Lowood
Household income in the 22.5th percentile nationally and a median house price of $367,000 tell a consistent story about Lowood: this is one of Queensland's most affordable owner-occupier markets, sitting in SEIFA decile 2 on both the disadvantage index (IRSD) and the advantage/disadvantage index (IRSAD). What makes Lowood unusual is that affordability has actually improved since 2011, falling from 56.6% to 48.1% of income, even as rent grew 14.8%. The suburb is dominated by detached houses at 93.9% of stock and four-plus-bedroom homes at 52.5% of dwellings, pointing to families rather than investors as the primary buyer profile. Population climbed 18.1% over the decade, driven largely by internal migration at a net 146 arrivals per year.
Population
4,082
Median Age
40.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,163/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
61
Median House
$367K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At $367,000 median, Lowood sits well below Queensland state averages, making it accessible to buyers priced out of Ipswich or Springfield. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,300, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.8%, below the 30% stress threshold. The stock is almost entirely separate houses (93.9%), and more than half of all dwellings have four or more bedrooms (52.5%), so families buying for space get genuine value compared to southeast Queensland corridor suburbs at two to three times the price. Outright owners (31.6%) and mortgage holders (31.8%) are roughly equal, suggesting a stable base of long-term residents alongside newer purchasers. Three-bedroom homes make up 34.4% of dwellings, giving buyers a range of price points within the suburb.
For Buyers
At $367,000 median, Lowood sits well below Queensland state averages, making it accessible to buyers priced out of Ipswich or Springfield. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,300, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.8%, below the 30% stress threshold. The stock is almost entirely separate houses (93.9%), and more than half of all dwellings have four or more bedrooms (52.5%), so families buying for space get genuine value compared to southeast Queensland corridor suburbs at two to three times the price. Outright owners (31.6%) and mortgage holders (31.8%) are roughly equal, suggesting a stable base of long-term residents alongside newer purchasers. Three-bedroom homes make up 34.4% of dwellings, giving buyers a range of price points within the suburb.
For Investors
Renters represent 36.6% of Lowood households, providing a meaningful tenant pool for landlords. Weekly rent of $295 against a $367,000 median implies a gross yield near 4.2%, higher than most southeast Queensland metro markets. The vacancy rate of 7.8% is elevated and warrants caution, pointing to periods of oversupply in the rental segment. Development activity of 34 applications in the past 12 months includes duplex and secondary dwelling work, which may add further rental supply. On the demand side, net internal migration of 146 per year is a positive indicator, and rent growth of 14.8% over the period outpaced many comparable regional markets. The gentrification score of 27 with an early-signs classification suggests the suburb is beginning a transition rather than already repriced.
Development Activity
Total DAs
61
Last 12 Months
61
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 Lowood iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Lowood State High School
7-12 · 643 students
Lowood State School
Prep-6 · 197 students
Demographics
Lowood's median age of 40 matches the national figure. The overseas-born share of 11.6% is 10 percentage points below the national average, consistent with an Anglo-Celtic community where English (1,601 residents), German (457), Scottish (428) and Irish (404) ancestries dominate. University qualifications reach only 10.1%, which is approximately 20 percentage points below the national figure, reflecting the blue-collar occupational base. Average household size is 2.6, slightly above the national 2.5, consistent with the high proportion of family homes. Christianity is the predominant religion (1,819 residents), and the community is relatively stable: 77.7% of residents stayed in the same address over five years, compared to a national turnover that typically runs higher in growth corridors.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
93.9%
Houses
5.2%
Townhouse
0.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Separate houses account for 93.9% of Lowood's stock, with apartments at just 0.5% and semi-detached at 5.2%, making it one of the most detached-dominant profiles in Queensland. Four-plus-bedroom dwellings at 52.5% far exceed national norms, where three-bedroom homes typically dominate. Tenure splits evenly: 31.6% own outright, 31.8% carry a mortgage and 36.6% rent. The median house price of $367,000 translates to a rent-to-income ratio of 25.4% and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.8%, both comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. Weekly rent of $295 is modest compared to southeast Queensland metro corridors. The vacancy rate of 7.8% is above typical rental market tightness thresholds, suggesting some softness in the rental segment despite the 14.8% rent growth over the period.
Mortgage / mo
$1,300
Rent / wk
$295
HH Size
2.6
Personal Income / wk
$552
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.8%
Unoccupied
123
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.8%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
27.3%
Couples, no children
3,211
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the largest employing sector at 19.1% (151 workers), followed by Education at 11.4% (90) and Construction at 11.2% (88), with Manufacturing at 9.8% and Public Administration at 8.5%. The occupational structure leans toward Labourers (232), Community and Personal Service (200) and Machinery and Drivers (176), rather than Professionals or Managers, which is consistent with the IEO decile 2 score for education and occupation. Unemployment sits at 10.5%, higher than state and national averages, and the participation rate of 42.5% is low, with 1,436 residents not in the labour force. Real income grew 9.9% over the decade, a genuine gain but modest compared to more advantage-bracket suburbs. Household income in the 22.5th percentile nationally confirms Lowood as a working-class and trade-oriented community.
Unemployment
4.6%
Labour Force
7,490
Unemployed
348
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
64.7%
Part-time
24.8%
Participation
42.5%
Employed
1,226
Occupations
Top Industries
University
10.1%
Postgraduate
1.6%
Born Overseas
11.6%
Dwellings
1,471
Transport to Work
Car dependence is extreme: 91.8% of residents drive to work and only 0.3% use public transport, the lowest tier nationally for transit access. This reflects limited rail and bus connectivity in a regional setting 26.66 km2 in area. Volunteering at 13.6% is moderate, and 10.8% of residents (408 people) need daily assistance, higher than the national average, consistent with the aging trajectory and lower SEIFA scores. Rent-to-income of 25.4% keeps housing costs manageable for tenants relative to income, even if incomes are below national averages. The IRSAD decile 2 ranking places Lowood in the lower 20% nationally for relative advantage, meaning residents face above-average constraints on access to services and economic resources compared to most Australian suburbs. No crime statistics are available from this dataset.
Drive
91.8%
Public Transport
0.3%
Walk / Cycle
2.7%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.38%/yr
(+214 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 18.1% over the decade and is forecast to continue rising at 1.38% annually, adding roughly 214 persons per year. The SA2-level medium forecast reaches 16,818 by 2031, up from 15,478 in 2025. Net internal migration of 146 per year is the primary growth driver, supplemented by 48 overseas arrivals annually. The aging trajectory is visible: the senior share rose 4.8 points while the working-age share fell 2.2 points over the decade. Young-adult share declined by 2.1 points, suggesting the suburb attracts families and older movers rather than first-time renters. The gentrification score of 27 with early-signs classification indicates the affordability and migration dynamics are beginning to attract buyers who previously targeted pricier markets, without yet driving rapid price appreciation.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+48
Net Internal / yr
+146
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +26% since 2011, Net internal migration +146/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Lowood compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lowood a good suburb to live in?
Lowood suits families and owner-occupiers who prioritise space and affordability over proximity to metro amenities. The median house price is $367,000 and mortgage repayments average $1,300 per month, well below the 30% stress threshold. The trade-offs are a SEIFA IRSAD decile 2 ranking, placing it in the lower 20% nationally for advantage, a 10.5% unemployment rate, and very limited public transport with 91.8% of residents driving to work.
What is the median house price in Lowood?
The median house price is $367,000 (estimated from 2025 rental data). Weekly rent averages $295 and monthly mortgage repayments are approximately $1,300, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.8%. The suburb has seen rent growth of 14.8% over the period, and the vacancy rate is 7.8%.
What schools are in Lowood?
No schools are recorded inside the Lowood boundary in this dataset. Families should verify local school catchments directly with Education Queensland. The suburb's university qualification rate is 10.1%, around 20 percentage points below the national figure, reflecting the trade and labourer occupational base rather than an absence of educational infrastructure.
Is Lowood safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Lowood in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores IRSD decile 2, placing it in the lower 20% nationally for relative disadvantage, which correlates with higher crime rates in comparable areas. The 10.5% unemployment rate and household income in the 22.5th percentile nationally are relevant context when assessing risk profile.
Is Lowood good for property investment?
At $367,000 median and $295 weekly rent, the gross yield is approximately 4.2%, above most southeast Queensland metro markets. Net internal migration of 146 per year and 18.1% population growth over the decade support ongoing demand. The 7.8% vacancy rate is elevated, and the gentrification score of 27 signals early-stage rather than confirmed upswing, so capital growth timelines are uncertain.
How is Lowood's population changing?
Population grew 18.1% over the decade and is rising at approximately 1.38% per year, adding around 214 people annually. Internal migration is the primary driver at a net 146 per year. The trajectory is aging, with the senior share up 4.8 points and the working-age share down 2.2 points since 2011, so growth is driven more by family and retirement movers than young workers.
How much development is happening in Lowood?
There were 34 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, including duplex construction, secondary dwelling approvals and infrastructure works. This pace is moderate for a suburb of 4,082 residents and consistent with the population growth trend of roughly 214 persons per year. Secondary dwelling activity suggests some investors are adding rental supply to existing residential lots.
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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