Ferny Hills (Qld)

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According to evaluations of ABS demographic releases for the wider region, alongside recent address points verified by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Ferny Hills has a population of approximately 9,087 as of May 2026. This indicates a growth of 361 individuals (4.1%) relative to the 2021 Census, which counted 8,726 residents. This shift is calculated from a resident headcount of 9,071, estimated by Districts following analysis of the June 2025 ABS ERP release and post-Census address verification. The population size yields a density of 886 persons per square kilometer, a metric consistent with typical averages across locations tracked by Districts. Natural increase was the main driver of growth, accounting for roughly 51.0% of the population expansion over the latest periods.

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Data from Districts indicates the suburb of Ferny Hills possesses a highly educated workforce with a significant proportion of professionals, an unemployment rate of only 2.9%, and stable employment patterns over the prior year. In March 2026, working residents numbered 5,188, while the local unemployment rate sat 1.4% below the Greater Brisbane benchmark of 4.3%, and workforce participation was typical at 73.1% compared to 70.4% regionally. According to Census responses, a high proportion of residents (27.2%) worked from home, though this figure may reflect the influence of pandemic restrictions.

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Based on the latest ATO postcode statistics released for financial year 2023, taxpayers in the suburb of Ferny Hills record a median income of $58,693 and an average income of $69,509. This sits slightly above the national figures, compared to a median of $58,236 and an average of $72,799 in Greater Brisbane. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, these figures are estimated to reach approximately $65,361 (median) and $77,405 (average) as of March 2026. The 2021 Census ranks household, family, and individual incomes in the suburb of Ferny Hills between the 74th and 81st percentiles nationally. The weekly income band of $1,500 - 2,999 is the most common, accounting for 33.2% of residents ( people), which aligns with the observed in the wider region. A high proportion of residents () earn weekly incomes above showing local affluence that supports retail activity. After meeting housing costs, residents retain of their earnings, indicating strong disposable income, and the SEIFA index places the area in the th decile.

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Census data reveals that houses make up 95.1% of the residential structures in the suburb of Ferny Hills, with other options like semi-detached homes, apartments, and alternative dwellings accounting for 4.9%, compared to 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings across metropolitan Brisbane. Home ownership is also much higher than the Brisbane metro rate, standing at 33.8%, with mortgaged properties comprising 52.5% and rental homes making up 13.7%. The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,972 is higher than the Brisbane metro average of $1,863, and the median weekly rent is $448, compared to $380 in metropolitan Brisbane. Nationally, mortgage costs exceed the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents are significantly higher than the national average of $375.

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Families make up the majority of households at 81.4%, consisting of couples with children (40.7%), couples without children (28.6%), and single-parent households (11.1%). Non-family households represent the remaining 18.6%, with single-person residences at 16.4% and group homes at 2.0%. The median household size of 2.8 people is larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

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The educational makeup of the suburb of Ferny Hills is distinctive, with tertiary graduation rates (33.7% of residents aged 15+) exceeding the SA4 average of 24.9% and the Queensland rate of 25.7%. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 22.8%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 6.6% and graduate diplomas at 4.3%. Vocational and technical training is also well represented, with 33.9% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications, split between advanced diplomas (11.7%) and certificate credentials (22.2%).

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Analysis of the local network shows 32 public transport stops in the suburb of Ferny Hills, which are serviced by bus routes. These stops are linked to 2 distinct routes, which combine to offer 153 passenger trips each week. Transport access is rated as favorable, with residents living an average of 283 meters from their closest stop. As the area is mostly residential, many workers commute to other districts, with private vehicles being the primary mode of transport at 84%, followed by trains at 11%. Dwellings average 1.6 vehicles, which is higher than the regional average. Working from home was recorded for 27.2% of residents during the 2021 Census, though this may reflect pandemic-related conditions.

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According to Districts evaluations of mortality and long-term health trends, health outcomes in the suburb of Ferny Hills are close to national medians. The prevalence of common illnesses among the general population is typical, though it rises above national benchmarks for older cohorts, and private health coverage is high, representing approximately 55% of the community (~4,975 people).

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The suburb of Ferny Hills has a lower level of cultural diversity compared to national averages, with 83.8% of residents born in Australia, 92.7% holding citizenship, and 93.8% using only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 48.4% of the population. However, the most pronounced religious overrepresentation is Judaism, which accounts for 0.1% of the population, compared to 0.1% across Greater Brisbane.

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The median age in the suburb of Ferny Hills is 40 years, which is older than the Greater Brisbane average of 36 and slightly higher than the national median of 38. The 45 - 54 age bracket is overrepresented locally at 14.8% compared to Greater Brisbane, while the 25 - 34 cohort is underrepresented at 10.0%. Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 cohort has expanded from 5.8% to 7.5% of the total, and the 15 to 24 group rose from 11.1% to 12.4%, while the 65 to 74 group fell from 9.2% to 7.7%. Demographic projections for 2041 point to significant changes, with the + cohort expected to grow by ( people) to reach from a base of . Senior citizens aged and over will account for of the projected population growth, whereas the to and to groups are projected to shrink.

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Ferny Hills currently has an estimated 490 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 320 children aged 0-2 and 214 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 2% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 10% by 2041 (to approximately 443 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 979. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been moderate, with approximately 10.8 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area within the middle tier nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.