Meadowbrook

An assessment of population growth drivers in Meadowbrook reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

As per AreaSearch's analysis of ABS population updates and new addresses validated by them, the estimated population of Meadowbrook as of Feb 2026 is approximately 3,291. This figure represents a growth of 222 people (7.2%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,069 in the suburb. The current resident population estimate of 3,249 by AreaSearch, following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024), and an additional 3 validated new addresses since the Census date, indicates a density ratio of 570 persons per square kilometer in Meadowbrook. Over the past decade, from 2016 to 2026, Meadowbrook has shown resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%, outperforming its SA3 area. Overseas migration was the primary driver for population growth in recent periods, contributing approximately 61.0% of overall population gains, although natural growth and interstate migration also played positive roles. 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 released in 2023 based on 2021 data are used. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age cohort are applied when utilising them. Looking ahead, a significant population increase is forecasted for Meadowbrook's top quartile of statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the area is expected to gain an additional 982 persons by 2041, reflecting an overall increase of 31.6% in total over the 17-year period from 2026 to 2041.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Meadowbrook according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Meadowbrook had around 3 new homes approved per year. Between FY-21 and FY-25, approximately 16 homes were approved, with 9 so far in FY-26.

This results in an average of 22.3 new residents per year for every home built over the past five financial years. Demand significantly outpaces supply, which typically puts upward pressure on prices and increases competition among buyers. New dwellings are developed at an average value of $255,000, below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers. Comparatively, Meadowbrook shows substantially reduced construction activity, 76.0% below the Greater Brisbane average per person. This scarcity of new dwellings typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. However, development activity has picked up in recent periods.

Nationally, this is lower, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints. New building activity shows 67.0% standalone homes and 33.0% townhouses or apartments, indicating an expanding range of medium-density options. This creates a mix of opportunities across price brackets, from traditional family housing to more affordable compact alternatives. This represents a notable shift from the area's existing housing composition, currently at 86.0% houses. The estimated count of 737 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment. Looking ahead, Meadowbrook is expected to grow by 1,039 residents through to 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Should current construction levels persist, housing supply could lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

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

Ten projects identified by AreaSearch may significantly impact the local area. These include Logan Hospital Expansion, Loganlea Station Relocation, Slacks Creek Industrial Precinct Upgrade, and Meadowbrook Shopping Centre Expansion. The following list details those expected to have the most relevance.

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

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.

Meadowbrook shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Meadowbrook has a skilled workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 5.8%, and there was an estimated 5.2% employment growth over the past year, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of September 2025, Meadowbrook has 1,745 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 6.8%.

This is 1.8% higher than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.0%, but workforce participation is comparable at 70.7%. According to Census responses, only 10.2% of Meadowbrook residents work from home. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction sectors. Health care & social assistance has a particularly strong presence with an employment share 1.2 times the regional level.

However, professional & technical services have limited representation at 4.3%, compared to the regional average of 8.9%. Meadowbrook hosts more jobs than residents, with a ratio of 2.3 workers per resident, indicating it functions as an employment hub attracting workers from nearby areas. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 5.2% and labour force grew by 2.2%, leading to a decrease in unemployment rate by 2.7 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Brisbane recorded employment growth of 3.8%, labour force growth of 3.3%, and a reduction in unemployment rate by 0.5 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Meadowbrook's current employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not consider localized population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The suburb of Meadowbrook had a median taxpayer income of $51,879 and an average income of $56,233 in the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023. This was below the national average, contrasting with Greater Brisbane's median income of $58,236 and average income of $72,799 during the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since the financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $57,020 (median) and $61,806 (average) as of September 2025. According to census data, household income ranks at the 47th percentile with a weekly income of $1,701, while personal income sits at the 24th percentile. In Meadowbrook, 40.0% of the population, which equates to 1,316 individuals, fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, aligning with regional levels where this cohort likewise represents 33.3%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Meadowbrook, with only 83.0% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 46th percentile.

Meadowbrook is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Meadowbrook, as per the latest Census data, 85.6% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 14.4% being other types such as semi-detached homes and apartments. In comparison, Brisbane metropolitan area had 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Meadowbrook stood at 24.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 37.8% and rented ones at 37.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,653, lower than Brisbane's average of $1,863, while the median weekly rent was $385 compared to Brisbane's $380. Nationally, Meadowbrook's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, but rents were slightly higher at $375.

Meadowbrook has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 75.7% of all households, including 34.8% couples with children, 24.5% couples without children, and 14.4% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 24.3%, with lone person households at 20.9% and group households comprising 3.3%. The median household size is 2.9 people, which is larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 19.0%, significantly lower than Greater Brisbane's average of 30.5%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.8%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 39.7% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.7%) and certificates (30.0%). Educational participation is high at 32.2%, with 11.7% in primary education, 9.3% in secondary education, and 5.1% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 32.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.7% in primary education, 9.3% in secondary education, and 5.1% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Meadowbrook has 18 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by five different routes that together facilitate 496 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 241 meters from the nearest transport stop. Most residents commute outward due to Meadowbrook being primarily residential. Car remains the dominant mode of transportation at 88%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.6 per dwelling, which is above the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, only 10.2% of residents work from home, a figure that may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency across all routes averages 70 trips per day, equating to approximately 27 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Meadowbrook faces substantial health challenges, as per AreaSearch's assessment completed on 28th February 2021. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were notably high across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover was relatively low at approximately 49% of the total population (around 1,628 people), compared to Greater Brisbane's 55.8% and the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions were mental health issues and asthma, affecting 9.2% and 8.9% of residents respectively, while 67.3% reported being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to Greater Brisbane's 69.2%. Working-age residents had an above-average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 14.9% of residents aged 65 and over (490 people), with senior health outcomes presenting some challenges, broadly in line with national rankings.

Meadowbrook was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Meadowbrook, established as more culturally diverse than most local markets, had 23.7% of its residents speaking a language other than English at home and 36.8% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion in Meadowbrook, accounting for 48.6% of people. Islam, however, showed significant overrepresentation at 5.7%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 2.0%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (25.5%), Australian (19.2%), and Other (14.6%), notably higher than regional averages. Divergences included New Zealanders at 1.7% (vs 1.0%), Maori at 3.0% (vs 1.1%), and Samoans at 2.0% (vs 0.9%).

Meadowbrook's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Meadowbrook's median age in 2021 was 37 years, closely matching Greater Brisbane's average of 36 and approaching Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Meadowbrook had a higher proportion of residents aged 55-64 (13.1%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (11.5%). Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, the 75-84 age group increased from 3.9% to 5.0%. Conversely, the 25-34 age group decreased from 13.7% to 11.5%, and the 5-14 age group fell from 13.8% to 12.7%. Demographic projections indicate Meadowbrook's age profile will significantly change by 2041. The 45-54 cohort is expected to grow strongly at 43%, adding 173 residents to reach 582. Meanwhile, the 0-4 cohort is projected to grow modestly by 8% (12 people).