Ripley

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

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census, Ripley's population is estimated at around 10,006 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 5,718 people (133.3%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,288 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 9,051, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 2,031 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 777 persons per square kilometer, which is relatively in line with averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Ripley's 133.3% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the national average (9.7%), along with the state, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration that contributed approximately 85.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including natural growth and overseas migration were positive factors.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and for years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections, released in 2023 and based on 2021 data, are adopted. It should be noted that these state projections do not provide age category splits; hence where utilised, AreaSearch is applying proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age cohort. Considering the projected demographic shifts, exceptional growth, placing in the top 10 percent of statistical areas across the nation, is predicted over the period with the Ripley statistical area (Lv2) expected to expand by 21,364 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 182.0% in total over the 17 years.

The level of residential development activity in Ripley was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Ripley shows an average of around 520 new dwelling approvals per year. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, approximately 2,600 homes were approved, with a further 361 approved so far in FY-26. This averages out to about 1.5 people moving to the area for each dwelling built over these years, suggesting balanced supply and demand, stable market conditions, and an average construction value of $392,000, which is moderately above regional levels.

Commercial development approvals totalled $14.4 million in FY-26. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Ripley has 904.0% higher building activity per person, reflecting strong developer confidence. New developments consist mainly of detached houses (96.0%) and a smaller proportion of attached dwellings (4.0%), maintaining the area's traditional low-density character. With around 11 people per approval, Ripley is a developing area with population forecasts indicating an increase of 18,210 residents by 2041. Building activity is keeping pace with growth projections, but buyers may face increased competition as the population grows.

Population forecasts indicate Ripley will gain 18,210 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Building activity is keeping pace with growth projections, though buyers may experience heightened competition as the population grows.

Ripley 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 25 projects likely affecting the region. Notable initiatives include Satterley Ripley Valley Estate, HB Land Bellevue Estate, Ripley Valley Master Planned Community, and AVJennings Cadence Estate. The following list details those most 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.

Employment performance in Ripley ranks among the strongest 15% of areas evaluated nationally

Ripley has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. Its unemployment rate is 2.9%, lower than Greater Brisbane's 4.0%.

In the past year, employment growth was estimated at 5.9%. As of September 2025, 4,260 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.1% below Greater Brisbane's rate and workforce participation at 76.2%, higher than Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Key industries include health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and retail trade. Ripley specializes in public administration & safety, with employment share 1.9 times the regional level.

Professional & technical services employ only 4.3% of local workers, below Greater Brisbane's 8.9%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited, as indicated by Census data on working population versus resident population. In the past year, employment increased by 5.9% alongside labour force growth of 6.0%, leaving unemployment broadly flat. This contrasts with Greater Brisbane where employment rose by 3.8%, labour force grew by 3.3%, and unemployment fell by 0.5 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov shows Queensland employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1,210 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%, broadly in line with the national rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia suggest growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Ripley's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.4% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

The suburb of Ripley has an income level below the national average, according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers in Ripley is $56,829, with an average income of $64,943. These figures compare to those for Greater Brisbane, which are $58,236 and $72,799 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $62,461 (median) and $71,379 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data shows personal income ranks at the 79th percentile ($1,011 weekly), while household income sits at the 59th percentile. The $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 46.4% of residents (4,642 people). High housing costs consume 17.9% of income, but strong earnings still place disposable income at the 57th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

Ripley is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Ripley's latest Census data shows 91.9% houses and 8.1% other dwellings. Brisbane metro has 88.4% houses and 11.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Ripley is 11.5%, with 46.3% mortgaged and 42.1% rented. Median monthly mortgage repayment in Ripley is $1,718, compared to Brisbane metro's $1,517. Median weekly rent in Ripley is $375, higher than Brisbane metro's $300. Nationally, Ripley's median monthly mortgage repayment is lower at $1,718 versus Australia's average of $1,863, while rents are comparable at $375.

Ripley has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 74.4% of all households, including 34.6% couples with children, 26.0% couples without children, and 12.8% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 25.6%, with lone person households at 21.5% and group households comprising 3.5%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which aligns with the Greater Brisbane average.

Ripley performs slightly above the national average for education, showing competitive qualification levels and steady academic outcomes

Educational qualifications in Ripley Trail regional benchmarks indicate that 23.3% of residents aged 15 and over hold university degrees, compared to 30.5% in Greater Brisbane. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 16.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 5.1% and graduate diplomas at 2.1%. Vocational credentials are prominent, with 43.6% of residents aged 15 and over holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 12.0% and certificates at 31.6%. Educational participation is high, with 31.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 10.9% in primary education, 6.8% in secondary education, and 6.0% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Ripley has seven active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. There is one route serving these stops, offering a total of 152 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport in Ripley is moderate, with residents typically located 430 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 21 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 21 weekly trips per individual stop.

Ripley's residents are extremely healthy with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Ripley, with younger cohorts seeing particularly low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover stands at approximately 53%, covering about 5,297 people in total (~53% of the area's population), compared to Greater Brisbane's average of 50.5%.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent medical conditions, affecting 10.1% and 8.6% of residents respectively. About 73.9% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, higher than the 62.2% reported across Greater Brisbane. Ripley has 6.0% of its population aged 65 and over (around 600 people), lower than the 15.3% in Greater Brisbane. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors require more attention than those in the broader population.

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

Ripley's cultural diversity is above average, with 22.7% of its population born overseas and 16.5% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Ripley, making up 45.6% of the population. Notably, the 'Other' category comprises 2.5%, compared to the Greater Brisbane average of 0.8%.

In terms of ancestry, Australians make up 26.9%, followed by English at 26.9%, and Other at 8.7%. Certain ethnic groups show notable deviations: Samoan is overrepresented at 1.4% in Ripley (regional average 0.9%), Maori at 1.3% (vs regional 0.9%), and New Zealand at 1.0% (vs regional 0.9%).

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

Ripley's median age is 29, lower than Greater Brisbane's 36 and Australia's 38. The age profile shows 25-34 year-olds are prominent at 21.4%, while the 65-74 group is smaller at 4.0%. Post-2021 Census data shows the 35 to 44 age group grew from 15.1% to 17.8%, and the 5 to 14 cohort increased from 13.6% to 14.8%. Conversely, the 25 to 34 cohort declined from 24.4% to 21.4%. By 2041, Ripley's 35 to 44 age cohort is projected to grow significantly, expanding by 3,042 people (171%) from 1,781 to 4,824.