Kirkwood

Kirkwood lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validations, the suburb of Kirkwood's estimated population is around 2,637 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 124 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,513. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of 2,624 residents following examination of ABS's latest ERP data release in June 2024 and one additional validated new address since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 311 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Kirkwood has shown resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%, outpacing its SA4 region. Population growth was primarily driven by natural growth contributing approximately 41.0% during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 using 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted. These state projections do not provide age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 using 2022 data are applied where utilised. Looking ahead, demographic trends project above median population growth for national regional areas. The suburb is expected to expand by 629 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 25.8% in total over the 17 years.

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

Kirkwood has had minimal residential development activity with 1 dwelling approval annually over the past five years, totalling 5. These low development levels reflect the rural nature of the area, where development is typically driven by specific local housing needs rather than broad market demand. Given the small number of approvals, individual development projects can significantly impact annual growth and relativity statistics.

Kirkwood has much lower development activity compared to the Rest of Qld, with this activity level also below national patterns. All new construction in the area since 2016 has been detached dwellings, maintaining its rural nature with emphasis on space. As of March 2023, the estimated population per dwelling approval is 1336 people. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Kirkwood's population is forecasted to grow by 681 residents by 2041.

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

Kirkwood has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. One major project has been identified by AreaSearch as potentially affecting this region. Key projects include Clinton Industrial Estate, Calliope Residential Growth Area, Gladstone Project, and Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal (WICET). The following details those likely most relevant.

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

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The labour market in Kirkwood demonstrates typical performance when compared to similar areas across Australia

Kirkwood has a skilled workforce with strong representation in manufacturing and industrial sectors. The unemployment rate was 3.9% as of September 2025. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 1.0%.

This is based on AreaSearch aggregation of statistical area data. As of September 2025, 1,520 residents were employed with an unemployment rate of 0.2% below Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation in Kirkwood was 83.5%, compared to Rest of Qld's 65.7%. According to Census responses, 4.9% of residents worked from home.

Dominant employment sectors include manufacturing, retail trade, and construction. Manufacturing is particularly specialized with an employment share 2.6 times the regional level. Health care & social assistance, however, was under-represented at 10.4% compared to Rest of Qld's 16.1%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 1.0% while labour force increased by 1.5%, raising the unemployment rate by 0.5 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest Kirkwood's employment should increase by 5.4% over five years and 11.9% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to Kirkwood's employment mix.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

The suburb of Kirkwood had an extremely high national income level according to AreaSearch data aggregated from the latest ATO figures for financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers in Kirkwood was $73,965 and the average income stood at $91,431, compared to Rest of Qld's $53,146 and $66,593 respectively. By September 2025, estimates based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% would be approximately $81,295 for median income and $100,492 for average income in Kirkwood. Census data shows that household, family, and personal incomes all rank highly nationally, between the 77th and 83rd percentiles. The largest segment of earners comprises 40.6% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (1,070 residents), similar to the metropolitan region where 31.7% fall into this bracket. Economic strength is evident with 31.8% of households achieving high weekly earnings exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. Housing accounts for 14.9% of income, and strong earnings place residents within the 84th percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

Kirkwood's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 97.5% houses and 2.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kirkwood stood at 8.9%, with the rest being mortgaged (43.4%) or rented (47.7%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,777, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent figure in Kirkwood was $350, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $345. Nationally, Kirkwood's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 84.5% of all households, including 46.5% couples with children, 23.9% couples without children, and 13.9% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 15.5%, with lone person households at 12.5% and group households comprising 3.2%. The median household size is 3.1 people, larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

Kirkwood shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

The area's university qualification rate is 18.4%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.4%) and graduate diplomas (2.3%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 42.9% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (8.7%) and certificates (34.2%). Educational participation is high, with 36.2% currently enrolled in formal education: 15.0% in primary, 11.0% in secondary, and 3.9% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 36.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 15.0% in primary education, 11.0% in secondary education, and 3.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Kirkwood has two operational public transport stops, both serving buses. These stops are covered by two separate routes, offering a combined 150 weekly passenger trips. Transport access is rated as moderate, with residents typically located 493 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to Kirkwood's residential nature. Cars remain the dominant transport mode at 96%. On average, each dwelling owns 1.7 vehicles, exceeding the regional average.

Only 4.9% of residents work from home (2021 Census). Service frequency averages 21 trips per day across all routes, resulting in approximately 75 weekly trips per individual stop.

Kirkwood's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Health data for Kirkwood shows positive outcomes, aligning with national benchmarks. Common health conditions are standard across age groups. Private health cover is high at 63%, compared to 52.5% in Rest of Qld and 55.7% nationally.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most common conditions, affecting 9.1% and 7.7% respectively. 76.5% of residents report no medical ailments, higher than Rest of Qld's 67.6%. Under-65s have better-than-average health outcomes. Kirkwood has 4.6% of residents aged 65 and over (121 people), lower than Rest of Qld's 20.4%. Senior health outcomes rank higher than the general population nationally.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Kirkwood was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Kirkwood's cultural diversity was found to be above average, with 22.1% of its population born overseas and 14.4% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the main religion in Kirkwood, comprising 42.0% of people. Hinduism was notably overrepresented, making up 3.4% compared to 0.8% across Rest of Qld.

In terms of ancestry, Australian comprised 29.5%, English 25.0%, and Other 7.2%. South African was overrepresented at 2.2% (vs regional 0.5%), Maori at 1.7% (vs 0.8%), and Filipino at 3.4% (vs 0.9%).

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

Kirkwood's median age is 28 years, which is notably younger than Queensland's average of 41 and lower than the national average of 38. Kirkwood has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (20.3%) compared to the rest of Queensland, but fewer residents aged 65-74 (3.5%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is significantly higher than the national average of 14.4%. Post-2021 Census data indicates that the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 13.0% to 15.1%, while the 5 to 14 cohort has decreased from 20.0% to 18.1%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Kirkwood's age profile. The 25 to 34 age group is expected to grow by 46%, adding 243 residents to reach a total of 779. Conversely, the 85+ age group is projected to remain static with no growth by 2041.