# South Brisbane

Suburb / Locality · Area profile

Located in: Queensland › Greater Brisbane › Brisbane › 4101, QLD

Area: 2 km²

A huge shift in residents has occurred in South Brisbane, where nearly 75% of the population moved in within the last five years. This is a very young, professional community, with a typical resident aged just 29. High numbers of overseas arrivals have created a multicultural hub where nearly half the people were born abroad. The area is almost entirely made up of apartments and renters, reflecting its position as a fast-growing, high-density inner-city precinct.

## Demographics & Identity

The community is far younger than the state and national average, with 44% of people being young adults aged 25 to 44. It is also a place where people are more likely to be in a de facto relationship, at 20.8%, which is well above the national figure of 11.5%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Total population | 14,292 | +163.9% since 2011 |
| Median age | 29 yrs | -3.3% since 2011 |
| Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander population | 1.4% | +92.5% since 2011 |
| People aged 65 and over | 6.3% | -21.3% since 2011 |
| Children under 15 | 8.1% | +14.4% since 2011 |
| People in a de facto relationship | 20.8% | +32.3% since 2011 |

**Age structure** — Young adults (25–44) 44.1%, Youth (15–24) 25.8%, Older adults (45–64) 15.6%, Children (0–14) 8.1%, Seniors (65+) 6.3%

**Marital status** — Never married 64.3%, Married 25.0%, Divorced 6.6%, Separated 2.6%, Widowed 1.5%

## Ancestry & Birthplace

Overseas birth rates are far above the national average, with 49.5% of residents born abroad. China is the most common birth country outside of Australia, accounting for 11.9% of the population.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People born overseas | 49.5% | +11.9% since 2011 |

**Country of birth** — Australia 39.5%, China 11.9%, England 3.5%, India 2.8%, New Zealand 2.7%, Philippines 1.5%, Vietnam 1.3%, South Africa 0.7%, Italy 0.4%, Nepal 0.2%

**Ancestry** — English 21.9%, Chinese 20.4%, Australian 16.3%, Irish 7.8%, Scottish 6.6%, Indian 3.5%, German 3.4%, Italian 2.9%, Filipino 2.0%, Vietnamese 1.8%, Greek 1.4%, Dutch 1.3%

## Language

Language diversity is very high, as 39.8% of people use a language other than English at home, which is far above the Queensland figure of 13.2%. Mandarin is the most common non-English language, spoken by 14.5% of residents.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People using another language at home | 39.8% | +26.0% since 2011 |
| People who speak little or no English | 4.5% | -15.4% since 2016 |

**Language used at home** — English only 48.8%, Mandarin 14.5%, Cantonese 3.0%, Vietnamese 1.5%, Hindi 0.9%, Arabic 0.9%, Greek 0.8%, Italian 0.5%, Tagalog 0.5%, Punjabi 0.3%

## Religion

A majority of the community—51.3%—reports having no religion, a figure far above the national average of 38.9%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People with no religion | 51.3% | +72.5% since 2011 |

**Religious affiliation** — No religion 51.3%, Christianity 25.8%, Not stated 13.1%, Buddhism 4.1%, Hinduism 2.5%, Islam 2.1%, Other religions 0.8%, Judaism 0.2%

## Education & Qualifications

The area is highly qualified, with 45.1% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher, which is far above the national figure of 26.3%. This high level of education is reflected in the professional nature of the workforce.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Completed Year 12 | 77.6% | +8.9% since 2011 |
| Adults with a bachelor degree or higher | 45.1% | +23.6% since 2011 |
| Schools per 1,000 children | 3.45 | — |
| Schools within 3 km | 50 | — |
| Average school size | 810 | — |
| Average school ICSEA | 1,136 | — |

**Highest year of school** — Year 12 77.6%, Year 10 4.8%, Year 11 3.2%, Year 9 or below 2.3%

**Highest qualification level** — Bachelor degree 38.5%, Postgraduate degree 17.4%, Advanced diploma / diploma 11.5%, Certificate III / IV 8.9%, Graduate diploma / certificate 3.5%, Certificate I / II 1.2%

**Field of qualification** — Management & commerce 22.1%, Society & culture 12.0%, Health 10.3%, Engineering & related 9.3%, Creative arts 6.3%, Information technology 5.5%, Natural & physical sciences 5.4%, Education 3.8%, Food, hospitality & personal services 3.5%, Architecture & building 2.8%, Agriculture & environment 0.8%

## Income

Typical weekly family incomes are a little above the national figure at $2,296. High earners are also common, with 15.8% of people earning $2,000 or more per week, which is well above the national average.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Median personal income (weekly) | $883 | +32.8% since 2011 |
| Median household income (weekly) | $1,818 | +14.5% since 2011 |
| Median family income (weekly) | $2,296 | +13.3% since 2011 |
| People earning $2,000+ a week | 15.8% | — |
| Households earning $3,000+ a week | 22.5% | — |

**Household income distribution** — $1,500–$2,999 33.5%, $650–$1,499 22.5%, Under $650 16.6%, $4,000 or more 13.1%, $3,000–$3,999 9.3%

**Personal income distribution** — Under $650 35.7%, $650–$1,499 26.1%, $1,500–$2,999 19.8%, $3,000 or more 6.4%

## Health & Disability

Residents are generally healthy, with the rate of long-term health conditions at 17.7%, which is far below the national average of 27.7%. Only 2% of people need help with daily activities, a figure well below the state average.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People with a long-term health condition | 17.7% | — |
| People with a mental health condition | 8.0% | — |
| People needing help with daily activities | 2.0% | -8.0% since 2011 |

**Long-term health conditions reported** — Mental health 8.0%, Other condition 6.0%, Asthma 5.8%, Arthritis 2.8%, Heart disease 1.7%, Diabetes 1.6%, Cancer 1.6%, Lung condition 0.6%, Stroke 0.3%, Dementia 0.2%

**Number of long-term health conditions** — None 69.6%, One condition 13.7%, Two conditions 3.2%, Three or more 0.9%

## Community Participation

Unpaid care and housework are much less common here than in other areas, with only 10.4% of people doing 15 or more hours of unpaid housework per week.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Volunteers | 13.8% | -29.2% since 2011 |
| People providing unpaid care | 5.7% | +12.2% since 2011 |
| People caring for children unpaid | 12.5% | -3.9% since 2011 |
| People who served in the Defence Force | 2.2% | — |
| People doing 15+ hours of unpaid housework | 10.4% | +0.4% since 2011 |

## First Nations

First Nations residents in the area are noticeably older than those in the state or nation, with a typical age of 28. While the unemployment rate is well above the national average at 16.8%, Year 12 completion is far above the national figure at 65.3%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people | 193 | — |
| First Nations median age | 28 yrs | — |
| First Nations Year 12 completion | 65.3% | — |
| First Nations unemployment rate | 16.8% | — |
| First Nations median personal income | $601 | — |
| First Nations household income | $1,375 | — |
| Speaks a First Nations language | 13.0% | — |

## Family & Households

Living arrangements are dominated by singles and couples, with 39.4% of people living alone and 48% of households consisting of couples without children. Consequently, the typical home is small, with only 1.9 people per household.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Average household size | 1.9 | -9.5% since 2011 |
| One-parent families | 13.2% | +29.7% since 2011 |
| People living alone | 39.4% | +14.5% since 2011 |

**Family composition** — Couples without children 48.0%, Couples with children 36.1%, One-parent families 13.2%, Other families 2.7%

**Household size** — 2 people 41.5%, 1 person 39.4%, 3 people 11.4%, 4 people 5.9%, 5 people 1.5%, 6 or more 0.4%

## Housing & Dwellings

The housing landscape is almost entirely apartments, with 93.7% of homes being flats or apartments and 70.4% of households renting. Typical weekly rents are well above the national figure at $470.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Median rent (weekly) | $470 | +4.4% since 2011 |
| Median mortgage repayment (monthly) | $1,950 | -11.8% since 2011 |
| Average people per bedroom | 1.10 | -8.3% since 2011 |
| Households renting | 70.4% | +9.6% since 2011 |
| Homes owned outright | 12.9% | -24.3% since 2011 |
| Separate (detached) houses | 4.2% | -68.1% since 2011 |
| Homes with three or more bedrooms | 14.4% | -49.5% since 2011 |

**How homes are owned or rented** — Rented 70.4%, Owned with a mortgage 14.5%, Owned outright 12.9%, Other tenure 1.2%, Not stated 1.1%

**Types of homes** — Flat or apartment 93.7%, Separate house 4.2%, Townhouse / semi-detached 1.4%, Other dwelling 0.1%

**Bedrooms per home** — 2 bedrooms 48.2%, 1 bedroom 34.9%, 3 bedrooms 11.5%, 4 bedrooms 2.0%, Studio / none 1.2%, 5 or more 0.9%

**Weekly rent distribution** — $350–$549 58.9%, $550–$749 22.4%, $200–$349 10.3%, $750 or more 5.0%, Under $200 1.7%

**Monthly mortgage distribution** — $1,000–$1,799 32.7%, $1,800–$2,999 31.9%, $3,000 or more 18.8%, Under $1,000 10.7%

## Transport & Vehicles

Public transport use is very high, with 12.9% of people commuting by transit, well above the national figure of 3.1%. This is supported by the fact that 22.2% of homes have no motor vehicle, which is far above the state average.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Homes with no motor vehicle | 22.2% | -11.4% since 2011 |
| People working from home | 20.3% | +576.7% since 2011 |
| Commuting by public transport | 12.9% | -32.3% since 2011 |
| Public transport stops | 43 | — |
| PT stops per 1,000 people | 3.01 | — |
| Weekly PT departures per 1,000 people | 5,604.7 | — |
| Public transport routes | 97 | — |
| Walk to nearest stop (min) | 1 | — |
| Drive time to the city (min) | 4 | — |
| People reachable in 30 min by transit | 102,028 | — |
| People reachable in 45 min by transit | 309,583 | — |
| Transit time to the city (min) | 18 | — |

**How people get to work** — Car (driver) 27.0%, Worked at home 20.3%, Walked 17.7%, Bus 9.9%, Car (passenger) 2.8%, Train 2.4%, Bicycle 2.0%

**Motor vehicles per home** — 1 vehicle 61.4%, No vehicle 22.2%, 2 vehicles 13.5%, 3 vehicles 2.0%, 4 or more 0.9%

## Migration & Movement

The area is highly transient, with 74.9% of residents having moved in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals make up 42.8% of the population, a figure far above the national average.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People who moved in the last 5 years | 74.9% | +14.3% since 2011 |
| Recent arrivals from overseas | 42.8% | -17.6% since 2011 |

## Jobs & Industry

The workforce is largely professional, with 37.6% of people working as professionals. However, the unemployment rate is 8.0%, which is a little above the national average of 5.1%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unemployment rate | 8.0% | -10.1% since 2011 |
| Labour-force participation | 63.4% | +7.5% since 2011 |
| Employed full-time | 59.6% | -11.1% since 2011 |

**Industries people work in** — Professional & technical 14.5%, Health care & social assistance 14.1%, Accommodation & food 13.6%, Education & training 8.1%, Retail trade 7.6%, Public administration & safety 6.4%, Construction 4.5%, Administrative & support 4.2%, Finance & insurance 4.1%, Transport & warehousing 3.6%, Manufacturing 3.0%, Arts & recreation 2.6%, Other services 2.5%, Rental & real estate 1.9%, Mining 1.9%, Wholesale trade 1.5%, Media & telecommunications 1.3%, Electricity, gas & water 0.7%, Agriculture, forestry & fishing 0.2%

**Occupations people work in** — Professionals 37.6%, Managers 12.7%, Community & personal service 12.2%, Clerical & administrative 11.3%, Technicians & trades 7.9%, Sales workers 7.7%, Labourers 6.3%, Machinery operators & drivers 2.7%

## Walkability

This is a walker's paradise with a score of 9.5, where every single home is within a 15-minute walk of public transport, parks, groceries, and health services.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Walkability score | 9.5 | — |
| Amenity types within a 15-minute walk | 8.0 | — |
| Homes with a 15-minute-city walkshed | 100.0% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of groceries | 100.0% | — |
| Homes within 10 min walk of public transport | 100.0% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of a school | 100.0% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of a park | 100.0% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of health services | 100.0% | — |
| Walkable amenities per 1,000 residents | 19.6 | — |
| Street connectivity (intersections/km²) | 829 | — |
| Mean terrain slope | 6.2% | — |

## Schools serving South Brisbane

50 schools, 39,679 students, average ICSEA 1,136.

By sector: Government 24, Independent 13, Catholic 13

By type: Primary 20, Combined 16, Secondary 14

Nearest 10 shown:

| School | Sector | Type | Distance | Students |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Brisbane State High School | Government | Secondary | 0.1 km | 3,594 |
| Somerville House | Independent | Combined | 0.7 km | 1,377 |
| Queensland Children's Hospital School | Government | Combined | 0.9 km | — |
| St Laurence's College | Catholic | Combined | 1.0 km | 2,033 |
| West End State School | Government | Primary | 1.1 km | 1,461 |
| St Joseph's Primary School | Catholic | Primary | 1.4 km | 302 |
| Hubbard's School | Independent | Secondary | 1.6 km | 58 |
| St Ita's Regional Primary School | Catholic | Primary | 1.7 km | 356 |
| Albert Park Flexible School | Catholic | Secondary | 1.7 km | 104 |
| Dutton Park State School | Government | Primary | 1.8 km | 325 |

## Nearby areas

[Highgate Hill](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL31331/highgate-hill) · [Brisbane City](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL30379/brisbane-city) · [West End](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL33033/west-end) · [Petrie Terrace](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL32304/petrie-terrace) · [Milton](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL31847/milton) · [Spring Hill](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL32623/spring-hill) · [Kangaroo Point](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL31481/kangaroo-point) · [Dutton Park](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL30910/dutton-park)

Interactive profile: https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL32587/south-brisbane