QLD 4500 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Bray Park

Almost 97% of dwellings are detached houses, a concentration rare even for outer Brisbane, and the occupational profile is led by Clerical/Admin workers (765) rather than Professionals, placing Bray Park firmly in the mortgage-belt category. Household income at the 60.9 percentile is above the national median, yet the SEIFA IRSAD decile 4 reading suggests disadvantage sits beneath the surface, driven by an IEO decile of just 3, reflecting a university qualification rate of 20.9% that falls 9.2 percentage points below the national baseline. The median age of 37 runs 3 years below the national figure and 53.6% of homes have three bedrooms, pointing to a family-formation suburb. Population growth at 0.45% per year is slow for Queensland, with net internal migration running negative at 25 persons per year while overseas arrivals average 84.

Bray Park urban fabric map

Population

10,271

Median Age

37.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,736/wk

DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year

12

Median House

$481K

Estimated from rent (2025)

4.51 km²· 2,276.3 people/km²· Family income $1,913/wk

The detached-house dominance at 96.9% means almost every purchase in Bray Park is a standalone home on its own lot, with semi-detached at 2.3% and apartments at 0.9% effectively non-existent. Three-bedroom homes make up 53.6% of stock and four-plus bedrooms 42.2%, so family-sized housing is the standard rather than the premium. Median house price data is not available in the brief, but the median monthly mortgage of $1,668 produces a mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.2%, well below the 30% stress threshold and lower than the national average. This low mortgage stress is consistent with Bray Park's affordable outer-suburban position. The vacancy rate of 3.8% is tight by Queensland standards, suggesting steady demand despite the suburb's distance from the Brisbane CBD.

For Buyers

The detached-house dominance at 96.9% means almost every purchase in Bray Park is a standalone home on its own lot, with semi-detached at 2.3% and apartments at 0.9% effectively non-existent. Three-bedroom homes make up 53.6% of stock and four-plus bedrooms 42.2%, so family-sized housing is the standard rather than the premium. Median house price data is not available in the brief, but the median monthly mortgage of $1,668 produces a mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.2%, well below the 30% stress threshold and lower than the national average. This low mortgage stress is consistent with Bray Park's affordable outer-suburban position. The vacancy rate of 3.8% is tight by Queensland standards, suggesting steady demand despite the suburb's distance from the Brisbane CBD.

For Investors

The rental market captures 28.8% of households, close to the national average, with median weekly rent of $390. Without a median house price figure, precise yield calculations are not possible, but the low vacancy rate of 3.8% points to healthy tenant demand compared to many Gold Coast suburbs where vacancy exceeds 10%. Just 10 development applications were lodged in the past 12 months, suggesting minimal new supply pressure. The rent-to-income ratio of 22.5% is well below the 30% stress mark, meaning tenants are generally comfortable. However, real income growth is negative at -3.9% over the decade, which limits the scope for future rent increases. The predominantly three and four bedroom stock (95.8% combined) aligns well with the family renter demographic drawn by local schools.

Development Activity

Total DAs

31

Last 12 Months

12

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

-29.4%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Garage / Carport / Shed
13
Change of Use
5
Subdivision
2
Granny Flat / Secondary Dwelling
2
Electrician
2
Renovation / Extension
1
Deck / Pergola / Patio
1
Commercial / Industrial
1

Schools in Bray Park iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged

Genesis Christian College

ICSEA 1099 Combined Independent

Prep-12 · 1618 students

Holy Spirit School

ICSEA 1031 Primary Catholic

Prep-6 · 484 students

Bray Park State High School

ICSEA 991 Secondary Government

7-12 · 1830 students

Bray Park State School

ICSEA 973 Primary Government

Prep-6 · 480 students

Demographics

English (4,087), Irish (1,194) and Scottish (1,095) ancestry groups account for the bulk of the population, with German (585) the fourth largest group. The 19.7% overseas-born share is 1.9 percentage points below the national baseline, making this one of the more homogeneous suburbs in the Moreton Bay region. Non-English languages are spoken by small numbers: Samoan (48), Hindi (33), Afrikaans (25), Nepali (21) and Punjabi (21). Christianity at 4,938 adherents is the dominant religion. The average household size of 2.8 sits 0.3 above the national figure, and 22.8% of families are couples without children compared to 42.2% couples with children, confirming the family-oriented character. The 13.6% volunteering rate sits below the national average.

Age Distribution

0-14
20.7%
15-24
12.6%
25-44
28.3%
45-64
22.6%
65+
15.7%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
1.4%
2 bed
2.9%
3 bed
53.6%
4+ bed
42.2%

Dwelling Structure

96.9%

Houses

2.3%

Townhouse

0.9%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 27.7% Mortgage 43.5% Rent 28.8%

Mortgage holders at 43.5% are the largest tenure group, well above outright owners at 27.7% and renters at 28.8%, a profile typical of outer suburban growth corridors where recent purchasers dominate. The near-total detached house share of 96.9% leaves almost no density alternatives. Three-bedroom homes at 53.6% and four-plus at 42.2% mean only 4.3% of stock has two or fewer bedrooms, making the dwelling mix heavily skewed toward larger formats compared to the national three-bedroom average of about 35%. The 22.2% mortgage-to-income ratio places Bray Park well below the national mortgage stress threshold. SEIFA IER decile 6 suggests moderate economic resources, while the IEO decile 3 reading points to limited education and occupational opportunity, a combination that keeps overall IRSAD at decile 4, below the national midpoint.

Mortgage / mo

$1,668

Rent / wk

$390

HH Size

2.8

Personal Income / wk

$755

Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)

3.8%

Unoccupied

140

Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

22.5%

Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

22.2%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Samoan
48
Hindi
33
Afrikaans
25
Nepali
21
Punjabi
21
Arabic
17

Ancestry

English
4,087
Irish
1,194
Scottish
1,095
Other
952
German
585
Ancestry NS
498

Household Composition

22.8%

Couples, no children

8,606

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare is the top employer at 19.5% (593 workers), followed by Construction at 11.3%, Education at 9.2%, Public Administration at 8.2% and Retail at 8.0%. The occupational structure is unusual: Clerical/Admin (765) leads rather than Professionals (704), with Community/Personal (644) and Labourers (557) filling out the top four. This blue-collar lean explains the IEO decile 3 rating despite reasonable incomes. The unemployment rate of 6.8% is above the national average, though the participation rate of 57.1% is healthy for a suburb with this age profile. The 8.7% need-for-assistance rate is above average, consistent with the IER decile 6 and IRSD decile 4 readings. Real income has declined 3.9% over the decade, meaning wages have not kept pace with inflation, a pattern that limits mortgage serviceability if rates remain elevated.

Unemployment

8.2%

Labour Force

5,995

Unemployed

492

Quarterly Trend

Mar-24 Dec-25

Source: SALM Dec-25

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Overall advantage
4
Disadvantage
4
Economic resources
6
Education & occupation
3

Full-time

66.4%

Part-time

26.8%

Participation

57.1%

Employed

4,331

Occupations

Clerical/Admin 765
Professionals 704
Community/Personal 644
Labourers 557
Sales 433
Managers 396
Machinery/Drivers 366

Top Industries

Healthcare 19.5%
Construction 11.3%
Education 9.2%
Public Admin 8.2%
Retail 8.0%

University

20.9%

Postgraduate

3.8%

Born Overseas

19.7%

Dwellings

3,495

Transport to Work

Car dependence is high at 87.0%, with public transport use at just 4.7% and walking/cycling at 1.9%, reflecting limited rail access in Bray Park's outer-north location. Genesis Christian College (ICSEA 1,099, 1,618 students) is the standout school, performing well above the national benchmark. Holy Spirit School (1,031, Catholic primary) and Bray Park State High School (991, 1,830 students) sit near the national average, while Bray Park State School at ICSEA 973 falls below. The SEIFA IRSAD decile 4 and IRSD decile 4 readings place the suburb below the national midpoint on advantage. The 8.7% need-for-assistance rate is above the national average, pointing to a cohort requiring disability or age-related support. Affordability at 22.2% mortgage-to-income is a genuine strength, sitting well below typical stress thresholds.

Drive

87.0%

Public Transport

4.7%

Walk / Cycle

1.9%

Work from Home

N/A

Population Forecast

+0.45%/yr

(+49 people/yr)

Established

Population is growing at 0.45% per year, adding around 49 persons annually, slow compared to Brisbane's outer north growth corridor average. Medium projections show the population reaching 11,080 by 2031 from 10,810 in 2025. Internal migration is negative at 25 persons per year, meaning Bray Park is losing residents to other areas of Australia faster than it gains domestically. Overseas migration at 84 per year compensates but does not drive rapid expansion. The ageing trajectory is clear: senior share has risen 6.9 percentage points over the decade while working-age share dropped 3.8 points. Population grew only 2.7% over the past 10 years, substantially below the Queensland average. The gentrification score of 0 confirms no signs of demographic upgrading.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Overseas Migration

Net Overseas / yr

+84

Net Internal / yr

-25

0

Gentrification Signal

Not gentrifying

National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs

How Bray Park compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 4%
Household Income
Top 39%
Rent Level
Top 19%
Apartments
Bottom 19%
Renters
Top 30%
Uni Educated
Bottom 40%
Public Transport
Top 36%
Born Overseas
Top 31%
Density
Top 7%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bray Park a good suburb to live in?

Bray Park suits families seeking affordable, large-format housing in outer north Brisbane. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.2% is well below the 30% stress threshold, 96.9% of dwellings are detached houses, and Genesis Christian College has an ICSEA of 1,099. SEIFA IRSAD decile 4 is below the national midpoint, and car dependence at 87.0% is a trade-off for the price advantage.

What is the median house price in Bray Park?

Specific median house price data is not available in the current dataset for Bray Park. The median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,668, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.2%. Median weekly rent sits at $390 with a vacancy rate of 3.8%. The SEIFA IER decile 6 confirms moderate economic resources among households.

What schools are in Bray Park?

Bray Park has 4 schools. Genesis Christian College leads with ICSEA 1,099 (1,618 students combined K-12, Independent). Holy Spirit School sits at 1,031 (484 students, Catholic primary). Bray Park State High School has ICSEA 991 (1,830 students) and Bray Park State School sits at 973 (480 students), both below the national 1,000 benchmark.

Is Bray Park safe?

Crime-specific data is not available for Bray Park in the current dataset. The IRSD decile 4 places the suburb below the national midpoint on relative disadvantage, and the unemployment rate of 6.8% exceeds the national average. The IRSAD decile 4 reading suggests below-median overall socioeconomic advantage, a factor that is typically correlated with higher property crime rates in outer-suburban areas.

Is Bray Park good for property investment?

Bray Park offers a tight vacancy rate of 3.8% and 28.8% renter share, suggesting reliable tenant demand. Median weekly rent is $390 with a rent-to-income ratio of 22.5%, indicating tenants are not under stress. However, only 10 DAs were lodged in 12 months (minimal supply), real income has declined 3.9% over the decade, and population growth at 0.45% per year is slow. The gentrification score of 0 points to no demographic upgrading.

How is Bray Park's population changing?

Bray Park's population grew from 10,605 in 2023 to 10,810 in 2025, a 0.45% annual rate adding about 49 persons per year. Medium projections reach 11,080 by 2031. Internal migration is negative at 25 per year, offset by overseas inflows of 84 per year. The senior share has risen 6.9 percentage points over the decade while the 10-year population growth of 2.7% trails the Queensland average.

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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