Suburb profile · Greater Brisbane
Brisbane City has an estimated 17,026 residents, up 35.3% since the 2021 Census, with 35 projects tracked in Brisbane City.
Updated 14 Oct 2026.
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Located in the heart of Brisbane CBD, the suburb of Brisbane City is an exceptionally vibrant and dense urban enclave whose demographic growth places it in the top 10% of areas nationally. Drawing on aggregated annual SA2 Estimated Resident Population (ERP) records and quarterly national address registers, AreaSearch estimates the suburb's population at around 17,026 as of Aug 2026. This marks an expansion of 4,439 people (35.3%) from the 12,587 residents recorded at the 2021 Census. Driven by young professionals, the community is shaped by high proportions of teenagers and young adults living predominantly in lone person households and group households, alongside a substantial overseas-born contingent that enriches its cultural diversity.
The area is characterised by strong educational qualifications and development activity and population drivers that are well above average. Robust momentum within this compact district is further reinforced by significant infrastructure investments and major project spending designed to stimulate performance and cater to expanding demand.
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01Profile
The analysis, national rankings and who lives there.
Located in the heart of Brisbane CBD, the suburb of Brisbane City is an exceptionally vibrant and dense urban enclave whose demographic growth places it in the top 10% of areas nationally. Drawing on aggregated annual SA2 Estimated Resident Population (ERP) records and quarterly national address registers, AreaSearch estimates the suburb's population at around 17,026 as of Aug 2026. This marks an expansion of 4,439 people (35.3%) from the 12,587 residents recorded at the 2021 Census. Driven by young professionals, the community is shaped by high proportions of teenagers and young adults living predominantly in lone person households and group households, alongside a substantial overseas-born contingent that enriches its cultural diversity.
The area is characterised by strong educational qualifications and development activity and population drivers that are well above average. Robust momentum within this compact district is further reinforced by significant infrastructure investments and major project spending designed to stimulate performance and cater to expanding demand.
Estimated resident population by year (ABS, not Census counts): 6,602 in 2006 and 16,925 in 2025. The dashed segment ends at the AreaSearch estimate for Aug 2026: 17,026 (ABS June 2025 base).
Share of residents in each age band (ABS age profile, scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate). Largest: 25 to 34, 34.9%.
Share of households in each weekly household income band (2021 Census). Largest: $1,500 - 2,999, 32.7%.
Brisbane City ranks in the 99th percentile nationally for education and the 99th for amenities.
Each bar and spoke is a national percentile; the dashed ring is the typical area. 99th = higher than 99 in every 100 neighbourhood-sized areas across Australia (ABS SA2 areas). Higher means more of the measure, not necessarily better. Orange marks the top three measures where a higher percentile is better; not Age, Housing or Housing Cost.
02Market and pipeline
Rents, sale prices and what is being built.
The median rent in Brisbane City is $555 a week, up 26.3% over 12 months to Jun 2026 and 11% below Greater Brisbane.
11% below Greater Brisbane on median weekly rent
Median weekly rent by year, lodged bonds. Units: $401 in 2017, $776 in 2026. A break means no rent was reported that year. The latest is to Jun 2026.
Some rents are estimated from nearby areas.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $555 a week | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Change in median rent over 12 months | +26.3% | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Median rent, units | $776 a week | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Change in median rent for units over 12 months | +7.2% | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Median rent, Brisbane Inner | $620 a week | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Change in median rent, Brisbane Inner, over 12 months | +11.6% | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Median rent, Brisbane Inner City | $628 a week | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Change in median rent, Brisbane Inner City, over 12 months | +9.8% | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Median rent, Greater Brisbane | $627 a week | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Change in median rent, Greater Brisbane, over 12 months | +7.6% | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Median rent, QLD | $632 a week | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Change in median rent, QLD, over 12 months | +7.3% | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 |
See the development applications we track, then draw your own catchment and map retailers, health, schools and more.
Status of the 297 tracked applications: 234 approved, 36 under assessment, 27 other (refused, withdrawn or no status).
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AreaSearch tracks 35 projects in Brisbane City (16 under construction) and 172 more in the surrounding area.
A $2.5 billion mixed-use precinct transformation of the Eagle Street Pier and Waterfront Place area. The development includes two premium-grade office towers (49 and 43 levels), approximately 120,000 sqm of office space, and a revitalised riverfront retail dining hub.
A $3.6 billion integrated resort, tourism, entertainment, residential and public realm precinct in the Brisbane CBD delivered by Destination Brisbane Consortium. The precinct began staged openings in August 2024, including The Star Brisbane, The Star Grand hotel, Sky Deck, Neville Bonner Bridge, public spaces, dining and event facilities.
The Roma Street Cross River Rail Priority Development Area covers about 32 hectares on the western edge of Brisbane's city centre, including Roma Street railway station and the railyards.
Rail, Integration and Systems (RIS) package of the Cross River Rail program, delivered by the UNITY Alliance (CPB Contractors, UGL, AECOM and Jacobs). The works integrate the new Cross River Rail tunnels and stations into the Queensland Rail network.
A city-shaping mixed-use precinct in the heart of the Brisbane CBD, integrating the heritage-listed Regent Theatre, the Wintergarden shopping centre, and the InterContinental Hotel (formerly Hilton).
Major Brisbane rail project delivering a new 10.2 km rail line, 5.9 km of twin tunnels under the Brisbane River and CBD, and four new underground stations at Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert Street and Roma Street.
Howard Smith Wharves Expansion, known as HSW 2.0, is a redevelopment of the Brisbane riverfront precinct at 5 Boundary Street, Fortitude Valley, by Artemus Group. The 2024 application proposed a nine-storey boutique hotel, an overwater pool, two new cliff lifts and expanded public space.
A 26-storey commercial office tower featuring 31,890m2 of gross floor area, including premium office space, a basement supermarket, and street-level retail. The design follows Brisbane City Council's 'Buildings that Breathe' guidelines, incorporating winter gardens, sky terraces, and a sandstone-bladed podium.
A 200 million dollar twin-tower mixed-use development featuring two towers of 30 and 35 storeys. The project includes 255 premium residential apartments, 168 five-star serviced apartments, 2147 sqm of commercial office space, and 922 sqm of ground-level retail.
Approved redevelopment of Marquette Properties' Gold Tower site in Brisbane's Golden Triangle. The scheme replaces the existing low-rise annex with a new eight-storey office annex, ground-floor retail and lobby works, end-of-trip and public realm improvements, and around 5710 to 6000 sqm of additional commercial space integrated with the existing tower.
A multimillion-dollar refurbishment of the subterranean retail centre in the Brisbane CBD, completed in early 2026. The project transformed the iconic precinct into a modern food and service hub, featuring 1,000sqm of food and beverage and 700sqm of beauty and service retail across 22 shops.
Planned repositioning and staged redevelopment of Uptown, the former Myer Centre at 91 Queen Street on the Queen Street Mall in the Brisbane CBD. Vicinity Centres agreed to acquire the remaining 75 percent interest from IFM Investors for AUD 212 million, with settlement expected in June 2026.
Images marked AI impression are illustrative only and not photographs of the project; follow the project links for actual imagery. Original imagery? Contact us.
AreaSearch has tracked 297 substantial development applications lodged in and around Brisbane City over the past 5 years, 31 in the last 12 months; 36 are recorded as under assessment. Coverage varies by council.
Applications per year (dashed: part year): 2021 (part year) 15, 2022 64, 2023 88, 2024 56, 2025 46, 2026 (to Oct) 28.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tracked applications | 297 | Tracked by AreaSearch, in and around the area, last 5 years | |
| Tracked, last 12 months | 31 | Tracked by AreaSearch, in and around the area | |
| ABS building approvals | 23.0 per 1,000 people | ABS building approvals | 95th percentile nationally |
| Average approvals a year | 335 | ABS building approvals | 96th percentile nationally |
| Applications approved | 234 | Tracked by AreaSearch, in and around the area, last 5 years | |
| Applications under assessment | 36 | Tracked by AreaSearch, in and around the area, last 5 years |
Key infrastructure and planning changes likely to influence the suburb of Brisbane City include: Waterfront Brisbane (Construction); City Reach Waterfront Master Plan (Construction); 60 Queen Street Commercial Tower (Construction); Queen's Wharf Brisbane (Construction); and Roma Street Cross River Rail Priority Development Area (Construction). These projects represent significant developments that will shape the area's future infrastructure landscape.
Infrastructure development impacting the suburb of Brisbane City spans multiple sectors including Communities, Precincts & Urban Renewal, Business Parks & Technology Hubs, and Residential Development, among others.
AreaSearch's development drivers ranking places residential development activity in Brisbane City higher than 97% of real estate markets across the country.
Dwelling approval activity in the suburb of Brisbane City area has seen 1,094 residential approvals over the past two financial years, based on AreaSearch's SA2 aggregation method. The suburb of Brisbane City's current population of 17,026 has been supported by 335 approvals on average over recent years.
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Looking at development activity over the past five years, the suburb of Brisbane City's approval levels have been slightly above the yearly average of 335, showing modest growth in recent years.
Over the past five years, the population in the suburb of Brisbane City has grown by approximately 3,768 people, while 1,674 residential approvals were recorded. This equates to a ratio of 2.3 people added for each new dwelling approval. This indicates solid population growth supported by housing development activity.
03People
Population, age, income, work, education and more.
99th = higher than 99 in every 100 neighbourhood-sized areas across Australia (ABS SA2 areas). Higher means more of the measure, not necessarily better.
Brisbane City lies within the top 4% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,026 | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026, from the ABS June 2025 base | |
| Growth since 2021 Census | +35.3% | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026, against the 2021 Census | 95th percentile nationally |
| Population density | 8,263 per km² | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026, from the ABS June 2025 base | 98th percentile nationally |
| Average yearly growth, 2020 to 2025 | +5.2% | ABS estimated resident population series to June 2025 | |
| Average yearly growth, 2015 to 2025 | +5.6% | ABS estimated resident population series to June 2025 |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population at the 2021 Census | 12,587 | 2021 Census | |
| Residents added since the 2021 Census | 4,439 | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026, against the 2021 Census | |
| Average yearly growth, 2022 to 2025 | +7.2% | ABS estimated resident population series to June 2025 | |
| Population growth, 2024 to 2025 | +4.4% | ABS estimated resident population series to June 2025 | |
| Land area | 2.06 km² | AreaSearch boundary analysis |
Total population for the suburb of Brisbane City was estimated to be approximately 17,026 as at Aug 2026. This is based upon an estimated resident population of 16,925 from the ABS up to June 2025.
The suburb of Brisbane City has added approximately 4,439 people and shown a 35.27% increase from the 12,587 people recorded at the 2021 Census period.
The population density in the suburb of Brisbane City is estimated at 8,265 persons per square kilometre based on the latest population estimate.
Over the past 10 years, the population in the suburb of Brisbane City has shown a compound annual growth rate of 5.6% per annum.
Population growth in the suburb of Brisbane City is driven by: Overseas migration (93.0%), Natural increase (4.0%), Interstate migration (3.0%). The primary driver is Overseas migration, contributing 93.0% of overall population gains.
Brisbane City hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 7% of areas nationwide.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 29 years | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | 7th percentile nationally |
| Aged 65 and over | 9.4% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Children under 15 | 3.7% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 15 to 34 | 58.4% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 25 to 64 | 63.6% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age at the 2021 Census | 31 years | 2021 Census | |
| Aged 0 to 4 | 1.4% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 5 to 14 | 2.3% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 15 to 24 | 23.5% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 25 to 34 | 34.9% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 35 to 44 | 13.6% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 45 to 54 | 7.5% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 55 to 64 | 7.6% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 65 to 74 | 5.2% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 75 to 84 | 3.1% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 85 and over | 1.1% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate |
AreaSearch estimates the median age in the suburb of Brisbane City at 29 years as at August 2026. That is down from the 2021 Census figure of 31 years, with AreaSearch updating the age profile for population change recorded since the Census.
At an estimated 29 years as at August 2026, Brisbane City is 7 years younger than the Greater Brisbane 2021 Census average (36 years) and 9 years younger than the national Census average (38 years).
On AreaSearch estimates updated to August 2026, the most over-represented age group in the suburb of Brisbane City compared to the Greater Brisbane region is the 25 - 34 group, making up 34.9% of the population.
On AreaSearch estimates updated to August 2026, the most under-represented age group in the suburb of Brisbane City compared to the Greater Brisbane region is the 5 - 14 group, making up 2.3% of the population.
Yes, certain age groups in the suburb of Brisbane City show significant variance compared to Greater Brisbane. The most over-represented age groups are 25-34 year-olds (34.9% vs 15.8%) and 15-24 year-olds (23.5% vs 13.9%). The most under-represented age groups are 5-14 year-olds (2.3% vs 12.3%) and 0-4 year-olds (1.4% vs 5.6%).
AreaSearch estimates children aged 0-14 years at 3.7% of the population in the suburb of Brisbane City as at August 2026.
AreaSearch estimates people aged 65 and over at 9.4% of the population in the suburb of Brisbane City as at August 2026.
Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median taxable income (ATO) | $44,003 a year | ATO FY-24, annual | 3rd percentile nationally |
| Average taxable income | $73,320 a year | ATO FY-24, annual |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Census household income / week | $1,802 | 2021 Census, weekly | 53rd percentile nationally |
| Census personal income / week | $894 | 2021 Census, weekly | 66th percentile nationally |
| High-income households | 25.4% | 2021 Census | |
| Census family income / week | $2,348 | 2021 Census, weekly | |
| Low-income households | 21.0% | 2021 Census |
Based on Wage Price Index adjustments to June 2026, the estimated median taxable income in the suburb of Brisbane City is approximately $47,132. The official ATO data from FY-24 recorded a median of $44,003.
Based on Wage Price Index adjustments to June 2026, the estimated average taxable income in the suburb of Brisbane City is approximately $78,533. The official ATO data from FY-24 recorded an average of $73,320.
Based on Wage Price Index adjustments to June 2026, the estimated median taxable income in the suburb of Brisbane City is approximately $47,132 compared to $66,053 in Greater Brisbane. The official ATO data from FY-24 shows $44,003 and $61,668 respectively.
Based on Wage Price Index adjustments to June 2026, the estimated average taxable income in the suburb of Brisbane City is approximately $78,533 compared to $82,596 in Greater Brisbane. The official ATO data from FY-24 shows $73,320 and $77,113 respectively.
As per the 2021 Census, the weekly household income bracket containing the largest proportion of the suburb of Brisbane City's households (~32.7% / 1,826 households) is the $1,500 - 2,999 cohort.
The largest weekly household income cohort in the suburb of Brisbane City is the $1,500 - 2,999 group, representing about 32.7% of households. In comparison, Greater Brisbane's largest household income cohort is the $1,500 - 2,999 group, representing 33.3% of its households, according to the 2021 Census.
The 2021 Census data indicates that the median household income in the suburb of Brisbane City is $1,802/wk.
According to the 2021 Census, the median family income in the suburb of Brisbane City is $2,348/wk.
The 2021 Census shows that the median personal income in the suburb of Brisbane City is $894/wk.
The suburb of Brisbane City shows a median taxpayer income of $44,003 and an average of $73,320 according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for FY-24. This is just above the national average, contrasting with Greater Brisbane's median income of $61,668 and average income of $77,113. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 7.11% since FY-24, current estimates would be approximately $47,132 (median) and $78,533 (average) as of June 2026.
The estimated disposable income in the suburb of Brisbane City is $6,138 per year according to AreaSearch analysis.
The suburb of Brisbane City's disposable income is $6,138 compared to $6,725 for Greater Brisbane, based on AreaSearch analysis.
Brisbane City has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | ABS and DEWR labour data, compiled by AreaSearch | |
| Workforce participation | 73.0% | ABS and DEWR labour data, compiled by AreaSearch | |
| Employed residents | 11,260 | ABS and DEWR labour data, compiled by AreaSearch | |
| Daytime population | 102,650 | AreaSearch estimate of residents and workers present on a weekday | |
| Labour force | 11,906 | ABS and DEWR labour data, compiled by AreaSearch |
As of March 2026, the suburb of Brisbane City has approximately 11,260 employed residents with an unemployment rate of 5.4%. The unemployment rate is moderate, indicating some available workforce capacity. Employment indicators are below the national average, suggesting room for improvement.
As of March 2026, the unemployment rate in the suburb of Brisbane City stands at 5.4%, which is 1.1 percentage points above Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.3%. This higher unemployment rate may indicate local labour market challenges. For comparison, the national unemployment rate is 4.2%.
The employment landscape in the suburb of Brisbane City is dominated by several key sectors. The largest employers are accommodation & food (17.6% of employment), professional & technical (16.5%), and health care & social assistance (10.0%). Other significant employers include retail trade and education & training.
Over the past year to March 2026, the suburb of Brisbane City has experienced employment growth, with total employment increasing while the labour force increased. As a result, the unemployment rate has risen. By comparison, Greater Brisbane saw employment increased and its unemployment rate rose.
The workforce participation rate in the suburb of Brisbane City is 73.0%, which represents the proportion of working-age residents who are either employed or actively seeking work. This high participation rate indicates strong workforce engagement and economic vitality. The local rate leading the Greater Brisbane average of 70.1%, showing similar workforce dynamics to Greater Brisbane.
The suburb of Brisbane City shows notable specialisation in accommodation & food, which employs 17.6% of the local workforce compared to 6.7% across Greater Brisbane. With a local vs regional employment ratio of 2.6, this represents a significant industry cluster that likely serves markets beyond the local area. The area also shows above-average employment in 2 other sectors, contributing to a distinctive economic profile.
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The suburb of Brisbane City's employment market shows below-average performance in national comparisons. While employment opportunities exist, the area faces more challenges than many other regions. Recent job advertisement trends show the broader employment region saw a 2.9% decline, ranking 29th out of 37 regions nationally.
Brisbane City demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 1% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor qualifications | 33.7% | 2021 Census | 92nd percentile nationally |
| Postgraduate qualifications | 16.2% | 2021 Census | 91st percentile nationally |
| University qualifications | 53.0% | 2021 Census | |
| Vocational qualifications | 11.5% | 2021 Census | 11th percentile nationally |
| Graduate diploma or certificate | 3.1% | 2021 Census | 69th percentile nationally |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced diploma or diploma | 11.2% | 2021 Census | 63rd percentile nationally |
| No post-school qualification | 24.2% | 2021 Census | |
| Residents attending an educational institution | 40.2% | 2021 Census | |
| Residents attending university or other higher education | 24.7% | 2021 Census | 99th percentile nationally |
| Residents attending primary school | 1.8% | 2021 Census | 3rd percentile nationally |
| Residents attending secondary school | 2.1% | 2021 Census | 4th percentile nationally |
53.0% of people aged 15 and over in the suburb of Brisbane City have university qualifications, compared to 30.5% in Greater Brisbane.
24.2% of people aged 15 and over in the suburb of Brisbane City have no formal qualifications, compared to 35.8% in Greater Brisbane.
The suburb of Brisbane City ranks in the 99th percentile nationally for education based on AreaSearch's analysis of qualification and performance metrics.
The most common qualifications in the suburb of Brisbane City are: Bachelor Degree (33.7%), Postgraduate (16.2%), Certificate (11.5%).
40.2% of the population in the suburb of Brisbane City is currently engaged in formal education, including 1.8% in primary school, 2.1% in secondary school, 24.7% at university (all shares of total residents).
There are 2 schools within the suburb of Brisbane City, with a combined enrollment of approximately 0 students.
The suburb of Brisbane City includes 2 secondary schools.
Brisbane City features high concentrations of group households and lone person households but relatively few family households, with a smaller average household size than Greater Brisbane.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household size | 1.8 people | 2021 Census | 2nd percentile nationally |
| Lone-person households | 42.7% | 2021 Census | 97th percentile nationally |
| Couples with children | 8.3% | 2021 Census | 2nd percentile nationally |
| Couples without children | 29.9% | 2021 Census | 70th percentile nationally |
| One-parent families | 4.4% | 2021 Census | 3rd percentile nationally |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group households | 13.0% | 2021 Census | 98th percentile nationally |
| Households at the 2021 Census | 5,578 | 2021 Census | |
| Estimated households | 7,545 | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026 | |
| Family households | 44.4% | 2021 Census | 2nd percentile nationally |
| Average children per family | 0.6 per family | 2021 Census | 2nd percentile nationally |
As of the 2021 Census, the suburb of Brisbane City had 5,578 households. Based on population growth patterns, this has grown by approximately 35.3% to an estimated 7,545 households today.
The average household size in the suburb of Brisbane City is 1.8 people. This compares to 2.6 in Greater Brisbane and reflects the area's household composition mix.
Family households dominate at 44.4% of all households. Non-family households consist of lone person households (42.7%), group households (13.0%), and other household types (0.0%).
Of the 2,477 family households, couples with children account for 8.3% of all households, couples without children at home 29.9%, and single parent families 4.4%. This mix shapes local demand for schools, family services, and housing types.
Compared to Greater Brisbane, the suburb of Brisbane City shows distinct household patterns. Lone person households are notably over-represented at 42.7% (versus 23.6% in Greater Brisbane). Conversely, family households are under-represented at 44.4% compared to 71.7% in Greater Brisbane. This higher proportion of single-person households drives demand for smaller dwellings and different community services.
Marriage patterns reveal 26.8% of the adult population are currently married, while 61.5% have never married. This compares to 45.0% married and 38.4% never married across Greater Brisbane.
Single-person households represent 42.7% of all households in the suburb of Brisbane City, higher than the average for Greater Brisbane of 23.6%. This affects demand for smaller dwellings and single-person accommodation.
Group households (unrelated people sharing) account for 13.0% of households, above the Greater Brisbane average of 4.7%. This higher rate points to more student or young professional shared accommodation.
Brisbane City is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Born overseas | 57.3% | 2021 Census | 95th percentile nationally |
| Speak another language at home | 44.2% | 2021 Census | 85th percentile nationally |
| English only at home | 55.8% | 2021 Census | 15th percentile nationally |
| Australian citizens | 55.2% | 2021 Census | 2nd percentile nationally |
| Born in Australia | 42.7% | 2021 Census | 4th percentile nationally |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents | 0.9% | 2021 Census | 36th percentile nationally |
Brisbane City is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country, with 44.2% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 57.3% born overseas.
Christianity is the most commonly reported religion in Brisbane City, at 33.7% of people, although more residents (52.7%) reported no religion. However, the most apparent overrepresentation was in Buddhism, which comprises 6.2% of the population, compared to 2.0% across Greater Brisbane.
In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Brisbane City are English, comprising 19.8% of the population, which is notably lower than Greater Brisbane's 26.8%, Other, comprising 16.6% of the population, which is substantially higher than Greater Brisbane's 9.4%, and Chinese, comprising 13.3% of the population, which is substantially higher than Greater Brisbane's 3.4%. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Korean is notably overrepresented at 3.6% of Brisbane City (vs 0.5% across Greater Brisbane), Spanish at 0.9% (vs 0.4%) and Russian at 0.5% (vs 0.3%).
57.3% of the suburb of Brisbane City population was born overseas, compared to 28.5% across Greater Brisbane.
44.2% of the population in the suburb of Brisbane City speaks a language other than English at home, compared to 18.7% in Greater Brisbane.
0.9% of the suburb of Brisbane City population identifies as Australian Aboriginal, compared to 2.1% in Greater Brisbane.
55.2% of the suburb of Brisbane City population holds citizenship, compared to 83.6% in Greater Brisbane.
04Place
Housing, health, transport, local services and the reports on them.
Brisbane City features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than Greater Brisbane.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rented homes | 68.2% | 2021 Census | 96th percentile nationally |
| Owned outright | 15.8% | 2021 Census | 9th percentile nationally |
| Apartments | 99.8% | 2021 Census | 99th percentile nationally |
| Median mortgage repayment | $1,942 a month | 2021 Census, monthly | 55th percentile nationally |
| Owned with a mortgage | 16.0% | 2021 Census | 3rd percentile nationally |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semi-detached, terrace and townhouses | 0.1% | 2021 Census | 4th percentile nationally |
| Median weekly rent paid, 2021 Census | $460 | 2021 Census, weekly | 83rd percentile nationally |
| Median rent as a share of median household income | 25.5% | 2021 Census, ratio calculated by AreaSearch | 84th percentile nationally |
| Median mortgage repayment as a share of household income | 24.9% | 2021 Census, ratio calculated by AreaSearch | 58th percentile nationally |
| People per bedroom | 1.0 per bedroom | 2021 Census | 94th percentile nationally |
In the suburb of Brisbane City, 15.8% of homes are owned outright, 16.0% are owned with a mortgage, and 68.2% are rented.
According to the latest data, 0.1% of dwellings in the suburb of Brisbane City are houses.
In the suburb of Brisbane City, 99.8% of dwellings are apartments or units, with an additional 0.1% being semi-detached dwellings.
Outright home ownership in the suburb of Brisbane City stands at 15.8%, compared to 26.7% in Greater Brisbane.
The median monthly mortgage repayment in the suburb of Brisbane City is $1,942, compared to $1,863 in Greater Brisbane.
The aggregate monthly housing cost in the suburb of Brisbane City is $1,670, which represents the average monthly cost across all housing types.
In the suburb of Brisbane City, households with mortgages typically spend 24.9% of their income on mortgage repayments, while renters spend 25.5% of their income on rent.
The average persons per bedroom ratio in the suburb of Brisbane City is 1.0, indicating the level of household density.
Housing affordability in the suburb of Brisbane City shows mortgage holders spending 24.9% of income on repayments (vs 23.3% in Greater Brisbane), while renters spend 25.5% of income on rent (vs 20.6% in Greater Brisbane).
The dwelling mix in the suburb of Brisbane City consists of 0.1% detached houses, 0.1% semi-detached dwellings, 99.8% apartments, and 0.1% other dwelling types.
Housing in Brisbane City consumes approximately 21.4% of median household income ($7,803 monthly), indicating costs are highly affordable. The generally accepted benchmark is that housing should not exceed 30% of household income.
Recent development applications in Brisbane City show attached dwellings contributing 100% of approvals compared to 100% of existing stock, while detached houses represent 0% of applications versus 0% of current dwellings. This suggests development patterns consistent with existing housing mix. Brisbane City is experiencing exceptional growth in housing density, ranking in the top 10% nationally.
Brisbane City's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics relative to locations nationally with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private health cover | 54.4% | ATO FY 2024, private health cover | 56th percentile nationally |
| No long-term health condition | 80.1% | 2021 Census | 93rd percentile nationally |
| Need help with daily activities | 1.7% | 2021 Census | 4th percentile nationally |
| No long-term health condition, under 65 | 83.1% | 2021 Census | 90th percentile nationally |
| Three or more long-term health conditions, under 65 | 0.6% | 2021 Census | 11th percentile nationally |
Around 54.4% of people in the suburb of Brisbane City are covered by private health insurance, which compares to 56.1% in Greater Brisbane.
In the suburb of Brisbane City, 1.7% of the population is identified as requiring ongoing medical assistance. By comparison, 5.7% of people in Greater Brisbane require similar assistance.
5.6% of people in the suburb of Brisbane City are diagnosed with asthma. In comparison, 8.0% of the population across Greater Brisbane is affected by asthma.
Diabetes affects 1.9% of the suburb of Brisbane City population, while in Greater Brisbane, 4.0% of people are diagnosed with diabetes.
1.8% of people in the suburb of Brisbane City have heart disease. Across Greater Brisbane,3.5% of the population is affected by heart disease.
In the suburb of Brisbane City, 54.4% of the population are estimated to have private health insurance. Comparatively, Greater Brisbane sees an estimated private health coverage rate of 56.1%.
Transport servicing is low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport access | 28 out of 100 | AreaSearch transport analysis of timetable data | 28th percentile nationally |
| Public transport stops | 2 | Public transport timetable (GTFS) data, compiled by AreaSearch | 2nd percentile nationally |
| Weekly public transport trips | 95 | Public transport timetable (GTFS) data, compiled by AreaSearch | 10th percentile nationally |
| People per public transport stop | 8,478 | Public transport timetable (GTFS) data, compiled by AreaSearch | |
| Public transport routes | 4 | Public transport timetable (GTFS) data, compiled by AreaSearch |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per dwelling | 0.2 per dwelling | 2021 Census | |
| Working residents who worked from home | 24.1% | 2021 Census, taken during COVID-19 restrictions |
There are 2 public transport stops within the suburb of Brisbane City.
The suburb of Brisbane City has 95 weekly trips across 4 routes, averaging 13 trips per day.
On average, residential properties are 939 metres from the nearest transport stop.
From the typical resident, the nearest child care centre is 212 m away and the nearest GP 250 m.
Distance from the typical resident to the nearest of each service. Every bar starts at 0 m. The nearest is orange.
Public transport 2 stops nearby, 95 weekly trips, access rating 28 out of 100.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amenity score | 99 out of 100 | AreaSearch proximity analysis | 99th percentile nationally |
| Nearest child care | 212 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest dentist | 220 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest GP | 250 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest supermarket | 255 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearest fitness centre | 265 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest pharmacy | 269 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest shopping centre | 359 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest bank | 409 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest school | 604 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest government service | 1.5 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest hospital | 1.6 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident |
Sector reports that go deeper on these services: child care, medical, retail, aged care and specialist disability accommodation (SDA). There are 5 long day care centres with 352 places in Brisbane City, about 0.7 children aged 0-4 per place.
Short silent previews of sample pages. Sector reports are ordered for a catchment you draw, not for the suburb as a whole.
05Reports and tools
Order a report and find more tools.
An area report on Brisbane City is built to order and emailed to you.
Ordered reports
The other sector reports are ordered on a custom catchment: draw your own area to add them. The order window shows the estimate before you place the order.
Order a reportShort silent previews of sample pages. Base and Child Care can be ordered for Brisbane City.
06About this profile
Where the figures come from, downloads and nearby areas.
AreaSearch's development drivers ranking places residential development activity in Brisbane City higher than 97% of real estate markets across the country.
Brisbane City ranks in the 83rd percentile nationally for infrastructure.
No headline figures are reported for this area.
Median rent in Brisbane City is $555 a week, +26.3% over 12 months to Jun 2026.
Brisbane City lies within the top 4% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends.
Brisbane City hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 7% of areas nationwide.
Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment.
Brisbane City has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks.
Brisbane City demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 1% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics.
Brisbane City features high concentrations of group households and lone person households but relatively few family households, with a smaller average household size than Greater Brisbane.
Brisbane City is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics.
Brisbane City features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than Greater Brisbane.
Brisbane City's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics relative to locations nationally with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups.
Transport servicing is low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility.
Amenity provision was found to be above the typical area assessed nationally by AreaSearch, based on counts and proximity analysis.
Brisbane City has an estimated 17,026 residents, up 35.3% since the 2021 Census, with 35 projects tracked in Brisbane City.
Latest estimate as at Aug 2026; other figures from the 2021 Census, ATO FY-24 and AreaSearch estimates where labelled. Updated 14 Oct 2026.
Sources: ABS Census 2021, ABS estimated resident population, ATO taxation statistics, state rental bonds and property sales records where published, and AreaSearch analysis for Brisbane City.
Data currency
Refreshed . Rents to Jun 2026, population and age estimated to Aug 2026, taxable income FY 2024 and projects to Oct 2026. Housing, households and cultural diversity are from the 2021 Census (next update with the 2026 Census results).
Infrastructure projects and development applications also include sites in the surrounding area, and are labelled as such. Other sections were compiled 15 Oct 2026 from sources that update on their own cycles; "See the evidence" lists each source and its cycle.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For a complete picture, consider both boundary types where available.
Main sources: ABS, Geoscience Australia, GNAF, ATO, State governments, Valuer General, Rental Board and Infrastructure Australia.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL30379). QuickStats reports 2021 only; the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.
This page uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries (suburb-style geography). SAL represents commonly-known suburb names used in addresses, while Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census and statistical reporting. Even when sharing the same name, SAL and SA2 boundaries often cover different geographic areas with different populations.
AreaSearch compiles this page from official and industry sources, including ABS, Geoscience Australia, GNAF, ATO, State governments, Valuer General, Rental Board and Infrastructure Australia, then calculates statistics for the boundary shown, and ranks, growth rates and benchmarks itself. Property sales come from the state valuation authority, rents from state rental bond lodgements, development applications from council and state planning portals, school data from ACARA, and public transport from state transport departments. Infrastructure projects and development applications also include sites in the surrounding area, labelled as such.
No. Most of this page is built beyond the Census. Dated for this area: population (Aug 2026), age profile (Aug 2026), infrastructure projects (Oct 2026) and income (FY 2024). Compiled with this profile from sources that publish on their own cycles: development and approvals, property sales and rents, employment, education, transport, health and services and amenities. Only housing, households and cultural diversity remain wholly Census-based, because no more current small-area dataset exists for those measures.
Key demographics and figures for Brisbane City from the 2021 Census, ATO taxpayer data and AreaSearch estimates and analysis. Each topic has its own table of key figures beside the section it belongs to, and each row names its source and date. The percentile compares Brisbane City with every neighbourhood-sized area across Australia (ABS SA2 areas): a higher percentile means more of that measure than most, not necessarily better.
Source: AreaSearch (areasearch.com.au) compiled from ABS Census 2021, ATO and other public sources.
