Auchenflower
Apartment living, high incomes and a young age profile define Auchenflower more than detached housing does. The suburb has 6,053 residents at a density of 4,354.4 people per square kilometre, with a median age of 32, which is 8 years below the national figure. Household income sits at the 83.9rd percentile nationally, while 58.1% of dwellings are apartments and 46.6% are rented. Vacancy is 12.2%, higher than many tightly held markets, helping explain rental choice and resident turnover. The overseas-born share is 26.2%, or 4.6 percentage points above the national level, with overseas migration the main growth driver. Compared with nearby Toowong and Milton, Auchenflower has a more apartment-focused and renter-heavy profile, supported by professional, healthcare and education employment.
Population
6,053
Median Age
32.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,208/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
54
Auchenflower suits buyers who prioritise apartment choice, access to employment and manageable household costs over a large detached block. Apartments account for 58.1% of dwellings, compared with 40.6% separate houses, and the largest bedroom category is two bedrooms at 43.3%. Three-bedroom homes represent 24.1%, while 24.3% have four or more bedrooms, giving families fewer options than singles and couples. The monthly mortgage indicator is $2,167, and mortgage costs equal 22.7% of household income, compared with rent at 17.7%. Ownership is split between 24.1% outright owners and 28.2% mortgage holders, while 46.6% rent. Because apartment and house stock differ sharply, compare recent sales, body corporate costs and building condition by dwelling type rather than relying on a single suburb-wide benchmark.
For Buyers
Auchenflower suits buyers who prioritise apartment choice, access to employment and manageable household costs over a large detached block. Apartments account for 58.1% of dwellings, compared with 40.6% separate houses, and the largest bedroom category is two bedrooms at 43.3%. Three-bedroom homes represent 24.1%, while 24.3% have four or more bedrooms, giving families fewer options than singles and couples. The monthly mortgage indicator is $2,167, and mortgage costs equal 22.7% of household income, compared with rent at 17.7%. Ownership is split between 24.1% outright owners and 28.2% mortgage holders, while 46.6% rent. Because apartment and house stock differ sharply, compare recent sales, body corporate costs and building condition by dwelling type rather than relying on a single suburb-wide benchmark.
For Investors
Auchenflower presents a renter-oriented investment profile, with 46.6% of households renting and weekly rent at $390. The 12.2% vacancy rate is high compared with a tightly occupied market, which can increase leasing time and limit rent increases when competing apartments are available. Development activity is also notable, with 52 applications recorded over 12 months, so investors should assess how new or altered buildings may affect local supply. The wider growth trend is 0.66% annually and is driven primarily by overseas migration, while rent growth is 5.4%. These factors support ongoing tenant demand, but the high vacancy rate means property selection, presentation and realistic pricing matter more than relying on suburb-wide rental momentum. The gentrification score is 10 and the stage is Not gentrifying, suggesting a steady established-market strategy rather than a rapid transformation thesis.
Development Activity
Total DAs
187
Last 12 Months
54
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+63.6%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Auchenflower has a relatively young but gradually aging population. The median age is 32, which is 8 years below the national figure, and 63.3% of residents hold a university qualification, 33.2 percentage points above the national level. Average household size is 2.3 people, or 0.2 below the national figure, consistent with the suburb's apartment concentration and high share of couples without children at 48.4% of families. English ancestry is recorded for 2,318 people, followed by Irish at 1,036, Scottish at 837 and German at 358. No religion is the largest religious response at 2,965 people, ahead of Christianity at 2,407. Overseas-born residents account for 26.2%, 4.6 percentage points above national, and turnover is 37.7%, so the population is more mobile than established family suburbs such as Paddington.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
40.6%
Houses
1.3%
Townhouse
58.1%
Apartment
Tenure
Auchenflower's housing market is shaped by compact, apartment-heavy stock rather than a typical detached-house mix. Apartments comprise 58.1% of dwellings, above the 40.6% separate-house share, while semi-detached homes account for 1.3%. Two-bedroom homes lead at 43.3%, followed by four or more bedrooms at 24.3% and three bedrooms at 24.1%; smaller zero or one-bedroom dwellings make up 8.4%. Renting is the largest tenure group at 46.6%, compared with 28.2% paying a mortgage and 24.1% owning outright. Weekly rent is $390 and rent equals 17.7% of household income, while mortgage costs equal 22.7%, both below the suburb's household income capacity at the 83.9rd percentile. The 12.2% vacancy rate is higher than a tightly held market, so buyers should compare individual buildings, fees and maintenance rather than treating all apartments as equivalent.
Mortgage / mo
$2,167
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (Jun 2026 quarter), QLD RTA bond data. Census 2021 median: $390.
$850
Bond data Jun 2026 quarter · houses $850 · units $720
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$1,081
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
12.2%
Unoccupied
348
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
17.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.7%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
37.8%
Couples with children
48.4%
Couples, no children
9.5%
Single parent
1,459
Total families
Economy & Employment
Auchenflower has a highly educated, professional employment base. Professional and technical industries account for 19.4% of workers, followed by healthcare at 17.1%, education at 11.4%, public administration at 7.1% and finance at 6.0%. The leading occupations are professionals at 1,550 people, managers at 539 and clerical or administrative workers at 503, which helps explain household income at the 83.9rd percentile. Labour-force participation is 75.1%, unemployment is 4.4% and 58.5% of employed residents work full time, while 32.5% work from home. The SEIFA profile is above national disadvantage benchmarks, with IEO and IRSAD both in decile 10 and IRSD also in decile 10; IER is lower at decile 6, indicating that economic resources are less exceptional than education, occupation and overall advantage. This combination supports service demand but can also keep housing costs elevated compared with lower-income suburbs.
Unemployment
4.4%
Labour Force
3,977
Unemployed
176
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
58.5%
Part-time
32.8%
Participation
75.1%
Employed
3,801
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
63.3%
Postgraduate
18.3%
Born Overseas
26.2%
Dwellings
2,502
Transport to Work
Auchenflower's compact 1.39 square kilometre footprint and density of 4,354.4 people per square kilometre favour apartment living and shorter local trips. Public transport is used for 12.2% of journeys, 43.2% of residents drive a car, 9.0% walk or cycle, and 32.5% work from home. The high work-from-home share can reduce commuting pressure, while the professional and education workforce supports weekday activity. Social and economic conditions rank above national disadvantage levels, with an IRSAD decile of 10 and an IEO decile of 10, although IER is lower at decile 6. A suburb-wide crime rate is not available for comparison, so residents should assess recent incidents and lighting around the exact street. Families should check nearby school options and enrolment zones against the exact address, since boundaries can differ across a dense suburb and neighbouring areas.
Drive
43.2%
Public Transport
12.2%
Walk / Cycle
9.0%
Work from Home
32.5%
Population Forecast
+0.66%/yr
(+41 people/yr)
EstablishedAuchenflower is an established suburb with moderate growth rather than a rapid expansion profile. The annual trend is 0.66%, and population change across the wider area is 6.0% over 10 years. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, which can refresh demand for apartments even as the local age structure shifts. The forecast trajectory is Aging: the senior share has increased by 5.0 percentage points, while the young share has fallen by 0.3 points and the working share by 1.0 point. Rent growth is 5.4%, and the affordability measure improved from 43.0 in 2011 to 36.4 in 2021. Gentrification is not currently indicated, with a score of 10 and a stage of Not gentrifying. Compared with high-growth outer corridors, Auchenflower's outlook is steadier because established housing, limited land and overseas migration support demand without signalling a major demographic reset.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+107
Net Internal / yr
-23
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
COVID recovered (-3% dip → full recovery)
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Auchenflower compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Auchenflower a good suburb to live in?
Auchenflower suits residents who value apartments, professional employment and a compact setting. It has 6,053 residents, a median age of 32 and 58.1% apartments. The 12.2% vacancy rate is higher than tightly held areas, so renters have more choice but should compare buildings carefully.
What is the median house price in Auchenflower?
A current suburb-wide median house price is not stated, so buyers should compare recent sales by dwelling type. Apartments make up 58.1% of homes, while 43.3% have 2 bedrooms and 24.1% have 3 bedrooms. Body corporate fees and building condition can create large differences between properties.
What schools are in Auchenflower?
Families should verify nearby school options and catchments against the exact address. This is particularly important in a dense suburb where 58.1% of dwellings are apartments and school boundaries may differ across streets or neighbouring suburbs. Allow extra time to compare primary and secondary choices before signing a lease or contract.
Is Auchenflower safe?
A suburb-wide crime rate is not stated, so compare recent incidents for the exact street and consider lighting, parking areas and building access. Auchenflower covers 1.39 square kilometres and has 6,053 residents, making local street conditions more useful than assuming every pocket has the same safety profile.
Is Auchenflower good for property investment?
Auchenflower has an established rental base, with 46.6% of households renting and weekly rent of $390. However, vacancy is 12.2%, higher than a tightly occupied market, and 52 development applications were recorded over 12 months. Investors should focus on building quality, tenant appeal and realistic pricing.
How is Auchenflower's population changing?
Population change across the wider area is 6.0% over 10 years, with annual growth of 0.66%. Overseas migration is the primary driver, but the trajectory is Aging: the senior share has risen 5.0 percentage points while the young share has fallen 0.3 points.
How do residents travel from Auchenflower?
Public transport accounts for 12.2% of journeys, compared with 43.2% driving a car and 9.0% walking or cycling. Work-from-home participation is 32.5%, above many traditional commuter patterns, so transport needs vary substantially between apartment residents and full-time commuters.
Is there development activity in Auchenflower?
Yes. There were 52 development applications recorded over 12 months, including referral matters involving design, siting and amenity. The volume is higher than a completely static market, so buyers and investors should check proposed changes near a specific address before committing.
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 education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
Explore Auchenflower on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map