Petrie Terrace
High household earning power stands out in Petrie Terrace: weekly household income is $2,401, at the 90.7th percentile nationally, while 56.1% of residents rent. Its 1,168 residents have a median age of 31, which is 9 years below the national median, and university attainment is 54.8%, or 24.7 percentage points above national. Density reaches 3,690.4 people per square kilometre across just 0.32 square kilometres. Compared with nearby Paddington and Spring Hill, Petrie Terrace packs its population into a more concentrated urban setting, while 26.8% work from home. The pattern reflects professional incomes alongside small, mobile households.
Local council: Brisbane
Population
1,168
Median Age
31.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,401/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
13
For buyers, Petrie Terrace is more about dwelling mix and tenure than a single suburb-wide price point. Separate houses account for 76.2% of homes, above the 19.3% apartment share; 3-bedroom dwellings lead at 41.6%, followed by 4-plus-bedroom homes at 24.4%. Monthly mortgage costs are $2,665, equal to 25.6% of household income, while rent takes 18.1%, so neither is flagged as housing stress. Compared with 56.1% renting, outright ownership at 19.7% is lower. This matters because well-presented homes can attract both resident buyers and tenants.
For Buyers
For buyers, Petrie Terrace is more about dwelling mix and tenure than a single suburb-wide price point. Separate houses account for 76.2% of homes, above the 19.3% apartment share; 3-bedroom dwellings lead at 41.6%, followed by 4-plus-bedroom homes at 24.4%. Monthly mortgage costs are $2,665, equal to 25.6% of household income, while rent takes 18.1%, so neither is flagged as housing stress. Compared with 56.1% renting, outright ownership at 19.7% is lower. This matters because well-presented homes can attract both resident buyers and tenants.
For Investors
Investors face a renter-heavy market, but vacancy tempers the case. Renters comprise 56.1%, compared with 19.7% owning outright and 23.2% paying a mortgage; weekly rent is $435. Vacancy is 10.9%, so advertised rent may not translate into uninterrupted occupancy. Rent growth is 20.0%, while the annual population trend is only 0.27%, making income performance more compelling than capital-growth momentum. Overseas migration is the primary driver, but 13 development matters in 12 months suggest incremental change rather than a major supply surge. Check condition and holding costs because vacancy can outweigh rent growth.
Development Activity
Total DAs
58
Last 12 Months
13
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+18.2%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Petrie Terrace has a young, highly educated profile: median age is 31, 9 years below the national median, and 54.8% hold university qualifications, 24.7 percentage points above national. Overseas-born residents account for 24.8%, 3.2 points above national, while English, Irish and Scottish ancestry counts are 414, 204 and 182. No religion is the largest recorded affiliation at 634 people, compared with 349 identifying with Christianity. Average household size is 2.3, below national by 0.2, and 47.9% of residents changed address while 52.1% stayed. Compared with nearby Paddington and Spring Hill, the 0.32 square kilometre footprint concentrates a mobile mix of professionals, renters and smaller households.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
76.2%
Houses
4.5%
Townhouse
19.3%
Apartment
Tenure
Rental demand is central to Petrie Terrace's housing pattern. Renters make up 56.1%, above the combined 42.9% who own outright or with a mortgage, while weekly rent is $435 and vacancy is 10.9%. Separate houses dominate at 76.2%, compared with 19.3% apartments and 4.5% semi-detached homes. The stock leans to 3-bedroom dwellings at 41.6%, with 15.0% containing 0 or 1 bedroom and 24.4% having 4 or more. Mortgage costs equal 25.6% of household income, while rent takes 18.1%, and neither stress flag is active. Without a reliable median house price, compare recent sales, condition and tenure because the mix varies across this compact suburb.
Mortgage / mo
$2,665
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (Jun 2026 quarter), QLD RTA bond data. Census 2021 median: $435.
$800
Bond data Jun 2026 quarter · houses $800 · units $850
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$1,062
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
10.9%
Unoccupied
57
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.6%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
32.2%
Couples with children
53.1%
Couples, no children
10.5%
Single parent
239
Total families
Economy & Employment
Petrie Terrace combines high household earnings with a mixed labour market. Weekly household income is $2,401, at the 90.7th percentile nationally and higher than the middle of the national distribution. Top industries are Professional/Tech at 18.8% or 114 workers, Healthcare at 13.3% or 81, Hospitality at 10.4% or 63, Public Admin at 9.2% or 56, and Education at 9.2% or 56. Professionals number 293 and managers 129. Participation is 77.8%, unemployment 5.3%, and full-time work 60.2%. SEIFA is more moderate than income alone suggests: IEO and IRSD are decile 5, IER 6 and IRSAD 5. This gap likely reflects strong occupations alongside a large rental share.
Unemployment
5.3%
Labour Force
843
Unemployed
45
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
60.2%
Part-time
28.1%
Participation
77.8%
Employed
798
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
54.8%
Postgraduate
13.2%
Born Overseas
24.8%
Dwellings
462
Transport to Work
Livability is shaped by density and short-trip habits. At 3,690.4 people per square kilometre, 20.3% of residents walk or cycle, compared with 39.9% who drive and 9.0% who use public transport for travel to work. A further 26.8% work from home, which can reduce daily commuting because the suburb occupies only 0.32 square kilometres. The IRSAD is decile 5 and IER decile 6, placing relative advantage around the middle, with IER one decile higher. Families should check the exact address for school options, sector and year-level availability, and enrolment zones rather than relying on the suburb name. Street-level safety checks are also sensible before signing a lease or contract.
Drive
39.9%
Public Transport
9.0%
Walk / Cycle
20.3%
Work from Home
26.8%
Growth Outlook
Growth is measured rather than rapid. The annual trend is 0.27%, while population change across the wider area is 2.8% over 10 years. Overseas migration is the primary driver, but the trajectory is Aging: the senior share has risen 5.0 percentage points and the young share has fallen 3.0 points. Rent growth is 20.0%, far above the 0.27% population trend, while affordability is stable at 44.5% in 2011 and 44.4% in 2021. Gentrification has a score of 0 and a stage of Not gentrifying. Change is therefore more likely to reflect demographic turnover and rental pressure than wholesale neighbourhood repositioning.
Population trend: Brisbane council area
Petrie Terrace sits in the Brisbane council area. These are the council area's residents, not Petrie Terrace's.
Residents 2025
1,375,301
Growth, 5 yr average
+1.7%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+1.6%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Petrie Terrace compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Petrie Terrace a good suburb to live in?
Petrie Terrace can suit residents who value a younger, compact setting and strong professional employment. Median age is 31, university attainment is 54.8%, and 20.3% walk or cycle to work. Renting is higher than ownership at 56.1%, so it may suit flexible households more than buyers seeking low-density affordability.
What is the median house price in Petrie Terrace?
A current suburb-wide median house price is not available as a dependable figure. Use recent comparable sales instead, then weigh the 76.2% separate-house share, 41.6% three-bedroom share and $435 weekly rent. Mortgage costs are $2,665 monthly, so borrowing capacity and dwelling condition should be compared carefully.
What schools are in Petrie Terrace?
School choices should be checked against the exact address because enrolment zones can cross suburb boundaries. Families can compare nearby state, independent and other school options by year level and travel route. Petrie Terrace's average household size is 2.3, below the national average by 0.2, so household needs may vary substantially.
Is Petrie Terrace safe?
Safety should be assessed at street level rather than inferred from the suburb label. Petrie Terrace has 1,168 residents, density of 3,690.4 people per square kilometre and 20.3% walking or cycling, so lighting, evening activity and the route home deserve attention. Compare recent incidents around the exact address before renting or buying.
Is Petrie Terrace good for property investment?
It can work for a selective investor, but the risk profile is mixed. Renters comprise 56.1%, higher than outright owners at 19.7%, weekly rent is $435 and rent growth is 20.0%. Vacancy is 10.9%, while annual growth is only 0.27%, so investors should stress-test vacancy, maintenance and resale assumptions rather than rely on rental demand alone.
How is Petrie Terrace's population changing?
Population change is slow and the age structure is shifting. The suburb has 1,168 residents today, while population change across the wider area is 2.8% over 10 years and the annual trend is 0.27%. Overseas migration is the primary driver, but the trajectory is Aging: the senior share is up 5.0 points and the young share is down 3.0 points. That is slower than rapid expansion and points to gradual turnover.
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 education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications).
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