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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Highvale has an estimated 2,006 residents, up from 1,979 at the 2021 Census — a change of 27 people, or 1.4%. Density is about 77 people per square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to demographic evaluations combining broader regional ABS statistics with post-Census validated address counts from AreaSearch, the suburb of Highvale records an estimated population of approximately 2,006 as of Aug 2026. This represents a 1.4% expansion (adding 27 people) relative to the 1,979 people enumerated in the 2021 Census. Such figures are derived from an estimated resident population base of 2,002 established by AreaSearch via ABS ERP data from June 2025, alongside 10 validated new addresses added following the Census. Consequently, population density stands at 76 persons per square kilometer, preserving generous open space and leaving capacity for future development.
Over the preceding ten years, the suburb of Highvale maintained solid expansion with a 1.3% compound annual growth rate that exceeded the wider SA3 area. The primary catalyst for demographic expansion was overseas migration, which made up roughly 59.0% of recent population gains, complemented by positive contributions from both natural growth and interstate migration. Projections utilised by AreaSearch incorporate ABS and Geoscience Australia demographic modelling for SA2 regions, which were published in 2024 using 2022 as their starting point. Whenever an SA2 falls outside this series, or for timeframes beyond 2032, Queensland State Government SA2 forecasts released in 2023 based on 2021 numbers are referenced instead. Because these state figures omit cohort breakdowns, AreaSearch allocates cohort distributions following the ABS Greater Capital Region forecasts released in 2023 using 2022 data. Looking at long-range demographic patterns, the suburb of Highvale is anticipated to undergo a net reduction of 36 persons by 2041 under this framework. Nonetheless, particular demographics are set to expand, most prominently the 75 to 84 age group, which is modelled to increase by 61 people. Additional details appear in the age breakdown.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
20 new dwellings have been approved in Highvale over the past five years, an average of 4 a year. That is 1.9 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 2, well below that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Analysis by AreaSearch of ABS building permit figures indicates that Highvale has averaged roughly 4 new dwelling approvals per annum, representing approximately 20 homes across the past 5 financial years. Within FY-25 so far, 2 approvals have been documented. With an average of 1.1 new residents per completed dwelling annually across the past 5 financial years between FY-21 and FY-25, dwelling delivery and demand have remained in harmony, while figures over the past 2 financial years shifted to -0.8 people per dwelling, demonstrating improved supply availability. Typical construction value per new property stands at $569,000, slightly above regional averages and pointing to premium building standards.
Furthermore, commercial approvals have accounted for $216,000 this financial year, underscoring an overwhelmingly residential development environment. Residential building volume across Highvale sits markedly below the Greater Brisbane benchmark, trailing the regional per-person rate by 62.0%. Such a restricted supply of additions regularly enhances market competition and supports valuations for established residences. Building rates are similarly below the nationwide benchmark, reflecting the mature character of the locality and potential planning constraints. In addition, recent construction has been exclusively concentrated in standalone houses, sustaining the low-density footprint of the neighbourhood and appealing to purchasers seeking generous land. A ratio of 1003 people in the locality per residential approval highlights this subdued development landscape. With demographic forecasts pointing toward plateauing or contracting resident numbers, Highvale should see subdued housing pressure, generating advantageous conditions for prospective purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Highvale
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 49 current infrastructure and development projects close to Highvale, worth an estimated $13.8 billion. 19 are already under construction and 12 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and communities, precincts & urban renewal. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local capital works, major developments, and statutory planning frameworks play a central role in shaping regional growth. At present, no major initiatives have been identified by AreaSearch as having a direct impact on the area. Significant regional developments include the Moreton Bay Regional Council Planning Scheme, Local Government Infrastructure Plan (LGIP) Interim Amendment No. 1, Brisbane Northern Suburbs Corridor Capacity, and the Building Future Hospitals Program, with the principal relevant initiatives outlined below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Ferny Grove Central
Ferny Grove Central is a transport oriented mixed use precinct adjoining Ferny Grove railway station. The project includes a retail and entertainment centre anchored by Woolworths, Dan Murphy's, Goodlife, Goodstart Early Learning and Cinebar, The Fernery with 82 apartments, upgraded station access, bus, taxi and kiss and ride facilities, and more than 1,400 integrated commuter and retail parking spaces. As of the latest official updates, Stage 1 park and ride works are complete and Stage 2 retail, residential, access road and public transport interface works remain under construction, with practical completion targeted for 2026.
Ferny Grove Station Car Park Upgrade
Joint Australian and Queensland Government upgrade of the Ferny Grove station park and ride precinct. Stage 1, including the 905-space multi-storey commuter car park, is complete. Stage 2 remains under construction and includes additional commuter parking, new internal roads, upgraded bus interchange, Kiss 'n' Ride, taxi facilities, retail and residential integration as part of the Ferny Grove Transit Oriented Development.
Ferny Hills Precinct Planning Project
A precinct planning project by the City of Moreton Bay to guide future growth and development in Ferny Hills, focusing on increasing housing supply and diversity while enhancing local identity. The area features existing local shopping, parks, and access to Kedron Brook.
Great Western Super Centre Expansion & Renovation
A $22 million modernization and expansion of the established Great Western Super Centre including store expansions for ALDI, BCF, and Anytime Fitness, full repaint, upgraded amenities, new car wash facility, and improved landscaping. The centre spans 15,400sqm with Woolworths and ALDI as anchors.
Ferny Grove to Samford Road Cycleway (Stage 2)
Construction of a 2.5km off road shared path connecting Ferny Hills and Arana Hills and linking into the broader North Brisbane cycle network as part of the wider Samford to Ferny Grove active transport corridor.
Palmer Road Rural Residential Subdivision
Approved rural residential subdivision comprising 16.68 hectares with development approval for 9 large rural residential lots. The naturally treed property offers low-density living in a semi-rural environment close to urban amenities in the Moreton Bay region. The development site was previously marketed through Savills and listings have since been removed from the market, suggesting the property may have been sold or withdrawn. The approved subdivision aligns with Moreton Bay Regional Council's Rural Residential zone provisions for very low density residential development on the edge of urban areas.
Winn Road Resurfacing and Kremzow Road Rehabilitation
Road improvements including resurfacing of Winn Road, Cashmere, and rehabilitation of Kremzow Road, Brendale (delivered over two years).
Everton Hills Central
A proposed neighbourhood shopping centre anchored by a full-line Woolworths supermarket, with specialty retail, medical centre, gym, and childcare facility. The centre will have direct frontage to South Pine Road in Everton Hills, serving the surrounding Hills District community in the City of Moreton Bay.
1,103 residents of Highvale are employed, from a labour force of 1,150. Unemployment sits at 4.1%, with participation at 68.6%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.8% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,728, about 86% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Highvale is characterised by a highly skilled labor market with substantial representation in professional services, alongside a 4.1% jobless rate based on AreaSearch's compilation of regional datasets. As of March 2026, employed locals tally 1,103 residents, while the local jobless rate sits 0.2% below the Greater Brisbane benchmark of 4.3%, with overall workforce participation closely matching the Greater Brisbane figure of 70.1%. Furthermore, Census records reveal that 35.3% of workers performed their duties from home, though the context of Covid-19 restrictions must be kept in mind. Local workers are predominantly engaged across construction, professional & technical, and health care & social assistance.
The community displays notable concentration within professional & technical roles, where representation reaches 1.3 times the regional standard. In contrast, retail trade employs a smaller proportion of residents at 6.5%, compared against the 9.4% observed regionally. Comparison between local resident workers and the local Census employment base suggests that nearby workplace opportunities within the boundary remain modest. Based on AreaSearch's evaluation of combined ABS and SALM figures from surrounding statistical regions, the twelve months to March 2026 saw the local labour force contract by 1.5% and overall employment decrease by 1.9%, pushing the unemployment rate up by 0.4 percentage points. Over the equivalent timeframe, Greater Brisbane recorded a 3.4% rise in its labour force and a 3.2% increase in employment, accompanied by a 0.1 percentage point rise in unemployment. Long-term labor trends can be evaluated using national industry projections from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26. Projected forward across five and ten-year intervals, national employment is expected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with performance varying widely across industries. When mapped onto the local occupational profile, these sectoral expectations suggest employment among Highvale residents could grow by 6.8% over five years and 13.9% over ten years, representing a basic weighting model that does not incorporate localised demographic shifts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Highvale is $3,143 a week (about $163,000 a year), with median personal income at $992 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $61,807 a year against an average of $92,148. The average runs 49% above the median, a wider spread than most areas and a sign of a concentrated group of high earners. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
According to the most recent postcode ATO statistics for financial year 2023 compiled by AreaSearch, Highvale ranks among the top-earning areas nationally, generating a median taxable income of $61,807 alongside an average income of $92,148. These earnings notably exceed the Greater Brisbane benchmarks of a $58,236 median and a $72,799 average. Adjusting for an 11.36% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, local income levels are estimated at $68,828 for the median and $102,616 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census placed household earnings in the 97th percentile ($3,143 weekly).
The highest proportion of earners falls within the $4000+ category, comprising 36.0% of residents (722 people), unlike broader regional figures where the $1,500 - 2,999 band is largest at 33.3%. Overall, 51.8% of households bring in weekly amounts exceeding $3,000, underpinning strong consumer capacity. Local residents preserve 88.1% of their gross earnings once housing expenses are met, placing the area in the 10th decile on the SEIFA income spectrum.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Highvale had 619 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 99% detached houses and 1% apartments. 60% are owned with a mortgage, 4% rented and 36% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $425 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,600 a month, a total housing cost higher than 88% of areas nationally. Rent absorbs 13.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 19.1%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the most recent Census, the local housing landscape in Highvale was dominated by separate houses at 98.8%, with 1.2% consisting of other residential structures such as apartments and semi-detached homes, whereas the broader Brisbane metro recorded 73.5% standalone houses and 26.5% other dwellings. Outright home ownership stood at 36.4%, considerably outpacing Brisbane metro levels, while remaining residences were either subject to a mortgage (59.6%) or tenanted (4.0%). The median monthly mortgage commitment reached $2,600 compared with the Brisbane metro benchmark of $1,863, and the median weekly rent was $425 against the metro standard of $380.
Compared against the broader Australian benchmarks of $1,863 monthly for mortgages and $375 weekly for rents, local housing expenditure remains markedly higher.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Highvale counted 619 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 3.1 people each. 52% are couples with children, more than in 96% of areas nationally, against 33% couples without children. 8% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the vast majority of local households at 90.5%, comprising couples with children at 52.1%, couples without children at 33.4%, and single parent families at 5.6%. The remaining 9.5% consists of non-family living arrangements, encompassing lone person households at 8.2% and group households at 0.6%. The typical household size stands at 3.1 people, exceeding the Greater Brisbane benchmark of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
38.5% of adults in Highvale hold a university qualification, including 25.3% with a bachelor degree and 8.5% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 99% of areas nationally. A further 18.2% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Qualifications among residents in Highvale substantially outstrip wider regional benchmarks, with 38.5% of people aged 15+ possessing a tertiary degree compared to 24.9% across the SA4 region and 25.7% in QLD. Bachelor degrees account for the highest proportion at 25.3%, alongside postgraduate qualifications at 8.5% and graduate diplomas at 4.7%. Vocational education is likewise well established, with 30.8% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, comprising advanced diplomas (12.6%) and certificates (18.2%). Formal study engagement is substantial across the community, with 32.8% of residents participating in education. This comprises 12.1% attending primary school, 10.2% undertaking secondary schooling, and 5.9% enrolled in tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Highvale means driving: households keep an average of 2.3 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
71.3% of residents in Highvale report no long-term health condition, a healthier profile than 75% of areas nationally. 2.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 63.7% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 3.8 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators across Highvale demonstrate positive outcomes, with AreaSearch evaluations of mortality and chronic illness showing low incidence of common ailments across both older and younger age groups. Private medical insurance adoption is remarkably high, encompassing roughly 64% of the population (1,278 people). This compares to 55.8% across Greater Brisbane and a national figure of 55.7%. Among reported medical conditions, asthma and mental health concerns were the most prevalent, diagnosed in 7.9% and 8.4% of residents, respectively, while 71.3% of the community indicated an absence of long-term medical conditions compared to 69.2% across Greater Brisbane.
Health metrics among working-age individuals align with typical trends. Residents aged 65 and over account for 18.0% of the population (361 people), higher than the 15.0% observed in Greater Brisbane, with senior health indicators tracking above average and matching broader national rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Highvale is largely Australian-born, at 77.4% of residents, with 4.7% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (33.8%) and Australian (26.8%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity metrics for Highvale track below broader norms, with 77.4% of residents born in Australia, 92.8% holding Australian citizenship, and 95.3% speaking exclusively English within the household. Christianity represents the leading faith, accounting for 51.6% of residents in Highvale compared with 47.8% across Greater Brisbane. Regarding reported ancestry based on parental country of birth, the primary groups identified across Highvale are English at 33.8% (above the 26.8% regional standard), Australian at 26.8%, and Irish at 11.0%. Other ancestral backgrounds also show specific concentrations, including Scottish at 9.2% compared to 7.4% regionally, Dutch at 2.1% against 1.2% regionally, and South Australian at 0.8% versus 0.6%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Highvale is 44, older than 76% of areas nationally. 21.6% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Age distributions across the suburb of Highvale align closely with Greater Brisbane, exhibiting a maximum difference of 15.7 percentage points across the four broad cohorts. The median age is estimated at 44, matching the 2021 Census figure, which sits 8 years above the Greater Brisbane median of 36 recorded at that Census and ahead of the national Census median of 38. The most prominent shift since the Census has occurred within the senior and retiree demographic (65+), which grew from 14.4% to an estimated 18.0% of the population. In younger cohorts, residents aged 5 to 14 decreased from 16.4% to an estimated 14.2%, while the 15 to 24 band expanded from 13.3% to 17.0%, without replacement in early childhood ages.
Looking ahead to 2041, the largest numerical expansion is projected among senior and retiree cohorts, increasing by 107 residents (30%) to 468, while child, young adult, and early-to-mid career adult segments are projected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Highvale
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 months ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 10 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (1,979 at the 2021 Census → 2,006 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL31336). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.