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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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Karalee has an estimated 6,042 residents, up from 5,521 at the 2021 Census — a change of 521 people, or 9.4%. Growth has averaged 3.2% a year over five years. Interstate and internal migration accounts for 47.0% of that increase. That puts 393 residents on each 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
Based on evaluation of ABS demographic updates for the wider region, alongside recent addresses verified by AreaSearch since the Census, the resident population in the suburb of Karalee is projected to be approximately 6,042 as of May 2026. This indicates a growth of 521 individuals (9.4%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 5,521 people. The estimation is drawn from a resident count of 6,018, calculated by AreaSearch using the latest ABS ERP data release (June 2025) plus 24 validated new addresses added after the Census date. This population level yields a density of 392 persons per square kilometer, indicating ample space per resident and potential capacity for future growth.
The suburb of Karalee recorded 9.4% growth since the 2021 census, outpacing the national average (9.3%) and positioning it as a regional growth leader. Population gains were primarily fueled by interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 47.0% of the net growth, with natural increase and overseas migration also contributing positively. AreaSearch incorporates ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 region, published in 2024 using 2022 as the base year. For SA2 regions lacking this data, and for any years after 2032, projections from the Queensland State Government released in 2023 (based on 2021 data) are used. Because these state-level projections lack age breakdowns, AreaSearch distributes growth across age cohorts using weightings from the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (published in 2023, based on 2022 data). Looking ahead, the suburb of Karalee is anticipated to experience population growth above the national median, with aggregated SA2 projections indicating an increase of 921 persons by 2041, representing a 14.8% rise over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
138 new dwellings have been approved in Karalee over the past five years, an average of 27 a year. That places the area in the 60th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 4 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 34, running ahead of 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 of ABS building approvals allocated from statistical areas shows that the suburb of Karalee averages approximately 27 dwelling approvals annually. Over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), 138 homes were approved, with 32 approvals recorded so far during FY-26. With an average of 6.3 new residents per constructed dwelling over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), local supply is falling behind demand, which typically intensifies buyer rivalry and puts upward pressure on prices. Additionally, newly approved homes carry an average construction value of $481,000, indicating a developer focus on high-end, premium builds.
Compared to the broader Greater Brisbane region, the suburb of Karalee exhibits low levels of development, running 56.0% below the regional per capita average. This limited addition of new dwellings generally bolsters demand and prices for existing stock. Furthermore, recent construction has consisted entirely of detached houses, maintaining the low-density profile of the area and appealing to buyers seeking spacious properties. The ratio of 477 people per approved dwelling underscores the quiet and low-intensity nature of local development. Demographic projections indicate the suburb of Karalee will add 897 residents by 2041 based on the most recent quarterly estimate from AreaSearch. Current building volumes suggest that housing supply is on track to satisfy this demand, creating favorable buying conditions while potentially supporting growth levels that outpace current expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Karalee
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks one current infrastructure or development project inside Karalee, worth an estimated $220 million. A further 25 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $63.5 billion. 6 are already under construction and 3 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans transport & logistics, residential development and business parks & technology hubs. 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 performance is heavily shaped by adjustments to regional infrastructure, major construction works, and planning developments. AreaSearch has tracked 3 major projects poised to affect the locality. Key initiatives include the Warrego Highway - Mount Crosby Road Interchange Upgrade, Citiswich Business Park Expansion, Bundamba Industrial Precinct Expansion, and Woodlinks Village, with details provided below on the most significant developments.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Warrego Highway - Mount Crosby Road Interchange Upgrade
Upgrade of the Warrego Highway and Mount Crosby Road interchange at Chuwar, including a new interchange at the future Moggill Pocket Arterial location, a new dual-lane bridge connecting Karalee via Junction Road, service roads with active transport paths, and minor upgrades to Mount Crosby Road. Complementary works involve rehabilitation and re-decking of the westbound Bremer River Bridge at Karalee to extend its service life and lift existing speed restrictions. The project is jointly funded 50:50 by the Australian and Queensland governments.Detailed design is underway, with additional ecological surveys required under the EPBC Act delaying the construction timeline.
Citiswich Business Park
Queensland's largest industrial development, Citiswich Business Park is a 350-hectare master-planned estate at Bundamba in the logistics hub of Brisbane's south-western corridor. Developed by Walker Corporation, the estate provides serviced industrial land and facilities for logistics, manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, and wholesale retail. Active staged expansion continues with Stage 6 sub-stages (6C1, 6C2, 6D) and Stage 7 (67.3 ha footprint north of Warrego Highway at Riverview) underway, alongside the $45 million SmartStores workstore development under construction at 183 Hume Drive.
Riverview Townhomes and Apartments
Residential development approved for 115 townhomes, 3 retail tenancies, and 4 apartments. Total development costs of $53.45 million.
Munro Development
Azure is building the Munro development at Bundamba, comprising 100 homes.
Bundamba Creek Environmental Restoration & Linear Park
A multi-stage environmental restoration program along Bundamba Creek jointly funded by the Australian Government's Urban Rivers and Catchments Program ($3M) and Ipswich City Council ($1M). Works include streambank stabilisation, erosion control, weed removal, native revegetation and habitat enhancement across priority sites including Jack Barkley Park at North Booval. Since September 2024, over 781 metres of creek bank and more than one hectare of riparian land have been restored, with nearly 50,000 native plants installed. The broader program also incorporates Ironpot Creek and Woogaroo Creek.Longer-term plans include creation of a continuous linear park and shared pathway with boardwalks and community recreation areas.
Bundamba Industrial Precinct Expansion
Expansion of the Bundamba Industrial Precinct to deliver new serviced industrial lots, road and utility infrastructure, and improved freight access including integration with the Bundamba Bypass and surrounding transport network. The project continues to be identified by Ipswich City Council as a strategic employment and industrial growth area.
Australia Post Parcel Facility
Australia Post's Brisbane Parcel Facility in Redbank is the largest parcel processing and delivery centre in the southern hemisphere, featuring cutting-edge technology including robotic arms, automated guided vehicles, and an automated parcel picker. It covers 50,000 sq m, can process up to 700,000 parcels per day at peak, and employs 500 staff.
Bundamba Heritage Precinct Restoration
Restoration and preservation of historic Bundamba colliery buildings and mining heritage structures. Includes interpretation centre, heritage trails, and community education programs. $5.6 million heritage project.
3,696 residents of Karalee are employed, from a labour force of 3,752. Unemployment sits at 1.5%, with participation at 81.1%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.4% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 4,570, about 76% 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
The suburb of Karalee features a highly skilled labor force with robust representation in essential service sectors, an unemployment rate of only 1.5%, and an estimated job growth of 11.2% over the prior year, according to aggregated statistical area data. By March 2026, 3,696 local residents were employed. The unemployment rate sits 2.8% below the Greater Brisbane average of 4.3%, while workforce participation is exceptionally high at 81.1%, compared to 70.4% across Greater Brisbane. Census data indicates a moderate 18.9% of the workforce worked from home, though this figure reflects the influence of pandemic lockdowns.
The primary sectors employing local residents are health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction. The community displays a strong concentration in public administration & safety, with employment rates 1.6 times the regional average. In contrast, health care & social assistance has lower representation locally, accounting for 14.0% of workers compared to the Greater Brisbane average of 16.1%. Given the difference between the Census working population and resident population, this heavily residential area appears to provide few local employment opportunities. Based on SALM and ABS data aggregated from broader statistical regions, the 12-month period experienced an 11.2% rise in employment and a 10.8% expansion of the labor force, causing the unemployment rate to drop by 0.4 percentage points. This contrasts with Greater Brisbane, which saw employment grow by 3.2%, the labor force expand by 3.4%, and unemployment rise by 0.1 percentage points. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia released in May-25 provide a benchmark for potential future demand in the suburb of Karalee. These five and ten-year projections were applied to the local industry mix to model growth trends. While national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trends vary widely by sector. Weighting these projections to the local workforce mix suggests employment could rise by 6.4% over five years and 13.3% over ten years, assuming a simple extrapolation that excludes localized population changes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Karalee is $2,559 a week (about $133,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,042 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $60,566 a year against an average of $69,198. 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
Based on compiled ATO taxpayer data for the financial year 2023, the suburb of Karalee recorded a median taxpayer income of $60,566 and an average income of $69,198. This is slightly higher than the national figures and compares to a median of $58,236 and an average of $72,799 across Greater Brisbane. Factoring in a Wage Price Index increase of 11.36% since the financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of March 2026 are approximately $67,446 for the median and $77,059 for the average. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in the suburb of Karalee are positioned high nationally, falling between the 82nd and 91st percentiles.
Income distribution is led by the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly bracket, which accounts for 33.8% of residents (2,042 people), mirroring the Greater Brisbane rate of 33.3%. High-income earners are also prominent, with 39.6% of residents earning over $3,000 weekly, pointing to strong local purchasing power. Housing costs consume 13.8% of income, while robust earnings place local residents in the 92nd percentile for disposable income, and the SEIFA index ranks the area in the 8th decile for income.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Karalee had 1,754 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 98% detached houses and 1% apartments. 61% are owned with a mortgage, 13% rented and 26% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $400 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,133 a month, a total housing cost higher than 82% of areas nationally. Rent absorbs 15.6% of household income here and mortgage repayments 19.2%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the latest Census, residential dwellings in the suburb of Karalee consisted of 98.3% houses and 1.7% other housing types, such as apartments and semi-detached properties, compared to 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings across metro Brisbane. Homeownership rates in the suburb of Karalee matched the metro average at 26.0%, while mortgaged properties accounted for 60.8% and rentals made up 13.2% of homes. The median monthly mortgage payment was $2,133, significantly higher than the metropolitan Brisbane average of $1,863. The median weekly rent was $400, compared to $380 in Greater Brisbane.
Nationally, mortgage payments in the suburb of Karalee are higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and rents exceed the national benchmark of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Karalee counted 1,754 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 1,920 today, averaging 3.1 people each. 49% are couples with children, more than in 94% of areas nationally, against 30% couples without children. 11% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the vast majority of households at 87.5%, consisting of couples with children (49.0%), couples without children (29.8%), and single-parent households (8.7%). Non-family households account for the remaining 12.5%, with single-person households representing 10.8% and group households making up 1.3%. The median household size is 3.1 persons, which is larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
23.8% of adults in Karalee hold a university qualification, including 16.9% with a bachelor degree and 4.0% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 28.2% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 563 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,041 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational attainment in the suburb of Karalee tracks below regional averages, with 23.8% of residents aged 15+ holding a tertiary degree compared to 30.5% in Greater Brisbane. This difference suggests scope for further educational and skills development. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 16.9%, followed by postgraduate degrees (4.0%) and graduate diplomas (2.9%). Vocational training is highly prevalent, with 41.5% of residents aged 15+ possessing trade or technical qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas (13.3%) and certificates (28.2%). Academic enrollment is high, with 32.2% of the population participating in formal education.
Primary school pupils make up 12.6% of the population, secondary students account for 9.4%, and tertiary students comprise 4.8%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Karalee means driving: households keep an average of 2.2 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
70.8% of residents in Karalee report no long-term health condition. 4.2% need daily assistance with core activities, and 54.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.9 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health assessments indicate some areas of below-average outcomes in the suburb of Karalee based on AreaSearch analysis of mortality statistics and chronic disease rates. While common health conditions are typical across the broader population, they trend higher than the national average among older age cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is relatively strong, held by approximately 55% of residents (~3,300 people). Mental health conditions and asthma are the most frequently reported medical issues, affecting 8.8% and 8.2% of the population, respectively. Conversely, 70.8% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 69.2% across Greater Brisbane.
Health profiles for working-age residents are typical. Residents aged 65 and over make up 13.2% of the population (797 people), which is lower than the Greater Brisbane average of 15.1%. Senior health outcomes present some challenges, ranking lower nationally than the rest of the local community.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Karalee is largely Australian-born, at 83.3% of residents, with 4.9% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (31.0%) and Australian (28.0%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
The suburb of Karalee exhibits lower cultural diversity compared to regional standards, with 83.3% of residents born in Australia, 91.8% holding citizenship, and 95.1% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 53.0% of the population, compared to 47.8% throughout Greater Brisbane. Regarding parental ancestry, the three largest groups in the suburb of Karalee are English (31.0%), Australian (28.0%), and Irish (8.3%). Certain European and other backgrounds show higher concentrations locally than regionally: German ancestry accounts for 6.5% of the population (compared to 4.2% regionally), South Australian represents 0.8% (compared to 0.6%), and Welsh stands at 0.7% (compared to 0.5%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Karalee is 37. 22.1% 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
The median age in the suburb of Karalee is 37 years, which is close to the Greater Brisbane average of 36 and the national median of 38. Compared to Greater Brisbane, the suburb of Karalee has a larger proportion of children aged 5 - 14 (16.9%) but a smaller share of young adults aged 25 - 34 (8.9%). Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 increased from 2.8% to 4.0%, while the 25 to 34 cohort decreased from 10.8% to 8.9%. Projections suggest the age structure will change by 2041, with the 45 to 54 cohort expanding by 24% (adding 211 people to reach 1,082), whereas the 25 to 34 and 0 to 4 brackets are expected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Karalee
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 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) | May 2026 3 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 1 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 5 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) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 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 — 24 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (5,521 at the 2021 Census → 6,042 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 May 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 (SAL31485). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.