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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Laidley has an estimated 4,280 residents, up from 3,809 at the 2021 Census — a change of 471 people, or 12.4%. Growth has averaged 1.4% a year over five years, faster than 79% of areas nationally. Interstate and internal migration accounts for 66.0% of that increase. That puts 245 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to ABS population releases for the wider region and address information confirmed by AreaSearch post-Census, the suburb of Laidley has an estimated residency of 4,280 in May 2026. This indicates an expansion of 471 individuals (12.4%) relative to the 2021 Census, which counted 3,809 residents. The figure is calculated from a resident base of 4,178 estimated by AreaSearch using the ABS ERP release from June 2025, combined with 47 verified new addresses since the Census. This population density translates to 244 persons per square kilometer, indicating low density and potential for expansion.
The suburb of Laidley recorded a 12.4% rate of growth since the 2021 census, outpacing the national average (9.3%) and state trends to lead local growth. Movement from other states was the primary engine of growth, representing roughly 66.0% of the total demographic gains, though overseas arrivals and natural increase also contributed positively. Projections from ABS and Geoscience Australia published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline are utilized for SA2 zones. For unrepresented areas and periods after 2032, forecasts from the Queensland State Government published in 2023 utilizing 2021 data are used. Because state projections lack age-specific breakdowns, AreaSearch scales age groups proportionally based on 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections with a 2022 base year. Looking ahead, top-tier statistical areas nationwide are expected to see substantial demographic increases, with aggregated SA2 projections indicating the suburb of Laidley will gain 1,385 residents by 2041, representing a 30.0% rise over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
74 new dwellings have been approved in Laidley over the past five years, an average of 14 a year. That places the area in the 51st percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 3 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 20, running ahead of that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Analysis of ABS building approvals mapped to local areas indicates that Laidley averages approximately 14 approved homes annually, with 74 residential approvals over the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, and 19 registrations during FY-26 so far. Because an average of 3.8 new residents have arrived per built home over the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, demand outstrips supply, which tends to escalate prices and buyer competition. Newly constructed homes average $431,000 in value, pointing to a developer focus on high-end properties. Non-residential approvals totaled $5.1 million during this financial year, confirming the district is mostly residential.
Laidley exhibits a low volume of building activity when contrasted with Greater Brisbane, tracking 57.0% lower than the regional per capita average. This limited rate of supply typically bolsters values and demand for existing housing. Recent completions consist of 92.0% single-family houses and 8.0% multi-unit dwellings, reinforcing the traditional low-density profile suited for families. The ratio of 394 people for every building approval highlights a quiet development sector. Long-term forecasts indicate that Laidley will add 1,283 residents by 2041 based on the most recent quarterly estimate from AreaSearch. Should construction rates remain unchanged, housing availability may fall short of demographic growth, which could intensify competition among buyers and support upward price pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Laidley
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 4 current infrastructure and development projects close to Laidley, worth an estimated $40 million. 2 are already under construction and 2 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, business parks & technology hubs and communities. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure projects and planning decisions play a key role in regional performance. AreaSearch has identified no projects expected to influence the local area. Relevant regional programs include the Inland Rail - Queensland Sections, the Warrego Highway Upgrade Program, Water for Lockyer, and the Inland Rail - Gowrie to Kagaru (G2K) section.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Plainland Crossing
A master-planned residential and commercial community in Plainland, midway between Ipswich and Toowoomba on the Warrego Highway. The development delivers approximately 400 residential lots across multiple stages alongside an 11-hectare retail and commercial precinct now fully sold and occupied by national retailers including Bunnings, Aldi, and Woolworths. Commenced in 2015, the estate offers a range of lot sizes with underground power, NBN, and sewer connections, and includes multiple landscaped parks.
Plainland Crossing - Endeavour Way Industrial Development
Industrial and bulky goods precinct within the Plainland Crossing town centre. The final release of commercial lots is actively being developed and marketed for showrooms, bulky goods, and warehousing. Fully serviced commercial lots with direct access to Warrego Highway via Gehrke Road. National retailers including Bunnings and Aldi are already established nearby.
The Range View Estate
Acreage development offering vast plots of land for rural lifestyle. Focus on sustainable living, green spaces, and thoughtful infrastructure.
Ebenezer Regional Industrial Area
A future major industrial and employment hub for South East Queensland. The project includes the delivery of catalytic trunk infrastructure and a proposed Ebenezer Intermodal Terminal to support the Inland Rail project.
1,609 residents of Laidley are employed, from a labour force of 1,752. Unemployment sits at 8.2%, with participation at 49.9%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.8% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth, so in an area growing as fast as this one it understates the likely rise in local jobs. The working-day population is estimated at 3,479, about 81% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Laidley has a mixed occupational profile of blue-collar and white-collar workers with strong representation in key service sectors, showing an unemployment rate of 8.2% and estimated employment expansion of 11.1% over the prior year. In March 2026, 1,609 local residents were employed. The local unemployment rate sits 3.8% higher than the Greater Brisbane average of 4.3%, while workforce participation is low at 49.9% compared to 70.4% in Greater Brisbane. Based on Census data, a modest 7.7% of the workforce operated from home, though this period was influenced by pandemic lockdowns.
The primary employment sectors for local workers are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training. The agricultural, forestry & fishing sector shows a high concentration, employing residents at 7.1 times the regional average rate. By contrast, professional & technical roles are underrepresented at 4.3% compared to the regional average of 8.9%. A comparison of the Census working population against the resident population suggests that local employment opportunities are limited. Based on SALM and ABS statistics aggregated across broader zones, employment rose by 11.1% and the labor force grew by 8.7% during the 12 months ending March 2026, leading to a 1.9 percentage point drop in the unemployment rate. This compares favorably to Greater Brisbane, which saw a 3.2% rise in employment, a 3.4% expansion in the labor force, and a 0.1 percentage point increase in unemployment. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia dated May-25 offer additional context on future demand. These five and ten-year projections are mapped against local profiles to model growth. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with performance varying by sector. Applying these trends to the local workforce mix suggests employment in Laidley will grow by 5.8% over five years and 12.5% over ten years, assuming a basic weighted extrapolation that does not account for local population changes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Laidley is $939 a week (about $49,000 a year), with median personal income at $495 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $38,214 a year against an average of $43,603. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Taxpayer statistics from the ATO released for financial year 2023 show a median income of $38,214 and an average of $43,603 in the suburb of Laidley. These figures trail national benchmarks and compare to a median of $58,236 and average of $72,799 in Greater Brisbane. Adjusting for WPI growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023 yields estimated values of approximately $42,555 for the median and $48,556 for the average as of March 2026. According to the Census, household, family, and personal incomes place the area between the 1st and 3rd percentiles nationally.
The largest income cohort, representing 32.6% of taxpayers (1,395 residents), earns between $400 - 799 weekly, whereas the dominant regional group of 33.3% earns in the $1,500 - 2,999 range. Lower-income earners are common, with 41.6% of households bringing in under $800 weekly, highlighting financial pressure. Mortgage and rent costs leave residents with just 80.7% of their income, which ranks in the 3rd percentile for affordability.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Laidley had 1,508 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 91% detached houses and 0% apartments. 25% are owned with a mortgage, 38% rented and 37% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $300 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,155 a month. Rent absorbs 31.9% of household income here and mortgage repayments 28.4%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the last Census, the housing mix in Laidley consisted of 90.9% detached houses and 9.1% alternative dwellings like townhouses and apartments, compared to 73.5% houses and 26.5% other options across the Brisbane metro area. Home ownership was high at 36.7% compared to the metropolitan average, with the remaining tenure divided between homes with a mortgage (25.3%) and rented properties (38.0%). The median mortgage cost was low at $1,155 monthly, and the median rent was $300 weekly, compared to metro averages of $1,863 and $380 respectively. Nationally, mortgage costs in Laidley sit below the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are lower than the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Laidley counted 1,508 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 1,694 today, averaging 2.3 people each. 18% are couples with children, fewer than in 92% of areas nationally, against 27% couples without children. 34% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.1 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up 62.9% of local households, consisting of 17.5% couples with children, 26.8% couples without children, and 16.6% single parents. Non-family households represent 37.1% of the total, with single-person households at 33.5% and group share houses at 3.8%. The median household size is 2.3 individuals, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
9.8% of adults in Laidley hold a university qualification, including 6.8% with a bachelor degree and 1.8% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 89% of areas nationally. A further 30.0% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 1,344 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 946 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational attainment levels show that 9.8% of residents hold university qualifications, which is below the Greater Brisbane average of 30.5%. Bachelor degrees are held by 6.8% of the population, followed by postgraduate degrees at 1.8% and graduate diplomas at 1.2%. Vocational qualifications are prominent, with 39.9% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas at 9.9% and certificates at 30.0%. A significant portion of the population is engaged in study, with 26.1% of residents enrolled in education. This includes 10.5% in primary school, 8.2% in secondary school, and 2.6% in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Laidley means driving: households keep an average of 1.3 vehicles, and scheduled services reach only a handful of stops. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
There are 8 active public transport stops in Laidley, serviced by 1 bus routes that provide 72 weekly passenger trips. The average distance to a stop is 754 meters, representing limited accessibility. Most employed residents commute outside the area, with private cars being the main transport mode at 93%. Households own an average of 1.3 vehicles. A modest 7.7% of residents worked from home during the 2021 Census, which was likely affected by pandemic conditions. Bus services run at an average frequency of 10 trips per day across all routes, which averages out to about 9 weekly trips for each stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
51.5% of residents in Laidley report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 96% of areas nationally. 13.9% need daily assistance with core activities, and 44.5% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 8.0 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Public health data reveals challenges in Laidley based on mortality and chronic illness rates across multiple age cohorts, alongside a low rate of private health insurance coverage at 44% of the population (~1,903 people). This compares to 55.8% in Greater Brisbane and a national average of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent issues, each affecting 13.2% of residents. Meanwhile, 51.5% of the population reported no chronic conditions, compared to 69.2% in Greater Brisbane. The working-age cohort shows high rates of chronic illness, and 29.8% of residents are aged 65 and over (1,275 people), exceeding the Greater Brisbane level of 15.1%.
Health indicators for senior residents generally align with national averages.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Laidley is largely Australian-born, at 87.1% of residents, with 3.9% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (30.8%) and English (30.1%). 4.7% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Laidley has lower cultural diversity than average, with citizens making up 89.8% of the population, 87.1% born in Australia, and 96.1% speaking only English at home. The predominant religion is Christianity at 54.4%, compared to 47.8% across Greater Brisbane. Looking at parental birthplaces, the largest ancestries are Australian at 30.8% (above the regional average of 23.2%), English at 30.1%, and Irish at 8.2%. Other represented backgrounds include German at 7.8% (compared to 4.2% regionally), New Zealand at 1.0% (compared to 1.0%), and Russian at 0.4% (compared to 0.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Laidley is 48, older than 88% of areas nationally. 20.3% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The median age of 48 years in Laidley is higher than the Greater Brisbane average of 36 and the national average of 38. The 65 - 74 age group is well represented at 14.2% of the population, while the 25 - 34 cohort is lower at 9.5%. Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 cohort grew from 10.0% to 11.0%, while the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 11.5% to 10.6%. Projections to 2041 suggest significant aging, with the 85+ cohort growing by 157% to add 308 residents and reach 505.
Seniors aged 65+ will account for 64% of all population growth, while the number of children aged 0 to 4 is expected to decrease by 6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Laidley
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 47 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (3,809 at the 2021 Census → 4,280 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL31606). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.