North Ipswich
At $371,000 median, North Ipswich sits well below Queensland state and national medians, yet household income lands only in the 41.9th percentile nationally, meaning affordability is real but income growth hasn't matched it. The suburb scores decile 2 on all four SEIFA indexes, placing it in the bottom quintile for advantage and education nationally. With 91.6% separate houses and an 8.8% unemployment rate that runs above the national average, the area has an established working-class residential character. Healthcare employs 21.4% of the local workforce, the highest share of any industry, pointing to a concentration of community and social services workers.
Population
4,527
Median Age
38.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,422/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$371K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The $371,000 estimated median price makes North Ipswich one of the more accessible entry points in Greater Ipswich. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,300, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.1% sits comfortably below the 30% stress threshold, meaning buyers are not stretched at current prices. Detached houses dominate at 91.6% of dwellings, so buyers get genuine land with their purchase. Three-bedroom homes account for 56.6% of stock and four-plus bedroom homes for 21.7%, making it practical for families. Outright owners represent 25.8% of households and mortgage holders 42.4%, a tenure split typical of suburbs where younger families are still paying down. Vacancy sits at 7.8%, higher than average, which means buyers have more negotiating room than in tighter markets.
For Buyers
The $371,000 estimated median price makes North Ipswich one of the more accessible entry points in Greater Ipswich. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,300, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.1% sits comfortably below the 30% stress threshold, meaning buyers are not stretched at current prices. Detached houses dominate at 91.6% of dwellings, so buyers get genuine land with their purchase. Three-bedroom homes account for 56.6% of stock and four-plus bedroom homes for 21.7%, making it practical for families. Outright owners represent 25.8% of households and mortgage holders 42.4%, a tenure split typical of suburbs where younger families are still paying down. Vacancy sits at 7.8%, higher than average, which means buyers have more negotiating room than in tighter markets.
For Investors
The 31.8% renter share gives landlords a reasonable tenant base, and weekly rent of $300 against a $371,000 median implies a gross yield around 4.2%, meaningfully above what inner-city markets offer. Rent grew 14.0% over the recent period, outpacing the suburb's modest income growth of 10.9% in real terms. However, the 7.8% vacancy rate is elevated compared to healthy market benchmarks near 2-3%, signalling some excess supply or weak rental demand at current pricing. Population growth averages just 16 persons per year (0.24% annually), so demand uplift from population expansion is limited. Net internal and overseas migration both contribute small positive flows of 28 and 25 per year respectively, categorised as balanced rather than inflow-driven, which constrains medium-term capital growth prospects.
Schools in North Ipswich iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St Joseph's School
Prep-6 · 390 students
The Industry School - Ipswich
10-12 · 208 students
Ipswich North State School
Prep-6 · 206 students
Demographics
The median age of 38 is 2.0 years below the national figure, reflecting a relatively younger population compared to the national profile. Overseas-born residents account for just 10.7%, which is 10.9 percentage points below the national average, making North Ipswich notably Anglo-Celtic in composition. Ancestry is led by English (1,952 residents), Irish (552) and Scottish (512), with German (485) also notable. University qualifications reach only 19.7%, which is 10.4 points below national, consistent with the decile 2 IEO score for education and occupation. Average household size of 2.4 is close to national norms. Couples with children account for 1,212 families versus 847 couples without children, confirming a family-oriented suburb. The volunteering rate of 12.2% is modest, and 10.9% of residents (464 people) need daily assistance with self-care tasks.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
91.6%
Houses
5.9%
Townhouse
2.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Separate houses make up 91.6% of dwellings, one of the higher rates in Queensland, with semi-detached at 5.9% and apartments at just 2.6%. Three-bedroom homes are the dominant format at 56.6%, followed by four-plus bedroom at 21.7% and two-bedroom at 18.9%. Tenure is split across outright owners (25.8%), mortgage holders (42.4%) and renters (31.8%). The rent-to-income ratio of 21.1% is below the 30% stress threshold, so tenants are not under pressure at the $300 per week rent. At an estimated $371,000 median, North Ipswich is significantly cheaper than the broader Queensland median, making it accessible for first-home buyers who can tolerate the decile 2 socio-economic profile. Affordability improved between 2011 and 2021, with the affordability index shifting from 51.7 to 43.2.
Mortgage / mo
$1,300
Rent / wk
$300
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$693
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.8%
Unoccupied
147
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.1%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
25.6%
Couples, no children
3,309
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant employer at 21.4% (281 workers), nearly double the second-placed Education sector at 12.1% (159). Public Administration follows at 11.2% (147) and Construction at 10.0% (131), with Manufacturing at 7.8% (102). This industry mix is more community-services and public-sector weighted than trade or professional services. By occupation, Professionals (334) lead, followed by Community and Personal Service workers (290), Clerical and Administrative (255) and Labourers (241). The 8.8% unemployment rate is above the national average, and the participation rate of 52.5% is notably low, partly because 1,339 residents are not in the labour force. All four SEIFA deciles score 2, placing North Ipswich in the bottom quintile nationally for income, economic resources, education and overall advantage.
Unemployment
6.5%
Labour Force
3,313
Unemployed
217
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
67.1%
Part-time
24.1%
Participation
52.5%
Employed
1,773
Occupations
Top Industries
University
19.7%
Postgraduate
4.0%
Born Overseas
10.7%
Dwellings
1,720
Transport to Work
Car dependence is very high: 89.8% of residents drive to work, compared to lower national reliance on private cars in most metro areas, and only 2.4% use public transport. Walking and cycling account for 2.1% of commutes. No schools are recorded within North Ipswich in this dataset, so families rely on institutions in neighbouring Ipswich suburbs. Crime data is not available for this suburb in the current dataset. The IRSAD decile of 2 places North Ipswich in the bottom quintile nationally for relative socio-economic advantage, meaning residents face higher rates of disadvantage indicators such as low income and limited access to services. However, the rent-to-income ratio of 21.1% and mortgage-to-income of 21.1% both stay below stress levels, and housing affordability improved by 8.5 points between 2011 and 2021.
Drive
89.8%
Public Transport
2.4%
Walk / Cycle
2.1%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.24%/yr
(+16 people/yr)
EstablishedNorth Ipswich is an established, slow-growth suburb adding approximately 16 people per year, an annual rate of 0.24%. Historical population moved from 6,544 in 2023 to 6,671 in 2025. Medium forecasts project continuation near 6,720 by 2031, so no significant expansion is expected. The gentrification score registers 0, classified as not gentrifying, consistent with a suburb that scores decile 2 on all SEIFA measures with no observed signals of income or education inflow. Migration is balanced, with average annual net internal gain of 28 and overseas gain of 25. The young adult share declined by 1.4 percentage points over the decade, while the senior share grew by 3.0 points, pointing to a gradual aging of the resident base. Real income grew 10.9% over the period, below inflation in many years.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+25
Net Internal / yr
+28
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How North Ipswich compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is North Ipswich a good suburb to live in?
North Ipswich scores decile 2 on all four SEIFA indexes, placing it in the bottom quintile nationally for socio-economic advantage. Housing is genuinely affordable at a $371,000 estimated median and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.1%. The suburb has a high 91.6% detached house rate, good for families, but the 8.8% unemployment rate is above national levels.
What is the median house price in North Ipswich?
The estimated median house price is $371,000, significantly below the broader Queensland and national medians. Weekly rent averages $300 and monthly mortgage repayments average $1,300, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.1%. Rent grew 14.0% over the recent measurement period.
What schools are in North Ipswich?
No schools are recorded inside the North Ipswich boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring Ipswich suburbs. The local university qualification rate is 19.7%, which is 10.4 percentage points below the national average, consistent with the suburb's decile 2 IEO education score.
Is North Ipswich safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for North Ipswich in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores decile 2 on the IRSD index of relative disadvantage, the second-lowest tier nationally, and 10.9% of residents (464 people) need daily assistance, both suggesting a higher-disadvantage environment than the national average.
Is North Ipswich good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $300 against a $371,000 median implies a gross yield of around 4.2%, higher than most inner-city markets. Rent grew 14.0% over the recent period. However, the 7.8% vacancy rate is elevated compared to healthy market benchmarks, and annual population growth of just 0.24% (around 16 people per year) limits demand-driven capital growth.
How is North Ipswich's population changing?
Population grew slowly from 6,544 in 2023 to 6,671 in 2025, an annual rate of 0.24%. Medium forecasts project around 6,720 residents by 2031. Migration is balanced, with average net internal gain of 28 and overseas gain of 25 per year. The suburb is not gentrifying, with a gentrification score of 0, and the senior share grew 3.0 points over the decade.
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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