Gracemere

Population growth drivers in Gracemere are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of Feb 2026, Gracemere's population is estimated at around 12,900, reflecting an increase of 877 people since the 2021 Census. The suburb had a population of 12,023 in 2021. This growth was inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 12,819 residents following examination of ABS ERP data released in June 2024 and an additional 62 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density is 184 persons per square kilometer. Gracemere's growth exceeded that of its SA4 region (6.8%) and SA3 area, making it a growth leader. Natural growth contributed approximately 70% of overall population gains recently.

AreaSearch uses 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. Future population trends project an above median growth for Australia's non-metropolitan areas. By 2041, Gracemere is expected to increase by 3,032 persons, reflecting a total increase of 22.8% over the 17 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Gracemere when compared nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data indicates Gracemere has seen approximately 28 new homes approved each year. Over the past five financial years, between FY-21 and FY-25, around 140 homes were approved, with an additional three approved so far in FY-26. This results in an average of 5.6 new residents per year arriving per dwelling constructed over these years.

Supply has substantially lagged demand, suggesting heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures. New homes are being built at an average value of $341,000, aligned with broader regional development. There have been $6.3 million in commercial approvals this financial year, indicating the area's residential character. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Gracemere records about 58% of the building activity per person and places among the 40th percentile of areas assessed nationally, resulting in relatively constrained buyer choice and supporting interest in existing dwellings.

This activity is also lower than nationally, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints. New building activity shows 87.0% detached dwellings and 13.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. The estimated count of 417 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment. Future projections show Gracemere adding approximately 2,944 residents by 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Gracemere has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Area infrastructure changes significantly influence local performance. AreaSearch identified 16 potential impact projects. Key ones are Gracemere State High School, Gracemere Residential Housing Estates, Central Queensland Livestock Exchange Upgrade, and Gracemere Shoppingworld Expansion. 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.

Gracemere shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Gracemere's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 5.3% as of September 2025. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 0.8%.

Residents' participation in the workforce was high at 71.9%, compared to Rest of Qld's 65.7%. Only 4.4% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts were noted. Key employment sectors included health care & social assistance, retail trade, and transport, postal & warehousing. Mining had a particularly high representation with an employment share of 2.3 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing showed lower representation at 1.5%.

Employment opportunities appeared limited locally based on Census data comparisons. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 0.8% and labour force grew by 1.5%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate of 0.7 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment growth of 1.7% and labour force growth of 2.1%, with an unemployment rate increase of 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% expansion over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Gracemere's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 13.2% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's data for financial year 2023 shows Gracemere's median income is $53,803 and average income is $64,340. This is below the national averages of $53,146 (median) and $66,593 (average) in Rest of Qld. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $59,135 (median) and $70,716 (average), based on a 9.91% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023. Census 2021 data ranks Gracemere's household, family, and personal incomes modestly, between the 44th and 47th percentiles. Income brackets show that 38.5% of Gracemere residents earn $1,500 - 2,999 annually (4,966 individuals), similar to metropolitan regions where this group represents 31.7%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Gracemere, with only 84.5% of income remaining, ranking at the 49th percentile.

Gracemere is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Gracemere's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 96.1% houses and 3.8% other dwellings. Compared to Non-Metro Qld, which had 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Gracemere was at 23.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 36.7% and rented ones at 40.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,517, below Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,655. Median weekly rent in Gracemere was $340, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $345. Nationally, Gracemere's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,517 than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less at $340 than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 77.8% of all households, including 34.0% couples with children, 25.5% couples without children, and 17.1% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 22.2%, with lone person households at 19.2% and group households at 3.1%. The median household size is 2.8 people, larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

Gracemere faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 10.9%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives in the region. Bachelor degrees are the most common, with a rate of 8.4%, followed by graduate diplomas at 1.3% and postgraduate qualifications at 1.2%. Vocational credentials are prominent among residents aged 15 and above, with 42.7% holding such credentials.

Advanced diplomas account for 8.4% and certificates for 34.3%. Educational participation is high, with 34.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 14.4% in primary education, 10.0% in secondary education, and 3.3% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health performance in Gracemere is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Gracemere faces substantial health challenges according to AreaSearch's assessment.

Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are notable across both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover stands at approximately 53% of the total population (~6,798 people), leading that of the average SA2 area. The most common medical conditions are asthma (10.0%) and mental health issues (9.7%). A majority, 66.2%, declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 67.6% across Rest of Qld. Working-age residents face notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 12.8% of residents aged 65 and over (1,651 people), lower than the 20.4% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, generally in line with national rankings.

Gracemere is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Gracemere's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 89.9% of its population being citizens, 91.6% born in Australia, and 95.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion in Gracemere, comprising 51.1% of people, compared to 52.2% across Rest of Qld. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (33.6%), English (28.9%), and Australian Aboriginal (7.5%).

Notably, German ancestry was overrepresented at 5.1%, Maori at 0.7%, and New Zealand at 0.7%.

Gracemere hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Gracemere's median age is 32 years, which is considerably lower than the Rest of Qld average of 41 and substantially under the Australian median of 38. Compared to Rest of Qld, Gracemere has a higher concentration of residents aged 5-14 (15.3%) but fewer residents aged 55-64 (8.3%). Between the 2021 Census and present day, the population aged 15-24 has grown from 12.9% to 14.3%, while the age group of 5-14 has declined from 17.9% to 15.3%. The population aged 55-64 dropped from 10.2% to 8.3%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Gracemere's age profile will evolve significantly. The 25-34 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 39%, adding 772 residents to reach 2,733. Meanwhile, the 55-64 cohort grows by a modest 4% (40 people).