Seventeen Mile Rocks

Development Activity

Demographics

The median age of 38 is 2.0 years below the national figure, positioning this as a relatively younger suburb for its income level. University qualifications reach 53.8%, which is 23.7 percentage points above the national average, among the highest rates in Brisbane's outer west. Overseas-born residents account for 27.1%, some 5.5 points above the national figure, adding international diversity without crossing into migrant-majority territory. English ancestry leads at 1,012 residents, followed by Irish (354) and Scottish (300), with Mandarin and Persian speakers the largest non-English language groups. Average household size of 2.9 is 0.4 above the national figure, consistent with the family-oriented housing stock. Couples with children represent 1,229 households compared to 489 couples without children, a ratio that underscores the suburb's family demographic character.

At 92.9% detached houses, Seventeen Mile Rocks sits well above the state average for separate house dominance. The four-plus bedroom category accounts for 62.2% of dwellings, an unusually high share that reflects the family-sized block sizes typical of 1970s and 1980s Brisbane subdivisions in this corridor. Only 6.6% are semi-detached and 0.5% apartments, leaving the market with virtually no high-density stock. Tenure splits into 31.0% outright owners, 48.6% mortgage holders and 20.3% renters. The rent-to-income ratio of 16.2% is well below the 30% stress mark, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 19.0% is similarly comfortable compared to many other Brisbane suburbs at this price level. The median house price of $562,000 with weekly rent at $425 places this suburb in the affordable-family segment of the Greater Brisbane market.

Community Profile

Economy & Employment

Healthcare is the largest employing industry at 19.6% of workers (226 people), followed by Education at 15.4% (178) and Professional/Tech at 13.8% (159). This three-sector combination, together accounting for nearly half of all local workers, reflects a highly credentialled workforce, consistent with the 53.8% university qualification rate that sits 23.7 points above national. By occupation, Professionals lead at 524 workers and Managers follow at 239, so white-collar employment dominates. The suburb scores decile 10 on IRSD and decile 9 on both IRSAD and IEO, placing it near the top of advantage metrics across education, occupation and income measures. The unemployment rate of 4.6% and full-time employment rate of 66.8% are broadly in line with Queensland norms. Real income growth declined 4.6% over the decade, meaning rising costs have outpaced wage gains despite the high income base.

Transport to Work

Transport use here is car-dependent: 85.2% of residents drive to work, with only 7.1% using public transport and 1.7% walking or cycling. This is higher car reliance than the Brisbane average, reflecting the suburban block layout and limited rail access compared to eastern suburbs. The suburb scores decile 10 on IRSD and decile 9 on IRSAD, placing it near the top nationally on both relative disadvantage and advantage-plus measures. Only 3.0% of residents (79 people) need daily assistance, a low rate consistent with the relatively young median age of 38. The volunteering rate of 20.8% is above the national norm, suggesting active community participation. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in the dataset, so families use schools in adjacent suburbs. Housing stress is low: rent-to-income at 16.2% and mortgage-to-income at 19.0% both sit well below stress thresholds.

Population Forecast

Population growth over the past decade sits at 2.1%, one of the slower trajectories among established Brisbane suburbs. The annual growth rate is 0.45%, adding roughly 44 people per year. Medium forecasts project the broader SA2 reaching approximately 10,342 by 2031, continuing the gentle upward path. The suburb is classified as not gentrifying, with a gentrification score of 0, because it was already at high-advantage deciles before the analysis window. The aging trajectory is notable: the senior share rose 7.2 percentage points over 10 years while the young and working-age shares each fell 3.6 points. Migration is balanced, with 62 net overseas arrivals and 26 net internal arrivals annually, keeping growth positive but unhurried. Rent grew 15.0% over the period, indicating some price pressure despite the slow population base.

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

How Seventeen Mile Rocks compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions