Samford Valley

An assessment of population growth drivers in Samford Valley reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

The suburb of Samford Valley's population was estimated at around 3,403 as of November 2025, based on analysis of ABS population updates and new addresses validated by AreaSearch. This figure reflects an increase of 195 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,208. The estimated resident population of 3,380 in June 2024, following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS and an additional 73 validated new addresses since the Census date, indicates this increase. This results in a density ratio of 167 persons per square kilometer, suggesting significant space per person and potential room for further development. Samford Valley's growth rate of 6.1% since the census is within 1.3 percentage points of the SA3 area's growth rate of 7.4%, demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 59.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including interstate migration and natural growth being positive factors.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. 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 used, applying proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort where necessary. Future population dynamics anticipate lower quartile growth of statistical areas across the nation, with the suburb expected to increase by 80 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an overall increase of 1.9% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Samford Valley 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 indicates Samford Valley averaged approximately 13 new dwelling approvals per year. Between financial years FY-21 and FY-25, around 69 homes were approved, with a further 6 approved in FY-26 to date. This suggests an average of 2.3 new residents per year gained for each dwelling built over the past five financial years, indicating solid demand that supports property values.

The average expected construction cost value of new homes being built is around $805,000, suggesting developers are focusing on the premium market with high-end developments. In FY-26, $780,000 in commercial approvals have been registered, predominantly residential focused. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Samford Valley has similar development levels per person, maintaining market balance consistent with the broader area. Recent construction comprises 71.0% detached dwellings and 29.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's low density nature while showing an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers.

This marks a significant departure from existing housing patterns, currently at 99.0% houses, suggesting diminishing developable land availability and responding to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. Samford Valley shows characteristics of a low density area with around 305 people per dwelling approval. Looking ahead, AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate projects an increase of approximately 63 residents through to 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.

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

No changes can affect an area's performance more than alterations to local infrastructure, significant projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of zero projects that are likely to impact the area. Notable projects include Ferny Hills Precinct Planning Project, Moreton Bay Regional Council Planning Scheme, Local Government Infrastructure Plan (LGIP) Interim Amendment No. 1, and Brisbane Northern Suburbs Corridor Capacity, with the following list detailing those most relevant.

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AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Samford Valley performing better than 85% of local markets assessed across Australia

Samford Valley has a highly educated workforce with strong professional services representation. Its unemployment rate was 2.4% in the past year, showing an estimated employment growth of 6.9%.

As of June 2025, 1,928 residents are employed with an unemployment rate of 1.7%, below Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation is similar to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, professional & technical, and education & training sectors. Professional & technical employment is particularly notable at 1.5 times the regional average.

Retail trade has limited presence with 7.1% employment compared to 9.4% regionally. The area offers limited local employment opportunities as indicated by Census data. Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 6.9% while labour force increased by 7.4%, causing unemployment rate to rise by 0.5 percentage points. Greater Brisbane recorded employment growth of 4.4% with unemployment falling 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Samford Valley's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.1% over five years and 14.3% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Samford Valley's median income among taxpayers is $64,112, with an average of $95,585. Nationally, this is exceptionally high compared to Greater Brisbane's median of $55,645 and average of $70,520. As of September 2025, current estimates would be approximately $73,081 (median) and $108,957 (average), based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022. Census data reveals household incomes rank exceptionally at the 98th percentile ($3,250 weekly). In income distribution, 38.5% of the population fall within the $4000+ income range, unlike surrounding regions where 33.3% fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 range. Notably, 52.8% earn above $3,000 weekly, indicating prosperity that drives local economic activity. After housing costs, residents retain 90.4% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 10th decile.

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

Samford Valley's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, comprised 99.2% houses and 0.8% other dwellings. In Brisbane metro, this was 92.2% houses and 7.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Samford Valley stood at 48.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 47.2% and rented ones at 4.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,600, compared to Brisbane metro's $2,080. The median weekly rent figure for Samford Valley was $660, while Brisbane metro recorded $440. Nationally, Samford Valley's mortgage repayments were higher at $1,863 and rents were substantially above the national average of $375.

Samford Valley features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 91.6% of all households, including 50.5% couples with children, 33.1% couples without children, and 6.8% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 8.4%, with lone person households at 7.5% and group households making up 1.4% of the total. The median household size is 3.2 people, larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.9.

Samford Valley demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

Samford Valley's educational attainment is notably high. 41.5% of its residents aged 15 years and over hold university qualifications, surpassing the SA4 region's 24.9% and Queensland's 25.7%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 27.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (10.5%) and graduate diplomas (4.0%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent with 30.6% of residents holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (12.9%) and certificates (17.7%).

Educational participation is high with 31.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.6% in primary, 9.7% in secondary, and 5.6% pursuing tertiary education. However, educational facilities seem to lie outside the immediate catchment boundaries, necessitating families to access schools in neighboring areas.

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

The transport analysis shows eight active stops in Samford Valley, operating between February 2019 and January 2020. These stops served a mix of bus routes, with one route providing all services. The total weekly passenger trips across these stops was twenty.

Transport accessibility was rated as limited, with residents located an average of 916 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averaged two trips per day across all routes, resulting in approximately two weekly trips per individual stop.

Samford Valley's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Samford Valley shows excellent health outcomes across all ages, with very low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 65% (2,214 people), compared to 59.0% in Greater Brisbane and a national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions, affecting 6.6% and 6.3% respectively.

A total of 74.7% report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 69.9% in Greater Brisbane. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 21.1% (718 people), compared to 16.2% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among seniors are strong and broadly align with the general population's health profile.

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

Samford Valley was found to have a below average level of cultural diversity, with 78.3% of its population born in Australia. This is higher than the regional average of 65.2%. Additionally, 92.6% of Samford Valley's residents are citizens, compared to 81.4% regionally.

In terms of language spoken at home, 94.0% of people in Samford Valley speak English only, which is higher than the regional average of 75.3%. The dominant religion in Samford Valley is Christianity, with 56.2% of residents identifying as such. This is slightly higher than the Greater Brisbane average of 52.9%. Regarding ancestry, the top three represented groups are English (32.4%), Australian (24.0%), and Irish (10.4%). Notably, South African ancestry is overrepresented in Samford Valley at 1.5%, compared to 1.0% regionally. Similarly, Scottish ancestry is also overrepresented at 9.8% versus 8.9% regionally, and Welsh ancestry is slightly higher at 0.8% compared to 0.7%.

Samford Valley hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Samford Valley's median age is 45, which is higher than Greater Brisbane's figure of 36 and significantly exceeds the national norm of 38. The 55-64 age group constitutes 16.4% of Samford Valley's population, compared to Greater Brisbane, while the 25-34 cohort makes up only 3.8%. This 55-64 concentration is notably higher than the national figure of 11.2%. According to the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age group grew from 4.3% to 6.4%, and the 15 to 24 cohort increased from 12.4% to 14.5%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 15.8% to 14.3%, and the 0 to 4 group dropped from 4.6% to 3.3%. By 2041, Samford Valley's age profile is projected to change significantly. The 85+ group is expected to grow by 222%, reaching 208 people from 64. Those aged 65 and above are anticipated to comprise 85% of the population growth. Meanwhile, the 15 to 24 and 25 to 34 age groups are predicted to experience population declines.