Ripley
Statistical Area - sa2

Ripley lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Ripley's population, as of August 2025, is approximately 23,830. This figure represents an increase of 11,056 people from the population recorded in the 2021 Census, which was 12,774 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 20,406 as of June 2024 and an additional 3,917 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 182 persons per square kilometer. Ripley's population growth rate of 86.6% since the 2021 census exceeds both the national average (8.6%) and the state's average, making it a significant growth leader in the region. Interstate migration contributed approximately 84.9% of overall population gains during recent periods, although natural growth and overseas migration also played positive roles.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 and based on 2021 data are used. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age cohort are applied where necessary. Based on projected demographic shifts, Ripley is expected to experience exceptional population growth, placing it in the top 10 percent of national statistical areas. By 2041, the area is projected to increase by 60,635 persons, representing a gain of 240.1% over the 17-year period from 2024.

The level of residential development activity in Ripley was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

Ripley has recorded approximately 1,014 residential property approvals annually. Development approval data from the ABS covers five financial years between FY-21 and FY-25, totalling 5,073 homes. In FY-26, there have been 287 approvals so far. On average, 2.3 people move to the area per new home constructed over these past five financial years, indicating robust demand that supports property values.

New homes are being built at an average construction cost of $392,000, which is below regional levels, offering more affordable housing options for buyers. Commercial approvals this financial year totalled $24.4 million, reflecting steady commercial investment activity. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Ripley shows 551.0% higher construction activity per person, presenting greater choice for buyers and indicating strong developer confidence in the area. New development consists of 96.0% standalone homes and 4.0% attached dwellings, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes. The location has approximately 15 people per dwelling approval, suggesting an expanding market.

Future projections estimate Ripley will add 57,211 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Ripley has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 104 projects likely affecting the region. Notable initiatives include Aurora Ripley, Amory, Satterley Ripley Valley Estate, and Stockland South Ripley Development. The following list details projects likely most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Employment conditions in Ripley demonstrate strong performance, ranking among the top 35% of areas assessed nationally

Ripley has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate in Ripley is 3.1%.

Employment stability has been relative over the past year. As of June 2025, 10,520 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 1.0% below Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation in Ripley is 78.6%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Leading employment industries among residents include health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and retail trade.

The area has a particular specialization in public administration & safety, with an employment share of 2.0 times the regional level. Professional & technical services have limited presence, with only 4.5% employment compared to the regional average of 8.9%. There appears to be limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the difference between Census working population and resident population figures. Over the 12 months to June 2025, labour force levels increased by 0.3%, but employment declined by 0.4%, resulting in an unemployment rate rise of 0.7 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane recorded employment growth of 4.4% and a decrease in unemployment by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.23%, with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%. Nationally, the unemployment rate is 4.5%, with national employment growth of 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Ripley's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.3% over five years and 13.4% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localized population projections.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

Ripley's median taxpayer income was $59,247, with an average of $67,706, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2022. This is higher than the national average, contrasting with Greater Brisbane's median income of $55,645 and average income of $70,520. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year 2022, estimated current incomes as of March 2025 would be approximately $66,185 (median) and $75,634 (average). According to the 2021 Census, Ripley's household, family and personal incomes rank highly nationally, between the 72nd and 83rd percentiles. Income analysis shows that the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 45.9% of residents (10,937 people), aligning with regional levels where this cohort represents 33.3%. High housing costs consume 17.0% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 70th percentile nationally, and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

Ripley is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Ripley's dwellings, as per the latest Census, consisted of 95.8% houses and 4.2% other types (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Brisbane metro had 88.4% houses and 11.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Ripley was at 10.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 48.7% and rented ones at 40.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,785, higher than Brisbane metro's average of $1,517. Median weekly rent in Ripley was $380, compared to Brisbane metro's $300. Nationally, Ripley's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Ripley features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 79.7% of all households, including 41.4% couples with children, 24.0% couples without children, and 13.0% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 20.3%, consisting of lone person households at 17.2% and group households at 3.3%. The median household size is 2.8 people, larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

The educational profile of Ripley exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Ripley trail has 22.2% of residents aged 15+ holding university degrees, compared to Greater Brisbane's 30.5%. This indicates potential for educational development. Bachelor degrees are the most common (16.0%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.0%) and graduate diplomas (2.2%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 45.3% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 12.8% and certificates at 32.5%.

Educational participation is high, with 33.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.7% in primary, 7.9% in secondary, and 5.4% in tertiary education. Ripley's 4 schools have a combined enrollment of 2,874 students as of the latest count. The schools serve distinct age groups with balanced educational opportunities (ICSEA: 1008). School places per 100 residents (12.1) are below the regional average (18.0), suggesting some students may attend schools in adjacent areas.

Transport servicing is very low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Ripley's public transport analysis indicates 15 active stops operating within the area as of 2023. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 152 weekly passenger trips provided collectively by these routes. Transport accessibility is rated limited, with residents typically located 809 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 21 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 10 weekly trips per individual stop.

Ripley's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Ripley's health outcomes show notable results, with younger age groups experiencing low prevalence of common health conditions. Approximately 53% (~12,725 people) have private health cover, higher than Greater Brisbane's 49.9%.

The most prevalent medical issues are mental health (9.3%) and asthma (9.2%), while 74.6% report no medical ailments, compared to 62.2% in Greater Brisbane. Only 5.2% (~1,227 people) are aged 65 and over, lower than Greater Brisbane's 15.3%. While seniors' health outcomes require additional attention, overall results indicate strong health standards in Ripley.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Ripley was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Ripley's population showed cultural diversity with 19.4% born overseas and 13.2% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 45.5%. Notably, the 'Other' religious category comprised 1.8%, higher than Greater Brisbane's 0.8%.

In terms of ancestry, Australians made up 28.4%, followed by English at 27.7% and Other at 7.8%. Some ethnic groups showed significant differences: Samoan (1.2% vs regional 0.9%), Maori (1.2% vs 0.9%), and German (5.2% vs 6.4%) were notably overrepresented in Ripley compared to the Greater Brisbane region.

Ripley hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Ripley's median age is 29, which is lower than Greater Brisbane's figure of 36 and significantly younger than Australia's median age of 38. The age profile reveals that the 5-14 year-old group makes up a notable 17.6% of the population, higher than Greater Brisbane's concentration and well above the national average of 12.2%. Meanwhile, the 65-74 age group constitutes only 3.5%, which is smaller compared to Greater Brisbane. Post-2021 Census data indicates that the 35 to 44 age group has grown from 15.6% to 18.2% of Ripley's population, while the 25 to 34 cohort has decreased from 23.1% to 19.9%. The 0 to 4 age group has also seen a decline, dropping from 10.7% to 9.4%. By 2041, Ripley's age composition is expected to shift significantly, with the 35 to 44 age cohort projected to grow exceptionally by 9,881 people (227%), increasing from 4,348 to 14,230.