Kirkwood

Kirkwood lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

As per AreaSearch's analysis of ABS population updates and new addresses validated for the suburb of Kirkwood, the estimated population as of May 2026 is around 2,634. This figure reflects an increase of 121 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,513. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 2,626 residents following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and an additional validated new address since the Census date. This results in a population 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 2.7%, surpassing the SA3 area's growth rate. Natural growth contributed approximately 41.0% to overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including interstate migration and overseas migration 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 used, applying proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort. Moving forward, a significant population increase in the top quartile of regional areas is forecast nationally, with Kirkwood expected to increase by 565 persons to reach 3,200 by 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 21.1% over the 16-year period.

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

Kirkwood has seen minimal construction activity with one new dwelling approved annually on average over the five-year period from 2016 to 2020, totaling five dwellings. This low level of development reflects the rural nature of the area, where housing needs are typically specific and local rather than driven by broad market demand. It is important to note that due to the small sample size, individual development projects can significantly influence annual growth and relativity statistics.

Kirkwood's construction activity is significantly less compared to the Rest of Qld and also below national averages. Recent developments in Kirkwood have been entirely standalone homes, with a focus on family homes suited for those seeking rural lifestyle and space. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 1312 people as of 2020. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Kirkwood's population is forecasted to increase by 557 residents from 2020 to 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 influence an area's performance. One major project has been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area: Clinton Industrial Estate, Calliope Residential Growth Area, Gladstone Project, and Santos GLNG Project are key initiatives, with specific details provided below.

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

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The labour market in Kirkwood shows considerable strength compared to most other Australian regions

Kirkwood has a skilled workforce with manufacturing and industrial sectors prominently represented. Its unemployment rate is 2.6%, as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of December 2025, 1,426 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 1.4% lower than Regional Qld's rate of 4.0%.

Workforce participation in Kirkwood stands at 78.1%, surpassing Regional Qld's 64.5%. According to Census responses, only 4.9% of residents work from home. Employment is concentrated in manufacturing, retail trade, and construction, with a strong specialization in manufacturing (2.6 times the regional level). Conversely, health care & social assistance is under-represented at 10.4%, compared to Regional Qld's 16.1%.

Many Kirkwood residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Over the year ending December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 4.4% and employment fell by 3.5%, leading to a 1.0 percentage point drop in unemployment rate. Meanwhile, Regional Qld saw employment growth of 0.7% and labour force growth of 1.0%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment expansion by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Kirkwood's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.4% over five years and 11.9% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that median income in Kirkwood is $73,965. Average income stands at $91,431. This contrasts with Regional Qld's median income of $53,146 and average income of $66,593. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Kirkwood are approximately $82,367 (median) and $101,818 (average) as of March 2026. Census data from 2021 ranks household, family and personal incomes in Kirkwood between the 77th and 83rd percentiles nationally. The largest income segment comprises 40.6% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (1,069 residents). This aligns with the broader area where this cohort represents 31.7%. Kirkwood demonstrates affluence with 31.8% earning over $3,000 per week. Housing accounts for 14.9% of income. Residents rank 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

In Kirkwood, according to the latest Census evaluation, 97.5% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 2.5% consisting of other dwelling types such as semi-detached homes and apartments. This distribution contrasts with Queensland's regional average of 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kirkwood stood at 8.9%, with mortgaged properties making up 43.4% and rented dwellings accounting for 47.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,777, exceeding Regional Queensland's average of $1,655. Meanwhile, the median weekly rent in Kirkwood was $350, compared to Regional Queensland's figure of $345. Nationally, Kirkwood's median monthly mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and its median weekly 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 comprise the remaining 15.5%, with lone person households at 12.5% and group households at 3.2%. The median household size is 3.1 people, which is larger than the Regional Queensland 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 the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 13.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 2.4% and graduate diplomas at 2.3%. Vocational credentials are held by 42.9% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 8.7% and certificates at 34.2%. Educational participation is 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

Public transport analysis shows two active transport stops operating within Kirkwood. These stops are served by two individual bus routes, collectively providing 150 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as moderate, with residents typically located 493 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to Kirkwood's primarily residential nature. Car remains the dominant transport mode at 96%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.7 per dwelling, exceeding the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, a relatively low 4.9% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. 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 prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data shows Kirkwood residents have positive health outcomes. Mortality rates and health conditions align with national benchmarks. Common health conditions are low across all age groups.

Private health cover is high at 63% (1,670 people), compared to Regional Qld's 52.5% and the national average of 55.7%. Mental health issues and asthma are most common, affecting 9.1% and 7.7% respectively. 76.5% report no medical ailments, higher than Regional Qld's 67.6%. Under-65 residents have better health outcomes. Only 4.9% are aged 65 and over (129 people), lower than Regional Qld's 20.4%. Seniors' health outcomes rank high 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 population shows above-average cultural diversity, with 22.1% born overseas and 14.4% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Kirkwood, accounting for 42.0% of its population. While Hinduism comprises only 3.4%, this is notably higher than the regional average of 0.8%.

The top three ancestry groups are Australian (29.5%), English (25.0%), and Other (7.2%). Some ethnic groups have notable representation in Kirkwood: South Australian at 2.2% compared to the regional average of 0.5%, Maori at 1.7% versus 0.8%, and Filipino at 3.4% against the regional figure of 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 Regional Queensland's average of 41 years and the national average of 38 years. Compared to Regional Queensland, Kirkwood has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (19.0%) but fewer residents aged 65-74 (3.7%). According to post-2021 Census data, the age group 15-24 has increased from 13.0% to 14.6%, while the age group 5-14 has decreased from 20.0% to 18.2%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Kirkwood's age profile. The 25-34 age group is projected to grow by 41%, adding 207 residents to reach a total of 708. Conversely, the 85+ age group shows no projected growth, with an increase of 0 residents.