Hamilton
Population surged 43.3% over the past decade in Hamilton, growing at 1.89% annually, yet 47.0% of families are couples without children, more than double the national share. This combination reveals an apartment-driven growth model: 70.4% of housing is apartments, 55.0% of residents rent, and residential turnover hits 40.3%, among the highest rates in Brisbane. Despite the transient population, SEIFA decile 9 for advantage and university attainment 20.7 points above the national rate indicate this is a high-income professional suburb.
Population
8,922
Median Age
40.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,069/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
77
Median House
$567K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At $567,000 estimated median, Hamilton appears affordable for a SEIFA decile 9 suburb, but this reflects the apartment-heavy stock (70.4%) rather than a bargain on houses. Only 21.5% of dwellings are detached, and the 22.8% share of studios/1-bed units shapes the entry price. Two-bedroom apartments dominate at 41.2%, and 4+ bedroom homes are scarce at 15.7%. Mortgage-to-income at 24.2% is manageable on household income at the 77.8th percentile nationally. The 40.3% turnover rate means buyers face a fluid neighbourhood compared to established suburbs where 80%+ stay put year-on-year.
For Buyers
At $567,000 estimated median, Hamilton appears affordable for a SEIFA decile 9 suburb, but this reflects the apartment-heavy stock (70.4%) rather than a bargain on houses. Only 21.5% of dwellings are detached, and the 22.8% share of studios/1-bed units shapes the entry price. Two-bedroom apartments dominate at 41.2%, and 4+ bedroom homes are scarce at 15.7%. Mortgage-to-income at 24.2% is manageable on household income at the 77.8th percentile nationally. The 40.3% turnover rate means buyers face a fluid neighbourhood compared to established suburbs where 80%+ stay put year-on-year.
For Investors
With 55.0% renters, Hamilton has a tenant pool well above the national average, but vacancy at 15.8% is roughly 5 times the metro norm, a critical oversupply signal. Weekly rent of $430 is moderate for the quality of stock. The 71 development applications in 12 months, including demolitions and new build approvals, suggest further supply additions. Population growth at 1.89% per year is strong, projected to reach 8,320 by 2031 from 7,408 in 2025. Overseas migration (+153/year) drives growth while internal migration is nearly flat (-5/year). Rent-to-income at 20.8% leaves tenant headroom for increases.
Development Activity
Total DAs
243
Last 12 Months
77
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+156.7%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Hamilton iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Hamilton State School
Prep-6 · 248 students
Demographics
University attainment at 50.8% is 20.7 points above the national rate, and professionals (1,719) and managers (1,064) together account for over 55% of occupations. Median age of 40 matches the national figure. English ancestry leads at 3,243, with Irish (1,346) and Scottish (1,061) forming a strong British Isles base, and 32.3% were born overseas, which is 10.7 points above the national average. Average household size of 1.9 is 0.6 below the national median, reflecting the dominance of singles and childless couples (47.0% of families). Mandarin (89) is the top non-English language, followed by Italian (38).
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
21.5%
Houses
8.1%
Townhouse
70.4%
Apartment
Tenure
Renters at 55.0% far outnumber owners. Outright owners (22.2%) and mortgage holders (22.8%) together make up 45.0% of occupants. The stock is 70.4% apartments, 21.5% houses, and 8.1% semi-detached, essentially the inverse of the national profile. Two-bedroom apartments (41.2%) are the most common type. Rent at $430/week and rent-to-income at 20.8% are both comfortable for tenants. The 15.8% vacancy rate indicates significant oversupply, likely from recent apartment completions. Without historical price data, long-term capital growth trends cannot be assessed, but the $567,000 estimated median is affordable by inner-Brisbane standards.
Mortgage / mo
$2,167
Rent / wk
$430
HH Size
1.9
Personal Income / wk
$1,225
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
15.8%
Unoccupied
781
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
47.0%
Couples, no children
5,633
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare (15.6%) and professional/tech services (15.1%) are nearly tied as the top employers, followed by education (7.7%), construction (6.5%), and public administration (6.4%). The professional/tech share is double the national average, consistent with Hamilton's role as a CBD-adjacent white-collar suburb. Full-time employment at 71.8% exceeds the national average by roughly 10 percentage points. Unemployment at 4.7% is slightly above the national rate. SEIFA advantage (IRSAD) decile 9 and education (IEO) decile 9 confirm high socioeconomic status, though the economic resources decile drops to 6, reflecting the renter-heavy, asset-light population structure.
Unemployment
5.1%
Labour Force
4,940
Unemployed
251
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
71.8%
Part-time
23.5%
Participation
65.1%
Employed
5,020
Occupations
Top Industries
University
50.8%
Postgraduate
12.6%
Born Overseas
32.3%
Dwellings
4,152
Transport to Work
Hamilton State School (ICSEA 1050, 248 students) is the sole local school, scoring above the national benchmark by 50 points. Public transport at 7.5% and walking/cycling at 6.9% give 14.4% of commuters non-car options, higher than most Brisbane suburbs. Only 79.8% drive, below the metro average. Crime data is not published at the suburb level in Queensland reporting. IRSAD decile 9 indicates strong socioeconomic advantage. The 71 development applications in 12 months reflect ongoing construction activity, which may affect noise and amenity for current residents.
Drive
79.8%
Public Transport
7.5%
Walk / Cycle
6.9%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.89%/yr
(+140 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 43.3% over the decade, more than triple the national rate, at 1.89% per year adding 140 people annually. The medium forecast projects 8,320 by 2031, up from 7,408 in 2025. Overseas migration (+153/year) is the primary driver, with internal migration essentially neutral (-5/year). The gentrification score of 3 is low, because the suburb was already affluent rather than transitioning. Young adult share declined by 3.2 percentage points while the senior share rose 4.0 points, meaning the growth is ageing the population even as total numbers climb. Real income grew just 2.6%, barely above inflation.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+153
Net Internal / yr
-5
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +50% since 2011
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Hamilton compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hamilton a good suburb to live in?
Hamilton suits young professionals and couples without children (47.0% of families). University attainment at 50.8% and SEIFA decile 9 confirm a high-skill, high-income community. The main challenges are 15.8% vacancy signalling apartment oversupply, a 40.3% residential turnover rate, and just 1 school locally. Non-car commuting options (14.4%) are better than most Brisbane suburbs.
What is the median house price in Hamilton?
The estimated median house price is $567,000 based on 2025 rental yield derivation. This figure reflects the apartment-dominated stock (70.4%), not detached houses. With 41.2% of dwellings being 2-bedroom apartments, the typical purchase price for a unit will be lower than the headline median, while the scarce detached houses (21.5% of stock) command significantly more.
What schools are in Hamilton?
Hamilton State School is the only school in the suburb, a government primary with 248 students and an ICSEA score of 1050, which is 50 points above the national benchmark of 1000. The small enrolment relative to the population reflects the low proportion of families with school-age children in this apartment-heavy suburb.
Is Hamilton safe?
Crime data is not published at the suburb level in Queensland reporting for Hamilton. The SEIFA disadvantage decile of 9 and 4.7% unemployment suggest a low-risk socioeconomic profile. The 40.3% residential turnover and 55.0% renter share do introduce some transience that can affect neighbourhood cohesion compared to owner-dominated areas.
Is Hamilton good for property investment?
Hamilton has the tenant demand (55.0% renters, $430/week), but vacancy at 15.8% is a major red flag, roughly 5 times the Brisbane metro norm. Population growth at 1.89% annually is strong, and 71 DAs suggest more supply arriving. Investors should expect low yields until vacancy normalises. The suburb works better as a medium-term capital play on Brisbane inner-north gentrification than as a current yield investment.
How is Hamilton's population changing?
Population grew 43.3% over the decade at 1.89% per year, adding about 140 people annually. Overseas migration (+153/year) drives this while internal migration is essentially neutral. The medium forecast projects 8,320 by 2031. Despite the growth, senior share increased by 4.0 percentage points and young share dropped 3.2 points, meaning the population is ageing even as numbers climb.
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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