Bowen Hills

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

The population of Bowen Hills is estimated at 6,002 as of Feb 2026, reflecting an increase of 1,104 people since the 2021 Census. This growth represents a 22.5% increase from the previous census figure of 4,898 people. AreaSearch's analysis of latest ERP data release by ABS (June 2024) and additional validated new addresses since the Census date estimates the resident population at 5,931. This results in a density ratio of 3,489 persons per square kilometer, placing Bowen Hills in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's growth rate exceeded both the national average (9.9%) and state averages since the 2021 Census. Interstate migration contributed approximately 57.99999999999999% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including overseas migration and natural growth being positive factors.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 using 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 based on 2021 data are used, with proportional growth weightings applied for age cohorts where necessary. Future population dynamics anticipate a significant increase in the top quartile of national areas by 2041, with Bowen Hills expected to gain an additional 1,872 persons, reflecting a total increase of 30.0% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Bowen Hills among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Bowen Hills had approximately 115 dwelling approvals per year. Between FY2021 and FY2025, around 579 homes were approved, with another 74 in FY2026 so far. This results in an average of 1.9 new residents per new home over the past five financial years.

The average construction cost value for these properties is $811,000, indicating a focus on premium market segment. Commercial approvals this year totalled $148.9 million, demonstrating strong commercial development momentum. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Bowen Hills has 231.0% higher new home approvals per capita. Recent construction comprises 1.0% detached houses and 99.0% medium and high-density housing. The location has around 139 people per dwelling approval, suggesting an expanding market. Future projections estimate Bowen Hills will add approximately 1,801 residents by 2041, with development keeping pace with projected growth.

However, increasing competition among buyers is expected as the population expands.

Bowen Hills has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 82 projects likely to affect the area. Notable ones include Bowen Bridge Road Upgrade, New Queensland Cancer Centre, Waterfront Newstead - Mirvac Masterplan, and Aire Newstead. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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Employment performance in Bowen Hills has been broadly consistent with national averages

Bowen Hills has an educated workforce with strong professional services representation. Its unemployment rate was 4.5% in the past year, with estimated employment growth of 0.8%. As of December 2025, 4,544 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.9%, and workforce participation at 83.8%.

Home workership was moderate at 20.4%. Dominant sectors include professional & technical (strongly specialized), health care & social assistance, and accommodation & food. There are 2.9 workers per resident. Between December 2024 and 2025, employment increased by 0.8%, labour force by 1.6%, raising unemployment to 5.6%.

Greater Brisbane saw employment growth of 3.2% and a fall in unemployment to 4.0%. Future demand projections suggest Bowen Hills' employment should increase by 7.1% over five years and 14.4% over ten years, based on national forecasts adjusted for local industry mix.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

The suburb of Bowen Hills had a median income among taxpayers of $47,697 and an average income of $71,141 in the financial year 2023. These figures were higher than Greater Brisbane's median income of $58,236 and average income of $72,799 respectively. By September 2025, estimates suggest the median income would be approximately $52,424 and the average income $78,191, based on a Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023. According to census data, individual earnings in Bowen Hills stood at the 82nd percentile nationally ($1,042 weekly), but household income ranked lower at the 38th percentile. The $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captured 36.3% of the community (2,178 individuals), which was consistent with broader trends across the metropolitan region showing 33.3% in the same category. Housing affordability pressures were severe, with only 76.2% of income remaining, ranking at the 29th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 8th decile.

Bowen Hills features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Bowen Hills' dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 3.0% houses and 97.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Brisbane metro's 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bowen Hills stood at 4.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 11.6% and rented ones at 83.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,614, below Brisbane metro's average of $1,863. Median weekly rent in Bowen Hills was $390, compared to Brisbane metro's $380. Nationally, Bowen Hills' mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Bowen Hills features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 35.8% of all households, including 5.7% that are couples with children, 25.1% that are couples without children, and 3.3% that are single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 64.2%, with lone person households making up 51.2% and group households comprising 13.0%. The median household size is 1.6 people, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

Bowen Hills demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

Bowen Hills has a notably high level of educational attainment among its residents aged 15 and above, with 48.6% possessing university qualifications. This figure exceeds both Queensland's state average of 25.7% and Australia's national average of 30.4%. The area's residents have a strong focus on higher education, with bachelor degrees being the most common qualification at 34.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 11.0% and graduate diplomas at 2.9%. Vocational credentials are also prevalent in Bowen Hills, with 28.6% of residents aged 15 and above holding such qualifications.

This includes advanced diplomas held by 12.4% of residents and certificates held by 16.2%. Educational participation is high in the area, with 32.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 17.7% pursuing tertiary education, 1.9% in secondary education, and 1.8% engaged in primary education.

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

Bowen Hills has 20 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are serviced by 250 individual routes, collectively providing 13,777 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 135 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to its primarily residential nature. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 44%, followed by walking at 22% and train at 18%. Vehicle ownership averages 0.4 per dwelling, below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, some 20.4% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 1,968 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 688 weekly trips per individual stop.

Bowen Hills's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data shows relatively positive outcomes for Bowen Hills residents.

AreaSearch's analysis found mortality rates and health conditions broadly inline with national benchmarks. Prevalence of common health conditions was low across both younger and older age cohorts. Approximately 55% (~3,324 people) had private health cover, the highest rate in the area. Mental health issues impacted 13.7% of residents, while asthma affected 7.5%. 73.4% declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 69.2% across Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among the working-age population were typical. The area had 7.0% (420 people) aged 65 and over, lower than Greater Brisbane's 15.2%. Health outcomes among seniors were particularly strong, with national rankings even higher than the general population.

Bowen Hills is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Bowen Hills has a high level of cultural diversity, with 29.9% of its residents speaking a language other than English at home and 42.7% born overseas. The dominant religion in Bowen Hills is Christianity, comprising 33.2% of the population. Judaism, however, is more prevalent here compared to Greater Brisbane, making up 0.2% versus 0.1%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (22.6%), Australian (16.9%), and Other (15.3%). Notably, the Australian figure is lower than the regional average of 23.2%, while the Other category is higher at 15.3% compared to the regional average of 9.4%. Certain ethnic groups are notably divergent: Spanish (1.4%) and Korean (1.2%) are overrepresented in Bowen Hills compared to Greater Brisbane's figures of 0.4% and 0.5%, respectively, while French is also slightly higher at 1.0% versus the regional average of 0.5%.

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

Bowen Hills's median age at 32 years is lower than both the Greater Brisbane average of 36 and the Australian median of 38. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Bowen Hills has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (37.8%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (2.4%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is notably higher than the national average of 14.4%. Between 2021 and present, median age has increased from 30 to 32 years, with significant shifts including growth in the 75-84 age group (from 1.1% to 2.6%) and the 35-44 cohort (from 16.5% to 17.8%). Conversely, the 25-34 age group has decreased from 40.9% to 37.8%, and the 15-24 group has dropped from 20.6% to 17.9%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic changes in Bowen Hills, with the 25-34 age cohort projected to grow by 356 people (16%), increasing from 2,268 to 2,625. Meanwhile, the 0-4 age group is expected to grow modestly by 7%, adding 8 people.