As of December 2021, Queensland's population reached an estimated 5,265,043, with Brisbane, the state’s capital, home to around half of this total. Over 70% of the state’s population resides in the Southeast Queensland region, which includes Brisbane and its surrounding areas. Despite this concentration, Queensland is Australia's second most decentralized state, with many residents spread out across rural and regional areas.

Historically, Queensland has experienced rapid population growth, particularly since the 1980s, driven by both international immigration and interstate migration. The state’s appeal as a destination for newcomers continues, although short-term periods of faster growth have occurred in other states, such as Victoria and Western Australia.

Queensland is home to ten of Australia’s thirty largest cities. As of 2019, the largest metropolitan areas by population include Brisbane (2.5 million), Gold Coast-Tweed Heads (693,671), and Sunshine Coast (341,069). Other significant cities include Townsville, Cairns, and Toowoomba, each with populations exceeding 100,000.

A rich history of immigration has shaped the state’s demographics. In the 19th century, early settlers were primarily of English, Irish, Scottish, and German descent. Post-World War II saw waves of immigrants from southern and eastern Europe, especially Italy. In the 21st century, however, Asia has become the dominant source of immigration, with China and India contributing significantly to the state’s diverse cultural fabric.

The 2016 census revealed that 28.9% of Queensland’s population was born overseas, and a large portion of the state’s inhabitants hail from countries such as New Zealand, England, India, Mainland China, and South Africa. Brisbane ranks as the 26th largest metropolitan area in the world in terms of immigrant population.

Queensland’s Indigenous population accounted for 4% of the total in 2016, with approximately 186,482 people identifying as Aboriginal Australians or Torres Strait Islanders.

Linguistically, Queensland is predominantly English-speaking, with 80.5% of inhabitants using English at home according to the 2021 census. Other commonly spoken languages include Mandarin, Vietnamese, Punjabi, and Spanish, reflecting the state’s rich multicultural environment.

In terms of religion, Queensland is diverse, with the 2016 census showing that 29.2% of the population identified as having no religion. Christianity remains the most prominent religion, with 45.7% of the population identifying as Christian according to the 2021 census. Non-Christian religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam are practiced by a growing number of people, forming part of the state’s increasingly diverse spiritual landscape.

Queensland’s population growth and cultural diversity continue to shape its economy, society, and future development, contributing to the state’s status as one of the most dynamic regions in Australia.