North Toowoomba
At a median house price of $373,000, North Toowoomba sits well below the national median, yet that affordability comes with clear trade-offs: household income ranks at just the 28th percentile nationally, and the suburb scores decile 2 on both IRSAD and IRSD, placing it in the bottom fifth for socioeconomic advantage. The most distinctive feature is the tenure split, with 44.5% of residents renting, well above typical owner-occupier suburbs. Healthcare and Education account for 40% of local employment combined, anchoring a workforce that skews toward community services over professional knowledge roles. Population grew 9% over the past decade and is forecast to continue rising modestly, driven primarily by overseas migration rather than internal movement.
Population
3,332
Median Age
37.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,256/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
12
Median House
$373K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The $373,000 estimated median house price makes North Toowoomba one of the more affordable entry points in the Toowoomba region compared to suburbs like East Toowoomba and Darling Heights. Separate houses dominate at 79.6% of stock, with semi-detached at 19.7% and apartments at just 0.7%, giving buyers predominantly freestanding options. Three-bedroom dwellings make up 50.8% of homes and four-plus bedrooms 15.4%, so family-sized properties are the norm. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,408, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.9%, below the 30% stress threshold, meaning buyers at the median can manage repayments on local incomes. With 31.9% of residents on mortgages and 23.6% owning outright, the suburb has a relatively thin owner base compared to the 44.5% renter share.
For Buyers
The $373,000 estimated median house price makes North Toowoomba one of the more affordable entry points in the Toowoomba region compared to suburbs like East Toowoomba and Darling Heights. Separate houses dominate at 79.6% of stock, with semi-detached at 19.7% and apartments at just 0.7%, giving buyers predominantly freestanding options. Three-bedroom dwellings make up 50.8% of homes and four-plus bedrooms 15.4%, so family-sized properties are the norm. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,408, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.9%, below the 30% stress threshold, meaning buyers at the median can manage repayments on local incomes. With 31.9% of residents on mortgages and 23.6% owning outright, the suburb has a relatively thin owner base compared to the 44.5% renter share.
For Investors
A renter share of 44.5% is significantly higher than the national average and gives landlords a large tenant pool in a suburb where the $373,000 median keeps entry costs low. Weekly rent sits at $285, and rent-to-income at 22.7% means tenants are not under stress, supporting stable tenancy. The vacancy rate of 9.6% is elevated, indicating some oversupply in available rental stock, which investors should weigh carefully against the low purchase price. Development activity recorded 12 applications in the past 12 months, mostly change-of-use and short-term accommodation proposals rather than new dwellings. Migration data shows net overseas arrivals of 29 per year versus net internal outflow of 21, leaving thin positive growth. Rent grew 33.3% over the measured period, a stronger gain than real income growth of 6.2%, which signals rental yield improvement even as affordability remains a structural constraint on further rent rises.
Development Activity
Total DAs
46
Last 12 Months
12
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
0.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 37 is 3 years below the national figure, making North Toowoomba a comparatively younger suburb, though the trajectory is aging, with the senior share rising 3.4 points and the young share declining 1.8 points over the decade. University qualifications reach 31.2%, just 1.1 points above the national rate, so educational attainment is close to average nationally. Overseas-born residents at 18.8% sit 2.8 points below the national benchmark. Ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (1,277 residents), Irish (444) and Scottish (380). Average household size is 2.2, which is 0.3 below national, consistent with the high proportion of couples without children at 28.9% and the absence of one-parent family data. The community has a volunteering rate of 16%, and 9.1% of residents need daily assistance, a higher share than typical middle-income suburbs.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
79.6%
Houses
19.7%
Townhouse
0.7%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure in North Toowoomba is renter-dominated at 44.5%, with mortgage holders at 31.9% and outright owners at 23.6%, a pattern associated with the suburb's decile 2 IRSD score indicating below-average owner wealth. Separate houses account for 79.6% of dwellings, with semi-detached at 19.7% and apartments at 0.7%, so the stock is almost entirely ground-level residential. Three-bedroom homes represent 50.8% of stock, two-bedroom 28.4%, and four-plus bedroom 15.4%, giving the market a broad mid-size profile. The estimated median house price of $373,000 compares favourably against the broader Toowoomba region and lower than state capital benchmarks. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,408 and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.9% confirm that housing costs are manageable on local wages, unlike higher-income suburbs where ratios exceed 30%.
Mortgage / mo
$1,408
Rent / wk
$285
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$718
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.6%
Unoccupied
143
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.9%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
28.9%
Couples, no children
2,260
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant industry at 25.8% of employed residents (266 workers), nearly double the next sector, Education at 14.4% (149 workers). Construction follows at 9.6% and Public Administration at 7.5%, with Retail at 6.1%. By occupation, Professionals lead at 369 workers, followed by Community and Personal Service workers at 216 and Clerical/Admin at 190, with Labourers at 143 and Sales at 134. The unemployment rate of 7.0% is above the national rate, and the participation rate of 54.7% is low, with 946 residents not in the labour force. Full-time employment at 65.5% of those employed is reasonable, but the overall picture is of a workforce concentrated in lower-to-mid-paying service sectors. The household income percentile of 28 nationally reflects these structural labour market conditions. Real income grew 6.2% over the decade, below the rent growth of 33.3%, compressing affordability for renters.
Unemployment
6.0%
Labour Force
3,277
Unemployed
195
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
65.5%
Part-time
27.5%
Participation
54.7%
Employed
1,390
Occupations
Top Industries
University
31.2%
Postgraduate
6.6%
Born Overseas
18.8%
Dwellings
1,348
Transport to Work
Public transport use is very low at 0.3%, placing North Toowoomba among the most car-dependent suburbs nationally, with 85.2% of residents commuting by car. Walking and cycling account for 7.3%, above typical suburban rates, partly reflecting the compact 2.0 km2 footprint and a density of 1,668 residents per km2. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families depend on nearby schools in surrounding Toowoomba suburbs. On SEIFA measures, the suburb scores decile 2 on both IRSAD and IRSD, placing it in the bottom 20% nationally for relative advantage and disadvantage. The IEO decile of 4 suggests below-average education and occupation outcomes compared to national norms. Rent-to-income at 22.7% and mortgage-to-income at 25.9% indicate housing costs are not in stress territory, offering some financial breathing room relative to more expensive markets.
Drive
85.2%
Public Transport
0.3%
Walk / Cycle
7.3%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.67%/yr
(+44 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 9.0% over the past decade, reaching approximately 6,596 by 2025 based on historical data, and medium forecasts project steady expansion to around 6,850 by 2031 at roughly 44 persons per year or 0.67% annually. The primary growth driver is overseas migration at a net 29 arrivals per year, partially offset by net internal outflow of 21, meaning the suburb is gaining residents from international sources rather than interstate movement. The gentrification score of 34 with a stage of early signs indicates some upgrading pressure, though the separate gentrification analysis rates it as not currently gentrifying, a sign that investment is patchy rather than systemic. Affordability has been broadly stable, shifting from 40.8% in 2011 to 41.6% in 2021. The aging trajectory and below-average income base mean growth is incremental rather than demand-led.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+29
Net Internal / yr
-21
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Accelerating: -2% → 12%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How North Toowoomba compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is North Toowoomba a good suburb to live in?
North Toowoomba has genuine affordability, with a $373,000 median house price and housing cost ratios below stress thresholds. However, household income ranks at only the 28th percentile nationally, and the suburb scores decile 2 on IRSAD, placing it in the bottom 20% for socioeconomic advantage. It suits buyers or renters seeking lower entry costs in the Toowoomba region.
What is the median house price in North Toowoomba?
The estimated median house price is $373,000. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,408 and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 25.9%, below the 30% stress threshold. Weekly rent averages $285, with rent-to-income at 22.7%, meaning housing costs are manageable relative to local incomes.
What schools are in North Toowoomba?
No schools are recorded within the North Toowoomba suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in surrounding Toowoomba suburbs. The suburb's IEO score sits at decile 4, below average nationally, reflecting education and occupation outcomes rather than proximity to schools.
Is North Toowoomba safe?
Crime statistics are not available in the current dataset for North Toowoomba. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores decile 2 on IRSD, placing it in the bottom fifth nationally for relative disadvantage. An unemployment rate of 7.0% and 9.1% of residents needing daily assistance are factors that typically correlate with higher service demand in the area.
Is North Toowoomba good for property investment?
The 44.5% renter share is above average nationally, providing a large tenant pool, and rent grew 33.3% over the measured period. The $373,000 median keeps entry costs low. Against this, the vacancy rate of 9.6% is elevated and net population growth is thin at 44 persons per year. Investors should watch vacancy closely given the oversupply signal.
How is North Toowoomba's population changing?
Population grew 9.0% over the past decade and is forecast to reach around 6,850 by 2031 at 0.67% annual growth. Overseas migration of 29 net arrivals per year is the primary driver, partially offset by net internal outflow of 21. The suburb's trajectory is aging, with the senior share up 3.4 points and the young adult share down 1.8 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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