QLD 4059 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Red Hill

A median age of 33, fully 7 years below the national figure, sets the tone for Red Hill and explains much of the rest. Renters make up 46.8% of households, well above the owner-occupier share, because the young professional base trades a $628,000 median house price for proximity rather than ownership. Household income sits in the 89.6th percentile nationally, and university qualifications reach 61.1%, which is 31 points above national. Packed at 3,606 residents per square kilometre across just 1.62 square kilometres, this inner-Brisbane pocket runs younger, denser and more educated than the typical Australian suburb.

Red Hill urban fabric map

Population

5,834

Median Age

33.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$2,367/wk

DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year

41

Median House

$628K

Estimated from rent (2025)

1.62 km²· 3,605.9 people/km²· Family income $3,375/wk

The $628,000 median house price keeps Red Hill more attainable than many inner-Brisbane neighbours, and the stock is friendlier to families than the density suggests. Separate houses still account for 65.1% of dwellings, against 27.3% apartments and 7.7% semi-detached, so detached living remains the norm despite 3,606 residents per square kilometre. Three-bedroom homes lead at 32.5% with four-plus bedrooms close behind at 30.3%, which suits the couples-with-children families that outnumber childless couples here. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,700, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.3%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold because household incomes sit in the 89.6th percentile nationally. That combination of detached supply and sub-stress repayments is what keeps owner-occupiers competing here rather than retreating to cheaper outer rings.

For Buyers

The $628,000 median house price keeps Red Hill more attainable than many inner-Brisbane neighbours, and the stock is friendlier to families than the density suggests. Separate houses still account for 65.1% of dwellings, against 27.3% apartments and 7.7% semi-detached, so detached living remains the norm despite 3,606 residents per square kilometre. Three-bedroom homes lead at 32.5% with four-plus bedrooms close behind at 30.3%, which suits the couples-with-children families that outnumber childless couples here. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,700, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.3%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold because household incomes sit in the 89.6th percentile nationally. That combination of detached supply and sub-stress repayments is what keeps owner-occupiers competing here rather than retreating to cheaper outer rings.

For Investors

Renters make up 46.8% of households, higher than both owners with a mortgage and outright owners, giving landlords a deep tenant pool anchored by a median age of 33. Weekly rent of $430 against the $628,000 median house price implies a gross yield near 3.6%, stronger than the sub-2% yields typical of premium inner-city markets. The reported vacancy rate of 6.0% is the main caution, sitting above a balanced market and pointing to softer demand in the apartment segment that forms 27.3% of stock. Development is active, with 36 applications lodged in the past 12 months across a suburb of only 1.62 square kilometres, recent ones spanning dwelling extensions and a land subdivision. The investment case leans on yield and a steady renter share rather than scarcity, with the vacancy figure the number to watch.

Development Activity

Total DAs

204

Last 12 Months

41

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

-26.8%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Renovation / Extension
45
Other
25
Change of Use
14
Subdivision
5
Granny Flat / Secondary Dwelling
2
Landscaping / Retaining Wall
2
Plumber
2
Demolition
1

Demographics

The median age of 33 runs 7 years below the national figure, the clearest signal of a young-resident base built on students and early-career professionals. University qualifications reach 61.1%, which is 31 points above national, among the highest concentrations you will find. Ancestry leans Anglo, led by English (2,415), Irish (1,109) and Scottish (883), with German (453) following. Overseas-born residents sit at 22.6%, only about 1 point above national, so the suburb is more locally born than its inner-city setting might imply. The top non-English languages are Mandarin (32 speakers), Italian (22) and French (14), small counts that confirm an Anglo-dominant mix. Average household size is 2.4, marginally below national, and Christianity (2,169 residents) is the leading religion ahead of Buddhism (79).

Age Distribution

0-14
14.7%
15-24
17.8%
25-44
35.7%
45-64
23.4%
65+
8.4%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
10.6%
2 bed
26.7%
3 bed
32.5%
4+ bed
30.3%

Dwelling Structure

65.1%

Houses

7.7%

Townhouse

27.3%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 20.3% Mortgage 32.9% Rent 46.8%

Tenure tilts firmly toward renting: 46.8% rent, 32.9% carry a mortgage and only 20.3% own outright. Outright owners trailing both other groups by a wide margin points to a transient, early-career population rather than long-held family homes, consistent with the 39.4% residential turnover rate. The stock stays detached-led at 65.1% separate houses, with apartments at 27.3% and semi-detached at 7.7%. Three-bedroom dwellings lead at 32.5% and four-plus bedrooms reach 30.3%, while smaller one-bedroom and studio dwellings are just 10.6%. The $628,000 median house price against household incomes in the 89.6th percentile leaves a manageable mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.3% and a rent-to-income ratio of 18.2%, both below the 30% stress line, which is why neither owners nor renters here register as financially stretched.

Mortgage / mo

$2,700

Rent / wk

$430

HH Size

2.4

Personal Income / wk

$1,121

Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)

6.0%

Unoccupied

145

Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

18.2%

Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

26.3%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Mandarin
32
Italian
22
French
14
German
13
Greek
11
Korean
11

Ancestry

English
2,415
Irish
1,109
Scottish
883
Other
665
German
453
Italian
268

Household Composition

29.7%

Couples, no children

3,871

Total families

Economy & Employment

The workforce concentrates in knowledge and care sectors: Professional and Technical services lead at 18.9% (537 workers), Healthcare follows at 17.5% (495) and Education at 11.9% (337), with Public Administration at 7.8% and Construction at 6.4%. By occupation, Professionals (1,449) and Managers (584) dominate, which aligns with the 61.1% university qualification rate sitting 31 points above national. Unemployment is low at 4.6% and the full-time employment rate is 65.3%, while participation reads 69.7%. The 983 residents not in the labour force are largely students, fitting the median age of 33 that runs below national. The professional and healthcare weighting helps explain why household incomes reach the 89.6th percentile despite a renter-heavy, early-career population.

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Full-time

65.3%

Part-time

30.1%

Participation

69.7%

Employed

3,312

Occupations

Professionals 1,449
Managers 584
Clerical/Admin 442
Community/Personal 364
Sales 257
Labourers 165
Machinery/Drivers 77

Top Industries

Professional/Tech 18.9%
Healthcare 17.5%
Education 11.9%
Public Admin 7.8%
Construction 6.4%

University

61.1%

Postgraduate

17.0%

Born Overseas

22.6%

Dwellings

2,278

Transport to Work

Car reliance is lower than the national norm: 68.9% drive to work while 12.1% use public transport and 11.8% walk or cycle, helped by the compact 1.62 square kilometre footprint and inner-Brisbane location. Volunteering runs at 20.6% and only 2.9% of residents (163 people) need daily assistance, both consistent with a young, healthy population at a median age of 33. Detailed crime statistics are not available for Red Hill in this dataset, so safety cannot be quantified directly here. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary, so families rely on institutions nearby, a practical trade-off in a 3,606-per-square-kilometre setting where land is scarce. The mix of walkable density, low assistance needs and strong volunteering points to an active, engaged resident base.

Drive

68.9%

Public Transport

12.1%

Walk / Cycle

11.8%

Work from Home

N/A

National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs

How Red Hill compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 10%
Household Income
Top 10%
Rent Level
Top 11%
Apartments
Top 14%
Renters
Top 10%
Uni Educated
Top 4%
Public Transport
Top 8%
Born Overseas
Top 24%
Density
Top 2%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Red Hill a good suburb to live in?

Red Hill suits younger professionals: the median age is 33, 7 years below national, and household income sits in the 89.6th percentile. University qualifications reach 61.1%, 31 points above national, and at a $628,000 median house price it stays more attainable than many inner-Brisbane neighbours. The main trade-off is a renter-heavy, transient population with 39.4% turnover.

What is the median house price in Red Hill?

The median house price is $628,000, attainable for inner Brisbane. Weekly rent averages $430 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $2,700, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.3%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold thanks to household incomes in the 89.6th percentile nationally.

What schools are in Red Hill?

No schools are recorded inside the 1.62 square kilometre Red Hill boundary in this dataset, so families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. The local population is highly educated, with university qualifications at 61.1%, which is 31 points above the national figure.

Is Red Hill safe?

Detailed crime statistics are not available for Red Hill in this dataset, so safety cannot be quantified directly. As an indirect indicator, only 2.9% of the 5,834 residents need daily assistance and volunteering runs at 20.6%, both consistent with an engaged, low-vulnerability community.

Is Red Hill good for property investment?

Renters make up 46.8% of households and weekly rent of $430 against the $628,000 median implies a gross yield near 3.6%, above the sub-2% typical of premium inner-city markets. The caution is a 6.0% vacancy rate, higher than a balanced market, which softens the case for apartment stock.

How is Red Hill's population changing?

Red Hill grows through churn rather than expansion: the residential turnover rate is 39.4%, meaning nearly four in ten of the 5,834 residents had moved within five years. At 3,606 residents per square kilometre it is already dense, so the 36 development applications in 12 months are mostly infill and renovation.

How much development is happening in Red Hill?

There were 36 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, notable for a 1.62 square kilometre suburb. Recent applications include dwelling extensions and a lot subdivision rather than large new estates, consistent with infill densification in an inner-Brisbane area already at 3,606 residents per square kilometre.

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.

Explore Red Hill on the Map

View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.

Open Interactive Map

More Suburbs in QLD