Nathan
At a median age of 28, Nathan runs 12 years younger than the national average, a gap explained by its proximity to Griffith University and a student-heavy residential base. The suburb sits in SEIFA decile 8 on both IRSD and IRSAD, placing it among the more advantaged 20% of Australian suburbs despite a relatively modest median house price estimated at $445,000. Household income falls in the 58th percentile nationally, reflecting the part-time and studying population rather than low earning capacity among those employed. A 37.9% turnover rate indicates high mobility consistent with a transitional suburb where residents cycle through rather than settle long-term.
Population
1,085
Median Age
28.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,682/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
2
Median House
$445K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The estimated median house price of $445,000 sits well below Brisbane's broader metropolitan median, giving entry-level buyers access to a SEIFA decile 8 suburb at a discount. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,950, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.8%, below the 30% stress threshold and comfortably manageable on the household weekly income of $1,682. Separate houses dominate at 72.8% of dwellings, with apartments at 27.2%, meaning most purchasers acquire a standalone home rather than strata property. Three-bedroom homes account for 53.8% of stock, with 4-plus bedroom homes at 21.8%, so family-sized configurations are the norm. Outright owners (32.8%) and mortgage holders (33.1%) are nearly equal in share, suggesting a mix of long-term settled owners alongside newer purchasers.
For Buyers
The estimated median house price of $445,000 sits well below Brisbane's broader metropolitan median, giving entry-level buyers access to a SEIFA decile 8 suburb at a discount. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,950, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.8%, below the 30% stress threshold and comfortably manageable on the household weekly income of $1,682. Separate houses dominate at 72.8% of dwellings, with apartments at 27.2%, meaning most purchasers acquire a standalone home rather than strata property. Three-bedroom homes account for 53.8% of stock, with 4-plus bedroom homes at 21.8%, so family-sized configurations are the norm. Outright owners (32.8%) and mortgage holders (33.1%) are nearly equal in share, suggesting a mix of long-term settled owners alongside newer purchasers.
For Investors
Renters make up 34.1% of households, providing a solid tenant base, but the vacancy rate of 4.4% is above the 3% threshold typically associated with landlord-friendly conditions, signalling that supply is slightly ahead of demand. Weekly rent of $300 against a $445,000 median implies a gross yield of approximately 3.5%, modest but above some inner-Brisbane markets. Overseas migration drives 183 net arrivals per year, the primary population growth mechanism, which maintains demand for rental housing given that new arrivals disproportionately rent on arrival. Development activity is low at just 2 applications in the past 12 months, limiting new supply pressure. The 37.9% annual resident turnover produces consistent re-letting activity, keeping vacancy churn manageable for landlords holding quality stock.
Development Activity
Total DAs
5
Last 12 Months
2
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
Demographics
The median age of 28 is 12 years below the national figure, the single most distinctive demographic fact, and it shapes everything else. University qualifications reach 33.5% of residents, which is 3.4 percentage points above the national rate, consistent with a student population that has already completed or is completing tertiary study. Overseas-born residents account for 23.4%, which is 1.8 points above national. Ancestry is Anglo-dominated, led by English (383), Irish (157), Scottish (110) and German (77), with 134 reporting other ancestries. Couples with children number 210 and couples without children 156, out of 555 total families, reflecting that family formation is present despite the young age profile. Average household size of 2.3 is slightly below the national average.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
72.8%
Houses
N/A
Townhouse
27.2%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure splits almost evenly across three groups: 32.8% own outright, 33.1% carry a mortgage and 34.1% rent, an unusually flat distribution that signals a suburb in demographic transition rather than one dominated by a single tenure type. Separate houses at 72.8% of stock make Nathan more detached-dominant than many comparable university-adjacent suburbs, which tend toward higher apartment shares. Three-bedroom homes account for 53.8% of dwellings and 4-plus bedroom homes 21.8%, while smaller 0-1 bedroom dwellings are just 8.9%. The rent-to-income ratio sits at 17.8%, below the 30% stress benchmark, and the mortgage-to-income ratio at 26.8% is also well under stress levels, making Nathan more affordable than the average compared to incomes. The vacancy rate of 4.4% suggests mild oversupply in the rental segment.
Mortgage / mo
$1,950
Rent / wk
$300
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$589
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.4%
Unoccupied
15
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
17.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.8%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
28.1%
Couples, no children
555
Total families
Economy & Employment
Education employs 18.1% of local workers, the single largest industry, which aligns with the suburb's position adjacent to a major university and explains the young resident profile. Healthcare follows at 16.3%, Public Administration at 9.2% and Professional/Tech services at 8.9%. By occupation, Professionals are the largest group at 127 workers, followed by Clerical/Admin at 80 and Community/Personal service at 74. The unemployment rate of 11.3% is elevated compared to state and national norms, driven by the student population who are counted as unemployed or not in the labour force. The participation rate of 53.0% and full-time employment rate of 54.6% both reflect part-time and student status rather than structural economic weakness. SEIFA decile 8 on IRSAD indicates above-average overall advantage relative to most Australian suburbs.
Unemployment
3.7%
Labour Force
5,007
Unemployed
187
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
54.6%
Part-time
34.1%
Participation
53.0%
Employed
456
Occupations
Top Industries
University
33.5%
Postgraduate
8.0%
Born Overseas
23.4%
Dwellings
327
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high at 81.4% of commuters driving, above the national average, which reflects the suburban layout and moderate public transport frequency. Public transport accounts for 11.8% of trips and walking or cycling 4.1%. No schools are recorded within the Nathan boundary itself, so families rely on institutions in adjacent suburbs. The suburb scores decile 8 on IRSAD nationally, placing it in the more advantaged tier, and decile 6 on IER, reflecting that economic resource holdings are closer to average. Volunteering reaches 21.3% of residents, above what might be expected given the young and transient population, possibly linked to university-connected community programs. Rent-to-income at 17.8% and mortgage-to-income at 26.8% are both below stress thresholds, making Nathan genuinely affordable compared to incomes by national standards.
Drive
81.4%
Public Transport
11.8%
Walk / Cycle
4.1%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.98%/yr
(+222 people/yr)
EstablishedThe SA2 containing Nathan grew from 21,966 residents in 2023 to 22,560 in 2025, a 2.7% rise over two years, with medium forecasts projecting continued growth to 23,975 by 2031. Annual population growth runs at 0.98%, or approximately 222 persons per year, driven almost entirely by overseas migration at a net 183 arrivals annually, partially offset by net internal outflow of 44. The suburb's 10-year population change sits at 12.2% above 2011 levels. The gentrification score of 33 with an early-signs classification and affordability improving from 64.1% in 2011 to 54.0% in 2021 suggests the suburb is becoming more accessible over time rather than pricing out renters. The aging trajectory, with the senior share up 3.8 points and young share down 2.1 points over the decade, is beginning to reshape the young-dominant profile.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+183
Net Internal / yr
-44
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +15% since 2011
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Nathan compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nathan a good suburb to live in?
Nathan ranks in SEIFA decile 8 on both IRSAD and IRSD, placing it among the more advantaged 20% of Australian suburbs. The median age of 28 and strong university proximity make it particularly suited to students and early-career residents. Mortgage-to-income sits at 26.8% and rent-to-income at 17.8%, both below stress levels.
What is the median house price in Nathan?
The median house price is estimated at $445,000, derived from rental data for 2025. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,950, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.8%, well below the 30% stress threshold. Weekly rent averages $300, implying a gross rental yield around 3.5%.
What schools are in Nathan?
No schools are recorded within the Nathan suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. Despite the absence of local schools, 33.5% of Nathan residents hold university qualifications, which is 3.4 percentage points above the national average.
Is Nathan safe?
Crime statistics specific to Nathan are not available in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, Nathan scores decile 8 on the IRSD index of relative disadvantage, placing it among the more advantaged suburbs nationally. Only 3.0% of residents, or 31 people, need daily assistance, consistent with a low-disadvantage area.
Is Nathan good for property investment?
Renters make up 34.1% of households and overseas migration drives 183 net arrivals per year, supporting tenant demand. The vacancy rate of 4.4% is modestly above ideal levels. A gross yield near 3.5% on a $445,000 median is modest but workable, with low development activity of just 2 applications in 12 months limiting new supply competition.
How is Nathan's population changing?
The broader SA2 grew from 21,966 in 2023 to 22,560 in 2025, with medium forecasts projecting 23,975 residents by 2031. Annual growth runs at 0.98%, driven by overseas migration of 183 net arrivals per year. The 10-year population change is 12.2% above 2011 levels, though the suburb is showing early aging signals.
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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