Kelvin Grove

Population growth drivers in Kelvin Grove are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

As of Feb 2026, the estimated population of Kelvin Grove is around 9,518, reflecting a significant increase since the 2021 Census. This growth of 1,609 people (20.3%) was inferred from AreaSearch's examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 16 validated new addresses since the Census date. The current population density is approximately 5,632 persons per square kilometer, placing Kelvin Grove within the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. This high population density indicates a highly sought-after area. Comparing growth rates, Kelvin Grove's increase of 20.3% since the 2021 Census exceeds both the national average (9.9%) and state averages, marking it as a significant growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 94.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving this growth.

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 are used, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort. Looking ahead, Kelvin Grove is projected to experience above median population growth, with an expected expansion of 2,501 persons by 2041, reflecting a total increase of 25.7% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Kelvin Grove recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, indicates Kelvin Grove has experienced approximately 10 dwellings receiving development approval annually. Over the past five financial years, between FY-21 and FY-25, around 54 homes were approved, with an additional 18 approved so far in FY-26. This results in an average of about 15.1 people moving to the area per year for each dwelling built during this period.

Supply is substantially lagging demand, leading to heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost value of $655,000, indicating a developer focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. Commercial approvals registered this financial year totalled $7.8 million, suggesting limited commercial development focus. New development consists of 14.0% detached houses and 86.0% attached dwellings, representing a shift from the area's existing housing composition of 31.0% houses.

This denser development provides accessible entry options appealing to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers. With around 486 people per dwelling approval, Kelvin Grove exhibits characteristics of a developed market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the area is expected to grow by approximately 2,445 residents through to 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified twenty projects likely to impact the region. Notable initiatives include Herston Quarter Redevelopment, Brisbane 2032 Games Venue Infrastructure Program, New Brisbane Stadium (Victoria Park Olympic Stadium), and Brisbane Stadium (Victoria Park). The following list details 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.

Employment conditions in Kelvin Grove remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Kelvin Grove has an educated workforce with professional services well represented. The unemployment rate was 4.6% in the past year, with estimated employment growth of 1.8%. As of September 2025, 5,974 residents were employed, and the unemployment rate was 0.6% higher than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.0%.

Workforce participation stood at 74.8%, slightly above Greater Brisbane's 70.7%. According to Census data, 24.0% of residents worked from home, with Covid-19 lockdown impacts considered. Major employment industries include health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and education & training. The area has a notable concentration in accommodation & food services, with employment levels at 1.8 times the regional average.

Conversely, construction employs only 4.2% of local workers, below Greater Brisbane's 9.0%. With 1.2 workers per resident as at the Census, Kelvin Grove functions as an employment hub hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 1.8% and labour force grew by 1.3%, leading to a unemployment rate decrease of 0.5 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Brisbane recorded employment growth of 3.8%, labour force growth of 3.3%, and a similar unemployment reduction of 0.5 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying growth rates across industry sectors. Applying these projections to Kelvin Grove's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 7.2% over five years and 14.5% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and not accounting for localized population projections.

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

The suburb of Kelvin Grove had a median taxpayer income of $54,203 and an average of $78,814 in the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This is higher than the national averages, with Greater Brisbane's median income being $58,236 and average income being $72,799. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $59,575 (median) and $86,624 (average). According to the 2021 Census, Kelvin Grove's household, family, and personal incomes ranked modestly, between the 40th and 45th percentiles. The income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 dominated with 30.9% of residents (2,941 people), similar to regional levels where 33.3% occupied this bracket. Housing affordability pressures were severe in Kelvin Grove, with only 78.5% of income remaining, ranking at the 39th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 7th decile.

Kelvin Grove features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Kelvin Grove's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 31.4% houses and 68.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Brisbane metro had 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kelvin Grove was at 13.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 20.9% and rented ones at 65.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, higher than Brisbane metro's average of $1,863. Median weekly rent in Kelvin Grove was $400, compared to Brisbane metro's $380. Nationally, Kelvin Grove's mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were above the national figure of $375.

Kelvin Grove features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 53.1% of all households, including 20.3% couples with children, 21.6% couples without children, and 9.0% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 46.9%, with lone person households at 31.8% and group households comprising 15.1%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

Educational achievement in Kelvin Grove places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

Kelvin Grove's educational attainment is notably higher than broader averages. Among residents aged 15 and above, 51.7% hold university qualifications, surpassing Queensland's (25.7%) and Australia's (30.4%) percentages. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 31.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (16.0%) and graduate diplomas (4.0%). Vocational pathways account for 20.1% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 9.3% and certificates at 10.8%.

Educational participation is high, with 45.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 26.1% in tertiary education, 7.0% in secondary education, and 6.0% pursuing primary education.

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

Kelvin Grove has 28 active public transport stops serving a mix of bus routes. These stops are covered by 29 individual routes, offering 4,762 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 142 meters from the nearest stop. The area is primarily residential, with most commuters traveling outward. Cars remain the dominant mode of transport at 56%, followed by buses at 21% and walking at 11%. Vehicle ownership averages 0.7 per dwelling, below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 24.0% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency across all routes averages 680 trips per day, equating to approximately 170 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Kelvin Grove is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Kelvin Grove has demonstrated better-than-average health outcomes according to AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The prevalence of common health conditions is relatively low across both younger and older age groups.

Approximately 58% of Kelvin Grove's total population (5,561 people) have private health cover, compared to 55.8% in Greater Brisbane. Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent medical conditions in the area, affecting 10.7% and 6.4% of residents respectively. About 77.4% of Kelvin Grove residents report being completely free from medical ailments, compared to 69.2% in Greater Brisbane. Working-age residents have low chronic condition prevalence. The area has 6.4% of residents aged 65 and over (609 people), which is lower than the 15.2% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, aligning with national rankings for the general population.

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

Kelvin Grove has a high level of cultural diversity, with 33.8% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 42.8% born overseas. Christianity is the main religion in Kelvin Grove, comprising 30.3% of people. Buddhism is overrepresented compared to Greater Brisbane, with 4.4% of Kelvin Grove's population identifying as Buddhist, compared to the regional average of 2.0%.

The top three ancestry groups in Kelvin Grove are English at 21.3%, Australian at 18.5%, and Other at 14.0%. Notably, French (0.8%), Korean (1.0%), and Spanish (0.7%) ethnicities are overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0.5%, 0.5%, and 0.4% respectively.

Kelvin Grove hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Kelvin Grove is 27 years, which is notably lower than Greater Brisbane's average of 36 and considerably younger than Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Brisbane, the 15-24 cohort is notably over-represented at 29.4% locally, while those aged 65-74 are under-represented at 3.2%. This concentration of young people is well above the national average of 12.5%. According to post-2021 Census data, the percentage of residents aged 15-24 has grown from 27.2% to 29.4%, while those aged 25-34 increased from 22.7% to 24.1%. Conversely, the percentage of residents aged 45-54 has declined from 10.4% to 9.2%, and those aged 5-14 have dropped from 9.6% to 8.4%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections show significant shifts in Kelvin Grove's age structure, with the strongest projected growth in the 15-24 cohort at 18%, adding 493 residents to reach a total of 3,292.