Harristown (Qld)

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In the suburb of Harristown, the local population is estimated at approximately 9,697 as of May 2026. This calculation is drawn from Districts evaluations of ABS demographic releases for the region alongside fresh residential addresses verified since the Census. Compared to the 2021 Census total of 9,081 people, this represents an expansion of 616 people (6.8%). The figure is derived from a base resident count of 9,689, calculated by Districts using the ABS ERP release from June 2025, combined with an additional 88 validated new addresses detected post-Census. With this population level, the density stands at 1,312 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the typical ratio found across national markets monitored by Districts. The growth rate of 6.8% since the Census is within 2.4 percentage points of the broader SA3 area (9.2%), showing steady local expansion. The main driver of this growth was overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 38.0% of the overall population gains, with interstate arrivals and natural increases also contributing positively.

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Harristown is home to a skilled workforce with strong representation in essential services, showing an unemployment rate of 7.2%. As of March 2026, there are 4,092 employed residents. This unemployment rate is 3.3% higher than the Regional Qld rate of 3.9%, while workforce participation is notably lower, registering at 54.4% compared to 64.3% in Regional Qld. Census data indicates that a minor 5.4% of working residents performed their jobs from home, though this figure reflects the influence of pandemic-related lockdowns.

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The suburb of Harristown has a median taxpayer income of $44,361 and an average taxpayer income of $54,508, based on the latest postcode-level ATO data compiled for financial year 2023. These figures sit below the national average and compare to a median of $53,146 and an average of $66,593 in Regional Qld. Accounting for a Wage Price Index rise of 11.36% since financial year 2023, updated estimates suggest figures of approximately $49,400 for the median and $60,700 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census indicates that household, family, and individual incomes all rank between the 10th and 17th percentiles nationally. The largest income bracket is the $1,500 - 2,999 range, which accounts for 29.9% of residents (2,899 people), similar to the regional average of . Affordability pressures are high, with residents retaining only of their income after housing costs, placing the area in the th percentile.

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The housing stock in Harristown at the time of the latest Census consisted of 70.0% standalone houses and 30.1% alternative dwellings (such as townhouses, units, and other structures), compared to 76.4% houses and 23.6% other options in Regional Qld. Home ownership rates in the area were lower than the regional average, sitting at 28.2%, with remaining residences either mortgaged (28.7%) or occupied by tenants (43.1%). The median monthly mortgage repayment of $1,300 was below the Regional Qld average, while the median weekly rent was recorded at $295, compared to regional benchmarks of $1,655 and $345. Locally, mortgage costs are lower than the national median of $1,863, and rent prices are below the Australian figure of $375.

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Families make up the majority of households at 59.0%, consisting of 19.4% couples with children, 24.3% couples without children, and 13.8% single parent households. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 41.0%, with single person households representing 37.3% and group households making up 3.7%. The median household size of 2.2 residents is smaller than the Regional Qld average of 2.5.

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Tertiary educational attainment in the area is lower than average, with university qualification rates at 18.0% compared to the national average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common tertiary qualification at 12.5%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 3.3% and graduate diplomas at 2.2%. Vocational training and technical skills are highly represented, with 37.6% of residents aged 15 and over holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas at 8.9% and certificates at 28.7%.

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Public transport connectivity in Harristown includes 55 active transit stops served by bus services. These stops are linked by 5 distinct routes, which provide a total of 368 passenger trips per week. Transport links are accessible, with residents living an average of 226 meters from their nearest transit stop. The suburb is primarily residential, resulting in a high commuting rate, with private vehicles remaining the primary choice for 93% of workers. Vehicle ownership stands at 1.0 car per household, below the regional average, and a small 5.4% of residents work from home based on 2021 Census data reflecting lockdown conditions.

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Health assessments indicate notable health challenges in Harristown, with mortality and chronic illness rates impacting both younger and older cohorts, and private health insurance coverage is low at approximately 49% of the population (~4,732 people). This compares to a coverage rate of 52.5% across Regional Qld and a national benchmark of 55.7%.

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Cultural diversity metrics show the area is generally consistent with regional averages, with citizens making up 84.9% of the population, 82.7% of residents born in Australia, and 86.8% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 55.4% of the population. The most distinct variance is in the Other religious category, which represents 4.4% of residents compared to 0.8% across Regional Qld.

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The median age of residents is 38 years, slightly below the Regional Qld median of 41 but equal to the Australian median of 38 years. The 25 - 34 age bracket is well represented at 16.3% of the population, while the 55 - 64 cohort is smaller at 9.0%. Since the 2021 Census, the 25 to 34 age group increased from 14.5% to 16.3%, and the 75 to 84 cohort grew from 8.3% to 9.6%, while the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 12.1% to 10.6%. Demographic projections for 2041 indicate that the to cohort will increase by ( people) to reach from whereas the - and - cohorts are expected to decrease.

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Harristown currently has an estimated 649 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 369 children aged 0-2 and 246 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 12% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 25% by 2041 (to approximately 811 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 807. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 13.2 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the top 20% of areas assessed nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.