Inala

Population growth drivers in Inala are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of Nov 2025, Inala's population is estimated at around 16,492, reflecting an increase of 1,219 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 15,273. This change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 16,190 residents following examination of ABS ERP data released in June 2024 and 41 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio is 2,647 persons per square kilometer, placing Inala in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, ending in 2021, Inala demonstrated a compound annual growth rate of 2.0%, outpacing its SA3 area. Overseas migration contributed approximately 61.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. For projections until 2032, AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.

Beyond 2032 and for areas not covered by this data, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted, applying proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort. Considering projected demographic shifts, a significant population increase is forecast for Inala, with an expected rise of 5,556 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 33.8% over the 17 years.

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

Inala has recorded approximately 23 residential properties granted approval per year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 116 homes. So far in FY26, 16 approvals have been recorded. This results in an average of 8.8 new residents per year for every home built between FY21 and FY25. The demand significantly outpaces supply, which typically puts upward pressure on prices and increases competition among buyers.

New properties are constructed at an average value of $322,000, under regional levels, indicating more accessible housing choices for buyers. Inala has seen $2.2 million in commercial approvals this financial year, indicating minimal commercial development activity compared to Greater Brisbane, where it is 62.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new homes typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties, though construction activity has intensified recently. The recent construction comprises 74.0% detached houses and 26.0% attached dwellings, preserving the area's suburban nature while indicating a notable shift from the area's existing housing composition (currently 89.0% houses). Inala indicates a mature market with around 449 people per approval. Future projections show Inala adding approximately 5,581 residents by 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate.

If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 19 projects likely affecting the area. Notable ones include Blunder Road Residential Estate (Stages 2 & 3), Proposed Coles Shopping Centre at Progress Road, Inala to Richlands Corridor Upgrade (Stage 2) focusing on Archerfield and Boundary Road upgrades, and the Inala Walking Network Plan. Below is a list of projects most relevant.

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

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The labour market performance in Inala lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Inala's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs, with manufacturing and industrial sectors well-represented. As of June 2025, the unemployment rate was 12.7%.

Over the past year, employment has remained relatively stable. The area's unemployment rate is higher than Greater Brisbane's (4.1%), indicating room for improvement. Workforce participation in Inala lags behind Greater Brisbane at 44.0% compared to 64.5%. Key industries of employment among residents are manufacturing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade.

Manufacturing employment levels are notably high at 2.6 times the regional average. However, professional & technical services have limited presence with only 3.3% employment compared to the regional average of 8.9%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities as indicated by the Census working population vs resident population count. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 0.5%, and labour force grew by 0.1% in Inala, leading to a decrease of 0.4 percentage points in unemployment rate. By comparison, Greater Brisbane recorded higher growth rates during the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. However, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Inala's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.4% over five years and 12.0% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Inala's median taxpayer income is $41,001 and average is $45,456. This is lower than national averages. Greater Brisbane has a median of $55,645 and average of $70,520. Based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022, current estimates for Inala are approximately $46,737 (median) and $51,815 (average) as of September 2025. The 2021 Census reveals household, family, and personal incomes in Inala fall between the 1st and 3rd percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows 29.6% earning $800 - $1,499 weekly (4,881 residents), unlike regional trends where 33.3% earn $1,500 - $2,999 weekly. Housing affordability pressures are severe with only 79.0% of income remaining, ranking at the 4th percentile nationally.

Inala is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Inala's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 89.2% houses and 10.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Brisbane metro's 80.2% houses and 19.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Inala stood at 20.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 21.8% and rented ones at 57.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, lower than Brisbane metro's average of $1,630. The median weekly rent in Inala was $250, compared to Brisbane metro's $355. Nationally, Inala's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Inala features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households compose 71.0% of all households, including 29.0% couples with children, 14.5% couples without children, and 24.9% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 29.0%, with lone person households at 25.2% and group households comprising 3.9%. The median household size is 2.9 people, which is larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.8.

Inala faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

Inala faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 11.5%, significantly lower than Greater Brisbane's average of 30.5%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 8.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.9%) and graduate diplomas (1.0%). Trade and technical skills are prevalent, with 28.9% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (7.8%) and certificates (21.1%). Educational participation is high at 35.5%, including 12.6% in primary education, 10.5% in secondary education, and 4.5% pursuing tertiary education.

Six schools operate within Inala, educating approximately 2,130 students. The area has varied educational conditions (ICSEA: 915) and includes four primary, one secondary, and one K-12 school.

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

Transport analysis indicates 93 active transport stops in Inala, offering a mix of bus services. These stops are served by 7 distinct routes, together facilitating 1,117 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically situated 155 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 159 trips daily across all routes, equating to approximately 12 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health outcomes in Inala are marginally below the national average with the level of common health conditions among the general population somewhat typical, though higher than the nation's average among older cohorts

Inala's health indicators show lower-than-average results. Common health conditions are prevalent at levels similar to the general population but higher among older cohorts compared to national averages. Private health cover is extremely low, with 45% of Inala's total population (~7,457 people) having it, compared to Greater Brisbane's 49.5% and the national average of 55.3%.

Asthma and mental health issues are the most common conditions, affecting 8.0% and 7.2% of residents respectively, while 71.0% report being free from medical ailments, compared to Greater Brisbane's 72.1%. Inala has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 14.7%, or 2,424 people, than Greater Brisbane's 13.6%. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than the broader population.

Inala is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Inala has one of the highest population percentages born overseas, at 48.9%, with 57.9% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Inala, practiced by 44.7% of its residents. Buddhism is notably overrepresented, comprising 14.9% compared to the Greater Brisbane average of 8.7%.

The top three ancestry groups are Vietnamese (25.0%), Other (19.6%), and Australian (14.8%). Notably, Samoan, Australian Aboriginal, and Maori ethnicities also have higher representations in Inala than regionally.

Inala's young demographic places it in the bottom 15% of areas nationwide

Inala has a median age of 33 years, which is slightly younger than Greater Brisbane's average of 36 and significantly lower than the national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Inala has a higher proportion of residents aged 5-14 (17.2%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (12.5%). This concentration of 5-14 year-olds is well above the national average of 12.2%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the proportion of residents aged 65 to 74 has grown from 7.8% to 8.8%, while the proportion of those aged 25 to 34 has declined from 13.4% to 12.5%. Demographic modeling suggests that Inala's age profile will change significantly by 2041, with the strongest projected growth in the 65 to 74 cohort, which is expected to grow by 64%, adding 931 residents to reach a total of 2,383.