Kooralbyn (Qld)

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Based on an evaluation of demographic updates from the ABS for the wider region and subsequent address validations by Districts following the Census, the resident population in the suburb of Kooralbyn is estimated to be approximately 1,875 in May 2026. This represents a growth of 178 people (10.5%) relative to the 2021 Census, which registered 1,697 individuals. The figure is calculated from a resident base of 1,827 estimated by Districts using the latest ABS ERP release (June 2025) plus an additional 6 validated new addresses post-Census. Consequently, the population density stands at 21 persons per square kilometer, indicating a spacious residential environment. The 10.5% expansion rate of the suburb of Kooralbyn since the 2021 census outpaced the national benchmark of 9.3%, placing it among the primary growth areas locally. Net migration from other states was the main driver, accounting for roughly 87.0% of the population increase over recent timeframes.

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The local workforce is evenly distributed between professional and manual roles, with a notable concentration in industrial and manufacturing fields, alongside an unemployment rate of 10.9% according to Districts' compiled regional statistics. As of March 2026, there are 602 employed residents, while the unemployment rate is 6.6% higher than the Greater Brisbane benchmark of 4.3%. Workforce participation remains low at 42.7% compared to 70.4% in Greater Brisbane. Census records show that a moderate 16.1% of the workforce worked from home, though this figure was influenced by Covid-19 restrictions.

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ATO figures from postcode files for the financial year 2023 show that local incomes are below national benchmarks, with a median income of $38,316 and an average income of $45,964. For comparison, Greater Brisbane has a median income of $58,236 and an average income of $72,799. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 11.36% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of March 2026 would be roughly $42,669 for the median and $51,186 for the average. According to the Census, household, family, and personal incomes all rank in the 2nd percentile nationally. The largest income group consists of 598 residents (31.9% of the population) earning between $400 - 799 weekly, which contrasts with the broader region where the $1,500 - 2,999 range is largest at . A high proportion of residents earn lower incomes, with receiving under /week, suggesting limited household purchasing power. Financial strain from housing costs is significant, with only of income remaining after housing expenses, placing the area in the rd percentile.

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At the time of the latest Census, the housing stock consisted of 77.7% detached houses and 22.3% alternative dwelling types like townhouses and apartments, compared to 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings across the Brisbane metro area. Home ownership rates were high at 41.6% outright owners, with the remaining homes being mortgaged (38.5%) or rented (19.9%). The median monthly mortgage cost of $1,300 was below the Brisbane metro average, and the median weekly rent was $250, compared to Brisbane metro figures of $1,863 and $380 respectively. At a national level, mortgage repayments are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are below the national median of $375.

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Families make up the majority of households at 66.6%, consisting of couples with children at 18.1%, couples without children at 39.1%, and single parents at 9.4%. The remaining 33.4% are non-family households, including lone-person households at 29.9% and group houses at 2.9%. The median household size is 2.3 individuals, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

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The region presents low rates of higher education, with university graduation rates of 12.7% trailing the Greater Brisbane average of 30.5%. This indicates a need for targeted educational programs. Among degree holders, bachelor degrees are most common at 8.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 2.7% and graduate diplomas at 1.7%. Technical and trade qualifications are well represented, with 44.4% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational qualifications, split between advanced diplomas (11.8%) and certificates (32.6%).

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Based on Districts' evaluation of mortality statistics and chronic disease data, the local population faces notable health challenges across age cohorts, and the rate of private health insurance coverage is low at approximately 45% of residents (~851 people). This is below the Greater Brisbane coverage rate of 55.8% and the national average of 55.7%.

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The local population has a lower level of cultural diversity, with 76.7% of residents born in Australia, 87.0% holding citizenship, and 95.1% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 48.7% of the population. The most pronounced religious overrepresentation is Judaism, which accounts for 0.4% of residents compared to 0.1% across Greater Brisbane.

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With a median age of 53, the local population is older than the Greater Brisbane median of 36 and the national average of 38. The 65 - 74 age bracket is highly represented at 19.6% of the population, compared to 4.6% for the 25 - 34 bracket. This concentration of residents aged 65 - 74 is above the national average of 9.4%. Post-2021 Census data indicates the 75 to 84 age group increased from 8.2% to 10.1%, and the 15 to 24 cohort rose from 8.0% to 9.4%, while the 25 to 34 group fell from to . By demographic shifts are expected to increase the to cohort by ( people), rising from to . Older residents aged + will account for of the overall growth, while contractions are projected for the to and to cohorts.

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Kooralbyn currently has an estimated 65 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 57 children aged 0-2 and 39 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 5% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 3% by 2041 (to approximately 63 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 186. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been moderate, with approximately 10.1 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area within the middle tier nationally.