Laidley
At a median age of 48, Laidley sits 8 years above the national figure, and that age profile explains much else about the suburb. Household income falls at the 10.1st percentile nationally, meaning 9 in 10 Australian suburbs earn more, yet outright homeownership reaches 36.9% because long-term residents have paid off their mortgages. With a $355,000 median house price and 90.9% detached houses, Laidley offers genuine affordability compared to southeast Queensland metro markets, but a labour force participation rate of just 37.3% and unemployment at 11.2% signal that the local economy is under pressure.
Population
3,809
Median Age
48.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$939/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
5
Median House
$355K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The $355,000 median house price puts Laidley well below the Queensland state median, making it one of the more affordable regional options within the southeast corner. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,155, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 28.4%, below the 30% stress threshold, which is a meaningful distinction compared to many metro suburbs. The stock is overwhelmingly detached houses at 90.9%, with 3-bedroom homes the most common at 44.5% and 4-plus bedroom dwellings accounting for 37.1%. Semi-detached properties make up 8.2%, while apartment supply is negligible. Outright owners at 36.9% outnumber mortgage holders at 25.0%, a pattern typical of older, stable regional communities where residents have lived for decades.
For Buyers
The $355,000 median house price puts Laidley well below the Queensland state median, making it one of the more affordable regional options within the southeast corner. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,155, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 28.4%, below the 30% stress threshold, which is a meaningful distinction compared to many metro suburbs. The stock is overwhelmingly detached houses at 90.9%, with 3-bedroom homes the most common at 44.5% and 4-plus bedroom dwellings accounting for 37.1%. Semi-detached properties make up 8.2%, while apartment supply is negligible. Outright owners at 36.9% outnumber mortgage holders at 25.0%, a pattern typical of older, stable regional communities where residents have lived for decades.
For Investors
Laidley presents a mixed picture for investors. The 38.2% renter share is above average and weekly rent of $300 produces a gross yield of approximately 4.4% against the $355,000 median, stronger than most Brisbane suburbs. However, the 8.1% vacancy rate is elevated, indicating supply exceeds current demand. Only 4 development applications were lodged in the past 12 months, confirming this is not a high-construction environment. The household income sitting at the 10.1st percentile nationally means tenant affordability is fragile, and rent stress is already present with rent-to-income at 31.9%, above the 30% threshold. Investors should factor in the above-average vacancy rate and the limited employment base when assessing rental risk.
Development Activity
Total DAs
5
Last 12 Months
5
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
—
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Laidley iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St Mary's School
Prep-6 · 260 students
Laidley State High School
7-12 · 672 students
Laidley District State School
Prep-6 · 375 students
Demographics
The median age of 48 is 8 years above the national figure, placing Laidley among Queensland's older regional towns. This aging profile is reinforced by a labour force participation rate of just 37.3%, with 1,537 residents not in the labour force, largely retirees. Overseas-born residents make up 12.9% of the population, which is 8.7 percentage points below the national average, reflecting the predominantly Australian-born character of the town. Ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic: English (1,530), Irish (416), German (398) and Scottish (354) are the leading ancestries. University qualifications reach only 13.0%, which is 17.1 points below the national rate, consistent with a regional blue-collar and service-worker community. Average household size is 2.3, slightly below national.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
90.9%
Houses
8.2%
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
Laidley's housing stock is defined by detached houses at 90.9%, with semi-detached at 8.2% and virtually no apartments. The tenure split shows 36.9% own outright, 25.0% carry a mortgage and 38.2% rent. Outright ownership running higher than mortgages points to long-established residents who bought at lower historical prices. The 3-bedroom configuration dominates at 44.5%, followed by 4-plus bedrooms at 37.1%, meaning the stock skews large, consistent with the family and semi-rural character. The $355,000 median comes with a $1,155 monthly mortgage, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 28.4% remains below the stress benchmark, though the vacancy rate of 8.1% indicates supply is outpacing demand in the current rental market.
Mortgage / mo
$1,155
Rent / wk
$300
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$495
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.1%
Unoccupied
133
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
31.9% stressed
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.4%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
31.1%
Couples, no children
2,670
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads Laidley's employment at 18.4% of workers (120 people), followed by Education at 14.3% (93) and Public Administration at 10.3% (67). These sectors together suggest the town functions partly as a local service hub for the surrounding Lockyer Valley region. The top occupations are Labourers (215), Community and Personal Service workers (190), and Professionals (139). Unemployment sits at 11.2%, notably higher than the national average, and the participation rate of just 37.3% is low because the aged resident base has a large share outside the workforce. Household income at the 10.1st percentile nationally confirms the economic gap between Laidley and major urban centres. Volunteering at 14.0% of residents is a sign of community engagement relative to the demographic size.
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
58.0%
Part-time
30.8%
Participation
37.3%
Employed
1,047
Occupations
Top Industries
University
13.0%
Postgraduate
2.7%
Born Overseas
12.9%
Dwellings
1,457
Transport to Work
Car dependency in Laidley is extreme: 87.4% of residents drive to work and only 0.4% use public transport, reflecting the limited transit options typical of regional Queensland towns. Walking and cycling account for 5.0%. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset. The need-for-assistance rate of 15.0% (528 residents) is high, which is consistent with both the older median age of 48 and the low household income at the 10.1st percentile nationally. No SEIFA decile data is available for direct comparison, but the income and education figures position Laidley at the lower end of the socioeconomic spectrum relative to Queensland state averages. Rent stress is present with rent-to-income at 31.9%, while mortgage holders are in a more comfortable position at 28.4%.
Drive
87.4%
Public Transport
0.4%
Walk / Cycle
5.0%
Work from Home
N/A
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Laidley compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Laidley a good suburb to live in?
Laidley suits buyers seeking affordability and a quiet regional lifestyle. The $355,000 median house price is well below state medians and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 28.4% stays below the 30% stress threshold. The trade-offs are limited public transport (0.4% usage), an unemployment rate of 11.2%, and household income at only the 10.1st percentile nationally.
What is the median house price in Laidley?
The median house price in Laidley is approximately $355,000, estimated from 2025 rental data. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,155 and weekly rent is $300, giving investors a gross yield of around 4.4%. The price is significantly below the broader southeast Queensland metro median.
What schools are in Laidley?
No schools are recorded inside the Laidley suburb boundary in this dataset. Families would rely on schools in the broader Lockyer Valley area. The local university qualification rate is 13.0%, which is 17.1 percentage points below the national average, reflecting the region's trade and service-based workforce profile.
Is Laidley safe?
Crime statistics for Laidley are not available in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb has a high need-for-assistance rate of 15.0% (528 residents), linked to its older median age of 48 and low income levels at the 10.1st percentile nationally. For specific safety data, Queensland Police Service regional statistics are the best reference.
Is Laidley good for property investment?
Laidley offers a gross rental yield of approximately 4.4% based on $300 weekly rent against a $355,000 median, higher than most Brisbane metro suburbs. The 38.2% renter share provides a reasonable tenant pool. The main risks are an 8.1% vacancy rate, rent stress with rent-to-income at 31.9%, and household income sitting at only the 10.1st percentile nationally.
How is Laidley's population changing?
Current data shows a population of 3,809 with a residential turnover rate of 22.5%, meaning 77.5% of residents stayed at the same address, suggesting a stable rather than rapidly changing base. The aging median age of 48, which is 8 years above the national figure, and the low labour force participation rate of 37.3% point to a mature, slow-growth community.
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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