Kalinga

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

As of Feb 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Kalinga is around 2,252, reflecting an increase of 108 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 2,144. This change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 2,226 residents following examination of ABS's latest ERP data release in June 2024 and address validation since the Census date. The population density ratio is 2,370 persons per square kilometer, placing Kalinga in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Kalinga has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 2.1%, outpacing Greater Brisbane. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 63.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including interstate migration and natural growth were positive factors. AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.

For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted. It should be noted that these state projections do not provide age category splits; hence where utilised, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data for each age cohort. Moving forward, an above median population growth is projected for statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch. The suburb of Kalinga is expected to expand by 467 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 24.6% in total over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Kalinga according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Kalinga shows approximately one new home approved annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25, around nine homes were approved, with seven more expected by the end of FY-26.

This results in an average of 21.1 new residents per year for each home built over these five years. Supply is lagging demand, leading to heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures. Developers target the premium market segment, with new homes averaging $536,000 in construction cost value. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Kalinga has significantly lower building activity, 89.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new homes typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Recently, however, construction activity has intensified, with all new developments consisting entirely of attached dwellings. This shift towards compact living offers affordable entry pathways, attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers.

It marks a considerable change from the current housing mix, which is predominantly houses (90.0%). Kalinga reflects a highly mature market, with around 658 people per dwelling approval. By 2041, population forecasts indicate Kalinga will gain approximately 554 residents. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

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

Area infrastructure changes significantly influence local performance. AreaSearch identified nine projects likely impacting the area. Major initiatives include Greville, Clayfield Development Aggregate, Clayfield Villagio Shopping Centre Revitalisation, and 12-14 Figgis Street Townhouses. Below is a list detailing those most 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.

AreaSearch assessment positions Kalinga ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Kalinga has an educated workforce with professional services well-represented. Its unemployment rate was 3.5% as of September 2025. This is below Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.0%.

Workforce participation in Kalinga was 77.7%, higher than Greater Brisbane's 70.7%. According to Census data, 34.4% of residents worked from home. Key industries for employment are professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training. The area specializes in professional & technical services with an employment share 2.1 times the regional level.

Retail trade is under-represented at 6.1%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 9.4%. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 0.5% and labour force grew by 0.7% in Kalinga, causing unemployment to rise by 0.2 percentage points. This contrasts with Greater Brisbane where employment rose by 3.8%, labour force grew by 3.3%, and unemployment fell by 0.5 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 Kalinga's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.6% over five years and 15.3% over ten years.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

The suburb of Kalinga has an exceptionally high income level nationally, according to the latest Australian Taxation Office data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers in Kalinga is $68,515, with an average income of $96,413. These figures compare to those for Greater Brisbane, which are $58,236 and $72,799 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since the financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $75,305 (median) and $105,968 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals that household, family, and personal incomes in Kalinga all rank highly nationally, between the 90th and 99th percentiles. Income brackets indicate that the $4000+ earnings band captures 46.9% of the community (1,056 individuals), differing from the metropolitan region where the $1,500 - 2,999 category predominates at 33.3%. Higher earners represent a substantial presence in Kalinga, with 56.0% exceeding $3,000 weekly, suggesting strong purchasing power within the community. After housing costs, residents retain 89.2% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power and the area's Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) income ranking places it in the 10th decile.

Kalinga is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Kalinga's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 89.7% houses and 10.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Brisbane metro had 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kalinga was at 34.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 45.0% and rented ones at 20.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $3,033, higher than Brisbane metro's average of $1,863. The median weekly rent figure in Kalinga was $400, compared to Brisbane metro's $380. Nationally, Kalinga's mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were higher than the national figure of $375.

Kalinga features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 80.2% of all households, including 49.6% couples with children, 22.0% couples without children, and 7.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 19.8%, with lone person households making up 18.2% and group households comprising 2.2%. The median household size is 3.0 people, larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

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

Educational attainment in Kalinga is notably high, with 53.3% of residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications. This compares to 25.7% in Queensland (QLD) and 30.4% nationwide. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 35.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 12.2% and graduate diplomas at 5.5%. Vocational pathways account for 18.7% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 8.3% and certificates at 10.4%.

Educational participation is high, with 36.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.3% in primary education, 12.0% in secondary education, and 7.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Kalinga has 19 active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These stops serve a mix of bus routes totalling 3 individual routes. Together, they facilitate 477 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 118 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to Kalinga being primarily residential. Car remains the dominant mode of transportation at 79%, while train accounts for 13% and cycling makes up 3%.

On average, there are 1.5 vehicles per dwelling. According to the 2021 Census, a high 34.4% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 68 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 25 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Kalinga is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Kalinga demonstrates above-average health outcomes based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are low among the general population but higher than the national average among older, at-risk cohorts. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 65% of the total population (1,472 people), compared to 55.8% across Greater Brisbane and a national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues impact 7.8% of residents, while asthma affects 6.2%, with 74.6% declaring themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 69.2% across Greater Brisbane. The area has 13.3% of residents aged 65 and over (299 people), which is lower than the 15.2% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges but rank lower nationally than those of the broader population.

Kalinga ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Kalinga's cultural diversity was below average, with 79.5% of its population born in Australia, 90.8% being citizens, and 92.4% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Kalinga, making up 59.3% of people, compared to 47.8% across Greater Brisbane. The top three ancestry groups were English (28.2%), Australian (24.2%), and Irish (11.3%).

Notably, Scottish ancestry was overrepresented at 9.8%, compared to the regional average of 7.4%. Similarly, German ancestry was slightly higher at 4.7% compared to 4.2% regionally. New Zealand ancestry showed a slight divergence with 0.9% in Kalinga versus the regional average of 1.0%.

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

The median age in Kalinga is 39 years, slightly higher than Greater Brisbane's average of 36 and close to Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Kalinga has a higher proportion of residents aged 5-14 (17.2%), but fewer residents aged 25-34 (7.4%). The 5-14 age group in Kalinga is above the national average of 12.1%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the proportion of residents aged 75-84 has increased from 3.4% to 4.3%, while the proportions of those aged 5-14 have decreased from 18.3% to 17.2% and those aged 25-34 have dropped from 8.5% to 7.4%. By 2041, Kalinga's age composition is expected to change significantly. The 45-54 age group is projected to grow by 31 people, reaching 494 from 376. Meanwhile, the 0-4 age group is expected to decrease by 1 resident.