Suburb profile · Greater Brisbane
Forest Lake has an estimated 24,059 residents, up 6.1% since the 2021 Census, with 12 projects tracked in Forest Lake.
Updated 14 Oct 2026.
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The suburb of Forest Lake sits 18 kilometres south-southwest of the Brisbane CBD. Based on AreaSearch's analysis, its population is estimated at around 24,059 as of Aug 2026, drawing on aggregated SA2-level ERP counts that are released yearly alongside national address file data updated each quarter. That represents an increase of 1,383 people (6.1%) since the 2021 Census, which recorded 22,676 residents.
Several features define the local market. Mortgage holders form a strong share of households, and a high proportion of residents were born overseas. Detached housing leads the stock, household size runs above average, and the suburb has a notable wholesale trade employment base alongside elevated manufacturing employment. Residents are somewhat younger than in the typical Australian area, with a median age of 37, although population expansion has followed a limited pattern. The latest population estimate date is Aug 2026.
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01Profile
The analysis, national rankings and who lives there.
The suburb of Forest Lake sits 18 kilometres south-southwest of the Brisbane CBD. Based on AreaSearch's analysis, its population is estimated at around 24,059 as of Aug 2026, drawing on aggregated SA2-level ERP counts that are released yearly alongside national address file data updated each quarter. That represents an increase of 1,383 people (6.1%) since the 2021 Census, which recorded 22,676 residents.
Several features define the local market. Mortgage holders form a strong share of households, and a high proportion of residents were born overseas. Detached housing leads the stock, household size runs above average, and the suburb has a notable wholesale trade employment base alongside elevated manufacturing employment. Residents are somewhat younger than in the typical Australian area, with a median age of 37, although population expansion has followed a limited pattern. The latest population estimate date is Aug 2026.
Estimated resident population by year (ABS, not Census counts): 21,149 in 2006 and 24,048 in 2025. The dashed segment ends at the AreaSearch estimate for Aug 2026: 24,059 (ABS June 2025 base).
Share of residents in each age band (ABS age profile, scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate). Largest: 35 to 44, 14.5%.
Share of households in each weekly household income band (2021 Census). Largest: $1,500 - 2,999, 38.5%.
Forest Lake ranks in the 93rd percentile nationally for employment drivers and the 81st for cultural diversity.
Each bar and spoke is a national percentile; the dashed ring is the typical area. 99th = higher than 99 in every 100 neighbourhood-sized areas across Australia (ABS SA2 areas). Higher means more of the measure, not necessarily better. Orange marks the top three measures where a higher percentile is better; not Age, Housing or Housing Cost.
02Market and pipeline
Rents, sale prices and what is being built.
The median rent in Forest Lake is $630 a week, up 4.1% over 12 months to Jun 2026.
Median weekly rent by year, lodged bonds. Houses: $390 in 2017, $653 in 2026. The latest is to Jun 2026.
Some rents are estimated from nearby areas.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $630 a week | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Change in median rent over 12 months | +4.1% | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Median rent, houses | $653 a week | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Change in median rent for houses over 12 months | +6.6% | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Median rent, Greater Brisbane | $627 a week | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Change in median rent, Greater Brisbane, over 12 months | +7.6% | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Median rent, QLD | $632 a week | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Change in median rent, QLD, over 12 months | +7.3% | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 |
See the development applications we track, then draw your own catchment and map retailers, health, schools and more.
Status of the 62 tracked applications: 55 approved, 4 under assessment, 3 other (refused, withdrawn or no status).
Add retailers, health, schools and development applications around Forest Lake, then export the list.
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AreaSearch tracks 12 projects in Forest Lake (4 under construction) and 49 more in the surrounding area.
Acacia Doolandella is a boutique Ausbuild house and land estate in Brisbane's south, delivering 23 premium homesites within an established, quiet neighbourhood close to schools, parks, retail and major transport routes. The community focuses on low rise detached housing with a mix of lot sizes and contemporary family homes.
Woodvale Village is a $100 million masterplanned community in Forest Lake delivering 151 new homes, including 3- and 4-bedroom turnkey house and land packages. Fast-tracked as a State Facilitated Development (SFD), it requires a minimum 15% affordable housing allocation. Construction has commenced, with first residents expected by mid-2027.
Golden Grove Estate is a 98 dwelling townhouse community at 73 Redhead Street, Doolandella, delivering three and four bedroom homes next to more than 1 hectare of parkland about 25 minutes from Brisbane CBD. Stages 1 to 5 are now complete and sold out, with the final Stage 6 townhomes under construction and expected to settle by 2027.
The project comprises a multi-building industrial and warehousing complex across three stages, featuring five buildings accommodating 29 warehouse units with a combined gross floor area of 10,148 square metres. Development approval was granted by Brisbane City Council under Application A006248488.
QIC Real Estate's redevelopment proposal for Forest Lake Shopping Centre in southwest Brisbane originally included an extension to the existing ALDI supermarket, four additional specialty retail tenancies, improved pedestrian areas, a refurbished northern courtyard and changes to vehicle access and parking.
1.013 hectare residential development site in Forest Lake offered for sale. The site sits within an established suburb about 25km south west of Brisbane CBD and has an 88m frontage to Woodvale Crescent.
Completed neighbourhood shopping centre anchored by a full line Woolworths supermarket and BWS liquor store, with direct to boot pickup and a small mix of specialty shops serving Doolandella and surrounding suburbs.
Construction of three five-bedroom co-living houses in Forest Lake, Brisbane. Financed through CrowdProperty, the residential project delivers shared rental accommodation to support local housing supply within the master-planned suburb. Practical delivery is scheduled across a 15-month construction timeframe.
A completed local convenience retail hub at the corner of Blunder Road and Brookside Street in Doolandella, anchored by a McDonalds restaurant and 7-Eleven service station, with multiple food and drink tenancies and on-site parking serving the surrounding residential estates.
A completed Ausbuild house and land estate of around 31 detached homes on a 1.7 ha site at 1104-1130 Blunder Road, Doolandella. Liberty Estate is positioned as a family friendly community close to local schools, a large nature reserve and Forest Lake retail, with convenient access to the Ipswich Motorway and Western Freeway.
A completed boutique complex of 38 three-bedroom townhouses on Panda Street in Doolandella. Finished in 2020, the development offers solid brick construction, remote-control garages, private courtyards and modern interiors with stone benchtops and stainless steel appliances, located about 17 km from the Brisbane CBD close to local shops, schools and a new…
Proposed neighbourhood shopping centre anchored by a full-line Coles supermarket with approximately 18 specialty retail tenancies, food and service outlets, around 265 car parking spaces and associated access works.
Images marked AI impression are illustrative only and not photographs of the project; follow the project links for actual imagery. Original imagery? Contact us.
Estimated completion year of the 24 projects in and around the area that are not yet completed and have one: 2025 4, 2026 7, 2027 7, 2028 2, 2029 1, 2030 0, 2031 2, 2032 1. 9 have no completion year.
AreaSearch has tracked 62 substantial development applications lodged in and around Forest Lake over the past 5 years, 12 in the last 12 months; 4 are recorded as under assessment. Coverage varies by council.
Applications per year (dashed: part year): 2021 (part year) 1, 2022 10, 2023 8, 2024 9, 2025 30, 2026 (to Oct) 4.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tracked applications | 62 | Tracked by AreaSearch, in and around the area, last 5 years | |
| Tracked, last 12 months | 12 | Tracked by AreaSearch, in and around the area | |
| ABS building approvals | 1.7 per 1,000 people | ABS building approvals | 21st percentile nationally |
| Average approvals a year | 39 | ABS building approvals | 51st percentile nationally |
| Applications approved | 55 | Tracked by AreaSearch, in and around the area, last 5 years | |
| Applications under assessment | 4 | Tracked by AreaSearch, in and around the area, last 5 years |
Key infrastructure and planning changes likely to influence the suburb of Forest Lake include: Woodvale Village (Construction); Golden Grove Estate (Construction); Acacia Doolandella (Construction); Forest Lake Shopping Centre ALDI Extension (Planning); and Crossacres Street Childcare and Residential Subdivision (Dev. Application). These projects represent significant developments that will shape the area's future infrastructure landscape.
Infrastructure development impacting the suburb of Forest Lake spans multiple sectors including Residential Development, Retail, and Business Parks & Technology Hubs, among others.
On AreaSearch's development drivers ranking, residential development activity is lower than average in Forest Lake compared with local real estate markets nationally.
Dwelling approval activity in the suburb of Forest Lake area has seen 20 residential approvals over the past two financial years, based on AreaSearch's SA2 aggregation method. The suburb of Forest Lake's current population of 24,059 has been supported by 39 approvals on average over recent years.
The suburb of Forest Lake has seen 1.7 approvals per 1,000 people in recent years, compared to 8.1 approval in Greater Brisbane. This means that one dwelling has been approved for every 2404 people in the suburb of Forest Lake, compared to one for every 117 in Greater Brisbane.
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Looking at development activity over the past five years, the suburb of Forest Lake's approval levels have been significantly below the yearly average of 39, showing a notable downturn in recent development.
Over the past five years, the population in the suburb of Forest Lake has grown by approximately 761 people, while 195 residential approvals were recorded. This equates to a ratio of 3.9 people added for each new dwelling approval. This high ratio suggests strong population growth relative to housing supply, potentially indicating unmet housing demand.
03People
Population, age, income, work, education and more.
99th = higher than 99 in every 100 neighbourhood-sized areas across Australia (ABS SA2 areas). Higher means more of the measure, not necessarily better.
Forest Lake is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,059 | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026, from the ABS June 2025 base | |
| Growth since 2021 Census | +6.1% | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026, against the 2021 Census | 47th percentile nationally |
| Population density | 2,461 per km² | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026, from the ABS June 2025 base | 77th percentile nationally |
| Average yearly growth, 2020 to 2025 | +0.6% | ABS estimated resident population series to June 2025 | |
| Average yearly growth, 2015 to 2025 | +0.1% | ABS estimated resident population series to June 2025 |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population at the 2021 Census | 22,676 | 2021 Census | |
| Residents added since the 2021 Census | 1,383 | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026, against the 2021 Census | |
| Average yearly growth, 2022 to 2025 | +1.1% | ABS estimated resident population series to June 2025 | |
| Population growth, 2024 to 2025 | 0.0% | ABS estimated resident population series to June 2025 | |
| Land area | 9.78 km² | AreaSearch boundary analysis |
Total population for the suburb of Forest Lake was estimated to be approximately 24,059 as at Aug 2026. This is based upon an estimated resident population of 24,048 from the ABS up to June 2025.
The suburb of Forest Lake has added approximately 1,383 people and shown a 6.10% increase from the 22,676 people recorded at the 2021 Census period.
The population density in the suburb of Forest Lake is estimated at 2,460 persons per square kilometre based on the latest population estimate.
Over the past 10 years, the population in the suburb of Forest Lake has shown a compound annual growth rate of 0.1% per annum.
Population growth in the suburb of Forest Lake is driven by: Overseas migration (62.0%), Natural increase (38.0%), Interstate migration (0.0%). The primary driver is Overseas migration, contributing 62.0% of overall population gains.
Forest Lake's population is slightly younger than the national pattern.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37 years | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | 36th percentile nationally |
| Aged 65 and over | 14.7% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Children under 15 | 18.5% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 15 to 34 | 26.2% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 25 to 64 | 53.2% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age at the 2021 Census | 37 years | 2021 Census | |
| Aged 0 to 4 | 5.5% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 5 to 14 | 13.0% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 15 to 24 | 13.8% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 25 to 34 | 12.4% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 35 to 44 | 14.5% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 45 to 54 | 13.9% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 55 to 64 | 12.4% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 65 to 74 | 8.5% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 75 to 84 | 4.9% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 85 and over | 1.3% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate |
AreaSearch estimates the median age in the suburb of Forest Lake at 37 years as at August 2026. That is in line with the 2021 Census figure of 37 years, on an age profile AreaSearch re-estimates for population change recorded since the Census.
At an estimated 37 years as at August 2026, Forest Lake is comparable to the Greater Brisbane 2021 Census average (36 years) and similarly aligned with comparable to the national Census average (38 years).
On AreaSearch estimates updated to August 2026, the most over-represented age group in the suburb of Forest Lake compared to the Greater Brisbane region is the 55 - 64 group, making up 12.4% of the population.
On AreaSearch estimates updated to August 2026, the most under-represented age group in the suburb of Forest Lake compared to the Greater Brisbane region is the 25 - 34 group, making up 12.4% of the population.
No, the age distribution in the suburb of Forest Lake is broadly in line with Greater Brisbane.
AreaSearch estimates children aged 0-14 years at 18.5% of the population in the suburb of Forest Lake as at August 2026.
AreaSearch estimates people aged 65 and over at 14.7% of the population in the suburb of Forest Lake as at August 2026.
Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median taxable income (ATO) | $57,076 a year | ATO FY-24, annual | 41st percentile nationally |
| Average taxable income | $64,587 a year | ATO FY-24, annual |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Census household income / week | $1,921 | 2021 Census, weekly | 60th percentile nationally |
| Census personal income / week | $801 | 2021 Census, weekly | 49th percentile nationally |
| High-income households | 23.4% | 2021 Census | |
| Census family income / week | $2,140 | 2021 Census, weekly | |
| Low-income households | 17.5% | 2021 Census |
Based on Wage Price Index adjustments to June 2026, the estimated median taxable income in the suburb of Forest Lake is approximately $61,134. The official ATO data from FY-24 recorded a median of $57,076.
Based on Wage Price Index adjustments to June 2026, the estimated average taxable income in the suburb of Forest Lake is approximately $69,179. The official ATO data from FY-24 recorded an average of $64,587.
Based on Wage Price Index adjustments to June 2026, the estimated median taxable income in the suburb of Forest Lake is approximately $61,134 compared to $66,053 in Greater Brisbane. The official ATO data from FY-24 shows $57,076 and $61,668 respectively.
Based on Wage Price Index adjustments to June 2026, the estimated average taxable income in the suburb of Forest Lake is approximately $69,179 compared to $82,596 in Greater Brisbane. The official ATO data from FY-24 shows $64,587 and $77,113 respectively.
As per the 2021 Census, the weekly household income bracket containing the largest proportion of the suburb of Forest Lake's households (~38.5% / 2,976 households) is the $1,500 - 2,999 cohort.
The largest weekly household income cohort in the suburb of Forest Lake is the $1,500 - 2,999 group, representing about 38.5% of households. In comparison, Greater Brisbane's largest household income cohort is the $1,500 - 2,999 group, representing 33.3% of its households, according to the 2021 Census.
The 2021 Census data indicates that the median household income in the suburb of Forest Lake is $1,921/wk.
According to the 2021 Census, the median family income in the suburb of Forest Lake is $2,140/wk.
The 2021 Census shows that the median personal income in the suburb of Forest Lake is $801/wk.
According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for FY-24, the suburb of Forest Lake had a median income among taxpayers of $57,076 with the average level standing at $64,587. This is lower than average on a national basis and compares to levels of $61,668 and $77,113 across Greater Brisbane respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 7.11% since FY-24, current estimates would be approximately $61,134 (median) and $69,179 (average) as of June 2026.
The estimated disposable income in the suburb of Forest Lake is $7,064 per year according to AreaSearch analysis.
The suburb of Forest Lake's disposable income is $7,064 compared to $6,725 for Greater Brisbane, based on AreaSearch analysis.
Employment conditions in Forest Lake rank among the top 7% of areas assessed nationally.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate | 2.2% | ABS and DEWR labour data, compiled by AreaSearch | |
| Workforce participation | 72.5% | ABS and DEWR labour data, compiled by AreaSearch | |
| Employed residents | 13,947 | ABS and DEWR labour data, compiled by AreaSearch | |
| Daytime population | 18,632 | AreaSearch estimate of residents and workers present on a weekday | |
| Labour force | 14,267 | ABS and DEWR labour data, compiled by AreaSearch |
As of March 2026, the suburb of Forest Lake has approximately 13,947 employed residents with an unemployment rate of 2.2%. This very low unemployment rate indicates a tight labour market with strong demand for workers. The area ranks in the top 25% nationally for employment performance, indicating a robust job market.
As of March 2026, the unemployment rate in the suburb of Forest Lake stands at 2.2%, which is 2.1 percentage points below Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.3%. This lower unemployment rate suggests stronger local employment conditions. For comparison, the national unemployment rate is 4.2%.
The employment landscape in the suburb of Forest Lake is dominated by several key sectors. The largest employers are health care & social assistance (16.2% of employment), retail trade (10.6%), and education & training (9.7%). Other significant employers include manufacturing and public administration & safety.
Over the past year to March 2026, the suburb of Forest Lake has experienced employment growth, with total employment increasing while the labour force increased. As a result, the unemployment rate has fallen. By comparison, Greater Brisbane saw employment increased and its unemployment rate rose.
The workforce participation rate in the suburb of Forest Lake is 72.5%, which represents the proportion of working-age residents who are either employed or actively seeking work. This high participation rate indicates strong workforce engagement and economic vitality. The local rate leading the Greater Brisbane average of 70.1%, showing similar workforce dynamics to Greater Brisbane.
The suburb of Forest Lake shows notable specialisation in manufacturing, which employs 9.5% of the local workforce compared to 6.4% across Greater Brisbane. This moderate specialisation indicates some local strength in the sector.
The long-run outlook for employment is part of AreaSearch Operator and Pro. Log in to see the forecast detail in Full.
The suburb of Forest Lake's employment market shows strong performance nationally, ranking in the top 25% of areas assessed by AreaSearch. This indicates robust employment conditions and economic vitality compared to other regions. Recent job advertisement trends show the broader employment region saw a 2.9% decline, ranking 29th out of 37 regions nationally.
The educational profile of Forest Lake ranks above average relative to locations nationally, based on AreaSearch's ranking of qualification and academic performance metrics.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor qualifications | 17.9% | 2021 Census | 53rd percentile nationally |
| Postgraduate qualifications | 6.5% | 2021 Census | 61st percentile nationally |
| University qualifications | 27.1% | 2021 Census | |
| Vocational qualifications | 21.3% | 2021 Census | 39th percentile nationally |
| Graduate diploma or certificate | 2.7% | 2021 Census | 60th percentile nationally |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced diploma or diploma | 11.2% | 2021 Census | 63rd percentile nationally |
| No post-school qualification | 40.2% | 2021 Census | |
| Residents attending an educational institution | 30.5% | 2021 Census | |
| Residents attending university or other higher education | 5.6% | 2021 Census | 66th percentile nationally |
| Residents attending primary school | 10.2% | 2021 Census | 52nd percentile nationally |
| Residents attending secondary school | 9.5% | 2021 Census | 82nd percentile nationally |
27.1% of people aged 15 and over in the suburb of Forest Lake have university qualifications, compared to 30.5% in Greater Brisbane.
40.2% of people aged 15 and over in the suburb of Forest Lake have no formal qualifications, compared to 35.8% in Greater Brisbane.
The suburb of Forest Lake ranks in the 60th percentile nationally for education based on AreaSearch's analysis of qualification and performance metrics.
The most common qualifications in the suburb of Forest Lake are: Certificate (21.3%), Bachelor Degree (17.9%), Advanced Diploma (11.2%).
30.5% of the population in the suburb of Forest Lake is currently engaged in formal education, including 10.2% in primary school, 9.5% in secondary school, 5.6% at university (all shares of total residents).
The average ICSEA (Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage) score for schools in the suburb of Forest Lake is 1032, indicating average socio-educational advantage (national average is 1000).
There are 6 schools within the suburb of Forest Lake, with a combined enrollment of approximately 4,590 students.
The suburb of Forest Lake includes 3 primary schools, 3 secondary schools.
Forest Lake features high concentrations of single parent families and couples with children but relatively few lone person households, with a larger average household size than Greater Brisbane.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household size | 2.8 people | 2021 Census | 79th percentile nationally |
| Lone-person households | 19.2% | 2021 Census | 25th percentile nationally |
| Couples with children | 39.6% | 2021 Census | 78th percentile nationally |
| Couples without children | 24.0% | 2021 Census | 26th percentile nationally |
| One-parent families | 13.8% | 2021 Census | 82nd percentile nationally |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group households | 2.2% | 2021 Census | 32nd percentile nationally |
| Households at the 2021 Census | 7,731 | 2021 Census | |
| Estimated households | 8,203 | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026 | |
| Family households | 78.6% | 2021 Census | 77th percentile nationally |
| Average children per family | 1.6 per family | 2021 Census | 46th percentile nationally |
As of the 2021 Census, the suburb of Forest Lake had 7,731 households. Based on population growth patterns, this has grown by approximately 6.1% to an estimated 8,203 households today.
The average household size in the suburb of Forest Lake is 2.8 people. This compares to 2.6 in Greater Brisbane and reflects the area's household composition mix.
Family households dominate at 78.6% of all households. Non-family households consist of lone person households (19.2%), group households (2.2%), and other household types (0.1%).
Of the 6,077 family households, couples with children account for 39.6% of all households, couples without children at home 24.0%, and single parent families 13.8%. This mix shapes local demand for schools, family services, and housing types.
Compared to Greater Brisbane, the suburb of Forest Lake shows distinct household patterns. Family households are notably over-represented at 78.6% (versus 71.7% in Greater Brisbane). This family-oriented profile influences local demand for family homes, schools, and children's services.
Families in the suburb of Forest Lake have an average of 1.6 children, slightly above the Greater Brisbane average of 1.5. This influences local demand for child-related services and larger family homes.
Marriage patterns reveal 49.5% of the adult population are currently married, while 33.9% have never married. This compares to 45.0% married and 38.4% never married across Greater Brisbane.
Single-person households represent 19.2% of all households in the suburb of Forest Lake, similar to the average for Greater Brisbane of 23.6%. This affects demand for smaller dwellings and single-person accommodation.
Group households (unrelated people sharing) account for 2.2% of households, below the Greater Brisbane average of 4.7%. This lower rate suggests less student or young professional shared accommodation.
Forest Lake is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Born overseas | 39.8% | 2021 Census | 80th percentile nationally |
| Speak another language at home | 33.2% | 2021 Census | 78th percentile nationally |
| English only at home | 66.8% | 2021 Census | 21st percentile nationally |
| Australian citizens | 83.4% | 2021 Census | 34th percentile nationally |
| Born in Australia | 60.2% | 2021 Census | 19th percentile nationally |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents | 1.3% | 2021 Census | 48th percentile nationally |
Forest Lake scores quite highly on cultural diversity, with 33.2% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 39.8% born overseas.
The main religion in Forest Lake was found to be Christianity, which makes up 46.9% of people in Forest Lake. However, the most apparent overrepresentation was in Buddhism, which comprises 6.2% of the population, compared to 2.0% across Greater Brisbane.
In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Forest Lake are English, comprising 23.0% of the population, Australian, comprising 19.5% of the population, and Other, comprising 12.6% of the population. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Samoan is notably overrepresented at 2.6% of Forest Lake (vs 0.9% across Greater Brisbane), Vietnamese at 6.0% (vs 0.8%) and Maori at 1.5% (vs 1.1%).
39.8% of the suburb of Forest Lake population was born overseas, compared to 28.5% across Greater Brisbane.
33.2% of the population in the suburb of Forest Lake speaks a language other than English at home, compared to 18.7% in Greater Brisbane.
1.3% of the suburb of Forest Lake population identifies as Australian Aboriginal, compared to 2.1% in Greater Brisbane.
83.4% of the suburb of Forest Lake population holds citizenship, compared to 83.6% in Greater Brisbane.
04Place
Housing, health, transport, local services and the reports on them.
Forest Lake is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to Greater Brisbane.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rented homes | 26.6% | 2021 Census | 46th percentile nationally |
| Owned outright | 25.3% | 2021 Census | 25th percentile nationally |
| Detached houses | 94.9% | 2021 Census | 79th percentile nationally |
| Median mortgage repayment | $1,690 a month | 2021 Census, monthly | 38th percentile nationally |
| Owned with a mortgage | 48.0% | 2021 Census | 85th percentile nationally |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semi-detached, terrace and townhouses | 3.4% | 2021 Census | 26th percentile nationally |
| Median weekly rent paid, 2021 Census | $390 | 2021 Census, weekly | 58th percentile nationally |
| Median rent as a share of median household income | 20.3% | 2021 Census, ratio calculated by AreaSearch | 47th percentile nationally |
| Median mortgage repayment as a share of household income | 20.3% | 2021 Census, ratio calculated by AreaSearch | 17th percentile nationally |
| People per bedroom | 0.8 per bedroom | 2021 Census | 72nd percentile nationally |
In the suburb of Forest Lake, 25.3% of homes are owned outright, 48.0% are owned with a mortgage, and 26.6% are rented.
According to the latest data, 94.9% of dwellings in the suburb of Forest Lake are houses.
In the suburb of Forest Lake, 1.6% of dwellings are apartments or units, with an additional 3.4% being semi-detached dwellings.
Outright home ownership in the suburb of Forest Lake stands at 25.3%, compared to 26.7% in Greater Brisbane.
The median monthly mortgage repayment in the suburb of Forest Lake is $1,690, compared to $1,863 in Greater Brisbane.
The aggregate monthly housing cost in the suburb of Forest Lake is $1,260, which represents the average monthly cost across all housing types.
In the suburb of Forest Lake, households with mortgages typically spend 20.3% of their income on mortgage repayments, while renters spend 20.3% of their income on rent.
The average persons per bedroom ratio in the suburb of Forest Lake is 0.8, indicating the level of household density.
Housing affordability in the suburb of Forest Lake shows mortgage holders spending 20.3% of income on repayments (vs 23.3% in Greater Brisbane), while renters spend 20.3% of income on rent (vs 20.6% in Greater Brisbane).
The dwelling mix in the suburb of Forest Lake consists of 94.9% detached houses, 3.4% semi-detached dwellings, 1.6% apartments, and 0.0% other dwelling types.
Housing in Forest Lake consumes approximately 15.2% of median household income ($8,318 monthly), indicating costs are highly affordable. The generally accepted benchmark is that housing should not exceed 30% of household income.
Recent development applications in Forest Lake show attached dwellings contributing 0% of approvals compared to 5% of existing stock, while detached houses represent 100% of applications versus 95% of current dwellings. This suggests development patterns consistent with existing housing mix. Housing density growth is around the national average.
Health in Forest Lake: private health cover 50.9%, no long-term health condition 70.3%.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private health cover | 50.9% | ATO FY 2024, private health cover | 33rd percentile nationally |
| No long-term health condition | 70.3% | 2021 Census | 55th percentile nationally |
| Need help with daily activities | 5.8% | 2021 Census | 58th percentile nationally |
| No long-term health condition, under 65 | 76.0% | 2021 Census | 49th percentile nationally |
| Three or more long-term health conditions, under 65 | 1.4% | 2021 Census | 54th percentile nationally |
Around 50.9% of people in the suburb of Forest Lake are covered by private health insurance, which compares to 56.1% in Greater Brisbane.
In the suburb of Forest Lake, 5.8% of the population is identified as requiring ongoing medical assistance. By comparison, 5.7% of people in Greater Brisbane require similar assistance.
7.4% of people in the suburb of Forest Lake are diagnosed with asthma. In comparison, 8.0% of the population across Greater Brisbane is affected by asthma.
Diabetes affects 4.8% of the suburb of Forest Lake population, while in Greater Brisbane, 4.0% of people are diagnosed with diabetes.
3.3% of people in the suburb of Forest Lake have heart disease. Across Greater Brisbane,3.5% of the population is affected by heart disease.
In the suburb of Forest Lake, 50.9% of the population are estimated to have private health insurance. Comparatively, Greater Brisbane sees an estimated private health coverage rate of 56.1%.
From the typical resident, the nearest child care centre is 534 m away and the nearest school 698 m.
Distance from the typical resident to the nearest of each service. Every bar starts at 0 m. The nearest is orange.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amenity score | 53 out of 100 | AreaSearch proximity analysis | 53rd percentile nationally |
| Nearest child care | 534 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest school | 698 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest supermarket | 787 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest pharmacy | 842 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearest GP | 888 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest fitness centre | 928 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest dentist | 1.1 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest shopping centre | 1.3 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest bank | 1.3 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest government service | 2.6 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest hospital | 5.8 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident |
Sector reports that go deeper on these services: child care, medical, retail, aged care and specialist disability accommodation (SDA). There are 4 long day care centres with 335 places in Forest Lake, about 4.4 children aged 0-4 per place.
Short silent previews of sample pages. Sector reports are ordered for a catchment you draw, not for the suburb as a whole.
05Reports and tools
Order a report and find more tools.
An area report on Forest Lake is built to order and emailed to you.
Ordered reports
The other sector reports are ordered on a custom catchment: draw your own area to add them. The order window shows the estimate before you place the order.
Order a reportShort silent previews of sample pages. Base and Child Care can be ordered for Forest Lake.
06About this profile
Where the figures come from, downloads and nearby areas.
On AreaSearch's development drivers ranking, residential development activity is lower than average in Forest Lake compared with local real estate markets nationally.
Forest Lake ranks in the 64th percentile nationally for infrastructure.
No headline figures are reported for this area.
Median rent in Forest Lake is $630 a week, +4.1% over 12 months to Jun 2026.
Forest Lake is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends.
Forest Lake's population is slightly younger than the national pattern.
Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis.
Employment conditions in Forest Lake rank among the top 7% of areas assessed nationally.
The educational profile of Forest Lake ranks above average relative to locations nationally, based on AreaSearch's ranking of qualification and academic performance metrics.
Forest Lake features high concentrations of single parent families and couples with children but relatively few lone person households, with a larger average household size than Greater Brisbane.
Forest Lake is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics.
Forest Lake is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to Greater Brisbane.
Health in Forest Lake: private health cover 50.9%, no long-term health condition 70.3%.
Transport in Forest Lake: transport access 31/100.
Amenity provision was found to be in line with the typical area assessed nationally by AreaSearch, based on counts and proximity analysis.
Forest Lake has an estimated 24,059 residents, up 6.1% since the 2021 Census, with 12 projects tracked in Forest Lake.
Latest estimate as at Aug 2026; other figures from the 2021 Census, ATO FY-24 and AreaSearch estimates where labelled. Updated 14 Oct 2026.
Sources: ABS Census 2021, ABS estimated resident population, ATO taxation statistics, state rental bonds and property sales records where published, and AreaSearch analysis for Forest Lake.
Data currency
Refreshed . Rents to Jun 2026, population and age estimated to Aug 2026, taxable income FY 2024 and projects to Oct 2026. Housing, households and cultural diversity are from the 2021 Census (next update with the 2026 Census results).
Infrastructure projects and development applications also include sites in the surrounding area, and are labelled as such. Other sections were compiled 15 Oct 2026 from sources that update on their own cycles; "See the evidence" lists each source and its cycle.
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 a complete picture, consider both boundary types where available.
Main sources: ABS, Geoscience Australia, GNAF, ATO, State governments, Valuer General, Rental Board and Infrastructure Australia.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL31064). QuickStats reports 2021 only; the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.
This page uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries (suburb-style geography). SAL represents commonly-known suburb names used in addresses, while Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census and statistical reporting. Even when sharing the same name, SAL and SA2 boundaries often cover different geographic areas with different populations.
AreaSearch compiles this page from official and industry sources, including ABS, Geoscience Australia, GNAF, ATO, State governments, Valuer General, Rental Board and Infrastructure Australia, then calculates statistics for the boundary shown, and ranks, growth rates and benchmarks itself. Property sales come from the state valuation authority, rents from state rental bond lodgements, development applications from council and state planning portals, school data from ACARA, and public transport from state transport departments. Infrastructure projects and development applications also include sites in the surrounding area, labelled as such.
No. Most of this page is built beyond the Census. Dated for this area: population (Aug 2026), age profile (Aug 2026), infrastructure projects (Oct 2026) and income (FY 2024). Compiled with this profile from sources that publish on their own cycles: development and approvals, property sales and rents, employment, education, transport, health and services and amenities. Only housing, households and cultural diversity remain wholly Census-based, because no more current small-area dataset exists for those measures.
Key demographics and figures for Forest Lake from the 2021 Census, ATO taxpayer data and AreaSearch estimates and analysis. Each topic has its own table of key figures beside the section it belongs to, and each row names its source and date. The percentile compares Forest Lake with every neighbourhood-sized area across Australia (ABS SA2 areas): a higher percentile means more of that measure than most, not necessarily better.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport access | 31 out of 100 | AreaSearch transport analysis of timetable data | 31st percentile nationally |
| Vehicles per dwelling | 1.5 per dwelling | 2021 Census | |
| Working residents who worked from home | 17.2% | 2021 Census, taken during COVID-19 restrictions |
Source: AreaSearch (areasearch.com.au) compiled from ABS Census 2021, ATO and other public sources.
