Toowong
At 12,556 residents, Toowong combines a median age of 30 with a 68.6% apartment share, making it younger and more vertical than a conventional family-house suburb. Its 35.7% overseas-born population is 14.1 percentage points above the national figure, while 64.4% hold university qualifications, 34.3 points higher than nationally. Weekly rent is $420 and vacancy is 10.1%, conditions that suit students and mobile professionals but can soften rental competition. Compared with nearby Indooroopilly and Taringa, Toowong's apartment concentration is the clearer defining feature, alongside 55.1% renting and household income at the 72.1st percentile.
Population
12,556
Median Age
30.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,927/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
84
Toowong suits buyers prioritising apartment access, walkability and lower-maintenance housing over a detached block. Apartments account for 68.6% of dwellings, while 2-bedroom homes make up 47.6% and 3-bedroom homes 24.6%, so the market is weighted toward singles, couples and smaller households. A current median house price is not available, but the $2,000 monthly mortgage figure and 24.0% mortgage-to-income ratio provide useful budgeting markers. Compared with detached-house suburbs, the 21.1% outright ownership share and 22.4% mortgage share indicate a more renter-led market. Inspect body-corporate fees, flood exposure, parking and sinking-fund records because these can materially change apartment ownership costs.
For Buyers
Toowong suits buyers prioritising apartment access, walkability and lower-maintenance housing over a detached block. Apartments account for 68.6% of dwellings, while 2-bedroom homes make up 47.6% and 3-bedroom homes 24.6%, so the market is weighted toward singles, couples and smaller households. A current median house price is not available, but the $2,000 monthly mortgage figure and 24.0% mortgage-to-income ratio provide useful budgeting markers. Compared with detached-house suburbs, the 21.1% outright ownership share and 22.4% mortgage share indicate a more renter-led market. Inspect body-corporate fees, flood exposure, parking and sinking-fund records because these can materially change apartment ownership costs.
For Investors
Toowong has a strong tenant base, with 55.1% of households renting and a weekly rent of $420. Vacancy is 10.1%, higher than in a tightly supplied market, so investors should allow for leasing gaps and test achievable rent rather than relying on headline demand. The 68.6% apartment share and 47.6% concentration in 2-bedroom dwellings create a clear product focus, while 82 development matters in 12 months point to ongoing competition from new or altered stock. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver and annual trend growth is 1.43%, which can support tenant turnover because the suburb attracts students and mobile workers. Compared with owner-occupier areas, returns may be more sensitive to vacancy, body-corporate costs and apartment oversupply.
Development Activity
Total DAs
345
Last 12 Months
84
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+13.5%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Toowong
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Brisbane Boys' College (Toowong)
St Ignatius School (Toowong)
Stuartholme School (Toowong)
Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology
Toowong State School
Demographics
Toowong's median age of 30 is 10.0 years below the national comparison, and 64.4% of residents have university qualifications, 34.3 percentage points above the national figure. Overseas-born residents comprise 35.7%, 14.1 points higher than nationally, with Chinese ancestry recorded for 1,448 people and Mandarin spoken by 425. English, Irish and Scottish ancestry counts are 4,241, 1,816 and 1,469. The average household has 2.1 people, 0.4 below the national comparison, because apartments, students and renters produce smaller household structures. No religion is the largest religious response at 6,441, ahead of Christianity at 4,457. Compared with the national profile, Toowong is younger, more university-educated and more internationally connected, while its 43.9% turnover rate reflects a mobile population.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
28.8%
Houses
2.5%
Townhouse
68.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Toowong is structurally an apartment market: 68.6% of dwellings are apartments, versus 28.8% separate houses and 2.5% semi-detached homes. The bedroom mix reinforces that pattern, with 47.6% 2-bedroom and 12.4% 0-1-bedroom dwellings compared with only 15.3% containing 4 or more bedrooms. Renting accounts for 55.1%, above the 21.1% owned outright and 22.4% mortgaged, so tenure is more flexible than in an owner-led suburb. Weekly rent is $420, while mortgage repayments are listed at $2,000 per month and 24.0% of household income. Compared with nearby Indooroopilly, Toowong's vertical housing profile is the sharper constraint for families seeking yards, but it improves access to compact homes near inner-west services.
Mortgage / mo
$2,000
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (Jun 2026 quarter), QLD RTA bond data. Census 2021 median: $420.
$850
Bond data Jun 2026 quarter · houses $850 · units $720
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$966
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
10.1%
Unoccupied
600
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.0%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
33.8%
Couples with children
49.9%
Couples, no children
12.0%
Single parent
2,900
Total families
Economy & Employment
Toowong's workforce is concentrated in knowledge and service industries. Professional/Tech accounts for 18.5% or 1,072 workers, followed by Healthcare at 17.1% or 991, Education at 14.8% or 860, Public Admin at 7.2% or 420, and Hospitality at 6.2% or 358. Professionals number 3,156 and managers 927, supporting household income of $1,927 a week at the 72.1st percentile. Participation is 71.1%, full-time employment is 57.4% and unemployment is 5.5%, indicating an active workforce despite the student-oriented housing mix. SEIFA gives IEO decile 10, IRSAD decile 9, IRSD decile 9, yet IER is decile 3. This gap reflects strong education and occupation outcomes alongside renters and smaller households. Compared with the national midpoint, income and skills are higher, but economic resources rank lower.
Unemployment
5.5%
Labour Force
7,859
Unemployed
430
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
57.4%
Part-time
32.0%
Participation
71.1%
Employed
7,429
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
64.4%
Postgraduate
20.5%
Born Overseas
35.7%
Dwellings
5,306
Transport to Work
Inner-west access is practical, with 11.9% using public transport, 9.1% walking or cycling and 32.0% working from home; 43.6% drive as the main mode. Five local schools span 2 Catholic non-state schools, 2 government schools and 1 independent school, giving families a broader sector mix than many single-school catchments. The density of 3,088.2 people per square kilometre supports shops and services within a compact area, but apartment living means checking parking, noise and open-space access. IRSAD is in decile 9 and need for assistance is 2.8%, both favourable comparison markers. Safety should be assessed at the exact address by checking recent incidents, lighting and building access. Compared with lower-density outer suburbs, Toowong better suits residents who value transport options and proximity over private outdoor space.
Drive
43.6%
Public Transport
11.9%
Walk / Cycle
9.1%
Work from Home
32.0%
Population Forecast
+1.43%/yr
(+196 people/yr)
EstablishedToowong's growth outlook is established but still active: annual trend growth is 1.43%, with overseas migration identified as the primary driver. Across the wider area, population change is 18.4% over 10 years, while the shift trajectory is Mixed, so momentum is not uniform across every household segment. Gentrification is at the Early signs stage with a score of 33, and rent growth of 10.5% adds pressure to the apartment market. The affordability trend is labelled Improving, moving from 51.4 in 2011 to 43.2 in 2021. Compared with a mature, low-turnover suburb, Toowong is more exposed to overseas arrivals, redevelopment and rental repricing. Its 82 development matters in 12 months reinforce that supply and construction activity will remain part of the local story.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+384
Net Internal / yr
-192
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +23% since 2011, Net internal outflow -192/yr, Strong overseas inflow +384/yr, Accelerating: 3% → 20%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Toowong compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Toowong a good suburb to live in?
Toowong can suit residents who value inner-west access, apartments and proximity to services. The median age is 30, apartments make up 68.6% of dwellings and 11.9% use public transport. The 10.1% vacancy rate and 55.1% renting share also make the suburb more mobile than an owner-led family area.
What is the median house price in Toowong?
A current median house price is not available for Toowong. Its housing is dominated by apartments at 68.6%, with 55.1% renting and 47.6% of dwellings containing 2 bedrooms. Compare recent sales within the same building and include body-corporate, parking and maintenance costs.
What schools are in Toowong?
Toowong includes 5 schools: Toowong State School, St Ignatius School, Stuartholme School, Brisbane Boys' College and Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology. The mix includes 2 government, 2 Catholic and 1 independent school, so check enrolment zones and entry requirements for the exact address.
Is Toowong safe?
Safety should be assessed street by street because apartment precincts and quieter residential streets can differ. Toowong has a density of 3,088.2 people per square kilometre, so inspect recent incident data, lighting, building access and late-night activity before choosing a property.
Is Toowong good for property investment?
Toowong can suit investors targeting apartments and mobile tenants. Renting accounts for 55.1%, weekly rent is $420 and vacancy is 10.1%, which is higher than in tightly supplied markets. There were 82 development matters in 12 months, so assess competing stock, body-corporate costs and achievable rent carefully.
How is Toowong's population changing?
Toowong has 12,556 residents today. Across the wider area, population change is 18.4% over 10 years and the annual trend is 1.43%, with overseas migration the primary driver. The trajectory is Mixed, so growth should not be assumed to be uniform across all housing types.
What languages are spoken in Toowong?
Mandarin is the most prominent listed language, spoken by 425 people, followed by Cantonese at 98. Hindi, Korean and Nepali account for 44, 42 and 38 people respectively. Overseas-born residents make up 35.7%, which is higher than the national comparison.
What development is occurring in Toowong?
There were 82 development matters in the past 12 months, including commercial multiple-dwelling proposals, construction-management assessments and building work involving a dwelling house. This activity matters because Toowong already has a 68.6% apartment share and a 10.1% vacancy rate.
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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