Lota (Qld)

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Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by Districts since the Census Lota's population is estimated at around 3,763 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 245 people (7.0%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,518 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 3,715, estimated by Districts following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2025) and an additional 21 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,891 persons per square kilometer, which is above the average seen across national locations assessed by Districts. Over the past decade, Lota has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a 1.0% compound annual growth rate, outpacing the SA3 area. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration, which was essentially the sole driver of population gains during recent periods.

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The suburb of Lota features a highly educated labor force with a strong footprint in essential services, showing an unemployment rate of just 3.0% and an estimated annual job growth rate of 3.6% based on aggregated regional data from Districts. As of March 2026, 2,175 local citizens are employed, representing an unemployment rate 1.3% below the Greater Brisbane average of 4.3%, while participation in the workforce is slightly elevated at 73.5% compared to Greater Brisbane's 70.4%. Census records show a moderate 24.9% of the workforce operating from home, though this period was influenced by COVID-19 restrictions.

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Based on the most recent postcode-level ATO statistics released for financial year 2023 and aggregated by Districts, taxpayers in the suburb of Lota recorded a median income of $62,435 and an average income of $80,820. These figures place the area among the top earners in Australia, compared to median and average benchmarks of $58,236 and $72,799 across Greater Brisbane. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 11.36% since financial year 2023 yields estimated values of approximately $69,528 for the median and $90,001 for the average as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census places household, family, and individual incomes in the suburb of Lota in the upper tiers nationally, ranking between the 71st and 80th percentiles. Looking at income distributions, the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly bracket accounts for of residents, representing individuals, which is close to the wider region where fall into this range. High levels of affluence are evident, with of the population earning more than weekly, which underpins demand for high-end retail and services. Housing costs consume of income, and strong household earnings place residents in the th percentile for disposable income, with the area's SEIFA index for income sitting in the th decile.

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According to the latest Census, the housing stock in the suburb of Lota was dominated by separate houses at 95.4%, with semi-detached, apartments, and other dwellings making up the remaining 4.6%, compared to the Brisbane metro split of 73.5% houses and 26.5% other options. Home ownership levels in the suburb of Lota significantly outpaced the metropolitan average at 31.0%, with the remaining properties being purchased under a mortgage (45.5%) or occupied by tenants (23.5%). The median monthly mortgage payment was recorded at $2,167, which is notably higher than the Brisbane metro average of $1,863, while the median weekly rental cost was $415 compared to Brisbane metro's $380. Locally, mortgage outlays are higher than the national median of $1,863, and weekly rents exceed the Australian benchmark of $375.

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Families make up the vast majority of households at 77.3%, consisting of couples with children at 38.3%, couples without children at 26.4%, and single parents with children at 11.4%. The remaining 22.7% are non-family households, which are mostly individuals living alone at 20.5% along with group households representing 2.5% of the total. The median number of occupants per household stands at 2.7, which is slightly larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

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Educational attainment in the suburb of Lota is high relative to the region, with tertiary graduation rates sitting at 32.3% of the population aged 15+, which is higher than the SA4 average of 23.7% and the Queensland figure of 25.7%. Bachelor degrees represent the most common credential at 21.7%, with postgraduate degrees at 6.7% and graduate diplomas at 3.9%. Vocational and technical training is also highly represented, with 36.7% of residents aged 15+ holding a non-university qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas at 12.4% and certificates at 24.3%.

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Analysis of regional transit networks shows 15 active train and bus stops within the suburb of Lota. A total of 27 separate routes service these stops, providing 1,386 passenger trips each week. Transport connection is rated as favorable, with residents living an average of 245 meters from their nearest transit option. Because the area is mostly residential, the vast majority of commuters travel outside the suburb, with private cars remaining the primary travel mode at 85% and train travel at 10%. Household vehicle ownership averages 1.5 cars. A total of 24.9% of residents worked from home during the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 policies.

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Analysis of mortality data and chronic disease rates by Districts indicates that the suburb of Lota faces notable health pressures, with common conditions distributed across the population but showing higher rates among older residents. However, the prevalence of private health insurance is high, with approximately 59% of the community (representing 2,228 people) holding coverage, compared to 55.8% across Greater Brisbane.

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The suburb of Lota has a lower level of cultural diversity than average, with 77.0% of the population born in Australia, 87.7% holding citizenship, and 94.1% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, claimed by 49.5% of the population. The most distinct religious overrepresentation relative to the wider metropolitan area is Judaism, which accounts for 0.1% of residents compared to 0.1% across Greater Brisbane.

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The median age in the suburb of Lota is 42 years, placing it above the Greater Brisbane average of 36 and the Australian median of 38. Compared to metropolitan Brisbane, there is a high concentration of residents in the 55 - 64 age bracket at 13.8%, while the 25 - 34 bracket is smaller at 8.2%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 15 to 24 has risen from 10.6% to 12.7%, and the 75 to 84 cohort has expanded from 5.4% to 6.9%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 age group has contracted from 14.3% to 13.1%. Long-term population models indicate significant shifts by with the + cohort expected to experience the fastest growth at , adding residents to total . This aging trend is highlighted by the fact that residents aged and over account for of all projected population growth, while contraction is forecast for the to and to age brackets.

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Lota currently has an estimated 191 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 95 children aged 0-2 and 63 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 1% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 15% by 2041 (to approximately 163 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 368. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been low, with approximately 6.9 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.