Chapel Hill (Qld)

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Based on demographic assessments of ABS regional updates and fresh addresses verified by Districts after the Census, the resident count for the suburb of Chapel Hill (Qld) is projected to be 10,996 as of May 2026. This represents an expansion of 485 people (4.6%) from the 2021 Census, which counted 10,511 individuals. This trend is calculated from the local population of 10,947, estimated by Districts following analysis of the latest ABS ERP release from June 2025 alongside an extra 30 validated new addresses added since the Census. Such population numbers translate to a density of 2,181 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the typical average across the country. The 4.6% expansion in the suburb of Chapel Hill (Qld) since the census trails the SA3 region (5.5%) by 0.9 percentage points, showing competitive local demand. Population expansion in the area was almost exclusively driven by international migration, which functioned as the sole source of population increases in recent times.

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The local area is characterized by a highly educated workforce with a strong concentration in professional services, and an unemployment rate of only 2.8%, based on aggregated statistical area statistics. As of March 2026, 5,545 residents are employed. The unemployment rate is 1.5% below the Greater Brisbane figure of 4.3%, while workforce participation is notably lower at 64.6% compared to 70.4% across Greater Brisbane. Census data reveals that a high 38.5% of workers performed their duties from home, though this figure was likely influenced by COVID-19 restriction measures.

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The latest postcode-level ATO dataset for financial year 2023 shows that taxpayer earnings in Chapel Hill sit within the top percentile nationwide, recording a median of $66,927 and an average of $111,218. These figures compare to a median of $58,236 and an average of $72,799 across Greater Brisbane. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index rise of 11.36% since financial year 2023 yields estimated values of approximately $74,530 (median) and $123,852 (average) as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census shows household, family, and individual incomes are all elevated, placing between the 85th and 96th percentiles nationally. The income distribution is led by the $4000+ weekly bracket at 34.2% of residents (3,760 people), whereas the wider region is led by the - range at . A substantial of households earn more than weekly, highlighting local affluence that supports retail and services. Residents keep of their earnings after meeting housing costs, showing strong discretionary funds, and the area is positioned in the th decile for the SEIFA index of relative advantage and disadvantage.

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The local housing stock at the time of the latest Census was composed of 97.7% standalone houses and 2.3% other formats like townhouses and apartments, compared to 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings across metro Brisbane. Home ownership was significantly more common than the metro average at 43.2%, with remaining households holding a mortgage (43.0%) or renting (13.8%). The median mortgage payment of $2,427 monthly was well above the metro Brisbane average of $1,863, while the median weekly rent was $555 compared to the metro average of $380. Compared nationally, local mortgage commitments are higher than the Australian median of $1,863, while rents are above the national median of $375.

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Families make up the vast majority of households at 84.7%, which is divided into couples with children at 47.1%, couples without children at 28.8%, and single parents at 7.8%. The remaining 15.3% consists of non-family households, including lone persons at 12.8% and group living arrangements at 2.6%. The typical household size of 2.9 individuals is larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

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Educational profiles in Chapel Hill are exceptionally high compared to broader averages, with 57.9% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree compared to 25.7% across QLD and 30.4% nationally. This strong educational base positions the workforce well for knowledge-intensive roles. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 33.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (19.4%) and graduate diplomas (5.5%). Vocational education accounts for 18.6% of qualifications among residents aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas (9.1%) and certificates (9.5%).

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Public transport connectivity includes 44 active passenger stops operating locally, consisting of bus services. These points are connected to 13 distinct routes, which support 1,377 weekly commuter trips. Accessibility is excellent, with residents living an average of 194 meters from their closest stop. Due to the residential layout, most workers commute out of the suburb, with private cars being the main transport mode at 81%, followed by buses at 8% and bicycles at 3%. Households average 1.7 vehicles, which is higher than the regional average. A high 38.5% of residents work from home according to the 2021 Census, likely reflecting pandemic-era conditions.

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Local health outcomes are outstanding based on analysis of mortality rates and chronic illnesses, with younger age groups showing a particularly low incidence of common health issues. Private health insurance coverage is exceptionally high, encompassing approximately 71% of the population (7,835 people), compared to 55.8% in Greater Brisbane and the national average of 55.7%.

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The local area displays greater cultural diversity than the vast majority of markets, with 23.7% of residents using a non-English language at home and 36.5% born outside Australia. Christianity is the primary religion, representing 48.3% of the community. However, the most distinct variation is seen in Judaism, which accounts for 0.6% of the population compared to 0.1% across Greater Brisbane.

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The median age of 42 years makes the local population older than the Greater Brisbane average of 36 and the national median of 38. Compared to the capital city, the 45 - 54 bracket is overrepresented at 15.9% of the population, whereas 25 - 34 year-olds are underrepresented at 6.6%. Following the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age bracket expanded from 11.7% to 15.3% of the population, and the 75 to 84 cohort rose from 5.8% to 7.6%. In contrast, the 35 to 44 age group fell from 14.1% to 12.5%, and the 65 to cohort dropped from to . Demographic projections suggest the local age structure will change significantly by . The + bracket is set to grow fastest at , adding residents to reach a total of . This aging trend is highlighted by the fact that residents aged and older represent of all projected growth. Conversely, population declines are forecast for the to and to age groups.

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Chapel Hill currently has an estimated 395 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 240 children aged 0-2 and 160 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 18% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 17% by 2041 (to approximately 326 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 1,385. Birth rates in the area have averaged 5.6 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a low rate (among the bottom 20% of areas assessed nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.