Tanah Merah (Qld)

Detail

According to ABS population updates alongside new addresses verified by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Tanah Merah has an estimated population of 5,000 as of May 2026. This indicates a growth of 246 people (5.2%) compared to the 2021 Census, which counted 4,754 residents. The figure is derived from a resident population of 4,931, estimated by Districts using the ABS June 2025 ERP data release, combined with an additional 34 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population level represents a density of 1,237 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the typical ratio for national locations analyzed by Districts. The population growth was largely fueled by natural increase, which made up approximately 38.0% of the overall population rise in recent times, though interstate and overseas migration also positively contributed.

Detail

The suburb of Tanah Merah possesses a skilled workforce, with strong representation in the construction sector, and an unemployment rate of just 3.5%, based on Districts compilations of statistical area data. As of March 2026, 2,748 local residents are employed. This unemployment rate is 0.8% lower than the 4.3% rate recorded for Greater Brisbane, while workforce participation aligns closely with the Greater Brisbane average of 70.4%. Census figures indicate that a moderate 15.3% of the working population performed their jobs from home, though this may have been influenced by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

Detail

The most recent ATO postcode data from Districts for financial year 2023 shows that income in the suburb of Tanah Merah lags behind the national average, with a median of $56,120 and an average of $63,200. 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, local incomes are estimated at roughly $62,495 for the median and $70,380 for the average as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual incomes in the suburb of Tanah Merah sit around the 58th percentile nationally. The $1,500 - 2,999 weekly income bracket contains 38.6% of the population (1,930 individuals), mirroring metropolitan trends where fall into this range. High housing costs take up of incomes, yet healthy earnings keep disposable income at the th percentile, and the SEIFA income ranking places the suburb in the th decile.

Detail

According to the last Census, the housing structure in the suburb of Tanah Merah consisted of 83.4% houses and 16.5% other dwellings, such as townhouses, apartments, and alternative structures, compared to 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings in metropolitan Brisbane. Home ownership stood at 22.8%, trailing the Brisbane metro rate, while the remaining homes were being purchased with a mortgage (51.7%) or rented (25.5%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,733 was below the metropolitan Brisbane average of $1,863, whereas the median weekly rent was $380, matching the metropolitan Brisbane figure of $380. On a national scale, mortgage payments in the suburb of Tanah Merah are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while weekly rents exceed the national median of $375.

Detail

Families comprise the majority of households at 76.6%, consisting of couples with children at 35.9%, couples without children at 25.7%, and single parent households at 13.7%. Non-family households account for the remaining 23.4%, with single-person households representing 20.4% and group households at 2.4%. The median household size of 2.8 people is slightly larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

Detail

The area experiences some educational gaps, with the university qualification rate of 19.5% sitting significantly below the Greater Brisbane average of 30.5%. This presents a challenge but also an opportunity for local educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher education qualification at 14.6%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 3.1% and graduate diplomas at 1.8%. Vocational and technical training is highly represented, with 41.4% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas at 12.2% and certificates at 29.2%.

Detail

Analysis of public transit options indicates 10 active bus stops operating in the suburb of Tanah Merah. These stops are served by 5 distinct routes, which combine to support 436 passenger trips each week. Transport access is moderate, with residents living an average of 486 meters from their nearest stop. Commuters mostly travel outside the area for work, with private cars remaining the primary choice for 94% of workers. Household car ownership averages 1.8 vehicles, which is higher than the regional average. A total of 15.3% of workers worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

Detail

The suburb of Tanah Merah faces notable health needs, according to Districts analyses of mortality and chronic illness rates, with health conditions present across both young and old cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is slightly ahead of the average SA2 area, covering approximately 52% of the population, which equals about 2,612 people, compared to 55.8% for Greater Brisbane.

Detail

The suburb of Tanah Merah shows above-average levels of cultural diversity, with 13.0% of residents speaking a non-English language at home and 27.5% of the population born outside Australia. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 48.6% of the local population. However, the most disproportionate religious representation is Judaism, which accounts for 0.1% of the population, matching the 0.1% proportion across Greater Brisbane.

Detail

The median age in the suburb of Tanah Merah is 37 years, which is very close to the Greater Brisbane average of 36 and the national median of 38. Compared to the wider metropolitan area, the suburb of Tanah Merah has a larger proportion of residents aged 45 - 54 (14.2%) but a smaller proportion aged 25 - 34 (13.7%). Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 15 to 24 grew from 11.5% to 12.3%, while those aged 0 to 4 fell from 6.6% to 5.9%. Future age projections for 2041 suggest significant shifts, with the 75 to 84 age bracket projected to grow by 53%, adding people to total while the numbers of residents aged to and to are expected to decline.

Detail

Tanah Merah currently has an estimated 295 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 187 children aged 0-2 and 126 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 6% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 6% by 2041 (to approximately 277 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 588. 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). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.