Kooralbyn

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

Kooralbyn's population is estimated at around 1,875 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 178 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,697 people. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 1,827 residents following examination of ABS ERP data released in June 2025 and six validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 21 persons per square kilometer. Kooralbyn's growth rate of 10.5% since the 2021 census exceeded the national average of 9.3%. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration, contributing approximately 87.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. These state projections do not provide age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections are applied where utilised. Looking ahead, an above median population growth is projected for the suburb of Kooralbyn, with an expected increase of 345 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a total increase of 15.8% over the 16 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Kooralbyn when compared nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers indicates Kooralbyn averaged around 17 new dwelling approvals per year. Between FY-21 and FY-25, approximately 87 homes were approved, with an additional 10 approved in FY-26. This averages to about 1.6 new residents arriving per new home over the past five financial years.

The average construction value of new properties is $370,000. In FY-26, $3.6 million in commercial approvals have been registered. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Kooralbyn has around two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person.

Nationally, it places among the 91st percentile of areas assessed. New building activity is primarily detached dwellings at 90.0%, with townhouses or apartments making up the remaining 10.0%. This maintains Kooralbyn's traditional low density character, appealing to those seeking space and family homes. With around 71 people per dwelling approval, Kooralbyn shows characteristics of a growth area. Population forecasts indicate it will gain approximately 297 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Kooralbyn has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

No changes can impact an area's performance more than modifications to local infrastructure, significant projects, and planning initiatives. In total, zero projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to affect this area. Key projects include Bromelton State Development Area, Inland Rail - Kagaru to Acacia Ridge and Bromelton (K2ARB), South Queensland Correctional Facilities Expansion, and Inland Rail - Queensland Sections. The following list details those deemed most relevant.

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Employment conditions in Kooralbyn face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Kooralbyn has a balanced workforce comprising white and blue collar jobs, with manufacturing and industrial sectors prominent. The unemployment rate was 9.0% in December 2025, which is 4.9% higher than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation in Kooralbyn is significantly lower at 41.9%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 69.6%.

As of December 2025604 residents are employed. A moderate 16.1% of residents work from home. Leading employment industries include retail trade, construction, and education & training. Retail trade is particularly strong, with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level.

However, health care & social assistance is under-represented at 10.5%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 16.1%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the working population count versus resident population. Between December 2024 and December 2025, Kooralbyn's labour force decreased by 3.8% while employment declined by 0.5%, reducing unemployment by 3.0 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane experienced employment growth of 3.2%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment to expand by 6.6% over five years and 12.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Kooralbyn's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.8% over five years and 12.2% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows Kooralbyn's median income is $38,316 and average income is $45,964. This is below the national average. Greater Brisbane's median income is $58,236 and average income is $72,799. By March 2026, estimated incomes would be approximately $42,669 (median) and $51,186 (average), based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.36%. Census data reveals Kooralbyn's household, family, and personal incomes all fall between the 2nd and 2nd percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate that 31.9% of locals earn $400 - $799 weekly, differing from broader area patterns where $1,500 - $2,999 dominates with 33.3%. This suggests constrained household budgets across Kooralbyn, with 41.2% earning under $800 weekly. Housing affordability pressures are severe, as only 82.4% of income remains, ranking at the 3rd percentile nationally.

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

In Kooralbyn, as per the latest Census, 77.7% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 22.3% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This compares to Brisbane metropolitan area's figures of 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kooralbyn stood at 41.6%, with mortgaged properties at 38.5% and rented ones at 19.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, lower than Brisbane's average of $1,863. Median weekly rent in Kooralbyn was $250, compared to Brisbane's $380. Nationally, Kooralbyn's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Kooralbyn features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 66.6% of all households, including 18.1% couples with children, 39.1% couples without children, and 9.4% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 33.4%, with lone person households at 29.9% and group households comprising 2.9%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

Educational outcomes in Kooralbyn fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 12.7%, significantly lower than Greater Brisbane's average of 30.5%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 8.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.7%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 44.4% of residents aged 15 and above holding them, including advanced diplomas (11.8%) and certificates (32.6%). Education pursuit is active among 23.7% of the population, with primary education at 9.5%, secondary education at 7.7%, and tertiary education at 2.2%.

A substantial 23.7% of the population actively pursues formal education. This includes 9.5% in primary education, 7.7% in secondary education, and 2.2% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health performance in Kooralbyn is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Kooralbyn faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are substantial across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is extremely low at approximately 45% of the total population (~851 people), compared to 55.8% in Greater Brisbane and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common conditions are arthritis (13.0%) and mental health issues (12.7%). Only 52.8% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 69.2% in Greater Brisbane. Working-age population health challenges are notable with elevated chronic condition rates. Seniors aged 65 and over comprise 31.5% of the population (590 people), higher than Greater Brisbane's 15.1%. Health outcomes among seniors present additional challenges, ranking even higher than the general population nationally.

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

Kooralbyn, as per a study conducted in 2016-2021, showed lower cultural diversity with 76.7% of its population born in Australia, 87.0% being citizens, and 95.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, comprising 48.7% of Kooralbyn's population. Judaism, however, was overrepresented at 0.4%, compared to 0.1% in Greater Brisbane.

The top three ancestry groups were English (32.9%), Australian (26.8%), and Irish (9.3%). Notable divergences included Hungarian (0.5% vs regional 0.2%), French (0.8% vs 0.5%), and Welsh (0.7% vs 0.5%) groups.

Kooralbyn ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Kooralbyn's median age is 53, which is higher than Greater Brisbane's figure of 36 and significantly exceeds the national norm of 38. The 65-74 age group comprises 19.6% of Kooralbyn's population, compared to Greater Brisbane's figure, while the 25-34 cohort makes up only 4.6%. This concentration in the 65-74 age group is notably higher than the national average of 9.4%. Post-2021 Census data indicates that the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 8.2% to 10.1%, and the 15 to 24 cohort has increased from 8.0% to 9.4%. Conversely, the 25 to 34 cohort has decreased from 5.9% to 4.6%. By 2041, Kooralbyn's age composition is expected to shift significantly. The 75 to 84 group is projected to grow by 55%, reaching 293 people from 189. This growth will be led by the demographic shift of those aged 65 and above, who are expected to comprise 67% of Kooralbyn's projected population growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 0 to 4 and 25 to 34 age cohorts.