The surprise beachside region with a huge housing boom on the horizon

People may not expect this seaside hotspot to have one of the biggest population spikes across an entire state.

The region of Moreton Bay is set to become one of the fastest-growing areas in all of Greater Brisbane, according to new research.

Data collated from Place Estate’s advisory team showed Moreton Bay was expected to be the local government area (LGA) with the second-biggest population boom across southeast Queensland from 2026 to 2046.

Locals such as Trent Allen said they weren’t surprised to hear his local region was getting more attention, having moved to Newport at the start of the year.

“I’ve only lived here for 9-10 months, and I pretty much know everyone,” he said. “It’s a great community. It feels like I’ve lived there forever.”

Couple Trent Allen and Tayla Bayne have no plans to leave the Moreton Bay region, which is set to become one of the fastest-growing regions in all of Greater Brisbane. Picture: Richard Walker

Across the next 22 years, the region is anticipated to grow by around 44.4 per cent.

From 2021-2023, the area grew by 5.3 per cent, beaten out by Logan, Ipswich and the Sunshine Coast.

Place analysts expect population growth in Moreton Bay to leapfrog all but Ipswich over the next two decades.

This growth would mean Moreton Bay overtakes regions like the Sunshine Coast, Logan, the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Redland and Noosa.

“With its growth trajectory, the Moreton Bay region is set to become a key player in Southeast Queensland’s future,” the Place research said.

Moreton Bay is already outperforming Brisbane’s LGA in 2024 in house prices and rental value.

The region’s forecast annual population growth from 2021 to 2036 sits at 2.2 per cent, with Brisbane’s at 1 per cent.

Meanwhile, Moreton Bay’s median house price growth is at 15 per cent to Brisbane’s 14 per cent, and its rental value growth is 23 per cent to Brisbane’s 18 per cent.

Exclusive PropTrack data shows that Petrie, the federal electorate in which Newport sits, has recorded home price growth of 19 per cent since the 2022 election.

It is currently held by Luke Howarth of the LNP, with the median dwelling price increasing from $680,000 in 2022 to $834,750 now.

Median house prices have soared 75.8 per cent in five years, according to the latest REA Market Trends report for November.

The median house price for houses in the waterfront suburb is now $1.31 million.

Mr Allen is a builder who has worked on homes in Moreton Bay, including his latest house at 102 Coolum Pde, Newport.

Even premium homes such as this one are a little less expensive thanks to the northern location, while still being near both the city and the beach.

Mr Allen, a builder, has lived in the Moreton Bay area his whole life, but said he saw a big boom in Moreton Bay’s housing market after the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Moreton Bay has just absolutely boomed with new homes or renovations,” he said. “We’ve predominantly done most of our work in Moreton Bay for the last three years, since the boom started.

“During Covid, when everyone was in lockdown, I think the biggest thing people noticed was … you needed a backyard for your kids.

“You needed all these things that you struggle to find in city like Brisbane, because it’s a higher, densely populated area.

“In Moreton Bay, you can still live on the water and live five minutes from all the cafes on the waterfront.”

Mr Allen said Moreton Bay’s need for homes and renovations boomed since Covid, and saw no signs of it stopping. Picture: Richard Walker

Mr Allen said he has no plans to leave the suburb of Newport, now that he’s moved into the area.

His latest build for sale is in that suburb, at 102 Coolum Pde.

Called Marisol, the home features five bedrooms and three bathrooms, and it sits by a creek that snakes out to the coastline.

Mr Allen built the house on the 837sq m block as a luxury offering to the market, kitting it out with quartz stone flourishes, international inclusions and high-end smart home features.

Place Redcliffe agent Jess Culling, who is marketing the property, said ongoing infrastructure projects in the region were helping to establish a steady growth for the whole region.

“Being close to Brisbane means people can work in the city but still enjoy a laid-back, coastal living,” she said.

“More affordable housing has attracted families and first-time buyers.

“They’ve also improved transportation and local amenities, which makes daily life easier.”

Originally published as The surprise beachside region with a huge housing boom on the horizon