Bulimba

Bulimba lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of May 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Bulimba is around 8,209. This reflects an increase of 586 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 7,623. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 8,161 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025, and an additional 103 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 3,854 persons per square kilometer, placing Bulimba in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's 7.7% growth since the census positions it within 1.6 percentage points of the national average (9.3%). Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 84.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are used. These state projections do not provide age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age cohort are applied when utilized. Moving forward, an above median population growth is projected for the suburb of Bulimba, with an expected expansion of 1,193 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 13.9% over the 16 years.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Bulimba when compared nationally

AreaSearch analysis indicates Bulimba averaged around 26 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 134 homes. As of FY-26, 29 approvals have been recorded. Over these five years, approximately 3.5 people moved to the area per dwelling built annually. This high demand relative to supply typically leads to price growth and increased buyer competition.

Developers target the premium market segment with new properties constructed at an average value of $976,000. In FY-26, there have been $9.3 million in commercial approvals, suggesting Bulimba's residential character. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Bulimba shows approximately 67% of the construction activity per person and ranks among the 45th percentile nationally, indicating limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing homes. Recent construction comprises 36.0% detached dwellings and 64.0% townhouses or apartments, creating more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. Bulimba's population is estimated to grow by 1,145 residents through to 2041, potentially outpacing housing supply at current development rates, which could heighten buyer competition and support price increases.

Looking ahead, Bulimba is expected to grow by 1,145 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

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

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 27 projects that could affect this region. Notable ones include Oxford & Princess - Bulimba Mixed-Use Development, QParks Group - 5 Riding Road Mixed-Use Development, Bulimba State School Infrastructure Upgrade, and Bulimba Memorial Park and Community Centre Upgrade. The following list outlines those most likely to be relevant.

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

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.

The labour market strength in Bulimba positions it well ahead of most Australian regions

Bulimba has a highly educated workforce. Professional services are strongly represented. The unemployment rate was 2.2% in the past year.

Employment growth was estimated at 0.9%. As of December 2025, 5148 residents were employed. Bulimba's unemployment rate was 1.9% lower than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation was 76.0%, higher than Greater Brisbane's 69.6%.

Approximately 34.0% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Leading employment industries were professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Bulimba had a notable concentration in professional & technical services, with employment levels at 1.8 times the regional average. However, health care & social assistance was under-represented, with only 13.1% of Bulimba's workforce compared to Greater Brisbane's 16.1%. The area offered limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. During the year to December 2025, employment levels increased by 0.9%, and labour force increased by 1.4%, resulting in an unemployment rise of 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane saw employment rise by 3.2%, labour force grow by 3.0%, and unemployment fall by 0.1 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest potential future demand within Bulimba. These projections estimate national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Bulimba's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.1% over five years and 14.3% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localised population projections.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows Bulimba's median income among taxpayers is $76,144. The average income in the suburb is $132,060. Both figures place Bulimba in the top percentile nationally. In comparison, Greater Brisbane has a median income of $58,236 and an average of $72,799. By March 2026, estimates suggest Bulimba's median income will be approximately $84,794 and the average will reach around $147,062, based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.36%. The 2021 Census data ranks household, family, and personal incomes in Bulimba between the 95th and 96th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows that 35.6% of Bulimba's population (2,922 individuals) earn within the $4,000+ range, differing from regional levels where the dominant income bracket is $1,500 - $2,999 at 33.3%. Notably, 47.8% of residents earn above $3,000 weekly. Housing accounts for 14.7% of income, with strong earnings placing residents in the 94th percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 10th decile.

Bulimba displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Bulimba's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 45.8% houses and 54.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Brisbane metro's 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bulimba stood at 27.9%, similar to Brisbane metro, with the rest of dwellings either mortgaged (34.7%) or rented (37.4%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,800, higher than the Brisbane metro average of $1,863, and the median weekly rent was $500, compared to Brisbane metro's $380. Nationally, Bulimba's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,800 against the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Bulimba has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 70.7% of all households, including 31.3% couples with children, 30.0% couples without children, and 8.3% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 29.3%, with lone person households at 25.9% and group households comprising 3.5%. The median household size is 2.4 people, smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

Bulimba shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Bulimba's educational attainment exceeds broader standards, with 50.4% of residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications compared to QLD's 25.7% and Australia's 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 33.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (12.5%) and graduate diplomas (4.9%). Vocational pathways account for 23.3%, with advanced diplomas at 10.0% and certificates at 13.3%. Educational participation is high, with 29.3% currently enrolled in formal education, including 9.4% in primary, 7.8% in secondary, and 7.2% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 29.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.4% in primary education, 7.8% in secondary education, and 7.2% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Bulimba has 40 active public transport stops, consisting of both ferry and bus services. These are served by 9 different routes, together facilitating around 2700 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 152 meters to the nearest stop. Predominantly residential, Bulimba sees most commuters travelling outward. Cars remain the primary mode of transport, used by 69% of residents, while buses account for 10%. The average vehicle ownership is 1.2 per dwelling, lower than the regional average.

Notably, 34% of residents work from home (as per the 2021 Census, potentially influenced by COVID-19 conditions). On average, there are 385 trips daily across all routes, translating to approximately 67 weekly trips per individual stop.

Bulimba's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Bulimba's health outcomes show excellent results according to AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence, with very low prevalence across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 80% of the total population (6,527 people), compared to 55.8% in Greater Brisbane and the national average of 55.7%. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common conditions, affecting 7.7% and 6.6% of residents respectively, while 74.7% report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 69.2% in Greater Brisbane.

Working-age residents have low chronic condition prevalence. The area has 16.3% of residents aged 65 and over (1,338 people), higher than the 15.1% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among seniors are strong and align with national rankings for the general population.

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

Bulimba's cultural diversity was found to be above average, with 12.3% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 27.8% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion in Bulimba, making up 50.5% of its population. Notably, Judaism comprised 0.1% of Bulimba's population, compared to 0.1% across Greater Brisbane.

The top three ancestry groups were English at 29.6%, Australian at 22.0%, and Irish at 10.5%. Some ethnic groups showed notable differences: Welsh was overrepresented at 0.9% in Bulimba (vs 0.5% regionally), Scottish at 9.7% (vs 7.4%), and French at 0.8% (vs 0.5%).

Bulimba's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Bulimba is 40 years, which is higher than Greater Brisbane's average of 36 years and modestly exceeds the national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Brisbane's average, the 55-64 age cohort is notably over-represented in Bulimba at 14.6%, while the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 12.5%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 55-64 age group has grown from 12.8% to 14.6% of Bulimba's population, while the 75-84 cohort increased from 3.9% to 5.6%. Conversely, the 45-54 age cohort declined from 15.9% to 14.4%, and the 35-44 age group dropped from 16.3% to 15.2%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Bulimba, with the 75-84 age group expected to grow by 73% (335 people), reaching 795 from 459. This growth is led by residents aged 65 and older, who represent 63% of anticipated population growth. Conversely, the 5-14 and 25-34 age cohorts are expected to experience population declines in Bulimba.