Herston
With 56.4% of residents holding university qualifications, Herston sits 26.3 percentage points above the national average, making it one of inner Brisbane's most highly educated suburbs. At 1.69 km2 and 2,311 residents, it is compact and dense at 1,370 people per km2, yet the median house price of $560,000 sits well below comparable inner-city pockets, because 59.5% of residents rent rather than own. The median age of 31 is 9.0 years younger than the national figure, driven by the nearby Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital and University of Queensland Herston campus, which channel a steady inflow of healthcare workers and students.
Population
2,311
Median Age
31.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,086/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
12
Median House
$560K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The $560,000 median house price is the key entry point for buyers, estimated from 2025 rent data. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,300, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.5%, below the 30% stress threshold for a suburb where household incomes sit in the 78.9th percentile nationally. Separate houses make up 43.3% of dwellings with apartments at 37.8% and semi-detached at 18.9%, so buyers have genuine choice across dwelling types. Three-bedroom homes lead at 35.8% and two-bedroom at 35.1%, while four-bedroom-plus properties account for 21.2%. Only 16.6% of dwellings are owned outright and 23.8% carry a mortgage, lower than state averages because the dominant tenure is renting at 59.5%, which limits competition among owner-occupier buyers.
For Buyers
The $560,000 median house price is the key entry point for buyers, estimated from 2025 rent data. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,300, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.5%, below the 30% stress threshold for a suburb where household incomes sit in the 78.9th percentile nationally. Separate houses make up 43.3% of dwellings with apartments at 37.8% and semi-detached at 18.9%, so buyers have genuine choice across dwelling types. Three-bedroom homes lead at 35.8% and two-bedroom at 35.1%, while four-bedroom-plus properties account for 21.2%. Only 16.6% of dwellings are owned outright and 23.8% carry a mortgage, lower than state averages because the dominant tenure is renting at 59.5%, which limits competition among owner-occupier buyers.
For Investors
At 59.5% renting, Herston has one of the highest renter shares in inner Brisbane, providing landlords with a large and stable tenant pool anchored by healthcare and university employment. Weekly rent averages $400, and rent-to-income at 19.2% leaves tenants comfortable, reducing churn risk. The vacancy rate of 9.2% is notably elevated, above typical healthy levels of 2-3%, and warrants attention when selecting stock type. Overseas migration adds a net 598 residents per year to the broader SA2, while internal migration runs at minus 99, meaning demand growth is externally driven. Rent grew 6.7% in the measured period, and the gentrification score of 37 signals early-stage change, with population up 51% since 2011. Eleven development applications were lodged in the past 12 months, a modest pipeline.
Development Activity
Total DAs
66
Last 12 Months
12
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-14.3%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 31 is 9.0 years below the national figure, a direct result of healthcare and education institutions drawing young professionals and students. Overseas-born residents account for 34.5% of the population, which is 12.9 percentage points above national, with Mandarin (44 speakers), Hindi (14) and Arabic (12) the most common non-English languages. Ancestry is led by English (715 residents), Irish (328) and Scottish (236). Average household size is 2.4, marginally below the national average by 0.1. University qualifications reach 56.4%, which is 26.3 points above national and reflects the professional occupational profile: Professionals are the largest occupation group at 501 workers. Couples with children (531) outnumber couples without children (379) among family types.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
43.3%
Houses
18.9%
Townhouse
37.8%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure is dominated by renters at 59.5%, compared with 23.8% on a mortgage and 16.6% owning outright, a split that tracks with the young, transient population linked to hospital and university employment. The $560,000 median house price is estimated from 2025 rent data, and the median household income sits in the 78.9th percentile nationally, so purchase affordability is within reach for working professionals. Three-bedroom dwellings are marginally the most common at 35.8%, just ahead of two-bedroom at 35.1%, with four-bedroom-plus at 21.2%. Separate houses account for 43.3% of stock versus 37.8% apartments and 18.9% semi-detached. The vacancy rate of 9.2% is high relative to the broader Brisbane market, concentrated in the apartment segment, and buyers should assess individual dwelling categories carefully.
Mortgage / mo
$2,300
Rent / wk
$400
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$895
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.2%
Unoccupied
82
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.5%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
30.7%
Couples, no children
1,234
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare dominates the local economy at 23.8% of employed residents (239 workers), nearly double the next sector, Professional/Tech at 15.1% (152 workers), reflecting the proximity of the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital complex. Education follows at 9.7%, then Retail at 6.7% and Public Admin at 6.5%. By occupation, Professionals lead at 501 workers, far ahead of Community/Personal (153) and Managers (152). The unemployment rate is 6.8%, above average, and the participation rate is 60.8%, both influenced by a resident base that includes students not fully engaged in paid work. Real income grew 7.7% over the measured decade. The IRSAD decile of 8 and IEO decile of 10 confirm that the suburb ranks highly on education and economic advantage nationally, despite the elevated unemployment reading.
Unemployment
5.0%
Labour Force
8,155
Unemployed
404
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
61.0%
Part-time
32.2%
Participation
60.8%
Employed
1,138
Occupations
Top Industries
University
56.4%
Postgraduate
18.2%
Born Overseas
34.5%
Dwellings
813
Transport to Work
Active transport use is high relative to national averages: 19.5% of residents walk or cycle and 15.9% use public transport, while 60.2% drive, which is lower than typical Australian car dependence. Herston scores decile 10 on the IEO index, the top national tier for education and occupation, and decile 8 on IRSAD, confirming material advantage. Rent-to-income at 19.2% keeps housing costs manageable for renters, well below the 30% stress threshold. Volunteering participation stands at 18.4%. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, consistent with its primarily adult, professionally employed population. The need-assistance rate of 5.2% (111 residents) is modest for a suburb of this profile. Household income in the 78.9th percentile nationally rounds out a picture of a high-advantage, young-professional enclave.
Drive
60.2%
Public Transport
15.9%
Walk / Cycle
19.5%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+2.13%/yr
(+267 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 29.6% over the past decade and is forecast to reach approximately 13,096 residents by 2028 under the medium scenario, up from 12,531 in 2025. Annual growth runs at 2.13%, adding roughly 267 residents per year. The primary growth driver is overseas migration at a net 598 arrivals per year, which more than offsets an internal outflow of 99 residents annually. Gentrification signals are emerging with a score of 37, including the 51% population rise since 2011 and strong overseas inflow. Affordability improved from 63.3% in 2011 to 51.0% in 2021, an improving trend. The COVID dip reached minus 6.6%, but recovery was swift at plus 17.3%, now tracking above pre-pandemic levels, signalling underlying demand resilience.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+598
Net Internal / yr
-99
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +51% since 2011, Strong overseas inflow +598/yr, COVID recovered (-7% dip → full recovery)
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Herston compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Herston a good suburb to live in?
Herston ranks at decile 10 on the IEO index, the top national tier for education and occupation, and decile 8 on IRSAD. Household income sits in the 78.9th percentile nationally and 56.4% of residents hold university qualifications. Rent-to-income at 19.2% keeps housing affordable, and active transport is high at 19.5% walking or cycling.
What is the median house price in Herston?
The median house price is $560,000, estimated from 2025 rent data. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,300, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.5%, below the 30% stress threshold. Weekly rent averages $400, and 59.5% of residents rent rather than own.
What schools are in Herston?
No schools are recorded within the Herston suburb boundary in this dataset. The suburb's population is predominantly adult professionals and students associated with the nearby hospital and university campus, with university qualifications reaching 56.4%, which is 26.3 percentage points above the national figure.
Is Herston safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Herston in this dataset. As indirect indicators, the suburb scores decile 10 on the IEO index and decile 8 on IRSAD, both high-advantage tiers nationally. Only 5.2% of residents (111 people) require daily assistance, consistent with a low-disadvantage, professionally employed community.
Is Herston good for property investment?
The 59.5% renter share and proximity to the Royal Brisbane hospital and university campus create a large, stable tenant pool. Rent grew 6.7% in the measured period and overseas migration adds 598 net arrivals per year to the broader SA2. The 9.2% vacancy rate is elevated above typical healthy levels and warrants stock selection care, favouring houses over apartments.
How is Herston's population changing?
Population grew 29.6% over the past decade and is growing at 2.13% annually, adding roughly 267 residents per year. The medium forecast reaches about 13,096 by 2028, up from 12,531 in 2025. Overseas migration at plus 598 net per year is the primary driver, offsetting a small internal outflow of 99 residents annually.
What languages are spoken in Herston?
Around 34.5% of Herston residents were born overseas, which is 12.9 percentage points above the national figure. The most common non-English languages are Mandarin (44 speakers), Hindi (14) and Arabic (12), reflecting the international character of the healthcare and university workforce.
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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