Munruben
Household income in the 90.3rd percentile nationally, yet the median house price is $565,000, a combination that signals genuine affordability relative to earnings. Munruben covers 12.53 km2 in Logan's outer south with a population of 2,753, averaging 3.1 persons per household compared to the national average of 2.5. Ownership is strong: 34.1% own outright and 57.7% are paying off a mortgage, while renters account for just 8.2%. The housing stock is almost entirely detached houses at 99.4%, and 75.9% of dwellings have 4 or more bedrooms, placing this firmly in family-home territory rather than investor or unit markets.
Population
2,753
Median Age
42.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,378/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
60
Median House
$565K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At $565,000 the median house price sits well below the Queensland state median and the national median for detached houses, making entry costs lower than most comparable family suburbs. Mortgage repayments average $1,950 per month and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 18.9%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. The stock almost exclusively comprises detached houses (99.4%), with 75.9% offering 4 or more bedrooms, so buyers looking for a family home with space will find consistent supply here rather than competing for scarce larger-format dwellings. With 57.7% of residents carrying a mortgage and median household income in the top 10% nationally, the suburb's buyers have the income base to service these loans without stress.
For Buyers
At $565,000 the median house price sits well below the Queensland state median and the national median for detached houses, making entry costs lower than most comparable family suburbs. Mortgage repayments average $1,950 per month and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 18.9%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. The stock almost exclusively comprises detached houses (99.4%), with 75.9% offering 4 or more bedrooms, so buyers looking for a family home with space will find consistent supply here rather than competing for scarce larger-format dwellings. With 57.7% of residents carrying a mortgage and median household income in the top 10% nationally, the suburb's buyers have the income base to service these loans without stress.
For Investors
The rental market is thin: only 8.2% of dwellings are rented, well below state and national averages, and weekly rent is $460. Against the $565,000 median, that implies a gross yield around 4.2%, modest but not negligible. The vacancy rate of 2.6% is low, meaning the small pool of rentals turns over quickly and landlords face limited void periods. Development activity reached 53 applications in the past 12 months, including a new childcare centre under construction, which signals some investment in local amenity. Net overseas migration adds 24 residents annually while internal migration removes 20, producing a near-balanced migration picture. Population is forecast to edge lower at -0.28% per year through 2031, so capital growth will be driven by affordability appeal and constrained supply rather than population-led demand.
Development Activity
Total DAs
117
Last 12 Months
60
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+252.9%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 42 is 2 years above the national figure, and the trajectory is aging: the senior share rose 6.2 points over the decade while the young adult share fell 3.9 points. Overseas-born residents make up 20.2%, which is 1.4 points below the national figure, and ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic: English (1,166), Irish (310) and Scottish (282) are the top three groups. University qualifications at 16.9% sit 13.2 points below the national figure, consistent with a blue-collar and trades workforce rather than a professional enclave. Average household size of 3.1 is 0.6 above national, reflecting the prevalence of families with children: 886 couples have children versus 584 couples without, and the average household earns $2,378 per week.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
99.4%
Houses
N/A
Townhouse
0.6%
Apartment
Tenure
The tenure split strongly favours ownership: 34.1% own outright and 57.7% hold a mortgage, while renters at 8.2% are well below state and national norms, which is consistent with a suburb where family stability and long tenure are the norm. The mobility data confirms this: 84.2% of residents stayed in place over the measured period, and the turnover rate of 15.8% is low. The stock is 99.4% detached houses and 75.9% have 4 or more bedrooms, making this one of the most house-dominant profiles in the region. Housing stress is low: mortgage-to-income is 18.9% and rent-to-income is 19.3%, both below the 30% benchmark. The IER decile of 9 reflects high economic resources, consistent with the 90.3rd-percentile household income.
Mortgage / mo
$1,950
Rent / wk
$460
HH Size
3.1
Personal Income / wk
$820
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
2.6%
Unoccupied
23
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.9%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
24.0%
Couples, no children
2,436
Total families
Economy & Employment
Construction leads local employment at 17.5% of the workforce (153 workers), more than double the share in most metro suburbs, reflecting the surrounding development corridor. Healthcare follows at 14.5% (127 workers) and Education at 10.1% (88 workers), giving the economy a practical services base alongside trades. The top occupation by count is Clerical/Admin (246), followed by Professionals (180) and Managers (161), but Machinery/Drivers (153) and Labourers (148) also feature prominently, pointing to a mixed skills profile. The full-time employment rate is 69.6% and participation sits at 66.1%, with unemployment at 5.9%. SEIFA IRSD decile is 6 and IRSAD decile is 5, around the national midpoint for disadvantage, consistent with a working-to-middle-income suburb rather than an affluent professional precinct.
Unemployment
2.4%
Labour Force
2,683
Unemployed
64
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
69.6%
Part-time
24.5%
Participation
66.1%
Employed
1,401
Occupations
Top Industries
University
16.9%
Postgraduate
3.3%
Born Overseas
20.2%
Dwellings
849
Transport to Work
Car dependency is pronounced: 93.2% of residents drive to work and only 0.7% use public transport, well above the national average for car reliance, reflecting Munruben's low-density outer suburban location. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families depend on facilities in neighbouring areas. The need-for-assistance rate is 5.9% (156 residents), similar to state norms. Volunteering at 11.6% is moderate. Crime data is not available for this suburb in the dataset. On economic advantage, the IEO decile of 2 indicates the local workforce is below average for education and occupation outcomes compared to national peers, though the IER decile of 9 confirms households hold strong economic resources. Rent-to-income at 19.3% and mortgage-to-income at 18.9% make daily housing costs manageable for most residents.
Drive
93.2%
Public Transport
0.7%
Walk / Cycle
0.4%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
-0.28%/yr
(-13 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation is declining slowly at -0.28% per year (-13 persons annually) and sits at 2,753, down 3.5% over the past decade. The medium forecast puts the SA2-level population at 4,449 by 2031, continuing a gradual contraction. Migration is near-balanced: net overseas arrivals average 24 per year while net internal departures average 20, so natural ageing of the resident base is the primary driver of decline. The COVID recovery is complete: the suburb recovered from a 3.3% population dip and is now 1.5% above the COVID low. The gentrification score is low at 10 out of 100, placing it firmly in the not-gentrifying category. Affordability improved from 63.2% in 2011 to 59.5% in 2021, and the suburb's identity as a mortgage-belt family area is not changing.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+24
Net Internal / yr
-20
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
COVID recovered (-3% dip → full recovery)
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Munruben compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Munruben a good suburb to live in?
Munruben suits families prioritising space and affordability over proximity to city amenities. The median house price is $565,000 with a mortgage-to-income ratio of 18.9%, well below the 30% stress threshold. Household income ranks in the 90.3rd percentile nationally, and 99.4% of dwellings are detached houses, most with 4 or more bedrooms. Car ownership is essential as only 0.7% commute by public transport.
What is the median house price in Munruben?
The median house price in Munruben is $565,000, estimated from 2025 rental data. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,950, and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 18.9%, below the 30% stress threshold. Weekly rent averages $460, implying a gross yield of around 4.2% against the median price.
What schools are in Munruben?
No schools are recorded within the Munruben suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring Logan suburbs. The local university education rate is 16.9%, which is 13.2 points below the national figure, suggesting most residents attended vocational or trades training rather than tertiary institutions.
Is Munruben safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Munruben in this dataset. As an indirect measure, the IRSD decile of 6 sits near the national midpoint for relative disadvantage, and the IRSAD decile of 5 places it at average advantage nationally. The need-for-assistance rate is 5.9%, or 156 of 2,753 residents, broadly in line with state norms.
Is Munruben good for property investment?
The investment case is niche. Weekly rent of $460 against a $565,000 median produces a gross yield near 4.2%, modest but above inner-city levels. Vacancy at 2.6% is low, so rental periods are short. However, only 8.2% of dwellings are rented, the demand pool is small, and population is forecast to decline at -0.28% per year through 2031, limiting growth-led upside.
How is Munruben's population changing?
Population is declining gradually at -0.28% per year, losing around 13 residents annually. The current population of 2,753 is down 3.5% over the past decade. Net overseas migration adds 24 residents a year while internal migration removes 20, making ageing of the resident base the main driver. The suburb is forecast to continue this slow contraction through 2031.
How much development is happening in Munruben?
There were 53 development applications lodged in the past 12 months. Recent activity includes Stage 2 construction of a new childcare centre on Crowson Lane, a fibreglass swimming pool, and reinstatement of a removal dwelling. This level of activity indicates steady infill and amenity investment for a suburb of 2,753 people.
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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