Chart Color Schemes
This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Riverhills has an estimated 4,267 residents, up from 4,121 at the 2021 Census — a change of 146 people, or 3.5%. That puts 1,957 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to evaluation by AreaSearch, the population of Riverhills is close to 4,267 in May 2026. This indicates an expansion of 146 individuals (3.5%) from the 2021 Census, which documented 4,121 residents. This shift is calculated from the ABS estimated resident population of 4,267 in June 2025 alongside 1 validated new addresses confirmed since the Census. Such a population size results in a density of 1,957 persons per square kilometer, outstripping the typical density across national locations examined by AreaSearch. The 3.5% population rise in Riverhills since the 2021 census paced ahead of the broader SA3 region (3.0%), establishing it as a local growth frontrunner.
The upward population trajectory was chiefly fueled by natural increase, which accounted for approximately 58.2% of the overall population rise over the recent timeframe. Projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia, issued in 2024 using 2022 as a baseline, are utilized for each SA2 region. For any SA2 sectors lacking this data, or for timeframes past 2032, projections from the Queensland State Government released in 2023 and based on 2021 records are applied. These state-level forecasts do not segment by age group; consequently, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings structured around the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (issued in 2023, with 2022 data) for every age bracket. Looking at future demographics, the community is expected to track in the lower quartile of growth compared to other statistical areas nationwide, with an anticipated increase of 55 residents by 2041 relative to the most recent annual ERP statistics, representing a 1.3% rise over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Riverhills records approximately 2 residential building approvals annually, with 12 dwellings approved throughout the last 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25) and 3 registered during FY-26 so far. An average of 3.9 individuals have relocated to the community for every new dwelling constructed over the last 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25), indicating that housing supply is falling well short of demand. This imbalance typically intensifies buyer competition and drives upward pressure on pricing, with newly constructed homes averaging an estimated value of $384,000—a figure slightly above regional benchmarks—indicating a focus on premium projects.
Relative to Greater Brisbane, per-capita residential construction in Riverhills is at roughly 62%, placing it in the 10th percentile among all locations analyzed across the country, which limits options for buyers and sustains interest in established properties. This rate of building activity is also below the wider national average, pointing to the established nature of the suburb and potential planning limitations. Additionally, recent construction has consisted entirely of detached houses, maintaining the low-density suburban character of the area and appealing to buyers seeking extra space. With a ratio of approximately 1777 people for every building approval, Riverhills exhibits the characteristics of a highly mature market. Projecting forward, the population of Riverhills is forecast to rise by 55 residents by 2041, based on the latest quarterly calculations from AreaSearch. The current volume of building activity seems aligned with these future requirements, helping to maintain balanced market conditions without sharp price movements.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Riverhills
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 49 current infrastructure and development projects close to Riverhills, worth an estimated $21.8 billion. 8 are already under construction and 8 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and business parks & technology hubs. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure projects, major developments, and urban planning decisions are key drivers of regional performance. AreaSearch has identified 3 projects that are expected to influence the local area. Significant plans include the Middle Park Intersection Upgrade (Eumong Street/Riverhills Road), the Metro Middle Park Mixed-Use Redevelopment, the Centenary Motorway Upgrade Planning, and the McLeod Country Golf Club Retirement Village, with the list below highlighting the most relevant projects.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Mt Ommaney Shopping Centre Entertainment Precinct
Cinema, dining and entertainment precinct extension to Mt Ommaney Shopping Centre including 6-storey building with cinema, community use and retail tenancies. Features additional gross floor area including multi-screen cinema, gym, dining and entertainment precinct, and rebuilt community centre. Designed by Blight Raynor.
Middle Park Intersection Upgrade (Eumong Street/Riverhills Road)
A $1.7 million project by Brisbane City Council to upgrade the intersection of Eumong Street and Riverhills Road to combat congestion and reduce travel times.
Verandah Estate
Newest residential estate in Seventeen Mile Rocks featuring contemporary homes on large blocks (875sqm+) surrounded by trees and nature. Estate includes building covenants ensuring homes are designed in harmony with natural environment. Features permanent ridge top reserve and bushwalking tracks to Rocks Riverside Park.
Centenary Motorway Upgrade Planning
The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is developing a masterplan for the Centenary Motorway between Darra and Toowong to address heavy congestion. The shortlisted options include a tunnel with surface upgrades or widening the existing motorway and constructing a new arterial road. Community consultation on these options is scheduled for early to mid-2025, with finalisation of the masterplan expected in 2025.
McLeod Country Golf Club Retirement Village
Aura Holdings to develop retirement living project at McLeod Country Golf Club with 126 apartments across four buildings over two stages. Designed to integrate with community, minimizing disruption to club operations.
Metro Middle Park Mixed-Use Redevelopment
Acquisition of a 2.1-hectare neighbourhood shopping centre anchored by Coles, with longer-term mixed-use development potential of up to four storeys and future uplift via retail repositioning. The current centre comprises 6,411sqm of gross lettable area with 38 specialty tenancies and 301 parking spaces.
Darra Mixed-Use Development
Five-storey mixed-use proposal across two buildings on a 1,707sqm triangular site. Ground floor for eight retail shops, two offices and a food and drink outlet, with caretaker accommodation above select shops. Upper levels include rooming accommodation and 12 residential units with a basement providing about 31 car spaces. Application is in progress with Brisbane City Council (Code assessable, Stage/Decision: Referral).
Darra Mixed-Use Commercial
A mixed-use development featuring 9 buildings and 56 units. The development will showcase a mix of industrial, showroom, office, and storage spaces.
2,327 residents of Riverhills are employed, from a labour force of 2,443. Unemployment sits at 4.7%, with participation at 71.1%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.5% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 3,190, about 75% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local workforce in Riverhills is highly educated, showing strong representation in key service industries alongside an unemployment rate of 4.7%. As of March 2026, there are 2,327 employed residents, with the local unemployment rate sitting 0.4% higher than the Greater Brisbane rate of 4.3%. Workforce participation aligns closely with the Greater Brisbane average of 70.4%. Census records show a moderate 20.3% of the working population operated from home, though this figure may have been influenced by pandemic-related lockdowns. The primary employment sectors for residents are health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade.
The community has a distinct concentration of workers in education & training, representing 1.4 times the regional proportion. On the other hand, the accommodation & food sector is underrepresented, accounting for 5.2% of local workers compared to the regional benchmark of 6.7%. Because the area is primarily residential, local job availability appears restricted, as shown by comparing the count of local workers against the resident population. Based on AreaSearch's review of SALM and ABS statistics, the active workforce shrank by 2.5% over the 12-month period, while overall employment dropped by 3.2%, leading to a 0.7 percentage point rise in unemployment. Meanwhile, Greater Brisbane registered a 3.2% increase in employment and a 3.4% rise in the labor force, with a minor 0.1 percentage point increase in unemployment. National employment projections published by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 offer additional context regarding future employment trends in Riverhills. These five-year and ten-year forecasts have been combined with the local industry breakdown to model future growth. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though rates vary significantly by sector. Applying these industry-specific rates to the local employment mix suggests Riverhills's workforce could expand by 6.5% over five years and 13.5% over ten years (this represents a basic weighted extrapolation for comparison and does not incorporate local population forecasts).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Riverhills is $2,059 a week (about $107,000 a year), with median personal income at $974 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $64,891 a year against an average of $79,470. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
According to the latest ATO postcode statistics aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023, Riverhills SA2 has a median taxpayer income of $64,891 and an average income of $79,470. These statistics place the area among the top tiers in the country, comparing favorably to the Greater Brisbane median of $58,236 and average of $72,799. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, estimated figures for March 2026 would be around $72,263 for the median and $88,498 for the average. The 2021 Census shows that local personal, family, and household incomes sit around the 72nd percentile nationally.
The most populous income bracket consists of the 39.8% of households (1,698 residents) earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly, which is similar to the broader region where this bracket accounts for 33.3%. Residential costs absorb 15.1% of income, yet solid earnings keep overall disposable income at the 71st percentile, with a SEIFA income score in the 7th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Riverhills had 1,519 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 87% detached houses and 0% apartments. 49% are owned with a mortgage, 25% rented and 25% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $410 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,820 a month. Rent absorbs 19.9% of household income here and mortgage repayments 20.4%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the latest Census, the housing stock in Riverhills consisted of 87.1% standalone houses and 12.9% other property types (such as townhouses, units, and alternative dwellings), compared to the Brisbane metropolitan breakdown of 73.5% houses and 26.5% other properties. Home ownership rates in Riverhills were slightly below the metropolitan benchmark at 25.2%, with the rest of the properties being mortgaged (49.4%) or occupied by tenants (25.4%). The median monthly home loan payment was below the metro Brisbane benchmark at $1,820, while the median weekly rental cost was recorded at $410, compared to $1,863 and $380 respectively for the wider metro area.
Nationally, monthly mortgage payments in Riverhills are below the Australian average of $1,863, whereas weekly rents are higher than the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Riverhills counted 1,519 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.7 people each. 38% are couples with children, against 26% couples without children. 20% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.5 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the vast majority of local households at 77.2%, which is composed of couples with children at 37.5%, couples without children at 25.7%, and single parent households at 12.6%. Non-family households account for the remaining 22.8%, with single-person households at 19.7% and group housing making up 3.2% of the total. The median household occupancy is 2.7 people, which is slightly higher than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
34.3% of adults in Riverhills hold a university qualification, including 23.2% with a bachelor degree and 8.0% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 22.9% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The suburb displays some educational gaps, with the percentage of residents holding university qualifications (34.3%) tracking well below the broader SA4 region average of 47.4%. This highlights a potential opportunity for targeted educational programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common tertiary qualification at 23.2%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 8.0% and graduate diplomas at 3.1%. Practical and technical qualifications are common, with 35.1% of residents aged 15+ holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas (12.2%) and certificates (22.9%). A high proportion of the community is engaged in learning, with 31.0% of residents enrolled in formal education.
Within this student population, 11.0% are in primary school, 8.2% are in secondary school, and 6.0% are enrolled in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Riverhills reaches 9 stops on 5 routes, timetabled for about 600 services a week. The typical home sits about 240 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.5 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport analysis identifies 9 active transit stops within Riverhills, offering a mix of bus services. These stops are served by 5 distinct routes, which combine to support 596 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is classified as good, with residents living an average of 235 meters from their nearest transit stop. As a residential suburb, most workers commute out of the area; private vehicles remain the primary choice at 85%, followed by train travel at 8%. Household car ownership averages 1.5 vehicles per dwelling. Approximately 20.3% of residents work from home (based on the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions).
Service frequency across all routes averages 85 trips per day, which translates to roughly 66 weekly trips per individual transit stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
72.5% of residents in Riverhills report no long-term health condition, a healthier profile than 76% of areas nationally. 3.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 58.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.2 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health metrics reflect positive outcomes across Riverhills, with AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and chronic illnesses indicating a low prevalence of common conditions among both younger and older cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is high, with approximately 58% of the population (~2,491 people) holding cover, compared to 55.8% across Greater Brisbane. The most prevalent medical conditions reported locally were mental health challenges and asthma, affecting 8.3 and 7.4% of residents, respectively. Meanwhile, 72.5% of the population reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 69.2% in Greater Brisbane. The working-age population displays strong health profiles with minimal chronic illness.
Residents aged 65 and over make up 16.0% of the population (682 people), and health outcomes for this senior cohort are highly favorable, ranking closely with national averages.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
31.0% of Riverhills residents were born overseas and 19.1% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (26.4%) and Australian (21.5%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Riverhills displays a higher level of cultural diversity than most local property markets, with 19.1% of residents speaking a non-English language at home and 31.0% born outside of Australia. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 45.5% of the local population. However, the most notable religious overrepresentation is in Buddhism, which accounts for 2.6% of residents compared to 2.0% across Greater Brisbane. Looking at parent countries of birth, the three largest ancestry groups in Riverhills are English at 26.4%, Australian at 21.5%, and Other at 11.2%. There are also specific differences in other backgrounds: New Zealand ancestry is represented at 1.2% in Riverhills (compared to 1.0% across the region), South Australian at 1.1% (compared to 0.6% regionally), and Samoan at 0.9% (matching the regional figure of 0.9%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Riverhills is 37. That is 1 year older than at the 2021 Census. 25.0% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The median age of 37 years in Riverhills is close to the Greater Brisbane average of 36 and the national median of 38. Compared to the Greater Brisbane region, Riverhills has a higher proportion of residents in the 45 - 54 age bracket (13.8%) and a lower share of 25 - 34 year-olds (11.7%). Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 cohort has grown from 3.7% to 6.0% of the population, and the 15 to 24 cohort increased from 11.1% to 13.3%. In contrast, the 25 to 34 age group decreased from 13.9% to 11.7%, and the 5 to 14 group fell from 15.0% to 13.0%.
Demographic models project that the age profile in Riverhills will shift by 2041. The 85+ bracket is expected to grow by 257%, adding 125 residents to reach 175. Older residents (65+) are projected to account for 64% of the population growth, emphasizing local aging trends. Conversely, the 15 to 24 and 0 to 4 groups are projected to experience population decreases.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Riverhills
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 1 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (4,121 at the 2021 Census → 4,267 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (304011083). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.