Moorooka

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

As of November 2025, the estimated population of Moorooka is around 11,781. This figure reflects a growth of 998 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 10,783. AreaSearch estimated this resident population at 11,774 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024, and an additional 22 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 2,859 persons per square kilometer, placing Moorooka in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's population growth rate of 9.3% since the 2021 census exceeded the national average of 8.9%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 51.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, primarily driving this growth.

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 are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 and based on 2022 data. Looking ahead, Moorooka is expected to increase by 618 persons to 2041, reflecting an overall increase of 5.2% over the 17 years, based on aggregated SA2-level projections.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Moorooka recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers indicates Moorooka has had approximately 17 dwellings receiving development approval annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25, around 89 homes were approved, with another 3 so far in FY-26. This results in an average of about 5.8 new residents per year arriving per dwelling constructed over the past five financial years.

Given this demand exceeds supply, it typically leads to price growth and increased buyer competition. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost value of $556,000, slightly above the regional average, suggesting a focus on quality developments. This year has seen approximately $22.0 million in commercial approvals, indicating steady commercial investment activity in Moorooka. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Moorooka shows substantially reduced construction levels, at 64.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established properties.

Recent construction comprises 67.0% standalone homes and 33.0% townhouses or apartments, showing an expanding range of medium-density options creating a mix of opportunities across price brackets. With around 705 people per dwelling approval, Moorooka reflects a highly mature market. Population forecasts indicate Moorooka will gain approximately 614 residents through to 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Construction is maintaining a reasonable pace with projected growth, although buyers could encounter growing competition as population increases.

Moorooka has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Twenty-five projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to impact the area significantly, notably including the 25-storey Yeerongpilly Green Tower, European Train Control System (ETCS), Beaudesert Road Shopping Centre Extensions, and Parkside Yeronga.

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

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Moorooka has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Moorooka has a highly educated workforce with professional services well represented. The unemployment rate was 4.7% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 1.6%.

As of June 2025, 6,927 residents are employed, and the unemployment rate is 0.6% higher than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation stands at 70.5%, above Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Key industries for Moorooka residents include health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical services. Education & training has a particularly high employment share, at 1.3 times the regional level.

However, construction employs only 6.8% of local workers, lower than Greater Brisbane's 9.0%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited, as indicated by the Census working population vs resident population count. Over the year to June 2025, employment increased by 1.6%, labour force by 1.8%, and unemployment rose by 0.2 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Brisbane saw employment growth of 4.4% and a fall in unemployment of 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 suggest potential future demand within Moorooka. National employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Moorooka's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.3% over ten years.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Moorooka has one of the highest incomes in Australia. The median income is $61,715 and the average is $80,854. In comparison, Greater Brisbane's median income is $55,645 and average is $70,520. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $70,349 (median) and $92,165 (average). Census 2021 income data indicates personal income ranks at the 76th percentile ($973 weekly), while household income is at the 57th percentile. Distribution shows that 32.8% of residents (3,864 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, similar to the surrounding region's 33.3%. High housing costs consume 16.9% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 56th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

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

Moorooka's dwellings, as per the latest Census (2016), consisted of 60.6% houses and 39.3% other dwellings. Brisbane metro had 77.8% houses and 22.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Moorooka was 22.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 36.0% and rented ones at 41.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, below Brisbane metro's average of $2,100. Median weekly rent in Moorooka was $360, compared to Brisbane metro's $388. Nationally, Moorooka's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average ($1,863), while rents were lower than the national figure ($375).

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

Family households constitute 62.0% of all households, including 26.4% couples with children, 24.4% couples without children, and 9.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 38.0%, with lone person households at 30.4% and group households comprising 7.7%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

The educational profile of Moorooka exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Educational attainment in Moorooka is notably high, with 43.4% of residents aged 15 years and above holding university qualifications. This compares to 25.7% in Queensland (QLD) and 30.4% nationally. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 28.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 10.9% and graduate diplomas at 4.5%. Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 27.5% of residents aged 15 years and above holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas at 10.2% and certificates at 17.3%.

Educational participation is high, with 29.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.9% in primary education, 8.6% in tertiary education, and 6.1% pursuing secondary education. Moorooka State School and St Brendan's Primary School serve the area, collectively educating 614 students. The schools focus on primary education, with secondary options available in nearby areas. School places per 100 residents stand at 5.2, below the regional average of 9.7.

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

Moorooka has 80 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 29 different routes that facilitate 3,896 weekly passenger trips in total. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with the average distance to the nearest stop being 150 meters.

The service frequency is 556 trips per day across all routes, which translates to approximately 48 weekly trips per individual stop.

Moorooka's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Moorooka residents show relatively positive health outcomes, with low prevalence of common conditions among the general population, although higher than national averages for older and at-risk cohorts.

Approximately 59% of Moorooka's total population (6,979 people) has private health cover. The most prevalent medical conditions are mental health issues affecting 10.7% of residents and asthma impacting 7.9%. A majority, 69.9%, report being free from medical ailments, compared to 72.3% in Greater Brisbane. Moorooka has 12.0% of residents aged 65 and over (1,413 people), lower than the 13.5% in Greater Brisbane.

Moorooka 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

Moorooka's population showed more cultural diversity than most local markets, with 26.1% born overseas and 18.8% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity was the dominant religion in Moorooka, accounting for 43.1%. Islam was slightly overrepresented compared to Greater Brisbane, comprising 2.6% versus 2.1%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (25.3%), Australian (21.9%), and Other (11.3%). Notably, French (0.7%) and Irish (10.4%) ethnicity were overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0.5% and 9.2%, respectively. Serbian ethnicity was equally represented at 0.4%.

Moorooka's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Moorooka's median age is 36 years, matching Greater Brisbane's but lower than the national average of 38 years. The 25-34 age group comprises 18.1%, higher than Greater Brisbane, while the 65-74 cohort makes up 6.1%. From 2021 to present, the 75-84 age group has risen from 3.5% to 4.4%. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort has decreased from 13.9% to 13.2%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate Moorooka's 45-54 age group will increase by 289 people (19%), growing from 1,555 to 1,845. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are projected to account for 51% of total population growth, reflecting Moorooka's aging demographic profile. In contrast, both 5-14 and 0-4 age groups are expected to decrease in numbers.