Harristown

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

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, the estimated population of Harristown as of May 2026 is around 9,697. This reflects an increase of 616 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 9,081. The change is inferred from the resident population of 9,689 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and an additional 88 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,312 persons per square kilometer, which is above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Harristown's growth rate of 6.8% since the census positions it within 2.4 percentage points of the SA3 area (9.2%), demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals. Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 38.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting 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 adopted. Looking at population projections moving forward, an above median population growth is projected for non-metropolitan areas nationally. The suburb of Harristown is expected to increase by 1,619 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 16.6% in total over the 16 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, shows Harristown recorded around 43 residential properties granted approval each year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 215 homes. As of FY-26, 10 approvals have been recorded. Over these five years, an average of 2.5 people moved to the area per new home constructed, reflecting robust demand that supports property values. New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $361,000.

Additionally, $18.8 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded this financial year, suggesting balanced commercial development activity. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Harristown shows 17.0% lower construction activity per person while it places among the 75th percentile of areas assessed nationally. Recent periods show an increase in development activity.

New development consists of 75.0% standalone homes and 25.0% attached dwellings, maintaining the area's traditional suburban character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. The location has approximately 161 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. Future projections show Harristown adding 1,611 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). 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

AreaSearch has identified a total of 21 projects that are likely to impact the area significantly. These projects include South Street Industrial Precinct, South Street Development Site, Toowoomba Warehouses - 42 Condamine Street, and Prime Industrial Development at 29 Croft Crescent. The following list details those projects considered most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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Employment drivers in Harristown are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Harristown has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well-represented. Its unemployment rate is 6.6%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of December 2025, 4,172 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 2.5% higher than Regional Qld's rate of 4.0%.

Workforce participation in Harristown lags at 55.1%, compared to Regional Qld's 64.5%. Census responses indicate that only 5.4% of residents work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. The leading employment industries among Harristown residents are health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. The area specializes in health care & social assistance, with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level.

Meanwhile, agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 2.1%, compared to Regional Qld's 4.5%. Many Harristown residents commute elsewhere for work, based on Census data comparing working population to local population. Over the 12 months to December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 4.1% and employment declined by 5.1%, leading to a 1.0 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. In contrast, Regional Qld saw employment growth of 0.7% and labour force growth of 1.0%, with unemployment rising by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Harristown's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.9% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localized population projections.

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

Harristown suburb's median taxpayer income in financial year 2023 was $44,361. The average income for the same period was $54,508, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is lower than national averages. Regional Qld had a median income of $53,146 and an average income of $66,593 in the same year. By March 2026, estimated incomes would be approximately $49,400 (median) and $60,700 (average), based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.36%. Harristown's household, family, and personal incomes all fell between the 10th and 17th percentiles nationally in 2021 Census figures. The income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 dominated with 29.9% of residents (2,899 people), similar to regional levels at 31.7%. Housing affordability pressures were severe, 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 per the latest Census, consisted of 70.0% houses and 30.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compared to Regional Qld's 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Harristown was at 28.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 28.7% and rented ones at 43.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, below Regional Qld's average of $1,655. Median weekly rent in Harristown was $295, compared to Regional Qld's $345. Nationally, Harristown's mortgage repayments were significantly lower 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, smaller than the Regional Queensland 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% of residents 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

The analysis of public transport in Harristown shows that there are 55 active transport stops currently operating within the area. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 5 individual routes providing service. This results in 368 weekly passenger trips across all routes. The accessibility of these transport services is rated as good, with residents typically located approximately 226 meters from their nearest transport stop. Harristown is primarily residential, and most residents commute outward to other areas for work or leisure purposes. Despite this, the car remains the dominant mode of transportation among residents, with a majority (93%) using it as their primary means of getting around.

The average vehicle ownership per dwelling in Harristown is 1.0, which is below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census data, only 5.4% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on remote work arrangements. The service frequency for public transport in Harristown averages approximately 52 trips per day across all routes combined, equating to roughly 6 weekly trips per individual 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 assessed by AreaSearch through mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Multiple health conditions affect both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 49% of Harristown's total population (~4,732 people), compared to 52.5% in Regional Qld and the national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues and arthritis are the most common conditions, affecting 11.5% and 11.2% of residents respectively. However, 58.7% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 67.6% in Regional Qld. Working-age residents face notable health challenges due to higher chronic condition rates. Harristown has 23.7% of residents aged 65 and over (2,298 people), exceeding Regional Qld's 20.4%. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly aligning with national rankings for the general 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% of residents being citizens, 82.7% born in Australia, and 86.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, practiced by 55.4%. Notably, the 'Other' category is overrepresented at 4.4%, compared to 0.8% regionally.

For ancestry, the top groups are English (28.0%), Australian (26.7%), and Other (9.4%). Some ethnicities show notable differences: German at 7.5% (regional: 4.7%), Australian Aboriginal at 4.3% (regional: 3.9%), and Irish at 8.8% (regional: 8.2%).

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

The median age in Harristown is 38 years, which is slightly below Regional Queensland's average of 41 but aligns with Australia's median age of 38. The age group of 25-34 years has a strong representation at 16.3%, compared to Regional Queensland. However, the 55-64 age cohort is less prevalent in Harristown at 9%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 25 to 34 age group increased from 14.5% to 16.3%, while the 75 to 84 age group grew from 8.3% to 9.6%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 age cohort declined from 12.1% to 10.6%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes for Harristown. The 25-34 age group is expected to grow by 30%, reaching 2,053 people from the current 1,580. Meanwhile, the 55-64 and 5-14 age cohorts are projected to experience population declines.