Kingston
An unemployment rate of 14.7% and a participation rate of only 42.7% make Kingston one of the most economically disconnected suburbs in Brisbane's south, with more adults outside the labour force (3,334) than working full-time (1,802). SEIFA decile 1 across all four indices confirms the deepest disadvantage band nationally. Despite this, the population is young (median age 32, 8 years below the national figure) and growing via overseas migration at 177 net arrivals per year, while losing 156 residents annually through internal outflow. Renters make up 52.7% of households, well above the national average, and Samoan ancestry (646) distinguishes Kingston from other Logan suburbs, sitting alongside English (2,819) as a cultural anchor.
Population
10,506
Median Age
32.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,181/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
173
Median House
$384K
Estimated from rent (2025)
Detached houses account for 83.6% of stock, with three-bedroom homes dominating at 62.5%, the highest three-bedroom concentration of any Logan suburb in this analysis. Mortgage repayments average $1,309 per month, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.6%, below stress levels partly because prices are low. The low ownership rate (21.7% outright, 25.7% mortgage) means only 47.4% of households own their home, well below the national average. Schools sit below the national benchmark: Groves Christian College (ICSEA 977, 1,678 students) is the closest to average, while Kingston State College (901, 866 students) and Kingston State School (887, 512 students) trail significantly. Buyers should weigh the affordability against the IRSAD decile 1 reading.
For Buyers
Detached houses account for 83.6% of stock, with three-bedroom homes dominating at 62.5%, the highest three-bedroom concentration of any Logan suburb in this analysis. Mortgage repayments average $1,309 per month, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.6%, below stress levels partly because prices are low. The low ownership rate (21.7% outright, 25.7% mortgage) means only 47.4% of households own their home, well below the national average. Schools sit below the national benchmark: Groves Christian College (ICSEA 977, 1,678 students) is the closest to average, while Kingston State College (901, 866 students) and Kingston State School (887, 512 students) trail significantly. Buyers should weigh the affordability against the IRSAD decile 1 reading.
For Investors
The 52.7% renter share provides a deep tenant pool, the highest renter concentration in this analysis. Median weekly rent of $315 with a 7.5% vacancy rate suggests softer demand than inner Brisbane but consistent occupancy for affordable stock. With 54 development applications lodged in 12 months, predominantly lot reconfigurations (1-into-2), the market is seeing incremental subdivision. Rent has grown 21.2% over the decade, below the Brisbane metro average. The net internal outflow of 156 residents per year, offset by overseas arrivals of 177, means the tenant base is increasingly migrant households rather than domestic movers, a pattern that could concentrate demand in certain bedroom types.
Development Activity
Total DAs
278
Last 12 Months
173
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+408.8%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Kingston iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Groves Christian College
Prep-12 · 1678 students
Kingston State College
7-12 · 866 students
Kingston State School
Prep-6 · 512 students
Demographics
English ancestry (2,819) leads, but the significant Samoan community (646) and high unspecified ancestry (1,387) reflect Kingston's multicultural identity. The 36.3% overseas-born share sits 14.7 percentage points above the national average. Samoan (179 speakers), Arabic (88), Hindi (44), Urdu (41), and Persian (35) lead the non-English language counts. University qualification at 12.1% is 18.0 points below the national average, the lowest in this analysis, consistent with IEO decile 1. Labourers (669) and Machinery Drivers (552) dominate occupations, with Professionals (275) ranking fifth. Christianity (4,309) and Islam (818) are the main religions, with the Muslim share higher than most suburban Brisbane locations.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
83.6%
Houses
15.3%
Townhouse
1.1%
Apartment
Tenure
The tenure split is renter-heavy: 21.7% own outright, 25.7% hold mortgages, and 52.7% rent, the most renter-dominant profile in this analysis. Detached houses make up 83.6% with semi-detached at 15.3% and apartments at just 1.1%. Three-bedroom homes account for 62.5% of stock, an unusually concentrated bedroom profile with four-plus at 24.0%. Mortgage repayments of $1,309 per month on household income of $1,181/week produce a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.6%. The affordability trend has improved slightly, from 62.8% in 2011 to 60.5% in 2021. The 9.4% needing-assistance rate runs well above the national average, consistent with the IRSAD decile 1 position.
Mortgage / mo
$1,309
Rent / wk
$315
HH Size
2.9
Personal Income / wk
$522
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.5%
Unoccupied
262
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.6%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
16.8%
Couples, no children
7,842
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads at 19.7% (338 workers), followed by Construction at 10.7% (183), Retail at 9.9% (170), Education at 9.3% (159), and Manufacturing at 8.5% (146). The occupational profile is weighted toward manual work: Labourers (669) and Machinery Drivers (552) together outnumber Professionals (275) and Managers combined. The 14.7% unemployment rate is roughly triple the national average, and only 42.7% of working-age adults participate in the labour force. All four SEIFA indices sit at decile 1, the lowest band nationally. The 9.4% volunteering rate is below the national average of roughly 15%, a common pattern in high-disadvantage suburbs where economic pressure limits civic engagement.
Unemployment
13.0%
Labour Force
4,673
Unemployed
609
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
60.8%
Part-time
24.5%
Participation
42.7%
Employed
2,963
Occupations
Top Industries
University
12.1%
Postgraduate
2.4%
Born Overseas
36.3%
Dwellings
3,222
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high at 84.4%, with public transport at 3.5% and walking or cycling at 1.9%. Schools all sit below the national ICSEA benchmark of 1,000: Groves Christian College (977, 1,678 students), Kingston State College (901, 866 students), and Kingston State School (887, 512 students). The IRSAD decile 1 and IRSD decile 1 readings place Kingston among the most disadvantaged 10% of Australian suburbs. The 9.4% needing-assistance rate is roughly double the national average. The 6.9 square kilometre footprint at 1,543 density provides reasonable lot sizes compared to inner Brisbane, but public amenity and services reflect the bottom-decile socioeconomic profile.
Drive
84.4%
Public Transport
3.5%
Walk / Cycle
1.9%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.47%/yr
(+52 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation growth runs at just 0.47% per year, adding about 52 persons annually. The dynamic underneath is a net internal outflow of 156 residents per year, replaced by overseas migration at 177 per year. The 10-year population change of only 1.9% is nearly flat. Medium projections forecast approximately 11,356 by 2031. Gentrification score is 0 with no gentrifying signals. The aging trajectory shows senior share rising 4.2 points while young share dropped 3.4 points, despite the young median age of 32. Real income growth of 2.3% over the decade is effectively flat after inflation. The population profile suggests Kingston functions as a transitional landing zone for migrant families.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+177
Net Internal / yr
-156
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Net internal outflow -156/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Kingston compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kingston a good suburb to live in?
Kingston sits at IRSAD decile 1, the lowest band nationally. It offers affordable housing with mortgage-to-income ratio at 25.6%, but the trade-offs are significant: 14.7% unemployment, school ICSEA scores between 887 and 977 (below the 1,000 benchmark), and limited public transport at 3.5% usage. Median age is 32 and the suburb has a young, multicultural population base.
What is the median house price in Kingston?
No median house price data is available for Kingston QLD. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,309 and weekly rent sits at $315, indicating one of the most affordable housing markets in Brisbane's Logan corridor. The mortgage-to-income ratio is 25.6%, below the 30% stress threshold.
What schools are in Kingston?
Kingston has 3 schools. Groves Christian College (ICSEA 977, 1,678 students, independent combined) performs closest to the national benchmark. Kingston State College (901, 866 students, government secondary) and Kingston State School (887, 512 students, government primary) both sit well below the 1,000 ICSEA benchmark.
Is Kingston safe?
Kingston's IRSD decile 1 and IRSAD decile 1 place it among the most disadvantaged 10% of Australian suburbs. Specific crime data is not available, but the 14.7% unemployment rate, 42.7% participation rate, and bottom-decile socioeconomic profile are associated with elevated risk levels in comparable Logan suburbs.
Is Kingston good for property investment?
Kingston's 52.7% renter share provides the deepest tenant pool in this analysis. Rent at $315/week and 7.5% vacancy indicate consistent but soft demand. The 54 DAs lodged in 12 months show subdivision activity. However, IRSAD decile 1 limits capital growth expectations, and net internal outflow of 156/year means the tenant base is increasingly overseas migrants rather than domestic movers.
How is Kingston's population changing?
Population grows at 0.47% annually, adding about 52 people per year. The net internal outflow of 156/year is offset by overseas arrivals of 177/year. The 10-year population change of 1.9% is nearly flat. Senior share is rising 4.2 points, and medium projections forecast roughly 11,356 by 2031. The suburb functions as a migrant landing zone with domestic residents moving out.
What languages are spoken in Kingston?
Samoan (179 speakers) leads Kingston's non-English languages, followed by Arabic (88), Hindi (44), Urdu (41), and Persian (35). With 36.3% of residents born overseas, sitting 14.7 percentage points above the national average, the linguistic profile reflects Pacific Island and Middle Eastern migration waves. Samoan ancestry (646 residents) is a distinctive marker compared to other Logan suburbs.
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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