Labrador

Population growth drivers in Labrador are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validation, the estimated population of Labrador is around 19,853 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 1,210 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 18,643. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 19,529 residents following examination of ABS ERP data release in June 2024 and an additional 342 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 3,970 persons per square kilometer, placing Labrador in the top 10% nationally according to AreaSearch. Labrador's 6.5% growth since census is within 2.6 percentage points of Rest of Qld (9.1%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration was primarily responsible for 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 by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections from 2023 based on 2021 data are used. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 and based on 2022 data for each age cohort. Future population trends forecast a significant increase in the top quartile of non-metropolitan areas nationally, with Labrador expected to grow by 7,262 persons to 2041, reflecting an overall increase of 35.0% over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Labrador when compared nationally

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data, Labrador has experienced around 91 dwellings receiving development approval annually over the past five financial years from FY21 to FY25. This totals an estimated 459 homes. So far in FY26, 12 approvals have been recorded. Over these five years, an average of 0.8 people moved to the area for each dwelling built.

New construction has matched or outpaced demand, offering buyers more options and enabling population growth. The average value of new dwellings developed is $478,000, somewhat higher than regional norms, reflecting quality-focused development. In FY26, $3.4 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, suggesting the area's residential character. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Labrador has slightly more development, with 20.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period.

This balances buyer choice with support for current property values, although building activity has slowed in recent years. New building activity shows 19.0% standalone homes and 81.0% townhouses or apartments, indicating a trend towards denser development that provides accessible entry options for downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers. Labrador shows characteristics of a low-density area with around 270 people per dwelling approval. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Labrador is expected to grow by 6,938 residents through 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.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 20 projects that could affect this region. Notable ones include Benowa Gardens Shopping Centre Redevelopment, Labrador - Brisbane Road & Marine Parade Stormwater Upgrade, Labrador - Carrara Road, Gold Coast Highway to Napper Road Cycleway, and Freedom Vantage Labrador. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

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

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The labour market performance in Labrador lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Labrador has a skilled workforce with well-represented essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 6.8% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 2.4%. As of September 2025, 9,806 residents are employed, and the unemployment rate is 2.7% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%.

Workforce participation in Labrador is lower at 60.5%, compared to Rest of Qld's 65.7%. According to Census responses, only 12.1% of residents work from home. Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade. Notably, accommodation & food employs 1.3 times the regional average.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing employs just 0.4% of local workers, below Rest of Qld's 4.5%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment increased by 2.4%, labour force grew by 2.2%, and unemployment fell by 0.2 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment rise by 1.7%, labour force grow by 2.1%, and unemployment rise by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% expansion over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Labrador's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, based on 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 Labrador's median income among taxpayers is $45,000. The average income in the suburb was $56,842 during this period. Nationally, incomes were higher with a median of $57,091 and an average of $72,816. In Rest of Qld, the median income was $53,146 and the average was $66,593. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Labrador's median income would be approximately $49,460 and the average around $62,475 by September 2025. According to Census 2021 data, incomes in Labrador fall between the 12th and 20th percentiles nationally. The $800 - 1,499 income bracket dominated with 28.6% of residents (5,677 people), unlike surrounding regions where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket was dominant at 31.7%. Housing affordability pressures were severe in Labrador, with only 76.7% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 8th percentile nationally.

Labrador displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Labrador, as per the latest Census, 19.1% were houses and 80.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other'). Non-Metro Qld had 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Labrador was 25.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 27.1% and rented at 47.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,517, lower than Non-Metro Qld's $1,655. Median weekly rent was $380, higher than Non-Metro Qld's $345. Nationally, Labrador's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,517 compared to Australia's average of $1,863, while rents were higher at $380 versus the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 55.5% of all households, including 15.6% couples with children, 24.8% couples without children, and 13.6% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 44.5%, with lone person households at 38.1% and group households comprising 6.3% of the total. The median household size is 2.0 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

Educational attainment in Labrador aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

Educational qualifications in Labrador Trail region show that 22.5% of residents aged 15 and above hold university degrees, compared to Australia's 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 15.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.1%) and graduate diplomas (1.9%). Vocational credentials are held by 40.0% of residents aged 15 and above, including advanced diplomas (12.6%) and certificates (27.4%). Educational participation is high with 26.2% currently enrolled in formal education, including primary (7.1%), tertiary (6.1%), and secondary (6.0%) levels.

Educational participation is notably high, with 26.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 7.1% in primary education, 6.1% in tertiary education, and 6.0% pursuing secondary education.

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

Labrador has 72 operational public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by six different routes, collectively facilitating 1,437 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport in Labrador is rated as excellent, with residents typically residing 144 meters away from the nearest stop. Primarily residential, most Labrador residents commute outward, with car being the dominant mode of transportation at 86%. On average, there are 0.9 vehicles per dwelling, which is below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, only 12.1% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

The service frequency averages 205 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 19 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Labrador is lower than average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Labrador faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are notable across both younger and older age cohorts. Approximately 50% (~9,872 people) of Labrador's total population has private health cover, compared to 52.5% in the rest of Queensland and a national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues impact 10.2% of residents, while arthritis affects 9.9%. About 63.2% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.6% in the rest of Queensland. The working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. Labrador has 22.8% (4,526 people) of its residents aged 65 and over, higher than the 20.4% in the rest of Queensland. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

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

Labrador has a higher level of cultural diversity than most local markets, with 19.1% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 36.2% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Labrador, making up 46.0% of the population. Notably, Judaism comprises 0.3% of Labrador's population, which is higher than the Rest of Qld average of 0.1%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups are English (28.9%), Australian (20.4%), and Other (11.8%). Some ethnic groups have notable differences in representation: New Zealanders make up 1.5% of Labrador's population compared to the regional average of 0.9%, Maori comprise 1.9% versus 0.8% regionally, and Hungarians represent 0.4% versus 0.2%.

Labrador hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Labrador's median age is 44 years, which is marginally above the Rest of Qld average of 41 years and considerably older than Australia's median age of 38 years. The age profile shows that individuals aged 25 to 34 are particularly prominent, making up 17.1% of Labrador's population, while those aged 5 to 14 comprise a smaller proportion at 6.1%, compared to the Rest of Qld. Between 2021 and present, the percentage of individuals aged 25 to 34 has grown from 14.3% to 17.1%. Conversely, the percentage of those aged 5 to 14 has declined from 8.3% to 6.1%, and the percentage of those aged 45 to 54 has dropped from 13.4% to 11.8%. Population forecasts for Labrador indicate substantial demographic changes by 2041. The 25 to 34 age cohort is projected to grow by 52%, adding 1,761 residents to reach a total of 5,156. Meanwhile, the 15 to 24 age cohort is expected to grow by a modest 8%, with an increase of 178 individuals.