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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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Macgregor (Qld) has an estimated 7,060 residents, up from 5,980 at the 2021 Census — a change of 1,080 people, or 18.1%. Growth has averaged 2.6% a year over five years, faster than 89% of areas nationally. Overseas migration accounts for 94.0% of that increase. That puts 2,615 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
In the suburb of Macgregor (Qld), the population is estimated at around 7,060 as of Aug 2026, according to AreaSearch evaluations combining broader ABS population updates and post-Census validated new addresses. This represents an addition of 1,080 people (18.1%) relative to the 2021 Census tally of 5,980 people. AreaSearch established this resident count of 7,060 by assessing the recent ABS ERP release (June 2025) alongside 97 validated new addresses logged after the Census date. Population density stands at 2,614 persons per square kilometer, positioning the area within the upper quartile of nationally assessed territories.
The 18.1% post-2021 census expansion outperformed both the 9.5% national benchmark and state figures, establishing the locality as a regional growth frontrunner. Recent population gains were predominantly driven by overseas migration, which supplied roughly 94.0% of the overall increase. For individual SA2 locations, AreaSearch incorporates ABS/Geoscience Australia projections published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline. For uncovered SA2 areas or timeframes beyond 2032, Queensland State Government SA2 projections (published in 2023 utilizing 2021 data) are used. Because these state forecasts lack age breakdowns, AreaSearch applies proportional distribution weights derived from the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (published in 2023 from 2022 data) across each age bracket. Projected demographic trajectories position the suburb of Macgregor (Qld) in the nation's top quartile for population expansion, with combined SA2-level modeling forecasting an increase of 2,474 persons to 2041, representing a 35.0% cumulative rise over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
56 new dwellings have been approved in Macgregor (Qld) over the past five years, an average of 11 a year. That places the area in the 59th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 2 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
AreaSearch evaluations of ABS building approval records across statistical areas indicate Macgregor records approximately 11 residential approvals annually, delivering roughly 56 homes across the prior 5 financial years. During FY-25 to date, 20 approvals have been documented. Over the preceding 5 financial years (from FY-21 through FY-25), an average of 12.3 incoming residents per year arrived for every home constructed, showing that local demand substantially exceeds newly built supply and placing upward pressure on property values and buyer competition. New residences reflect an average expected construction cost of $636,000, underscoring an emphasis by developers on high-end, premium builds.
Furthermore, commercial approvals totaling $5.0 million have been registered during this financial year, reinforcing the residential focus of the neighborhood. Residential development in Macgregor is comparatively subdued, sitting 67.0% below the Greater Brisbane per-capita average. While building activity has gained momentum lately, constrained additions of new dwellings generally reinforce buyer interest and capital values across established stock. Building rates also sit below nationwide figures, pointing toward an established footprint and prospective zoning or planning constraints. Recent construction has consisted entirely of standalone houses, preserving traditional suburban attributes tailored to family living and space. Overall density measures approximately 349 people per dwelling approval, typical of a mature residential market. Projections indicate Macgregor will gain 2,474 residents through to 2041, based on the most recent AreaSearch quarterly update. If construction continues at prevailing levels, residential supply could fail to keep pace with incoming population growth, intensifying purchaser competition and providing continued price support.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Macgregor (Qld)
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| 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 12 current infrastructure and development projects inside Macgregor (Qld), worth an estimated $377 million. A further 94 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $28.5 billion. 21 are already under construction and 51 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and education & training. 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
Civic upgrades, planning frameworks, and major developments exert a significant bearing on local performance, with AreaSearch cataloging 31 projects expected to influence the surrounding area. Prominent undertakings include the Macgregor State High School Major Upgrade & Expansion, Macgregor Gardens Retirement Village Expansion, Salina Towers, and Archer Street Residential Developments, with key relevant projects detailed below.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Macgregor State High School Major Upgrade & Expansion
Multi-stage redevelopment of Macgregor State High School including new teaching blocks, performing arts facilities, sports infrastructure and refurbishment of existing buildings. Delivered under the Queensland Government's school infrastructure program (Great Schools, Great Future) with a maximum enrolment capacity of 1,691 students.
Macgregor Gardens Retirement Village Expansion
Stage 2 expansion adding 42 independent living units and new community facilities to the existing Macgregor Gardens retirement village.
Salina Towers
A 72-unit residential development featuring four 5-storey towers with a mix of 2 and 3-bedroom apartments, including a swimming pool, gym, and communal recreation areas. Incorporates the former Whitley Street residential development site, focusing on modern urban living with sustainable design elements.
Archer Street Residential Infill Developments
A series of residential infill and medium-density townhouse and unit developments along the Archer Street corridor in Upper Mount Gravatt. The ongoing urban renewal initiatives support gentle density increases proximate to Westfield Mt Gravatt and major public transport corridors under Brisbane City Council planning frameworks. Early stage construction and planning approvals facilitate multiple dual-occupancy and multi-unit infill sites.
Sunnybank Community & Rugby Sports Precinct Renovation
Multi-stage redevelopment of the Sunnybank Community & Sports Club and Sunnybank Rugby precinct including a refurbished clubhouse, expanded outdoor entertainment areas, new sports bar and hospitality facilities, upgraded kitchen, improved gym, new changerooms and amenities, merchandise shop, coffee service and enhanced community recreation spaces. The club has confirmed the renovations were completed and the upgraded facilities are operational for the 2026 season.
29-43 Raffles Street Development
A medium-density residential development at 29-43 Raffles Street, Mount Gravatt East, featuring modern townhouses and apartments designed to blend with the local neighborhood character. The project aims to provide sustainable living solutions with community-focused amenities.
Player Street Connection
The Player Street Connection project involves road corridor and intersection improvements linking Player Street in Upper Mount Gravatt to enhance local traffic flow and network connectivity. The scope incorporates enhanced active transport infrastructure, including dedicated pedestrian pathways, cycling connections, and civil upgrades. Brisbane City Council leads planning and preliminary assessment for future network integration.
38-42 Cortis Street Apartments
A proposed multi-unit apartment development at 38-42 Cortis Street, Mount Gravatt East, offering contemporary living with modern amenities, designed to enhance urban residential options in the area.
3,678 residents of Macgregor (Qld) are employed, from a labour force of 3,857. Unemployment sits at 4.6%, with participation at 61.9%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.6% 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 6,133, about 87% 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
Macgregor boasts a well-educated labor pool dominated by tourism and hospitality roles, alongside an unemployment rate of 4.6% and an estimated employment growth of 5.1% over the previous year, according to AreaSearch aggregated statistical area information. By March 2026, the local economy supported 3,678 working residents, with an unemployment rate standing at 0.3% higher than Greater Brisbane's 4.3%, while workforce participation remains notably lower at 61.9% versus Greater Brisbane's 70.1%. Census data indicates that a moderate 14.9% of residents worked from home, although the lingering effects of Covid-19 lockdowns should be taken into account when interpreting these figures.
Health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade represent the primary sectors employing local residents. Specialization is particularly elevated in accommodation & food, where local employment concentration is 2.0 times the broader metropolitan standard. In contrast, public administration & safety accounts for 4.7% of local employment against a regional average of 7.0%. Comparisons between resident counts and Census working population figures suggest local job generation within this residential enclave remains limited. Analysis of ABS and SALM statistical data by AreaSearch indicates that over the 12 months to March 2026, local employment grew 5.1% while the workforce base rose 4.9%, resulting in a 0.2 percentage point reduction in the unemployment rate. Over the same timeframe, Greater Brisbane recorded employment growth of 3.2%, labor force growth of 3.4%, and a 0.1 percentage point increase in unemployment. Industry demand forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide additional context regarding future workforce requirements. Projecting these five-year and ten-year nationwide sectoral expectations against the area's current job profile indicates local employment would increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, compared to nationwide projections of 6.6% and 13.7% over five and ten years respectively (noting this is an illustrative weighting model excluding localized population dynamics).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Macgregor (Qld) is $1,752 a week (about $91,000 a year), with median personal income at $634 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $39,995 a year against an average of $52,606. 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
ATO postcode figures compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 report a median taxpayer income of $39,995 and an average of $52,606 for Macgregor, placing it below national standards and trailing the Greater Brisbane median of $58,236 and average of $72,799. Adjusting for 11.36% Wage Price Index expansion since financial year 2023 yields estimated values of $44,538 (median) and $58,582 (average) as of March 2026. Individual Census earnings place the area at the 16th percentile ($634 weekly), whereas household earnings reach the 50th percentile. The $1,500 - 2,999 weekly income bracket contains 33.1% of residents (2,336 individuals), aligning closely with the 33.3% regional benchmark.
Residential costs account for 15.3% of income, leaving disposable earnings at the 52nd percentile, while the SEIFA income index places the locality in the 5th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Macgregor (Qld) had 1,911 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 86% detached houses and 11% apartments. 25% are owned with a mortgage, 37% rented and 39% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $430 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,950 a month. Rent absorbs 24.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 25.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, standalone houses constitute 85.7% of Macgregor's housing stock, while 14.2% consists of other dwellings (including semi-detached properties, units, and alternative formats), compared to 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings throughout Brisbane metro. Fully owned homes account for 38.7% of properties, well above metropolitan levels, with mortgaged properties comprising 24.7% and rental stock representing 36.5%. Median monthly mortgage costs stand at $1,950 compared to $1,863 across Brisbane metro, while median weekly rent is $430 against $380 regionally. Nationwide comparisons show local mortgage payments exceeding the Australian median of $1,863, with rental rates sitting well above the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Macgregor (Qld) counted 1,911 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 2,256 today, averaging 3.0 people each. 30% are couples with children, against 26% couples without children. 18% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.3 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units account for 70.8% of local households, consisting of 30.1% couples with children, 26.3% couples without children, and 12.1% single parent families. Non-family living arrangements make up the remaining 29.2%, split between single-person dwellings at 17.9% and group arrangements at 11.0%. The local median household size of 3.0 people exceeds the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
40.2% of adults in Macgregor (Qld) hold a university qualification, including 25.9% with a bachelor degree and 11.9% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 14.2% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 2,413 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,070 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
Higher education qualifications in Macgregor exceed standard benchmarks, with 40.2% of residents aged 15+ holding tertiary degrees compared to 25.7% across QLD and 30.4% nationwide, creating a solid base for knowledge-intensive industries. Bachelor degrees represent 25.9%, followed by postgraduate awards at 11.9% and graduate diplomas at 2.4%. Technical and trade qualifications are also well represented, with 25.3% of residents aged 15+ possessing vocational credentials, including 11.1% holding advanced diplomas and 14.2% holding certificates. Formal learning engagement is substantial, with 32.9% of the local population actively participating in education. Among these students, 11.3% attend tertiary institutions, 6.8% are enrolled in primary education, and 6.2% participate in secondary schooling.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Macgregor (Qld) means driving: households keep an average of 1.5 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
78.3% of residents in Macgregor (Qld) report no long-term health condition, a healthier profile than 77% of areas nationally. 4.8% need daily assistance with core activities, and 48.1% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.0 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health assessments by AreaSearch based on chronic illness and mortality statistics demonstrate strong outcomes across Macgregor, characterized by very low rates of common health conditions across all demographic brackets. Private health insurance participation is very low, encompassing roughly 48% of residents (~3,392 people), compared to 55.8% for Greater Brisbane and 55.7% nationwide. Asthma and mental health conditions are the most prevalent ailments locally, recorded among 5.3 and 5.2% of residents respectively, whereas 78.3% of the community reported being completely free from medical conditions, outpacing the 69.2% rate across Greater Brisbane.
Residents aged 65 and over total 1,023 people, or 14.5% of the community, with older demographics recording robust health outcomes aligned with national distributions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
59.9% of Macgregor (Qld) residents were born overseas and 60.0% speak a language other than English at home, more culturally diverse than 96% of areas nationally. The largest reported ancestries are Chinese (29.5%) and English (14.8%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Macgregor exhibits pronounced multicultural diversity, with 60.0% of households speaking a language other than English at home and 59.9% of residents born abroad. Christianity stands as the primary faith at 38.1% of the populace. Notably, Buddhism shows significant concentration, representing 8.8% of the local community compared to 2.0% across Greater Brisbane. Parental country of birth statistics identify Chinese heritage as the largest background at 29.5%, considerably higher than the 3.4% regional proportion. English heritage accounts for 14.8% (below the 26.8% regional figure), while Other backgrounds comprise 13.6%. Significant variations also appear across other origins, with Korean ancestry representing 2.8% (against 0.5% regionally), Russian at 0.7% (against 0.3%), and Serbian at 0.7% (against 0.2%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Macgregor (Qld) is 33, younger than 82% of areas nationally. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 41.2% 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 age structure of Macgregor leans heavily toward early-career adults. AreaSearch estimates for August 2026 indicate 38.9% of the population is aged 25 - 44, compared to 30.6% across Greater Brisbane, while the 45 - 64 bracket makes up 18.5% locally versus 22.6% regionally. The estimated median age sits at 33 as at August 2026, dropping from 34 at the 2021 Census and sitting 3 years below the Greater Brisbane figure of 36 from that Census, where the Australian median stood at 38. The 25 - 44 bracket expanded from 33.8% at the Census to 38.9% currently.
By 2041, the largest numerical gain is projected within the 45 - 64 age group, adding 714 residents (55%) to reach 2,020, while the 65+ cohort is forecast to experience the fastest proportional growth, rising 65% to 1,684 residents.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Macgregor (Qld)
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, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Sep 2026 last month all 13 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 Sep 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 — 97 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (5,980 at the 2021 Census → 7,060 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 (SAL31721). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.