Park Ridge
Park Ridge logged 1,095 development applications in 12 months, roughly one new building every 8 hours, making it one of Queensland's most active construction zones. The population surged 63.5% over the past decade, adding nearly 1,000 residents per year. Despite this growth, household incomes sit at just the 42nd percentile nationally, and the top occupation is machinery operators/drivers (625 workers), not the professionals that typically lead in growing suburbs. This disconnect between rapid expansion and below-average incomes reflects Park Ridge's role as a new-build affordability outlet for families priced out of established Brisbane suburbs.
Population
8,455
Median Age
30.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,418/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
1,150
Median House
$473K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The estimated median of $473,000 makes Park Ridge one of Brisbane's most accessible new-build markets. Four-bedroom homes dominate at 48.9% of stock, reflecting developer focus on family houses. Detached housing accounts for 82.3%, and semi-detached at 16.6% offers alternatives. Mortgage repayments of $1,733 per month against household income of $1,418 per week produce a mortgage-to-income ratio of 28.2%, nearing the 30% stress line. The 52.1% renter majority is unusual for a detached-house suburb and suggests many residents are renting new-build stock while saving to buy. The median age of 30, a full decade below national, confirms a young buyer demographic.
For Buyers
The estimated median of $473,000 makes Park Ridge one of Brisbane's most accessible new-build markets. Four-bedroom homes dominate at 48.9% of stock, reflecting developer focus on family houses. Detached housing accounts for 82.3%, and semi-detached at 16.6% offers alternatives. Mortgage repayments of $1,733 per month against household income of $1,418 per week produce a mortgage-to-income ratio of 28.2%, nearing the 30% stress line. The 52.1% renter majority is unusual for a detached-house suburb and suggests many residents are renting new-build stock while saving to buy. The median age of 30, a full decade below national, confirms a young buyer demographic.
For Investors
With 52.1% renters, Park Ridge has one of the highest renter shares in any detached-house suburb nationally. The 6.4% vacancy rate is elevated, consistent with new stock being absorbed. Weekly rent of $370 against the $473,000 median provides a gross yield around 4.1%. Net internal migration runs at 1,427 per year (the highest in this batch), guaranteeing sustained demand growth. Population projections show 30,376 by 2031, up from 27,073 in 2025. The 1,095 development applications mean supply is also substantial, so investors must weigh absorption speed. The young median age (30) and family orientation produce long-tenure tenants.
Development Activity
Total DAs
1,557
Last 12 Months
1,150
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+984.9%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Park Ridge iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St Philomena School
Prep-12 · 244 students
Parklands Christian College
Prep-12 · 970 students
Corymbia State School
Prep-6 · 636 students
Park Ridge State School
Prep-6 · 584 students
Park Ridge State High School
7-12 · 1696 students
Demographics
The median age of 30 sits a full decade below the national average, making Park Ridge one of Australia's youngest suburbs. Born-overseas residents account for 38.8%, 17.2 points above national, with Punjabi (268 speakers) and Samoan (111) as the leading non-English languages. University attainment of 22.7% is 7.4 points below national, consistent with the blue-collar occupation profile where machinery operators (625) outnumber professionals (425). The 45.5% residential turnover rate is extremely high, reflecting new arrivals continually moving in. English ancestry leads (2,698), but the large "Other" category (1,749) signals diverse non-European origins.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
82.3%
Houses
16.6%
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
Detached houses account for 82.3% of dwellings, with four-bedroom homes dominating at 48.9%, nearly double the share of three-bedroom (25.9%). This large-home profile reflects modern estate development rather than older established stock. The ownership split shows a renter majority at 52.1%, with 25.0% outright and 22.9% mortgaged. Mortgage stress at 28.2% is high, approaching the 30% threshold. Affordability deteriorated from 62.7% price-to-income in 2011 to 48.6% in 2021, still an improvement due to income growth. The 6.4% vacancy rate suggests some short-term oversupply from the pace of new construction outrunning tenant absorption.
Mortgage / mo
$1,733
Rent / wk
$370
HH Size
2.6
Personal Income / wk
$764
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
6.4%
Unoccupied
206
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
27.6%
Couples, no children
6,541
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads at 21.2% (473 workers), followed by transport (9.4%), retail (9.3%), construction (9.1%), and manufacturing (7.8%). This is a distinctly working-class employment profile. Machinery operators and drivers lead occupations (625), ahead of community service (510) and clerical (481) workers. Unemployment at 7.2% is notably above the national rate, and participation at 55.1% is well below the 60%+ national norm. SEIFA scores are low: IRSAD decile 2 and IEO decile 2, placing Park Ridge in the bottom 20% nationally for socioeconomic advantage. This is significant because it means rapid population growth is not translating into rising affluence.
Unemployment
4.0%
Labour Force
13,350
Unemployed
535
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
67.3%
Part-time
25.5%
Participation
55.1%
Employed
3,368
Occupations
Top Industries
University
22.7%
Postgraduate
6.0%
Born Overseas
38.8%
Dwellings
2,970
Transport to Work
Five schools serve the area, ranging from St Philomena (independent, ICSEA 1082) and Parklands Christian College (independent, ICSEA 1027, 970 students) to Park Ridge State High School (government, ICSEA 972, 1,696 students). School ICSEA scores cluster around the 970-1080 range, all near or above the national median. Public transport usage is very low at 1.6%, with 90.7% driving, reflecting the car-dependent estate layout typical of outer-ring growth suburbs. The SEIFA IRSAD decile of 2 confirms lower socioeconomic conditions compared to the national population, despite the strong school options.
Drive
90.7%
Public Transport
1.6%
Walk / Cycle
0.9%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+3.53%/yr
(+957 people/yr)
High GrowthPark Ridge is classified as high-growth, expanding at 3.53% per year with 957 new residents annually. The population grew 63.5% over the past decade. Internal migration drives growth at 1,427 net arrivals per year, by far the largest internal flow in this cohort, while overseas adds 155. This is unusual because most growing suburbs are overseas-migration driven. Projections show 30,376 by 2031. The gentrification stage is "new development" (not upgrading existing areas). Population change has been stable across age cohorts (+0.4 points young, +0.4 senior), meaning growth adds proportionally rather than skewing demographics.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+155
Net Internal / yr
+1,427
Gentrification Signal
New development
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Park Ridge compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Park Ridge a good suburb to live in?
Park Ridge suits young families seeking affordable new-build houses (median $473,000) in Brisbane's southern corridor. Five schools with ICSEA scores from 972 to 1082 provide options. Trade-offs include high unemployment (7.2%), very low public transport (1.6% usage), SEIFA decile 2, and rapid construction activity (1,095 applications) meaning ongoing disruption from building works.
What is the median house price in Park Ridge?
The estimated median house price is $473,000 (derived from rental data, 2025). Four-bedroom homes dominate at 48.9% of stock. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,733, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 28.2%, near the stress threshold. The median age of 30 reflects a buyer cohort of first-home purchasers.
What schools are in Park Ridge?
Park Ridge has 5 schools: St Philomena (independent combined, ICSEA 1082, 244 students), Parklands Christian College (independent combined, ICSEA 1027, 970 students), Corymbia State School (government primary, ICSEA 993, 636 students), Park Ridge State School (government primary, ICSEA 972, 584 students), and Park Ridge State High School (government secondary, ICSEA 972, 1,696 students).
Is Park Ridge safe?
Specific crime statistics are not available for Park Ridge. The SEIFA IRSAD decile of 2 and 7.2% unemployment rate indicate higher disadvantage compared to the national median. However, the predominantly family-oriented population (median age 30, many couples with children) and new-estate character provide some stabilising factors absent in older disadvantaged suburbs.
Is Park Ridge good for property investment?
Strong demand fundamentals: 52.1% renters, population growing at 3.53% per year (957 new residents annually), and 1,427 net internal migrants per year. Gross yield around 4.1% ($370 rent on $473,000). Risks include the 6.4% vacancy rate and massive pipeline (1,095 development applications). The key question is whether tenant absorption keeps pace with construction.
How is Park Ridge's population changing?
Population is growing rapidly at 3.53% per year, adding approximately 957 residents annually, driven by 1,427 net internal migrants (families relocating from established Brisbane). The population grew 63.5% over the past decade. Projections show 30,376 by 2031, up from 27,073 in 2025. Age distribution is stable, with young and senior shares both expanding by 0.4 percentage points.
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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