Cleveland (Qld)

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Cleveland (Qld)'s population is estimated to have reached approximately 17,053 by May 2026, according to analysis of ABS population revisions for the region and new address points verified by Districts since the Census. This represents a gain of 1,203 residents (7.6%) relative to the 2021 Census, which counted 15,850 individuals. This adjustment is based on a resident population of 16,952 calculated by Districts using the ABS June 2025 ERP release, combined with an additional 341 validated new addresses registered since the Census. The local population density stands at 1,448 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the typical figure recorded across national areas examined by Districts. This 7.6% post-census growth rate for the suburb of Cleveland (Qld) is within 0.7 percentage points of the broader SA4 region (8.3%), indicating healthy expansion patterns. The primary driver of these population gains was overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 58% of the overall increase during recent periods.

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The local workforce is highly skilled with a strong presence in essential services, showing a low unemployment rate of 3.4% and an estimated employment growth rate of 4.0% over the past year. In March 2026, there were 8,640 employed residents. The unemployment rate is 0.9% lower than the Greater Brisbane average of 4.3%, while the workforce participation rate of 59.6% is significantly lower than the metro average of 70.4%. Census records show that 17.8% of the working population operated from home, though this figure may have been influenced by pandemic lockdowns.

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Tax data from the ATO for the 2023 financial year shows that Cleveland had a median taxpayer income of $53,426 and an average taxpayer income of $83,585. This average is high by national standards, and compares to Greater Brisbane medians and averages of $58,236 and $72,799. Adjusting these figures for a Wage Price Index increase of 11.36% since the 2023 financial year suggests March 2026 levels of approximately $59,495 for the median and $93,080 for the average. In contrast, 2021 Census data ranks household, family, and personal incomes in the lower middle range nationally, placing between the 31st and 38th percentiles. Income distribution shows that 26.4% of taxpayers (4,501 people) earn between $1,500 and $2,999, which aligns closely with the regional rate of . Housing costs consume a significant portion of earnings, leaving only of income discretionary, which ranks in the th percentile nationally. The local SEIFA income score places the area in the th decile.

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At the time of the last Census, the housing stock in Cleveland consisted of 60.5% standalone houses and 39.4% alternative dwellings such as townhouses and apartments, compared to Brisbane metro where standalone houses made up 73.5% and alternative dwellings comprised 26.5%. Home ownership in Cleveland was high at 40.5%, with mortgaged properties accounting for 28.9% and rental properties making up 30.5% of homes. The median monthly mortgage payment of $2,000 was higher than the Brisbane metro average of $1,863, while the median weekly rent was $400 compared to the metro average of $380. Nationally, mortgage costs in Cleveland exceed the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents are higher than the national figure of $375.

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Families make up 67.0% of all households in the area, consisting of couples with children at 23.5%, couples without children at 31.2%, and single-parent households at 11.3%. The remaining 33.0% are non-family households, which are dominated by single-person households at 31.0% and group housing arrangements at 2.1%. The average household size is 2.3 individuals, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

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The proportion of residents with tertiary qualifications in Cleveland is lower than regional averages, with 22.7% of people aged 15+ holding a university degree compared to 30.5% in Greater Brisbane. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 15.8%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 4.4% and graduate diplomas at 2.5%. Vocational and technical qualifications are common, with 39.2% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas at 13.4% and certificates at 25.8%.

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There are 87 active transport stops in Cleveland, offering a combination of rail and bus services. These stops are served by 36 routes that provide 2,198 weekly passenger trips. Access to transport is rated as good, with the average distance from residents to a stop being 253 meters. As the area is mostly residential, most workers commute out of the suburb, and private vehicles remain the primary mode of transport at 89%. Car ownership averages 1.3 vehicles per household. At the 2021 Census, 17.8% of residents worked from home, which may reflect pandemic-related conditions.

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Assessment of mortality and chronic illness rates suggests that Cleveland has lower health outcomes than average. While the incidence of common conditions in the general population is standard, it is elevated among older age groups. However, private health insurance coverage is high, with approximately 60% of residents (10,286 people) having coverage, compared to 55.8% across Greater Brisbane.

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Cleveland shows higher cultural diversity than the national average, with 30.4% of the population born outside of Australia and 9.1% speaking a language other than English at home. The predominant religion is Christianity, representing 55.4% of residents, compared to 47.8% across Greater Brisbane.

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The median age in Cleveland is 51 years, which is higher than the Greater Brisbane average of 36 years and the national average of 38 years. Cleveland has a higher share of residents aged 75 to 84 (13.2%) than Greater Brisbane, but a lower share of residents aged 25 to 34 (5.9%). The proportion of residents in the 75 to 84 age bracket is also higher than the national average of 6.1%. Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 demographic increased from 10.3% to 13.2% of the population, and the 15 to 24 demographic rose from 10.5% to 11.6%. Conversely, the to demographic fell from to , and the to demographic decreased from to . Projections for indicate that the to demographic will grow by (an increase of people), rising from to . Residents aged and older are expected to make up of the projected population growth, while the cohorts aged to and to are projected to decrease in size.

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Cleveland currently has an estimated 528 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 306 children aged 0-2 and 204 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 8% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 17% by 2041 (to approximately 437 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 1,231. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been low, with approximately 5.6 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the bottom 20% of areas assessed nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.