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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 4,293 residents, up from 3,809 at the 2021 Census — a change of 484 people, or 12.7%. Growth has averaged 1.5% a year over five years, faster than 79% of areas nationally. Interstate and internal migration accounts for 66.0% of that increase. That puts 246 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
Drawing on ABS demographic updates across the wider territory alongside new address records validated by AreaSearch after the Census, the suburb of Laidley is estimated to have a population of approximately 4,293 as of Aug 2026. This represents an expansion of 484 people (12.7%) relative to the 2021 Census benchmark of 3,809 people. Such growth has been determined from an estimated resident population count of 4,186 calculated by AreaSearch using the ABS June 2025 ERP release, combined with 47 validated new addresses identified post-Census. With a residential density of 245 persons per square kilometer, the locality offers ample space per capita and capacity for additional residential development.
Pacing ahead of both the state and the national benchmark (9.5%), the suburb of Laidley recorded 12.7% growth since the 2021 census, positioning it as a regional frontrunner. Inbound interstate migration served as the core growth catalyst, accounting for roughly 66.0% of recent population additions, alongside positive contributions from natural increase and overseas migration. Projections for each SA2 region applied by AreaSearch utilise the ABS/Geoscience Australia dataset published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline. Where SA2 units fall outside this scope, and across projection horizons beyond 2032, Queensland State Government SA2 modeling released in 2023 based on 2021 figures is integrated. Because these state forecasts omit age-specific breakdowns, AreaSearch assigns proportional cohort weightings aligned with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections published in 2023 using 2022 data. Long-term demographic outlooks place the suburb of Laidley in the highest quartile among Australian statistical divisions, with aggregated SA2 modeling indicating an anticipated gain of 1,360 persons to 2041, representing an overall expansion of 29.2% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
49 new dwellings have been approved in Laidley over the past five years, an average of 9 a year. That places the area in the 64th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 2 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 22, 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
AreaSearch evaluations of ABS building approval records across statistical areas reveal that Laidley has recorded an annual average of roughly 9 residential building approvals, yielding a combined total of around 49 homes across the past 5 financial years. In FY-25 to date, a total of 22 approvals have been documented. Over the past 5 financial years between FY-21 and FY-25, approximately 6 new residents arrived for each residential dwelling built, generating a supply deficit that typically fosters upward price momentum and heightened buyer competition, with new dwelling construction averaging an estimated value of $472,000.
Additionally, commercial building approvals reached $5.1 million this financial year, underscoring that local building activity remains predominantly focused on residential properties. Building activity in Laidley tracks well behind Greater Brisbane, sitting 75.0% below regional average per person. Although construction numbers have shown recent acceleration, this restricted flow of new stock tends to reinforce demand and price resilience for existing properties. Rates also sit beneath the nationwide standard, pointing to an established urban footprint and potential town planning constraints. Detached houses account for 80.0% of new residential development while medium and high-density housing makes up 20.0%, sustaining the neighborhood's open residential character and appealing to buyers seeking standalone properties. Generating approximately 202 people per dwelling approval, the local property market continues to develop. Demographic forecasts point to Laidley expanding by 1,253 residents through to 2041 according to the latest quarterly calculations from AreaSearch. Should building delivery persist at current levels, local housing creation could lag behind demographic expansion, potentially intensifying purchaser demand and bolstering property values.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Laidley
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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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
Major public initiatives, regional planning, and infrastructure programs play a pivotal role in shaping local development. At present, no projects have been identified by AreaSearch as having a probable direct impact on the immediate area. Across the broader network, significant projects include Inland Rail - Queensland Sections, Warrego Highway Upgrade Program, Water for Lockyer, and Inland Rail - Gowrie to Kagaru (G2K), with key details highlighted below.
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.
1,595 residents of Laidley are employed, from a labour force of 1,746. Unemployment sits at 8.6%, 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 3,495, 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 maintains a balanced workforce that includes both white and blue collar jobs, with essential services well represented. The unemployment rate stands at 8.6%, and there was an estimated employment growth of 11.0% over the past year, according to AreaSearch aggregation of statistical area data. As of March 2026, 1,595 residents are in work, while the unemployment rate is 4.3% above Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.3%, indicating room for improvement. Workforce participation lags significantly at 49.9% compared to Greater Brisbane's 70.1%. Based on Census responses, a low 7.7% of residents were found to work from home, although Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.
The primary employment fields for local residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training. The community exhibits a strong industry concentration in agriculture, forestry & fishing, where employment concentration reaches 7.1 times the regional average. By contrast, professional & technical roles account for a modest 4.3% share against the wider metropolitan proportion of 8.9%. Comparisons between Census resident counts and local workplace numbers suggest limited on-site employment within the immediate area. Analysis conducted by AreaSearch using SALM and ABS data aggregated from larger statistical regions indicates that during the year ending March 2026, employment grew by 11.0% while the labour force expanded by 8.6%, which resulted in a 2.0 percentage point decline in the unemployment rate. This trend stands in contrast to Greater Brisbane, where employment increased by 3.2%, the labour force grew by 3.4%, and the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage points. National employment projections published by Jobs and Skills Australia for Mar-26 can provide additional context regarding anticipated future demand in Laidley. These forecasts span five and ten year periods and have been overlaid with local employment data to estimate regional growth trajectories. Although national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, expansion varies considerably across different industry sectors. When these sector-specific forecasts are applied to Laidley's current employment composition, local employment is expected to rise by 5.8% over five years and 12.5% over ten years. It is important to note that this calculation represents a basic weighted extrapolation intended for illustrative purposes and does not incorporate localized population projections.
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
According to the latest ATO tax statistics published by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, taxpayers in Laidley recorded a median income of $38,214 and an average income of $43,603. These earnings trail the national benchmark, while Greater Brisbane registered a median of $58,236 and an average of $72,799. Adjusting for an 11.36% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, updated figures reach approximately $42,555 (median) and $48,556 (average) by March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census shows family, household, and individual earnings across the area placed between the 1st and 3rd percentiles across the country.
Weekly earnings are concentrated in the $400 - 799 bracket, encompassing 32.6% of residents (1,399 people), contrasting with Greater Brisbane where the $1,500 - 2,999 band forms the largest share at 33.3%. Overall, 41.6% of individuals earn less than $800 weekly, creating spending constraints locally. Affordability pressures are high, with households retaining 80.7% of earnings after housing costs, placing the area at the 3rd percentile nationwide.
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
Census records show that the residential fabric in Laidley is dominated by separate houses at 90.9%, while semi-detached dwellings, units, and other property types comprise 9.1%, compared with 73.5% standalone houses and 26.5% other housing formats across metropolitan Brisbane. Outright homeownership stands at 36.7%, notably exceeding the metropolitan rate, with the remaining stock divided between properties under mortgage (25.3%) and rental accommodation (38.0%). Median monthly mortgage costs sat at $1,155, significantly below the Greater Brisbane benchmark of $1,863, while median weekly rent was $300 relative to $380 regionally. On a nationwide basis, mortgage servicing costs in Laidley remain well below the Australian standard of $1,863, with rental payments also sitting substantially beneath the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Laidley counted 1,508 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 1,700 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
Family arrangements constitute 62.9% of all local households, divided into couples without children (26.8%), couples with children (17.5%), and single parent families (16.6%). Non-family living situations make up 37.1% of homes, consisting of lone person residences at 33.5% and group households at 3.8%. The typical household comprises a median of 2.3 people, tracking lower than the Greater Brisbane figure 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 profiles indicate that 9.8% of residents hold tertiary degrees, trailing the Greater Brisbane average of 30.5% and highlighting avenues for targeted educational development. Bachelor degrees comprise 6.8% of qualifications, with postgraduate credentials at 1.8% and graduate diplomas at 1.2%. Vocational education is strongly represented, with 39.9% of persons aged 15 and over possessing technical qualifications, split between certificates (30.0%) and advanced diplomas (9.9%). Participation in formal study is strong throughout the community, with 26.1% of the population enrolled in an educational course. Broken down by schooling level, primary education accounts for 10.5%, secondary schooling represents 8.2%, and higher education enrollments stand at 2.6%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Laidley means driving: households keep an average of 1.3 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
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
Health indicators across Laidley reflect notable challenges across chronic illnesses and mortality rates, affecting younger as well as older demographics. Private health insurance coverage is limited, with roughly 44% of the population (~1,909 people) holding private policies. This level sits well beneath the Greater Brisbane rate of 55.8% and the Australian national average of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions represent the most widespread medical issues, each reported by 13.2% of the local population, while 51.5% of residents reported having no long-term medical conditions compared to 69.2% across Greater Brisbane.
Elevated rates of chronic illness affect the working-age cohort. Furthermore, individuals aged 65 and over make up 29.4% of residents (1,262 people), higher than the 15.0% proportion seen across Greater Brisbane, with senior health indicators generally aligning with broader nationwide patterns.
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
Cultural diversity measures in Laidley track below wider averages, with Australian citizens making up 89.8% of the population, Australian-born residents accounting for 87.1%, and 96.1% using exclusively English in domestic settings. Christianity represents the primary religious affiliation, encompassing 54.4% of residents compared to 47.8% throughout Greater Brisbane. Regarding parental lineage and heritage, the leading backgrounds in Laidley are Australian at 30.8% (above the 23.2% regional level), English at 30.1%, and Irish at 8.2%. Other distinct ancestry shares include German heritage at 7.8% (against 4.2% across the wider region), New Zealand ancestry at 1.0% (matching the 1.0% regional share), and Russian background at 0.4% (compared to 0.3% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Laidley is 48, older than 88% of areas nationally. 21.0% 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 demographic profile in Laidley skews older, with residents aged 65 and above comprising 29.4% of the community as of August 2026 updates, contrasting with 15.0% across Greater Brisbane. Meanwhile, adults aged 25 - 44 represent 20.3% of locals against 30.6% across the broader region. The median age is an estimated 48 as at August 2026, mirroring the 2021 Census result and sitting 12 years above the Greater Brisbane median of 36 recorded at that Census, while the national figure stood at 38. Residents in the 45 - 64 age bracket have decreased from 24.3% at the Census to an estimated 23.1%.
Looking ahead to 2041, retirees and senior residents are projected to drive growth, expanding by 807 individuals (64%) to reach 2,069.
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 Oct 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) | Aug 2026 2 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| 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 Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 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 7 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) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 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 Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (3,809 at the 2021 Census → 4,293 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 Aug 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.