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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
Sales Activity
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Population
Plainland lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends
As of May 2026, the population of the suburb of Plainland is estimated at around 2,395 people. This figure reflects an increase of 465 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,930 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 2,354, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025, and an additional 158 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 107 persons per square kilometer. The suburb's 24.1% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the national average (9.3%), along with the state, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration, contributing approximately 66.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including overseas migration and natural growth were positive factors.
AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and for years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections, released in 2023 and based on 2021 data, are adopted. It should be noted that these state projections do not provide age category splits; hence where utilised, AreaSearch is applying proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age cohort. Moving forward with demographic trends, a significant population increase in the top quartile of statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch is forecast. The suburb is expected to increase by 511 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 19.6% in total over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
Recent residential development output has been above average within Plainland when compared nationally
Plainland recorded approximately 42 residential properties approved annually based on AreaSearch's analysis of ABS building approval numbers. Between FY-21 and FY-25, around 210 homes were approved, with an additional 14 approved in FY-26. Each dwelling built attracted about 1 person per year over the past five financial years, indicating that new supply is meeting or exceeding demand.
The average construction cost value of these dwellings was $431,000, suggesting a focus on premium developments. In FY-26, commercial approvals totaled $27.8 million, signifying steady investment activity. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Plainland has 141.0% more development activity per person, offering greater buyer choice. However, recent periods have seen a moderation in development activity. Nationally, Plainland's activity is well above average, reflecting strong developer confidence.
New developments consist of 91.0% detached dwellings and 9.0% medium to high-density housing, preserving the area's low density nature while attracting space-seeking buyers. With around 63 people per dwelling approval, Plainland exhibits growth area characteristics. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Plainland is projected to add 470 residents by 2041. Current development patterns suggest that new housing supply should readily meet demand, creating favorable conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Plainland
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
Infrastructure
Plainland has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally
Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified two key projects that could impact this region: Plainland Crossing - Endeavour Way Industrial Development, Plainland Crossing, Warrego Highway Upgrade Program, and Water for Lockyer. The following details the projects likely to be most relevant.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Queensland Energy Roadmap 2026
The Queensland Energy Roadmap 2026 is a strategic policy framework released by the Crisafulli Government on 10 October 2025. It replaces the previous SuperGrid Infrastructure Blueprint, shifting focus toward a market-based approach to power reliability and affordability. Key pillars include extending the operating life of state-owned coal power stations until 2046, doubling gas-fired generation capacity to 8.3GW by 2035, and transitioning 'Renewable Energy Zones' into 'Regional Energy Hubs' to integrate solar, wind, and storage with existing grid infrastructure. Major active components include the $1.6 billion Electricity Maintenance Guarantee, a 400MW gas generation tender in Central Queensland, and the CopperString Eastern Link (330kV) targeted for 2032 completion.
Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Infrastructure Program
A $7.1 billion venue infrastructure program delivered by the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA), funded jointly by the Australian Government ($3.435 billion) and Queensland Government ($3.65 billion). The program covers 17 new and upgraded sporting venues across Queensland, headlined by a new 63,000-seat Brisbane Stadium at Victoria Park, a new National Aquatic Centre at Spring Hill, and a Brisbane Athletes Village at the Showgrounds (led by Lendlease and RNA). Delivery partner Unite32 - a consortium of Laing O'Rourke and AECOM - was appointed in December 2025. Early works for Victoria Park Stadium are set to commence in Q2 2026, with the National Aquatic Centre also entering early contractor involvement. Other venues include Logan and Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centres, Barlow Park (Cairns), Sunshine Coast Stadium, Redland Whitewater Centre, Queensland Tennis Centre, Chandler Sports Precinct, Rockhampton Flatwater Facility, Toowoomba Showgrounds and Brisbane International Shooting Centre.
Queensland Energy Roadmap 2026
The Queensland Energy Roadmap 2026 is a state policy framework released on 10 October 2025. It reverses earlier plans by extending state-owned coal asset operations until at least 2046 supported by a 1.6 billion dollar maintenance guarantee. The plan focuses on a market-driven approach to Regional Energy Hubs, doubling gas capacity to 8.3GW by 2035, and accelerating large-scale battery storage. Significant infrastructure includes the 400MW Central Queensland Gas Power Tender and the CopperString Eastern Link (330kV) transmission project.
Building Future Hospitals Program
Now referred to as the Hospital Rescue Plan, this $18.5 billion program is the largest health infrastructure investment in Queensland history. It aims to deliver over 2,600 new public hospital beds by 2032 through three new hospitals (Coomera, Bundaberg, Toowoomba) and major expansions at 10 existing facilities including QEII, Logan, and Princess Alexandra hospitals. Recent milestones in 2026 include the completion of the concept design for the 600-bed Coomera Hospital and the final concrete pour for the QEII Hospital expansion clinical building.
South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Supplement (SEQIP & SEQIS)
The South East Queensland Infrastructure Supplement (SEQIS), released in December 2023, provides a strategic framework for coordinating regional infrastructure to support housing supply and growth across the 12 SEQ local government areas. It aligns with ShapingSEQ 2023 and prioritises Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games infrastructure delivery. A full South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan (SEQIP) is now being developed concurrently with the review of the SEQ Regional Plan, which will give the infrastructure plan statutory weight. The region is projected to reach a population of around 6 million by 2046, requiring nearly 900,000 new homes and one million new jobs. Key focus areas include unlocking housing supply, delivering transport infrastructure such as Cross River Rail and the Coomera Connector, and supporting the $2 billion Residential Activation Fund.
Inland Rail - Queensland Sections
The Queensland sections of Inland Rail comprise four sub-projects: NSW/Queensland Border to Gowrie (B2G), Gowrie to Helidon (G2H), Helidon to Calvert (H2C) and Calvert to Kagaru (C2K). Combined, they were planned to deliver around 350km of new and upgraded dual-gauge track linking the existing rail network at the NSW border, near Yelarbon, through Toowoomba and on to Kagaru south of Brisbane, including a 6.2km tunnel through the Toowoomba Range and a 985m tunnel through the Teviot Range. A proposed intermodal terminal at Ebenezer would form the northern double-stack endpoint. On 6 May 2026, the Australian Government announced that Inland Rail would be consolidated, with construction to be completed only between Beveridge in Victoria and Parkes in New South Wales by the end of 2027 after an independent cost review by ACIL Allen estimated the full Melbourne to Brisbane corridor would cost more than 45 billion dollars. Works north of Parkes, including all Queensland sections, will now focus on preservation of the rail corridor and protection of sites for future intermodal terminals at Gowrie and Ebenezer. Environmental approvals and selected land acquisitions are expected to continue. The Queensland Coordinator-General previously extended the coordinated project declaration lapse dates to November 2029 while revised EIS information for the Border to Gowrie and Gowrie to Helidon projects is finalised. Any future delivery of the Queensland sections is now subject to a separate Australian Government decision, with completion not expected before 2036 if reactivated.
Proposed Inland Rail Tunnel (Gowrie to Brisbane Port)
The Gowrie to Kagaru section is the most complex part of the Inland Rail program, featuring a 6.2km tunnel through the Toowoomba Range and an 850m tunnel through the Little Liverpool Range. As of May 2026, the federal government has announced a major scope realignment, reallocating 1.75 billion AUD to other rail upgrades and focusing on completing the Beveridge to Parkes sections by 2027. While sections like Helidon to Calvert and Calvert to Kagaru remain under assessment with the Queensland Coordinator-General, the full connection to Brisbane Port is now targeted for 2036 following significant budget reviews.
Inland Rail - Gowrie to Kagaru (G2K)
The 128km Gowrie to Kagaru (G2K) section is the most technically complex link of the Inland Rail, featuring the 6.2km Toowoomba Range tunnel. As of May 2026, the project is under intense assessment following the revised draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) public consultation held in late 2025. While the Australian Government has prioritized sections between Beveridge and Parkes for 2027 completion, G2K remains in the approvals phase with a project declaration lapse date currently set for July 1, 2026. The route is divided into three subsections: Gowrie to Helidon, Helidon to Calvert, and Calvert to Kagaru.
Employment
AreaSearch assessment positions Plainland ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance
Plainland's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs, with prominent representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 3.5% as of the past year, reflecting a 10.4% employment growth based on AreaSearch data aggregation. As of December 2025, 1,137 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.7% lower than Greater Brisbane's 4.1%.
Workforce participation was at 62.7%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 69.6%. Census responses indicated that only 10.4% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdown impacts. The dominant employment sectors in Plainland were health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. The area showed strong specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with an employment share 7.6 times the regional level.
Conversely, professional & technical services employed only 3.3% of local workers, below Greater Brisbane's 8.9%. Over a 12-month period ending in May-25, employment increased by 10.4%, while the labour force grew by 9.3%, leading to a 1.0 percentage point decrease in unemployment rate. In comparison, Greater Brisbane saw employment rise by 3.2%, with a 0.1 percentage point reduction in unemployment. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Plainland's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.9% over five years and 12.7% over ten years, though these estimates are illustrative and do not account for localized population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis
AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that in Plainland, median income is $55,739 and average income is $63,599. In Greater Brisbane, median income is $58,236 and average income is $72,799. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes for Plainland as of March 2026 are approximately $62,071 (median) and $70,824 (average). The 2021 Census ranks household, family, and personal incomes in Plainland between the 32nd and 41st percentiles. Incomes predominantly fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 category, with 39.9% of locals (955 people) earning within this range, similar to metropolitan regions where 33.3% occupy this bracket. After housing expenses, 85.1% of income remains for other expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Plainland is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership
In Plainland, as per the latest Census findings, 98.4% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 1.6% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other dwelling types. This contrasts with Brisbane's metropolitan area where 73.5% of dwellings are houses and 26.5% are other types. Home ownership in Plainland stood at 31.6%, with mortgaged properties making up 51.7% and rented dwellings accounting for 16.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,500, lower than Brisbane's metro average of $1,863. The median weekly rent in Plainland was recorded at $360, compared to $380 in Brisbane's metropolitan area. Nationally, Plainland's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Plainland features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size
Family households constitute 76.9% of all households, including 31.4% couples with children, 29.7% couples without children, and 14.3% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 23.1%, with lone person households at 19.1% and group households making up 4.3%. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Educational outcomes in Plainland fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment
The area's university qualification rate is 13.3%, significantly lower than Greater Brisbane's average of 30.5%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.9%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.9%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.5%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 40.7% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (8.6%) and certificates (32.1%). Educational participation is high at 29.1%, comprising primary education (11.8%), secondary education (7.9%), and tertiary education (3.9%).
Educational participation is notably high, with 29.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.8% in primary education, 7.9% in secondary education, and 3.9% pursuing tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
No public transport data available for this catchment area.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Health performance in Plainland is well below average with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts
Plainland faces significant health challenges, according to AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high across various health conditions, affecting both younger and older age groups.
Private health cover is more prevalent than average at approximately 52% (~1,254 people), compared to Greater Brisbane's 55.8%. The most common medical conditions are mental health issues (10.9%) and arthritis (10.2%), with 62.4% of residents reporting no medical ailments, lower than Greater Brisbane's 69.2%. Working-age residents have notably high chronic condition rates. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 17.1% (409 people), compared to Greater Brisbane's 15.1%. Senior health outcomes align with national rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
Plainland is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics
Plainland's population showed low cultural diversity, with 87.6% born in Australia, 91.2% being citizens, and 96.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion at 53.4%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 47.8%. Top ancestry groups were Australian (31.2%), English (30.1%), and Irish (8.0%).
Notably, German ancestry was higher at 7.5% versus 4.2% regionally, Dutch at 1.6% versus 1.2%, and Australian Aboriginal at 4.6% versus 2.1%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Plainland's population is slightly younger than the national pattern
Plainland's median age is nearly matching Greater Brisbane's average of 36 years and is very close to Australia's median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Plainland has a higher concentration of residents aged 55-64 (12.3%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (13.2%). Between the 2021 Census and now, the proportion of residents aged 15-24 has grown from 11.4% to 12.7%, while the proportion of residents aged 45-54 has declined from 11.6% to 10.5%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Plainland's age profile will evolve significantly. The 75-84 cohort is projected to grow by 66%, adding 100 residents to reach 251. Meanwhile, the 0-4 cohort grows by a modest 1% (1 person).