Middle Ridge
Healthcare (27.2%) and Education (19.0%) together employ nearly half of Middle Ridge's workforce, the highest combined share of these two sectors in this batch. This concentration reflects the suburb's role as Toowoomba's professional residential quarter, where household income sits in the 82nd percentile despite regional location. The estimated $535,000 median house price with mortgage-to-income at just 20.7% makes this one of the most affordable suburbs relative to income in the dataset. University qualifications at 44.6% are 14.5 points above the national average, and the IRSD decile 9 confirms low deprivation. Volunteering at 21.9% is the highest in this batch.
Population
7,595
Median Age
43.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,177/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
5
Median House
$535K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The estimated $535,000 median is affordable for the socioeconomic tier (IRSAD decile 8). Monthly mortgage of $1,950 produces a mortgage-to-income ratio of 20.7%, one of the lowest in this batch. Detached houses dominate at 93.0%, with 78.2% having 4+ bedrooms, the second-highest rate in this dataset. Outright owners at 44.8% represent the highest ownership rate in this batch, reflecting established long-term residents. Middle Ridge State School (government primary, ICSEA 1,044, 735 students) scores above the national benchmark. Public transport at 0.1% is virtually non-existent, with car dependency at 89.9%. Walking/cycling at 2.0% is the main alternative.
For Buyers
The estimated $535,000 median is affordable for the socioeconomic tier (IRSAD decile 8). Monthly mortgage of $1,950 produces a mortgage-to-income ratio of 20.7%, one of the lowest in this batch. Detached houses dominate at 93.0%, with 78.2% having 4+ bedrooms, the second-highest rate in this dataset. Outright owners at 44.8% represent the highest ownership rate in this batch, reflecting established long-term residents. Middle Ridge State School (government primary, ICSEA 1,044, 735 students) scores above the national benchmark. Public transport at 0.1% is virtually non-existent, with car dependency at 89.9%. Walking/cycling at 2.0% is the main alternative.
For Investors
Renters at 20.3% form a moderate pool. Weekly rent of $420 against the $535,000 estimated median delivers gross yield of approximately 4.1%, above the national average. The 5.8% vacancy rate is moderate. Only 5 development applications in 12 months means very limited new supply. Population grows at 1.26% per year (102 persons), driven by internal migration of 106 per year. Rent grew 23.5% over the decade, above real income growth of 2.4%, indicating tightening rental affordability. The early gentrification signals (score 20, population accelerating from 7% to 13%) and IRSD decile 9 create a stable investment environment with modest appreciation potential.
Development Activity
Total DAs
35
Last 12 Months
5
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-16.7%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Middle Ridge iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Middle Ridge State School
Prep-6 · 735 students
Demographics
The median age of 43 is 3 years above the national median. University qualifications at 44.6% are 14.5 points above national, driven by the healthcare and education workforce. Overseas-born at 20.6% is 1.0 point below national. English (2,919), Irish (1,019), Scottish (907), German (831) and Italian (583) ancestries reflect European migration heritage, with the German share (831) notably higher than most suburbs. Mandarin (81), Malayalam (47), Arabic (40), Punjabi (36) and Afrikaans (31) are the top non-English languages. Average household size of 2.7 is 0.2 above national. Couples with children (2,929) substantially outnumber childless couples (1,881).
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
93.0%
Houses
3.5%
Townhouse
3.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Outright owners at 44.8% lead tenure, the highest rate in this batch, followed by mortgage holders at 34.8% and renters at 20.3%. The 79.6% combined ownership rate is strong. Stock is 93.0% detached, with 78.2% having 4+ bedrooms. The apartment share at 3.5% and semi-detached at 3.5% provide minimal diversity. Mortgage-to-income at 20.7% and rent-to-income at 19.3% are both well below stress thresholds. The IRSD decile 9 confirms low disadvantage, and the IER decile 9 indicates strong economic resources among residents. Affordability was stable at 47.2% (2011) to 46.3% (2021).
Mortgage / mo
$1,950
Rent / wk
$420
HH Size
2.7
Personal Income / wk
$907
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.8%
Unoccupied
160
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.7%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
29.6%
Couples, no children
6,362
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare dominates at 27.2% (707 workers), the highest single-sector concentration in this batch. Education follows at 19.0% (496), Public Admin at 7.3% (190), Professional/Tech at 6.9% (179) and Retail at 6.7% (175). The healthcare + education share of 46.2% is nearly half the workforce, reflecting Toowoomba's hospital and university infrastructure. Professionals (1,156) dominate occupations, with Managers (488) and Clerical/Admin (470) following. Full-time employment at 65.1% is above average, unemployment at 4.2% is below national, and participation at 58.9% is moderate. Real income grew just 2.4% over the decade, the second-lowest positive growth in this batch.
Unemployment
1.3%
Labour Force
4,128
Unemployed
55
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
65.1%
Part-time
30.7%
Participation
58.9%
Employed
3,412
Occupations
Top Industries
University
44.6%
Postgraduate
12.7%
Born Overseas
20.6%
Dwellings
2,604
Transport to Work
Middle Ridge State School (government primary, ICSEA 1,044, 735 students) scores above the national benchmark and is the suburb's sole school. Public transport at 0.1% is virtually absent, making car dependency at 89.9% essential. Walking/cycling at 2.0% is the main alternative. The IRSAD decile 8 places the suburb in the top 20% nationally. No crime data is available. Volunteering at 21.9% is the highest in this batch, suggesting strong community networks. Need for assistance at 8.2% (605 people) is above average, consistent with the older population. Residential turnover at 27.6% is moderate.
Drive
89.9%
Public Transport
0.1%
Walk / Cycle
2.0%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.26%/yr
(+102 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grows at 1.26% per year (102 persons), above the national average. The 10-year change was 15.8%. Medium forecasts project 8,776 by 2031 from 8,113 in 2025. Internal migration at 106 per year is the primary driver, with overseas migration at 48. The gentrification score of 20 (early signs) with population growth accelerating from 7% to 13% suggests initial upgrading. Rent grew 23.5% over the decade, outpacing real income growth of 2.4%, indicating some affordability tightening. The aging trajectory (senior share up 4.0 points, young share down 1.7, working-age down 1.4) is moderate but consistent.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+48
Net Internal / yr
+106
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +20% since 2011, Net internal migration +106/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Middle Ridge compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Middle Ridge a good suburb to live in?
Middle Ridge ranks in IRSAD decile 8, placing it in the top 20% nationally. Mortgage-to-income at 20.7% is one of the lowest in this batch. Middle Ridge State School scores ICSEA 1,044, above the national benchmark. Volunteering at 21.9% is the highest in this dataset, and unemployment at 4.2% is below the national rate.
What is the median house price in Middle Ridge?
The estimated median house price is $535,000 (2025 rent-derived). Monthly mortgage of $1,950 produces a mortgage-to-income ratio of 20.7%. Weekly rent is $420, with a rent-to-income ratio of 19.3%. Both ratios are well below the 30% stress threshold.
What schools are in Middle Ridge?
Middle Ridge State School is the suburb's sole school, a government primary with an ICSEA score of 1,044 (above the 1,000 national benchmark) and 735 enrolled students. Secondary students access schools in central Toowoomba and surrounding suburbs.
Is Middle Ridge safe?
No crime rate data is currently available for Middle Ridge. The IRSD decile 9 indicates very low socioeconomic disadvantage. The population of 7,595 lives at 875 per km2 across 8.68 km2, a moderate density for a regional suburb.
Is Middle Ridge good for property investment?
Gross yield of approximately 4.1% ($420/week on $535,000) is above average. The 5.8% vacancy rate is moderate, and only 5 DAs in 12 months means minimal new supply. Population grows at 1.26% per year with internal migration of 106 per year. Outright owners at 44.8% (the highest in this batch) suggest stable long-term holding patterns.
How is Middle Ridge's population changing?
Population grows at 1.26% per year (102 persons), with medium projections of 8,776 by 2031. The 10-year change was 15.8%. Internal migration of 106 per year drives growth. The median age of 43 is 3 years above national, and the senior share grew 4.0 points over the decade. Growth has accelerated from 7% to 13% over recent years.
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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