Ipswich
At a median age of 45, Ipswich residents are 5 years older than the national figure, and more than half the dwellings (56.9%) are rented rather than owned. Household income lands in just the 21.2nd percentile nationally, which partly explains a high mortgage-stress rate: the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 30.5%, above the standard 30% stress threshold. The suburb scored IRSAD decile 3, meaning it ranks in the lower third of Australia for relative socioeconomic advantage. Despite that, housing remains accessible, with a median house price around $358,000 and weekly rent averaging $250, both below state capital benchmarks.
Population
2,468
Median Age
45.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,134/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$358K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The median house price of approximately $358,000 makes Ipswich one of the more affordable entry points in Queensland, below the Brisbane metro median by a wide margin. The housing mix skews toward separate houses at 67.7%, with 16.2% semi-detached and 15.2% apartments, giving buyers genuine detached-home options. Three-bedroom dwellings are the most common at 38.4%, while 4-plus bedroom homes account for 21.4%. Monthly mortgage repayments average around $1,500, but at a mortgage-to-income ratio of 30.5%, buyers still cross the standard stress threshold given household incomes at the 21.2nd percentile nationally. Only 18.7% of residents own their home outright, suggesting most owner-occupiers are still servicing debt.
For Buyers
The median house price of approximately $358,000 makes Ipswich one of the more affordable entry points in Queensland, below the Brisbane metro median by a wide margin. The housing mix skews toward separate houses at 67.7%, with 16.2% semi-detached and 15.2% apartments, giving buyers genuine detached-home options. Three-bedroom dwellings are the most common at 38.4%, while 4-plus bedroom homes account for 21.4%. Monthly mortgage repayments average around $1,500, but at a mortgage-to-income ratio of 30.5%, buyers still cross the standard stress threshold given household incomes at the 21.2nd percentile nationally. Only 18.7% of residents own their home outright, suggesting most owner-occupiers are still servicing debt.
For Investors
A 56.9% renter share gives landlords a strong tenant pool, and weekly rent of $250 reflects the affordable positioning of the suburb. Vacancy sits at 9.8%, which is elevated and indicates supply exceeds immediate demand, so investors should factor in realistic lease-up periods. Rent growth reached 13.3% over the period, a meaningful gain given the low base. Overseas migration averages 27 new residents annually, partly offset by net internal outflow of 43 per year, producing a thin but positive overall growth trend of 0.66% per year. The medium population forecast shows the broader SA2 growing from around 4,680 in 2025 to 4,976 by 2031, supporting gradual demand recovery over a 5-year horizon.
Schools in Ipswich iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Ipswich Grammar School
Prep-12 · 1336 students
St Mary's College
7-12 · 730 students
Ipswich Central State School
Prep-6 · 529 students
Bremer State High School
7-12 · 2020 students
Demographics
The median age of 45 is 5 years above the national figure, and the demographic trajectory is aging, with the senior share rising 5.5 points while the young adult share fell 5.4 points over the decade. University qualifications stand at 23.6%, which is 6.5 percentage points below the national average, aligning with the area's working-class and service-sector base. Overseas-born residents account for 17.6%, some 4 percentage points below the national rate. Ancestry is predominantly Anglo-Celtic: English leads at 895 residents, followed by Irish (301) and Scottish (283). Average household size is 2.1, below the national figure by 0.4, consistent with an older population with more single or couple-only households.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
67.7%
Houses
16.2%
Townhouse
15.2%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure data shows 56.9% renters, 24.4% with a mortgage and 18.7% who own outright, making Ipswich predominantly a renter suburb. This renter-majority profile is higher than state and national norms, reflecting lower incomes and affordability constraints. The housing stock is 67.7% separate houses, giving it a suburban rather than dense character, supplemented by 16.2% semi-detached and 15.2% apartments. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 38.4%, while 2-bedroom dwellings account for 23.0% and 4-plus bedrooms at 21.4%. Rent-to-income is 22.0%, below the 30% stress threshold, so renters are in a more manageable position than mortgage holders. The vacancy rate of 9.8% is above typical healthy market levels, suggesting landlords face some competitive pressure to fill properties.
Mortgage / mo
$1,500
Rent / wk
$250
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$593
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.8%
Unoccupied
97
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.0%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
30.5% stressed
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
25.0%
Couples, no children
1,320
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the largest local employer at 27.5% of employed residents, nearly triple the weight of the second-biggest sector, Education at 12.7%. Public Administration follows at 10.0%, Professional and Technical services at 7.7%, and Retail at 6.1%. By occupation, Professionals lead with 203 workers, followed by Clerical and Admin at 136 and Community and Personal Services at 114. The area scores SEIFA IRSAD decile 3, placing it in the lower third nationally for relative advantage. Unemployment is 13.3%, notably above national norms, and the labour force participation rate of 41.4% is low, partly because 14.8% of residents need daily assistance and the aging profile means many are retired or not seeking work. Personal weekly income averages $593, well below national median earnings.
Unemployment
8.7%
Labour Force
3,587
Unemployed
313
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
63.8%
Part-time
22.9%
Participation
41.4%
Employed
774
Occupations
Top Industries
University
23.6%
Postgraduate
4.8%
Born Overseas
17.6%
Dwellings
883
Transport to Work
Car dependency is high, with 75.9% of residents driving to work, compared to just 3.3% using public transport. Active travel (walking or cycling) accounts for 12.2%, above average for a regional suburb. The suburb scores IRSAD decile 3, placing it in the bottom third nationally for socioeconomic advantage, which typically correlates with fewer local amenities and services. Mortgage stress is real: the mortgage-to-income ratio of 30.5% sits above the 30% threshold, though renters at 22.0% rent-to-income are more comfortable. Volunteering runs at 15.4% and 14.8% of residents need daily assistance, a rate above national average and consistent with the older demographic skew and lower-income profile. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families rely on institutions in the wider Ipswich area.
Drive
75.9%
Public Transport
3.3%
Walk / Cycle
12.2%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.66%/yr
(+31 people/yr)
EstablishedAnnual population growth is 0.66%, or about 31 persons per year, tracking below the Queensland average. The 10-year change was 6.1%, modest for a regional centre. The demographic trajectory is labeled aging, with gentrification at the early signs stage, scoring 21 on a 0-to-100 gentrification index. Affordability has improved from 42.3% in 2011 to 37.1% in 2021, a positive trend for owner-occupier access. The medium-scenario forecast shows the SA2 population growing from 4,680 in 2025 to roughly 4,976 by 2031. Migration dynamics show overseas arrivals of 27 per year against internal outflow of 43, meaning the suburb is not retaining as many residents as it gains from interstate movement. Rent growth of 13.3% over the period shows rental demand is firming despite the higher vacancy rate.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+27
Net Internal / yr
-43
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Ipswich compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ipswich a good suburb to live in?
Ipswich scores IRSAD decile 3, placing it in the lower third nationally for socioeconomic advantage, with household income at the 21.2nd percentile. Housing is accessible at a median house price around $358,000 and weekly rent of $250. The main trade-offs are a 13.3% unemployment rate and a 9.8% vacancy rate indicating softer rental demand.
What is the median house price in Ipswich?
The median house price is approximately $358,000, estimated from 2025 rental data, making it notably affordable compared to Brisbane metro benchmarks. Weekly rent averages $250 and monthly mortgage repayments around $1,500, though that produces a mortgage-to-income ratio of 30.5%, which crosses the standard stress threshold given local income levels.
What schools are in Ipswich?
No schools are recorded within the Ipswich suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools across the broader Ipswich local government area. Local university qualifications stand at 23.6%, which is 6.5 percentage points below the national average, reflecting the area's working-class and service-sector occupational mix.
Is Ipswich safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Ipswich in this dataset. As a proxy, the suburb scores IRSAD decile 3, meaning it sits in the lower third nationally for relative advantage, and 14.8% of residents need daily assistance, a rate above average, both of which are associated with higher vulnerability. The 13.3% unemployment rate is also a relevant social indicator.
Is Ipswich good for property investment?
Ipswich has a 56.9% renter share providing a large tenant pool, and rent grew 13.3% over the period. However, vacancy at 9.8% is elevated, meaning properties may take longer to lease. Weekly rent of $250 against a $358,000 median gives a gross yield around 3.6%, above typical inner-city figures, with population forecast to grow to around 4,976 by 2031.
How is Ipswich's population changing?
Annual growth is 0.66%, adding around 31 people per year. The 10-year population change was 6.1%, moderate for Queensland. The demographic trajectory is aging, with the senior share up 5.5 points over the decade. Overseas migration brings 27 new residents a year, but net internal outflow of 43 per year offsets this, keeping overall growth modest.
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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