Top Suburbs for Public Housing in Brisbane
In Brisbane, 4.7% of households are in public housing. Public housing in Brisbane is spread quite evenly throughout the city, but the top ten suburbs for public housing include Acacia Ridge, Dutton Park, Zillmere, Mount Gravatt, Keperra, Holland Park, Stafford, Gaythorne, Carina Heights and Coopers Plains.
You may be wondering, where is public housing located in Brisbane? Is your property at risk? Which suburbs should you avoid in Brisbane? On this page, we will take a look at the Top 10 Suburbs in Brisbane which have the highest proportion of public housing, and other public housing trends in Brisbane Suburbs.
What are the top public housing suburbs in Brisbane?
1. Acacia Ridge: 14.6%
Acacia Ridge is situated in the south-west of Brisbane. Public housing in Acacia Ridge primarily consists of low-density housing scattered throughout the suburb, but little public housing is located in the north-east of the suburb. These residences are a mix of standalone houses, small apartment complexes and recent townhouse developments. There are plans to revitalise certain pockets of public housing to provide more modern and sustainable living options for residents. Future plans include the construction of new apartment blocks and townhouses to cater to the growing demand for affordable housing in the area.
Acacia Ridge has a reputation for low socioeconomic demographics, property crime, and youth crime, but it is also close to shopping facilities, parks, restaurants, and private schools. It is in Brisbane’s top 29% for theft incidence and also in Brisbane’s top 29% for welfare recipients. Despite these challenges, there are many young families living in the area, contributing to the suburb’s changing demographics.
In 2021, there was a notable proportion of individuals aged between 25 and 34 years and children between 0 and 9 years. The median weekly household income in Acacia Ridge is $1,313, which is below the national median of $1,746. In Acacia Ridge, 5.7% of people are Indigenous, compared to 4.6% Queensland-wide, and most people have English (25.9%) or Australian (24.5%).
2. Dutton Park: 12.5%
Dutton Park is an inner-city suburb located in Brisbane, Queensland. Public housing in Dutton Park is primarily concentrated in specific areas of the suburb. In the last decade, public housing has dropped from 19.5% to 12.5%. Public housing consists of older-style apartment buildings and townhouses, with some newer developments catering to the demand for affordable housing options. Future plans for public housing in Dutton Park include refurbishing existing properties and potentially constructing new housing complexes to meet the needs of the community.
Dutton Park is moderately safe. Property crime rates, including theft and vandalism, and night time safety rank just below average for Brisbane. According to recent census data, there is a significant proportion of residents aged between 20 and 29 years (25.7%, compared to 13.2% nationally). The median weekly household income in Dutton Park is $1,739, on par with the national median of $1,746. The people in this suburb are mostly English (30.1%), Australian (25%), Irish (13.7%), Scottish (11.2%), and Chinese (7.5%).
3. Zillmere: 12.1%
Zillmere, situated in the northern suburbs of Brisbane, hosts a variety of public housing options dispersed throughout the suburb. Public housing in Zillmere encompasses a mix of standalone houses, low-rise apartment buildings, and townhouses. There is less public housing on the Aspley side of Zillmere. Thirteen new social housing apartments are under construction to replace older homes, and another housing project specifically for Indigenous people is underway.
Zillmere faces challenges associated with crime and social disadvantage. It has a reputation for being crime-ridden and dangerous. Nighttime safety in the suburb ranks below the average for Brisbane (bottom 43%), and property crime rates remain a concern. However, crime incidence and safety may be improving. Zillmere is in Brisbane’s top 2% for welfare recipients. According to the 2021 census data, there were a notable proportion of individuals aged between 25 and 34 years (21.2%, compared to 14.3% nationally). The median weekly household income in Zillmere is $1,426, which falls below the national median of $1,746. The majority of people were born in Australia (64.4%), with other responses including India (6.5%), New Zealand (3.9%), and Philippines (2.2%).
4. Mount Gravatt: 10.6%
Mount Gravatt, located in the southern suburbs of Brisbane, offers a range of public housing options to its residents. Public housing in Mount Gravatt encompasses standalone houses, townhouses, and apartment complexes. Certain streets are more highly concentrated with public housing than others, such as Tenby Street, Gosford Street, and Nursery Road. A new 32-unit complex is underway in Mount Gravatt East and in 2019, a 25-unit complex was completed in upper Mount Gravatt.
Despite its desirable location, Mount Gravatt encounters challenges related to crime and social disadvantage. Nighttime safety in the suburb ranks below average for Brisbane (bottom 43%) and theft incidence is quite high (theft incidence is in Brisbane’s top 36%). The number of welfare recipients is in Brisbane’s top 4%. Crime exists but it does not affect most people. According to the 2021 census, the age of residents is distributed, with a significant proportion of residents aged between 25 and 34 years (16.8%, as opposed to 14.3% nationally). The median weekly household income in Mount Gravatt is $2,017, above the national median of $1,746. The majority of people were born in Australia (68.7%).
5. Keperra: 10.4%
Keperra is situated in the north-western suburbs of Brisbane. Pockets of Keperra have more public housing than others, such as Silvertop Street and Blackbutt Street, and there are more affluent pockets within the suburb, so street analysis is important. Public housing in Keperra includes a mix of standalone houses, townhouses, and low-rise apartment buildings.
Keperra has a bad reputation for crime and safety due to its historically large concentration of public housing, but it is gentrifying quickly. Nighttime safety in the suburb ranks slightly below the average for Brisbane (bottom 43%). Total violent crime is relatively low (in Brisbane’s bottom 22% for incidence) and theft rates are average for Brisbane (in Brisbane’s bottom 44% for incidence). The number of welfare recipients in Keperra are in Brisbane’s top 20%. According to the 2021 census, there is a sizable ageing population in Keperra, with 17.8% of people aged 70 and over, compared to 12.1% nationally. The median weekly household income in Keperra is $1,633, slightly below the national median ($1,746). A large majority of people were born in Australia (78.1%).
6. Holland Park: 10.1%
Holland Park is located in the southern suburbs of Brisbane. Certain streets in Holland Park are more concentrated with public housing than others, such as the streets between Seville and Nursery Road. Public housing in Holland Park encompasses houses and low-rise apartment buildings. Currently, 12 new public housing units are being constructed on Roscoe Street.
Holland Park overall has a reputation for being safe and great for families. There are some areas which attract some crime, but most people in the suburb remain unaffected. While night time safety in the suburb ranks slightly below average for Brisbane (bottom 43%), violent crime incidence and theft incidence is low (Brisbane’s bottom 8% and bottom 29%, respectively). The number of welfare recipients are relatively high, ranking in Brisbane’s top 16%. According to the 2021 census, there is a sizable proportion of residents aged between 40 and 49 years (16.3%, compared to 12.9% nationally). The median weekly household income in Holland Park is $2,331, above the national median of $1,746. The majority of residents were born in Australia (75.4%).
7. Stafford: 10.1%
Stafford, located in the northern suburbs of Brisbane, is a middle-class suburb with a few pockets of housing commission and some upper-middle class streets. Public housing is concentrated between Stafford State School and Stafford Road.
Despite ongoing redevelopment, Stafford faces challenges associated with crime and social disadvantage. Nighttime safety in the suburb ranks below the average for Brisbane (bottom 43%), and property crime rates remain a concern, with theft incidence in Brisbane’s top 36%. The number of welfare recipients in Stafford is in Brisbane’s top 4%. According to the 2021 census, there is a notable proportion of individuals aged between 25 and 34 years (20.4%, compared to 14.3% nationally). The median weekly household income in Stafford is $1,762, slightly below the national median of $1,746. The majority of people in Stafford were born in Australia (75.4%).
8. Gaythorne: 9.7%
Gaythorne is located in the northern suburbs of Brisbane. Public housing in Gaythorne encompasses standalone houses, low-rise apartment buildings, and townhouses. Certain streets have a higher concentration of public housing, especially on the east-side of the suburb.
Nighttime safety in the suburb ranks slightly below average for Brisbane (bottom 43%). Violent crime rates are relatively low (in Brisbane’s bottom 25% for incidence), but theft incidence is moderately high, in Brisbane’s top 38%. The number of welfare recipients is above average for Brisbane, ranking in Brisbane’s top 18%. According to the 2021 census, a notable proportion of individuals aged between 25 and 34 years (21.8%, compared to 14.3% nationally). The median weekly household income in Gaythorne is $1,759, on par with the national median of $1,746. The majority of people living in Gaythorne were born in Australia (76.4%).
9. Carina Heights: 9.4%
Carina Heights is located in the eastern suburbs of Brisbane. Public housing in this suburb is concentrated mostly on the South side, with some public housing dispersed throughout. In recent years, old public housing, mostly standalone houses, have been sold to the private sector.
Nighttime safety in Carina Heights falls slightly below the average for Brisbane, but violent crime and property crime rates are relatively low (bottom 5% in Brisbane and bottom 33% in Brisbane, respectively. The number of welfare recipients is well above average for Brisbane, sitting in Brisbane’s top 4%.
According to the 2021 census, a significant proportion of individuals aged between 25 and 34 years live in Carina Heights (18.1%, compared to 14.3% nationally). The median weekly household income in Carina Heights is $1,993, slightly above the national median of $1,746. The majority of people were born in Australia (69.6%), with other responses including New Zealand (3.4%) and England (2.8%).
10. Coopers Plains: 8.8%
Coopers Plains is situated in the southern suburbs of Brisbane. Public housing is mostly concentrated in the south-east corner of the suburb. Public housing rates have decreased in the last decade from 13.2% in 2011, to 8.8% in 2021. Construction of modern houses in the public sector is responsible for this change. In 2013, a development resulted in 50 public housing homes being bulldozed to make way for 1000 townhouses and units that would be sold to the private sector. There are more modern units and townhouses being constructed in the area, reflecting a changing demographic.
Crime rates in Coopers Plains have a reputation for being high. Theft incidence is in Brisbane’s top 36%. However, night time safety is slightly below average for Brisbane and total violent crime is low (in Brisbane’s bottom 21%). According to recent demographic data, Coopers Plains is home to a diverse population of approximately 5704 people, with many families residing in the suburb. The demographic profile of Coopers Plains reflects a mix of ages and cultural backgrounds, with a notable proportion of individuals aged between 25 and 34 years. The median weekly household income in Coopers Plains is $1590, slightly below the national average. The suburb prides itself on its vibrant community atmosphere, with residents enjoying access to various amenities and recreational facilities within close proximity to the city centre.
Every single suburb’s public housing figure is available here to subscribers, along with a zoomable Brisbane-wide heat map.
Does this really matter?
None of the above should mean you completely avoid any of these LGAs for buying a property. It just means you have to do your research. Our analysis shows though that, from the point of view of investors, home owners and tenants, what really matters is public housing within 100-200 metres of your property. Merely having public housing in your local government area or even the other side of the suburb does not affect your capital growth and in most cases not your lifestyle either. To get pocket level public housing, as well as other risk factors like bushfire, mobile blackspots, high turnover rates and growth on a hyperlocal pocket level, see our suburb reports.
