East Brisbane
A median house price of $545,000 within 2km of the Brisbane CBD is the headline fact here, and it stems from a stock that is half apartments. At 50.6% apartments against 44.2% separate houses, the dwelling mix keeps entry prices lower than most inner suburbs. The median age of 33 runs 7.0 years below the national figure, and university qualifications reach 54.1%, which is 24.0 points above national. Renters make up 57.2% of households, far above the national norm, and the population climbed 16% since 2011. Household income sits in the 77.1st percentile, comfortable but not elite, fitting a young, educated, renter-led inner suburb on a 1.86 km2 footprint.
Population
6,186
Median Age
33.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,056/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
43
Median House
$545K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The $545,000 median is modest for an inner-Brisbane address, and the reason is the stock: apartments are 50.6% of dwellings while separate houses are only 44.2%, so the median reflects unit pricing more than detached homes. Two-bedroom dwellings dominate at 34.3% and three-bedroom at 27.6%, with 4-plus bedroom homes a smaller 21.7%, so larger family houses are scarcer and command a premium. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.3%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold given household income in the 77.1st percentile. Affordability has improved over the decade, easing from 44.0% in 2011 to 38.4% in 2021, lower and therefore more accessible than it once was.
For Buyers
The $545,000 median is modest for an inner-Brisbane address, and the reason is the stock: apartments are 50.6% of dwellings while separate houses are only 44.2%, so the median reflects unit pricing more than detached homes. Two-bedroom dwellings dominate at 34.3% and three-bedroom at 27.6%, with 4-plus bedroom homes a smaller 21.7%, so larger family houses are scarcer and command a premium. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.3%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold given household income in the 77.1st percentile. Affordability has improved over the decade, easing from 44.0% in 2011 to 38.4% in 2021, lower and therefore more accessible than it once was.
For Investors
A 57.2% renter share gives landlords a deep tenant pool, well above the national norm, and weekly rent averages $400. Against the $545,000 median that implies a gross yield near 3.8%, healthier than most inner-city Sydney or Melbourne markets where yields sit closer to 2%. The 8.8% vacancy rate points to some softness in the apartment segment, which is 50.6% of dwellings, so unit investors should expect more competition for tenants than house owners. Demand support is positive: net overseas migration adds 182 residents a year while internal migration removes 61, and rent grew 17.6% over the period. With 40 development applications lodged in 12 months and population up 16% since 2011, the case rests on steady rental demand rather than scarcity-driven capital growth.
Development Activity
Total DAs
182
Last 12 Months
43
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-10.4%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in East Brisbane iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Anglican Church Grammar School
Prep-12 · 1901 students
East Brisbane State School
Prep-6 · 231 students
Demographics
The median age of 33 is 7.0 years below the national figure, marking a distinctly young resident base. Overseas-born residents reach 31.8%, which is 10.2 points above national, and university qualifications at 54.1% run 24.0 points higher than the country as a whole. That education skew explains why Professionals (1,378) form the largest occupation group, well ahead of Managers (548). Ancestry leans Anglo-Celtic, led by English (2,218), Irish (912) and Scottish (718), while the top non-English languages are Mandarin (68), Italian (45) and Nepali (31). Average household size is 2.2, which is 0.3 below national, consistent with the renter-heavy profile where couples without children make up 39.1% of families, more than couples with children at 1,317.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
44.2%
Houses
5.2%
Townhouse
50.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure tilts heavily toward renting: 57.2% rent, 24.8% carry a mortgage and only 18.0% own outright, the reverse of established owner-occupier suburbs and a direct result of the apartment-dominant stock. Apartments are 50.6% of dwellings and separate houses 44.2%, with semi-detached a minor 5.2%, which keeps the overall median at $545,000 below what detached-only suburbs nearby command. Two-bedroom dwellings account for 34.3% and three-bedroom 27.6%, while 4-plus bedroom homes are 21.7%. Mortgage-to-income sits at 24.3% and rent-to-income at 19.5%, both below the 30% stress threshold, so neither owners nor tenants face systemic affordability pressure here. With density at 3,328.7 residents per km2, the suburb functions as a compact inner-city living zone.
Mortgage / mo
$2,167
Rent / wk
$400
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$1,043
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.8%
Unoccupied
250
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.3%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
39.1%
Couples, no children
3,709
Total families
Economy & Employment
The local workforce concentrates in knowledge and care sectors: Healthcare leads at 17.6% (520 workers), Professional/Tech follows at 16.1% (474) and Education at 9.9% (293), with Construction at 7.1% and Hospitality at 7.0%. By occupation, Professionals (1,378) and Managers (548) account for the bulk of jobs, which aligns with the decile 9 IEO score for education and occupation. Unemployment is moderate at 5.5% and the full-time employment rate is 68.6%, while participation reads 66.3%. Real incomes grew 9.7% over the decade. One anomaly stands out: the IER economic-resources score sits at decile 3 against decile 9 on the IEO index, because the 57.2% renter base depresses aggregate household wealth measures even where education and income run high.
Unemployment
6.4%
Labour Force
4,754
Unemployed
303
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
68.6%
Part-time
25.9%
Participation
66.3%
Employed
3,442
Occupations
Top Industries
University
54.1%
Postgraduate
15.8%
Born Overseas
31.8%
Dwellings
2,577
Transport to Work
Transport leans on cars at 68.1% of commuters, with 13.5% using public transport and 12.0% walking or cycling, the active-travel share helped by the compact 1.86 km2 footprint and proximity to the CBD. The suburb scores decile 9 on IRSAD, near the top advantage tier nationally, and decile 7 on IRSD for relative disadvantage, both indicating few residents face deprivation. Volunteering runs at 19.3% and only 2.9% (168 people) need daily assistance, consistent with the young median age of 33. Detailed crime statistics are not available for East Brisbane in this dataset. No schools are recorded inside the boundary, so families rely on institutions in neighbouring suburbs, a common trade-off in dense inner-city settings.
Drive
68.1%
Public Transport
13.5%
Walk / Cycle
12.0%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.98%/yr
(+67 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation growth is steady rather than explosive, with the trend forecast at 0.98% a year, or about 67 extra residents annually. The current 6,186 residents follow a recent climb through 6,553, 6,637 and 6,833 across 2023 to 2025, and medium forecasts carry the count to 7,098 by 2031, roughly 15% higher than today. Overseas migration is the primary driver at 182 net arrivals a year, offsetting net internal outflow of 61. The gentrification stage reads early signs, scoring 20, supported by population up 16% since 2011 and growth accelerating from 4% to 11%. Affordability improving from 44.0% in 2011 to 38.4% in 2021 underpins continued demand from younger, educated arrivals.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+182
Net Internal / yr
-61
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +16% since 2011, Accelerating: 4% → 11%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How East Brisbane compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is East Brisbane a good suburb to live in?
East Brisbane scores decile 9 on IRSAD, near the top advantage tier nationally, with household income in the 77.1st percentile and university qualifications at 54.1%, which is 24.0 points above national. It suits young renters and professionals, with 57.2% of households renting and a median age of 33.
What is the median house price in East Brisbane?
The median house price is $545,000, modest for an inner-Brisbane address because apartments make up 50.6% of dwellings. Weekly rent averages $400 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $2,167, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.3%, below the 30% stress threshold.
What schools are in East Brisbane?
No schools are recorded inside the 1.86 km2 East Brisbane boundary in this dataset, so families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. The resident base is highly educated, with university qualifications at 54.1%, which is 24.0 points above the national figure.
Is East Brisbane safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for East Brisbane in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores decile 7 on the IRSD index of relative disadvantage and decile 9 on IRSAD, with only 2.9% of its 6,186 residents needing daily assistance, all consistent with a low-disadvantage area.
Is East Brisbane good for property investment?
Rent of $400 a week against a $545,000 median gives a gross yield near 3.8%, higher than most inner Sydney or Melbourne markets. A 57.2% renter share supports demand and rent grew 17.6%, though the 8.8% vacancy rate signals some apartment competition.
How is East Brisbane's population changing?
Population is growing about 0.98% a year, near 67 residents, rising from 6,553 in 2023 to 6,833 in 2025 and a forecast 7,098 by 2031. Net overseas migration of 182 a year is the main driver, offsetting net internal outflow of 61, with the count up 16% since 2011.
What languages are spoken in East Brisbane?
About 31.8% of residents were born overseas, 10.2 points above the national figure. English dominates, with Mandarin (68 speakers), Italian (45), Nepali (31) and Arabic (27) the most common non-English languages, reflecting a small but international resident mix in the suburb.
How much development is happening in East Brisbane?
There were 40 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, a moderate level for a 1.86 km2 suburb. Recent lodgements include commercial character-building extensions and dwelling-house work, consistent with an established inner suburb growing about 0.98% a year rather than seeing major new supply.
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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