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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
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Stafford has an estimated 7,491 residents, up from 6,978 at the 2021 Census — a change of 513 people, or 7.4%. Growth has averaged 1.2% a year over five years. Natural increase accounts for 56.0% of that increase. That puts 2,184 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
As of Aug 2026, the suburb of Stafford has an estimated population of approximately 7,491, based on AreaSearch's evaluation of regional ABS updates alongside post-Census address validations. This indicates a net gain of 513 residents (7.4%) compared to the 2021 Census tally of 6,978 people. The updated resident count of 7,491 combines recent ABS ERP figures (June 2025) with 28 validated new addresses recorded since the Census. Consequently, the suburb of Stafford registers a population density of 2,184 persons per square kilometer, tracking higher than the national benchmark across AreaSearch locations.
The suburb of Stafford's 7.4% post-censal increase trails the broader SA3 figure (8.0%) by only 0.6 percentage points, indicating competitive demographic momentum. Natural increase accounted for the majority of these recent gains, generating approximately 56.00000000000001% of total population growth. Demographic modelling by AreaSearch incorporates 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 projections using 2022 as a base year, transitioning to 2023 Queensland State Government SA2 series (anchored to 2021 data) for unmapped zones and timeframes past 2032. Because state datasets omit granular age segments, AreaSearch applies age-cohort distribution weightings derived from the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections (2022 base). Looking forward, population gains in the suburb of Stafford are projected to track marginally beneath national statistical area medians. Through to 2041, aggregated SA2 projections anticipate an expansion of 544 persons in the suburb of Stafford, representing an overall increase of 7.3% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
108 new dwellings have been approved in Stafford over the past five years, an average of 21 a year. That places the area in the 71st percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 3 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 33 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 52% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 92, running ahead of 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
Residential construction data from the ABS, compiled by AreaSearch across statistical boundaries, indicates Stafford has averaged approximately 21 residential approvals per year, accumulating an estimated 108 homes across the last 5 financial years. Within FY-25 to date, 92 approvals have been lodged. Between FY-21 and FY-25, the local influx averaged 2.5 new residents annually for every dwelling, indicating healthy underlying demand that underpins local real estate. Approved residences carry an average construction value of $708,000, pointing to builder emphasis on higher-tier, premium dwellings. Concurrently, non-residential activity remains moderate, with $17.7 million in commercial approvals registered during the current financial year.
Per capita building figures in Stafford mirror broader trends across Greater Brisbane, reinforcing overall market equilibrium. The pipeline of new residential supply is split between detached houses (52.0%) and medium-to-high density formats such as townhouses or apartments (48.0%). This diversified delivery expands dwelling options from family residences to entry-level compact homes. It also represents a clear structural pivot away from the existing built environment (67.0% detached houses), driven by shrinking greenfield sites, evolving lifestyle choices, and housing affordability pressures. Approving roughly 137 people per dwelling approval, Stafford demonstrates key attributes of an expanding urban market. Forecasts indicate Stafford will add 544 residents by 2041, measured against the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Current construction volumes remain well-aligned with projected demand, fostering a balanced environment free from significant price pressures.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Stafford
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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.
AreaSearch tracks 6 current infrastructure and development projects inside Stafford, worth an estimated $578 million. A further 52 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $6.9 billion. 9 are already under construction and 18 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities and transport & logistics. 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
Public infrastructure investments, major planning initiatives, and strategic development projects serve as key catalysts for local performance. AreaSearch has pinpointed 22 projects expected to influence the locality. Major works include the Stafford City Shopping Centre Redevelopment, Haven Townhomes Stafford Heights, Stafford Central Mixed-Use Development, and Windsor Dual Tower Development, with the most impactful initiatives highlighted below.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Stafford City Shopping Centre Redevelopment
A significant 150 million AUD plus redevelopment of Stafford City Shopping Centre. The project involves a major expansion including a new full-line Coles supermarket, an upgraded and expanded Aldi, and a suite of new specialty retail tenancies. The plan features a refurbished dining and entertainment precinct to integrate with the Kedron Brook area, alongside comprehensive site access and parking improvements to support the Transforming Stafford precinct vision.
The Rockwell, Lutwyche
The Rockwell is Jadecorp's boutique apartment development at 21-23 Norman Avenue, Lutwyche. The approved project has progressed from assessment into construction and is being marketed for sale. The development comprises 52 premium two and three bedroom apartments with rooftop resident amenities and basement parking.
Stafford Central Mixed-Use Development
Proposed mixed-use precinct at 280-290 Stafford Road, directly opposite Stafford City Shopping Centre. The development application (A006240292) lodged with Brisbane City Council by Mirvac in late 2022 proposes residential apartments, a retail podium, childcare centre, medical centre, and public plaza. As of mid-2026, the project does not appear in Mirvac's active Queensland project listings, suggesting the DA remains undecided or the project has been deprioritised within Mirvac's pipeline.
Stafford Heights Aged Care & Retirement Village Expansion
Expansion of the existing Churches of Christ aged care and retirement living precinct at Stafford Heights, delivering more than 80 new independent living units together with upgraded aged care and community facilities. Construction is continuing with staged delivery expected through 2026.
The Prince Charles Hospital Expansion
The Prince Charles Hospital Expansion is a major health project delivered by Queensland Health and Metro North Health, with Hutchinson Builders leading detailed design and construction. The project delivers a new multi-storey acute services building adding 93 inpatient beds, a significantly expanded emergency department with 53 treatment bays, new operating theatres, and paediatric outpatient services. Site works and construction activities are actively underway at the Chermside campus.
Lutwyche Market Central - Internal Reconfiguration and Tenancy Expansion
This project involves the approved internal reconfiguration and extension of the existing Lutwyche Market Central shopping centre. The works focus on creating larger, more efficient retail tenancies and improving customer circulation to accommodate new anchor and mini-major tenants. The centre remains anchored by Coles, Woolworths, and ALDI, with the expansion supporting enhanced community amenity and retail diversity within the established triple-supermarket hub.
Rode Rd, Stafford Heights
Effinity's project on the city's northside includes 32 apartments, retail space, and two basement parking levels. Featuring a communal rooftop garden, the development focuses on urban consolidation and housing diversity in Stafford Heights.
Celestia Apartments
A boutique collection of 16 bespoke two and three-bedroom residences featuring intelligent design and refined materials. Located in a quiet leafy enclave near Kedron Brook's 23km green corridor, each residence is individually crafted with features such as dedicated studies, oversized entertainer's balconies, and sculptural kitchen detailing. The development preserves established trees at the Windsor Avenue frontage and offers thoughtful planning that ensures connection to both nature and neighbourhood.
4,745 residents of Stafford are employed, from a labour force of 5,032. Unemployment sits at 5.7%, with participation at 80.1%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 7.0% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Stafford features an educated local labour pool with significant representation across professional services, an unemployment rate of 5.7%, and an annual employment expansion estimated at 7.3% according to AreaSearch aggregated data. By March 2026, employed locals numbered 4,745, while local unemployment sat 1.4% above the 4.3% reported for Greater Brisbane. Workforce participation was notably elevated at 80.1%, outpacing the Greater Brisbane benchmark of 70.1%. Census records showed 22.3% of workers operating from home, although Covid-19 restrictions during that period may have influenced this outcome. Resident employment centers primarily on health care & social assistance, professional & technical, and education & training.
Professional & technical roles are exceptionally prominent, tracking at 1.3 times the regional average. Conversely, manufacturing accounts for only 4.3% of local employment, below the 6.4% recorded across Greater Brisbane. A Census ratio of 0.7 workers per local resident highlights an above-average concentration of local employment opportunities. Data from SALM and the ABS compiled by AreaSearch indicates that in the 12 months leading to March 2026, Stafford experienced a 7.3% rise in employment alongside a 7.2% expansion in the labour force, keeping local unemployment steady. Over the same timeframe, Greater Brisbane recorded 3.2% employment growth, a 3.4% labour force increase, and a 0.1 percentage point rise in unemployment. National outlooks published by Jobs and Skills Australia from Mar-26 provide additional context on future labour demand. Projected across five- and ten-year horizons against the local industry baseline, national employment is anticipated to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with performance varying by sector. Applying these sector-specific rates to Stafford's workforce structure points to local job gains of 7.0% over five years and 14.2% over ten years (representing an illustrative weighted model that excludes localized population changes).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Stafford is $1,753 a week (about $91,000 a year), with median personal income at $965 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $59,813 a year against an average of $71,973. 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
Taxation records from the ATO for financial year 2023, compiled by AreaSearch, show taxpayer income levels in the suburb of Stafford exceeding national averages. The suburb of Stafford recorded a median taxpayer income of $59,813 and an average of $71,973, compared to $58,236 and $72,799 across Greater Brisbane. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023 yields estimated values of $66,608 (median) and $80,149 (average) as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census, individual earnings placed at the 75th percentile ($965 weekly), whereas household earnings reached the 50th percentile.
The largest wage bracket comprises 31.7% of workers earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (2,374 residents), matching regional proportions where 33.3% sit in this range. Cost burdens remain high, with 81.6% of income retained (48th percentile), while the area's SEIFA income score falls into the 6th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Stafford had 2,917 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 67% detached houses and 24% apartments. 31% are owned with a mortgage, 50% rented and 19% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $360 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,000 a month. Rent absorbs 20.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 26.3%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census records show Stafford's housing stock consisting of 66.8% houses and 33.2% attached or multi-unit dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Brisbane metro where houses accounted for 73.5% and alternative dwellings 26.5%. Outright ownership stood at 19.3%, lagging Brisbane metro benchmarks, while mortgaged properties accounted for 30.9% and rental accommodation comprised 49.8%. Median monthly mortgage costs were higher than the metropolitan average at $2,000, while median weekly rent was $360, compared to Brisbane metro benchmarks of $1,863 and $380. Compared nationally, Stafford's mortgage payments exceed the Australian median of $1,863, whereas rental costs remain below the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Stafford counted 2,917 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 3,131 today, averaging 2.2 people each. 23% are couples with children, fewer than in 78% of areas nationally, against 24% couples without children. 34% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.2 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute 60.5% of households in Stafford, comprising couples with children (22.8%), couples without children (24.2%), and single parent families (11.7%). The remaining 39.5% comprises non-family arrangements, primarily lone person households (33.5%) alongside group households (6.1%). The median household size of 2.2 people tracks below the Greater Brisbane metric of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
36.2% of adults in Stafford hold a university qualification, including 25.8% with a bachelor degree and 7.2% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 22.0% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 581 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,060 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
Educational attainment levels in Stafford sit well above wider benchmarks, as 36.2% of residents aged 15+ hold tertiary degrees compared with 25.7% across QLD and 30.4% across Australia. This educational depth strongly supports participation in knowledge-intensive sectors. Bachelor degrees represent the primary qualification at 25.8%, followed by postgraduate degrees (7.2%) and graduate diplomas (3.2%). Vocational training is also widespread, with 32.6% of the population aged 15+ possessing vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (10.6%) and certificates (22.0%). Engagement in formal study is substantial throughout Stafford, where 29.6% of residents are actively undertaking education.
Within this cohort, 9.0% attend primary school, 8.1% are enrolled in tertiary study, and 6.4% are in secondary schooling.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Stafford means driving: households keep an average of 1.1 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
67.9% of residents in Stafford report no long-term health condition. 5.6% need daily assistance with core activities, and 55.7% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.1 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
AreaSearch evaluations of chronic condition incidence and mortality statistics point to notable health challenges across both younger and older cohorts in Stafford, while private health insurance coverage is extensive, covering approximately 56% of the population (~4,173 people). Mental health conditions and asthma represent the most widespread medical issues locally, reported by 11.4 and 8.7% of residents, respectively. Meanwhile, 67.9% of the population indicated no chronic health ailments, slightly under the 69.2% benchmark in Greater Brisbane. Working-age cohorts display elevated rates of chronic illness. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 12.2% of the local community (913 people), lower than the 15.0% observed across Greater Brisbane, with senior health indicators generally aligning with broader national trends.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Stafford is largely Australian-born, at 79.7% of residents, with 12.6% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (26.8%) and Australian (24.0%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in Stafford registers above average levels, with 20.3% of the community born abroad and 12.6% using a non-English language at home. Christianity constitutes the largest faith group at 48.8% of the local population. Relative overrepresentation is most visible within the Jewish faith, which accounts for 0.1% of residents in comparison to 0.1% across Greater Brisbane. Looking at parentage and heritage, English ancestry leads locally at 26.8%, followed by Australian at 24.0% and Irish at 10.8%. Distinct variations appear among other cultural backgrounds, with New Zealand ancestry accounting for 0.8% of Stafford (vs 1.0% regionally), Welsh at 0.6% (vs 0.5%), and Sri Lankan at 0.3% (vs 0.2%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Stafford is 35, younger than 76% of areas nationally. 33.2% 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
Stafford maintains a youthful demographic profile, with young to middle aged adults (25 - 44) representing 37.8% of the populace as at August 2026, relative to 30.6% throughout Greater Brisbane, while younger residents (0 - 24) make up 28.1% compared to 31.8% regionally. As at August 2026, AreaSearch calculates a median age of 35, matching the 2021 Census baseline and sitting 1 year younger than the Greater Brisbane median of 36 from that Census. Since the Census, the expansion has been sharpest among young to middle aged adults, increasing from 36.1% to an estimated 37.8%.
Projections out to 2041 suggest middle aged and young retiree cohorts (45 - 64) will drive the majority of growth, expanding by 356 residents (22%) to reach 2,012. The most rapid rate of expansion is expected across retiree and elderly cohorts (65+), increasing by 38% to 1,264, while the young to middle aged adult group is projected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Stafford
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 9 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 — 28 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (6,978 at the 2021 Census → 7,491 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 (SAL32649). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.