Russell Island

Russell Island lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validation, the estimated population of Russell Island as of Feb 2026 is around 4746. This reflects an increase of 1048 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3698. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 4152 residents in Jun 2024, along with 94 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 271 persons per square kilometer. Russell Island's growth rate of 28.3% since the 2021 Census exceeded the SA4 region (8.3%) and national average, marking it as a growth leader. Interstate migration contributed approximately 89.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 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. These state projections do not provide age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age cohort are applied when utilised. Considering projected demographic shifts, an above median population growth is expected, with the area projected to increase by 1144 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 15.2% over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data shows Russell Island averaged around 133 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 668 homes. As of FY26, 96 approvals have been recorded. Over the same period, an average of 1.4 new residents per year arrived per new home, indicating a balanced supply and demand market with stable conditions. The average construction cost value of new homes was $218,000, lower than regional levels, suggesting more accessible housing choices for buyers.

In FY26, $59,000 in commercial development approvals have been recorded, reflecting a predominantly residential focus. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Russell Island has 267.0% higher building activity per person, offering buyers greater choice and indicating robust developer interest. Recent development has consisted entirely of detached houses, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes. There are approximately 31 people per dwelling approval in the location, suggesting an expanding market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Russell Island is projected to add 719 residents by 2041.

Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Russell Island has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

No factor influences an area's performance more than changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified zero projects that could impact this area. Key projects include Brisbane to Gold Coast Transport Corridor Upgrades (Corridor Program), Redlands Coast Smart and Connected City Strategy, Cleveland Line Duplication (Park Road to Cleveland), and Gold Coast Rail Line Station Upgrades. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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Employment drivers in Russell Island are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Russell Island's workforce is balanced across white and blue collar jobs. The construction sector is prominent with a high representation. As of September 2025, the unemployment rate was 15.7%, showing an estimated employment growth of 8.4% over the past year.

This rate is 11.8% higher than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4%. Workforce participation in Russell Island lags at 37.6%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 70.7%. Home-based work accounts for 16.4% of jobs, considering Covid-19 impacts. The leading employment industries are health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.

Construction is notably concentrated with levels at 1.7 times the regional average. However, professional & technical services are under-represented at 3.3%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 8.9%. Limited local employment opportunities are indicated by the resident population versus working population count. Between September 2024 and 2025, employment increased by 8.4% while labour force grew by 6.2%, reducing unemployment by 1.7 percentage points. In Greater Brisbane, employment grew by 3.8%, labour force expanded by 3.3%, and unemployment fell by 0.5 percentage points. 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 Russell Island's employment mix suggests local employment growth of 6.5% over five years and 13.4% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

Russell Island's median income among taxpayers in financial year 2023 was $32,017. The suburb's average income stood at $42,557 during the same period. These figures are lower than those of Greater Brisbane, which had a median income of $58,236 and an average income of $72,799 in 2023. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, the estimated median income for Russell Island as of September 2025 is approximately $35,190, with an average income of around $46,774. Census data shows that household, family and personal incomes in Russell Island all fall within the 0th to 1st percentiles nationally. Income distribution reveals that 42.6% (2,021 individuals) earn between $400 and $799 weekly, contrasting with regional levels where the $1,500 to $2,999 bracket leads at 33.3%. A significant proportion of residents face affordability pressures, with 54.7% earning below $800 weekly after housing costs. Despite this, 84.9% of income remains after housing expenses, though this figure ranks at only the 2nd percentile nationally.

Russell Island is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Russell Island's latest Census data shows that 99.4% of dwellings are houses, with the remaining 0.6% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This contrasts with Brisbane metro's 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Russell Island stands at 50.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 22.7% and rented ones at 26.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment is $867, lower than Brisbane metro's average of $1,863. The median weekly rent figure in Russell Island is $260, compared to Brisbane metro's $380. Nationally, Russell Island's mortgage repayments are significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 54.2% of all households, including 10.2% couples with children, 31.6% couples without children, and 11.2% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 45.8%, with lone person households at 39.9% and group households comprising 6.0%. The median household size is 1.9 people, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

Russell Island faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 12.5%, significantly lower than Greater Brisbane's average of 30.5%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 9.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.0%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 45.3% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 11.7% and certificates at 33.6%. Education pursuit is active among 20.4% of the population, including 7.1% in primary education, 6.6% in secondary education, and 1.7% pursuing tertiary education.

A substantial 20.4% of the population actively pursues formal education. This includes 7.1% in primary education, 6.6% in secondary education, and 1.7% pursuing tertiary education.

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

A transport analysis indicates two operational stops within Russell Island, offering mixed ferry services. One route serves these stops, facilitating 217 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport accessibility is deemed limited, with residents generally situated 3177 meters from the nearest stop. Predominantly residential, most islanders commute outward using cars (64%), followed by buses (9%) and walking (8%). The average vehicle ownership per dwelling stands at 0.9, below regional averages. According to the 2021 Census, 16.4% of residents work from home, potentially influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages 31 trips daily across all routes, equating to approximately 108 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Russell Island is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Russell Island faces significant health challenges, as assessed by AreaSearch. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high, affecting both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 44% of the total population (around 2,091 people), compared to 55.8% in Greater Brisbane and a national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 15.5% of residents) and mental health issues (13.5%). Conversely, 46.2% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 69.2% in Greater Brisbane. Working-age adults face notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. The area has a higher proportion of seniors, with 41.6% aged 65 and over (1,974 people), compared to 15.2% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among seniors are broadly in line with national rankings.

In terms of cultural diversity, Russell Island records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Russell Island's cultural diversity aligns with the broader area, with 83.2% being citizens, 73.7% born in Australia, and 94.4% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion on Russell Island, accounting for 51.4%. Judaism, however, is slightly overrepresented at 0.2%, compared to 0.1% in Greater Brisbane.

The top three ancestral groups are English (33.3%), Australian (23.7%), and Irish (10.5%). Notably, French (1.0%) and New Zealand (1.2%) ancestry is more prevalent on Russell Island than regionally (0.5% and 1.0% respectively), as is Scottish ancestry at 9.5%.

Russell Island ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Russell Island is 59 years, significantly higher than Greater Brisbane's average of 36 years and the national norm of 38 years. The 65-74 age cohort is notably over-represented on Russell Island at 24.4%, compared to Greater Brisbane's average of around 10%. This concentration is well above the national average of 9.5%. Since 2021, the 75-84 age group has grown from 10.9% to 14.9% of the population, while the 15-24 cohort increased from 5.9% to 7.8%. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort declined from 14.1% to 12.4%, and the 5-14 group dropped from 7.1% to 5.7%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic changes for Russell Island. The 75-84 age cohort is projected to grow by 52%, adding 370 residents to reach 1,078. Senior residents aged 65 and above will drive 89% of the population growth, reflecting demographic aging trends. Both the 25-34 and 5-14 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.