Sunnybank Hills
With 54.9% of residents born overseas and 84.7% of dwellings separate houses, Sunnybank Hills combines a migrant-majority population with a family-oriented housing base. Its 18,085 residents have a median age of 37, three years below the national figure, while 48.4% hold university qualifications, 18.3 percentage points above national. Compared with nearby Sunnybank and Eight Mile Plains, its clearest identity is detached family housing, supported by a household income percentile of 60.6, above the midpoint. That mix helps explain why the suburb attracts both established owners and households seeking larger homes.
Population
18,085
Median Age
37.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,725/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
36
Homebuyers are primarily choosing detached family housing: 84.7% of dwellings are separate houses, 56.3% have 4 or more bedrooms and 37.3% have 3 bedrooms. That mix suits families needing space, while the average household size of 3.0 is 0.5 higher than national. The typical mortgage commitment is $1,853 a month, equal to 24.8% of household income, and mortgage stress is not flagged. Compared with apartment-led options around Sunnybank, Sunnybank Hills may appeal more to buyers prioritising house space. The 30.8% renting share also indicates a substantial tenant base, so buyers should inspect parking, drainage, renovation quality and enrolment zones before paying a premium.
For Buyers
Homebuyers are primarily choosing detached family housing: 84.7% of dwellings are separate houses, 56.3% have 4 or more bedrooms and 37.3% have 3 bedrooms. That mix suits families needing space, while the average household size of 3.0 is 0.5 higher than national. The typical mortgage commitment is $1,853 a month, equal to 24.8% of household income, and mortgage stress is not flagged. Compared with apartment-led options around Sunnybank, Sunnybank Hills may appeal more to buyers prioritising house space. The 30.8% renting share also indicates a substantial tenant base, so buyers should inspect parking, drainage, renovation quality and enrolment zones before paying a premium.
For Investors
Investors have a 30.8% renting share to work with, with weekly rent of $410 and vacancy at 5.6%. That combination points to an established rental market, but it also makes property condition, parking and tenant appeal important for holding occupancy. Development activity is visible, with 34 applications in the latest 12 months, which may add competition or improve housing choice depending on project type. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, supporting a broad tenant pool, while 84.7% separate houses and 56.3% 4-plus-bedroom homes favour family rentals. Compared with smaller-unit markets, the trade-off is stronger family positioning but potentially higher maintenance exposure. No yield can be calculated without a sale price.
Development Activity
Total DAs
127
Last 12 Months
36
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+71.4%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Sunnybank Hills
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Autism Queensland Education & Therapy Centre (Sunnybank Hills)
Sunnybank Hills State School
Demographics
Sunnybank Hills has a migrant-majority profile: 54.9% of residents were born overseas, 33.3 percentage points above the national share. Chinese ancestry is the largest named ancestry at 5,844 people, and Mandarin is spoken by 2,066 residents, followed by Cantonese at 552. University attainment is 48.4%, or 18.3 points above national, which helps explain the strong professional base and household income percentile of 60.6. The median age is 37, three years below national, and average household size is 3.0, 0.5 higher than national. Couples with children account for 47.9% of families, while 34.1% are couples without children. Compared with nearby Sunnybank, cultural and language links are a major practical feature for local shopping, schooling and community networks.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
84.7%
Houses
13.6%
Townhouse
0.3%
Apartment
Tenure
Sunnybank Hills is detached-dominant rather than apartment-led: 84.7% of dwellings are separate houses, 13.6% semi-detached and 0.3% apartments. The bedroom profile reinforces that pattern, with 56.3% of homes containing 4 or more bedrooms and 37.3% containing 3. Tenure is mixed: 36.3% are owned outright, 31.4% with a mortgage and 30.8% rented. That balance creates established owner-occupier depth alongside a sizeable rental pool. Mortgage repayments average $1,853 monthly and represent 24.8% of household income, while rent is $410 weekly and 23.8% of income, so neither stress flag is triggered. Compared with apartment-oriented parts of Brisbane, the suburb suits buyers who value house space, but no median house price is available for price-to-income analysis.
Mortgage / mo
$1,853
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (Jun 2026 quarter), QLD RTA bond data. Census 2021 median: $410.
$690
Bond data Jun 2026 quarter · houses $690 · units $620
HH Size
3.0
Personal Income / wk
$670
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.6%
Unoccupied
343
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.8%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
47.9%
Couples with children
34.1%
Couples, no children
16.0%
Single parent
4,752
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is Sunnybank Hills' largest industry, employing 1,051 people and accounting for 18.9% of workers, followed by Professional/Tech at 10.2%, Education at 9.9%, Retail at 8.7% and Manufacturing at 6.6%. The occupation mix is led by 1,903 professionals, with 997 in clerical and administrative roles and 975 in trades, giving the suburb both knowledge and practical workforces. Participation is 57.9%, unemployment is 7.0% and 4,509 people work full time, so household stability varies with employment intensity. Household income is at the 60.6 percentile, above the midpoint. SEIFA places education and occupation in deciles 7 and 6, economic resources in decile 4 and advantage/disadvantage in decile 6. The lower resources result compared with education and occupation suggests uneven financial capacity beneath the professional profile.
Unemployment
7.0%
Labour Force
8,566
Unemployed
602
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
56.6%
Part-time
35.0%
Participation
57.9%
Employed
7,964
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
48.4%
Postgraduate
15.1%
Born Overseas
54.9%
Dwellings
5,721
Transport to Work
Daily life is car-oriented: 68.5% travel as car drivers, compared with 7.8% using public transport and 1.7% walking or cycling. Another 16.3% work from home, so access to shopping and services matters more than relying on public transport alone. There are 2 local school options, comprising 1 government state school and 1 independent non-state education and therapy centre; check enrolment zones against the exact address. Sunnybank Hills covers 6.47 square kilometres, with density of 2,793.1 people per square kilometre and population of 18,085. Its IRSAD decile is 6, above the IRSD decile of 4, while IEO and IER sit at 7 and 6. Compared with more transit-oriented locations, the trade-off is weaker active and public transport coverage. Check current Queensland Police data because no suburb-level crime rate is stated.
Drive
68.5%
Public Transport
7.8%
Walk / Cycle
1.7%
Work from Home
16.3%
Population Forecast
+1.06%/yr
(+112 people/yr)
EstablishedSunnybank Hills has a Growing (all ages) trajectory, with annual growth of 1.06% and population change across the wider area of 11.6% over 10 years. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, consistent with the suburb's 54.9% overseas-born share. The established profile also proved resilient: a COVID dip of 2.6% was followed by 11.9% recovery. Gentrification remains at the Early signs stage, with a score of 28, while the shift measure records 42 and the same stage. Rent growth of 11.1%, real income growth of 22.8% and a 3.7% rise in the working share point to ongoing momentum. Compared with a static established suburb, growth is stronger, but rising rental demand may narrow entry options.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+542
Net Internal / yr
-230
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +24% since 2011, Net internal outflow -230/yr, Strong overseas inflow +542/yr, COVID recovered (-3% dip → full recovery)
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Sunnybank Hills compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sunnybank Hills a good suburb to live in?
Sunnybank Hills suits households seeking detached space and family-oriented housing. About 84.7% of dwellings are separate houses, 56.3% have 4 or more bedrooms and the median age is 37, three years below national. Compared with more apartment-oriented areas, the main trade-off is stronger car dependence.
What is the median house price in Sunnybank Hills?
No median house price is quoted for Sunnybank Hills. Buyers should compare recent sales and obtain local appraisals, paying close attention to land size, renovation and bedroom count. The housing stock is predominantly separate houses at 84.7%, with 56.3% containing 4 or more bedrooms.
What schools are in Sunnybank Hills?
Sunnybank Hills has 2 local options: Sunnybank Hills State School, a government state school, and Autism Queensland Education & Therapy Centre, an independent non-state school. Check catchment rules and enrolment availability for the exact address, as zones can differ.
Is Sunnybank Hills safe?
A suburb-level crime rate is not stated, so a firm safety ranking would be unreliable. Check current Queensland Police crime mapping and visit the exact street at different times. Sunnybank Hills has 18,085 residents, and 68.5% commute as car drivers, making street and parking conditions relevant.
Is Sunnybank Hills good for property investment?
It can suit investors targeting family rentals, but returns need careful checking because no median house price is available for a yield calculation. Weekly rent is $410, vacancy is 5.6% and 30.8% of households rent. Compared with unit-focused markets, 84.7% separate houses may support a different tenant profile.
How is Sunnybank Hills's population changing?
Sunnybank Hills is on a Growing (all ages) trajectory, with annual growth of 1.06% and 11.6% population change across the wider area over 10 years. Overseas migration is the primary driver, while 54.9% of residents were born overseas. Gentrification remains at the Early signs stage with a score of 28.
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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