Bahrs Scrub
A median age of 29 stands 11 years below the national figure, making Bahrs Scrub one of the youngest suburbs in the Logan corridor. That demographic fact sits alongside a population that grew 70% over the decade and is still expanding at 3.64% a year, faster than most of greater Brisbane. Household income sits in the 79.4th percentile nationally, yet the $525,000 median house price remains well below comparable QLD suburbs, which explains the 49% mortgage rate and strong 4-plus bedroom demand at 75.3% of all dwellings. The SEIFA IER decile of 8 signals above-average economic resources, while IRSAD at decile 5 reflects a mortgage-belt population still building wealth rather than holding it.
Population
4,508
Median Age
29.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,100/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
605
Median House
$525K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At $525,000 the median house price is accessible relative to income, with monthly mortgage repayments averaging $1,863 and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 20.5%, below the 30% stress threshold. Separate houses dominate at 94.7% of dwellings, and 75.3% have 4 or more bedrooms, which suits the average household size of 2.9 compared to the national 2.5. First-home and upgrader demand is concentrated here because affordability improved from 61.7% in 2011 to 45.1% by 2021 as incomes rose faster than prices. Outright owners make up only 11.4% of tenure, compared to more established suburbs where that share typically exceeds 30%, so the buyer pool is predominantly mortgage-financed rather than equity-rich downsizers.
For Buyers
At $525,000 the median house price is accessible relative to income, with monthly mortgage repayments averaging $1,863 and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 20.5%, below the 30% stress threshold. Separate houses dominate at 94.7% of dwellings, and 75.3% have 4 or more bedrooms, which suits the average household size of 2.9 compared to the national 2.5. First-home and upgrader demand is concentrated here because affordability improved from 61.7% in 2011 to 45.1% by 2021 as incomes rose faster than prices. Outright owners make up only 11.4% of tenure, compared to more established suburbs where that share typically exceeds 30%, so the buyer pool is predominantly mortgage-financed rather than equity-rich downsizers.
For Investors
Weekly rent of $420 against a $525,000 median implies a gross yield around 4.2%, reasonable for a high-growth Queensland suburb. The 39.6% renter share is above average for an outer-ring detached market and provides a broad tenant pool. Vacancy sits at 4.9%, higher than the sub-3% tight-market benchmark, so stock selection matters. Rent grew 6.4% over the recent period, driven by demand from the same internal migration that adds a net 694 residents per year to the broader SA2. With 527 development applications lodged in the past 12 months and the population forecast to reach 14,422 by 2031 under the medium scenario, infrastructure and service demand should support rents, though the vacancy rate warrants monitoring.
Development Activity
Total DAs
846
Last 12 Months
605
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+550.5%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Bahrs Scrub iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Windaroo Valley State High School
7-12 · 1202 students
Demographics
The median age of 29 is 11 years below the national figure, and the suburb is growing younger, with the young-adult share rising 2.4 points over the decade while working-age contracted just 0.6 points and the senior share added 1.2 points. Overseas-born residents at 25.7% run 4.1 points above the national average. Ancestry is predominantly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (1,693), Scottish (417) and Irish (332). Average household size of 2.9 exceeds the national 2.5, consistent with the high share of couples with children, who make up 1,792 of 3,829 families. University qualifications at 23.1% sit 7 points below the national figure, reflecting a workforce concentrated in trades, healthcare and construction rather than professional services.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
94.7%
Houses
4.7%
Townhouse
0.7%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure leans heavily towards mortgage holders at 49%, compared to the national owner-occupier average, with renters at 39.6% and outright owners at just 11.4%. The low outright-ownership share reflects the suburb's recent development pattern rather than affordability stress, with mortgage-to-income at 20.5% confirming repayments are manageable. The stock is 94.7% separate houses, the highest share among comparable Logan suburbs, and 75.3% of those have 4 or more bedrooms, indicating families are the dominant buyer cohort. Rent stress is absent, with rent-to-income at 20.0%. Semi-detached at 4.7% and apartments at 0.7% reflect the near-total absence of higher-density supply, which limits options for downsizers or single-person households.
Mortgage / mo
$1,863
Rent / wk
$420
HH Size
2.9
Personal Income / wk
$989
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.9%
Unoccupied
76
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.0%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.5%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
24.4%
Couples, no children
3,829
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads local employment at 20.2% (312 workers), well above the typical suburban share, followed by Construction at 12.9% (199) and Education at 10.8% (167). Manufacturing and Retail each contribute around 7-8%. By occupation, Professionals (415) lead, then Clerical and Administrative workers (361), Community and Personal service (298) and Labourers (283). The unemployment rate of 4.5% is in line with state norms and the full-time employment rate of 72.1% is solid. Real incomes grew 18.3% over the decade. The SEIFA IRSD decile of 6 and IRSAD decile of 5 place Bahrs Scrub near the national median for both disadvantage and advantage, consistent with a working and lower-middle-income economy rather than a high-skill professional hub.
Unemployment
2.1%
Labour Force
7,164
Unemployed
148
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
72.1%
Part-time
23.4%
Participation
67.4%
Employed
2,190
Occupations
Top Industries
University
23.1%
Postgraduate
4.2%
Born Overseas
25.7%
Dwellings
1,481
Transport to Work
Car dependence is near-total, with 92.6% of residents driving to work and only 1.8% using public transport, below the SEQ average and a practical constraint for households without a vehicle. No schools are recorded in the suburb boundary, so families depend on services in adjacent Logan catchments. Crime data is not available for Bahrs Scrub in this dataset, though the IRSD decile of 6 places it above the national median for low disadvantage. Volunteering runs at 9.3% and 4.5% of residents need daily assistance, both typical of a young, working-age community. Rent and mortgage stress are both absent, with each measure at or below 20.5% of income, making financial stress lower than the national average despite the 49% mortgage penetration.
Drive
92.6%
Public Transport
1.8%
Walk / Cycle
0.7%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+3.64%/yr
(+465 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 70% over the decade, from roughly 2,650 to 4,508, driven almost entirely by internal migration averaging 694 net arrivals per year compared to just 42 from overseas. The annual growth rate of 3.64% adds around 465 residents a year, and the medium-scenario forecast projects the broader SA2 population reaching 14,422 by 2031, up from 12,765 in 2025. The gentrification stage is classified as new development rather than early gentrification, because the suburb is still being built out rather than being repriced from below. Affordability improved 16.6 percentage points between 2011 and 2021, an unusual widening that reflects income gains outpacing price growth, the opposite of most SEQ corridors over the same period.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+42
Net Internal / yr
+694
Gentrification Signal
New development
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Bahrs Scrub compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bahrs Scrub a good suburb to live in?
Bahrs Scrub suits young families who prioritise space and affordability over urban amenity. The median age is 29, 11 years below the national figure, 94.7% of homes are separate houses and 75.3% have 4 or more bedrooms. Mortgage stress is absent at 20.5% of income. The main trade-off is near-total car dependence, with only 1.8% of residents using public transport.
What is the median house price in Bahrs Scrub?
The median house price is $525,000, estimated from 2025 rental data. Weekly rent averages $420 and monthly mortgage repayments run around $1,863, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 20.5%, well below the 30% stress threshold. Household income sits in the 79.4th percentile nationally, making the pricing accessible for the local income base.
What schools are in Bahrs Scrub?
No schools are recorded within the Bahrs Scrub boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring Logan suburbs. The local population has a university qualification rate of 23.1%, which is 7 points below the national figure, consistent with a workforce focused on trades, healthcare and construction rather than tertiary-driven professions.
Is Bahrs Scrub safe?
Crime data is not available for Bahrs Scrub in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores SEIFA IRSD decile 6, above the national median for relative disadvantage. Only 4.5% of residents need daily assistance. Mortgage and rent stress are both below 21% of income, below the national average, which reduces financial-stress-related risk factors.
Is Bahrs Scrub good for property investment?
Gross yield is around 4.2% based on $420 weekly rent against a $525,000 median, reasonable for outer Brisbane. Population grew 70% over the decade and is forecast to add around 465 residents per year. The vacancy rate of 4.9% is above the tight-market threshold of 3%, so selecting well-located stock matters. Rent grew 6.4% in the recent period, supported by 694 net internal migrants annually.
How is Bahrs Scrub's population changing?
Population grew 70% over the decade and is currently expanding at 3.64% a year, adding around 465 residents annually. The broader SA2 is projected to reach 14,422 by 2031 under the medium forecast, up from 12,765 in 2025. Internal migration is the primary driver at 694 net arrivals per year, compared to just 42 from overseas.
How much development is happening in Bahrs Scrub?
527 development applications were lodged in the past 12 months, a high figure for a suburb of 4,508 residents. Samples include roof replacement, structural repairs and multi-element extensions. The construction industry employs 12.9% of local workers, the second-largest sector, reflecting the suburb's ongoing build-out phase and the high demand for new and upgraded dwellings.
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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