Chart Color Schemes
This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Plainland has an estimated 2,382 residents, up from 1,930 at the 2021 Census — a change of 452 people, or 23.4%. Growth has averaged 4.2% a year over five years, faster than 92% of areas nationally. 158 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Interstate and internal migration accounts for 66.0% of that increase. That puts 107 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to AreaSearch's evaluation of broader regional ABS demographic releases alongside address validations post-Census, the suburb of Plainland has reached a population count of approximately 2,382 as of Aug 2026. This indicates an expansion of 452 people (23.4%) above the 1,930 people recorded in the 2021 Census. Such adjustments draw on an estimated resident population base of 2,343 identified by AreaSearch from the ABS June 2025 ERP update, combined with 158 newly verified street addresses recorded post-Census. With 106 persons per square kilometer, the locality maintains a low-density environment that affords substantial personal space alongside opportunities for prospective expansion.
Outperforming both Queensland and the national average (9.5%), the suburb of Plainland's 23.4% post-2021 census surge highlights its role as a regional leader in expansion. Overall expansion was heavily anchored by interstate arrivals, which represented roughly 66.0% of recent population additions, though natural additions and overseas migration also generated positive contributions. Projections generated jointly by Geoscience Australia and the ABS from 2024 (using 2022 base benchmarks) are utilised by AreaSearch across SA2 locations. In instances where SA2 boundaries lack coverage or extend beyond post-2032 horizons, Queensland State Government SA2 modeling from 2023 (founded on 2021 numbers) is substituted. Because state figures omit age-bracket breakdowns, AreaSearch applies proportional distribution ratios derived from the ABS Greater Capital Region 2023 series (2022 baseline) to project respective demographic cohorts. Looking ahead, demographic forecasts place the suburb of Plainland within the upper quartile of statistical divisions across the country, anticipating a gain of 505 persons to 2041 via aggregated SA2 modeling, culminating in an overall rise of 19.6% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
224 new dwellings have been approved in Plainland over the past five years, an average of 44 a year. That places the area in the 81st percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 18 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 28 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 93% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 35, broadly in line with that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Analysis of ABS building approvals by AreaSearch indicates that Plainland has averaged approximately 44 dwellings permitted annually, accumulating to 224 homes throughout the past 5 financial years. Within FY-25 to date, 35 approvals have been documented. Between FY-21 and FY-25, the local influx averaged 3.1 people per year for every completed residence, creating a situation where dwelling requirements outpace incoming supply, a trend that typically stimulates buyer demand and asset appreciation, alongside an average building cost of $472,000 per new residence. Furthermore, non-residential activity remains steady, evidenced by $27.8 million worth of commercial permits authorized during the current financial year.
Development throughput in Plainland exceeds the wider region, tracking 41.0% above regional average per person over the 5 year period compared to Greater Brisbane, which preserves buyer options while safeguarding existing asset values. This pace also substantially outstrips the national baseline, pointing to pronounced builder and investor confidence. The composition of recent construction shows a strong tilt toward standalone properties at 93.0% detached houses alongside 7.0% attached dwellings, preserving the community's traditional spacious profile suited for families. With approximately 73 people per approval, the locality exhibits the attributes of an active growth corridor. According to the latest quarterly calculations from AreaSearch, Plainland is projected to expand by 466 residents by 2041. Should current construction tempos be sustained, incoming residential stock appears well-positioned to satisfy future requirements, establishing balanced purchasing environments while potentially facilitating demographic expansion beyond established forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Plainland
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 2 current infrastructure and development projects inside Plainland, worth an estimated $40 million. A further 7 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $78 million. 6 are already under construction and 3 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans transport & logistics, residential development and retail. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Community performance and long-term vitality are heavily shaped by strategic planning initiatives, key infrastructure, and capital works. AreaSearch has highlighted 2 projects anticipated to generate meaningful local impacts. Primary initiatives include the Plainland Crossing - Endeavour Way Industrial Development, Plainland Crossing, the Warrego Highway Upgrade Program, and Water for Lockyer, with detailed assessments provided for those carrying major regional significance.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Plainland Crossing
A master-planned residential and commercial community in Plainland, midway between Ipswich and Toowoomba on the Warrego Highway. The development delivers approximately 400 residential lots across multiple stages alongside an 11-hectare retail and commercial precinct now fully sold and occupied by national retailers including Bunnings, Aldi, and Woolworths. Commenced in 2015, the estate offers a range of lot sizes with underground power, NBN, and sewer connections, and includes multiple landscaped parks.
Plainland Crossing - Endeavour Way Industrial Development
Industrial and bulky goods precinct within the Plainland Crossing town centre. The final release of commercial lots is actively being developed and marketed for showrooms, bulky goods, and warehousing. Fully serviced commercial lots with direct access to Warrego Highway via Gehrke Road. National retailers including Bunnings and Aldi are already established nearby.
The Range View Estate
Acreage development offering vast plots of land for rural lifestyle. Focus on sustainable living, green spaces, and thoughtful infrastructure.
Ebenezer Regional Industrial Area
A future major industrial and employment hub for South East Queensland. The project includes the delivery of catalytic trunk infrastructure and a proposed Ebenezer Intermodal Terminal to support the Inland Rail project.
Gainsborough Meadows Estate
Masterplanned house and land estate in Brassall, Ipswich, delivering new residential lots with local roads, drainage, and landscaping in staged releases. Close to schools, shopping, and transport with house and land packages marketed by Tribeca.
Eureka Brassall Expansion
Completed expansion delivering 51 new 2-bedroom rental villas within Eureka Gainsborough Lifestyle Village, including refurbished community facilities (pool house and community room). Staged handover in 2023 with final 11 villas completed and fully leased by Feb 2024.
Woolworths West Brassall Shopping Centre
Construction is underway on a Woolworths-anchored neighbourhood shopping centre at West Brassall / Emerald Hill. The project spans about 25,500 sqm and will deliver about 6,000 sqm of retail space, including a full-line Woolworths supermarket, approximately 15 specialty shops and kiosks, BWS, food and service tenancies, a medical and health precinct, outdoor dining and about 300 on-grade car parks. The centre is positioned to serve the growing Brassall and Emerald Hill residential catchment near the Warrego Highway connection and is due for completion in late April 2026.
Cunningham Highway Upgrade
The $276 million Cunningham Highway upgrade will enhance one of the region's major arterial roads. This project aims to improve safety, reduce travel times, and accommodate increasing traffic volumes between Ipswich and surrounding areas.
1,176 residents of Plainland are employed, from a labour force of 1,213. Unemployment sits at 3.1%, with participation at 65.0%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.9% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth, so in an area growing as fast as this one it understates the likely rise in local jobs. The working-day population is estimated at 1,846, about 77% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Plainland features a balanced labor market encompassing blue-collar and white-collar roles, supported by solid representation across core community sectors, a low jobless rate of 3.1%, and an estimated 13.2% rise in employment over the preceding twelve months according to AreaSearch statistical aggregations. Across the workforce, 1,176 residents are in work as of March 2026. The area's unemployment level sits 1.3% below Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.3%, although labor participation remains notably subdued at 65.0% compared to Greater Brisbane's 70.1%. Census records show that merely 10.4% of workers conducted their duties from home, though historical Covid-19 restrictions must be factored into this figure.
The primary employment sectors for the local workforce include retail trade, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Strong industry concentration is evident in agriculture, forestry & fishing, which captures a local workforce share 7.6 times the regional level. In contrast, professional & technical occupations are less prevalent, accounting for 3.3% versus the regional average of 8.9%. Comparison of the Census working population against resident worker numbers indicates that local job generation remains constrained within this predominantly residential district. Evaluation of ABS and SALM metrics by AreaSearch for the twelve-month period to March 2026 demonstrates that the local employment pool expanded by 13.2% alongside a 12.1% growth in the total labor force, which reduced local unemployment by 0.9 percentage points. Over the identical timeframe, Greater Brisbane recorded a 3.2% increase in employment and 3.4% in the labor force, with unemployment rising 0.1 percentage points. Additional perspective on future labor requirements can be gathered from Jobs and Skills Australia's Mar-26 national employment projections. These national projections model expansions of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though trajectories vary by industry. Applying these sector-specific trajectories across Plainland's existing workforce profile suggests prospective job growth of 5.9% over five years and 12.7% over ten years (calculated as a direct proportional weighting for illustrative purposes, excluding localized population dynamics).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Plainland is $1,601 a week (about $83,000 a year), with median personal income at $722 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $55,739 a year against an average of $63,599. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
ATO taxation data compiled at postcode level by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 shows taxpayers in Plainland recording a median income of $55,739 and an average of $63,599. These benchmarks trail nationwide standards as well as Greater Brisbane's median of $58,236 and average of $72,799. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, present wage levels are estimated at $62,071 (median) and $70,824 (average) as of March 2026. 2021 Census metrics place personal, household, and family earnings across Plainland between the 32nd and 41st percentiles. The dominant wage bracket spans $1,500 - 2,999 weekly, representing 39.9% of local earners (950 residents), which mirrors the broader metropolitan proportion of 33.3%.
After meeting shelter obligations, households retain 85.1% of their earnings for other living costs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Plainland had 670 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 98% detached houses and 0% apartments. 52% are owned with a mortgage, 17% rented and 32% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $360 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,500 a month. Rent absorbs 22.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 21.6%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential configurations in Plainland at the latest Census were characterized by 98.4% houses and 1.6% other dwellings (incorporating apartments, semi-detached properties, and alternative formats), contrasting with the wider metropolitan profile of 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings in Brisbane metro. Outright property ownership reached 31.6%, notably higher than metropolitan benchmarks, while mortgaged properties accounted for 51.7% and tenant-occupied homes constituted 16.7%. The local median monthly mortgage cost stood at $1,500, remaining significantly more affordable than Brisbane metro's $1,863, while median weekly rent was $360 compared to $380 in Brisbane metro.
On a nationwide scale, local mortgage payments remain well below the Australian average of $1,863, with rental costs also tracking beneath the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Plainland counted 670 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 827 today, averaging 2.7 people each. 31% are couples with children, against 30% couples without children. 19% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.9 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute 76.9% of all local households, divided between couples with children at 31.4%, couples without children at 29.7%, and single parent families at 14.3%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 23.1%, consisting of lone person households (19.1%) alongside group households (4.3%). The local median household size stands at 2.7 people, exceeding the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
13.3% of adults in Plainland hold a university qualification, including 9.9% with a bachelor degree and 1.5% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 32.1% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 1,180 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,005 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Tertiary educational attainment presents an ongoing challenge for Plainland, with only 13.3% of residents holding higher education degrees compared to the Greater Brisbane average of 30.5%, highlighting key target areas for regional educational development. Bachelor degrees comprise the primary tertiary credential at 9.9%, accompanied by graduate diplomas (1.9%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.5%). Technical and trade accreditations are widespread, with 40.7% of residents aged 15+ possessing vocational credentials, including certificates (32.1%) and advanced diplomas (8.6%). Current learning engagement remains robust throughout the locality, with 29.1% of the population taking part in structured study.
This cohort comprises 11.8% in primary education, 7.9% in secondary education, and 3.9% pursuing tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Plainland means driving: households keep an average of 1.9 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
62.4% of residents in Plainland report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 90% of areas nationally. 7.3% need daily assistance with core activities, and 52.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.2 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Assessment of health metrics by AreaSearch, focusing on chronic illness prevalence and mortality rates, reveals notable healthcare pressures in Plainland impacting both senior and younger cohorts. Private health insurance coverage stands at approximately 52% of the total population (~1,248 people), sitting slightly above the typical SA2 average but below the 55.8% recorded across Greater Brisbane. Mental health conditions and arthritis represent the most prevalent long-term diagnoses locally, affecting 10.9 and 10.2% of residents respectively, while 62.4% reported zero diagnosed medical conditions compared to 69.2% across Greater Brisbane. Working-age residents face elevated incidences of chronic health conditions.
In addition, residents aged 65 and over account for 16.8% of the local community (400 people), outpacing the 15.0% benchmark in Greater Brisbane, with senior health indicators generally matching broader nationwide rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Plainland is largely Australian-born, at 87.6% of residents, with 3.2% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (31.2%) and English (30.1%). 4.6% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity metrics for Plainland sit below metropolitan benchmarks, with 87.6% of residents Australian-born, 91.2% holding citizenship, and 96.8% speaking English only at home. Religious affiliations are predominantly Christian, encompassing 53.4% of people in Plainland, compared with 47.8% across Greater Brisbane. Regarding heritage based on parental birthplace, the primary ancestries in Plainland include Australian at 31.2% (substantially exceeding the 23.2% regional proportion), English at 30.1%, and Irish at 8.0%. Distinct variations emerge across other ancestral backgrounds, including German representation at 7.5% (versus 4.2% across the wider region), Australian Aboriginal at 4.6% (versus 2.1%), and Dutch ancestry at 1.6% (versus 1.2%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Plainland is 37. 26.9% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Demographic age distributions in Plainland align closely with Greater Brisbane, showing variances of no more than 2.5 percentage points across all major age segments. The estimated median age remains at 37, matching the 2021 Census figure and sitting 1 year older than Greater Brisbane's median of 36 from that same period. The most noticeable demographic shift post-Census involves mature adults and early retirees aged 45 - 64, decreasing from 24.1% to an estimated 22.0% of the community. Senior cohorts aged 65+ are expected to register the greatest nominal expansion to 2041, climbing by 216 (54%) to reach 616 residents.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Plainland
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jun 2026 4 months ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Jun 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 158 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (1,930 at the 2021 Census → 2,382 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL32340). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.