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

The suburb of Gracemere had an estimated population of around 12,940 as of May 2026, according to analysis of ABS population updates and new addresses validated by AreaSearch. This figure reflects a growth of 917 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 12,023. The increase is inferred from the resident population estimate of 12,934 by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and an additional 66 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 184 persons per square kilometer. Gracemere's population growth rate of 7.6% since the 2021 Census exceeded that of its SA3 area (7.0%) and SA4 region, positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Natural growth contributed approximately 70.0% to overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including overseas migration and interstate migration were positive factors.

AreaSearch adopts 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 and based on 2021 data are adopted. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Considering projected demographic shifts, an above median population growth is projected for Australia's non-metropolitan areas. The suburb of Gracemere is expected to grow by 2,843 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 21.9% in total over the 16 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers for Gracemere shows approximately 28 dwellings receiving development approval annually over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 140 homes. As of FY-26, 14 approvals have been recorded. The average new resident arrival per dwelling constructed is around 5.8 persons per year between FY-21 and FY-25.

Commercial approvals in FY-26 amount to $6.3 million. Gracemere records about 58% of the building activity per person compared to the rest of Queensland, placing it in the 40th percentile nationally. New building activity consists of 87.0% detached dwellings and 13.0% townhouses or apartments. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 417 persons.

Future projections indicate Gracemere will add approximately 2,837 residents by 2041.

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

Area infrastructure significantly impacts local performance. AreaSearch identified 15 projects potentially influencing the area. Key projects are Gracemere State High School, Gracemere Residential Housing Estates, Central Queensland Livestock Exchange Upgrade, and Gracemere Shoppingworld Expansion. The following list details those 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 conditions in Gracemere remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Gracemere has a balanced workforce comprising white and blue collar jobs, with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate is 4.2%, as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of December 2025, there are 6,620 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, which is 0.2% higher than Regional Qld's rate of 4.0%.

Workforce participation in Gracemere stands at 69.8%, surpassing Regional Qld's 64.5%. According to Census responses, only 4.4% of residents work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and transport, postal & warehousing sectors. Gracemere shows strong specialization in mining, with an employment share of 2.3 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing employs just 1.5% of local workers, below Regional Qld's 4.5%.

Analysis of SALM and ABS data from broader statistical areas indicates that during the year to December 2025, Gracemere's labour force decreased by 3.3%, while employment declined by 2.2%, leading to a fall in unemployment rate by 1.0 percentage points. In contrast, Regional Qld experienced employment growth of 0.7% and labour force growth of 1.0%, with an increase in unemployment rate by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Gracemere's employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 13.2% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

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

Gracemere's median income among taxpayers in financial year 2023 was $53,803. The average income stood at $64,340 during the same period. These figures are below those of Regional Qld, which were $53,146 and $66,593 respectively for median and average incomes in financial year 2023. Based on a Wage Price Index growth rate of 11.36% since financial year 2023, current estimates suggest Gracemere's median income would be approximately $59,915 by March 2026, with the average income projected to reach around $71,649 during that same month. According to the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Gracemere ranked modestly, between the 44th and 47th percentiles. The income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 dominated with 38.5% of residents (4,981 people). This is similar to the surrounding region where 31.7% of residents fell into this bracket. Housing affordability pressures were severe in Gracemere, with only 84.5% of income remaining after housing costs, 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

The latest Census evaluated Gracemere's dwelling structures as 96.1% houses and 3.8% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Regional Qld's 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 Regional Qld's average of $1,655. Median weekly rent in Gracemere was $340, compared to Regional 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 comprise 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 constitute the remaining 22.2%, with lone person households at 19.2% and group households comprising 3.1%. The median household size is 2.8 people, which is larger than the Regional Queensland 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. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 8.4%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.3%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.2%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 42.7% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (8.4%) and certificates (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 significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence.

Notably, both younger and older age groups exhibit high prevalence of common health conditions. Approximately 53% (~6,819 people) of Gracemere's population has private health cover, slightly higher than the average SA2 area. The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma (10.0%) and mental health issues (9.7%), while 66.2% of residents report being completely free from medical ailments, compared to 67.6% in Regional Qld. Working-age individuals face substantial health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 13.4% of residents aged 65 and over (1,733 people), lower than the 20.4% in Regional Qld. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings largely comparable to those of the general population.

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

Gracemere, as per the census conducted on 27 June 2016, showed a lack of cultural diversity with 89.9% of its residents being Australian citizens and 91.6% having been born in Australia. The majority of Gracemere's population, 95.7%, spoke English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, practiced by 51.1% of the population, slightly lower than the regional average of 52.2%.

In terms of ancestry, Australian heritage dominated with 33.6%, higher than the regional average of 26.5%. English and Australian Aboriginal heritages followed with 28.9% and 7.5% respectively. Notably, German heritage was slightly overrepresented at 5.1% compared to the regional average of 4.7%. Maori heritage stood at 0.7%, lower than the regional average of 0.8%, and New Zealand heritage was also slightly lower at 0.7% compared to the regional average of 0.9%.

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 Regional Queensland average of 41 and substantially under the Australian median of 38. Relative to Regional Queensland, Gracemere has a higher concentration of residents aged 5-14 years at 15.6%, but fewer residents aged 55-64 years at 8.5%. Between the 2021 Census and the present day, the population aged 15-24 years has grown from 12.9% to 14.3%, while the population aged 65-74 years increased from 7.4% to 8.5%. Conversely, the population aged 5-14 years has declined from 17.9% to 15.6%, and the population aged 55-64 years dropped from 10.2% to 8.5%. Demographic modeling suggests that Gracemere's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The population aged 25-34 years is projected to grow by 38%, adding 724 residents to reach a total of 2,627. Meanwhile, the population aged 55-64 years is projected to grow by a modest 3% (adding 29 people).