Statistical Area 2 (SA2) · Area profile
Fortitude Valley
1 km²
A young and highly mobile population defines Fortitude Valley, where the typical resident is just 31. This inner-city hub has seen its population grow by 82% since 2011, attracting a mix of professionals and overseas arrivals. It is a place of high-density living, dominated by apartments and a large number of people living alone. With very few children and seniors, the area feels like a dynamic gateway for young adults starting their careers and lives in Brisbane.
Fortitude Valley is well supplied with schools for its relatively small share of children.
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The area is noticeably younger than the state and national figures, with children under 15 and seniors both far below the average. De facto relationships are far more common here than in most other areas, and 71.3% of residents have never married.
Birthplaces are diverse, with 41.0% of people born overseas, a figure far above the national average. English, Australian, and Irish are the most common ancestries listed.
Language diversity is high, with 27.2% of people using a language other than English at home, which is well above the national figure. This reflects the high proportion of overseas-born residents.
More than half of the community (52.5%) report no religion, a figure far above the national average. This trend has grown significantly, rising 21 points since 2011.
The workforce is highly qualified, with 41.6% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher, far above the state average. Year 12 completion is also much higher than most areas at 76.9%.
Typical personal income is well above the national figure at $1,059 per week. While typical family incomes are a little above the state average, the proportion of households earning $3,000 or more per week is lower than most areas.
Residents are generally healthier than average, with far fewer long-term health conditions and fewer people needing daily help. However, mental health conditions are reported well above the national figure.
Participation in unpaid care and housework is among the lowest in the country, consistent with the area's young, professional population. Volunteering has also fallen since 2011.
First Nations residents are noticeably older than the state average and have much higher Year 12 completion rates. Personal incomes for this group are far above the national figure.
Household sizes are very small, with 50.6% of people living alone—far above the national average. This is reflected in the low typical count of 1.6 people per home.
The housing stock is almost entirely flats or apartments, with 78.9% of homes rented, far above the state average. Very few residents own their homes outright, and three-bedroom homes are rare.
Many residents live without a car, as 29.2% of homes have no motor vehicle. Public transport use is well above the national average, and the area is a major hub with 211 routes.
The community is highly transient, with 74.7% of people having moved in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals are also far more common here than in the rest of Australia.
Job participation is far above the national average, with 77.6% of adults working or looking for work. Many are employed in professional, technical, or hospitality roles.
The area is a major business hub with 3,022 businesses and high overall advantage. It is particularly strong in education and job skills, though it scores lower for general access to resources.
The area experiences higher annual rainfall than the state average. Minimum and maximum temperatures are slightly different from the state average but remain warm year-round.
Described as a walker's paradise, every single home is within a 15-minute walk of groceries, health services, schools, and public transport.