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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 Hills has an estimated 19,805 residents, up from 18,085 at the 2021 Census — a change of 1,720 people, or 9.5%. Growth has averaged 0.9% a year over five years. 122 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Overseas migration accounts for 92.0% of that increase. That puts 3,061 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 Sunnybank Hills has an estimated resident count of approximately 19,805, according to AreaSearch's evaluation of broader ABS demographic releases and post-Census address validations. This represents an addition of 1,720 residents (9.5%) relative to the 2021 Census tally of 18,085 people. AreaSearch established this change from an Estimated Resident Population figure of 19,742 following the June 2025 ABS release, combined with 122 validated new addresses identified since the Census. With 3,061 persons per square kilometer, the locality's density falls into the top quartile of Australian regions evaluated by AreaSearch.
The suburb of Sunnybank Hills recorded 9.5% growth post-Census, trailing the Queensland benchmark of 11.1% by 1.6 percentage points while maintaining solid momentum. The primary catalyst behind these gains was overseas migration, generating roughly 92.0% of all recent population growth in the suburb of Sunnybank Hills. Demographic modeling by AreaSearch incorporates 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 projections based on 2022 benchmarks. Where SA2 coverage is missing or extends past 2032, Queensland State Government SA2 forecasts published in 2023 (utilising 2021 baselines) are referenced. Because state projections lack age-bracket breakdowns, AreaSearch applies cohort weightings aligned with 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region data (2022 baseline). Looking toward future trends, the suburb of Sunnybank Hills is projected to experience population expansion slightly below the national statistical area median, gaining 1,539 persons by 2041 across aggregated SA2 boundaries, which equates to an overall rise of 7.5% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
274 new dwellings have been approved in Sunnybank Hills over the past five years, an average of 54 a year. That places the area in the 67th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 3 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 59 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 68% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 52, 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
ABS residential building approval metrics compiled by AreaSearch show that Sunnybank Hills has averaged approximately 54 new home permits annually, accumulating an estimated 274 residential approvals across the last 5 financial years. Within FY-25 to date, 52 dwellings have been approved. Between FY-21 and FY-25, an average of 3 incoming residents arrived per new dwelling constructed over the past 5 financial years, generating substantial demand pressures that heighten buyer competition and stimulate price growth. Approved residential builds feature an average estimated construction cost of $628,000, underscoring an emphasis by developers on higher-tier, premium housing projects.
Meanwhile, commercial building approvals have reached $8.0 million this financial year, reflecting subdued commercial development activity. Recent residential building activity consists of 68.0% standalone houses alongside 32.0% attached dwellings, highlighting a rising presence of medium-density formats that diversify price points from standard detached family residences to efficient, accessible products. This marks a clear transition from the existing residential landscape (which stands at 85.0% houses), reflecting land supply constraints on greenfield parcels alongside evolving household requirements for versatile, cost-effective urban living. Generating around 300 people per dwelling approval, Sunnybank Hills displays an evolving development pipeline. According to the latest quarterly figures from AreaSearch, Sunnybank Hills is slated to expand by 1,476 residents heading into 2041. If building activity maintains its present pace, incoming dwelling stock is positioned to absorb projected demographic requirements effectively, providing favorable purchasing conditions and potentially accommodating growth beyond baseline projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Sunnybank Hills
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 10 current infrastructure and development projects inside Sunnybank Hills, worth an estimated $302 million. A further 86 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $30 billion. 18 are already under construction and 34 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and education & training. 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 capital projects, planning schemes, and infrastructure upgrades serve as primary catalysts for regional performance. AreaSearch has pinpointed 23 planned initiatives positioned to influence the area, highlighted by key developments such as the Gowan Village Shopping Centre Redevelopment, Pavilion The Residences, Gardner Road Townhouses Stage 3, and Solaris Rochedale.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
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.
Pavilion The Residences
A 144-apartment development featuring three five-level buildings within the Mimosa Creek nature reserve. Offers a mix of 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartments, including a swimming pool, gym, and communal amenities designed for modern living.
Solaris Rochedale
New $82 million townhouse development by Kinstone Group featuring spacious interiors, premium health and lifestyle facilities including pool and gym. Light-filled designs within walking distance to local amenities.
Gardner Road Townhouses Stage 3
Development of 41 multi-unit townhouses comprising three and four-bedroom layouts up to three storeys (9.5 metres) in height. Designed by Red Door Architecture for AECO Developments, the project features 96 car spaces, 52 bicycle bays, and integrated communal open space.
Calamvale Central Redevelopment - Calamvale Laneway
Successfully completed $15 million expansion of Calamvale Central Shopping Centre featuring the new Calamvale Laneway precinct with casual dining, fresh food markets, entertainment facilities including Funland arcade and Matchroom Pool Hall, and major Asian supermarket Fresco (3,500 sqm). Project included internal mall reorientation, new escalators, lifts, improved pedestrian connectivity, and market-like streetscape design. Opened December 2021.
Rooming Accommodation - Symons Road
Development of 24 rooming accommodation units (23 x 2-bedroom, 1 x accessible 2-bedroom) and a 3-bedroom caretaker's residence for student housing, including demolition of existing structures and lot reconfiguration (1 lot into 2 lots with easements and new road) in two stages. The project includes 33 parking spaces (2 EV-ready) and access via Normanby Street, designed to minimize environmental impacts.
Hellawell Road Townhouses
Development of 33 townhouse residences. Development application submitted February 2024 for Material Change of Use.
10,026 residents of Sunnybank Hills are employed, from a labour force of 10,540. Unemployment sits at 4.9%, with participation at 63.3%. 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. The working-day population is estimated at 16,628, about 84% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Sunnybank Hills maintains a highly qualified resident labour force spanning varied industry sectors, alongside an unemployment rate of 4.9% and an estimated annual employment gain of 5.1% per AreaSearch statistical aggregations. By March 2026, 10,026 residents were actively employed, while the local jobless rate exceeded Greater Brisbane's 4.3% by 0.5%, and labour force participation registered lower at 63.3% versus 70.1% across Greater Brisbane. Census findings revealed that 15.5% of working residents operated from home, though pandemic-related movement restrictions during that period should be acknowledged. The foremost employment sectors among local workers include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food.
Accommodation & food demonstrates notable local concentration, capturing an employment share 1.3 times the regional average. Conversely, construction accounts for only 6.8% of the local workforce, trailing Greater Brisbane's 9.0%. Given the discrepancy between Census resident worker totals and local workplace tallies, the predominantly residential suburb offers limited on-site employment opportunities. Analysis of SALM and ABS metrics aggregated by AreaSearch indicates that over the 12-month period, local employment expanded by 5.1% as the labour pool grew by 4.9%, decreasing the jobless rate by 0.2 percentage points. Across Greater Brisbane, employment rose by 3.2% and the labour force grew by 3.4%, accompanied by a 0.1 percentage points increase in unemployment. Future labour demand patterns can be evaluated using national industry projections published by Jobs and Skills Australia from Mar-26 across five- and ten-year horizons. Across Australia, workforce numbers are anticipated to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with performance varying by sector. Weighting these projections against Sunnybank Hills's occupational profile indicates potential employment gains of 6.6% over five years and 13.6% over ten years (representing an illustrative weighting model that excludes small-area population changes).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Sunnybank Hills is $1,725 a week (about $90,000 a year), with median personal income at $670 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $42,371 a year against an average of $55,848. 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
ATO postcode statistics compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 show Sunnybank Hills recorded a median taxpayer earnings level of $42,371 alongside an average of $55,848. These results sit below national benchmarks and compare to a median of $58,236 and an average of $72,799 in Greater Brisbane. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023 yields updated estimates of roughly $47,184 (median) and $62,192 (average) by March 2026. In the 2021 Census, household income ranked at the 48th percentile ($1,725 weekly), with personal earnings at the 22nd percentile.
Across the income spectrum, 34.9% of residents (6,911 individuals) sit in the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings bracket, mirroring the 33.3% share observed across the wider metropolitan area. Housing expenses account for 15.3% of earnings, while disposable income sits at the 50th percentile and the area achieves an overall SEIFA income placement in the 5th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Sunnybank Hills had 5,724 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 85% detached houses and 0% apartments. 32% are owned with a mortgage, 31% rented and 37% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $410 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,853 a month. Rent absorbs 23.8% of household income here and mortgage repayments 24.8%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census data reveals that residential property in Sunnybank Hills is dominated by standalone houses at 84.7%, with semi-detached structures, apartments, and other housing categories comprising 15.3%, compared with 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings across Brisbane metro. Fully owned properties represent 36.9% of all homes, substantially exceeding the metropolitan standard, while mortgaged residences account for 31.8% and rental accommodation constitutes 31.2%. Monthly mortgage payments in the suburb hold a median of $1,853, undercutting the Brisbane metro figure of $1,863, whereas median weekly rents of $410 surpass the metropolitan average of $380.
Compared to Australian benchmarks, Sunnybank Hills exhibits lower monthly mortgage costs than the national $1,863 figure, but weekly rent remains above the national benchmark of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Sunnybank Hills counted 5,724 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 6,268 today, averaging 3.0 people each. 39% are couples with children, more than in 77% of areas nationally, against 25% couples without children. 17% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.5 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family arrangements constitute 77.9% of local households, comprising couples with children at 39.0%, couples without children at 24.7%, and single parent families at 12.5%. Non-family living situations make up 22.1% of residences, consisting of single-person households at 17.0% alongside group households at 5.1%. The area records an average household size of 3.0 people, exceeding the Greater Brisbane benchmark of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
37.2% of adults in Sunnybank Hills hold a university qualification, including 24.0% with a bachelor degree and 10.9% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 79% of areas nationally. A further 15.3% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 1,929 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,088 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
Tertiary qualification levels in Sunnybank Hills outpace broader state and national standards, with 37.2% of individuals aged 15+ holding higher education degrees, compared to 25.7% across QLD and 30.4% across Australia. Bachelor degrees represent the largest qualification category at 24.0%, followed by postgraduate awards at 10.9% and graduate diplomas at 2.3%. Vocational training is similarly well represented, with 26.0% of the population aged 15+ holding technical qualifications, split between advanced diplomas at 10.7% and certificates at 15.3%. Community participation in learning is elevated, with 31.7% of the local population actively enrolled in an educational program.
Primary schooling accounts for 9.8% of residents, tertiary education engages 7.4%, and secondary study represents 7.1%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Sunnybank Hills means driving: households keep an average of 1.5 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
75.7% of residents in Sunnybank Hills report no long-term health condition. 6.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 49.3% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.8 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Mortality metrics and condition prevalence reviewed by AreaSearch indicate positive health standards overall in Sunnybank Hills, with common health conditions maintaining a low profile in the general population, though showing higher incidence among older, vulnerable cohorts. Private health insurance coverage extends to approximately 49% of residents (~9,769 people), sitting below Greater Brisbane's 55.8% and the national standard of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent diagnosed ailments in the area, recorded among 5.7 and 5.5% of the community, respectively, while 75.7% of residents reported having no medical conditions, exceeding the 69.2% rate across Greater Brisbane.
The working-age cohort exhibits favorable general health with low chronic illness rates. Seniors aged 65 and over comprise 17.7% of the populace (3,505 people), which exceeds the 15.0% proportion in Greater Brisbane, despite the cohort placing lower on national health comparisons relative to the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
54.9% of Sunnybank Hills residents were born overseas and 57.8% speak a language other than English at home, more culturally diverse than 94% of areas nationally. The largest reported ancestries are Chinese (27.1%) and English (14.1%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Sunnybank Hills demonstrates high multicultural diversity, with 57.8% of households conversing in languages other than English at home and 54.9% of residents having been born overseas. Christianity represents the most common faith, accounting for 39.0% of local affiliation. Buddhism shows a substantial concentration, embraced by 7.2% of residents compared to the Greater Brisbane average of 2.0%. Examining parental country of birth, the three most common ancestries in Sunnybank Hills are Chinese at 27.1% (well above the regional 3.4%), Other at 15.0% (surpassing the 9.4% regional share), and English at 14.1% (significantly beneath Greater Brisbane's 26.8%).
Notable representation is also seen across other communities, with Korean ancestry accounting for 1.9% locally versus 0.5% regionally, Samoan comprising 1.1% against 0.9%, and Serbian representing 0.7% compared to 0.2%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Sunnybank Hills is 37. 30.7% 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
Age distributions in Sunnybank Hills closely align with Greater Brisbane profiles, showing variations within 2.7 percentage points across every major age group. The estimated median age stands at 37, matching the 2021 Census baseline and exceeding the Census Greater Brisbane figure of 36 by 1 year. The most distinct movement since the Census occurred among the 25 - 44 adult cohort, expanding from 30.9% to an estimated 32.5%. Long-term projections indicate that older residents aged 65+ will generate the highest numeric expansion by 2041, increasing by 1,418 (40%) to 4,923, whereas children, young adults, and the 25 - 44 age group are expected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Sunnybank Hills
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 | Sep 2026 last month all 10 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 Sep 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 — 122 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (18,085 at the 2021 Census → 19,805 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 (SAL32695). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.