Bohle Plains
At a median age of 28, Bohle Plains is 12 years younger than the national figure, making it one of the youngest owner-occupier suburbs in Townsville's growth corridor. Household income sits in the 88.7th percentile nationally, yet the estimated median house price of $458,000 keeps mortgage-to-income at a comfortable 17.2%, well below the 30% stress threshold. The suburb's 54.5% population rise over 10 years dwarfs the state average, driven by 287 net internal migrants per year, and the gentrification stage has already moved to Active with the working-age population holding steady while incomes climb.
Population
3,989
Median Age
28.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,329/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
6
Median House
$458K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The estimated median house price of $458,000 sits below the national median for detached houses, offering relative affordability for buyers entering a high-income suburb. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,733, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 17.2%, significantly lower than the 30% stress benchmark. The stock is almost entirely detached houses at 94.7%, with semi-detached homes at just 1.2%, so buyers face limited competition from apartment-style alternatives. Bedrooms skew large: 73.7% of dwellings have 4 or more bedrooms and 21.2% have 3 bedrooms, reflecting the family-formation profile. Outright ownership is low at 14.1%, with 42.3% carrying a mortgage, consistent with a suburb drawing young families rather than established retirees.
For Buyers
The estimated median house price of $458,000 sits below the national median for detached houses, offering relative affordability for buyers entering a high-income suburb. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,733, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 17.2%, significantly lower than the 30% stress benchmark. The stock is almost entirely detached houses at 94.7%, with semi-detached homes at just 1.2%, so buyers face limited competition from apartment-style alternatives. Bedrooms skew large: 73.7% of dwellings have 4 or more bedrooms and 21.2% have 3 bedrooms, reflecting the family-formation profile. Outright ownership is low at 14.1%, with 42.3% carrying a mortgage, consistent with a suburb drawing young families rather than established retirees.
For Investors
A 43.7% renter share against a weekly rent of $350 gives landlords a substantial tenant pool. Vacancy sits at 4.9%, above the typical 3% threshold, so some oversupply risk is present. Against the $458,000 median, $350 weekly rent implies a gross yield near 4.0%, more attractive than most southeast-Queensland markets. Net internal migration of 287 residents per year is the primary demand driver, with 42 overseas migrants adding to the base. The population is forecast to grow from roughly 10,466 today to 12,274 by 2031 under the medium scenario, a 17% rise that supports rental demand over the medium term. Development activity shows 4 applications in the past 12 months, a subdued rate that limits new supply competition.
Development Activity
Total DAs
6
Last 12 Months
6
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
—
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 28 is 12 years below the national figure, the sharpest age gap in the Townsville region. Only 14.9% of residents were born overseas, which is 6.7 percentage points below the national rate, and ancestry leans Anglo-Celtic: English (1,558), Scottish (433) and Irish (394) are the top three groups. University qualifications reach 29.5%, roughly in line with the national average, a slight 0.6-point gap. Average household size of 2.8 is 0.3 above national, consistent with the dominant couples-with-children profile, where 1,883 families out of 3,481 total fall into that category. The working-age share has held almost flat over the decade, a 0.1-point shift, while the senior share rose 4.2 points, suggesting the suburb is beginning its aging transition from a very young base.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
94.7%
Houses
1.2%
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
Separate houses account for 94.7% of dwellings, one of the highest detached-house rates in Queensland, which reinforces the suburban, family-oriented character. The tenure split shows 42.3% with a mortgage, 43.7% renting and 14.1% owning outright, a mortgage-heavy and renter-heavy mix that reflects the young age profile rather than accumulated wealth. Four-plus bedroom homes dominate at 73.7%, well above the national mix, because the suburb attracted large family households during its rapid growth phase. Rent-to-income at 15.0% is comfortably below the 30% stress threshold, meaning renters here are not financially stretched compared to the national renter experience. The vacancy rate of 4.9% is moderately elevated, worth monitoring if the pipeline of new detached-house stock accelerates.
Mortgage / mo
$1,733
Rent / wk
$350
HH Size
2.8
Personal Income / wk
$1,130
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.9%
Unoccupied
71
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
15.0%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
17.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
25.2%
Couples, no children
3,481
Total families
Economy & Employment
Public administration and healthcare together account for nearly half the local workforce: Public Admin at 24.7% (372 workers) and Healthcare at 24.3% (367) dominate, followed by Education at 11.7% (177). This government-services concentration explains why household income sits in the 88.7th percentile nationally despite the modest house price. By occupation, Professionals (476) and Community/Personal service workers (452) are the two largest groups. The unemployment rate is 2.7%, below the national rate, and the full-time employment rate of 70.8% signals a predominantly employed workforce. SEIFA scores show a clear split: the IER decile of 9 (economic resources) confirms high income and asset levels, while the IRSAD decile of 7 and IEO decile of 6 show the suburb ranks above average but not at the top tier on broader advantage and education-occupation measures.
Unemployment
1.4%
Labour Force
5,623
Unemployed
80
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
70.8%
Part-time
26.5%
Participation
73.2%
Employed
2,126
Occupations
Top Industries
University
29.5%
Postgraduate
4.2%
Born Overseas
14.9%
Dwellings
1,368
Transport to Work
Car dependence is very high: 92.8% of residents drive to work and only 0.3% use public transport, reflecting the suburban layout of a 31.7 km2 area with 125.8 persons per km2. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families depend on nearby schools in the broader Townsville north corridor. The IRSAD decile of 7 places the suburb above national average on relative advantage, and the IRSD decile of 9 indicates very low relative disadvantage, meaning residents face fewer deprivation pressures than most Australian suburbs. Only 3.9% of the population (153 people) need daily assistance, low for a growing suburb. Volunteering at 11.8% is modest. Housing stress is effectively absent: both mortgage-to-income at 17.2% and rent-to-income at 15.0% sit well below stress thresholds, which is unusual compared to most Queensland growth corridors.
Drive
92.8%
Public Transport
0.3%
Walk / Cycle
1.5%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+3.23%/yr
(+338 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation growth of 3.23% annually is among the fastest in Queensland regional centres, adding roughly 338 persons per year. The 10-year increase of 54.5% dwarfs state and national growth rates, fuelled primarily by internal migration: a net 287 residents per year arrive from elsewhere in Australia, with overseas migration adding 42 more. The medium forecast carries the population from about 10,466 in 2025 to 12,274 by 2031. Gentrification has reached the Active stage, with accelerating professional share (32% to 41%) and net internal migration of 287 per year as key signals. Rent growth of 40% over the past decade outpaced real income growth of 12.1%, compressing affordability slightly, though rent-to-income at 15.0% remains well below stress levels. Affordability held remarkably stable, moving from 32.2% in 2011 to 32.7% in 2021, suggesting price rises tracked income growth closely.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+42
Net Internal / yr
+287
Gentrification Signal
Active
Net internal migration +287/yr, Accelerating: 32% → 41%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Bohle Plains compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bohle Plains a good suburb to live in?
Bohle Plains scores IRSD decile 9 nationally, meaning very low relative disadvantage, and household income sits in the 88.7th percentile. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 17.2% and rent-to-income of 15.0% both sit well below stress thresholds. The trade-off is near-total car dependence at 92.8% and no recorded schools within the 31.7 km2 boundary.
What is the median house price in Bohle Plains?
The estimated median house price is $458,000, based on rental data from 2025. Weekly rent averages $350 and monthly mortgage repayments average $1,733, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 17.2%, comfortably below the 30% stress benchmark. The 94.7% detached-house rate keeps the stock largely uniform.
What schools are in Bohle Plains?
No schools are recorded within the Bohle Plains boundary in this dataset. Families in the suburb rely on schools in neighbouring Townsville suburbs. University qualifications among residents reach 29.5%, roughly in line with the national average, and the suburb's young median age of 28 means many household heads are still early in their careers.
Is Bohle Plains safe?
Crime statistics for Bohle Plains are not available in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores IRSD decile 9 nationally, placing it in the top 20% for low relative disadvantage. Only 3.9% of residents (153 people) need daily assistance, and housing stress is absent, both factors associated with lower social strain than the national average.
Is Bohle Plains good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $350 against an estimated $458,000 median implies a gross yield near 4.0%, above most southeast-Queensland markets. The vacancy rate of 4.9% is moderately elevated. Population is forecast to grow from 10,466 in 2025 to 12,274 by 2031, a 17% rise, and net internal migration of 287 per year sustains rental demand. The renter share of 43.7% provides a deep tenant pool.
How is Bohle Plains's population changing?
Population grew 54.5% over the past 10 years, far above state and national rates. Annual growth runs at 3.23%, adding about 338 people per year, driven mainly by internal migration of 287 net arrivals per year. The medium forecast projects the population reaching 12,274 by 2031, up from roughly 10,466 in 2025. The suburb's gentrification stage is Active, with the professional share rising from 32% to 41%.
What industries employ people in Bohle Plains?
Public Administration employs 24.7% of local workers (372 people) and Healthcare employs 24.3% (367), together making up nearly half the workforce. Education follows at 11.7% (177 workers), then Construction at 6.5% and Retail at 5.8%. This government-services concentration supports income stability, which is why household income sits in the 88.7th percentile nationally despite a relatively modest median house price.
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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