North Lakes

Population growth drivers in North Lakes are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

As of Nov 2025, the estimated population of the North Lakes statistical area (Lv2) is around 24,813, reflecting an increase of 7.7% since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 23,030 people. This increase is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 24,454 as of Jun 2024, based on the latest ERP data release by the ABS and an additional 172 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio is 2,115 persons per square kilometer, above the national average assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, North Lakes (SA2) has shown resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 2.4%, outpacing its SA4 region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 75.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. For projections, AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for each SA2 area.

Beyond 2032 and for areas not covered by this data, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are used, applying proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 using 2022 data. Anticipating future population dynamics, the North Lakes statistical area (Lv2) is expected to increase by 939 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a total increase of 2.3% over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within North Lakes when compared nationally

North Lakes has seen approximately 31 residential properties approved annually over the past five financial years, totaling an estimated 158 homes. As of FY26, three approvals have been recorded. On average, 7.3 people moved to the area each year for every dwelling built between FY21 and FY25, indicating significant demand exceeding supply. The average construction cost for new homes was $366,000 during this period.

Commercial development in North Lakes has seen $14.2 million in approvals this financial year. Compared to Greater Brisbane, North Lakes has significantly less development activity, with 82.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained construction usually reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings, though recent activity shows some intensification. The area's development is also below national averages, reflecting its maturity and possible planning constraints. Recent construction comprises 17.0% detached dwellings and 83.0% medium to high-density housing, marking a shift from the current housing mix of 85.0% houses. North Lakes has approximately 594 people per dwelling approval, indicating an established market. Future projections estimate a growth of 580 residents by 2041, with current development patterns suggesting that new housing supply should meet demand, offering favorable conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating further population growth.

Looking ahead, North Lakes is expected to grow by 580 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

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

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 37 projects that could impact this region. Notable initiatives include the North Lakes Health Hub Expansion, North Lakes Drive Mixed-Use Hotel Development, Azure North Lakes Mixed Development, and North Lakes Driving Range. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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.

AreaSearch analysis indicates North Lakes maintains employment conditions that align with national benchmarks

North Lakes has a skilled workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 4.3% as of the past year.

Employment growth was estimated at 4.4%. As of September 2025, 14,345 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.3%, 0.3% higher than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation in North Lakes was 70.2%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Leading employment industries among residents include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training.

Retail trade had particularly notable concentration, with employment levels at 1.2 times the regional average. Professional & technical services were under-represented, with only 7.1% of North Lakes's workforce compared to 8.9% in Greater Brisbane. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. In the 12-month period ending September 2025, employment increased by 4.4% while labour force grew by 5.0%, raising the unemployment rate by 0.6 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane experienced employment growth of 3.8% and labour force growth of 3.3%, with a 0.5 percentage point drop in unemployment. State-level data to November 25 shows Queensland employment contracted by 0.01%, losing 1,210 jobs, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest potential future demand within North Lakes. These projections estimate national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these industry-specific projections to North Lakes's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows North Lakes' median taxpayer income is $56,801 and average is $67,728. Nationally, this is approximately average. In Greater Brisbane, the median is $58,236 and average is $72,799. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, current estimates for North Lakes would be approximately $62,430 (median) and $74,440 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in North Lakes cluster around the 68th percentile nationally. Income distribution data shows that 38.5% of locals (9,553 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 category, consistent with broader regional trends at 33.3%. High housing costs consume 17.0% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 69th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

North Lakes is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

North Lakes' dwellings, as per the latest Census, consisted of 84.9% houses and 15.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other'). Brisbane metro had 75.0% houses and 25.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in North Lakes was higher at 18.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 43.0% and rented ones at 38.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,950, above Brisbane metro's $1,820. Median weekly rent was $420 in North Lakes, compared to Brisbane metro's $380. Nationally, North Lakes' mortgage repayments were higher at $1,950 vs Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

North Lakes features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 82.1% of all households, including 43.7% that are couples with children, 24.3% that are couples without children, and 13.4% that are single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 17.9%, with lone person households at 15.7% and group households comprising 2.2% of the total. The median household size is 2.9 people, which is larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.8 people.

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

North Lakes residents aged 15+ with university qualifications total 26.5%, exceeding the SA3 area average of 22.3%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 18.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.6%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%). Vocational credentials are held by 38.5% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 13.6% and certificates at 24.9%.

Current educational participation is high, with 34.1% enrolled in formal education: primary (12.4%), secondary (10.3%), and tertiary (5.0%).

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

North Lakes has 46 active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These stops are served by a mix of buses operating along 11 individual routes. The total number of weekly passenger trips provided by these routes is 2,254.

Residents have good accessibility to transport, with an average distance of 282 meters to the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 322 trips per day across all routes, which translates to approximately 49 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in North Lakes is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

North Lakes shows better-than-average health outcomes with lower prevalence of common conditions among its general population compared to national averages.

However, older cohorts at risk have higher condition prevalence. Approximately 54% (~13,408 people) of North Lakes' total population has private health cover. Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent medical conditions, affecting 8.8% and 7.3% of residents respectively. About 72.2% declare no medical ailments, compared to 69.9% in Greater Brisbane. The area has 12.1% (3,002 people) of residents aged 65 and over, with health outcomes among seniors requiring more attention than the broader population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in North Lakes was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

North Lakes, surveyed in June-August 2016, had a higher cultural diversity than most local markets, with 18.5% speaking a language other than English at home and 35.7% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 48.4%. The 'Other' category showed an overrepresentation at 2.0%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 2.7%.

In ancestry, the top groups were English (27.7%), Australian (22.8%), and Other (10.1%). South African (1.7%) and New Zealand (1.5%) ethnicities were overrepresented in North Lakes compared to regional averages of 1.0% and 1.5%, respectively, while Maori was slightly underrepresented at 1.5%.

North Lakes's population is younger than the national pattern

North Lakes has a median age of 35 years, nearly matching Greater Brisbane's average of 36 years, but somewhat younger than Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Greater Brisbane, North Lakes has a higher proportion of residents aged 5-14 years (15.3%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 years (12.8%). Between the 2021 Census and present, the 55 to 64 age group has increased from 8.4% to 9.6%, while the 15 to 24 cohort has risen from 13.3% to 14.4%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 age group has decreased from 17.1% to 15.3%. Population forecasts for North Lakes in 2041 indicate significant demographic shifts. The 75 to 84 age cohort is projected to grow by 60%, adding 668 residents and reaching a total of 1,785. Residents aged 65 years and above will drive 66% of population growth, reflecting ongoing demographic aging trends. Conversely, population declines are forecast for the 15 to 24 and 0 to 4 age cohorts.