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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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Thorneside has an estimated 4,020 residents, up from 3,877 at the 2021 Census — a change of 143 people, or 3.7%. That puts 1,506 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
In the suburb of Thorneside, the population is estimated at approximately 4,020 as of Aug 2026, according to AreaSearch assessment combining broader ABS updates with validated new address data since the Census. This represents an addition of 143 people (3.7%) above the 3,877 people recorded at the 2021 Census. The updated figure follows AreaSearch evaluation of the ABS ERP release from June 2025 alongside 6 validated new addresses logged post-Census. Population density stands at 1,505 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the typical level observed across AreaSearch national benchmarks. Over the preceding decade, the suburb of Thorneside achieved steady expansion with a compound annual growth rate of 0.5%, running ahead of the wider SA3 area.
Natural increase served as the principal demographic driver, accounting for roughly 53.0% of total population additions over recent timeframes. Projections for each SA2 area utilize ABS/Geoscience Australia modeling published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline, supplemented for uncovered areas and post-2032 horizons by Queensland State Government SA2 figures released in 2023 from 2021 data. Because state datasets omit cohort breakdowns, AreaSearch aligns age brackets using proportional weightings from the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (published in 2023, based on 2022 figures). Future demographic outlooks place the suburb of Thorneside in the lower quartile of nationwide growth, with aggregated SA2-level modeling indicating an increase of 28 persons to 2041, representing an overall expansion of 0.7% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
57 new dwellings have been approved in Thorneside over the past five years, an average of 11 a year. That is 2.8 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 14, 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
Dwelling development across Thorneside averages approximately 11 approved residences per year based on AreaSearch examination of ABS building approvals across statistical geographies, accumulating to around 57 homes over the preceding 5 financial years. During FY-25 to date, 14 approvals have been recorded. Between FY-21 and FY-25, the influx rate stood at 1.4 people annually for every home delivered, maintaining equilibrium between demand and residential construction. Expected construction costs average $672,000 per new home, indicating focused delivery of high-end residential stock. Per-capita residential construction in Thorneside sits 18.0% lower than in Greater Brisbane and ranks in the 37th percentile across Australia, constraining housing options for purchasers while driving interest in established residences.
This modest construction tempo underscores suburban maturity and potential local building limitations. Detached residences comprise every recent approval, preserving traditional neighbourhood character and satisfying demand from buyers seeking generous space. Single-family homes represent a greater portion of pipeline construction than the 64.0% measured at the Census, highlighting persistent family housing requirements alongside rising urban densities. The area records approximately 402 people per dwelling approval, representative of a settled suburb. According to the latest quarterly calculation by AreaSearch, Thorneside is projected to add 28 residents by 2041. Ongoing construction activity indicates that future residential delivery will comfortably absorb demand, creating favorable buyer conditions and providing scope for residential gains beyond current expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Thorneside
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 66 current infrastructure and development projects close to Thorneside, worth an estimated $6.36 billion. 17 are already under construction and 22 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and sports & recreation. 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
Strategic infrastructure projects and planning changes exert significant influence over local development patterns. AreaSearch has identified 1 a single project anticipated to shape the area. Prominent works under consideration include Eastwood Birkdale, Redland Hospital Expansion, Redlands Coast Smart and Connected City Strategy, and Cleveland Line Duplication (Park Road to Cleveland).
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
358 Manly Road Townhouse Development
30 low-medium density townhouses in 8 building groups. Comprises 25 x 3-bedroom and 5 x 2-bedroom units. Designed by Christian Zambelli with communal spaces and visitor parking.
Birkdale Grove
A private residential neighbourhood of 34 lots in a leafy bayside setting, approximately 17km from Brisbane CBD. Current sales are underway following development approval for reconfiguring a lot and associated works. Easy access to public transport, schools and shopping centres.
Capalaba Town Centre Revitalisation Project
A $183 million to $250 million urban renewal initiative transforming 1.55 hectares into the civic and commercial heart of Capalaba. The masterplan features a new Redland City Council library, customer service centre, arts centre, and community hall. The precinct includes a town square, village green with a large entertainment screen, commercial office space, and boutique residential apartments. Stage 1 construction, focusing on the library and civic facilities, commenced in May 2026 to stimulate a day/night economy and improve transport connectivity.
Daveson Road Social and Affordable Housing
Low-rise development delivering 55 one, two and three bedroom social and affordable homes with onsite communal spaces, car parking and sustainability features (targeting 7+ star NatHERS), led by Brisbane Housing Company with Paladin as builder under Queensland Government Quickstarts funding.
Wellington Point Village Streetscape Revitalisation
Redland City Council is upgrading the Wellington Point Village heart to create a more vibrant and walkable precinct. The project includes widening footpaths, installing new street furniture, and integrated landscaping to support local traders and enhance the public realm. Recent efforts in late 2025 and 2026 have focused on activating the precinct through collaboration between the Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce and local businesses.
Birkdale Community Precinct including Redland Whitewater Centre
A 62-hectare destination transforming Birkdale into a world-class community precinct featuring the Redland Whitewater Centre, an Olympic-standard venue for the Brisbane 2032 Games. The precinct includes 38.8 hectares of conservation area, the heritage-listed Willards Farm, and a WWII Radio Receiving Station, with recent statutory planning and EPBC approvals progressing in 2026. It serves as a swift-water rescue training hub for emergency services and includes public open spaces, adventure playgrounds, and community hubs focused on innovation, entertainment, and recreation.
Mayfair Village Shopping Centre Expansion
The expansion of Mayfair Village involves a 475sqm addition to the existing neighbourhood shopping centre. The development features a two-level extension in the north-east corner, providing new retail tenancies and a drive-thru facility. The project aims to improve streetscape activation and pedestrian connectivity along Burnett Street while maintaining the existing parking capacity of 348 vehicles.
Eastwood Birkdale
Small house-and-land estate opposite the proposed Birkdale Community Precinct, delivering 18 titled lots (all 400m2 or larger) with wide frontages and level blocks. Estate infrastructure complete and lots reported sold out by Sep 2025; individual home construction by purchasers ongoing.
2,323 residents of Thorneside are employed, from a labour force of 2,414. Unemployment sits at 3.8%, with participation at 71.9%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.5% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 3,056, about 76% 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
A well-qualified labour base characterises Thorneside, supported by solid representation across vital service sectors, a jobless rate of 3.8%, and annual employment growth estimated at 4.2% via AreaSearch statistical area data. Employed local residents numbered 2,323 as of March 2026, while the jobless rate tracking 0.6% beneath Greater Brisbane's 4.3%, with participation aligning closely with the regional 70.1%. At the Census, 17.0% of workers indicated home-based work, though pandemic conditions should be kept in mind. Local employment is heavily centered within health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training.
Construction represents a distinct regional specialisation, recording a workforce share 1.4 times Greater Brisbane proportions. Conversely, accommodation & food provides jobs for 4.6% of the workforce, below the 6.7% observed across Greater Brisbane. Census workplace counts relative to resident labour show that the local economy functions predominantly as a residential district offering few internal jobs. Across the twelve months to March 2026, AreaSearch analysis of ABS and SALM statistical data indicates a 4.2% rise in employment alongside a 4.1% expansion in the labour force, pushing the unemployment rate down by 0.1 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Brisbane posted a 3.2% employment gain, a 3.4% rise in the labour pool, and a 0.1 percentage points increase in joblessness. Industry forecasts released by Jobs and Skills Australia from Mar-26 provide context for future workforce requirements in Thorneside across five and ten-year intervals. While national employment is anticipated to climb 6.6% across five years and 13.7% over ten years, industry performance varies substantially. Applying these sectoral trajectories to the local occupational structure indicates job expansion of 6.5% over five years and 13.4% across ten years, based on simple weighting without adjusting for localized demographic shifts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Thorneside is $1,488 a week (about $77,000 a year), with median personal income at $827 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $55,492 a year against an average of $66,152. 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
Taxpayer earnings in the suburb of Thorneside sit modestly beneath the Australian average based on ATO metrics compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. Local taxpayers recorded a median income of $55,492 and an average income of $66,152, trailing Greater Brisbane levels of $58,236 and $72,799. Factoring in Wage Price Index increases of 11.36% since financial year 2023 yields updated estimates of $61,796 (median) and $73,667 (average) as of March 2026. The 2021 Census positioned local personal earnings at the 54th percentile ($827 weekly) and household earnings at the 35th percentile.
The $1,500 - 2,999 earning bracket forms the largest cohort with 30.1% of residents (1,210 people), mirroring the broader region's 33.3% share. Significant housing affordability challenges remain, with 82.6% of income retained after housing costs (34th percentile), while the area falls into the 5th decile on the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Thorneside had 1,620 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 64% detached houses and 1% apartments. 37% are owned with a mortgage, 29% rented and 34% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $370 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,787 a month. Rent absorbs 24.9% of household income here and mortgage repayments 27.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential stock in Thorneside at the latest Census comprised 63.6% separate houses alongside 36.4% medium-to-high density properties, compared with Brisbane metro proportions of 73.5% and 26.5%. Full home ownership was substantially elevated relative to metropolitan levels at 34.0%, while 36.8% held mortgages and 29.1% rented. Median monthly home loan repayments were $1,787 against the Brisbane metro figure of $1,863, and median weekly rental payments stood at $370 versus $380 regionally. Nationally, local mortgage commitments remain below the $1,863 Australian baseline, while rents track lower than the national benchmark of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Thorneside counted 1,620 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.3 people each. 25% are couples with children, against 26% couples without children. 30% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units account for 67.0% of total households, made up of couples with children (24.8%), couples without children (26.4%), and single parent arrangements (15.2%). Non-family dwellings represent the remaining 33.0%, consisting of lone person residences (29.6%) and group accommodations (3.2%). The median household size is 2.3 people, tracking below the Greater Brisbane benchmark of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
22.4% of adults in Thorneside hold a university qualification, including 16.0% with a bachelor degree and 3.6% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 29.1% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 31 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,040 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 attainment in Thorneside sits below regional averages, with 22.4% of residents aged 15+ holding university credentials compared with 30.5% throughout Greater Brisbane. Bachelor degrees represent 16.0% of qualifications, postgraduate degrees account for 3.6%, and graduate diplomas stand at 2.8%. Vocational education forms a major pillar of local qualifications, with 41.0% of residents aged 15+ possessing trade credentials, including advanced diplomas (11.9%) and certificates (29.1%). Enrolment rates are strong across the community, with 26.3% of the population engaged in formal study. This cohort comprises 10.0% attending primary school, 7.7% in secondary education, and 3.3% pursuing tertiary courses.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Thorneside means driving: households keep an average of 1.3 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
64.2% of residents in Thorneside report no long-term health condition. 4.8% need daily assistance with core activities, and 53.4% 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
Evaluation of morbidity and mortality metrics by AreaSearch indicates notable health considerations in Thorneside, with chronic illnesses observed across both older and younger demographics. Private health insurance coverage covers approximately 53% of the community (~2,147 people), slightly ahead of the typical SA2 area but behind the Greater Brisbane average of 55.8%. Mental health conditions and arthritis represent the leading diagnosed ailments, affecting 10.2 and 8.8% of the local population, while 64.2% reported having no diagnosed conditions compared with 69.2% across Greater Brisbane. Elevated chronic conditions present challenges for working-age adults.
Seniors aged 65 and over comprise 21.6% of residents (868 people), exceeding Greater Brisbane's 15.0% share, with older residents experiencing above-average health outcomes relative to national rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Thorneside is largely Australian-born, at 78.5% of residents, with 6.7% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (30.1%) and Australian (27.9%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural metrics place Thorneside below broader diversity averages, with 78.5% of residents born in Australia, 89.8% holding citizenship, and 93.3% using solely English at home. Christianity forms the dominant religious faith, representing 48.1% of community members compared with 47.8% throughout Greater Brisbane. Looking at ancestral origins, English ancestry leads locally at 30.1%, followed by Australian at 27.9% and Irish at 9.1%. Specific overseas backgrounds show elevated representation relative to regional patterns, including New Zealand heritage at 1.2% (against 1.0% regionally), French at 0.7% (against 0.5%), and Russian at 0.6% (against 0.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Thorneside is 41. 23.6% 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 demographic profile of Thorneside leans towards older cohorts. Updated estimates to August 2026 indicate that seniors aged 65+ comprise 21.6% of residents, compared with 15.0% across Greater Brisbane, whereas adults aged 25 - 44 account for 25.1% against 30.6% across the wider region. As at August 2026, the median age is estimated at 41, matching 2021 Census levels and exceeding the Greater Brisbane benchmark of 36 recorded at the Census. The proportion of older residents has expanded from 19.1% at the Census to 21.6%. Outlooks to 2041 anticipate seniors driving population growth by adding 299 residents (34%) to total 1,167, alongside reductions in younger adult and youth cohorts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Thorneside
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, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 months 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 May 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 — 6 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (3,877 at the 2021 Census → 4,020 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 (SAL32814). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.