Laidley Heights (Qld)

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Based on demographic evaluations of ABS releases for the surrounding region, alongside new address points verified by Districts subsequent to the Census, the suburb of Laidley Heights has an estimated population of 1,565 as of May 2026. This represents an addition of 136 residents (9.5%) relative to the 2021 Census, which recorded 1,429 residents. The estimation is calculated from a resident population of 1,525, which was determined by Districts from the ABS June 2025 ERP release, with 3 validated new addresses added since the Census date. With this population level, the density stands at 97 persons per square kilometer, indicating low density and space for prospective expansion. The 9.5% growth rate observed since the 2021 census is higher than the national figure (9.3%), positioning the area as a regional growth leader. The expansion was chiefly driven by migration from other states, which accounted for approximately 66.0% of total gains, with overseas migration and natural increase also contributing positively.

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Data compiled by Districts indicates that the suburb of Laidley Heights has a balanced labor force of both white and blue-collar workers across various industries, with an unemployment rate of 3.9% and a 10.3% rise in employment over the past year. In March 2026, there were 699 employed residents, and the unemployment rate was 0.5% lower than the Greater Brisbane rate of 4.3%. However, the labor force participation rate is low at 57.3% compared to Greater Brisbane's 70.4%. Census records show that only 10.7% of working residents worked from home, although this figure was likely influenced by Covid-19 restrictions.

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Based on the latest ATO statistics for financial year 2023, incomes in the suburb of Laidley Heights are below the national average, with a median income of $46,011 and an average income of $52,500. This is lower than the Greater Brisbane median of $58,236 and average of $72,799. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 11.36% since financial year 2023 yields estimated values of approximately $51,238 (median) and $58,464 (average) as of March 2026. The 2021 Census placed individual weekly incomes at the 11th percentile ($596 weekly), though household incomes were higher at the 33rd percentile. The largest income cohort, consisting of 37.6% of residents (588 people), falls into the $1,500 - category, which is similar to the metropolitan region where of the population is in this bracket. Housing costs are manageable, with residents retaining of their income, though disposable income is below average at the th percentile.

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According to the latest Census, the housing stock in the suburb of Laidley Heights consisted of 99.4% detached houses and 0.6% other dwelling types, such as apartments and semi-detached properties, compared to 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings in Greater Brisbane. Home ownership was high at 40.0%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (50.7%) or rented (9.2%). The median monthly mortgage payment was $1,365, which is lower than the Greater Brisbane median of $1,863 and the national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent was $345, compared to $380 in Greater Brisbane and the national median of $375.

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Family households represent 78.8% of all households in the suburb of Laidley Heights, consisting of couples with children (29.6%), couples without children (36.8%), and single parent families (11.3%). Non-family households account for 21.2%, with lone person households making up 18.1% and group households representing 3.1%. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is slightly larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

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University graduation rates in the suburb of Laidley Heights are low at 10.8%, compared to the Greater Brisbane average of 30.5%. This presents an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 8.2%, followed by postgraduate degrees (1.6%) and graduate diplomas (1.0%). Vocational and technical qualifications are common, with 42.5% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (11.6%) and certificates (30.9%).

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Health assessments by Districts based on mortality and chronic illness rates show significant challenges in the suburb of Laidley Heights. Chronic conditions are prevalent across different age groups, and private health insurance coverage is low, with approximately 48% of the population (~751 people) covered. This is lower than the Greater Brisbane rate of 55.8% and the national average of 55.7%.

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Cultural diversity in the suburb of Laidley Heights is below average, with 85.0% of residents born in Australia, 90.3% holding citizenship, and 95.8% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the main religion, practiced by 56.4% of the population, which is higher than the Greater Brisbane average of 47.8%.

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The median age in the suburb of Laidley Heights is 46 years, which is older than the Greater Brisbane average of 36 years and the national average of 38 years. Relative to Greater Brisbane, the suburb of Laidley Heights has a higher proportion of residents aged 55 - 64 (17.1% compared to 11.2% nationally) but fewer young adults aged 25 - 34 (7.6%). Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 has risen from 7.4% to 8.6%, and the 15 to 24 cohort has increased from 10.0% to 11.1%, while the 5 to 14 cohort decreased from 13.7% to . Projections to indicate that the cohort aged to will increase by ( people), rising from to whereas the number of children aged to is expected to decrease by people.

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Laidley Heights currently has an estimated 62 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 54 children aged 0-2 and 35 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 5% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 3% by 2041 (to approximately 60 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 159. Birth rates in the area have averaged 12.7 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a high rate (among the top 30% of areas assessed nationally).