Queanbeyan East

Population growth drivers in Queanbeyan East are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates, the Queanbeyan East statistical area's population is estimated at around 4,312 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 72 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,240 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 4,295 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 30 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,024 persons per square kilometer. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 59.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Anticipating future population dynamics, an above median population growth is projected for non-metropolitan areas of Australia. The Queanbeyan East (SA2) is expected to increase by 702 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 16.2% in total over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data shows Queanbeyan East experienced around 21 dwellings receiving development approval per year. Over the past 5 financial years, between FY-21 and FY-25, approximately 106 homes were approved, with another 8 approved so far in FY-26. On average, about 0.2 new residents arrived per new home over these years, indicating supply meeting or surpassing demand.

The average construction value of new homes was $459,000, suggesting a focus on the premium market. This financial year has seen $16.1 million in commercial approvals, indicating balanced commercial development activity. Compared to Rest of NSW, Queanbeyan East records about 63% of building activity per person and ranks among the 86th percentile nationally. Recent construction comprises 25.0% standalone homes and 75.0% medium and high-density housing.

With around 102 people per dwelling approval, Queanbeyan East shows characteristics of a low density area. Future projections estimate Queanbeyan East to add 698 residents by 2041. Building activity is keeping pace with growth projections, though buyers may face increased competition as the population grows.

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

The performance of an area can significantly be influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of 10 projects that are likely to impact the area. Notable projects include Celesse Apartments, Spotlight Queanbeyan Retail Redevelopment, Queanbeyan East Public Preschool, and Yass Road, Bungendore Road and Ellerton Drive Intersection Upgrade. The following list details those projects most likely to be relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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Employment conditions in Queanbeyan East demonstrate exceptional strength compared to most Australian markets

Queanbeyan East has a highly educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate stands at 2.0%, as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of September 2025, there are 2,643 residents employed, with an unemployment rate 1.8% lower than Rest of NSW's 3.8%. Workforce participation is notably higher at 72.3%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Key employment sectors include public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and construction. Public administration & safety stands out with employment levels at 3.3 times the regional average, while agriculture, forestry & fishing employs just 0.4% of local workers, below Rest of NSW's 5.3%.

Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census working population data. Between September 2024 and September 2025, the labour force decreased by 5.3%, with employment decreasing by 5.6%, leading to a rise in unemployment by 0.3 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw an employment decline of 0.5% and a labour force decline of 0.1%, with unemployment rising by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data as of 25-Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03%, losing 2,260 jobs, with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. Nationally, the unemployment rate stands at 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Queanbeyan East's employment mix suggests local employment should grow by 6.2% over five years and 12.9% over ten years, although these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localized population projections.

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

AreaSearch reports that Queanbeyan East had a median taxpayer income of $62,781 and an average of $73,913 in the financial year 2023. Nationally, the averages were $52,390 and $65,215 respectively for Rest of NSW. By September 2025, estimates suggest median income will be approximately $68,343 and average income $80,462, based on an 8.86% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023. Census data shows individual earnings rank at the 84th percentile nationally ($1,079 weekly), while household income ranks at the 46th percentile. Income analysis reveals that 38.4% of residents (1,655 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, similar to the regional pattern where 29.9% occupy this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.7% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 46th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

Queanbeyan East's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, comprised 28.3% houses and 71.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 74.5% houses and 25.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Queanbeyan East was at 18.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 31.4% and rented ones at 50.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,647, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $2,167. The median weekly rent figure in Queanbeyan East was $310, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $355. Nationally, Queanbeyan East's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,647 than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Queanbeyan East features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 50.8% of all households, including 19.9% couples with children, 19.7% couples without children, and 9.7% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 49.2%, with lone person households at 44.8% and group households comprising 4.4%. The median household size is 2.0 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.6.

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

Queanbeyan East has a notably high level of educational attainment among its residents aged 15 and above, with 31.6% holding university qualifications compared to the broader NSW average of 21.3%. This figure is also higher than that of the SA4 region, which stands at 24.1%. The area's residents have a significant advantage in educational attainment, positioning them well for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most common type of university qualification held by residents, with 19.1% having completed one.

Postgraduate qualifications and graduate diplomas follow, with 9.5% and 3.0% respectively. Vocational credentials are also prevalent in Queanbeyan East, with 34.6% of residents aged 15 and above holding them. Advanced diplomas account for 10.9%, while certificates make up 23.7%. Educational participation is high among the area's residents, with 26.5% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.0% in primary education, 5.5% in tertiary education, and 4.3% pursuing secondary education.

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

Analysis shows 29 active transport stops in Queanbeyan East, served by buses via 36 routes offering 281 weekly passenger trips. Residents' average proximity to nearest stop is 163 meters, with service frequency averaging 40 trips daily across all routes, equating to approximately 9 weekly trips per individual stop.

Service frequency averages 40 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 9 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health outcomes in Queanbeyan East are marginally below the national average with the level of common health conditions among the general population somewhat typical, though higher than the nation's average among older cohorts

Queanbeyan East has below-average health indicators compared to national averages. Common health conditions are somewhat typical but higher among older cohorts.

Private health cover is very high at approximately 56%, or about 2,420 people, compared to 61.9% across Rest of NSW. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 10.9% and 8.5% of residents respectively. Approximately 68.5% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, similar to the 68.7% across Rest of NSW. The area has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 10.6%, or 457 people, compared to 13.4% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than the broader population.

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

Queanbeyan East, as per data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics' Census of Population and Housing conducted on 27 June 2016, exhibited greater cultural diversity compared to most local areas. It had 27.8% of its population born overseas and 24.7% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Queanbeyan East, with 45.6% adherents.

The 'Other' religious category showed higher representation in Queanbeyan East at 3.4%, compared to 1.6% across Rest of NSW. Regarding ancestry, the top three groups were English (24.6%), Australian (23.8%), and Other (12.7%). Notable variations included Macedonian (1.7% vs regional 1.5%), Serbian (0.6% vs 0.6%), and Croatian (1.0% vs 0.9%) groups.

Queanbeyan East hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

The median age in Queanbeyan East is 33 years, which is considerably lower than the Rest of NSW average of 43 years and substantially under the national average of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of NSW average, the 25-34 cohort is notably over-represented at 26.7% locally, while the 65-74 year-olds are under-represented at 6.1%. This concentration of the 25-34 age group is well above the national average of 14.5%. According to post-2021 Census data, the area has become younger, with the median age dropping from 34 years to 33 years between the censuses. The 25 to 34 age group grew from 23.9% to 26.7% of the population during this period. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort declined from 10.7% to 8.8%, and the 45 to 54 group dropped from 12.5% to 10.9%. By 2041, Queanbeyan East is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. Leading this demographic shift, the 25 to 34 group will grow by 26%, reaching 1,454 people from 1,151. In contrast, the 65 to 74 and 15 to 24 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.