Ipswich
Ipswich's inner-city profile is shaped by an older, renter-heavy population. Its 2,468 residents have a median age of 45, which is 5 years above the national figure, while 56.5% rent and the weekly median rent is $250. Healthcare accounts for 27.5% of industry employment, helping anchor local services. Compared with nearby Newtown and East Ipswich, the suburb has a compact, service-led role, but household income sits at the 21.2 percentile nationally. This combination points to demand for affordable, accessible housing because older residents and renters are more sensitive to transport, upkeep and weekly costs.
Local council: Ipswich
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
For buyers, Ipswich's central housing stock provides variety, but a median sale price is not available, so recent comparable sales matter more than a headline estimate. Separate houses make up 67.7% of dwellings, alongside 16.2% semi-detached homes and 15.2% apartments. The largest bedroom group is 3 bedrooms at 38.4%, while 0-1 bedroom dwellings account for 17.2%. Monthly mortgage cost is $1,500 against household income of $1,134 per week, and mortgage repayments reach 30.5% of income, indicating tighter capacity than the 22.0% rent-to-income measure. Compared with nearby Newtown and East Ipswich, the mix suits buyers prioritising central access and lower-maintenance formats, but affordability should be tested against deposit size and actual sale evidence.
For Buyers
For buyers, Ipswich's central housing stock provides variety, but a median sale price is not available, so recent comparable sales matter more than a headline estimate. Separate houses make up 67.7% of dwellings, alongside 16.2% semi-detached homes and 15.2% apartments. The largest bedroom group is 3 bedrooms at 38.4%, while 0-1 bedroom dwellings account for 17.2%. Monthly mortgage cost is $1,500 against household income of $1,134 per week, and mortgage repayments reach 30.5% of income, indicating tighter capacity than the 22.0% rent-to-income measure. Compared with nearby Newtown and East Ipswich, the mix suits buyers prioritising central access and lower-maintenance formats, but affordability should be tested against deposit size and actual sale evidence.
For Investors
Ipswich has a renter-majority base, with 56.5% of households renting and a weekly median rent of $250. Compared with owner-focused suburbs, that tenant share can support leasing demand, while the 9.8% vacancy rate gives renters more choice and requires careful monitoring of property condition and pricing. Rent growth across the wider area is 13.3%, and the primary growth driver is overseas migration. No development was recorded in the past 12 months, which limits near-term new-supply pressure but also means investors should not assume major urban renewal. The strongest case is likely to centre on affordable, well-located dwellings rather than premium stock, because household income is at the 21.2 percentile nationally.
Schools in Ipswich
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Ipswich Flexible Learning Centre (Ipswich)
Ipswich Grammar School (Ipswich)
St Mary's College (Ipswich)
St Mary's Primary School (Ipswich)
Ipswich Special School
Demographics
Ipswich has an older age structure than the national profile: the median age is 45, or 5 years above national, while university attainment is 23.6%, 6.5 percentage points below national. Overseas-born residents account for 17.6%, 4 points below national, and average household size is 2.1, or 0.4 below national. English ancestry is reported by 895 residents, followed by Irish ancestry at 301 and Scottish ancestry at 283. Christianity records 1,015 people and no religion 990. Compared with younger growth areas, the 33.8% turnover rate and 66.2% who stayed at the same address suggest a relatively settled population. The older profile helps explain demand for smaller homes, healthcare and accessible services.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
67.7%
Houses
16.2%
Townhouse
15.2%
Apartment
Tenure
Ipswich is more rental-oriented than owner-led suburbs, with 56.5% of occupied dwellings rented, compared with 18.5% owned outright and 24.2% owned with a mortgage. Separate houses account for 67.7% of stock, while 16.2% is semi-detached and 15.2% is apartments. Three-bedroom homes are the largest group at 38.4%, followed by 2-bedroom dwellings at 23.0% and 4-plus-bedroom homes at 21.4%. Rent-to-income is 22.0%, below the 30.5% mortgage-to-income measure, but mortgage stress is flagged, so ownership costs are more demanding than renting costs. Without a current median sale price, comparisons with nearby Newtown and East Ipswich should focus on dwelling type, condition and verified recent sales.
Mortgage / mo
$1,500
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (Jun 2026 quarter), QLD RTA bond data. Census 2021 median: $250.
$550
Bond data Jun 2026 quarter · houses $550 · units $420
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
34.6%
Couples with children
35.2%
Couples, no children
28.3%
Single parent
474
Total families
Economy & Employment
Ipswich's employment base is led by healthcare at 27.5% of industry employment, followed by education at 12.7%, public administration at 10.0%, professional and technical services at 7.7%, and retail at 6.1%. This service concentration reflects the suburb's central role because hospitals, schools, government functions and shops create local employment. The largest occupation group is professionals at 203 people, followed by clerical and administrative workers at 136 and trades at 114. Unemployment is 11.9%, participation is 46.3% and the full-time rate is 56.2%. Household income of $1,134 per week sits at the 21.2 percentile, lower than higher-income suburbs. IEO, IER and IRSD all sit at decile 4, while IRSAD is lower at decile 3, indicating broader disadvantage despite some professional employment.
Unemployment
11.9%
Labour Force
998
Unemployed
119
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
56.2%
Part-time
31.9%
Participation
46.3%
Employed
879
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
23.6%
Postgraduate
4.8%
Born Overseas
17.6%
Dwellings
883
Transport to Work
Daily travel is car-oriented: 64.8% of residents drive to work, compared with 2.8% using public transport, while 10.4% walk or cycle and 14.6% work from home. Compared with transit-oriented suburbs, this makes proximity to services and parking more important for many households. Seven nearby schools span 3 Catholic non-state schools, 3 government schools and 1 independent school, with primary, high, special, flexible learning and grammar formats represented. Families should check enrolment zones against the exact address because boundaries can cut across suburb lines. Ipswich has an IRSAD decile of 3, lower than more advantaged areas, which makes access to affordable services important. A current crime rate is unavailable, so safety decisions should include recent incident checks and visits at different times.
Drive
64.8%
Public Transport
2.8%
Walk / Cycle
10.4%
Work from Home
14.6%
Growth Outlook
Growth is steady rather than rapid, with an annual trend of 0.66% driven primarily by overseas migration. Across the wider area, population change is 6.1% over 10 years, while the trajectory is Aging. The senior share is 5.5 percentage points higher and the young share 5.4 points lower, which suggests future demand will lean toward accessible housing, health services and lower-maintenance homes. Compared with fast-expanding corridors, the 0.66% rate points to measured change rather than a sharp development cycle. Rent growth is 13.3%, adding pressure for tenants even as the affordability trend is labelled Improving. Gentrification is limited in the current outlook, with a score of 0 and a Not gentrifying stage, so major displacement should not be assumed.
Population trend: Ipswich council area
Ipswich sits in the Ipswich council area. These are the council area's residents, not Ipswich's.
Residents 2025
268,272
Growth, 5 yr average
+3.4%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+3.5%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
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 can suit residents seeking central services, affordable renting and established housing. The suburb has 2,468 residents, a median age of 45 and 56.5% renters. Compared with younger growth suburbs, it has a more settled and service-focused feel, but car dependence, an IRSAD decile of 3 and 11.9% unemployment are important considerations.
What is the median house price in Ipswich?
A current median house price is unavailable, so buyers should compare recent settled sales by street, dwelling type and condition. Separate houses make up 67.7% of dwellings, while the weekly median rent is $250. Mortgage costs are listed at $1,500 per month, making deposit size and repayment capacity important.
What schools are in Ipswich?
Ipswich has 7 nearby schools across 3 Catholic non-state schools, 3 government schools and 1 independent school. The mix includes primary, high, special, flexible learning and grammar formats. Families should confirm the exact catchment and enrolment requirements because school boundaries can differ from suburb boundaries.
Is Ipswich safe?
A current suburb-wide crime rate is not available, so safety should be assessed using recent Queensland Police information and an inspection of the exact streets. Ipswich has 2,468 residents and a compact central setting, meaning conditions can vary between busy service areas, residential streets and transport corridors.
Is Ipswich good for property investment?
Ipswich has a 56.5% renter share, a $250 weekly median rent and 9.8% vacancy. Rent growth is 13.3%, but no development was recorded in 12 months. Compared with owner-focused suburbs, the tenant base is a positive, while the vacancy rate and household income percentile of 21.2 require conservative rental and price assumptions.
How is Ipswich's population changing?
Population growth is measured at 0.66% annually and 6.1% across the wider area over 10 years, with overseas migration the primary driver. The trajectory is Aging: the senior share is up 5.5 percentage points and the young share is down 5.4 points. Compared with younger growth areas, future demand is likely to favour accessible homes and health services.
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 education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications).
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