Council area

Brisbane, QLD

Brisbane had a population of 1,242,825 at the 2021 Census (+9.9% since 2016). Median age 36.0. Median weekly household income $2,068. Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. Census 2026 data arrives June 2027.

Explore Brisbane freeSee the figures

Brisbane at a glance

What the 2021 Census says, compared with Queensland.

In Brisbane - West

Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Brisbane's population grew by 9.9% to 1,242,825, in step with Queensland as a whole (+9.6%). With a median age of 36.0, it is younger than the QLD average (38.2). Children under 10 make up 11.5% of residents, and people aged 70 and over 9.5%.

38.7% of households rent, a larger share than the QLD average of 33.6%. 25.6% own their home outright. Flats and apartments are more common than in Queensland overall: 25.6% of homes, against 12.5%. The 2021 Census counted 465,124 households.

The median household earns $2,068 a week, above the QLD average of $1,676. Renters pay a median $406 a week, and households with a mortgage repay $2,043 a month.

33.1% of residents were born overseas, more than the QLD average of 24.1%. 25.1% use a language other than English at home. 44.1% report no religion, close to the QLD average (44.8%).

Key figures

2021 Census, Brisbane beside QLD and Australia.

BrisbaneQLDAustralia
Population1,242,8255,156,15825,422,828
Growth since 2016+9.9%+9.6%+8.6%
Median age36.038.238.2
Households465,1241,869,4529,275,123
Flats and apartments25.6%12.5%14.3%
Renting38.7%33.6%31.1%
Owned outright25.6%29.5%31.4%
Median household income a week$2,068$1,676$1,747
Median rent a week$406$364$376
Median mortgage repayment a month$2,043$1,740$1,866
Born overseas33.1%24.1%29.3%
Other language at home25.1%14.1%23.6%
No religion44.1%44.8%41.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Population and age

Each census since 2011, and the age profile in 2021.

Population

+9.9% since 2016.

Population · each census
  1. 1,041,8392011
  2. 1,131,1552016
  3. 1,242,8252021

Age

Median age 36.0, against 38.2 for Queensland.

Brisbane Queensland
0–911.5%
10–1911.9%
20–2916.2%
30–3916.4%
40–4914.0%
50–5911.8%
60–698.8%
70–796.0%
80+3.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Cultural background

The largest groups in Brisbane at the 2021 Census.

Ancestry

Top 5 · ancestry
  1. English35.0%
  2. Australian29.4%
  3. Irish13.0%
  4. Scottish10.7%
  5. Chinese8.1%

Languages at home

Top 5 · languages at home
  1. Mandarin4.7%
  2. Vietnamese1.8%
  3. Cantonese1.6%
  4. Spanish1.2%
  5. Punjabi1.1%

Country of birth

Top 5 · country of birth
  1. England3.5%
  2. New Zealand3.5%
  3. China3.1%
  4. India2.9%
  5. Vietnam1.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Around Brisbane

The places it belongs to, sits beside and contains.

Part of

Nearby

Suburbs in Brisbane

Largest first.

Explore Brisbane in Censible

Every census figure for Brisbane, mapped and compared with any other place. A free account takes a minute.

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