Northgate (Qld)

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

As of Nov 2025, Northgate's population is estimated at around 5,267, reflecting an increase of 391 people since the 2021 Census. The 2021 Census reported a population of 4,876 in the suburb. This growth was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of 5,187 residents following examination of ABS ERP data release (June 2024) and validation of additional 31 new addresses since the Census date. The population density is approximately 1,591 persons per square kilometer, above national averages assessed by AreaSearch. Northgate's growth rate of 8.0% since the census is within 0.6 percentage points of its SA4 region (8.6%), indicating competitive fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed about 53.0% of overall population gains recently.

For projections, AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia data 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 from 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted, applying proportional growth weightings for age cohorts in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023. Demographic trends suggest lower quartile growth is anticipated, with the suburb expected to increase by 178 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 1.3% over 17 years.

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

Northgate has seen approximately 22 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 114 homes. By FY-26, six approvals have been recorded. The average population increase per year for each dwelling built in Northgate between FY-21 and FY-25 was 1.9 people. This suggests a balanced supply and demand market, supporting stable conditions.

The average construction value of new homes has been $541,000. In the current financial year, there have been $30.2 million in commercial approvals, indicating high local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Northgate records approximately 60% of building activity per person and ranks at the 58th percentile nationally among assessed areas.

Recent construction comprises 70.0% standalone homes and 30.0% medium and high-density housing, with a growing mix of townhouses and apartments. As of FY-25, Northgate had around 263 people per dwelling approval. Future projections estimate an addition of 69 residents by 2041, suggesting that current construction levels should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth exceeding current forecasts.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified ten projects likely influencing the area. Notable ones are Danby Lane - Nundah Village, Danby Lane, Cross River Rail - European Train Control System, and Residential Building 27-29 Dethridge Street. The following list details those 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.

The employment environment in Northgate shows above-average strength when compared nationally

Northgate has an educated workforce with strong professional services representation. The unemployment rate was 4.3% as of June 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 11.2% over the previous year.

There are 3,359 employed residents in Northgate, where the unemployment rate is 0.2% higher than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation stands at 72.7%, exceeding Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and education & training. Notably, professional & technical employment is at 1.3 times the regional average.

Manufacturing employs only 4.6% of local workers, below Greater Brisbane's 6.4%. The area hosts more jobs than residents, with a worker-to-resident ratio of 1.2, acting as an employment hub attracting workers from nearby areas. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 11.2% while the labour force grew by 10.4%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.7 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Brisbane saw employment growth of 4.4%, labour force growth of 4.0%, and a reduction in unemployment of 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Northgate's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.2% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not consider localized population projections.

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released for financial year 2022, Northgate had a median income among taxpayers of $59,127 and an average income of $74,414. Nationally, the median income was $55,645 and the average was $70,520. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $67,399 (median) and $84,825 (average). Census data shows household, family, and personal incomes in Northgate are at the 72nd percentile nationally. Income distribution indicates that 30.3% of the population falls within the $1,500 - $2,999 range, mirroring regional levels. Higher earners make up a substantial portion, with 31.7% exceeding $3,000 weekly. Housing costs consume 16.5% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 67th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

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

In Northgate, as per the latest Census evaluation, 57.1% of dwellings were houses while 42.9% comprised other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This differs slightly from Brisbane's metropolitan area which had 56.6% houses and 43.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Northgate stood at 19.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 37.2% and rented ones at 43.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,100, higher than Brisbane's metro average of $1,950. Meanwhile, the median weekly rent figure in Northgate was recorded at $360, compared to Brisbane's metro average of $400. Nationally, Northgate's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were lower than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 64.2% of all households, including 29.0% couples with children, 24.1% couples without children, and 9.3% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 35.8%, with lone person households at 30.2% and group households making up 5.6%. The median household size is 2.4 people, larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.3.

Northgate shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Northgate has a higher proportion of residents with university qualifications than Queensland and Australia as a whole. 38.1% of Northgate's residents aged 15 and above hold such qualifications, compared to 25.7% in Queensland and 30.4% nationally. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 26.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.2%) and graduate diplomas (4.5%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 31.6% of residents holding them - advanced diplomas account for 12.0% and certificates for 19.6%.

Educational participation is high, with 29.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.0% in primary education, 7.7% in tertiary education, and 6.4% pursuing secondary education. Northgate State School serves the local area, with an enrollment of 341 students as of a recent date. The school focuses exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in surrounding areas. School places per 100 residents stand at 6.5, lower than the regional average of 12.6, indicating some students may attend schools outside Northgate.

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

Northgate has 29 active public transport stops, serving a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 106 individual routes, collectively providing 7420 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 156 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 1060 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 255 weekly trips per stop.

The level of general health in Northgate is notably higher than the national average with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Northgate shows higher-than-average health outcomes.

Common health conditions seen across both young and old age groups are fairly standard. Approximately 57% of the total population (~2,985 people) has private health cover, which is very high. The most common medical conditions are mental health issues (10.2%) and asthma (8.1%). About 71.4% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 70.7% across Greater Brisbane. Northgate has 11.9% of residents aged 65 and over (626 people), lower than the 14.3% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, aligning with the general population's health profile.

Northgate 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

Northgate's population was found to be more culturally diverse than most local markets, with 26.2% born overseas and 17.7% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Northgate, comprising 45.7% of its population. Hinduism is notably overrepresented, making up 5.9% compared to 4.5% across Greater Brisbane.

The top three ancestry groups are English (27.3%), Australian (23.3%), and Other (10.6%). Notably, Polish (1.0%) is overrepresented in Northgate compared to the regional average of 0.6%. Similarly, Russian (0.4%) and Samoan (0.4%) are also overrepresented compared to their respective regional averages of 0.3% and 0.5%.

Northgate's population is younger than the national pattern

Northgate's median age is 35 years, nearly matching Greater Brisbane's average of 36 years but somewhat younger than Australia's average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Northgate has a higher percentage of residents aged 25-34 (18.9%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (10.6%). Between the 2021 Census and now, the population of residents aged 35-44 has grown from 17.4% to 18.2%, while the percentage of residents aged 25-34 has declined from 20.0% to 18.9%. By 2041, significant demographic changes are forecast for Northgate. The population of residents aged 45-54 is projected to grow by 20%, adding 132 residents to reach a total of 791. Conversely, population declines are projected for the age groups 5-14 and 0-4 years.