Kearneys Spring (Qld)

Detail

Following assessment of ABS demographic releases for the wider region, alongside newly confirmed locations verified by Districts since the Census, the resident count of the suburb of Kearneys Spring is projected to be approximately 10,869 as of May 2026. This indicates a growth of 1,450 people (15.4%) relative to the 2021 Census, which documented a total of 9,419 individuals. The adjustment is determined from a resident population baseline of 10,770 estimated by Districts using the ABS ERP release from June 2025, combined with an extra 282 validated new addresses recorded after the Census. This count represents a density of 1,672 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the typical figure for Australian locations evaluated by Districts. The 15.4% expansion of the suburb of Kearneys Spring since the 2021 census was faster than the SA3 area (9.2%) and the SA4 region, establishing it as a regional growth leader. The primary driver of this population growth was overseas migration, which accounted for approximately of the overall population gains in recent times.

Detail

The local workforce is well-educated with significant employment in essential services, showing an unemployment rate of 4.1% based on Districts calculations of statistical area data. In March 2026, there were 5,232 employed residents, representing an unemployment rate 0.2% higher than the 3.9% recorded in Regional Qld, while participation in the labour force is slightly lower than typical levels, standing at 61.9% compared to 64.3% across Regional Qld. Census data indicates that a low share of 6.0% of the working population performed their jobs from home, although this should be interpreted alongside potential COVID-19 restriction impacts.

Detail

The latest postcode-level ATO data compiled for financial year 2023 shows that incomes in the suburb of Kearneys Spring are below the national average, with a median of $51,952 and an average of $63,834. This is lower than the Regional Qld median income of $53,146 and average income of $66,593. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, current estimates for March 2026 would be roughly $57,854 for the median and $71,086 for the average. According to the 2021 Census, individual weekly income sits at the 38th percentile ($746), while household weekly income is at the 22nd percentile. Examining the income brackets, the $1,500 - 2,999 range includes 32.7% of the local population ( people), which aligns closely with the metropolitan average of in this bracket. Housing affordability pressure is significant, leaving residents with only of their income, which ranks at the st percentile.

Detail

At the time of the latest Census, the residential mix in the suburb of Kearneys Spring consisted of 59.4% standalone houses and 40.7% other structures such as duplexes, townhouses, and apartments, compared to Regional Qld where standalone houses made up 76.4% and other housing styles accounted for 23.6%. Home ownership rates in the suburb of Kearneys Spring were lower than the Regional Qld average, standing at 28.2%, with the remaining properties occupied by residents with a mortgage (26.2%) or tenants renting their homes (45.5%). The median monthly mortgage payment was $1,517, which is lower than the Regional Qld average of $1,655, while the median weekly rent was $310, compared to $345 in Regional Qld. On a national level, mortgage outlays in the suburb of Kearneys Spring are notably below the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are also well below the national median of $375.

Detail

Families make up the majority of households at 62.5% of the total, consisting of 24.5% couples with children, 24.6% couples without children, and 12.4% single-parent households. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 37.5%, with single-person households representing 33.5% and group share houses making up 3.9%. The median household size of 2.4 persons is slightly smaller than the Regional Qld average of 2.5.

Detail

The educational profile of the suburb of Kearneys Spring is highly distinct within the region, as university attainment rates (28.3% of residents aged 15 and over) exceed the Rest of Qld average of 20.6% and the SA3 average of 23.1%, showing a strong orientation toward higher education. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 18.4%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 7.3% and graduate diplomas at 2.6%. Vocational and technical qualifications are also common, with 32.9% of residents aged 15 and over holding qualification credentials, including advanced diplomas (9.8%) and certificates (23.1%).

Detail

Analysis of local public transport shows 50 active transit stops located in the suburb of Kearneys Spring, utilizing a network of buses. These stops are served by 5 distinct routes that provide a total of 626 weekly passenger trips. Transport access is classified as good, with residents living an average of 223 meters from the nearest stop. Because this is a residential district, most workers commute out of the suburb, and cars remain the main mode of travel for 94% of commuters. Private vehicle ownership averages 1.1 cars per household, which is below the regional average. A relatively low 6.0% of the population worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

Detail

Health indicators show notable difficulties facing the suburb of Kearneys Spring, based on Districts assessments of mortality levels and the prevalence of chronic illnesses, which affect both younger and older demographics, while the share of residents holding private health insurance is slightly above the SA2 average at approximately 52% of the population, representing about 5,706 individuals.

Detail

The suburb of Kearneys Spring displays higher levels of cultural diversity than most regional markets, with 28.7% of residents born outside Australia and 26.2% using a language other than English in their homes. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, practiced by 53.9% of the population in the suburb of Kearneys Spring. The most notable variance from regional norms is in the Other category, which represents 5.4% of the population compared to 0.8% across Regional Qld.

Detail

The median age of 34 years in the suburb of Kearneys Spring is lower than the Regional Qld average of 41 and the national median of 38. Compared to Regional Qld, the suburb of Kearneys Spring has a larger proportion of residents aged 25 - 34 (20.1%) but fewer aged 55 - 64 (6.6%). This concentration of 25 - 34 year-olds is higher than the national share of 14.6%. Rejuvenation has occurred since the 2021 Census, with the median age dropping from 35 to 34 years. The 25 to 34 age bracket expanded from 16.9% to 20.1% of the population, and the 15 to 24 cohort grew from 11.8% to . In contrast, the to group decreased from to , while the to demographic declined from to . By the age structure is projected to shift, with the to bracket growing by (an increase of people) to reach up from .

Detail

Kearneys Spring currently has an estimated 739 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 428 children aged 0-2 and 285 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 11% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 41% by 2041 (to approximately 1,040 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 1,041. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 12.7 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the top 30% of areas assessed nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.