Brinsmead
Household incomes place Brinsmead in the 83.4th percentile, yet its housing is overwhelmingly detached: 97.2% of dwellings are separate houses and 57.5% contain 4 or more bedrooms. The suburb has 5,537 residents at a density of 1,081.8 people per square kilometre, with a median age of 39, or 1.0 year below the national comparison. This profile suits established family households more than apartment-led demand. Compared with nearby Redlynch and Freshwater, Brinsmead reads as a car-oriented Cairns residential pocket, supported by 75.3% driving to work and 16.7% working from home. Couples with children account for 48.5% of families, while the 74.9% same-address retention rate points to settled demand. The trade-off is an aging trajectory, with the senior share up 5.3 percentage points and the young share down 3.0 points.
Population
5,537
Median Age
39.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,190/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
3
Brinsmead is best assessed as a detached-house market, although a current median house price is not available. Separate houses make up 97.2% of dwellings, and 57.5% have 4 or more bedrooms, so buyers are paying for land, space and family functionality rather than compact apartment stock. Compared with apartment-oriented suburbs, the 37.9% share of three-bedroom homes and 48.8% mortgage tenure point to established owner-occupier demand. The monthly mortgage figure is $1,733, equal to 18.3% of household income, while weekly rent is $450. That repayment ratio is below a typical stress threshold, which helps explain why 30.2% own outright and only 20.4% rent. Buyers should compare exact streets, drainage, access and insurance costs because Cairns conditions can vary within a short drive.
For Buyers
Brinsmead is best assessed as a detached-house market, although a current median house price is not available. Separate houses make up 97.2% of dwellings, and 57.5% have 4 or more bedrooms, so buyers are paying for land, space and family functionality rather than compact apartment stock. Compared with apartment-oriented suburbs, the 37.9% share of three-bedroom homes and 48.8% mortgage tenure point to established owner-occupier demand. The monthly mortgage figure is $1,733, equal to 18.3% of household income, while weekly rent is $450. That repayment ratio is below a typical stress threshold, which helps explain why 30.2% own outright and only 20.4% rent. Buyers should compare exact streets, drainage, access and insurance costs because Cairns conditions can vary within a short drive.
For Investors
Brinsmead presents a moderate rental proposition rather than a high-turnover yield play. Weekly rent is $450, the renter share is 20.4%, and vacancy is 4.6%; viewed versus the 48.8% mortgage cohort, that mix signals a stronger owner-occupier base. The 97.2% separate-house share supports family tenants and larger dwellings, with 57.5% offering 4 or more bedrooms. Two development applications were recorded in 12 months, including a dual-occupancy use, so near-term supply appears limited but not absent. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, which can support rental demand, although the aging trajectory and 5.3% rise in the senior share may shift tenant preferences over time. Investors should model maintenance, insurance and vacancy against the $450 weekly rent rather than rely on a headline yield.
Development Activity
Total DAs
3
Last 12 Months
3
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
Schools in Brinsmead
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Freshwater Christian College (Brinsmead)
Demographics
Brinsmead has a median age of 39, which is 1.0 year below the national comparison, but its trajectory is older: the senior share has risen 5.3 percentage points while the young share fell 3.0 points. University attainment is 32.8%, or 2.7 points above the national comparison, and 21.8% of residents were born overseas, only 0.2 points above the national figure. English ancestry is recorded for 2,125 people, followed by Other at 832, Irish at 700, Scottish at 597 and German at 320. Christianity accounts for 2,568 people and no religion for 2,377. Household size is 2.8 people, 0.3 above the national comparison, consistent with 48.5% of families being couples with children. Residential stability is notable: 74.9% stayed at the same address, versus 25.1% turnover.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
97.2%
Houses
0.0%
Townhouse
0.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Brinsmead's housing stock is unusually consistent: 97.2% of dwellings are separate houses, while 57.5% have 4 or more bedrooms and 37.9% have 3 bedrooms. Compared with a unit-heavy suburb, this composition favours families, renovations and yard-based living, but it can narrow the entry-level buyer pool. A current median house price and quarterly price change are not available, so affordability is better read through cash-flow measures: the monthly mortgage figure is $1,733, mortgage repayments equal 18.3% of household income, and weekly rent is $450. Tenure is 30.2% owned outright, 48.8% mortgaged and 20.4% rented. The 83.4th household-income percentile helps explain the high mortgage share, while the 4.6% vacancy rate gives renters more choice than a tightly constrained market.
Mortgage / mo
$1,733
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (Jun 2026 quarter), QLD RTA bond data. Census 2021 median: $450.
$680
Bond data Jun 2026 quarter · houses $680 · units $510
HH Size
2.8
Personal Income / wk
$979
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.6%
Unoccupied
92
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.3%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
48.5%
Couples with children
36.0%
Couples, no children
14.9%
Single parent
1,593
Total families
Economy & Employment
Brinsmead's employment base is led by healthcare at 23.6% of workers (491), followed by education at 14.4% (299), public administration at 9.5% (197), construction at 8.9% (185) and professional or technical work at 7.0% (145). This mix links local household demand to essential services and public-sector employment rather than a single cyclical industry. Professionals number 772, with clerical and administrative workers at 401, trades at 398, managers at 377 and community or personal services at 368. Labour-force participation is 72.5%, unemployment is 4.2%, and 59.8% of workers are full time. Economic resources rank strongly, with IER decile 9, but IEO is decile 7, IRSD decile 8 and IRSAD decile 7. That spread suggests income and resources are stronger than the broader advantage profile, so Brinsmead ranks above the middle deciles without being uniformly top-decile across every measure.
Unemployment
4.2%
Labour Force
3,125
Unemployed
131
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
59.8%
Part-time
34.0%
Participation
72.5%
Employed
2,994
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
32.8%
Postgraduate
7.1%
Born Overseas
21.8%
Dwellings
1,897
Transport to Work
Daily life in Brinsmead is strongly car dependent: 75.3% drive to work, compared with 0.5% using public transport and 1.3% walking or cycling. A further 16.7% work from home, which can reduce commuting but does not replace local transport options. The suburb has 5,537 residents across 5.12 square kilometres, or 1,081.8 people per square kilometre, and an average household size of 2.8. One local school is recorded, in the independent, non-state sector; families should check enrolment zones and travel times against the exact address because school access can cross suburb boundaries. No suburb crime rate is available, so safety decisions should include current Queensland Police information and an inspection at different times. An IRSAD decile of 7 places Brinsmead above the middle deciles, while 3.8% of residents report needing assistance. Compared with a more walkable Cairns pocket, access to a private vehicle is more important here.
Drive
75.3%
Public Transport
0.5%
Walk / Cycle
1.3%
Work from Home
16.7%
Population Forecast
+0.54%/yr
(+31 people/yr)
EstablishedBrinsmead's growth profile is gradual rather than explosive: the annual trend is 0.54%, with overseas migration identified as the primary driver. Population change across the wider area is 5.8% over 10 years, while the shift is labelled Aging. That direction is supported by a 5.3-point rise in the senior share, a 3.0-point fall in the young share and a 2.1-point fall in the working share. Rents have grown 32.4%, but affordability is labelled Stable, moving from 45.2 in 2011 to 46.0 in 2021. The gentrification ratings are mixed: the current score is 0 with a stage of Not gentrifying, while the shift assessment records 26 and Early signs. Compared with a rapid redevelopment corridor, Brinsmead is more likely to evolve through ageing households, selective infill and overseas-migration demand than wholesale transformation.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+46
Net Internal / yr
-54
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Brinsmead compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brinsmead a good suburb to live in?
Brinsmead can suit households wanting a detached home, family space and a settled setting. About 97.2% of dwellings are separate houses, 75.3% of workers drive, and the median age is 39. The trade-offs are limited public transport use at 0.5% and an aging trajectory, so lifestyle fit depends on your commute and need for services.
What is the median house price in Brinsmead?
A current median house price is not available for Brinsmead. Housing context is still clear: 97.2% of dwellings are separate houses, 57.5% have 4 or more bedrooms, and the monthly mortgage figure is $1,733. Use recent comparable sales and the exact property's condition, flood exposure and insurance costs when estimating value.
What schools are in Brinsmead?
One school is recorded within Brinsmead: Freshwater Christian College, an independent non-state school. Families should confirm current enrolment rules, year-level availability and the catchment position for the exact address. Travel planning matters because 75.3% of workers drive and only 0.5% use public transport.
Is Brinsmead safe?
Brinsmead's suburb-level crime rate is not available, so a definitive safety rating would be misleading. Check current Queensland Police information and inspect the street at different times. The suburb has 5,537 residents, 3.8% report needing assistance, and an IRSAD decile of 7, but those measures do not replace crime data.
Is Brinsmead good for property investment?
Brinsmead may suit investors targeting detached family rentals rather than rapid apartment turnover. Weekly rent is $450, vacancy is 4.6%, and 20.4% of households rent, versus 48.8% with a mortgage. Two development applications in 12 months include a dual-occupancy proposal. Overseas migration supports demand, but the aging trajectory means tenant mix and property design should be monitored.
How is Brinsmead's population changing?
Population change across the wider area is 5.8% over 10 years, with annual growth tracking at 0.54%. Overseas migration is the primary driver, while Brinsmead's trajectory is labelled Aging. The senior share has increased 5.3 percentage points and the young share has fallen 3.0 points, suggesting gradual growth with a shifting age profile rather than rapid expansion.
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.
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