Albion
At 1.31 km2 with 3,446 residents and a density of 2,621 people per km2, Albion packs more households than its size suggests, and the composition is striking: 74.2% of dwellings are apartments and 64.2% of residents rent. University qualifications reach 49.2%, which is 19.1 points above the national figure, and the median age of 33 is 7 years below national, making this one of Brisbane's younger, more educated apartment precincts. Population grew 68.9% over the decade, driven primarily by overseas migration averaging 100 arrivals per year.
Population
34
Median Age
30.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,250/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
35
Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,950, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 22.8%, below the 30% stress threshold even at current interest rates. Two-bedroom dwellings dominate at 45.6% of the stock, with three-bedroom at 22.5% and one-bedroom or studio units at 23.1%. Only 14.4% of households own outright and 21.4% carry a mortgage, compared to 64.2% renting, which is higher than state averages. For buyers weighing up entry, the improving affordability trend from 42.5% in 2011 to 35.3% in 2021 suggests the suburb has become more accessible over time relative to incomes, not less.
For Buyers
Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,950, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 22.8%, below the 30% stress threshold even at current interest rates. Two-bedroom dwellings dominate at 45.6% of the stock, with three-bedroom at 22.5% and one-bedroom or studio units at 23.1%. Only 14.4% of households own outright and 21.4% carry a mortgage, compared to 64.2% renting, which is higher than state averages. For buyers weighing up entry, the improving affordability trend from 42.5% in 2011 to 35.3% in 2021 suggests the suburb has become more accessible over time relative to incomes, not less.
For Investors
A renter share of 64.2% against a weekly rent of $410 gives investors a large tenant pool in an apartment-dominant suburb. Population grew 68.9% over the decade and the forecast projects 3.04% annual growth, adding around 153 residents per year through 2031. Overseas migration is the primary driver at 100 net arrivals annually versus 44 from internal migration, which tends to sustain demand for smaller, affordable rental stock. The 14.3% vacancy rate is elevated, reflecting 74.2% apartment composition in a renter-majority market; investors should weigh this against the rent growth of 18.8% recorded in the shift period. Development activity recorded 34 applications in the last 12 months, mostly compliance and plan-sealing works rather than large new supply.
Development Activity
Total DAs
124
Last 12 Months
35
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
0.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 33 is 7 years below the national figure, placing Albion firmly in the young-professional bracket, though the young-resident share has declined 2.6 points over the decade as the suburb densifies. Overseas-born residents make up 30.2% of the population, which is 8.6 points above the national average. Ancestry is predominantly English (1,306 residents) and Irish (507), with Scottish (418) also significant. Top non-English languages spoken include Nepali (23 speakers), Portuguese (20) and Mandarin (14), reflecting a small but internationally connected community. University qualifications at 49.2% run 19.1 points above national, consistent with a suburb drawing skilled workers and students. Average household size of 1.9 is 0.6 below national, typical of young singles and couples without children.
Age Distribution
Dwelling Structure
100.0%
Houses
N/A
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
Albion is apartment territory: 74.2% of dwellings are units or apartments, 3.4% are semi-detached and separate houses account for just 22.2%. Tenure is renter-dominated at 64.2%, one of the higher rental proportions for an inner Brisbane suburb, with outright owners at 14.4% and mortgage holders at 21.4%. Two-bedroom units form the core of the market at 45.6%, followed by one-bedroom or studios at 23.1% and three-bedroom at 22.5%. The vacancy rate of 14.3% is above typical healthy-market levels of 3%, which partly explains the affordable rent-to-income ratio of 20.8%, well below the 30% stress threshold.
Mortgage / mo
$0
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$0
Census 2021
HH Size
3.5
Personal Income / wk
$833
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
0.0%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
22.6%
Couples, no children
31
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the largest employer at 16.8% (283 workers), followed by Professional/Tech at 14.9% (251) and Education at 7.3% (123). Construction accounts for 6.8% and Hospitality for 6.5%, rounding out a diversified employment base. By occupation, Professionals dominate at 748 workers, with Clerical/Admin (322) and Managers (314) behind them. Full-time employment runs at 72.8% of the employed workforce and unemployment sits at 4.9%, in line with broader metro averages. Personal weekly income averages $1,168 and household weekly income $1,972, placing the suburb at the 74.1st percentile nationally. SEIFA deciles tell a nuanced story: the suburb scores decile 9 on IEO (education and occupation advantage) and decile 9 on IRSAD (advantage and disadvantage), but only decile 4 on IER (economic resources), because 64.2% renters suppress aggregate household wealth measures.
Unemployment
3.4%
Labour Force
3,547
Unemployed
122
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
86.4%
Part-time
13.6%
Participation
81.5%
Employed
22
Occupations
Top Industries
University
26.7%
Postgraduate
N/A
Born Overseas
N/A
Dwellings
9
Transport to Work
Transport mode splits show 16.6% using public transport and 7.4% walking or cycling, reflecting a location with reasonable access to Brisbane services, while 71.5% still drive. The suburb ranks at decile 9 on IRSAD nationally, in the top advantage tier, meaning very few residents face structural disadvantage. Volunteering reaches 14.8% of the population and only 3.5% (113 residents) need daily assistance, both positive indicators. No schools are recorded within the 1.31 km2 boundary, so families rely on nearby suburbs for education. Rent-to-income at 20.8% and mortgage-to-income at 22.8% both sit comfortably below the 30% stress threshold, which matters given 64.2% of residents are renters. Average household size of 1.9 is 0.6 below national, consistent with the young, couple-and-singles demographic profile.
Drive
100.0%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
N/A
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+3.04%/yr
(+153 people/yr)
High GrowthAlbion grew 68.9% over the decade, well above typical Brisbane suburban rates, and the forecast extends that momentum at 3.04% per year. The current population of around 3,446 is projected to reach approximately 5,822 by 2031 under the medium scenario. Overseas migration leads growth at 100 net arrivals annually, nearly double the 44 from internal migration, which sustains demand for the compact, affordable rental stock. The gentrification score is 15 and the stage is recorded as not gentrifying, though one accelerating signal is present: population growth jumping from 10% to 69% over the period. Real income grew 16.2% and rent grew 18.8%, both above inflation, indicating that fundamental demand has supported income and rent simultaneously rather than one at the expense of the other.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+100
Net Internal / yr
+44
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Accelerating: 10% → 69%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Albion compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Albion a good suburb to live in?
Albion ranks at decile 9 on IRSAD nationally, in the top advantage tier, and household income sits at the 74.1st percentile. University qualifications reach 49.2%, which is 19.1 points above national. It suits young renters and professionals well; families should note that no schools are recorded within the 1.31 km2 boundary.
What is the median house price in Albion?
The mortgage-to-income ratio is 22.8%, below the 30% stress threshold. Weekly rent averages $410, giving a rent-to-income ratio of 20.8% for tenants.
What schools are in Albion?
No schools are recorded within the Albion boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in surrounding suburbs. Despite this, 49.2% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 19.1 points above the national average, suggesting the area attracts highly educated adults.
Is Albion safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Albion in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores decile 9 on IRSAD, the top advantage tier nationally, and only 3.5% of residents (113 people) require daily assistance, both consistent with a low-disadvantage, well-functioning community.
Is Albion good for property investment?
The 64.2% renter share and 3.04% annual population growth forecast support ongoing rental demand. Overseas migration drives 100 net arrivals per year.
How is Albion's population changing?
Population grew 68.9% over the decade, one of the stronger growth rates in inner Brisbane. The annual trend adds around 153 residents per year at 3.04% growth. Overseas migration is the primary driver at 100 net arrivals annually, and the medium forecast projects a population of roughly 5,822 by 2031.
What languages are spoken in Albion?
About 30.2% of residents were born overseas, which is 8.6 points above the national figure. The top non-English languages are Nepali (23 speakers), Portuguese (20), Mandarin (14), Hindi (11) and Korean (11), reflecting a small but internationally diverse resident base within the 3,446-person suburb.
How much development is happening in Albion?
There were 34 development applications lodged in the past 12 months. Recent applications include compliance assessments for landscaping and earthworks and plan-sealing work, suggesting incremental infill activity rather than large new residential supply, consistent with a suburb already at 74.2% apartment composition.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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