Doolandella
With 51.2% of residents born overseas, 29.6 points above the national figure, Doolandella reads as a migrant-driven family suburb on Brisbane's southwest fringe rather than an established address. The median age of 30 sits 10 years below the national median, and 54.4% of homes carry four or more bedrooms, the largest share in the dataset, signalling space for growing households. A $466,000 median house price keeps the suburb firmly affordable while the population has climbed 87.0% over the decade. SEIFA places it in IRSAD decile 4, below the midpoint, yet household income reaches the 70.3rd percentile because larger households pool multiple wage earners. This is mortgage-belt territory: 41.1% of dwellings are mortgaged, far higher than the 13.5% owned outright.
Population
7,123
Median Age
30.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,882/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
31
Median House
$466K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At $466,000, the median house price is well below Brisbane's metro median, which is the core draw for first home buyers priced out of inner suburbs. Detached houses make up 73.2% of stock and apartments just 0.4%, so almost everyone buys a freestanding home rather than a unit. Bedroom counts skew large: 54.4% have four or more bedrooms and 44.0% have three, suiting the 3.2-person average household that runs 0.7 above national. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,733 translate to a mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.3%, below the 30% stress threshold, because larger households combine several incomes to lift the family figure to $1,926 weekly. Only 13.5% own outright while 41.1% carry a mortgage, confirming a buyer base early in the ownership cycle rather than equity-rich downsizers.
For Buyers
At $466,000, the median house price is well below Brisbane's metro median, which is the core draw for first home buyers priced out of inner suburbs. Detached houses make up 73.2% of stock and apartments just 0.4%, so almost everyone buys a freestanding home rather than a unit. Bedroom counts skew large: 54.4% have four or more bedrooms and 44.0% have three, suiting the 3.2-person average household that runs 0.7 above national. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,733 translate to a mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.3%, below the 30% stress threshold, because larger households combine several incomes to lift the family figure to $1,926 weekly. Only 13.5% own outright while 41.1% carry a mortgage, confirming a buyer base early in the ownership cycle rather than equity-rich downsizers.
For Investors
Renters make up 45.4% of households, a deep tenant pool, and weekly rent of $360 against a $466,000 median produces a gross yield near 4.0%, materially higher than yields in pricier inner-Brisbane suburbs. The vacancy rate of 5.1% is looser than a tight market, so landlords face some competition, but rent growth of 7.4% shows demand is firming. Population is expanding 3.4% a year, roughly 338 people, driven mainly by overseas migration of about 140 net annually plus 20 net internal arrivals, which sustains rental demand. Development is active with 27 applications lodged in the past 12 months, signalling new supply that could cap rent rises. The affordable entry price relative to yield makes Doolandella a cashflow play rather than a capital-growth bet.
Development Activity
Total DAs
125
Last 12 Months
31
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-11.4%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 30 is 10 years below the national median, marking Doolandella as distinctly young. Overseas-born residents at 51.2% run 29.6 points above national, with Vietnamese (1,027) and Indian (557) ancestry prominent alongside English (1,249), and Punjabi (157), Samoan (86) and Hindi (79) leading non-English languages. University qualifications at 38.7% sit 8.6 points above the national average, higher than the suburb's mid-tier SEIFA would suggest. Average household size of 3.2 is 0.7 above national, and couples with children (3,262) outnumber couples without children (1,017) more than three to one, a family-formation profile that explains the demand for four-bedroom homes. The mix of recent migration and young families drives the suburb's rapid growth.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
73.2%
Houses
26.4%
Townhouse
0.4%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure splits across mortgage holders at 41.1%, renters at 45.4% and outright owners at just 13.5%, a profile of buyers and tenants rather than settled owners. The stock is overwhelmingly detached at 73.2%, with semi-detached at 26.4% and apartments effectively absent at 0.4%, so density comes from townhouses, not towers. Large homes dominate: 54.4% have four or more bedrooms and 44.0% have three, while one and two-bedroom dwellings together total under 2%. The median house price of $466,000 keeps both mortgage-to-income at 21.3% and rent-to-income at 19.1% below stress thresholds, because affordable prices track the suburb's mid-range incomes. The IRSAD decile 4 reflects modest individual circumstances, yet IER decile 6 is higher, lifted by the larger pooled-income households.
Mortgage / mo
$1,733
Rent / wk
$360
HH Size
3.2
Personal Income / wk
$811
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.1%
Unoccupied
116
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.3%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
16.6%
Couples, no children
6,137
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads employment at 23.4% (514 workers), more than double the next industry, followed by Education at 8.5% (186), Retail at 8.3% (182), Manufacturing at 8.2% (180) and Transport at 7.3% (160). The spread across health, trades and logistics is consistent with the mid-tier IEO decile of 5 rather than a professional enclave. By occupation, Professionals (599) narrowly lead Community and Personal Service workers (542) and Labourers (436), a blue and pink-collar mix. Full-time employment at 66.6% is solid, but unemployment at 7.2% sits above the national rate and participation at 63.8% is moderate, partly because many households support children on a single income. Real income grew only 2.6% over the decade, slower than fast-gentrifying suburbs, keeping the area affordable.
Unemployment
3.2%
Labour Force
5,741
Unemployed
183
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
66.6%
Part-time
26.2%
Participation
63.8%
Employed
3,160
Occupations
Top Industries
University
38.7%
Postgraduate
10.9%
Born Overseas
51.2%
Dwellings
2,144
Transport to Work
Car dependence defines daily life: 86.7% drive to work, public transport carries only 4.3%, and walking or cycling is negligible at 0.4%, reflecting the suburb's fringe position 18km from the Brisbane CBD. Rent-to-income of 19.1% and mortgage-to-income of 21.3% are both well below stress thresholds, so housing costs leave room in household budgets, a genuine affordability advantage over inner Brisbane. The IRSAD decile 4 sits below the national midpoint, and the share of residents needing assistance is low at 3.9%. Residential turnover of 29.6% is moderate, meaning most households (70.4%) stayed put across the census period. The family-oriented, low-density form suits households prioritising space and price over walkability and transit, with the trade-off being heavy reliance on a private vehicle.
Drive
86.7%
Public Transport
4.3%
Walk / Cycle
0.4%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+3.4%/yr
(+338 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation growth runs at 3.4% a year, about 338 people, classifying the suburb as high growth, with a 87.0% rise over the past decade. The ERP reached 9,953 in 2025, and medium projections continue the trend to 12,013 by 2031. Overseas migration is the primary driver at roughly 140 net per year, supplemented by 20 net internal arrivals, so growth depends heavily on continued migration rather than domestic relocation. The gentrification score of 3 places it as not gentrifying, and real income grew just 2.6% over the decade, so expansion is volume-led rather than wealth-led. Affordability improved from 53.0% in 2011 to 45.1% in 2021 even as prices rose, because incomes kept pace. The young share dipped only 0.4 points, keeping the family profile intact.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+140
Net Internal / yr
+20
Gentrification Signal
New development
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Doolandella compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Doolandella a good suburb to live in?
Doolandella suits young families wanting space and affordability, with 54.4% of homes having four or more bedrooms and a $466,000 median house price. Housing costs are manageable at 21.3% mortgage-to-income. The trade-off is heavy car dependence, with 86.7% driving and only 4.3% using public transport, and a mid-tier IRSAD decile of 4.
What is the median house price in Doolandella?
The median house price is approximately $466,000, well below the Brisbane metro median, which makes it attractive to first home buyers. Weekly rent averages $360 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $1,733. With prices up alongside 87.0% population growth over the decade, affordability has held because incomes kept pace.
What schools are in Doolandella?
The brief does not list schools located within Doolandella's boundary, so families typically rely on schools in adjoining suburbs such as Inala and Forest Lake. With 3,262 couples with children and an average household size of 3.2, school access in neighbouring areas is a key consideration for buyers here.
Is Doolandella safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available in this dataset for Doolandella, so a precise crime rate cannot be quoted. The suburb sits in IRSAD decile 4, below the national midpoint, and 3.9% of residents report needing assistance, both modest indicators. Prospective residents should check current Queensland Police data for the 4077 postcode.
Is Doolandella good for property investment?
Doolandella offers a gross rental yield near 4.0%, with $360 weekly rent on a $466,000 median, higher than inner-Brisbane suburbs. The 45.4% renter share gives a deep tenant pool and rent grew 7.4%. The 5.1% vacancy rate and 27 development applications in 12 months mean some supply competition, making it a cashflow rather than capital-growth play.
How is Doolandella's population changing?
Population is growing 3.4% a year, about 338 people, and rose 87.0% over the past decade to reach 9,953 in 2025, with projections of 12,013 by 2031. Overseas migration is the main driver at around 140 net annually. The median age of 30 is 10 years below national, keeping the suburb young and family-oriented.
What languages are spoken in Doolandella?
With 51.2% of residents born overseas, 29.6 points above national, Doolandella is highly multicultural. After English, the top non-English languages are Punjabi (157 speakers), Samoan (86), Hindi (79), Mandarin (73) and Arabic (66), reflecting strong Vietnamese (1,027) and Indian (557) ancestry communities.
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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