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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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Sunnybank has an estimated 10,412 residents, up from 8,892 at the 2021 Census — a change of 1,520 people, or 17.1%. Growth has averaged 2.4% a year over five years, faster than 87% of areas nationally. Overseas migration accounts for 92.0% of that increase. That puts 2,319 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
Drawing on ABS updates across the surrounding district alongside newly verified addresses from AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Sunnybank is assessed to have a population of approximately 10,412 as of Aug 2026. This figure marks an expansion of 1,520 people (17.1%) relative to the 2021 Census, when 8,892 people were enumerated. Such change is calculated from an estimated resident base of 10,397 established via the latest ABS ERP release (June 2025), coupled with 47 validated new addresses identified following the Census date. Accordingly, the suburb of Sunnybank records a population density of 2,318 persons per square kilometer, outpacing the national average evaluated by AreaSearch.
With 17.1% growth since the 2021 census, the locality surpassed both Queensland and nationwide benchmarks (9.5%), placing it among the region's standout expansion markets. International arrivals formed the primary catalyst for demographic expansion, generating around 92.0% of recent population additions. Projections for each SA2 area in the suburb of Sunnybank utilise 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia models pegged to a 2022 baseline. Where SA2 coverage is absent or extends beyond 2032, 2023 Queensland State Government figures calibrated to 2021 information are applied. Because these state figures omit age-bracket breakdowns, AreaSearch incorporates age-cohort weighting ratios from the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region release (using 2022 data). Demographic modeling indicates an above median population growth compared with other Australian statistical areas, anticipating that aggregated SA2 projections will deliver an extra 1,588 persons by 2041, corresponding to an overall rise of 15.1% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
187 new dwellings have been approved in Sunnybank over the past five years, an average of 37 a year. That places the area in the 72nd percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 4 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 34 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 97% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 40, broadly in line with 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
According to AreaSearch evaluations of statistical area building approvals sourced from the ABS, residential approvals in the local market average roughly 37 dwellings annually, totaling approximately 187 approvals across the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, alongside 40 in FY-25 to date. With an intake of roughly 6.8 incoming inhabitants each year per completed dwelling throughout the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, residential demand runs far ahead of incoming supply, a trend that typically fuels asset price gains and heightened buyer competition. Builders are focusing primarily on upmarket and luxury builds, with new dwellings recording an average expected construction cost of $693,000.
Additionally, commercial development appears balanced, supported by $19.2 million in commercial approvals during the current financial year. Residential building authorisations consist of 97.0% detached dwellings and 3.0% medium-density formats such as apartments or townhouses, preserving local suburban heritage and catering to family households seeking spacious living. Tracking at approximately 285 people per approval, the area displays hallmarks of an evolving residential landscape. Future demographic trends indicate an influx of 1,573 additional residents through to 2041 based on the most recent quarterly estimate from AreaSearch. Current residential development appears well-aligned with projected long-term requirements, fostering balanced property conditions without inducing sharp upward pressure on construction pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Sunnybank
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 2 current infrastructure and development projects inside Sunnybank, worth an estimated $66 million. A further 89 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $29.6 billion. 16 are already under construction and 39 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and communities. 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
Local economic and property momentum is strongly shaped by capital works and strategic planning initiatives. AreaSearch has pinpointed 23 projects expected to impact the surrounding area. Prominent developments include the Macgregor State High School Major Upgrade & Expansion, 12-20 Bothwell Street Apartments, Macgregor Gardens Retirement Village Expansion, and Salina Towers.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
12-20 Bothwell Street Apartments
A proposed contemporary apartment development featuring 28 modern residential units across 7 storeys, designed to integrate with the Mount Gravatt East neighborhood character. The project includes communal spaces and sustainable design elements to enhance livability.
Gowan Village Shopping Centre Redevelopment
Comprehensive redevelopment of the Gowan Village local centre. The project features a new two-storey retail building (1,322sqm GFA) housing multiple tenancies and a fast food restaurant, alongside a new single-storey childcare centre (593sqm GFA) accommodating 105 children. The upgrade includes a pedestrian plaza, 68 car parking spaces across open and basement levels, and extensive landscaping to enhance community facilities.
Gowan Village Shopping Centre Redevelopment
Redevelopment and expansion of the existing Gowan Village local shopping centre including a new three-storey retail building (1,322sqm) with multiple tenancies, a fast food restaurant, expanded car parking, and a new single-storey 105-place childcare centre.
Macgregor State High School Major Upgrade & Expansion
Multi-stage redevelopment of Macgregor State High School including new teaching blocks, performing arts facilities, sports infrastructure and refurbishment of existing buildings. Delivered under the Queensland Government's school infrastructure program (Great Schools, Great Future) with a maximum enrolment capacity of 1,691 students.
Macgregor Gardens Retirement Village Expansion
Stage 2 expansion adding 42 independent living units and new community facilities to the existing Macgregor Gardens retirement village.
Sunnybank Market Square and Plaza Redevelopment
A major redevelopment of Sunnybank Market Square and Plaza, including a four-level extension adding 7,911 sqm of retail space, 304 car parking spaces, facade enhancements, a laneway dining precinct adjacent to Canna Street, improved accessibility, and modernized retail tenancies. This project enhances the cultural precinct, serving Brisbane's multicultural community with expanded food courts and retail spaces while preserving the area's cultural significance.
Salina Towers
A 72-unit residential development featuring four 5-storey towers with a mix of 2 and 3-bedroom apartments, including a swimming pool, gym, and communal recreation areas. Incorporates the former Whitley Street residential development site, focusing on modern urban living with sustainable design elements.
268 Padstow Road Townhouses
Approved residential development comprising approximately 20 four-bedroom townhouses with internal access driveway, visitor parking, communal open space and associated subdivision works. Brisbane City Council records show the original approval has been followed by a current change application relating to a development under construction.
5,351 residents of Sunnybank are employed, from a labour force of 5,657. Unemployment sits at 5.4%, with participation at 61.8%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.6% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth, so in an area growing as fast as this one it understates the likely rise in local jobs. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local job market is characterized by a qualified talent pool across diverse industry sectors, displaying an unemployment rate of 5.4% and an estimated annual employment expansion of 5.5%, based on AreaSearch statistical area data. Employed local residents reached 5,351 as of March 2026, though unemployment sits 1.1% higher than the 4.3% benchmark recorded for Greater Brisbane. In addition, labor force participation is notably lower at 61.8% versus 70.1% across Greater Brisbane. Census figures show 13.7% of workers performing their duties from home, though historical Covid-19 restrictions provide relevant context for these patterns.
Workforce participation is anchored mainly by health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade. Sector concentration is particularly pronounced in accommodation & food, which engages workers at 1.9 times the Greater Brisbane regional frequency. Conversely, education & training accounts for an under-indexed 6.8% of local workers relative to 9.4% throughout Greater Brisbane. While local businesses offer employment, comparison of resident workers to local job positions indicates substantial outward commuting. AreaSearch analysis of ABS and SALM statistical series shows that in the 12 months leading to March 2026, employment grew by 5.5% against a 4.9% increase in the labor pool, reducing local unemployment by 0.5 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Brisbane registered employment growth of 3.2% alongside a 3.4% rise in workforce participants, producing a 0.1 percentage point uptick in unemployment. Broader labor market trajectories are informed by Jobs and Skills Australia projections from Mar-26 across five- and ten-year intervals. Nationally, overall jobs are projected to rise by 6.6% across five years and 13.7% across ten years, with distinct variations across industries. When mapped to the local industry profile, these industry forecasts suggest employment gains of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years (note this reflects a basic weighted distribution for demonstration that excludes localized demographic projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Sunnybank is $1,586 a week (about $82,000 a year), with median personal income at $627 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $41,637 a year against an average of $54,778. 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
Aggregated ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 place taxpayer earnings below nationwide benchmarks. Median taxpayer earnings stand at $41,637 and average earnings reach $54,778, whereas Greater Brisbane registers comparative metrics of $58,236 and $72,799. Adjusting for an 11.36% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, modeled figures as of March 2026 reach roughly $46,367 for the median and $61,001 on average. Census records show personal weekly income at the 15th percentile ($627 weekly), whereas household earnings reach the 40th percentile. Furthermore, 31.1% of the populace (3,238 individuals) earns between $1,500 - 2,999, mirroring the regional proportion of 33.3%.
Affordability constraints are pronounced, leaving 83.3% of income uncommitted (ranking at the 40th percentile), with the overall SEIFA income score positioning the locality in the 5th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Sunnybank had 2,863 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 86% detached houses and 1% apartments. 22% are owned with a mortgage, 41% rented and 37% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $400 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,000 a month. Rent absorbs 25.2% of household income here and mortgage repayments 29.1%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census assessments show the residential stock consists of 86.1% freestanding houses and 13.9% alternative configurations (including apartments, townhouses, and other dwellings), whereas Brisbane metro reports 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings. Outright home ownership is notably higher than the Brisbane metro norm at 37.0%, while mortgaged properties make up 22.1% and rental accommodations represent 40.9%. The median monthly mortgage payment is $2,000 compared to $1,863 across Brisbane metro, while median weekly rent is $400 versus $380 regionally. On a national level, local mortgage costs exceed the Australian figure of $1,863 and weekly rental payments sit above the national average of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Sunnybank counted 2,863 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 3,352 today, averaging 3.0 people each. 30% are couples with children, against 25% couples without children. 20% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.4 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute 70.3% of all households, comprising 30.2% couples with children, 25.3% couples without children, and 12.6% single parent families. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 29.7%, consisting of 20.0% single-person dwellings and 9.7% shared group households. Household density is higher than across Greater Brisbane, with an average size of 3.0 people compared to the metropolitan benchmark of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
37.8% of adults in Sunnybank hold a university qualification, including 25.1% with a bachelor degree and 10.1% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 14.6% hold a vocational qualification. 7 schools serve the area, with 3,383 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,018 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
Academic credentials among local residents aged 15+ rank substantially above broader benchmarks, with 37.8% possessing tertiary degrees compared to 25.7% across QLD and 30.4% across Australia, supporting strong participation in the knowledge economy. Within this cohort, 25.1% hold bachelor degrees, 10.1% hold postgraduate qualifications, and 2.6% possess graduate diplomas. Vocational training is similarly well represented, with 25.5% of residents aged 15+ having vocational credentials, including 10.9% with advanced diplomas and 14.6% holding certificates. Active academic enrollment is elevated, with 32.9% of the population engaged in study. This includes 8.9% attending tertiary institutions, 8.0% in primary education, and 6.8% undertaking secondary schooling.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Sunnybank means driving: households keep an average of 1.4 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
78.0% of residents in Sunnybank report no long-term health condition. 5.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 48.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.4 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 show favourable health indicators across both younger and older demographics, while private health insurance uptake is comparatively low at roughly 49% of all residents (~5,092 people). This sits beneath the 55.8% proportion seen across Greater Brisbane and the national level of 55.7%. Arthritis and asthma represent the most widespread medical conditions, each diagnosed in 5.3% of the community, while 78.0% of inhabitants reported no diagnosed ailments at all compared to 69.2% in Greater Brisbane. Working-age adults demonstrate strong general wellness with minimal chronic illness.
Seniors aged 65 and over comprise 14.6% of the population (1,520 people), displaying health metrics that broadly align with national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
58.9% of Sunnybank residents were born overseas and 59.9% speak a language other than English at home, more culturally diverse than 95% of areas nationally. The largest reported ancestries are Chinese (29.7%) and English (15.3%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity is exceptionally high, with 59.9% of inhabitants speaking a language other than English at home and 58.9% having been born overseas. Christianity represents the most common religious affiliation, encompassing 35.7% of residents. However, Buddhism displays the sharpest divergence from regional norms, claimed by 8.0% of the populace compared to 2.0% in Greater Brisbane. Ancestral backgrounds based on parental birthplaces highlight Chinese heritage as the largest segment at 29.7% of the populace, substantially outpacing the regional figure of 3.4%. English ancestry represents 15.3% (below the 26.8% regional level), while Other backgrounds account for 14.1%.
Other notable groups include Korean at 2.7% (versus 0.5% regionally), Vietnamese at 2.6% (versus 0.8%), and Filipino at 2.8% (versus 1.2%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Sunnybank is 34, younger than 76% of areas nationally. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 40.9% 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
The suburb of Sunnybank exhibits a youthful demographic profile weighted toward pre-family cohorts. Updated estimates to August 2026 indicate that 38.7% of residents are aged 25 - 44, compared with 30.6% across Greater Brisbane, while the 45 - 64 age band accounts for 18.4% versus 22.6% regionally. The median age is estimated at 34 as at August 2026, down from 35 at the 2021 Census and 2 years beneath the Greater Brisbane median of 36 recorded at that Census. Since the Census, the most prominent shift occurred in the 25 - 44 bracket, rising from 34.5% to an estimated 38.7%.
Meanwhile, children aged 5 to 14 dropped from 10.5% to an estimated 8.5%, while youths aged 15 to 24 grew from 13.8% to 16.3%, showing an aging resident cohort without incoming family replacements. Looking ahead to 2041, the largest population addition is anticipated in the 65+ age group, expanding by 794 residents (52%) to reach 2,314.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Sunnybank
8 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 8 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. | ||
| 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 3 sections | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2025 about a year ago all 2 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 Aug 2025. | ||
| 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 — 47 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (8,892 at the 2021 Census → 10,412 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 (SAL32694). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.