Kenmore Hills
What stands out in Kenmore Hills is the combination of affluence, older residents and large detached homes. Its 2,448 residents have a median age of 47, which is 7 years above the national figure, while 74.2% of dwellings contain 4 or more bedrooms and 87.8% are separate houses. Household income sits at the 94.8th percentile, helping explain the suburb's established-wealth profile and high outright ownership of 46.2%. The overseas-born share is 36.7%, or 15.1 percentage points above national levels. Against nearby Kenmore and Chapel Hill, Kenmore Hills is best understood through its strongly house-led, low-density setting, with 579 residents per square kilometre across 4.23 square kilometres. That combination suits established families and professionals more than apartment-oriented or highly transient markets.
Local council: Brisbane
Population
2,448
Median Age
47.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,712/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
6
Homebuyers are likely to find a strongly detached, family-sized housing market, although a current median house price should be checked through recent comparable sales. Separate houses account for 87.8% of dwellings, higher than the 8.2% apartment share, and 74.2% have 4 or more bedrooms. The large-home profile supports families needing space, but it can also mean higher purchase and maintenance costs than in smaller-dwelling markets. Mortgage commitments average $2,694 per month, with mortgage costs equal to 22.9% of household income, while weekly rent is $598 and rent equals 22.1% of income. These ratios are below the supplied stress flags. Ownership is relatively settled, with 46.2% owning outright and 37.7% paying a mortgage, compared with only 12.8% renting. The 6.9% vacancy rate gives buyers some scope to compare properties carefully rather than rely on a single listing.
For Buyers
Homebuyers are likely to find a strongly detached, family-sized housing market, although a current median house price should be checked through recent comparable sales. Separate houses account for 87.8% of dwellings, higher than the 8.2% apartment share, and 74.2% have 4 or more bedrooms. The large-home profile supports families needing space, but it can also mean higher purchase and maintenance costs than in smaller-dwelling markets. Mortgage commitments average $2,694 per month, with mortgage costs equal to 22.9% of household income, while weekly rent is $598 and rent equals 22.1% of income. These ratios are below the supplied stress flags. Ownership is relatively settled, with 46.2% owning outright and 37.7% paying a mortgage, compared with only 12.8% renting. The 6.9% vacancy rate gives buyers some scope to compare properties carefully rather than rely on a single listing.
For Investors
Kenmore Hills presents a predominantly owner-occupier investment setting rather than a deep rental market. Only 12.8% of households rent, lower than the 46.2% owned outright and 37.7% mortgage-held shares, so tenant demand may be more address-specific than in higher-rental suburbs. Weekly rent is $598 and the vacancy rate is 6.9%, while rent growth across the shift indicators reached 21.4%. That combination can support rental income, but the vacancy figure warrants careful testing of property type, pricing and tenant appeal. Six development matters were recorded over 12 months, suggesting a small flow of local building activity rather than a large project pipeline. The wider growth trend is 0.86% annually and overseas migration is the primary driver, which may broaden demand for well-presented homes, although the suburb's 87.8% detached-house share keeps the investment case tied to larger dwellings.
Development Activity
Total DAs
28
Last 12 Months
6
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
Kenmore Hills has an older and more highly educated population than national benchmarks. The median age is 47, or 7 years above the national figure, and 60.7% of residents hold university qualifications, 30.6 percentage points above the national rate. The overseas-born share is 36.7%, 15.1 points higher than nationally, with Mandarin recorded for 38 residents and German for 14. English ancestry is the largest listed group at 928, followed by Other at 303, Irish at 280, Scottish at 265 and German at 159. Christianity accounts for 1,201 residents and no religion for 1,003, while Hinduism accounts for 58. Household size is 2.9 people, 0.4 above the national comparison, and 51.8% of families are couples with children. With 79.9% staying at the same address and turnover of 20.1%, the suburb has a more settled profile than highly mobile areas, even as overseas migration adds new connections.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
87.8%
Houses
4.0%
Townhouse
8.2%
Apartment
Tenure
Housing in Kenmore Hills is defined by large, detached dwellings and a high level of ownership. Separate houses make up 87.8% of stock, higher than the 8.2% apartment share and the 4.0% semi-detached share. Four or more bedrooms account for 74.2% of dwellings, compared with 18.5% for 3-bedroom homes, 2.6% for 2-bedroom homes and 4.7% for 0 or 1 bedroom. Tenure is also more owner-led than rental-led: 46.2% own outright, 37.7% have a mortgage and 12.8% rent. Mortgage costs equal 22.9% of household income, slightly higher than the 22.1% rent-to-income figure, and neither ratio is flagged as stress. Because a current median house price is not stated, buyers should compare recent sales by land size, condition and bedroom count. The stock mix is much more suitable for households seeking space than for buyers comparing apartment-heavy markets.
Mortgage / mo
$2,694
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (Jun 2026 quarter), QLD RTA bond data. Census 2021 median: $598.
$750
Bond data Jun 2026 quarter · houses $750
HH Size
2.9
Personal Income / wk
$898
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
6.9%
Unoccupied
58
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.9%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
51.8%
Couples with children
38.6%
Couples, no children
9.1%
Single parent
682
Total families
Economy & Employment
Kenmore Hills has a professional, education and service-oriented economy supported by high household incomes. Weekly household income is $2,712 and family income is $3,145, placing household income at the 94.8th percentile. The leading industries are Education at 18.5% and 160 workers, Professional and Technical services at 17.9% and 155, Healthcare at 14.5% and 126, Finance at 6.3% and 55, and Construction at 6.1% and 53. Occupations reinforce this pattern, with 444 professionals, 227 managers and 122 clerical or administrative workers. Unemployment is 3.7% and labour-force participation is 57.4%, while 56.3% of workers are full-time. SEIFA education and occupation, economic resources, disadvantage, and advantage scores are 1,160, 1,140, 1,116 and 1,150, respectively, with all 4 measures in the 10th decile. That ranking is higher than most Australian areas and aligns with the suburb's skilled workforce, high incomes and strong professional base.
Unemployment
3.7%
Labour Force
1,137
Unemployed
42
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
56.3%
Part-time
35.3%
Participation
57.4%
Employed
1,095
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
60.7%
Postgraduate
21.0%
Born Overseas
36.7%
Dwellings
779
Transport to Work
Kenmore Hills is most convenient for households that drive or work from home. Car drivers account for 52.4% of travel to work, compared with 3.0% using public transport and 2.0% walking or cycling, while 39.3% work from home. This pattern reflects a low-density setting of 579 residents per square kilometre across 4.23 square kilometres, where private transport can be more practical than frequent transit. The suburb has 2,448 residents, an average household size of 2.9 and a volunteering rate of 23.4%, supporting a settled local lifestyle. Its IRSAD score is 1,150 in the 10th decile, higher than the national socioeconomic profile, and household income ranks at the 94.8th percentile. The 8.4% need-assistance rate and 6.9% vacancy rate add useful context for service planning and housing choice. Buyers should check walking routes, public transport connections and exact address access because convenience varies across a spread-out residential area.
Drive
52.4%
Public Transport
3.0%
Walk / Cycle
2.0%
Work from Home
39.3%
Growth Outlook
Kenmore Hills has an established growth outlook, with the annual trend running at 0.86% and overseas migration identified as the primary driver. Population change across the wider area is 11.2% over 10 years, while the forecast trajectory is Mixed rather than consistently accelerating. The gentrification score is 20 at the Early signs stage, and the shift indicators give a score of 28 at the same stage, pointing to gradual change rather than a completed transformation. Rent growth of 21.4% is a notable pressure for tenants and investors. Affordability moved from 55.5 in 2011 to 49.4 in 2021, although the affordability trend is labelled Improving, so buyers should test current repayments rather than rely on the historic direction alone. Compared with a flat market, 0.86% annual growth still indicates ongoing momentum, but the mixed trajectory and early-stage score support measured expectations rather than speculation about rapid redevelopment.
Population trend: Brisbane council area
Kenmore Hills sits in the Brisbane council area. These are the council area's residents, not Kenmore Hills's.
Residents 2025
1,375,301
Growth, 5 yr average
+1.7%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+1.6%
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 Kenmore Hills compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kenmore Hills a good suburb to live in?
Kenmore Hills suits households seeking larger homes, established ownership and a quieter suburban setting. The median age is 47, 87.8% of dwellings are separate houses and 39.3% of residents work from home. It is more car-oriented than transit-oriented, with 52.4% driving and only 3.0% using public transport, so daily convenience depends on access to a vehicle.
What is the median house price in Kenmore Hills?
A current median house price is not stated. Buyers should compare recent sales by land size, condition and bedroom count, because 74.2% of Kenmore Hills homes have 4 or more bedrooms and may not be comparable with smaller properties in nearby suburbs. Mortgage costs average $2,694 per month, providing an additional affordability reference.
What schools are in Kenmore Hills?
School access should be confirmed for the exact Kenmore Hills address through current catchment maps and enrolment offices, as boundaries can cross suburb lines. Transport planning is important because 52.4% of workers drive, compared with 3.0% using public transport. Families should also test the daily route, available year levels and sector before committing to a property.
Is Kenmore Hills safe?
Safety should be assessed at street level using recent Queensland Police incident information, lighting and the surrounding road environment rather than assumed from suburb character. Kenmore Hills has 2,448 residents and only 2.0% walk or cycle to work, so traffic conditions and the safety of routes to shops, transport and community facilities are also practical checks for households.
Is Kenmore Hills good for property investment?
Kenmore Hills may suit investors targeting established, larger homes, with weekly rent of $598 and rent growth of 21.4%. The 12.8% renter share is lower than the owner-occupier shares, and the 6.9% vacancy rate requires careful pricing. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, while 6 development matters were recorded over 12 months.
How is Kenmore Hills's population changing?
The wider-area trend indicates gradual growth of 0.86% annually and population change of 11.2% over 10 years. Overseas migration is the primary driver, but the trajectory is Mixed. Gentrification remains at the Early signs stage with a score of 20, suggesting steady change rather than a rapid shift in the suburb's established housing profile.
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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