Highgate Hill

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

By analysing ABS population updates for Highgate Hill's broader area and validating new addresses with AreaSearch, the suburb's estimated population as of November 2025 is around 7,296. This figure reflects a growth of 1,067 people (17.1%) since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 6,229. AreaSearch's estimate of 7,293 residents, based on their examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 37 validated new addresses since the Census date, indicates a population density ratio of 5,931 persons per square kilometer, placing Highgate Hill in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's growth rate exceeded both the national average (8.9%) and state averages, marking it as a growth leader. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population gains during recent periods. For projections, AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a 2022 base year for each SA2 area.

For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections from 2023, based on 2021 data, are used. However, these state projections lack age category splits; thus, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 and based on 2022 data for each age cohort. Looking ahead, significant population increases are forecast for the top quartile of statistical areas nationally, with Highgate Hill expected to grow by 1,943 persons to 2041, reflecting a total gain of 26.7% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Highgate Hill when compared nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Highgate Hill had around 19 dwellings receiving development approval annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 96 homes. As of FY26, 11 approvals have been recorded. This averages out to approximately 5.5 new residents per year arriving per dwelling constructed between FY21 and FY25. However, supply is lagging demand, indicating heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures.

New properties are constructed at an average value of $776,000, suggesting a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. This financial year has seen $69,000 in commercial approvals, reflecting the area's residential nature. Comparatively, Highgate Hill shows substantially reduced construction activity (81.0% below regional average per person) when measured against Greater Brisbane. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established properties. Nationally, this activity is also lower, indicating market maturity and possible development constraints. New building activity in Highgate Hill consists of 20.0% standalone homes and 80.0% medium to high-density housing. This shift towards denser development provides accessible entry options, appealing to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers.

This marks a significant departure from existing housing patterns (currently 38.0% houses), suggesting diminishing developable land availability and responding to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. Highgate Hill indicates a mature market with around 434 people per approval. Population forecasts suggest the area will gain 1,948 residents by 2041 (latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 17 projects likely affecting this region. Notable initiatives include 164 Melbourne Street, Glasshouse Theatre at QPAC, Hampstead & Jones, and Highgate Hill Terraces. The following list details those expected to have the most relevance.

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

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Employment performance in Highgate Hill has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Highgate Hill has an educated workforce with strong professional services representation. Its unemployment rate was 6.6% in the past year, with estimated employment growth of 3.0%.

As of June 2025, 4,545 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 2.5% higher than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation is at 68.5%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Key industries include health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and education & training. The area specializes in professional & technical jobs, with an employment share 1.8 times the regional level.

Construction employment is under-represented at 5.0%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 9.0%. Limited local employment opportunities are indicated by Census data. Over a 12-month period ending Sep-22, employment increased by 3.0% and labour force grew by 2.8%, reducing unemployment by 0.2 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Highgate Hill's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.3% over five years and 14.7% over ten years.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

Highgate Hill had a median taxpayer income of $49,798 and an average income of $71,891 according to AreaSearch's aggregation of postcode level ATO data for the financial year 2022. Nationally, these figures are high, contrasting with Greater Brisbane's median income of $55,645 and average income of $70,520 in the same period. As of September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $56,765 (median) and $81,949 (average), based on a 13.99% growth since financial year 2022. The 2021 Census shows that household, family and personal incomes in Highgate Hill cluster around the 66th percentile nationally. Income analysis reveals that 29.0% of residents (2,115 people) fall into the $1,500 - $2,999 weekly income bracket, mirroring regional levels where 33.3% occupy this bracket. Highgate Hill demonstrates considerable affluence with 31.3% earning over $3,000 per week. This supports premium retail and service offerings in the area. Housing costs consume 16.8% of income, but strong earnings still place disposable income at the 60th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Highgate Hill features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Highgate Hill's dwellings, as per the latest Census, consisted of 37.9% houses and 62.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In contrast, Brisbane metro had 12.9% houses and 87.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Highgate Hill stood at 25.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 23.5% and rented ones at 51.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,376, higher than Brisbane metro's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent in Highgate Hill was $380, compared to Brisbane metro's $440. Nationally, Highgate Hill's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Highgate Hill features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 57.1% of all households, including 22.3% couples with children, 24.0% couples without children, and 9.3% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 42.9%, with lone person households at 31.9% and group households comprising 11.0%. The median household size is 2.3 people, larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 1.9.

Highgate Hill demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

Highgate Hill's residents aged 15+ have a higher proportion of university qualifications (54.7%) than Queensland's average (25.7%) and Australia's average (30.4%). Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 32.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (17.2%) and graduate diplomas (4.8%). Vocational pathways account for 19.6% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 8.8% and certificates at 10.8%. Educational participation is high, with 36.1% currently enrolled in formal education: 14.5% in tertiary, 9.3% in secondary, and 6.6% in primary education.

Schools appear to be located outside the immediate catchment boundaries, requiring families to access them in neighboring areas.

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

Highgate Hill has 21 operational public transport stops. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with three active routes in total. The combined weekly passenger trips across these routes amount to 821.

Residents' proximity to transport services is rated excellent, with an average distance of 121 meters to the nearest stop. Daily service frequency averages 117 trips across all routes, translating to approximately 39 weekly trips per individual stop.

Highgate Hill's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Health outcomes data shows excellent results across Highgate Hill, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is very high at approximately 56% of the total population (around 4,063 people), compared to 64.3% across Greater Brisbane.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 10.3 and 7.1% of residents respectively. A total of 73.4% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 75.5% across Greater Brisbane. The area has 11.7% of residents aged 65 and over (853 people), higher than the 10.5% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, broadly aligning with the general population's health profile.

Highgate Hill was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Highgate Hill, surveyed in June 2021, had a higher linguistic diversity than most local areas, with 26.7% of residents speaking languages other than English at home. Born overseas, 35.2% of Highgate Hill's population was recorded in the same survey. Christianity dominated religious affiliations, comprising 32.9%.

Buddhism, however, was more prevalent here compared to Greater Brisbane, with 4.8% against a regional average of 3.9%. Ancestral origins showed English as the top group at 21.7%, followed by Australian at 17.6%, and Other at 11.3%. Notably, Greeks were overrepresented at 4.8% compared to the region's 1.5%, French at 0.8% versus 0.9%, and Vietnamese at 2.1% against a regional average of 1.2%.

Highgate Hill's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Highgate Hill's median age is 37 years, nearly matching Greater Brisbane's average of 36 and close to Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Highgate Hill has a higher concentration of residents aged 15-24 at 18.7%, but fewer residents aged 5-14 at 8.3%. This 15-24 concentration is above the national average of 12.5%. Between the 2021 Census and the latest data, the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 15.9% to 18.7%, while the 25 to 34 cohort has increased from 18.4% to 19.6%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort has declined from 9.9% to 8.3%, and the 35 to 44 group has dropped from 14.6% to 13.0%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Highgate Hill's age profile will change significantly. The 45 to 54 cohort is projected to grow by 45%, adding 466 residents to reach 1,510. Meanwhile, the 0 to 4 cohort is projected to grow by a modest 4%, adding 6 people.