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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
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 comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Riverhills has an estimated 4,267 residents, up from 4,121 at the 2021 Census — a change of 146 people, or 3.5%. That puts 1,976 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to research conducted by AreaSearch on ABS demographic updates for the wider region and new addresses verified since the Census, the suburb of Riverhills has an estimated population of 4,267 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 146 people (3.5%) relative to the 2021 Census, when the population stood at 4,121 people. This shift is calculated from the resident population of 4,267, which AreaSearch estimated using the latest ABS ERP release (June 2025) along with a single validated new address since the Census. This population level yields a density of 1,975 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the typical ratio for national areas evaluated by AreaSearch.
The 3.5% growth rate for the suburb of Riverhills since the 2021 census outpaced the broader SA3 region (3.0%), establishing it as a local growth leader. The primary driver of these population gains was natural increase, which accounted for approximately 68.0% of the overall growth in recent times. ABS and Geoscience Australia demographic projections for each SA2 region, published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline, are utilised by AreaSearch. For SA2 territories lacking this data, and for any years after 2032, projections from the Queensland State Government released in 2023 and based on 2021 data are used. Because these state-level projections omit age breakdowns, AreaSearch scales the cohorts proportionally based on the ABS Greater Capital Region projections published in 2023 using 2022 data. Future projections suggest population growth will track in the lowest national quartile, with the area forecast to add 55 residents by 2041 under consolidated SA2 projections, representing a total increase of 1.3% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
AreaSearch evaluations of ABS building approvals assigned from statistical boundaries show that the suburb of Riverhills averages approximately 1 approved residential property annually, with 8 dwellings authorized over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) and 3 thus far in FY-26. Because there were 5.6 new residents for every dwelling built over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), construction is lagging well behind population growth, which typically intensifies buyer rivalry and elevates prices, with new homes registering an average construction value of $336,000. In comparison to Greater Brisbane, the suburb of Riverhills has a low volume of new construction, sitting 59.0% below the metropolitan average per resident.
While this constrained supply generally bolsters demand and supports valuations for existing properties, building approvals have picked up recently. This volume is also below the national average, indicating a fully developed market and potential zoning restrictions. Furthermore, recent development consisted entirely of standalone houses, preserving the suburban character of the area and appealing to buyers seeking space. An average of 2133 people per single dwelling approval highlights that the suburb of Riverhills is a highly established property market. Demographic projections indicate that the suburb of Riverhills will add 55 residents by 2041, relative to the most recent quarterly estimates from AreaSearch. If building activity remains at its current pace, housing supply may fall short of demographic growth, which could increase competition among buyers and support higher home prices.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Riverhills
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 28 current infrastructure and development projects close to Riverhills, worth an estimated $9.69 billion. 4 are already under construction and 3 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans transport & logistics, business parks & technology hubs and residential development. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local planning decisions, infrastructure projects, and major developments are key drivers of regional performance. In total, 3 projects have been identified by AreaSearch as having a likely impact on the local area. Principal undertakings include the Middle Park Intersection Upgrade (Eumong Street/Riverhills Road), the Metro Middle Park Mixed-Use Redevelopment, the Centenary Motorway Upgrade Planning, and the McLeod Country Golf Club Retirement Village, with the list below highlighting the most relevant projects.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Mt Ommaney Shopping Centre Entertainment Precinct
Cinema, dining and entertainment precinct extension to Mt Ommaney Shopping Centre including 6-storey building with cinema, community use and retail tenancies. Features additional gross floor area including multi-screen cinema, gym, dining and entertainment precinct, and rebuilt community centre. Designed by Blight Raynor.
Middle Park Intersection Upgrade (Eumong Street/Riverhills Road)
A $1.7 million project by Brisbane City Council to upgrade the intersection of Eumong Street and Riverhills Road to combat congestion and reduce travel times.
Verandah Estate
Newest residential estate in Seventeen Mile Rocks featuring contemporary homes on large blocks (875sqm+) surrounded by trees and nature. Estate includes building covenants ensuring homes are designed in harmony with natural environment. Features permanent ridge top reserve and bushwalking tracks to Rocks Riverside Park.
McLeod Country Golf Club Retirement Village
Aura Holdings to develop retirement living project at McLeod Country Golf Club with 126 apartments across four buildings over two stages. Designed to integrate with community, minimizing disruption to club operations.
Metro Middle Park Mixed-Use Redevelopment
Acquisition of a 2.1-hectare neighbourhood shopping centre anchored by Coles, with longer-term mixed-use development potential of up to four storeys and future uplift via retail repositioning. The current centre comprises 6,411sqm of gross lettable area with 38 specialty tenancies and 301 parking spaces.
Darra Mixed-Use Development
Five-storey mixed-use proposal across two buildings on a 1,707sqm triangular site. Ground floor for eight retail shops, two offices and a food and drink outlet, with caretaker accommodation above select shops. Upper levels include rooming accommodation and 12 residential units with a basement providing about 31 car spaces. Application is in progress with Brisbane City Council (Code assessable, Stage/Decision: Referral).
Darra Mixed-Use Commercial
A mixed-use development featuring 9 buildings and 56 units. The development will showcase a mix of industrial, showroom, office, and storage spaces.
Mt Ommaney Shopping Centre Rebel Sport Extension
Internal amalgamation of existing retail tenancies and extension to accommodate new 1,418sqm Rebel Sport store. Involves removal of part of existing food court and repurposing of 9 tenancies with new loading dock and facade amendments.
2,327 residents of Riverhills are employed, from a labour force of 2,443. Unemployment sits at 4.7%, with participation at 71.1%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.5% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 3,186, about 75% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The suburb of Riverhills has a skilled labor force with strong representation in essential service industries, alongside an unemployment rate of 4.7% derived from AreaSearch statistical area compilations. As of March 2026, there are 2,327 employed residents. The local unemployment rate is 0.4% higher than the Greater Brisbane rate of 4.3%, while the workforce participation rate matches the metropolitan benchmark of 70.4% closely. Census records show that a moderate 20.3% of workers operated from home, though this figure may reflect the influence of pandemic restrictions. The local workforce is heavily represented in healthcare & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade.
The concentration of workers in education & training is particularly high, tracking at 1.4 times the metropolitan average. Conversely, accommodation & food service is underrepresented, employing only 5.2% of the local labor force compared to 6.7% throughout Greater Brisbane. Comparing the Census working population to the resident population indicates that this residential locality offers few local job opportunities. Based on AreaSearch assessments of SALM and ABS statistics aggregated from broader regions, the total labor force shrank by 2.5% and total employment fell by 3.2% over the 12 months ending March 2026, leading to a 0.7 percentage point increase in unemployment. Conversely, Greater Brisbane recorded employment growth of 3.2% and labor force growth of 3.4%, resulting in a 0.1 percentage point increase. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia published in May-25 provide context for future local demand. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce structure to model future employment paths. Although overall national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trends vary widely by sector. Applying these industry projections to the employment composition of the suburb of Riverhills suggests local jobs should rise by 6.5% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, representing a basic weighting extrapolation that excludes localized demographic projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Riverhills is $2,059 a week (about $107,000 a year), with median personal income at $974 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $61,478 a year against an average of $77,205. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
According to the latest ATO tax statistics for the 2023 financial year compiled by AreaSearch at the postcode level, taxpayers in the suburb of Riverhills earned a median income of $61,478 and an average income of $77,205. This represents a very high level nationally, compared to the Greater Brisbane median of $58,236 and average of $72,799. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 11.36% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates would be approximately $68,462 for the median and $85,975 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census indicates that household, family, and individual incomes in the suburb of Riverhills sit around the 72nd percentile nationally.
Looking at income brackets, 39.8% of the community (1,698 individuals) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly earnings bracket, matching the broader region where this group makes up 33.3% of the total. Housing costs consume 15.1% of income, while strong household earnings place residents in the 71st percentile for disposable income, and the local SEIFA income score falls in the 7th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Riverhills had 1,519 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 87% detached houses and 0% apartments. 49% are owned with a mortgage, 25% rented and 25% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $410 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,820 a month. Rent absorbs 19.9% of household income here and mortgage repayments 20.4%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the most recent Census, the housing stock in the suburb of Riverhills consisted of 87.1% standalone houses and 12.9% other property types like townhouses and apartments, compared to 73.5% standalone houses and 26.5% other dwellings in the Brisbane metro area. Home ownership rates in the suburb of Riverhills reached 25.2%, slightly below the Brisbane metro average, while mortgaged properties accounted for 49.4% of dwellings and rental properties made up 25.4%. The median monthly mortgage payment was $1,820, lower than the Brisbane metro average of $1,863, while the median weekly rent was $410, compared to the metro average of $380.
Nationally, mortgage costs in the suburb of Riverhills are below the Australian median of $1,863, whereas weekly rents exceed the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Riverhills counted 1,519 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.7 people each. 38% are couples with children, against 26% couples without children. 20% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.5 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of local households at 77.2%, consisting of couples with children at 37.5%, couples without children at 25.7%, and single parent households at 12.6%. Non-family households represent the remaining 22.8%, with single-person households accounting for 19.7% and group households making up 3.2% of the total. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is slightly higher than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
34.3% of adults in Riverhills hold a university qualification, including 23.2% with a bachelor degree and 8.0% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 99% of areas nationally. A further 22.9% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Educational profiles present opportunities for improvement, as the proportion of residents with university degrees (34.3%) sits well below the SA4 regional average of 47.4%. Among tertiary qualified residents, bachelor degrees are the most common at 23.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 8.0% and graduate diplomas at 3.1%. Vocational and practical training is highly represented, with 35.1% of residents aged 15 and over holding technical qualifications, split between advanced diplomas at 12.2% and certificates at 22.9%. The proportion of residents engaged in study is high, with 31.0% of the population enrolled in formal education.
This includes 11.0% attending primary school, 8.2% in secondary school, and 6.0% enrolled in tertiary programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Riverhills reaches 9 stops on 5 routes, timetabled for about 600 services a week. The typical home sits about 240 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.5 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Analysis of transit options shows 9 operational public transport stops in the suburb of Riverhills, which are served by buses. These stops accommodate 5 different routes, generating 596 passenger trips each week. Transport connectivity is rated as good, with properties situated an average of 235 meters from the nearest stop. Due to the residential nature of the area, most workers commute out of the suburb, with cars remaining the main transit mode at 85% and trains accounting for 8%. Average vehicle ownership is 1.5 per household. Working from home is common, with 20.3% of residents doing so, based on the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions.
Transit routes average 85 trips per day across the network, which translates to approximately 66 weekly trips at each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
72.5% of residents in Riverhills report no long-term health condition. 3.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 57.8% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.1 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators show positive outcomes throughout the suburb of Riverhills, based on AreaSearch assessments of mortality statistics and chronic disease rates, which reveal a low incidence of common health issues among both younger and older demographics. Furthermore, the rate of private health insurance is very high, covering approximately 58% of the population (~2,465 people), compared to 55.8% across the Greater Brisbane area. The most prevalent health issues recorded among residents were mental health conditions and asthma, affecting 8.3 and 7.4% of the population, respectively. Meanwhile, 72.5% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 69.2% across Greater Brisbane.
Residents under the age of 65 experience better than average health outcomes. Seniors aged 65 and older make up 15.9% of the population (678 people), and their health metrics are strong, with national rankings aligning closely with the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
31.0% of Riverhills residents were born overseas and 19.1% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (26.4%) and Australian (21.5%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
The suburb of Riverhills exhibits higher levels of cultural diversity than most comparable markets, with 31.0% of residents born overseas and 19.1% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religion, practiced by 45.5% of residents. The most distinct religious variance is seen in Buddhism, which is practiced by 2.6% of the population compared to 2.0% across Greater Brisbane. Regarding ancestral background based on parental country of birth, the three largest groups in the suburb of Riverhills are English at 26.4%, Australian at 21.5%, and Other at 11.2%.
There are also notable differences in other backgrounds, with New Zealand ancestry accounting for 1.2% of the population (compared to 1.0% regionally), South Australian ancestry at 1.1% (compared to 0.6% regionally), and Samoan ancestry at 0.9% (matching the regional average of 0.9%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Riverhills is 37. That is 1 year older than at the 2021 Census. 25.0% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The median age in the suburb of Riverhills is 37 years, closely matching the Greater Brisbane average of 36 and the national median of 38. Compared to the metropolitan area, the suburb of Riverhills has a higher proportion of residents aged 45 - 54 (13.7%) but fewer young adults aged 25 - 34 (11.7%). Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age bracket has risen from 11.1% to 13.3% of the population, and the 75 to 84 bracket increased from 3.7% to 5.9%. Meanwhile, the 25 to 34 age group dropped from 13.9% to 11.7%, and children aged 5 to 14 decreased from 15.0% to 13.0%.
Demographic models indicate that the age profile will shift substantially by 2041. The 85+ age group is projected to grow the fastest at 273%, adding 128 residents to reach 175, while seniors aged 65 and over will account for 64% of total population growth. In contrast, the 15 to 24 and 25 to 34 age groups are expected to shrink.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Riverhills
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 1 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (4,121 at the 2021 Census → 4,267 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL32438). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.