Fernvale
With 98.3% of homes being separate houses and an average household size of 3.0, Fernvale is distinctly family-oriented, sitting above the national average of 2.5 persons per household. The suburb's population of 3,629 is spread across 27.77 square kilometres at just 130.7 persons per km2, making it one of the lower-density communities in the region. Household income sits at the 62.4th percentile nationally, placing residents firmly in the middle tier. Three identity signals define the area: affordability relative to metro Brisbane, overwhelming detached housing, and a high share of mortgaged owner-occupiers at 51.6% compared to those owning outright at only 24.9%.
Population
3,629
Median Age
35.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,771/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
31
Median House
$446K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At an estimated median house price of $446,000, Fernvale is considerably more affordable than the greater Brisbane median, making it accessible for buyers priced out of closer suburbs. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,630, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 21.3%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. The stock is almost entirely separate houses at 98.3%, with 4-plus bedroom homes comprising 72.3% of all dwellings, which suits families seeking space. Ownership rates show 51.6% carrying a mortgage and 23.5% renting, consistent with a suburb still in active growth rather than an established, debt-free community. The low apartment share of just 0.5% means buyers have very little choice beyond detached houses, keeping that segment competitive.
For Buyers
At an estimated median house price of $446,000, Fernvale is considerably more affordable than the greater Brisbane median, making it accessible for buyers priced out of closer suburbs. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,630, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 21.3%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. The stock is almost entirely separate houses at 98.3%, with 4-plus bedroom homes comprising 72.3% of all dwellings, which suits families seeking space. Ownership rates show 51.6% carrying a mortgage and 23.5% renting, consistent with a suburb still in active growth rather than an established, debt-free community. The low apartment share of just 0.5% means buyers have very little choice beyond detached houses, keeping that segment competitive.
For Investors
Fernvale's rental market is modest but steady, with weekly rent at $350 and a renter share of 23.5%. Against the $446,000 median, that rent implies a gross yield near 4.1%, above typical inner-Brisbane levels. The vacancy rate of 6.5% is elevated compared to the national average of around 2-3%, signalling that demand does not yet outpace supply. Development activity is notable, with 25 applications in the past 12 months including a 47-lot civil works subdivision lodged in May 2026, pointing to continued land release. The rent-to-income ratio of 19.8% is well below the 30% stress threshold, meaning tenants can absorb moderate rent increases. Long-term investors should weigh the vacancy rate against a median age of 35, five years younger than the national figure, which supports household formation over time.
Development Activity
Total DAs
31
Last 12 Months
31
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 Fernvale iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Fernvale State School
Prep-6 · 447 students
Demographics
Fernvale's median age of 35 is 5.0 years below the national figure, reflecting an unusually young population anchored by family households. Average household size is 3.0 persons, 0.5 above the national average, consistent with couples-with-children dominating at 1,561 families versus just 685 couples without children. Overseas-born residents make up 12.7% of the population, 8.9 percentage points below the national rate, and ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (1,608), Scottish (407) and Irish (342). University qualification rates sit at 15.6%, which is 14.5 percentage points below the national figure, indicating a predominantly trade and services workforce. Volunteering at 12.3% suggests moderate community participation, and 75.9% of residents have stayed in the same address, signalling strong local attachment.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
98.3%
Houses
0.8%
Townhouse
0.5%
Apartment
Tenure
The tenure split in Fernvale leans heavily toward mortgaged owners at 51.6%, with outright owners at 24.9% and renters at 23.5%, a profile typical of a suburb still growing into its demographic. The median house price of $446,000 and weekly rent of $350 sit lower than the broader South East Queensland median, making housing costs manageable against local incomes. Separate houses account for 98.3% of all dwellings, far above the national average, and 4-plus bedroom homes make up 72.3% of the stock, reflecting the family-oriented character. 3-bedroom homes account for a further 24.6%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,630 and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.3% is within comfortable limits, though the vacancy rate of 6.5% suggests the rental segment faces mild oversupply.
Mortgage / mo
$1,630
Rent / wk
$350
HH Size
3.0
Personal Income / wk
$776
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
6.5%
Unoccupied
82
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.3%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
22.0%
Couples, no children
3,117
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant industry at 19.7% of employment (205 workers), followed by Public Administration at 11.9% (124) and Education at 11.6% (120). Construction accounts for 9.5% and Manufacturing 8.8%, reflecting a locally grounded, services-plus-trades workforce rather than a knowledge-economy profile. By occupation, Community and Personal services (237) and Clerical/Admin (234) lead, with Professionals third at 209. The unemployment rate of 5.0% is above the national average of around 3.5-4%, and the participation rate of 57.6% is below average, partly because a large share of the population is in family formation years with one parent out of the workforce. Personal weekly income averages $776, placing the workforce below the national average, consistent with the industry mix leaning toward community and government services rather than finance or technology.
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
66.4%
Part-time
28.6%
Participation
57.6%
Employed
1,468
Occupations
Top Industries
University
15.6%
Postgraduate
2.4%
Born Overseas
12.7%
Dwellings
1,194
Transport to Work
Transport in Fernvale is almost entirely car-dependent, with 91.6% of residents driving to work, compared to the national average of around 70%. Only 0.8% use public transport, reflecting the limited service levels typical of outer-regional Queensland. Walkability and cycling are minimal at 1.6%. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset. The safety picture cannot be quantified as crime data is not available for Fernvale. Housing stress indicators are positive: rent-to-income at 19.8% and mortgage-to-income at 21.3% are both below the 30% stress threshold, meaning residents are not financially strained by housing costs. About 7.2% of residents (251 people) need daily assistance, consistent with the presence of older family members in a predominantly young-family suburb.
Drive
91.6%
Public Transport
0.8%
Walk / Cycle
1.6%
Work from Home
N/A
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Fernvale compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fernvale a good suburb to live in?
Fernvale suits families prioritising space and affordability. The $446,000 median house price is well below Brisbane metro levels, mortgage-to-income sits at 21.3%, and 98.3% of homes are separate houses. Average household size of 3.0 and a median age of 35, five years below the national average, point to a predominantly family-oriented community. The main trade-off is high car dependence, with 91.6% of residents driving to work and limited public transport.
What is the median house price in Fernvale?
The estimated median house price in Fernvale is $446,000, based on 2025 rental data. Weekly rent averages $350, giving an implied gross yield of around 4.1%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,630, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.3% is comfortably below the 30% stress threshold.
What schools are in Fernvale?
No schools are recorded inside the Fernvale suburb boundary in this dataset. Families in the area rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs within the Somerset Region. The suburb has a university qualification rate of 15.6%, which is 14.5 percentage points below the national figure, consistent with a predominantly trades and services workforce.
Is Fernvale safe?
Crime statistics are not available for Fernvale in this dataset. As indirect indicators, housing stress is low with rent-to-income at 19.8% and mortgage-to-income at 21.3%, both well below the 30% stress threshold. The unemployment rate is 5.0% and 75.9% of residents have stayed at the same address, suggesting reasonable community stability.
Is Fernvale good for property investment?
Fernvale offers an implied gross yield of around 4.1% based on $350 weekly rent against the $446,000 median, above typical inner-Brisbane rates. The vacancy rate of 6.5% is elevated, signalling mild rental oversupply. On the positive side, 25 development applications in 12 months including a 47-lot subdivision indicate active growth, and the 23.5% renter share provides a tenant base.
How is Fernvale's population changing?
Fernvale's current population is 3,629 across 27.77 square kilometres. The median age of 35 is 5 years below the national average, pointing to a suburb in active household formation. The 51.6% share of mortgaged owner-occupiers is high, consistent with recent in-migration of family buyers, and subdivision activity with 47 new lots underway in 2026 signals continued residential expansion.
How much development is happening in Fernvale?
There were 25 development applications lodged in the past 12 months. Notable recent activity includes civil works for a 47-lot subdivision in May 2026, indicating ongoing land release. This level of activity is consistent with a growth corridor suburb drawing buyers from higher-cost areas, and household income at the 62.4th percentile nationally suggests sufficient purchasing power to absorb 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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