South Ripley
Across the wider area, population change over ten years is 349.6%, making South Ripley a standout high-growth locality around Ipswich. Its current population is 4,069 and median age is 27, or 13 years below the national figure. Housing is strongly family-sized: 96.9% of dwellings are separate houses and 83.5% contain four or more bedrooms. Weekly household income is $2,182, placing it at the 83rd percentile. Compared with nearby Ripley, South Ripley is more clearly defined by new development and internal migration, with a 5.28% annual growth trend.
Population
4,069
Median Age
27.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,182/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
South Ripley suits buyers seeking newer detached housing and room for a growing household, but a current suburb-level median house price is not available, so recent settled sales should anchor negotiations. Four-plus-bedroom homes account for 83.5%, far higher than the 14.1% share of three-bedroom homes, and 96.9% of dwellings are separate houses. Weekly household income is $2,182, at the 83rd percentile. Mortgage costs average $1,900 a month, with mortgage-to-income at 20.1% compared with rent-to-income of 17.9%; both stress indicators are false. The 49.0% mortgage tenure means interest-rate changes still matter.
For Buyers
South Ripley suits buyers seeking newer detached housing and room for a growing household, but a current suburb-level median house price is not available, so recent settled sales should anchor negotiations. Four-plus-bedroom homes account for 83.5%, far higher than the 14.1% share of three-bedroom homes, and 96.9% of dwellings are separate houses. Weekly household income is $2,182, at the 83rd percentile. Mortgage costs average $1,900 a month, with mortgage-to-income at 20.1% compared with rent-to-income of 17.9%; both stress indicators are false. The 49.0% mortgage tenure means interest-rate changes still matter.
For Investors
South Ripley can suit an investor who values tenant demand and long-run expansion, but yield must be calculated from a verified purchase price because no current median is available. Renting accounts for 45.7% of households, compared with 5.4% owning outright, and median weekly rent is $390. Vacancy is 5.3%, so leasing conditions should be tested by estate and dwelling type rather than assumed. The growth trend is 5.28% a year, driven by internal migration, while rents have grown 31.0%. A 12-month development count of 0 may limit immediate competing supply, although upcoming releases still need checking.
Demographics
South Ripley has a young, family-forming profile: the median age is 27, 13 years below the national figure, and average household size is 3.0, or 0.5 above the national comparison. Couples with children make up 53.7% of families, while one-parent families account for 16.5%, helping explain the demand for larger homes. University attainment is 29.0%, 1.1 percentage points below the national level, while 22.0% were born overseas, 0.4 points above it. English ancestry is the largest named group at 1,561 people, followed by Scottish at 324 and Irish at 320. Turnover is 41.7%, with 58.3% staying, so compared with an older settled suburb the local social mix is more likely to keep changing.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
96.9%
Houses
3.1%
Townhouse
0.0%
Apartment
Tenure
South Ripley is overwhelmingly detached: 96.9% of dwellings are separate houses and 3.1% are semi-detached, with 83.5% containing four or more bedrooms. That form matches the 53.7% share of couples with children and average household size of 3.0, rather than a smaller-home profile. Tenure is split between 49.0% mortgaged households and 45.7% renters, while only 5.4% own outright. Mortgage-to-income is 20.1%, higher than rent-to-income of 17.9%, and both stress indicators are false. A current median price is not available, so compare recent settled sales in South Ripley with nearby Ripley carefully, especially where new-estate releases create different lot sizes and dwelling specifications.
Mortgage / mo
$1,900
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (Jun 2026 quarter), QLD RTA bond data. Census 2021 median: $390.
$600
Bond data Jun 2026 quarter · houses $600 · units $475
HH Size
3.0
Personal Income / wk
$1,104
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.3%
Unoccupied
73
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
17.9%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.1%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
53.7%
Couples with children
28.0%
Couples, no children
16.5%
Single parent
1,123
Total families
Economy & Employment
South Ripley's labour market is active, with 81.3% participation, 66.3% full-time employment and 4.0% unemployment. Healthcare leads local industries at 21.4% and 326 workers, followed by Public Administration at 13.9% and 211, Education at 10.1% and 153, Retail at 8.2% and 125, and Construction at 7.6% and 115. Occupations are led by Professionals at 417, Community/Personal at 322, Clerical/Admin at 322, Trades at 306 and Managers at 264. Household income is $2,182 a week at the 83rd percentile. IER and IRSD rank in decile 8, higher than IEO and IRSAD at decile 6, indicating stronger income and employment conditions than the education and overall advantage measures alone would suggest.
Unemployment
4.0%
Labour Force
2,273
Unemployed
90
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
66.3%
Part-time
23.8%
Participation
81.3%
Employed
2,183
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
29.0%
Postgraduate
5.2%
Born Overseas
22.0%
Dwellings
1,312
Transport to Work
Daily movement is strongly car-oriented: 78.2% drive a car, compared with 1.8% using public transport and 0.7% walking or cycling. That pattern reflects a broad 50.52 square kilometre footprint and density of 80.5 people per square kilometre, so access and travel times can vary between estates. Working from home is 15.1%, adding flexibility for some households, while volunteering is 10.6%. Socioeconomic conditions are mixed but generally solid, with IRSAD in decile 6 and IRSD in decile 8; the latter ranks higher than the former. A 3.4% need-assistance rate and 4,069 residents point to varied household needs, so inspect local services, recreation and the exact commute before buying.
Drive
78.2%
Public Transport
1.8%
Walk / Cycle
0.7%
Work from Home
15.1%
Population Forecast
+5.28%/yr
(+1,239 people/yr)
High GrowthSouth Ripley sits in a high-growth phase, with an annual trend of 5.28% driven primarily by internal migration. Across the wider area, population change over ten years is 349.6%, while the shift trajectory is Mixed rather than a single-track pattern. Rent growth of 31.0% signals strong demand, and affordability is marked Improving, moving from 42.3 in 2011 to 36.1 in 2021. The gentrification score is 0 and the stage is New development, so expansion is being led by estate formation rather than neighbourhood upscaling. The young share has risen 1.6 percentage points and the senior share has fallen 0.7 points, reinforcing a younger pipeline compared with an established, slower-growing suburb.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+47
Net Internal / yr
+2,208
Gentrification Signal
New development
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How South Ripley compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Ripley a good suburb to live in?
It can suit households prioritising space, newer detached housing and access to a growing community. The median age is 27, 96.9% of homes are separate houses, and weekly household income is $2,182 at the 83rd percentile. Car dependence is high at 78.2%, so commute patterns matter.
What is the median house price in South Ripley?
A current suburb-level median house price is not available. For a realistic purchase view, compare recent settled sales by estate, land size and bedroom count. South Ripley is 96.9% separate houses, 83.5% have four or more bedrooms, and typical mortgage cost is $1,900 per month.
What schools are in South Ripley?
School access should be checked from the exact address by confirming current nearby campuses and enrolment zones. South Ripley has 4,069 residents, an average household size of 3.0 and 78.2% car-driver commuting, so school travel may be a meaningful part of the weekly routine.
Is South Ripley safe?
Use current Queensland Police statistics and inspect the exact street at different times before deciding. The locality covers 50.52 square kilometres at a density of 80.5 people per square kilometre, so conditions and activity can vary between estates.
Is South Ripley good for property investment?
It can be considered for a growth-oriented strategy, but yield should be calculated from a verified purchase price. Renting is 45.7%, weekly rent is $390 and vacancy is 5.3%; the annual growth trend is 5.28%, driven by internal migration. The 12-month development count is 0, so check upcoming supply.
How is South Ripley's population changing?
Population growth is exceptionally strong across the wider area: the ten-year change is 349.6%, and the annual trend is 5.28%. Internal migration is the primary driver. The trajectory is Mixed, with the young share rising 1.6 percentage points while the median age is currently 27.
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). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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