QLD 4207 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Buccan

With 100% of its dwellings being separate houses and nearly 70% of those having 4 or more bedrooms, Buccan is one of the most family-oriented acreage pockets in South East Queensland. The suburb sits in the 91.3rd household income percentile nationally, yet it holds only 2,134 residents across 18.21 square kilometres, giving a density of 117 people per km2, far below the state average. Average household size is 3.3, which is 0.8 above the national figure, pointing to multi-child families as the dominant housing driver rather than downsizers or renters, who make up just 9.5% of occupants.

Buccan urban fabric map

Population

2,134

Median Age

39.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$2,433/wk

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

79

Median House

$634K

Estimated from rent (2025)

18.21 km²· 117.2 people/km²· Family income $2,343/wk

The estimated median house price is $634,000, and that figure buys exclusively detached housing because the suburb has no apartments or semi-detached dwellings. Nearly 70% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms, so buyers shopping for a 3-bedroom entry point compete for just 27% of the market. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 20.6%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. Outright owners account for 33.5% while 57% carry a mortgage, meaning the suburb is still in its mortgage-belt phase rather than transitioning to wealth accumulation. At 18.21 square kilometres for 2,134 residents, blocks here are large compared to typical suburban density, which is the main value proposition for families seeking space.

For Buyers

The estimated median house price is $634,000, and that figure buys exclusively detached housing because the suburb has no apartments or semi-detached dwellings. Nearly 70% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms, so buyers shopping for a 3-bedroom entry point compete for just 27% of the market. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 20.6%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. Outright owners account for 33.5% while 57% carry a mortgage, meaning the suburb is still in its mortgage-belt phase rather than transitioning to wealth accumulation. At 18.21 square kilometres for 2,134 residents, blocks here are large compared to typical suburban density, which is the main value proposition for families seeking space.

For Investors

Rental demand is thin: only 9.5% of Buccan households rent, so investors face a structurally limited tenant pool compared to typical suburban markets. Weekly rent sits at $520, and the vacancy rate is 4.1%, above the 3% threshold generally considered landlord-friendly. Development activity is moderate with 66 applications lodged in the past 12 months, mostly maintenance and roof works on existing dwellings rather than new supply. The rent-to-income ratio of 21.4% indicates renters are not under stress, which supports rental stability, but the overall yield picture is constrained by the owner-occupier dominance. The suburb is best positioned as a long-term owner-occupier hold rather than a high-turnover rental investment.

Development Activity

Total DAs

115

Last 12 Months

79

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

+887.5%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Garage / Carport / Shed
34
Renovation / Extension
22
Roofing
16
Deck / Pergola / Patio
9
Swimming Pool / Spa
3
Change of Use
1
Granny Flat / Secondary Dwelling
1
Signage / Advertising
1

Demographics

The median age is 39, which is 1.0 year below the national median, and the population composition is Anglo-leaning with English ancestry leading at 921 residents, followed by Irish (222) and Scottish (210). Overseas-born residents account for 17.5% of the population, which is 4.1 points below the national figure, reflecting a predominantly Australian-born community. University qualifications are held by 18.1% of adults, sitting 12.0 points below the national rate, consistent with a trades-heavy workforce. Average household size of 3.3 people is 0.8 above the national figure because coupled-with-children families (788) far outnumber couples without children (426), and one-parent families are negligible. The volunteering rate is 11.8%, broadly in line with suburban Queensland norms.

Age Distribution

0-14
19.5%
15-24
13.4%
25-44
24.7%
45-64
29.5%
65+
12.8%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
0.5%
2 bed
2.5%
3 bed
27.0%
4+ bed
69.9%

Dwelling Structure

100.0%

Houses

N/A

Townhouse

N/A

Apartment

Tenure

Own 33.5% Mortgage 57.0% Rent 9.5%

Every dwelling in Buccan is a separate house, a unique characteristic that distinguishes it from virtually all comparable priced markets. Tenure breaks into 33.5% owned outright, 57.0% mortgaged, and 9.5% renting, a distribution that signals a community still paying down debt rather than one that has accumulated wealth. The bedroom profile heavily skews large: 4-plus bedroom homes account for 69.9% of the stock, 3-bedroom homes 27%, and 2-bedroom homes just 2.5%. The median house price of $634,000 with monthly repayments of $2,167 translates to a mortgage-to-income ratio of 20.6%, below the national stress benchmark. The 4.1% vacancy rate is above typical tight-market thresholds, pointing to some surplus supply relative to local demand.

Mortgage / mo

$2,167

Rent / wk

$520

HH Size

3.3

Personal Income / wk

$808

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

4.1%

Unoccupied

26

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

21.4%

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

20.6%

Community Profile

Ancestry

English
921
Irish
222
Scottish
210
Other
193
German
156
Ancestry NS
115

Household Composition

23.3%

Couples, no children

1,827

Total families

Economy & Employment

Construction is the dominant local industry at 20.8% of employed residents (143 workers), well above state and national norms, reflecting the trades orientation of an acreage community. Healthcare follows at 14.4% (99 workers) and Education at 10.0% (69 workers), together forming a solid public services base. By occupation, Professionals and Clerical/Admin each employ 165 workers, Managers 126, and Labourers 107, indicating a broader income distribution than a purely trades suburb. The unemployment rate is 4.3% against 45 jobless residents, and the full-time employment rate of 67.5% is solid. Labour force participation is 60.7%, with 483 residents not in the workforce, partly explained by the presence of families with non-working partners given the household income sitting in the 91.3rd percentile nationally.

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

Full-time

67.5%

Part-time

28.2%

Participation

60.7%

Employed

995

Occupations

Professionals 165
Clerical/Admin 165
Managers 126
Community/Personal 113
Labourers 107
Sales 95
Machinery/Drivers 90

Top Industries

Construction 20.8%
Healthcare 14.4%
Education 10.0%
Other Services 7.3%
Manufacturing 6.8%

University

18.1%

Postgraduate

2.3%

Born Overseas

17.5%

Dwellings

602

Transport to Work

Car dependency is near-total, with 90.8% of residents driving to work, compared to far higher public transport usage in most urban centres. Public transport usage is just 1.6%, which reflects the rural-fringe geography at 117 people per km2 rather than a service gap. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families rely on nearby centres, a common trade-off for acreage living on the fringe of the Gold Coast-Logan corridor. Housing stress is low: the mortgage-to-income ratio of 20.6% and rent-to-income ratio of 21.4% are both well below the 30% stress threshold, meaning residents are not financially stretched by their housing costs. The 5.7% needing daily assistance (116 residents) is broadly in line with the suburb's median age of 39.

Drive

90.8%

Public Transport

1.6%

Walk / Cycle

2.1%

Work from Home

N/A

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

How Buccan compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 21%
Household Income
Top 9%
Rent Level
Top 4%
Renters
Bottom 14%
Uni Educated
Bottom 30%
Public Transport
Bottom 27%
Born Overseas
Top 37%
Density
Top 26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Buccan a good suburb to live in?

Buccan suits families seeking large acreage properties on the Gold Coast-Logan fringe. Household income sits in the 91.3rd percentile nationally, housing stress is low with mortgage-to-income at 20.6%, and 83.7% of residents stay put for 5+ years. The trade-offs are minimal public transport at 1.6% usage and no schools recorded within the suburb boundary.

What is the median house price in Buccan?

The estimated median house price in Buccan is $634,000. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 20.6%, below the 30% stress threshold. All 100% of dwellings are separate houses, with nearly 70% having 4 or more bedrooms.

What schools are in Buccan?

No schools are recorded within the Buccan suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs such as Beenleigh, Yatala, and other parts of the Logan-Gold Coast corridor. University qualifications are held by 18.1% of adults, which is 12 points below the national average.

Is Buccan safe?

Crime statistics are not available for Buccan at a suburb level. As a contextual indicator, the suburb has household income in the 91.3rd percentile nationally, very low rental stress at 21.4% rent-to-income, and only 5.7% of residents (116 people) require daily assistance, all characteristics associated with lower-disadvantage areas.

Is Buccan good for property investment?

The investment case is limited for yield-focused buyers. Only 9.5% of households rent and the vacancy rate is 4.1%, above the 3% threshold that signals balanced demand. Weekly rent of $520 against a $634,000 median implies a low gross yield. The suburb is better suited as a long-hold owner-occupier asset than a rental income play, given 57% of residents carry mortgages and turnover is low at 16.3%.

How is Buccan's population changing?

Buccan has 2,134 residents in an 18.21 square kilometre area, giving a density of 117 people per km2 that is far below suburban averages. The community is notably stable, with 83.7% of residents having stayed in place for at least 5 years and a turnover rate of only 16.3%, well below typical growth corridors.

How much development is happening in Buccan?

There were 66 development applications lodged in the past 12 months. The majority are maintenance and repair works on existing dwellings, including roof replacements, rather than new dwelling construction, which is consistent with an established acreage community managing large homes rather than subdividing lots.

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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