Milton
At a median age of 30, Milton sits 10 years below the national figure, making it one of Brisbane's most distinctly young professional enclaves. The suburb packs 2,774 residents per square kilometre into its 1.13 km2, with 76.9% of dwellings being apartments and 69.9% of residents renting. Education levels are exceptional: 64.2% hold university qualifications, which is 34.1 percentage points above the national rate. Household income sits in the 79th percentile nationally, and SEIFA scores place the suburb in decile 10 for advantage on three of four indexes. A 13.0% vacancy rate reflects high stock turnover in an apartment-dominant market where residents move frequently, with 53.4% turning over in the five years to the 2021 census.
Population
3,144
Median Age
30.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,087/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
23
Median House
$546K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The estimated median house price of $546,000 is derived from rent data as of 2025, reflecting a predominantly apartment market where separate houses make up only 21.1% of stock. Apartments account for 76.9% of dwellings, so buyers are competing mainly for a scarce detached house supply or entering a liquid apartment market. The dominant dwelling size is two bedrooms at 40.4%, with studios or one-bedroom units at 33.3% and three-bedroom at 15.6%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,950, and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 21.6%, below the 30% stress threshold, meaning ownership is relatively serviceable at current incomes in the 79th household income percentile. Only 12.3% of residents own outright and 17.9% carry a mortgage, both low figures that reflect the suburb's renter-majority character.
For Buyers
The estimated median house price of $546,000 is derived from rent data as of 2025, reflecting a predominantly apartment market where separate houses make up only 21.1% of stock. Apartments account for 76.9% of dwellings, so buyers are competing mainly for a scarce detached house supply or entering a liquid apartment market. The dominant dwelling size is two bedrooms at 40.4%, with studios or one-bedroom units at 33.3% and three-bedroom at 15.6%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,950, and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 21.6%, below the 30% stress threshold, meaning ownership is relatively serviceable at current incomes in the 79th household income percentile. Only 12.3% of residents own outright and 17.9% carry a mortgage, both low figures that reflect the suburb's renter-majority character.
For Investors
Milton's 69.9% renter share is one of the highest in Brisbane's inner ring, providing landlords with a deep tenant pool driven by young professionals and students. Weekly rent averages $435. The 13.0% vacancy rate is elevated, a signal of strong apartment supply relative to demand, so stock selection matters. Development activity adds context: 21 applications lodged in the past 12 months include material changes of use for multiple dwellings and commercial mixed-use projects, indicating ongoing densification. The population grew 43.3% over the decade to 2021, well above state averages, and net overseas migration of 153 residents a year is the primary demand driver, compared to net internal outflow of only 5. Annual population growth of 1.89% supports continued rental demand over the medium term.
Development Activity
Total DAs
131
Last 12 Months
23
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-14.8%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Milton iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Milton State School
Prep-6 · 607 students
Hubbard's School
11-12 · 58 students
Demographics
The median age of 30 is 10 years below the national median, and the working-age share grew by 1.3 points over the decade. Overseas-born residents make up 37.0% of the population, which is 15.4 percentage points above the national figure, reflecting the suburb's role as a destination for international arrivals. Ancestry is led by English (1,093 residents), followed by Irish (445) and Scottish (335), with Chinese (257) the largest non-Anglo group. The top non-English languages are Mandarin (67 speakers), Hindi (23), Portuguese (18) and Arabic (17). University qualifications reach 64.2%, compared to a national rate approximately 30 points lower, consistent with the professional and student character. Average household size of 2.0 is 0.5 below national, typical for a suburb of couples without children: 47.8% of families fit that profile.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
21.1%
Houses
2.1%
Townhouse
76.9%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure is dominated by renters at 69.9%, with mortgage holders at only 17.9% and outright owners at 12.3%, proportions typical of an inner-city transient population rather than settled owner-occupiers. Apartments make up 76.9% of the stock and semi-detached dwellings just 2.1%, leaving separate houses at 21.1%. The two-bedroom segment leads at 40.4%, followed by studios or one-bedroom at 33.3%, indicating the market caters strongly to singles and couples. The median house price is estimated at $546,000 from 2025 rent data, with weekly rent at $435 and monthly mortgage costs at $1,950. Rent-to-income sits at 20.8%, below the 30% stress threshold, and mortgage-to-income at 21.6% also stays comfortable, both figures well within sustainable ranges compared to many other inner-Brisbane suburbs.
Mortgage / mo
$1,950
Rent / wk
$435
HH Size
2.0
Personal Income / wk
$1,183
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
13.0%
Unoccupied
227
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.6%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
47.8%
Couples, no children
1,770
Total families
Economy & Employment
Professional and technical services lead local employment at 20.1% of workers (343), above the share seen in most comparable inner suburbs. Healthcare follows at 13.6% (233) and Education at 9.1% (155), with Public Administration at 8.0% and Finance at 6.6%. By occupation, Professionals dominate with 912 workers, more than three times the count of Managers (283). The full-time employment rate is 71.5% and the unemployment rate is 4.8%, consistent with a young, active workforce. SEIFA places the suburb in decile 10 for both the Index of Education and Occupation (IEO score 1,165) and the IRSD advantage index, confirming a highly skilled labour base. The IER (economic resources) decile of 6 sits lower than the other three indexes because the 69.9% renter majority depresses aggregate household wealth measures.
Unemployment
5.1%
Labour Force
4,940
Unemployed
251
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
71.5%
Part-time
23.7%
Participation
72.2%
Employed
1,980
Occupations
Top Industries
University
64.2%
Postgraduate
17.3%
Born Overseas
37.0%
Dwellings
1,510
Transport to Work
Active and sustainable travel modes are well above national norms: 19.9% of residents walk or cycle to work and 20.4% use public transport, together nearly doubling the car-free commute share compared to the broader metropolitan average. Car dependency at 54.6% is low for a Queensland suburb. SEIFA ranks the suburb in decile 10 on the IRSAD advantage index, the highest tier nationally, and decile 10 on IRSD for relative disadvantage, meaning few residents face deprivation. Volunteering runs at 18.1% and only 1.7% (52 residents) need daily assistance, consistent with the young, healthy age profile. No schools are recorded within the 1.13 km2 boundary, so families depend on neighbouring suburbs for schooling, a practical consideration given the compact, apartment-dense layout and low family household share.
Drive
54.6%
Public Transport
20.4%
Walk / Cycle
19.9%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.89%/yr
(+140 people/yr)
EstablishedThe SA2 encompassing Milton grew from 5,188 in 2011 to 7,408 by 2025, a 43.3% increase over 10 years. Annual growth runs at 1.89%, adding roughly 140 persons a year. Medium forecasts project the population reaching 8,320 by 2031. Overseas migration is the dominant growth driver at a net 153 arrivals annually, while internal migration is effectively neutral at minus 5. The gentrification stage reads not gentrifying, consistent with a suburb that has already reached decile 10 advantage and has limited room to climb. Rent grew 16.7% over the measured period and real income grew 2.6%, while affordability (rent as a share of income) improved from 37.9% in 2011 to 35.1% in 2021, a positive trend. The senior share rose 4.0 points over the decade, a modest aging signal despite the low median age of 30.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+153
Net Internal / yr
-5
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +50% since 2011
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Milton compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Milton a good suburb to live in?
Milton scores in decile 10 on three SEIFA advantage indexes, the top tier nationally, with household income in the 79th percentile. University qualifications reach 64.2%, which is 34.1 points above the national figure. The trade-offs are a 13.0% vacancy rate in a largely apartment market and no recorded schools within the 1.13 km2 boundary.
What is the median house price in Milton?
The estimated median house price is $546,000, derived from 2025 rent data. Weekly rent averages $435 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $1,950. The mortgage-to-income ratio is 21.6%, well below the 30% stress threshold, though separate houses make up only 21.1% of the stock.
What schools are in Milton?
No schools are recorded inside Milton's 1.13 km2 boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in adjoining suburbs. The local population is highly educated, with 64.2% holding university qualifications, which is 34.1 percentage points above the national figure.
Is Milton safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Milton in this dataset. As indirect indicators, the suburb scores decile 10 on the IRSD index of relative disadvantage, the highest advantage tier, and only 1.7% of residents (52 people) need daily assistance, both consistent with a low-disadvantage, well-resourced community.
Is Milton good for property investment?
Milton's 69.9% renter share is among the highest in inner Brisbane, supporting strong tenant demand. Weekly rent of $435 against an estimated $546,000 median gives a gross yield near 4.1%. The 13.0% vacancy rate signals competitive apartment supply, so stock differentiation matters. Net overseas migration of 153 a year and 1.89% annual population growth underpin medium-term demand.
How is Milton's population changing?
The SA2 population grew 43.3% over the decade to 2025, reaching 7,408. Annual growth runs at 1.89%, adding about 140 people a year. Overseas migration is the primary driver at 153 net arrivals annually. Medium forecasts project the population at 8,320 by 2031, with the senior share rising 4.0 points as the cohort ages.
What languages are spoken in Milton?
About 37.0% of residents were born overseas, which is 15.4 percentage points above the national figure. The top non-English languages are Mandarin (67 speakers), Hindi (23), Portuguese (18), Arabic (17) and Korean (14), reflecting the suburb's international mix driven by overseas migration of 153 net arrivals a year.
How much development is happening in Milton?
There were 21 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, including material changes of use for multiple dwellings and commercial mixed-use projects such as food and drink outlets, offices and shops. This ongoing densification is consistent with a suburb that has grown 43.3% over the decade and remains under active infill pressure.
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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