Stafford
Stafford packs 6,978 residents into 3.43 sq km, a density of 2,036.8 people per sq km, while its median age of 35 is 5 years below the national figure. Nearly half of households rent at 49.3%, and 42.6% of residents hold a university qualification, 12.5 percentage points above the national comparison. That mix supports a compact, professional, renter-heavy market, with car commuting still dominant at 62.9%. For buyers comparing Stafford with nearby Kedron or Everton Park, its 66.8% separate-house share points to a more conventional family-home choice, while the 24.3% apartment share adds flexibility.
Population
6,978
Median Age
35.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,753/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
57
Stafford suits buyers prioritising established housing and access to different formats, although a current median house price is not available. Separate houses account for 66.8%, apartments 24.3% and semi-detached homes 8.9%; three-bedroom dwellings lead at 39.6%, above the 20.7% share of four-bedroom-plus homes. The $2,000 monthly mortgage benchmark equals 26.3% of household income, while $360 weekly rent provides a reference point for buyers currently renting. With 30.8% paying a mortgage versus 19.0% owning outright, Stafford is more mortgage-active than debt-free, so rate changes may matter more than in a lower-leverage market. Compare exact streets and renovation needs with Kedron or Everton Park before making an offer.
For Buyers
Stafford suits buyers prioritising established housing and access to different formats, although a current median house price is not available. Separate houses account for 66.8%, apartments 24.3% and semi-detached homes 8.9%; three-bedroom dwellings lead at 39.6%, above the 20.7% share of four-bedroom-plus homes. The $2,000 monthly mortgage benchmark equals 26.3% of household income, while $360 weekly rent provides a reference point for buyers currently renting. With 30.8% paying a mortgage versus 19.0% owning outright, Stafford is more mortgage-active than debt-free, so rate changes may matter more than in a lower-leverage market. Compare exact streets and renovation needs with Kedron or Everton Park before making an offer.
For Investors
Stafford has a substantial tenant base, with 49.3% renting compared with 19.0% owning outright. Weekly rent is $360 and vacancy is 7.4%, so investors should test leasing speed and property condition rather than assume tight rental conditions. The development pipeline records 59 applications, higher than a low-activity level, although recent application types include house demolitions, dwelling-house changes and referral responses rather than a single large project. Growth is forecast at 1.06% a year, with overseas migration the primary driver. That combination can support demand, but a sale-price median is unavailable, so gross yield cannot be calculated reliably from rent alone. Compare detached homes, apartments and redevelopment exposure street by street.
Development Activity
Total DAs
162
Last 12 Months
57
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+62.9%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Stafford
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Queen of Apostles Primary School (Thuruna St, Stafford)
Stafford State School
Demographics
Stafford's median age is 35, five years below the national comparison, and its average household size is 2.2, 0.3 below the national figure. University attainment is 42.6%, 12.5 percentage points above national, which helps explain the strong professional and administrative presence. Overseas-born residents account for 20.3%, 1.3 points below national, while English ancestry is recorded for 2,635 people, followed by Irish at 1,060 and Scottish at 780. Christianity at 3,137 and no religion at 2,995 are the largest reported affiliations. For readers comparing Stafford with Kedron or Everton Park, this is a relatively compact, working-age profile with Anglo-leaning ancestry and modest overseas representation, not a migrant-majority market.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
66.8%
Houses
8.9%
Townhouse
24.3%
Apartment
Tenure
Stafford's tenure pattern leans toward renting: 49.3% rent, compared with 30.8% paying a mortgage and 19.0% owning outright. The dwelling mix is 66.8% separate houses, 24.3% apartments and 8.9% semi-detached homes, while three-bedroom dwellings are the largest group at 39.6%, higher than four-bedroom-plus homes at 20.7%. Housing costs sit at $360 a week for rent and $2,000 a month for the mortgage benchmark. Rent takes 20.5% of household income and mortgage costs 26.3%, with neither flagged as housing stress. The 7.4% vacancy rate gives tenants more choice than a tightly constrained market. Without a current median sale price, buyers should compare recent settled sales rather than use rent as a valuation proxy.
Mortgage / mo
$2,000
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (Jun 2026 quarter), QLD RTA bond data. Census 2021 median: $360.
$700
Bond data Jun 2026 quarter · houses $700 · units $650
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$965
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.4%
Unoccupied
234
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.3%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
37.4%
Couples with children
40.3%
Couples, no children
19.4%
Single parent
1,779
Total families
Economy & Employment
Stafford's workforce is concentrated in service and public-facing sectors. Healthcare leads at 19.1% or 530 workers, followed by Professional/Tech at 12.7% or 352, Education at 10.4% or 289, Construction at 9.2% or 256 and Public Administration at 7.9% or 220. Professionals are the largest occupation group at 1,152, ahead of Clerical/Admin at 489 and Trades at 477, which aligns with university attainment of 42.6%. Participation is 68.4%, unemployment is 5.2% and full-time employment is 61.0%, supporting weekday income stability. The IEO decile is 8, above the middle, but the IER decile is 3, below it; that gap suggests strong education and occupation credentials do not translate evenly into household resources. Household income sits at the 61.6 percentile, above the midpoint.
Unemployment
5.2%
Labour Force
3,952
Unemployed
207
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
61.0%
Part-time
29.5%
Participation
68.4%
Employed
3,745
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
42.6%
Postgraduate
9.3%
Born Overseas
20.3%
Dwellings
2,908
Transport to Work
Stafford's practical appeal comes from a car-oriented but increasingly flexible routine. Car drivers account for 62.9% of journeys, compared with 6.6% using public transport, while 23.5% work from home; the 2.9% walking or cycling share is lower than the main motorised modes. Two local schools provide both Government and Catholic options: Stafford State School and Queen of Apostles Primary School. Check enrolment zones against the exact address because they can cross suburb boundaries. Socio-economic advantage is in IRSAD decile 7, above the middle deciles, and the IEO decile is 8, supporting access to established services. A suburb-level crime rate is not stated, so review current Queensland Police information before choosing a street, especially if comparing Stafford with nearby Kedron or Everton Park.
Drive
62.9%
Public Transport
6.6%
Walk / Cycle
2.9%
Work from Home
23.5%
Population Forecast
+1.06%/yr
(+79 people/yr)
EstablishedStafford is an established suburb with forecast growth of 1.06% annually, above zero, and overseas migration identified as the primary driver. Population change across the wider area is 14.5% over 10 years, while the trajectory is Stable, pointing to gradual expansion rather than a sharp cycle. Signals are mixed: the shift assessment records a gentrification score of 37 and stage Early signs, but the current gentrification assessment is score 6 and Not gentrifying. Rent growth of 20.0% and real income growth of 18.2% show meaningful movement, while affordability improved from 45.0% in 2011 to 37.2% in 2021. These indicators support steady established-suburb demand, with growth more likely to come from incremental change and overseas migration than a wholesale neighbourhood reset.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+69
Net Internal / yr
-29
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +18% since 2011
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Stafford compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stafford a good suburb to live in?
Stafford can suit households seeking established Brisbane housing, local school access and a practical commute. Its median age is 35, university attainment is 42.6% and 66.8% of dwellings are separate houses. The 62.9% car-driver share also means daily life is generally easier for households with vehicle access.
What is the median house price in Stafford?
No current median house price is available for Stafford. Buyers can use the $360 weekly rent and $2,000 monthly mortgage benchmark as budgeting references, then compare recent settled sales by street, land size, dwelling condition and bedroom count before estimating value.
What schools are in Stafford?
Stafford has 2 local schools: Stafford State School, a Government school, and Queen of Apostles Primary School, a Catholic school. Families should confirm the exact enrolment zone for an address because school boundaries can differ from suburb boundaries.
Is Stafford safe?
No suburb-level crime rate is available for Stafford in the supplied figures. The 6.0% need-assistance rate is not a safety measure, so prospective residents should check current Queensland Police information, visit the street at different times and compare the specific pocket with nearby suburbs.
Is Stafford good for property investment?
Stafford has a 49.3% renting share, $360 weekly rent and a 7.4% vacancy rate, creating a meaningful tenant market but not guaranteeing fast leasing. There were 59 development applications, and forecast growth is 1.06% annually. Without a sale-price median, investors should calculate returns from verified purchase and holding costs.
How is Stafford's population changing?
Stafford has 6,978 residents today, with wider-area population change of 14.5% over 10 years. Growth is forecast at 1.06% annually and is primarily driven by overseas migration. The trajectory is labelled Stable, so change is expected to be gradual rather than a rapid population surge.
What development is occurring in Stafford?
Stafford recorded 59 development applications, including design and siting referrals, dwelling-house changes and demolition-related building work. The activity indicates ongoing infill and property renewal rather than one clearly defined major project, so buyers should check the immediate street for approvals, construction timing and redevelopment effects.
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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