.3%, with lone person households at 15.9% and group households making up 1.3%. The median household size is 2.8 people, which is larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

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 the most common at 21.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.7%) and graduate diplomas (3.8%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 33.6% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (13.0%) and certificates (20.6%). Educational participation is 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 active public transport stops serving a mix of train and bus services. These stops are covered by 25 individual routes that facilitate 1,901 weekly passenger trips in total. The area's transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 370 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to its residential nature. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 80%, while train usage stands at 14%. On average, there are 1.5 vehicles per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, a high 26.6% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 271 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 90 weekly trips per individual stop.

Ferny Grove's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Ferny Grove's health data shows positive outcomes, aligning with national benchmarks for mortality rates and health conditions. Common health conditions are low among the general population but higher among older, at-risk cohorts compared to national averages.

Private health cover is at 53% of Ferny Grove's total population (~3,270 people), slightly above Greater Brisbane's average of 55.8%. Mental health issues and arthritis are the most prevalent conditions, affecting 9.6% and 7.5% of residents respectively, while 67.3% report no medical ailments, compared to 69.2% in Greater Brisbane. Working-age population health outcomes are typical. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 19.3%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 15.2%. Senior health outcomes present some challenges but rank lower nationally than the broader population.

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 Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2016 data, showed cultural diversity roughly in line with its wider region. The percentage of residents born in Australia was 78.3%, while citizenship stood at 91.7%. English was spoken exclusively at home by 90.4% of the population.

Christianity dominated religious demographics, comprising 50.7% of Ferny Grove's population. Notably, Judaism's representation was slightly higher than the regional average, with 0.1% compared to 0.1% across Greater Brisbane. In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English at 28.9%, Australian at 25.7%, and Irish at 9.9%. Some ethnic groups showed notable differences: Welsh was overrepresented at 0.8% (compared to 0.5% regionally), Hungarian at 0.4% (vs 0.2%), and South African at 0.9% (vs 0.6%).

Ferny Grove's median age exceeds the national pattern

Ferny Grove's median age in 2021 was 41 years, higher than Greater Brisbane's figure of 36 and Australia's average of 38 years. The 45-54 age group was notably over-represented locally at 15.2%, compared to the Greater Brisbane average, while the 25-34 year-olds were under-represented at 7.9%. Between 2021 and the present, the 15-24 age group has grown from 11.8% to 14.2%, and the 75-84 cohort increased from 5.0% to 6.5%. Conversely, the 5-14 age group declined from 14.8% to 12.7%, and the 65-74 age group dropped from 11.7% to 10.4%. By 2041, Ferny Grove's age profile is projected to change significantly. The 45-54 age cohort is expected to expand by 297 people (32%), growing from 931 to 1,228. Meanwhile, the 25-34 age group is projected to grow by a modest 2% (10 people).