National Forecast Program

Ipswich

A favourable economic outlook, a return to pre-pandemic migration trends and an abundance of greenfield and higher-density housing supply combines to make Ipswich the fastest-growing region in Queensland over the next 20 years, according to our latest forecasts.

SA4s in region:

  • Ipswich

Published: June 2025
Version: 5.1.0

Ipswich

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About

About the Ipswich Region

The Ipswich Region is forecast to account for 16% of the total population growth of Queensland between 2021 and 2046. 

The Ipswich region is an area covering the western area of Brisbane, the City of Ispwich and the surrounding regional and rural areas of the Somerset and part of Scenic Rim Local Government Areas. 

The area is a mix of urban, outer urban  and regional / rural areas, covering the expanse between Brisbane and Toowoomba as well as farming areas north and south of the corridor. 

The Region consists of Ipswich City, the growth areas south of Ipswich City at Ripley and Springfield and towards Toowoomba, there are small townships such as Hatton Vale, Plainland, Lowood and Rosewood. There is one of the largest RAAF bases in Australia at Amberly, and the most westerly part of the Region is the eastern part of Lockyer Valley which is a large agricultural production area.

About the Ipswich Region

Key findings

Ipswich

Over the forecast period the Ipswich SA4 population will grow from around 370,000 in 2021 to around 710,000 people in 2046 (an increase of 90% to the 2021 population),  approximately 330,000 more people. This represents an average annual growth rate of 2.6%.

Growth is predominantly focused around the two greenfields growth areas of Ripley and Springfield Lakes / Augustine Heights - Brookwater, forecast to grow by ~90,000 and ~80,000 people respectively (11.5% pa and 3.5% pa, respectively)

Outside of these areas, the SA2s containing the regional townships of Lowood (+13,000) and Rosewood (+22, 500) will also grow significantly. 

At the other end of the scale, the industrial areas of New Chum and Carole Park are expected to remain the same, and have not nor gain any population. Once the Lockyer Valley Correctional Centre is open, and operating at its full capacity, approximately 1500 inmates will be relocated there, some from the current facilities in Wacol. 

What share of Australia's growth will occur in Queensland?

We set the context for our local area forecasts with a presentation of our state- and regional-level forecasts for Queensland.

Access the presentation slides (including our forecast data for each region), and a short recap or the full webinar presentation on-demand. Learn what's driving change and how much growth will go to each region of the state over the 25 years to 2046.

The population forecast for Queensland

Forecast results

The following forecast information presents the numbers for Ipswich Region.

Learn more about the different options to access these forecasts for Local Government Areas (LGAs), suburbs, custom catchments or the entire state or nation here.

202120262031203620412046
Forecast Population373,629321,654435,089564,634 635,769711,379
Change (five year)61,46062,51867,02771,13575,610
Average Annual Change (%)3.09% 2.72% 2.56% 2.40% 2.27%
Forecast Dwellings139,485155,180178,482204,364232,077261,056
Change (five year)15,69523,30225,88227,71328,979
Average Annual Change (%)2.16% 2.84% 2.75% 2.58% 2.38%

Access

How to access the National Forecasting Program

Our National Forecasting Program is the backbone of all of our forecasting products and services for government and business.

Government Toolkit

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See the National Forecasting Program in action in our Population Forecast online tool, or get in touch.

Government Toolkit

The team

Our forecasting team

Prepared and presented by experts from Australia's largest independent population forecasting team.

Johnny Barnard

Johnny Barnard

Forecaster

Liza  Ivanova

Liza Ivanova

Forecaster

Richard  Thornton

Richard Thornton

Product Manager Forecast

Chris Jones

Chris Jones

Forecaster

Oliver Bowering

Oliver Bowering

Forecaster

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