Thorneside (Qld)

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According to ABS demographic updates for the surrounding region and subsequent address validations conducted by Districts, the suburb of Thorneside is home to approximately 4,020 residents as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 143 individuals (3.7%) relative to the 3,877 residents documented in the 2021 Census. This adjustment is derived from the current estimated population of 4,020, calculated by Districts using the latest ABS ERP release from June 2025 alongside five validated new addresses added since the Census. Such population levels translate to a density of 1,505 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the typical density recorded across standard Australian localities monitored by Districts. Throughout the prior decade, the suburb of Thorneside has shown steady expansion with a 0.5% compound annual growth rate, exceeding the pace of the wider SA3 region. Demographic growth locally was chiefly underpinned by natural increase, which was responsible for roughly 53.0% of the overall population gains in recent times.

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The local workforce is characterized by a high proportion of skilled professionals, particularly in key service sectors, alongside a low unemployment rate of 3.8% and an estimated annual job growth rate of 4.2%. As of March 2026, there are 2,323 employed residents, with the local unemployment rate sitting 0.6% lower than the Greater Brisbane rate of 4.3%. The labor force participation rate stands at 72.5%, compared to 70.4% in Greater Brisbane. According to Census data, 17.0% of the working population performed their duties from home, though this figure may reflect the influence of pandemic lockdowns.

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According to the latest postcode-level ATO statistics for the 2023 financial year, taxpayers in this area recorded a median income of $55,492 and an average income of $66,152, sitting slightly below national benchmarks and contrasting with Greater Brisbane's median of $58,236 and average of $72,799. Factoring in a Wage Price Index increase of 11.36% since the 2023 financial year, current figures are estimated at approximately $61,796 for the median and $73,667 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census placed personal incomes in the 54th percentile ($827 weekly), while household incomes sat in the 35th percentile. The largest income bracket comprises 30.1% of residents (1,210 people) earning between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, which aligns closely with the regional proportion of in the same category. Financial pressure from housing is significant, with only of income remaining after housing costs, ranking in the th percentile, while the SEIFA index places the area in the th decile for income.

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The housing stock in this area at the time of the last Census consisted of 63.6% detached houses and 36.4% alternative dwelling types like townhouses and apartments, compared to a metro Brisbane split of 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings. Homeownership was high at 34.0%, with the remaining properties either under mortgage (36.8%) or occupied by tenants (29.1%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,787 and median weekly rent of $370 were both below the metro Brisbane averages of $1,863 and $380 respectively. Nationally, local mortgage commitments are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rent levels are below the national average of $375.

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Families make up 67.0% of all households, consisting of couples with children at 24.8%, couples without children at 26.4%, and single-parent households at 15.2%. Non-family households account for 33.0% of the total, with single-person households at 29.6% and group housing making up 3.2%. The median household size of 2.3 people is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

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Tertiary qualification rates in this locality sit below regional averages, with 22.4% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree compared to 30.5% in Greater Brisbane. Within this group, bachelor degrees are the most common at 16.0%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 3.6% and graduate diplomas at 2.8%. Vocational and technical training is highly prevalent, with 41.0% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications in these fields, including 11.9% with advanced diplomas and 29.1% with certificates.

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Analysis of local transit infrastructure shows 26 active bus and train stops operating in the area. These stops are connected to 26 different routes, delivering a total of 1,651 weekly passenger journeys. Access to services is convenient, with dwellings situated an average of 184 meters from the nearest stop. The suburb is primarily residential, leading to a high rate of outward commuting. Private vehicles are the main travel method at 87%, followed by train travel at 9%. Average car ownership stands at 1.3 vehicles per household. Additionally, 17.0% of the workforce worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which was likely affected by pandemic restrictions.

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Based on Districts' evaluation of mortality data and chronic illness rates, health challenges are visible across different age groups, while the rate of private health insurance coverage is slightly above the SA2 average at approximately 53% of the population (~2,147 people), compared to 55.8% across Greater Brisbane.

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Cultural diversity measures are below the national average, with 78.5% of residents born in Australia, 89.8% holding citizenship, and 93.3% speaking only English at home. The most common religious affiliation is Christianity, accounting for 48.1% of the population, which is similar to the 47.8% recorded across Greater Brisbane.

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The median age of 41 in this area is higher than the Greater Brisbane median of 36 and slightly above the national median of 38. Compared to the capital city, there is an overrepresentation of residents aged 65 - 74 (11.6% locally) and an underrepresentation of those aged 25 - 34 (10.2%). Since 2021, the 75 to 84 cohort has increased from 5.2% to 8.3%, and the 15 to 24 group has risen from 9.2% to 11.7%. Meanwhile, the 25 to 34 age bracket declined from 12.4% to 10.2%, and the 55 to group dropped from to . Demographic projections for point to a changing age profile, with the + cohort expected to grow by people () from to . The combined + age brackets are projected to account for of the total population growth, while the to and to age cohorts are expected to contract.

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Thorneside currently has an estimated 209 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 121 children aged 0-2 and 82 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 7% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 20% by 2041 (to approximately 167 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 406. Birth rates in the area have averaged 9.1 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a moderate rate (within the middle tier nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.