Ipswich · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
Lower than about 60% of similar areas in overall advantage, Ipswich is a rapidly expanding city with a population of 268,272. It is currently seeing growth far outpace the rest of the state, supported by a huge surge in new building approvals.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is Ipswich — lower than 64% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
The typical resident has a mid-range level of education and access to resources. However, the overall advantage score of 940 is lower than the national average.
4
Lower than 64% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the 10% most advantaged. IRSAD summarises both advantage and disadvantage, so a high score reflects relatively many high-income, well-educated households and few low-income, low-skill ones.
4
Lower than 64% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the least disadvantaged. IRSD focuses on disadvantage alone (low income, low education, unemployment, unskilled occupations), so a higher decile means relatively less disadvantage.
5
Lower than 57% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Economic Resources, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for economic resources in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IER reflects the income, housing costs, dwelling size and assets of households, so a higher decile means relatively greater economic resources.
5
Lower than 57% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Education and Occupation, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for education and occupation in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IEO reflects residents' qualifications and the skill level of their jobs, so a higher decile means a more highly educated and skilled workforce.
940
Lower than 61% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a raw index score (standardised so the Australian average is about 1000). Higher scores indicate relatively greater advantage; lower scores greater disadvantage.
Annual population estimates and change since the census.
Population growth in Ipswich has soared by 15.0% since 2021, which is well above the Queensland figure of 8.7%.
268,272
Higher than 87% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
15.0%
Higher than 96% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
The city is a major commercial hub with 13,888 businesses, a number larger than about 90% of similar areas. This activity is matched by high demand for housing, with 3,211 new dwellings approved.
13,888
Higher than 86% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
3,211
Higher than 91% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Ipswich [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA33960/ipswich/topic/economy-advantage
