Petrie
Petrie sits at the crossroads of affordability and transition: the estimated $465,000 median house price and SEIFA IRSAD decile of 5 place it squarely at the national midpoint, yet 34 development applications in 12 months, including multi-dwelling projects of 39 and 48 units, signal a suburb shifting from low-density to mixed housing. The senior share has grown 5.0 percentage points over the decade while the young share fell 3.0 points, an ageing trajectory that runs counter to the new-build momentum. Real income has actually declined 2.2% over 10 years, unusual for a suburb receiving development investment.
Population
8,722
Median Age
38.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,853/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
36
Median House
$465K
Estimated from rent (2025)
With an estimated median of $465,000 and monthly mortgage repayments of $1,725 (21.5% of income), Petrie is one of Brisbane's more affordable northern options. The housing stock is 86.7% detached houses, with 47.9% three-bedroom and 43.0% four-plus-bedroom homes providing family-scale accommodation. The 24.3% turnover rate is higher than the Brisbane average, creating more buying opportunities than tighter markets. However, the 25.6% outright ownership rate is relatively low, and 30.3% rent, suggesting a mixed community of established owners and transient tenants. Mortgage stress at 21.5% of income remains comfortable compared to inner-city benchmarks.
For Buyers
With an estimated median of $465,000 and monthly mortgage repayments of $1,725 (21.5% of income), Petrie is one of Brisbane's more affordable northern options. The housing stock is 86.7% detached houses, with 47.9% three-bedroom and 43.0% four-plus-bedroom homes providing family-scale accommodation. The 24.3% turnover rate is higher than the Brisbane average, creating more buying opportunities than tighter markets. However, the 25.6% outright ownership rate is relatively low, and 30.3% rent, suggesting a mixed community of established owners and transient tenants. Mortgage stress at 21.5% of income remains comfortable compared to inner-city benchmarks.
For Investors
Petrie's 30.3% rental rate and $360/week median rent offer a moderate yield profile. The 4.9% vacancy rate is slightly above average but manageable. The real story is development: 34 applications in 12 months include a 39-dwelling and a 48-dwelling multi-residential project, which will significantly increase rental supply. Population growth is slow at 0.27% per year (25 persons), so absorption of new stock could take time compared to faster-growing corridors. Overseas migration of +76 per year is the primary driver, but net internal outflow of -66 partially offsets it. The gentrification score of 0 indicates no upward price pressure from demographic upgrading.
Development Activity
Total DAs
54
Last 12 Months
36
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+140.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Petrie iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Our Lady of the Way School
Prep-6 · 246 students
Mt Maria College - Petrie
7-12 · 403 students
Kurwongbah State School
Prep-6 · 620 students
Petrie State School
Prep-6 · 492 students
Demographics
Petrie is predominantly Anglo-Australian: English ancestry (3,901), Irish (1,108), Scottish (1,026), and German (611) dominate. Only 19.4% were born overseas, 2.2 points below the national average. University qualifications at 26.8% are 3.3 points below the national rate, and the SEIFA IEO decile of 5 confirms mid-range educational opportunity. The median age of 38 sits 2 years below the national average. Non-English language speakers are few, with Afrikaans (27), German (17), and Italian (12) in small numbers. The household size of 2.7 is slightly above the national median, reflecting a family-oriented community.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
86.7%
Houses
8.0%
Townhouse
5.3%
Apartment
Tenure
Detached houses account for 86.7% of the housing stock, with semi-detached at 8.0% and apartments at 5.3%. Three-bedroom homes lead at 47.9%, followed by 4+ bedrooms at 43.0%. Renters (30.3%) make up a larger share than outright owners (25.6%), with mortgage holders at 44.1%. At $465,000 estimated median, Petrie is priced below the Brisbane metro median. The 24.3% turnover rate shows moderate residential churn. With both rent-to-income (19.4%) and mortgage-to-income (21.5%) below stress levels, housing affordability is a genuine strength compared to suburbs closer to the CBD.
Mortgage / mo
$1,725
Rent / wk
$360
HH Size
2.7
Personal Income / wk
$811
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.9%
Unoccupied
161
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.5%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
26.0%
Couples, no children
7,320
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare dominates at 17.9% (518 workers), followed by Education (13.2%), Construction (10.4%), Public Admin (9.4%), and Retail (8.9%). Professionals lead occupations (835) but are closely followed by Clerical/Admin (673) and Community/Personal (530), indicating a mixed white-and-pink-collar workforce. Unemployment at 6.9% is above the national average, and the 6.2% needing-assistance rate reinforces the mid-market profile. The SEIFA IRSAD decile of 5 places Petrie exactly at the national midpoint, while the IRSD decile of 5 shows average disadvantage levels. Real income declined 2.2% over the decade, a concerning trend that contrasts with Brisbane's overall income growth.
Unemployment
8.2%
Labour Force
5,431
Unemployed
443
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
65.4%
Part-time
27.7%
Participation
60.9%
Employed
3,977
Occupations
Top Industries
University
26.8%
Postgraduate
5.2%
Born Overseas
19.4%
Dwellings
3,137
Transport to Work
Four schools serve Petrie, spanning primary and secondary. Our Lady of the Way (Catholic Primary, ICSEA 1037, 246 students) and Mt Maria College (Catholic Secondary, ICSEA 1015, 403 students) both score above the national average. Kurwongbah State School (Government, ICSEA 992, 620 students) and Petrie State School (Government, ICSEA 973, 492 students) sit slightly below. Public transport use at 7.3% is typical for outer Brisbane. The SEIFA IRSAD decile of 5 places overall conditions at the national midpoint. The 6.2% needing-assistance rate is slightly above average, and volunteering at 13.9% is below the national figure.
Drive
85.4%
Public Transport
7.3%
Walk / Cycle
1.7%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.27%/yr
(+25 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation growth is slow at 0.27% annually (25 persons/year), projecting to approximately 9,252 by 2031. The 10-year change of 2.8% is well below the Brisbane metro average. Overseas migration (+76/year) is the primary driver, partially offset by internal outflow (-66/year). The trajectory is 'Aging': the senior share grew 5.0 points while the young share dropped 3.0 points. Affordability has remained stable (44.5% to 44.4% income-to-price ratio). The gentrification score of 0 and flat real income growth (-2.2%) suggest the suburb is not attracting higher-income movers compared to nearby growth suburbs.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+76
Net Internal / yr
-66
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Petrie compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Petrie a good suburb to live in?
Petrie offers affordable family housing at an estimated $465,000 median with low financial stress (21.5% mortgage-to-income). It ranks at SEIFA IRSAD decile 5, the national midpoint. Four schools provide local education with ICSEA scores from 973 to 1037. The ageing trajectory (senior share +5.0 points over the decade) means the suburb is transitioning, which may affect services and community character.
What is the median house price in Petrie?
The estimated median house price is $465,000 (2025 estimate). Monthly mortgage repayments of approximately $1,725 consume 21.5% of the median household income of $1,853/week, well below the 30% stress threshold and lower than most Brisbane suburbs closer to the CBD.
What schools are in Petrie?
Petrie has 4 schools: Our Lady of the Way (Catholic Primary, ICSEA 1037, 246 students), Mt Maria College (Catholic Secondary, ICSEA 1015, 403 students), Kurwongbah State School (Government Primary, ICSEA 992, 620 students), and Petrie State School (Government Primary, ICSEA 973, 492 students). The Catholic schools score above the national ICSEA average of 1000.
Is Petrie safe?
Crime statistics are not available in our current dataset for Petrie. The SEIFA IRSD decile of 5 indicates mid-range disadvantage levels nationally. Unemployment at 6.9% is above the national average, and the turnover rate of 24.3% suggests moderate residential churn, both factors that typically correlate with average rather than low crime rates.
Is Petrie good for property investment?
Petrie offers moderate investment potential with 30.3% renters, $360/week median rent, and a 4.9% vacancy rate. The 34 development applications (including 39- and 48-dwelling projects) will add significant stock, potentially increasing vacancy pressure. Population growth of just 0.27%/year (25 persons) means new supply may outpace demand growth compared to faster-growing northern corridor suburbs.
How is Petrie's population changing?
Growth is slow at 0.27% annually (25 persons/year), projected to reach approximately 9,252 by 2031. The suburb is ageing: the senior share grew 5.0 percentage points over the decade while the young share dropped 3.0 points. Real income declined 2.2% over 10 years, contrasting with Brisbane's overall income growth pattern.
What is the development activity in Petrie?
Petrie recorded 34 development applications in 12 months, including two large multi-dwelling projects (39 and 48 dwellings). This represents a significant density shift for a suburb that is 86.7% detached houses. Lot reconfiguration and landscaping works are also in the pipeline, signalling a transition toward mixed housing compared to its traditional low-density character.
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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