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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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Ferny Hills has an estimated 9,087 residents, up from 8,726 at the 2021 Census — a change of 361 people, or 4.1%. That puts 887 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
According to evaluations of ABS demographic releases for the wider region, alongside recent address points verified by AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Ferny Hills has a population of approximately 9,087 as of May 2026. This indicates a growth of 361 individuals (4.1%) relative to the 2021 Census, which counted 8,726 residents. This shift is calculated from a resident headcount of 9,071, estimated by AreaSearch following analysis of the June 2025 ABS ERP release and post-Census address verification. The population size yields a density of 886 persons per square kilometer, a metric consistent with typical averages across locations tracked by AreaSearch.
Natural increase was the main driver of growth, accounting for roughly 51.0% of the population expansion over the latest periods. AreaSearch utilizes projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia for individual SA2 regions, published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline. For SA2 territories lacking this data, and for any projections extending beyond 2032, figures from the Queensland State Government's 2023 release (utilizing 2021 baseline data) are employed instead. Because the state-level figures do not detail age cohorts, AreaSearch distributes growth using weightings derived from the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections (based on 2022 data). Looking at these forecasted demographic trends, the suburb of Ferny Hills is set to experience population growth slightly below the national median, with aggregated SA2 estimates predicting an increase of 610 individuals to 2041, representing a overall expansion of 6.5% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
AreaSearch analysis of ABS residential building approvals indicates that the suburb of Ferny Hills averages approximately 1 approved home annually, yielding a total of 5 approved dwellings over the last 5 financial years. In the current FY-26 period, 14 building approvals have been logged. With a ratio of 19.2 residents entering the area for every completed home between FY-21 and FY-25, demand remains far ahead of supply, putting upward pressure on local pricing and intensifying buyer competition, while new builds average a value of $510,000, showing that developers are focusing on high-end, premium housing products.
In comparison to the broader Greater Brisbane region, the suburb of Ferny Hills demonstrates a much lower volume of residential building approvals. While this constrained supply typically reinforces buyer demand and supports values for established properties, development activity has shown some acceleration recently. The local construction rate is also lower than the national average, signifying a mature market with potential physical or planning limitations on development. Looking forward, the suburb of Ferny Hills is projected to add 594 residents to 2041 based on the most recent quarterly estimate from AreaSearch. If the current pace of construction persists, new housing may fall short of population needs, which could worsen buyer competition and support elevated rate growth.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Ferny Hills
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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 3 current infrastructure and development projects inside Ferny Hills, worth an estimated $293 million. A further 58 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $4.07 billion. 17 are already under construction and 22 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 infrastructure projects, major developments, and council planning schemes are primary drivers of real estate performance. AreaSearch has identified a total of 17 projects expected to influence the local area. Principal developments include Hills Quarter Everton Hills, Arana Hills Plaza Ambience Upgrade, Everton Rise, and Everton Hills Central, with key details of the most significant projects listed below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Keperra Country Golf Club Residential Precinct
Master-planned residential community within Keperra Country Golf Club incorporating up to 450 new dwellings, including townhouses and low-rise apartments, while retaining the 27-hole golf course. Progressing with significant golf course and clubhouse redevelopment works.
Arana Hills Plaza Ambience Upgrade
The Arana Hills Plaza Ambience Upgrade by Charter Hall involves extensive external and internal refurbishments to modernize the convenience-based shopping centre. The works focus on a refreshed branding identity, improved shopper amenities, and architectural elements that reflect the surrounding hills and bushland. Key features include upgraded entry statements and enhanced common area aesthetics to improve the overall community experience.
Ferny Grove to Samford Road Cycleway (Stage 2)
Construction of a 2.5km off road shared path connecting Ferny Hills and Arana Hills and linking into the broader North Brisbane cycle network as part of the wider Samford to Ferny Grove active transport corridor.
Everton Hills Central
A proposed neighbourhood shopping centre anchored by a full-line Woolworths supermarket, with specialty retail, medical centre, gym, and childcare facility. The centre will have direct frontage to South Pine Road in Everton Hills, serving the surrounding Hills District community in the City of Moreton Bay.
Hills Quarter Everton Hills
Masterplanned residential community delivering 120 premium townhomes in a hillside setting with resort-style amenities including pool, gym, and landscaped parklands.
Ferny Grove Central
Ferny Grove Central is a transport oriented mixed use precinct adjoining Ferny Grove railway station. The project includes a retail and entertainment centre anchored by Woolworths, Dan Murphy's, Goodlife, Goodstart Early Learning and Cinebar, The Fernery with 82 apartments, upgraded station access, bus, taxi and kiss and ride facilities, and more than 1,400 integrated commuter and retail parking spaces. As of the latest official updates, Stage 1 park and ride works are complete and Stage 2 retail, residential, access road and public transport interface works remain under construction, with practical completion targeted for 2026.
Ferny Grove Station Car Park Upgrade
Joint Australian and Queensland Government upgrade of the Ferny Grove station park and ride precinct. Stage 1, including the 905-space multi-storey commuter car park, is complete. Stage 2 remains under construction and includes additional commuter parking, new internal roads, upgraded bus interchange, Kiss 'n' Ride, taxi facilities, retail and residential integration as part of the Ferny Grove Transit Oriented Development.
Arana Central
Arana Central is a proposed mixed-use town centre redevelopment by Pellicano on the former Kmart site. The proposal includes around 300 apartments across multiple buildings, retail and commercial uses, dining, public spaces and a new plaza. The project is progressing alongside the City of Moreton Bay's Arana Hills Precinct Planning process, with the precinct planning framework currently being finalised before future planning scheme amendments and development outcomes are considered.
5,188 residents of Ferny Hills are employed, from a labour force of 5,342. Unemployment sits at 2.9%, with participation at 73.1%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 7.0% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 7,183, about 79% 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
Data from AreaSearch indicates the suburb of Ferny Hills possesses a highly educated workforce with a significant proportion of professionals, an unemployment rate of only 2.9%, and stable employment patterns over the prior year. In March 2026, working residents numbered 5,188, while the local unemployment rate sat 1.4% below the Greater Brisbane benchmark of 4.3%, and workforce participation was typical at 73.1% compared to 70.4% regionally. According to Census responses, a high proportion of residents (27.2%) worked from home, though this figure may reflect the influence of pandemic restrictions. The primary employment sectors for residents are health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical services.
The area exhibits a notable concentration in education & training, where the employment share is 1.3 times the regional average. Conversely, manufacturing is underrepresented, employing only 3.6% of the local workforce compared to 6.4% across Greater Brisbane. The comparison of the Census working population against the resident headcount suggests this mostly residential locality offers few local job opportunities. According to AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics for the broader area, the labor force shrank by 0.4% over the 12-month period, while employment fell by 0.2%, resulting in a 0.2 percentage point drop in the unemployment rate. Over the same timeframe, Greater Brisbane saw employment rise by 3.2%, the labor force expand by 3.4%, and unemployment tick up by 0.1 percentage points. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia (released May-25) provide context for future trends in the suburb of Ferny Hills. These five and ten-year forecasts, when applied to the local workforce composition, suggest local employment could rise by 7.0% over five years and 14.2% over ten years, compared to national projected growth of 6.6% and 13.7% respectively, though this is a basic weighted extrapolation that does not incorporate local population forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Ferny Hills is $2,271 a week (about $118,000 a year), with median personal income at $957 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $58,693 a year against an average of $69,509. 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
Based on the latest ATO postcode statistics released for financial year 2023, taxpayers in the suburb of Ferny Hills record a median income of $58,693 and an average income of $69,509. This sits slightly above the national figures, compared to a median of $58,236 and an average of $72,799 in Greater Brisbane. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, these figures are estimated to reach approximately $65,361 (median) and $77,405 (average) as of March 2026. The 2021 Census ranks household, family, and individual incomes in the suburb of Ferny Hills between the 74th and 81st percentiles nationally.
The weekly income band of $1,500 - 2,999 is the most common, accounting for 33.2% of residents (3,016 people), which aligns with the 33.3% observed in the wider region. A high proportion of residents (33.9%) earn weekly incomes above $3,000, showing local affluence that supports retail activity. After meeting housing costs, residents retain 86.8% of their earnings, indicating strong disposable income, and the SEIFA index places the area in the 8th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Ferny Hills had 3,068 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 95% detached houses and 0% apartments. 53% are owned with a mortgage, 14% rented and 34% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $448 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,972 a month. Rent absorbs 19.7% of household income here and mortgage repayments 20.0%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census data reveals that houses make up 95.1% of the residential structures in the suburb of Ferny Hills, with other options like semi-detached homes, apartments, and alternative dwellings accounting for 4.9%, compared to 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings across metropolitan Brisbane. Home ownership is also much higher than the Brisbane metro rate, standing at 33.8%, with mortgaged properties comprising 52.5% and rental homes making up 13.7%. The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,972 is higher than the Brisbane metro average of $1,863, and the median weekly rent is $448, compared to $380 in metropolitan Brisbane.
Nationally, mortgage costs exceed the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents are significantly higher than the national average of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Ferny Hills counted 3,068 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.8 people each. 41% are couples with children, more than in 81% of areas nationally, against 29% couples without children. 16% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.6 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of households at 81.4%, consisting of couples with children (40.7%), couples without children (28.6%), and single-parent households (11.1%). Non-family households represent the remaining 18.6%, with single-person residences at 16.4% and group homes at 2.0%. The median household size of 2.8 people is larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
33.7% of adults in Ferny Hills hold a university qualification, including 22.8% with a bachelor degree and 6.6% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 83% of areas nationally. A further 22.2% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 1,208 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,084 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
The educational makeup of the suburb of Ferny Hills is distinctive, with tertiary graduation rates (33.7% of residents aged 15+) exceeding the SA4 average of 24.9% and the Queensland rate of 25.7%. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 22.8%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 6.6% and graduate diplomas at 4.3%. Vocational and technical training is also well represented, with 33.9% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications, split between advanced diplomas (11.7%) and certificate credentials (22.2%). A high level of educational enrollment is observed locally, with 29.9% of the population engaged in study.
This group is composed of 11.3% in primary schooling, 8.4% in secondary education, and 5.3% pursuing higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Ferny Hills reaches 32 stops on 2 routes, timetabled for about 150 services a week. The typical home sits about 280 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.6 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Analysis of the local network shows 32 public transport stops in the suburb of Ferny Hills, which are serviced by bus routes. These stops are linked to 2 distinct routes, which combine to offer 153 passenger trips each week. Transport access is rated as favorable, with residents living an average of 283 meters from their closest stop. As the area is mostly residential, many workers commute to other districts, with private vehicles being the primary mode of transport at 84%, followed by trains at 11%. Dwellings average 1.6 vehicles, which is higher than the regional average.
Working from home was recorded for 27.2% of residents during the 2021 Census, though this may reflect pandemic-related conditions. Across all transit lines, services run at an average frequency of 21 trips daily, which translates to roughly 4 weekly trips for each stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
67.3% of residents in Ferny Hills report no long-term health condition. 5.3% need daily assistance with core activities, and 54.8% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.8 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
According to AreaSearch evaluations of mortality and long-term health trends, health outcomes in the suburb of Ferny Hills are close to national medians. The prevalence of common illnesses among the general population is typical, though it rises above national benchmarks for older cohorts, and private health coverage is high, representing approximately 55% of the community (~4,975 people). Mental health conditions and asthma are the most common chronic conditions, affecting 9.8% and 7.7% of residents, respectively. A total of 67.3% of the population reported no chronic health issues, compared to 69.2% across Greater Brisbane.
Health metrics for working-age residents are typical. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 17.4% of the population (1,581 people), exceeding the 15.1% average in Greater Brisbane. While health outcomes for seniors present some difficulties, they rank better nationally than the younger cohorts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Ferny Hills is largely Australian-born, at 83.8% of residents, with 6.2% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (29.7%) and Australian (27.6%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
The suburb of Ferny Hills has a lower level of cultural diversity compared to national averages, with 83.8% of residents born in Australia, 92.7% holding citizenship, and 93.8% using only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 48.4% of the population. However, the most pronounced religious overrepresentation is Judaism, which accounts for 0.1% of the population, compared to 0.1% across Greater Brisbane. The top parental ancestries represented in the suburb of Ferny Hills are English at 29.7%, Australian at 27.6%, and Irish at 10.3%. There are also distinct concentrations of other ancestries: Scottish ancestry is represented at 9.6% (compared to 7.4% regionally), Welsh at 0.8% (compared to 0.5% regionally), and New Zealand ancestry at 1.0% (matching the regional average of 1.0%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Ferny Hills is 40. 22.4% 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 median age in the suburb of Ferny Hills is 40 years, which is older than the Greater Brisbane average of 36 and slightly higher than the national median of 38. The 45 - 54 age bracket is overrepresented locally at 14.8% compared to Greater Brisbane, while the 25 - 34 cohort is underrepresented at 10.0%. Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 cohort has expanded from 5.8% to 7.5% of the total, and the 15 to 24 group rose from 11.1% to 12.4%, while the 65 to 74 group fell from 9.2% to 7.7%.
Demographic projections for 2041 point to significant changes, with the 85+ cohort expected to grow by 175% (350 people) to reach 550 from a base of 199. Senior citizens aged 65 and over will account for 62% of the projected population growth, whereas the 5 to 14 and 0 to 4 groups are projected to shrink.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Ferny Hills
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 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) | May 2026 3 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jul 2026 last month all 3 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 Jul 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 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 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 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. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (8,726 at the 2021 Census → 9,087 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 May 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 (SAL31033). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.