Bardon
Household income at the 98.9 percentile nationally ($3,399 weekly) places Bardon among Australia's wealthiest suburbs, yet it reads more like a professional family enclave than a prestige postcard, with 81.3% detached housing and a 23.7% volunteering rate that ranks among the highest in Brisbane. University qualifications at 65.2% sit 35.1 percentage points above the national average, the widest gap of any Brisbane western suburb. SEIFA confirms the position: IRSAD decile 10, IEO decile 10, IER decile 10 and IRSD decile 10, a clean sweep across all four indices. The median age of 38, two years below national, combined with the 52.8% couples-with-children share, signals an active family-formation suburb rather than a retiree enclave. No median house price is available in the dataset, but monthly mortgage of $2,817 at just 19.1% mortgage-to-income suggests strong purchasing power.
Population
10,153
Median Age
38.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$3,399/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
87
Median House
$693K
Estimated from rent (2025)
Without a median house price in the dataset, buyers must rely on external valuations, but the $2,817 monthly mortgage repayment and 19.1% mortgage-to-income ratio, one of the lowest in Brisbane, indicate substantial household purchasing power. Detached houses dominate at 81.3%, with apartments at 9.6% and semi-detached at 9.0%. Four-plus bedroom homes account for 48.1% and three-bedroom for 34.3%, reflecting the family-oriented housing stock. Mortgage holders make up 44.4% of households while 34.1% own outright, a split that suggests ongoing demand from professional families buying in. The 19.7% couples-without-children share is lower than the national average, confirming families with children are the dominant buyer segment. Walking/cycling at 6.3% and public transport at 9.5% provide better non-car options than most Brisbane suburbs, reflecting proximity to the CBD.
For Buyers
Without a median house price in the dataset, buyers must rely on external valuations, but the $2,817 monthly mortgage repayment and 19.1% mortgage-to-income ratio, one of the lowest in Brisbane, indicate substantial household purchasing power. Detached houses dominate at 81.3%, with apartments at 9.6% and semi-detached at 9.0%. Four-plus bedroom homes account for 48.1% and three-bedroom for 34.3%, reflecting the family-oriented housing stock. Mortgage holders make up 44.4% of households while 34.1% own outright, a split that suggests ongoing demand from professional families buying in. The 19.7% couples-without-children share is lower than the national average, confirming families with children are the dominant buyer segment. Walking/cycling at 6.3% and public transport at 9.5% provide better non-car options than most Brisbane suburbs, reflecting proximity to the CBD.
For Investors
Renters account for 21.5% of households, below the national average, reflecting the owner-occupier dominance of a high-income family suburb. Median weekly rent of $500 produces a yield calculation that requires an external median price. The 6.1% vacancy rate sits above the national equilibrium of 3%, though below Brisbane's average. Development activity is moderate at 64 applications in 12 months, dominated by building works and material change of use applications rather than subdivision, consistent with heritage and character overlays. Population grows at 0.95% annually (106 persons per year), with overseas migration (+202 net) as the primary driver offsetting internal outflow of -62 per year. Rent grew 26.9% over the decade, below Brisbane averages, because the high-income base limits the proportion of renters who face true affordability pressure.
Development Activity
Total DAs
340
Last 12 Months
87
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+11.5%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Bardon iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Rainworth State School
Prep-6 · 590 students
Ithaca Creek State School
Prep-6 · 604 students
St Joseph's School
Prep-6 · 368 students
Bardon State School
Prep-6 · 254 students
Demographics
English ancestry leads at 4,348, followed by Irish (2,004), Scottish (1,576) and German (635), producing a predominantly Anglo-Celtic cultural profile. Only 19.9% of residents were born overseas, 1.7 percentage points below the national average, making Bardon less diverse than Brisbane overall. University qualifications at 65.2% are 35.1 percentage points above the national baseline, one of the highest rates in Queensland, and Professionals (2,391) and Managers (1,138) together form 68.9% of the workforce. The median age of 38 runs 2 years below national, and the high couples-with-children share (52.8%) combined with average household size of 2.8 indicates families in active child-rearing rather than empty nesters. The 23.7% volunteering rate, well above the national average, and Christianity adherence of 4,639 (nearly half the population) reflect established community structures.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
81.3%
Houses
9.0%
Townhouse
9.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure leans toward ownership: 34.1% own outright, 44.4% hold mortgages, and 21.5% rent. The 44.4% mortgage share exceeds the national average, driven by professional families buying into the suburb. Detached houses at 81.3% dominate, with apartment stock at 9.6% providing some entry-level options, and semi-detached at 9.0%. Four-plus bedroom homes account for 48.1%, three-bedroom for 34.3%, two-bedroom for 14.1% and studio/one-bedroom for 3.4%. No price history is available in the dataset, so historical capital growth cannot be assessed. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 19.1% is well below the 30% stress threshold, reflecting the combination of high incomes ($3,399 weekly household) and housing costs that, while absolute high, are manageable for the resident income base. Rent-to-income at 14.7% is exceptionally low, among the best in Brisbane.
Mortgage / mo
$2,817
Rent / wk
$500
HH Size
2.8
Personal Income / wk
$1,339
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
6.1%
Unoccupied
227
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
14.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.1%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
19.7%
Couples, no children
8,393
Total families
Economy & Employment
Professional/Technical services lead employment at 20.0% (885 workers), followed by Healthcare at 18.1% (801), Education at 13.1% (581), Public Administration at 7.6% (338) and Finance at 6.4% (282). The combined Professional/Tech and Healthcare share of 38.1% is well above the national average and reflects Bardon's proximity to Brisbane hospitals and the CBD professional district. Professionals (2,391) and Managers (1,138) together account for 68.9% of the workforce, the highest dual-share in Brisbane's western suburbs. Unemployment is low at 3.7%, below the national rate, and the 67.3% participation rate is above average, driven by dual-income professional households. SEIFA scores are uniformly high: all four indices at decile 10 nationally. Real income grew 23.4% over the decade, one of the stronger rates among premium suburbs.
Unemployment
2.1%
Labour Force
6,787
Unemployed
140
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
65.2%
Part-time
31.1%
Participation
67.3%
Employed
5,121
Occupations
Top Industries
University
65.2%
Postgraduate
20.3%
Born Overseas
19.9%
Dwellings
3,465
Transport to Work
Schools are exclusively primary level but all rank among Brisbane's best: Rainworth State School (ICSEA 1,206, Government, 590 students), Ithaca Creek State School (1,170, Government, 604), St Joseph's School (1,170, Catholic, 368) and Bardon State School (1,147, Government, 254). Rainworth's 1,206 ICSEA is in the top 2% nationally. No secondary school is located within the suburb. Car dependence at 78.0% is moderate for Brisbane, with 9.5% using public transport and 6.3% walking/cycling, bringing total non-car commuting to 15.8%. Crime data is not available, but IRSD decile 10 and 2.8% need-for-assistance rate (below national) confirm very low disadvantage. The 23.7% volunteering rate is nearly double the national average.
Drive
78.0%
Public Transport
9.5%
Walk / Cycle
6.3%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.95%/yr
(+106 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation expands at 0.95% annually, adding 106 persons per year, with medium projections reaching 11,722 by 2031. Overseas migration drives growth at +202 net per year, while internal migration runs a mild negative at -62, meaning some domestic residents are relocating to outer suburbs for space or value. The mixed trajectory label reflects offsetting trends: the young share grew 0.8 points but the senior share also grew 2.0 points, with the working-age share declining 2.9 points. Real income growth of 23.4% over the decade is strong and above the Brisbane median. Gentrification score of 43 (early signs) may seem surprising for a suburb already at IRSAD decile 10, but it likely reflects continued upward filtering as the Professional/Manager workforce share increases. Affordability improved from 44.4% mortgage-to-income in 2011 to 37.1% in 2021.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+202
Net Internal / yr
-62
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +15% since 2011, Strong overseas inflow +202/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Bardon compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bardon a good suburb to live in?
Bardon ranks IRSAD decile 10 nationally, the highest tier, with household income at the 98.9 percentile. All 4 primary schools exceed ICSEA 1,147, with Rainworth at 1,206 (top 2% nationally). Mortgage stress is very low at 19.1%. Trade-offs: no secondary school within suburb, 78.0% car dependence, and 6.1% vacancy. The 23.7% volunteering rate indicates strong community engagement.
What is the median house price in Bardon?
No median house price is available in the current dataset for Bardon. Monthly mortgage repayments sit at $2,817, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 19.1%, well below the 30% stress line. Median weekly rent is $500 with a 6.1% vacancy rate. Household income at $3,399 weekly is at the 98.9 percentile nationally.
What schools are in Bardon?
Bardon has 4 primary schools, all well above ICSEA 1,000: Rainworth State School (1,206, 590 students, Government), Ithaca Creek State (1,170, 604, Government), St Joseph's (1,170, 368, Catholic) and Bardon State (1,147, 254, Government). The IEO decile 10 reading reflects the 65.2% university qualification rate, 35.1 percentage points above national.
Is Bardon safe?
Crime-specific data is not available. Bardon's IRSD decile 10 means it ranks among Australia's least disadvantaged suburbs. Need-for-assistance at 2.8% is well below national. Unemployment at 3.7% is lower than the national rate. The 23.7% volunteering rate, nearly double national, and 65.2% university rate suggest a cohesive, low-risk community.
Is Bardon good for property investment?
The 21.5% renter share limits tenant pool depth compared to inner-city suburbs. Vacancy at 6.1% is above the 3% equilibrium. Development activity is low at 64 DAs in 12 months, constrained by character overlay protections. Population growth of 0.95% per year is modest. The investment case rests on scarcity: limited new supply in a suburb where all 4 SEIFA indices sit at decile 10 and real income grew 23.4% over the decade.
How is Bardon's population changing?
Population grows slowly at 0.95% per year (106 persons), with overseas migration (+202 net/year) as the primary driver and mild internal outflow (-62/year). The median age of 38 is 2 years below national, reflecting active family households. Real income grew 23.4% over the decade, well above the Brisbane median. The medium projection puts population at 11,722 by 2031.
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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