Pallara
A median age of 31, nine years below the national figure, and 56.8% of residents born overseas, some 35 points above the national average, tell the real story of Pallara. The suburb grew 169.8% over the decade, one of the fastest in Queensland, driven almost entirely by internal migration of roughly 1,124 people a year. Household income sits at the 87.6th percentile nationally, and SEIFA scores land at decile 8 for both IRSAD and IRSD. The housing stock is 95.3% separate houses, and 83.9% of those have four or more bedrooms, a profile that reflects the young families who have made this suburb their first major purchase.
Population
3,861
Median Age
31.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,283/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
47
Median House
$582K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The estimated median house price of $582,000 is below the Greater Brisbane median, which makes Pallara accessible for buyers who want a separate house with space. The housing stock is almost exclusively detached (95.3%), and 83.9% of dwellings have four or more bedrooms, meaning there is little competition for smaller units. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,100, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.2%, well under the 30% stress threshold. Only 11.6% of dwellings are owned outright, compared with 61.1% carrying a mortgage, which points to a young, actively purchasing cohort rather than settled, debt-free owners. Buyers get more floor and land area per dollar here than in comparable inner-ring Brisbane suburbs.
For Buyers
The estimated median house price of $582,000 is below the Greater Brisbane median, which makes Pallara accessible for buyers who want a separate house with space. The housing stock is almost exclusively detached (95.3%), and 83.9% of dwellings have four or more bedrooms, meaning there is little competition for smaller units. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,100, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.2%, well under the 30% stress threshold. Only 11.6% of dwellings are owned outright, compared with 61.1% carrying a mortgage, which points to a young, actively purchasing cohort rather than settled, debt-free owners. Buyers get more floor and land area per dollar here than in comparable inner-ring Brisbane suburbs.
For Investors
Rental demand is moderate, with 27.3% of dwellings tenanted, weekly rent of $460, and a vacancy rate of 4.3%, which is above the broadly healthy 3% level. At the $582,000 median, that rent implies a gross yield near 4.1%, meaningfully higher than inner-Brisbane markets. Population growth at 5.17% per year, driven by net internal migration of 1,124 and overseas migration of 154 annually, supports ongoing rental demand. Development activity is active at 41 applications in the past 12 months, including lot reconfiguration and operational works, signalling that the suburb is still building out. The high share of four-bedroom homes means investor stock targets family renters rather than singles, which tends to produce longer tenancies.
Development Activity
Total DAs
206
Last 12 Months
47
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+27.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Pallara iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Pallara State School
Prep-6 · 1337 students
Demographics
The median age of 31 is 9 years below the national figure, and the young share of the population grew 2.9 points over the decade while the senior share rose just 0.2 points. Overseas-born residents represent 56.8% of the population, 35.2 points above the national average, with Indian ancestry (613) as the second-largest group behind Other (1,210), followed by English (545) and Chinese (463). Punjabi (161 speakers) and Gujarati (128) are the most common non-English languages, and Hinduism is the second-largest religion at 623 residents, after Christianity at 1,294. University qualifications reach 54.4%, which is 24.3 points above the national figure, an unusually high rate for a suburb still classified as mortgage-belt. Average household size is 3.1, above the national average by 0.6.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
95.3%
Houses
4.5%
Townhouse
0.2%
Apartment
Tenure
Pallara's housing mix is strikingly uniform: 95.3% separate houses, only 0.2% apartments, and 83.9% of all dwellings with four or more bedrooms. This stock profile, combined with an average household size of 3.1, signals a suburb purpose-built for large families rather than downsizers or renters. Tenure is dominated by mortgage holders at 61.1%, compared with just 11.6% who own outright. The vacancy rate of 4.3% is above a balanced market, which partly reflects the relative youth of the suburb and continued construction activity. Rent-to-income sits at 20.1% and mortgage-to-income at 21.2%, both comfortably below stress thresholds, suggesting most households are managing repayments without pressure despite the suburb's rapid growth.
Mortgage / mo
$2,100
Rent / wk
$460
HH Size
3.1
Personal Income / wk
$990
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.3%
Unoccupied
54
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
21.4%
Couples, no children
3,564
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the largest employer by a wide margin at 24.4% (398 workers), more than double the second-ranked Professional and Technical sector at 9.1% (148). Transport at 8.6% and Education at 8.3% round out the top sectors, reflecting a workforce oriented toward essential services rather than finance or corporate roles. By occupation, Professionals lead at 568, followed by Clerical and Admin (299) and Community and Personal Services (250). The full-time employment rate is 69.4%, unemployment is 4.6%, and the participation rate is 71.9%. SEIFA positions the suburb at decile 8 on IRSAD and IRSD, and decile 10 on IER, the top economic resources tier nationally, which reflects the strong household income at the 87.6th percentile rather than occupational prestige alone.
Unemployment
3.8%
Labour Force
12,023
Unemployed
456
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
69.4%
Part-time
26.0%
Participation
71.9%
Employed
1,959
Occupations
Top Industries
University
54.4%
Postgraduate
15.3%
Born Overseas
56.8%
Dwellings
1,207
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high at 89.9% of workers driving, with public transport at just 4.5%, consistent with a low-density outer suburban location in postcode 4110 that lacks heavy rail proximity. The suburb holds decile 8 on IRSAD nationally, placing it above most Australian suburbs on socioeconomic advantage. Volunteering runs at 10.2% of residents, and only 2.3% (87 people) need daily assistance, low figures that reflect the young median age of 31. Rent-to-income at 20.1% and mortgage-to-income at 21.2% both sit well below stress thresholds, so housing costs are manageable for most households. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary, so families depend on nearby institutions, a practical consideration given that the average household has 3.1 people.
Drive
89.9%
Public Transport
4.5%
Walk / Cycle
0.3%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+5.17%/yr
(+858 people/yr)
High GrowthPallara's population expanded 169.8% over the decade, the kind of growth rate that places it well above the state average. The current population of 3,861 is forecast to climb to roughly 19,993 by 2031 under the medium projection, driven by net internal migration of 1,124 residents per year. Annual growth runs at 5.17%, adding an estimated 858 persons per year. The suburb is classified as new development rather than gentrifying, which is consistent with a greenfield buildout rather than renewal of older stock. Affordability improved from 51.9% of income in 2011 to 45.5% in 2021, and real incomes grew 7.0% over the period, meaning purchasing power has edged ahead relative to prices. Rent grew 15.4% during the same period, faster than inflation but in line with the migration-driven demand.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+154
Net Internal / yr
+1,124
Gentrification Signal
New development
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Pallara compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pallara a good suburb to live in?
Pallara ranks at SEIFA decile 8 on both IRSAD and IRSD nationally, and household income sits at the 87.6th percentile. The suburb offers separate houses with four or more bedrooms at a median of $582,000, which is below the broader Brisbane market. Mortgage-to-income is a manageable 21.2%, making it practical for first home buyers and families.
What is the median house price in Pallara?
The estimated median house price is $582,000 (2025 estimate based on rent). Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,100, and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 21.2%, below the 30% stress threshold. Weekly rent averages $460, implying a gross yield near 4.1% for investors.
What schools are in Pallara?
No schools are recorded inside the Pallara suburb boundary in this dataset, so families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. Despite this, the suburb has a high university qualification rate of 54.4%, which is 24.3 points above the national figure, indicating a highly educated resident base.
Is Pallara safe?
Crime statistics are not available for Pallara in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores at SEIFA decile 8 on the IRSD index of relative disadvantage nationally, above most Australian suburbs. Only 2.3% of residents (87 people) need daily assistance, consistent with a young, healthy, low-disadvantage population.
Is Pallara good for property investment?
Rental yield is attractive at around 4.1% gross, based on the $460 weekly rent and $582,000 median, higher than most inner-Brisbane suburbs. Vacancy sits at 4.3%, slightly above equilibrium, but population growth of 5.17% per year and net internal migration of 1,124 annually underpin ongoing demand. The suburb is still developing, with 41 applications lodged in the past 12 months.
How is Pallara's population changing?
Population grew 169.8% over the decade and is forecast to reach roughly 19,993 by 2031 under medium projections. Annual growth runs at 5.17%, adding about 858 residents per year. The primary driver is internal migration averaging 1,124 net arrivals a year, with overseas migration adding a further 154.
What languages are spoken in Pallara?
About 56.8% of residents were born overseas, which is 35.2 points above the national average. Punjabi (161 speakers), Gujarati (128), Mandarin (88) and Cantonese (69) are the most common non-English languages. The Indian-ancestry community is the second-largest ancestral group with 613 residents, ahead of English (545) and Chinese (463).
How much development is happening in Pallara?
There were 41 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, including lot reconfiguration and vegetation management works. This level of activity is consistent with a suburb still in its buildout phase and a population growing at 5.17% per year. Most applications relate to land reconfiguration rather than large apartment or commercial projects.
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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