Harristown

Harristown has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validation, Harristown's estimated population is around 9,736 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 655 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 9,081. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 9,593 residents following examination of ABS ERP data release in June 2024 and validation of 75 new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 1,317 persons per square kilometer, above national averages assessed by AreaSearch. Harristown's growth rate of 7.2% positions it within 1.9 percentage points of Rest of Qld (9.1%). Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 38.0%.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are used, applying proportional growth weightings for age cohorts from ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Looking ahead, non-metropolitan areas nationally are projected to have above median population growth. Harristown is expected to increase by 1,696 persons to 2041, reflecting a gain of 15.7% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Harristown among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

Harristown has recorded approximately 42 residential properties granted approval each year over the past five financial years from FY-21 to FY-25. This totals an estimated 213 homes. As of FY-26, 4 approvals have been recorded. On average, 2.3 people per year move to the area with each new home constructed during this period, reflecting strong demand that supports property values.

New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $361,000. In FY-26, $18.8 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating balanced commercial development activity. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Harristown shows 18.0% lower construction activity per person but ranks among the 75th percentile nationally for development activity, which has picked up recently.

New development consists of 74.0% standalone homes and 26.0% attached dwellings, maintaining the area's traditional suburban character focused on family homes. The location has approximately 165 people per dwelling approval, suggesting an expanding market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Harristown is projected to add 1,532 residents by 2041. Development is keeping pace with projected growth, though buyers may face increasing competition as the population expands.

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

Twenty-one projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to impact the area significantly, with changes to local infrastructure being crucial factors influencing performance. Key projects include South Street Industrial Precinct, South Street Development Site, Toowoomba Warehouses at 42 Condamine Street, and Prime Industrial Development at 29 Croft Crescent. The following list details those most likely to be 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 drivers in Harristown are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Harristown has a skilled workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 5.6% as of September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 6.0% over the past year. This is based on AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of September 2025, 4,320 residents were in work, but the unemployment rate was 1.5% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation lagged significantly at 57.6%, compared to Rest of Qld's 65.7%. According to Census responses, only 5.4% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Leading employment industries among Harristown residents include health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade.

The area has a particular specialization in health care & social assistance, with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 2.1%, compared to the regional average of 4.5%. While local employment opportunities exist, many residents commute elsewhere for work, as indicated by the count of Census working population to local population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment in Harristown increased by 6.0%, while labour force grew by 4.1%. This resulted in a decrease in unemployment by 1.7 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld experienced employment growth of 1.7% and labour force growth of 2.1%, with a slight rise in unemployment of 0.3 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, published in May-25, project national employment to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these industry-specific projections to Harristown's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.9% over ten years. However, it is important to note that this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

The suburb of Harristown had a median taxpayer income of $44,361 and an average income of $54,508 in the financial year 2023, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This was lower than the national average, with Rest of Qld having a median income of $53,146 and an average income of $66,593. By September 2025, estimates suggest the median income would be approximately $48,757 and the average income $59,910, based on a Wage Price Index growth of 9.91%. The 2021 Census figures showed Harristown's household, family, and personal incomes fell between the 10th and 17th percentiles nationally. Income analysis revealed that 29.9% of residents (2,911 people) earned between $1,500 and $2,999, aligning with regional levels where this cohort represented 31.7%. Housing affordability pressures were severe in Harristown, with only 81.6% of income remaining, ranking at the 10th percentile.

Harristown displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Harristown's dwelling structure, as assessed in the latest Census, consisted of 70.0% houses and 30.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro Qld's 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Harristown stood at 28.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 28.7% and rented dwellings at 43.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent in Harristown was $295, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $345. Nationally, Harristown's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,300 than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Harristown features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 59.0% of all households, including 19.4% couples with children, 24.3% couples without children, and 13.8% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 41.0%, with lone person households at 37.3% and group households at 3.7%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

Educational outcomes in Harristown fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 18.0%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.2%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 37.6% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (8.9%) and certificates (28.7%). Educational participation is high, with 29.7% currently enrolled in formal education: 9.3% in primary, 8.7% in secondary, and 4.9% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 29.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.3% in primary education, 8.7% in secondary education, and 4.9% pursuing tertiary education.

Transport servicing is low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Harristown has 55 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. There are 5 different routes serving these stops, providing a total of 368 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport in Harristown is rated as good, with residents located an average of 226 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outwards from this primarily residential area. Cars remain the dominant mode of transport, used by 93% of residents. On average, there is one car per dwelling, which is below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, only 5.4% of Harristown residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Across all routes, buses run an average of 52 trips per day, equating to approximately 6 weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Harristown is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Harristown faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high across various health conditions, affecting both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 49% of the total population (~4,751 people), compared to 52.5% in the rest of Queensland and the national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues and arthritis are the most common medical conditions, affecting 11.5% and 11.2% of residents respectively. However, 58.7% of residents report having no medical ailments, compared to 67.6% in the rest of Queensland. The working-age population faces notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. Harristown has a higher proportion of seniors, with 22.5% of residents aged 65 and over (2,190 people), compared to 20.4% in the rest of Queensland. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, generally aligning with national rankings for the broader population.

In terms of cultural diversity, Harristown records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Harristown's cultural diversity aligns with its wider region, with 84.9% citizens, 82.7% born in Australia, and 86.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, comprising 55.4%. The 'Other' religious category is overrepresented in Harristown at 4.4%, compared to 0.8% regionally.

Top ancestry groups include English (28.0%), Australian (26.7%), and Other (9.4%). Notables include German (7.5% vs regional 4.7%), Australian Aboriginal (4.3% vs 3.9%), and Irish (8.8% vs 8.2%).

Harristown's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

Harristown's median age is 37 years, which is notably lower than the Rest of Qld average of 41 years but largely in line with the Australian median of 38 years. The 25-34 age cohort is significantly over-represented in Harristown at 17.2%, compared to the Rest of Qld average, while the 55-64 year-olds are under-represented at 8.6%. According to the 2021 Census data, the proportion of the population aged 25 to 34 has increased from 14.5% to 17.2%, while the 5 to 14 age group has decreased from 12.1% to 10.7%. The 55 to 64 age group has also seen a decline, from 9.9% to 8.6%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate Harristown's age profile will change significantly. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to grow by 30%, adding 507 residents to reach a total of 2,182. Conversely, both the 55-64 and 5-14 age groups are expected to decrease in number.