Bulimba
Household income places Bulimba at the 96.1st percentile nationally, a sharper signal of its position than its compact 2.13 sq km footprint. The suburb is home to 7,623 people at a density of 3,582.1 people per sq km, with a median age of 40. University attainment is 56.2%, 26.1 percentage points above the national figure, while overseas-born residents make up 27.8%, 6.2 points higher than nationally. Compared with nearby Hawthorne and Balmoral, Bulimba presents a compact inner-east option with an aging trajectory, substantial apartment living, and a housing mix shaped by its urban setting.
Population
7,623
Median Age
40.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,805/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
100
Bulimba suits buyers who value an inner-suburban address but do not require a detached house on every street. Separate houses account for 45.8% of dwellings, apartments 39.5%, and semi-detached homes 14.7%, so compared with a detached-only search, the choice is materially broader. Bedrooms are split across 0 or 1 at 7.4%, 2 at 29.5%, 3 at 29.6%, and 4 or more at 33.5%. A monthly mortgage figure of $2,800 equals 23.1% of household income, while rent takes 17.8%, and neither burden is flagged as stress. Check current comparable sales because a median house price is not quoted.
For Buyers
Bulimba suits buyers who value an inner-suburban address but do not require a detached house on every street. Separate houses account for 45.8% of dwellings, apartments 39.5%, and semi-detached homes 14.7%, so compared with a detached-only search, the choice is materially broader. Bedrooms are split across 0 or 1 at 7.4%, 2 at 29.5%, 3 at 29.6%, and 4 or more at 33.5%. A monthly mortgage figure of $2,800 equals 23.1% of household income, while rent takes 17.8%, and neither burden is flagged as stress. Check current comparable sales because a median house price is not quoted.
For Investors
Bulimba has a sizeable tenant base, with 37.3% of occupied dwellings rented, higher than the 27.6% owned outright. Weekly rent is $500 and vacancy is 8.0%, giving investors a useful demand and availability snapshot, although the missing median price prevents a reliable gross-yield calculation. Rent growth of 17.6% supports recent income momentum, while 99 development applications in 12 months point to ongoing construction and alteration activity that may add competition. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, which can support rental demand, but investors should compare dwelling type, body corporate costs, and local asking rents rather than relying on suburb-wide averages.
Development Activity
Total DAs
380
Last 12 Months
100
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+7.5%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Bulimba
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Sts Peter and Paul's School (Bulimba)
Bulimba State School
Demographics
Bulimba combines a median age of 40 with an aging trajectory, while education and income remain unusually high. Median age matches the national figure, but the senior share has risen 5.1 percentage points and the young share has fallen 2.4 points. University attainment is 56.2%, 26.1 points above national, and overseas-born residents are 27.8%, 6.2 points higher than nationally. English ancestry counts 3,233 people, followed by Irish at 1,145 and Scottish at 1,053. Average household size is 2.4, 0.1 below national, alongside 42.6% couples without children and 44.1% couples with children. Turnover is 32.1%, with 67.9% staying at the same address.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
45.8%
Houses
14.7%
Townhouse
39.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Bulimba's housing profile is more mixed than a detached-house suburb. Separate houses represent 45.8% of dwellings, just above apartments at 39.5%, while semi-detached homes add 14.7%. The bedroom mix is spread across 4 or more bedrooms at 33.5%, 3 at 29.6%, 2 at 29.5%, and 0 or 1 at 7.4%. Tenure is divided between renting at 37.3%, mortgages at 34.6%, and outright ownership at 27.6%. Vacancy is 8.0%, higher than a tightly held market might be. The $2,800 monthly mortgage equals 23.1% of household income, compared with rent at 17.8%, while a current median price is needed to judge value.
Mortgage / mo
$2,800
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (Jun 2026 quarter), QLD RTA bond data. Census 2021 median: $500.
$890
Bond data Jun 2026 quarter · houses $890 · units $700
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$1,393
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.0%
Unoccupied
260
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
17.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.1%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
44.1%
Couples with children
42.6%
Couples, no children
11.9%
Single parent
2,120
Total families
Economy & Employment
Bulimba's economic base is concentrated in professional and service work. Professional/Tech is the largest industry at 18.0% or 592 workers, followed by Healthcare at 14.8% or 486, Education at 10.5% or 346, Construction at 7.6% or 250, and Finance at 6.8% or 224. Professionals number 1,504 and managers 1,025, reinforcing the suburb's high-income profile. Participation is 71.3%, full-time employment 66.4%, and unemployment 3.9%, while household income sits at the 96.1st percentile nationally. SEIFA places IEO, IRSD and IRSAD in decile 10, with IER in decile 9, still above the middle of the scale. The pattern reflects education and managerial concentration rather than a low-income labour market.
Unemployment
3.9%
Labour Force
4,478
Unemployed
173
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
66.4%
Part-time
26.1%
Participation
71.3%
Employed
4,305
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
56.2%
Postgraduate
15.4%
Born Overseas
27.8%
Dwellings
2,977
Transport to Work
Bulimba offers a dense, connected inner-suburban format, with 7,623 residents across 2.13 sq km and 3,582.1 people per sq km. Two local schools span the Government and Catholic sectors, including a state school and a non-state Catholic school; families should check enrolment zones against the exact address. Daily travel is more car-oriented than its inner-city image might suggest: 52.0% drive, 2.0% use public transport, 4.3% walk or cycle, and 38.7% work from home. SEIFA IRSAD and IRSD are both in decile 10, above the national middle, which aligns with household income at the 96.1st percentile. For safety decisions, check current Queensland Police statistics and recent local reports, since conditions can differ by street.
Drive
52.0%
Public Transport
2.0%
Walk / Cycle
4.3%
Work from Home
38.7%
Population Forecast
+1.65%/yr
(+131 people/yr)
EstablishedBulimba's established-suburb outlook points to steady rather than speculative change. Annual growth is 1.65%, with overseas migration the primary driver, while population change across the wider area is 24.6% over 10 years. The trajectory is Aging: the senior share is up 5.1 percentage points, the young share down 2.4, and rent growth is 17.6%. Gentrification signals are mixed, with a score of 9 and a Not gentrifying stage, alongside another score of 25 and Early signs. Affordability is 35.7 in 2021, lower than 40.3 in 2011, despite an Improving trend. Compared with a high-churn growth story, this suggests established demand, demographic aging, and incremental redevelopment.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+152
Net Internal / yr
-61
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +27% since 2011
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Bulimba compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bulimba a good suburb to live in?
Bulimba suits households seeking a high-income inner-suburban setting with mixed housing and local schools. It has 7,623 residents, a 96.1st household-income percentile, two nearby schools across Government and Catholic sectors, and a 38.7% work-from-home share. Buyers should weigh 3,582.1 people per sq km and the 52.0% car-driver rate against their preferred lifestyle.
What is the median house price in Bulimba?
A single current median house price is not available for Bulimba, so use recent comparable sales rather than a suburb-wide estimate. The housing mix matters: 45.8% of dwellings are separate houses, 39.5% are apartments and 14.7% are semi-detached. Mortgage costs are listed at $2,800 per month, equal to 23.1% of household income.
What schools are in Bulimba?
Bulimba has two local schools: Bulimba State School, a Government school, and Sts Peter and Paul's School, a Catholic non-state school. Check the enrolment zone for the exact address, because boundaries can differ even within a 2.13 sq km suburb. Families should also confirm current intake rules and transport options before signing a lease or contract.
Is Bulimba safe?
Street-level safety should be checked using current Queensland Police statistics and recent local observations before choosing an address. Bulimba's IRSAD decile is 10 and its population density is 3,582.1 people per sq km, but those figures describe socioeconomic context and compactness, not a guarantee about individual streets. Ask about lighting, traffic and evening activity around the exact property.
Is Bulimba good for property investment?
Bulimba can suit investors who prioritise established inner-suburban demand, but price discipline is essential because no median house price is quoted. Rents average $500 a week, vacancy is 8.0%, 37.3% of dwellings are rented, and rent growth is 17.6%. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, while 99 development applications in 12 months may increase both amenity and competing supply.
How is Bulimba's population changing?
Bulimba's population is 7,623 today, while change across the wider area is 24.6% over 10 years and the annual trend is 1.65%. Overseas migration is the primary driver. The trajectory is Aging, with the senior share up 5.1 percentage points and the young share down 2.4, so growth is occurring alongside a changing age structure rather than a simple youth influx.
Is Bulimba seeing much development?
Bulimba recorded 99 development applications in 12 months, including building work, design and siting referrals, and dwelling-related lot changes. This points to ongoing renewal rather than a single large project. Buyers should check the address, approval status and likely construction impacts, especially in a dense suburb of 3,582.1 people per sq km.
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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