Palmwoods (Qld)

Population growth drivers in Palmwoods are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validation, as of Nov 2025, Palmwoods (Qld) SA2's estimated population is around 7,712. This reflects an increase of 1,355 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,357. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 7,641 following examination of ABS ERP data release in June 2024 and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 322 persons per square kilometer. Palmwoods SA2's growth rate of 21.3% since the 2021 Census exceeded non-metro areas' average growth of 8.8%. Interstate migration contributed approximately 79.0% to overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers being positive factors.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 using 2022 as the base year. 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 adopted, with proportional growth weightings applied for age cohorts. Future population dynamics project an above median growth for locations outside capital cities, with Palmwoods SA2 expected to increase by 1,415 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 11.7% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Palmwoods among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Palmwoods has recorded approximately 123 residential properties granted approval each year. Between FY-21 and FY-25, around 615 homes were approved, with an additional 20 approved in FY-26 so far. On average, 1.7 people have moved to the area for each dwelling built over the past five financial years.

This indicates a balanced supply and demand market, supporting stable conditions. The average construction cost value of new homes is $428,000. In FY-26, there have been $16.8 million in commercial approvals, suggesting balanced commercial development activity. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Palmwoods has slightly more development, at 28.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period.

This preserves reasonable buyer options while sustaining existing property demand. Development activity is substantially higher than nationally, indicating strong developer confidence in the location. New development consists of 85.0% detached houses and 15.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. With around 64 people per dwelling approval, Palmwoods shows characteristics of a growth area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Palmwoods is expected to grow by 901 residents through to 2041. Current construction levels should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Palmwoods 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 14 projects that could impact the area. Notable ones include Palmwoods Supermarket, Palmwoods Sports Complex Master Plan, Woombye - Palmwoods Local Plan Area, and Palmwoods Garden Village Expansion. The following list details those most likely to be 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.

Employment conditions in Palmwoods demonstrate strong performance, ranking among the top 35% of areas assessed nationally

Palmwoods has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. Its unemployment rate is 2.5%, as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of September 2025, 3730 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.6% below Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation is at 61.6%, slightly higher than Rest of Qld's 59.1%. The dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Construction is particularly prominent, with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 2.3% of local workers, lower than Rest of Qld's 4.5%. The area may offer limited local employment opportunities, indicated by the difference between Census working population and resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, Palmwoods' labour force decreased by 2.2% and employment declined by 1.9%, leading to a 0.4 percentage point drop in unemployment rate. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment growth of 1.7% and labour force growth of 2.1%, with a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment. State-level data up to 25-Nov-25 shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1210 jobs), with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, closely matching the national rate of 4.3%. Job and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years nationally. Applying these projections to Palmwoods' employment mix suggests local employment could grow by 6.7% in five years and 13.9% in ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The suburb of Palmwoods had a median taxpayer income of $49,412 and an average of $64,291 in the financial year 2023. This was lower than the national average, with Rest of Qld having a median income of $53,146 and an average income of $66,593. As of September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $54,309 (median) and $70,662 (average), based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023. Census data shows household, family, and personal incomes in Palmwoods ranked modestly, between the 38th and 49th percentiles. The income distribution revealed that 35.1% of residents earned between $1,500 - $2,999 (2,706 people), similar to the metropolitan region where this cohort represented 31.7%. Housing affordability pressures were severe in Palmwoods, with only 83.7% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 49th percentile. The suburb's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 5th decile.

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

Palmwoods' dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, comprised 90.7% houses and 9.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro Qld's 93.2% houses and 6.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Palmwoods was at 34.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 43.8% and rented ones at 21.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,878, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,863. Median weekly rent in Palmwoods was $430, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $400. Nationally, Palmwoods' mortgage repayments were above the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially higher than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 76.2% of all households, including 33.4% couples with children, 30.9% couples without children, and 11.5% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 23.8%, with lone person households at 20.5% and group households comprising 3.0%. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.6.

Palmwoods performs slightly above the national average for education, showing competitive qualification levels and steady academic outcomes

Palmwoods' residents aged 15+ have 22.9% university degrees, compared to Australia's 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 16.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.9%) and graduate diplomas (2.8%). Vocational credentials are held by 41.7% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 12.2% and certificates at 29.5%. Educational participation is high, with 28.3% currently enrolled in formal education: primary (10.2%), secondary (9.1%), and tertiary (3.9%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 28.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.2% in primary education, 9.1% in secondary education, and 3.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Palmwoods has 12 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 42 routes, facilitating 626 weekly passenger trips in total. Residents enjoy good transport accessibility, with an average distance of 269 meters to the nearest stop.

Service frequency stands at 89 daily trips across all routes, translating to around 52 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health outcomes in Palmwoods are marginally below the national average with common health conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts

Palmwoods shows below-average health outcomes, with common conditions slightly more prevalent than average among both younger and older age groups.

Private health cover stands at approximately 53% of the total population (~4,062 people), slightly higher than the average SA2 area. The most frequent medical conditions are arthritis (9.4%) and mental health issues (8.6%). A majority, 66.8%, report being free from medical ailments, similar to the Rest of Qld figure of 66.4%. The area has a resident population aged 65 and over at 19.2% (1,480 people), aligning with the general population's health profile.

Palmwoods ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Palmwoods, surveyed in June 2016, showed low cultural diversity with 81.8% of residents born in Australia, 90.5% being citizens, and 96.0% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, practiced by 48.2%. This is slightly higher than the regional average of 44.6%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (35.3%), Australian (26.1%), and Scottish (9.5%). Notably, German (5.3% vs 5.0%) was overrepresented while New Zealand (1.0% vs 1.0%) and French (0.6% vs 0.6%) showed no significant difference from the regional averages.

Palmwoods hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

The median age in Palmwoods is 42 years, close to Rest of Qld's average of 41 and well above Australia's median of 38. The 0-4 age group is over-represented at 6.0% compared to the Rest of Qld average, while the 25-34 year-olds are under-represented at 11.4%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the 15-24 age group has grown from 11.0% to 12.1%, and the 45-54 cohort has declined from 14.3% to 12.4%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes in Palmwoods. The 25-34 age group is projected to expand by 280 people (32%) from 879 to 1,160, while the 15-24 cohort is projected to decline by 72 people.