Suburb / Locality · Area profile
McDowall
4 km²
High household incomes set McDowall apart as a prosperous suburb of Greater Brisbane. The area is defined by well-qualified professionals and families, with a typical weekly household income of $2,486, which is well above the national figure. This wealth is reflected in the housing, where large detached homes dominate the landscape. It is a community with a strong presence of children and a high proportion of residents who work from home.
McDowall's schools draw a community as advantaged as its high household incomes suggest.
McDowall has many young families but fewer schools per child than most areas.
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The area has a young feel, with 20.6% of people being children under 15, which is higher than most similar areas. The typical resident is 38, and there are fewer seniors here than in the state average.
Born overseas, 24.2% of the population comes from outside Australia, which is much higher than in most similar areas. While Australian and English ancestries are most common, there are notable Italian and Irish roots here.
A high number of people use another language at home, at 16.7%, which is well above the Queensland figure. Mandarin and Italian are the most common non-English languages spoken.
People with no religion make up 34.6% of the community, which is well below the national and state figures. Christianity remains the most common affiliation at 57%.
The workforce is highly qualified, with 35.4% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher, far above the state average. A huge 74.7% of residents completed Year 12, which is among the highest for its level.
Incomes are very high here, with 36.9% of households earning $3,000 or more a week. This is far above the national figure of 22.6%, and typical personal weekly incomes are well above the state average.
Residents generally report better health than most areas, with fewer people needing help with daily activities and a lower rate of long-term health conditions than in Queensland.
Childcare is a major focus here, as 33.3% of people provide unpaid care for children, which is well above the national average. There is also a higher rate of former Defence Force members than in most areas.
The First Nations community in McDowall is small, but has a much higher typical household income and a far higher Year 12 completion rate than the state or national figures.
Homes are larger than usual, with 2.9 people per household. This is consistent with the high number of couples with children, who make up 67% of the community.
The suburb is dominated by separate houses, with 96.2% of homes having three or more bedrooms. While many own their homes outright, typical monthly mortgage payments are well above the national figure.
Many residents avoid the commute, as 22% work from home, which is well above the state average. For those who travel, public transport is accessible, with 89.3% of homes within a 10-minute walk of a stop.
The area has seen steady movement, with 37.5% of people moving in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas make up 11.4% of the population.
A high proportion of the community is working or looking for work, at 71.6%, which is far above the national average. Professionals in health, public administration, and education make up the bulk of the workforce.
The area is quite walkable, with 99.5% of homes within a 15-minute walk of a park. Most residents can also reach health services, schools, and groceries on foot within 15 minutes.