Suburb / Locality · Area profile
Eight Mile Plains
8 km²
Daily life in Eight Mile Plains is shaped by a highly diverse, professional population and an exceptionally walkable urban layout. The area is a hub for international residents, with more than half the population born overseas and many speaking languages other than English at home. It is a relatively young community where the typical resident is 36, often living in larger family homes. This blend of high education levels and global backgrounds makes it one of the more cosmopolitan pockets of Brisbane.
Eight Mile Plains's schools draw a community as advantaged as its high household incomes suggest.
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The community is younger than the national figure, with a typical age of 36 and a smaller proportion of seniors. It is a large area of over 15,000 people, though the proportion of First Nations residents is well below the state and national averages.
This is a primary hub for migration, as 52.4% of residents were born overseas, which is far above the national figure of 27.7%. Chinese, English, and Indian are the most common ancestries.
Language diversity is very high, with 55.2% of people using a language other than English at home, far exceeding the national figure. Mandarin is the most common non-English language, and 10.2% of residents speak little or no English.
Religious affiliation is more varied than in many other areas, with 37.6% identifying as Christian and 37.1% reporting no religion, which is a little below the national average.
The area is highly qualified, with 38.9% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher, far above the national figure of 26.3%. This is reflected in the high rate of Year 12 completion, which is far above both the state and nation.
Household incomes are generally strong, with 24.4% of homes earning $3,000 or more a week, which is higher than most similar areas. The typical weekly household income of $1,917 is a little above the national figure.
Residents report fewer long-term health conditions and mental health issues than the state or national averages. However, the proportion of people needing help with daily activities is higher than in most similar areas.
Community participation is around the national average for childcare and unpaid housework, though volunteer rates and Defence Force service are a little below the national figures.
While the First Nations population is small at 151 people, this group is noticeably older than the national average and has a Year 12 completion rate far above the national figure.
Homes here are larger than usual, with an average of 2.8 people per dwelling. Families with children are common, while far fewer people live alone compared to the national average.
Most homes have three or more bedrooms, far above the national figure, though detached houses are less common than in other areas. Rent is a little above the national average, with a typical weekly cost of $420.
Public transport use is well above the national average, helped by a high number of bus routes and stops. The area is very well connected, with a short 13-minute drive to the city.
The population is quite mobile, with 43.2% of people moving house in the last five years. This is consistent with the high number of recent overseas arrivals, which is also well above the national figure.
Job roles are heavily concentrated in professional and managerial positions, with health care and social assistance as the top industry. The unemployment rate is a little above the national figure at 6.2%.
The area is very walkable, with nearly every home within a short walk of public transport, parks, and schools. This high walkability score is far above the state average.