The population aged over 65 outstripped children and teenagers in 28 Brisbane suburbs in 2025, compared with only seven suburbs in 2001, Brisbane Times reported on Monday (9 November). The analysis of the latest area population figures attributes the fourfold increase to the city's ageing population and the cost of housing locking young families out of many neighbourhoods.
The figures draw on the Australian Bureau of Statistics' Regional population by age and sex, 2025 release, with estimates as at 30 June 2025. The ABS says the median age in Brisbane (36.5 years) was younger than in the rest of Queensland (40.9), and that Brisbane had a lower proportion aged 55 years and over (25%) than the rest of the state (32%).
Bayside Suburbs and Newstead
Bribie Island, with its numerous retirement villages and over-50s communities, has the highest population balance in favour of seniors, with nearly 8000 more people aged over 65 than those under 20, Brisbane Times reported. The ABS lists Bribie Island, at 64.2 years, among the areas with the oldest median ages.
Other seaside suburbs dominated by seniors include Cleveland (2096 more people aged over 65), Redcliffe (1790 more), Victoria Point (1371 more), Scarborough-Newport (1346 more) and Margate-Woody Point (1022 more).
The riverside neighbourhood of Newstead has 791 more people aged over 65 than those under 20, and Kangaroo Point has 609 more seniors than people under 20. Ascot, Hamilton and the southside suburb of Robertson also have more over-65s than children and teenagers.
Terry Rawnsley, a KPMG economist who analysed the figures, said property prices played a role, as well as the prevalence of new apartment developments in Newstead. "Some inner-city locations such as Newstead-Bowen Hills may be attracting older residents who have cashed in on higher housing values and downsized to apartments," he said. "They are seeking lower-maintenance properties while retaining easy access to the cafes, restaurants and amenities of the inner city."
Young Families on the Urban Fringe
The balance runs the other way on Greater Brisbane's urban fringe, where housing developments offer young families affordable house and land packages. The Ipswich suburbs of Springfield Lakes (8218 more under-20s than over-65s), Redbank Plains (7528 more) and Ripley (6762 more) have the greatest balance in favour of under-20s.
Statewide, the Queensland Government Statistician's Office says the percentage of Queensland's population aged 65 years and over was 17.4% as at 30 June 2025, up from 14.3% at 30 June 2015, while the median age rose from 36.9 years to 38.6 years over the decade.
Mr Rawnsley said the character of many suburbs will shift as the share of older residents increases, with fewer childcare centres and greater demand for aged care. "Demographics shape the personality of a suburb. As the population ages, you often see a shift from shops and services focused on school-aged children towards health services and lifestyle amenities," he said. "If housing remains unaffordable for many young families in Brisbane, a similar trend could emerge, but demographic change of that nature typically takes many years."