QLD 4173 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Tingalpa

Three-bedroom houses make up 51.3% of Tingalpa's housing stock, the highest concentration in this batch, giving the suburb a distinctly uniform residential character. With household income in the 73rd percentile nationally and an estimated median house price of $525,000, Tingalpa delivers an unusually favourable income-to-price ratio for a suburb just 12km from Brisbane CBD. The 4.0% unemployment rate sits below the national average, supported by a diversified employment base spanning healthcare (17.0%), education (12.3%), and construction (11.3%). Population aging is the key demographic shift: seniors' share grew 5.0 percentage points over the decade while the young-family share contracted 1.9 points.

Tingalpa urban fabric map

Population

8,461

Median Age

38.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,940/wk

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

46

Median House

$525K

Estimated from rent (2025)

9.21 km²· 919 people/km²· Family income $2,277/wk

At an estimated $525,000 median, Tingalpa offers one of Brisbane's better value propositions for owner-occupiers earning above-average incomes. Mortgage repayments of $1,863 per month produce a mortgage-to-income ratio of just 22.2%, well below the 30% stress threshold. Detached houses account for 79.9% of stock, with 51.3% being three-bedroom and 36.7% having 4+ bedrooms. The 43.8% mortgage rate is high, reflecting a buyer-active market. Semi-detached options at 17.6% provide a lower-cost entry point. With the vacancy rate at 4.6% and population growing at 0.48% per year, supply-demand balance appears healthy for long-term ownership.

For Buyers

At an estimated $525,000 median, Tingalpa offers one of Brisbane's better value propositions for owner-occupiers earning above-average incomes. Mortgage repayments of $1,863 per month produce a mortgage-to-income ratio of just 22.2%, well below the 30% stress threshold. Detached houses account for 79.9% of stock, with 51.3% being three-bedroom and 36.7% having 4+ bedrooms. The 43.8% mortgage rate is high, reflecting a buyer-active market. Semi-detached options at 17.6% provide a lower-cost entry point. With the vacancy rate at 4.6% and population growing at 0.48% per year, supply-demand balance appears healthy for long-term ownership.

For Investors

The 26.6% rental population and 4.6% vacancy rate suggest a moderately balanced rental market. Weekly rent of $420 against the estimated $525,000 median implies a gross yield around 4.2%, notably better than higher-priced suburbs where yields compress. Rent growth of 16.7% over the decade is moderate compared to other Brisbane suburbs. Population adds about 45 people per year, with net overseas inflow of 93 partially offset by internal outflow of 76. The 37 development applications in 12 months include warehouse and dwelling house proposals, indicating mixed commercial-residential development activity.

Development Activity

Total DAs

153

Last 12 Months

46

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

+2.2%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Change of Use
28
Other
25
Subdivision
23
Renovation / Extension
8
Landscaping / Retaining Wall
4
Commercial / Industrial
2
Driveway / Crossover
1

Schools in Tingalpa iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged

Tingalpa State School

ICSEA 1079 Primary Government

Prep-6 · 452 students

Demographics

English ancestry leads at 3,291 (39% of population), followed by Irish (1,132) and Scottish (923), with German (484) also notable. The 25.4% overseas-born rate sits 3.8 points above the national average. University attainment of 33.5% is slightly above the national rate. Language diversity is low: the top non-English language (Mandarin, 47 speakers) accounts for less than 1% of the population. Average household size of 2.5 matches the national figure. The median age of 38 is 2 years below national, but this gap is narrowing as the senior share expands by 5.0 percentage points per decade.

Age Distribution

0-14
18.5%
15-24
10.2%
25-44
31.3%
45-64
24.4%
65+
15.6%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
1.6%
2 bed
10.4%
3 bed
51.3%
4+ bed
36.7%

Dwelling Structure

79.9%

Houses

17.6%

Townhouse

2.4%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 29.6% Mortgage 43.8% Rent 26.6%

Detached houses dominate at 79.9%, with semi-detached at 17.6% and apartments minimal at 2.4%. Three-bedroom homes make up a majority at 51.3%, while 4+ bedrooms account for 36.7%, together comprising 88% of stock. Ownership is split 29.6% outright, 43.8% mortgage, and 26.6% renting. Both mortgage stress (22.2%) and rent stress (21.6%) are well below the 30% threshold, making Tingalpa comfortable for both owners and tenants. Affordability improved over the decade, with the price-to-income ratio falling from 49.9% in 2011 to 44.4% in 2021. The 77.9% residential stability rate indicates most residents stay put.

Mortgage / mo

$1,863

Rent / wk

$420

HH Size

2.5

Personal Income / wk

$937

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

4.6%

Unoccupied

156

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

21.6%

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

22.2%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Mandarin
47
Hindi
37
French
35
Canton
25
Italian
25
Sinhal
24

Ancestry

English
3,291
Irish
1,132
Scottish
923
Other
888
German
484
Ancestry NS
347

Household Composition

26.6%

Couples, no children

6,896

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare (17.0%), education (12.3%), construction (11.3%), professional services (9.2%), and public administration (7.6%) form a well-diversified employment base. No single industry dominates, which reduces economic vulnerability compared to single-employer towns. Professionals lead occupations (1,050), followed by clerical workers (713) and managers (545). The 69.6% full-time employment rate is above the national average, and unemployment at 4.0% sits below it. SEIFA deciles are consistently middle-to-upper: IRSAD decile 6, IRSD decile 7, IEO decile 6, IER decile 7, indicating above-average socioeconomic conditions without the premium pricing of higher-decile suburbs.

Unemployment

2.1%

Labour Force

6,017

Unemployed

127

Quarterly Trend

Mar-24 Dec-25

Source: SALM Dec-25

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

Overall advantage
6
Disadvantage
7
Economic resources
7
Education & occupation
6

Full-time

69.6%

Part-time

26.4%

Participation

63.6%

Employed

4,207

Occupations

Professionals 1,050
Clerical/Admin 713
Managers 545
Community/Personal 461
Labourers 457
Sales 357
Machinery/Drivers 278

Top Industries

Healthcare 17.0%
Education 12.3%
Construction 11.3%
Professional/Tech 9.2%
Public Admin 7.6%

University

33.5%

Postgraduate

6.8%

Born Overseas

25.4%

Dwellings

3,238

Transport to Work

Tingalpa State School (government primary, ICSEA 1079, 452 students) provides local education scoring well above the national median of 1000. Public transport usage at 5.2% is moderate for an outer-middle Brisbane suburb, with 86.0% driving and only 2.4% walking or cycling. The SEIFA IRSAD decile of 6 places Tingalpa in the upper half of suburbs nationally. The 13.2% volunteering rate sits below the national average. With 37 development applications including both residential and commercial projects, the suburb sees mixed activity, maintaining its character as a working residential area rather than pure commuter suburb.

Drive

86.0%

Public Transport

5.2%

Walk / Cycle

2.4%

Work from Home

N/A

Population Forecast

+0.48%/yr

(+45 people/yr)

Established

Population grows at a modest 0.48% per year, adding about 45 residents annually. Net overseas migration of 93 per year exceeds internal outflow of 76, producing small net gains. Medium projections show 9,590 by 2031, up from 9,404 in 2025. The gentrification score of 8 confirms the suburb is not gentrifying. The aging trajectory is the defining trend: seniors grew 5.0 percentage points while the working-age share declined 1.5 points over the decade. Real income growth of 6.6% was modest. This growth rate sits below the national average for suburban areas, suggesting Tingalpa will remain stable but is unlikely to see rapid demographic change or property price acceleration.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Overseas Migration

Net Overseas / yr

+93

Net Internal / yr

-76

0

Gentrification Signal

Not gentrifying

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

How Tingalpa compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 6%
Household Income
Top 27%
Rent Level
Top 13%
Apartments
Bottom 39%
Renters
Top 35%
Uni Educated
Top 27%
Public Transport
Top 33%
Born Overseas
Top 19%
Density
Top 16%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tingalpa a good suburb to live in?

Tingalpa suits middle-income families wanting Brisbane proximity at below-median prices. The estimated $525,000 median with 22.2% mortgage-to-income ratio makes it affordable. Tingalpa State School has a strong ICSEA of 1079. The diversified economy (no single industry above 17%) provides employment stability. Main drawback is moderate public transport at 5.2% usage.

What is the median house price in Tingalpa?

The estimated median house price is $525,000 (derived from rental data, 2025). Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,863. Detached houses make up 79.9% of stock, with 3-bedroom homes dominating at 51.3%. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.2% is well below the 30% stress threshold, making it accessible for dual-income households.

What schools are in Tingalpa?

Tingalpa State School (government primary) has an ICSEA score of 1079, placing it 79 points above the national median of 1000, with 452 students enrolled. This indicates educational outcomes significantly above average for a government school. Secondary students typically attend schools in neighbouring suburbs like Manly West or Carindale.

Is Tingalpa safe?

Specific crime statistics are not available for Tingalpa. SEIFA indices place it at IRSD decile 7 (top 40% nationally for low disadvantage), and the 4.0% unemployment rate is below the national average. The 77.9% population stability and high ownership rate (73.4% owned or mortgaged) are factors typically associated with lower crime in comparable suburbs.

Is Tingalpa good for property investment?

The estimated 4.2% gross yield ($420 weekly rent on $525,000) is competitive for Brisbane. The 4.6% vacancy rate is slightly elevated but not alarming. Population growth at 0.48% per year provides gradual demand. The 37 development applications suggest active supply, which investors should monitor. Affordability improved over the decade, supporting sustained rental demand from the 26.6% renter base.

How is Tingalpa's population changing?

Population is growing slowly at 0.48% per year (about 45 people annually). The defining trend is aging: seniors' share grew 5.0 percentage points over the decade while the working-age share declined 1.5 points. Net overseas migration (93/year) slightly exceeds internal outflow (76/year). Projections show 9,590 by 2031, up modestly from 9,404 in 2025.

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.

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