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

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validation, the estimated population of Bulimba is around 8,333 as of Feb 2026. This shows an increase of 710 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 7,623. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 8,125 residents following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024), along with an additional 81 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 3,912 persons per square kilometer, placing Bulimba in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's 9.3% growth since census is within 0.6 percentage points of the national average (9.9%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Population growth 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 from 2023 based on 2021 data are used. However, these state projections lack age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data for each age cohort. Future demographic trends project an above median population growth across statistical areas nationally, with Bulimba expected to increase by 1,353 persons to 2041, reflecting a gain of 13.7% in total over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Bulimba averaging approximately 26 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 134 homes. So far in FY-2025/26, 28 approvals have been recorded. This averages out to around 3.4 new residents arriving per year for each dwelling constructed between FY-2020/21 and FY-2024/25. The supply of dwellings is substantially lagging behind demand, which typically leads to increased buyer competition and pricing pressures.

Developers are targeting the premium market segment with higher-end properties, as new dwellings are developed at an average value of $976,000. In this financial year, $9.3 million in commercial approvals have been registered, suggesting a residential character for the area. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Bulimba shows approximately 67% of the construction activity per person. Nationally, it places among the 45th percentile of areas assessed, resulting in relatively constrained buyer choice and supporting interest in existing properties. This activity is also lower than the national average, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints.

New building activity shows 36.0% standalone homes and 64.0% attached dwellings, with a skew toward compact living that offers affordable entry pathways and attracts downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. The location has approximately 375 people per dwelling approval, reflecting an established area. Future projections show Bulimba adding 1,145 residents by 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Should current construction levels persist, housing supply could lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Bulimba 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 has identified 35 projects likely to affect the 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 details those most relevant.

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

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

Bulimba has a highly educated workforce with professional services being strongly represented. The unemployment rate was 2.2% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 0.9%. As of December 2025, there are 5,147 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.9%, which is below Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.1%.

Workforce participation in Bulimba was 76.7% compared to Greater Brisbane's 71.2%. According to Census responses, 34.0% of residents work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. The key industries for employment among residents are professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Bulimba shows strong specialization in professional & technical services with an employment share of 1.8 times the regional level, but it is under-represented in health care & social assistance at 13.1% compared to Greater Brisbane's 16.1%.

Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 0.9%, labour force increased by 1.4%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane experienced employment growth of 3.2% and labour force growth of 3.0%, with a drop in unemployment rate by 0.1 percentage point. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. 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.

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

The suburb of Bulimba had a median taxpayer income of $76,144 and an average income of $132,060 in financial year 2023, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. Nationally, these figures are exceptionally high, contrasting with Greater Brisbane's median income of $58,236 and average income of $72,799. By September 2025, current estimates would be approximately $83,690 (median) and $145,147 (average), based on a Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023. According to the 2021 Census figures, incomes in Bulimba rank highly nationally, with household, family, and personal incomes between the 95th and 96th percentiles. Income analysis reveals that 35.6% of residents (2,966 people) fall into the $4000+ bracket, contrasting with regional levels where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket leads at 33.3%. Bulimba demonstrates considerable affluence, with 47.8% earning over $3,000 per week, supporting premium retail and service offerings. Housing accounts for 14.7% of income, while strong earnings rank residents within 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 structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 45.8% houses and 54.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Brisbane metro had 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bulimba was 27.9%, with dwellings either mortgaged (34.7%) or rented (37.4%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,800, higher than Brisbane metro's average of $1,863. Median weekly rent in Bulimba was $500, compared to Brisbane metro's $380. Nationally, Bulimba's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,800 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and 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 make up the remaining 29.3%, consisting of 25.9% lone person households and 3.5% group households. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is 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. Among residents aged 15+, 50.4% possess university qualifications, compared to Queensland's 25.7% and Australia's 30.4%. This significant educational edge positions the area favourably for knowledge-based prospects. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 33.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (12.5%) and graduate diplomas (4.9%).

Vocational pathways comprise 23.3% of qualifications among those aged 15+, with advanced diplomas accounting for 10.0% and certificates for 13.3%. 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, offering a mix of ferry and bus services. These stops are served by 9 different routes, collectively facilitating 2,700 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 152 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to Bulimba's residential nature. Car remains the dominant transport mode at 69%, while bus usage stands at 10%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.2 per dwelling, below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 34% of residents work from home, potentially reflecting COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 385 trips daily across all routes, equating 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 exceptional results based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The area has a very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. Approximately 80% of Bulimba's total population (6,626 people) have private health cover, compared to 55.8% in Greater Brisbane and the national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions, affecting 7.7% and 6.6% of residents respectively. 74.7% of Bulimba's residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 69.2% in Greater Brisbane. Working-age residents have low chronic condition prevalence. The area has 17.6% of residents aged 65 and over (1,466 people), higher than the 15.2% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among seniors are strong, with national rankings broadly in line with 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 is above average, with 12.3% speaking a language other than English at home and 27.8% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Bulimba, making up 50.5%. Judaism, however, is overrepresented at 0.1%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 0.1%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (29.6%), Australian (22.0%), and Irish (10.5%). Notably, Welsh (0.9%) Scottish (9.7%) and French (0.8%) ethnicities are overrepresented in Bulimba compared to regional averages of 0.5%, 7.4% and 0.5% respectively.

Bulimba's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Bulimba has a median age of 41, which is higher than Greater Brisbane's figure of 36 and marginally higher than Australia's 38 years. Compared to the Greater Brisbane average, Bulimba has an over-representation of the 55-64 cohort (15.1%) and an under-representation of the 25-34 age group (11.9%). From 2021 to present, the 75-84 age group has grown from 3.9% to 6.2%, while the 55-64 cohort increased from 12.8% to 15.1%. Conversely, the 35-44 cohort declined from 16.3% to 14.2%, and the 45-54 group dropped from 15.9% to 14.2%. By 2041, Bulimba's age profile is projected to evolve significantly. The 75-84 age cohort is expected to grow by 367 people (71%), reaching a total of 884. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 66% of total population growth. Meanwhile, the 5-14 and 25-34 cohorts are anticipated to experience population declines.