Scarborough, QLD: suburb profile

The population of Scarborough QLD is 9,178 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Scarborough is $712 per week ($37,024 per year). Median rent in Scarborough is $350 per week ($1,517 per month). Scarborough has a median age of 53 years, older than the national median of 38. Scarborough has a population density of 2,638 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Scarborough is England. The most common religion is No religion (39.4% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is German. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Scarborough is $1,907.

Population
9,178
Census 2021
Median income
$712/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$350/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
53years
Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021.

Scarborough vs the typical QLD suburb

The median personal income in Scarborough is $712 a week, 5% below the typical QLD suburb ($747). That ranks 889th of 1,527 QLD suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $350 a week, $30 more than the typical QLD suburb. Rent takes 26.2% of the median household income here, against 20.4% in the typical QLD suburb. The median resident is 53, 11 years older than in the typical QLD suburb (42).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureScarboroughTypical QLDDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$712/wk$747/wk −5%$766/wk
Household income$1,336/wk$1,593/wk −16%$1,637/wk
Rent$350/wk$320/wk +9%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,907/mo$1,625/mo +17%$1,733/mo
Median age5342 +11 yrs42
Rent share of household income26.2%20.4% +5.8 pts20.3%
Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au
Bar chart of median income, rent and mortgage repayment in Scarborough, the typical QLD suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Scarborough Population

9,178 residents at the 2021 Census.

Scarborough Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$712/wk
$37,024 per year
Ranked 5,262 of 14,663
Median Rent
$350/wk
$1,517 per month
Ranked 3,104 of 14,663
Median Age
53years
15 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$1,907/mo
Avg household size: 2.2 · 0.7 per bedroom

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.

Scarborough Rent Prices & Affordability

26% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: moderate.

Household income $1,336/wk
Median rent $350/wk
Rent to income 26.2%

Rent is between 25% and 35% of household income: moderate housing costs.

Median rent in Scarborough against your income

About $5,789 a month
Median rent $350/wk
Left after rent $986/wk
Rent share 26.2%

Scarborough Schools

7
schools nearby
4
government
975
avg ICSEA score
4,552
total students
Southern Cross Catholic College Catholic
Combined · Prep-12 · 1,653 students
1041
ICSEA
Australian Trade College North Brisbane Independent
Secondary · 11-12 · 286 students
1026
ICSEA
Scarborough State School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 776 students
1015
ICSEA
Redcliffe State High School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 1,444 students
1004
ICSEA
Redcliffe Special School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 89 students
957
ICSEA
Kippa-Ring State School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 274 students
899
ICSEA
Edu Space Redcliffe Independent
Secondary · 7-10 · 30 students
883
ICSEA

Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

All schools near Scarborough, with a map

Scarborough Map

Scarborough, Queensland Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Scarborough, Queensland: 27.2037°S, 153.1096°E

Scarborough Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (7)

People in Scarborough

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 46.2% (4,242) Female 53.8% (4,943)

Population Density

2,638
people per km²
9,178 people · 3.5 km²

Households

2.2
Avg household size
0.7
Persons per bedroom
$1,870
Family income/wk

Age Distribution

0-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85+
Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

England
8.0%
New Zealand
5.1%
South Africa
1.4%
Scotland
1.0%
Netherlands
0.8%
United States of America
0.6%
Germany
0.6%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

German
0.7%
Afrikaans
0.4%
Spanish
0.4%
Italian
0.3%
Arabic
0.3%
French
0.3%
Polish
0.2%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL

Ancestry

English
45.7%
Australian
33.1%
Irish
15.8%
Scottish
13.3%
German
6.1%
Australian Aboriginal
2.5%
Italian
2.5%
Dutch
2.1%
New Zealander
1.4%
Welsh
1.3%
Maori
1.0%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Religion

No religion
39.4%
Catholic
22.4%
Anglican
13.5%
Not stated
6.7%
Uniting Church
3.8%
Christian (other)
2.6%
Presbyterian and Reformed
2.4%
Baptist
1.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

2.6%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
48.7% 3,896
Separated
4.1% 325
Divorced
13.3% 1,065
Widowed
7.6% 608
Never married
26.3% 2,107

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: no children
40.5%
Couple: children under 15
29.9%
Couple: no children under 15
14.3%
One parent: children under 15
8.0%
One parent: no children under 15
7.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
33.8%
2 persons
39.5%
3 persons
12.0%
4 persons
9.5%
5 persons
3.5%
6+ persons
1.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Scarborough

Housing Tenure

Of the 4,022 occupied private dwellings in Scarborough at the 2021 Census, 29.5% were rented, 38.0% owned outright and 26.8% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
4.4% 175 dwellings
Owned outright
38.0% 1,527 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
26.8% 1,076 dwellings
Rented
29.5% 1,185 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.6% 63 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Dwelling Types

Separate house
87.3%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
6.9%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
5.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
5.4%
2 bedrooms
24.8%
3 bedrooms
42.6%
4 bedrooms
20.4%
5 bedrooms
5.9%
6+ bedrooms
1.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
4.9%
$300-$449/mo
1.5%
$450-$599/mo
2.3%
$600-$799/mo
3.0%
$800-$999/mo
5.0%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
14.7%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
17.8%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
24.8%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
14.3%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
11.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
7.8%
1 vehicle
44.1%
2 vehicles
33.8%
3 vehicles
9.0%
4+ vehicles
5.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Work, income and education in Scarborough

Employment

Employed full-time
30.2% 2,177 people
Employed part-time
18.9% 1,358 people
Unemployed
3.3% 238 people
Not in labour force
47.6% 3,431 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Occupation

Professionals
30.7%
Managers
15.7%
Technicians & Trade Workers
13.5%
Community & Personal Service
13.5%
Clerical & Administrative
12.6%
Labourers
5.3%
Sales Workers
5.3%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
3.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
2.1%
$1-$149/wk
0.8%
$150-$299/wk
1.6%
$300-$399/wk
2.9%
$400-$499/wk
8.7%
$500-$649/wk
7.3%
$650-$799/wk
7.5%
$800-$999/wk
7.8%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
8.5%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.8%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.6%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.0%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
10.4%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
5.3%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
5.7%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
3.1%
$4,000+/wk
9.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
9.4%
$1-$149/wk
4.6%
$150-$299/wk
6.4%
$300-$399/wk
5.0%
$400-$499/wk
4.7%
$500-$649/wk
4.8%
$650-$799/wk
9.4%
$800-$999/wk
9.5%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
10.7%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.5%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
7.3%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.1%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
9.9%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
1.9%
$3,500+/wk
3.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
71.3%
Did not go to work
15.5%
Car (passenger)
4.8%
Walked only
2.0%
Train
1.3%
Other
1.1%
Bicycle
1.0%
Truck
0.9%
Bus
0.9%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.8%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.4%
Ferry
0.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
59.6%
Year 10 or equivalent
27.7%
Year 11 or equivalent
8.0%
Year 9 or equivalent
4.7%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Qualifications

Certificate III/IV
34.2%
Bachelor Degree
26.3%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
23.2%
Postgraduate Degree
8.4%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
5.5%
Certificate I/II
2.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
22.8%
Health
15.3%
Engineering
15.2%
Society & Culture
14.3%
Education
9.7%
Architecture & Building
7.9%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
5.6%
Creative Arts
3.1%
Information Technology
2.5%
Natural & Physical Sciences
2.2%
Agriculture & Environment
1.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
20.3%
Secondary: Government
19.7%
Primary: Catholic
14.1%
Secondary: Catholic
12.1%
Vocational Education
11.5%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
9.2%
Pre-school
6.6%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
6.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
87.3%
Has need for assistance
8.6%
Need for assistance not stated
4.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
1,048
Arthritis
458
Heart disease
397
Lung condition
330
Asthma
321
Diabetes
270
Cancer
238
Kidney disease
155
Stroke
154
Dementia
49

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
14.4% 1,085
Did not provide
85.6% 6,432

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
15.8% 1,196
Not a volunteer
84.2% 6,366

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.1% 5
Current ADF: Reserves
0.1% 9
Previously served
5.3% 406
Never served
94.5% 7,198

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
26.2%
1 child
13.2%
2 children
32.9%
3 children
18.4%
4 children
7.1%
5+ children
2.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
40
1951: 1960
161
1961: 1970
266
1971: 1980
295
1981: 1990
349
1991: 2000
238
2001: 2010
477
2011: 2015
185
2016
33
2017
32
2018
38
2019
44
2020
21
2021
14

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Population Mobility

17.5%
moved in the last year
48.9%
moved in the last 5 years
5.8%
unemployment rate (Census)
52.2%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
7,195
Moved from QLD
971
Moved: same area (SA2)
277
Moved from NSW
98
Moved from VIC
64
Moved from overseas
61
Moved from ACT
13
Moved from TAS
9
Moved from NT
8
Moved from SA
7
Moved from WA
5

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
21.2%
5: 14 hours
31.3%
15: 29 hours
14.6%
30+ hours
9.4%
Did not do domestic work
23.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
81.3%
Step family: no other children
13.4%
Blended family: no other children
4.1%
Intact family: other children present
0.7%
Other couple: children only
0.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Yungaburra
Income: $722/wk Rent: $290/wk $60/wk less rent
Woody Point
Income: $716/wk Rent: $325/wk $25/wk less rent
Elliott Heads
Income: $580/wk Rent: $293/wk $57/wk less rent
Emu Park
Income: $617/wk Rent: $300/wk $50/wk less rent
Redcliffe (Qld)
Income: $626/wk Rent: $335/wk $15/wk less rent
Bargara
Income: $655/wk Rent: $340/wk $10/wk less rent
Malanda
Income: $597/wk Rent: $250/wk $100/wk less rent
Rainbow Beach
Income: $602/wk Rent: $280/wk $70/wk less rent

Suburbs near Scarborough

The closest suburb to Scarborough is Newport (Qld), 2.1 km away.

Newport (Qld)
2.1 km away · income $1,009/wk · rent $530/wk
Redcliffe (Qld)
2.6 km away · income $626/wk · rent $335/wk
Kippa-Ring
3.5 km away · income $625/wk · rent $350/wk
Margate (Qld)
4.4 km away · income $687/wk · rent $320/wk
Rothwell
5.3 km away · income $647/wk · rent $380/wk
Clontarf (Moreton Bay - Qld)
5.6 km away · income $704/wk · rent $345/wk

Compare Scarborough (Qld)

Frequently Asked Questions About Scarborough

What is the population of Scarborough QLD?

The population of Scarborough QLD is 9,178 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 2,638 people per km². Scarborough is ranked #741 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Scarborough?

The median personal income in Scarborough QLD is $712 per week, or $37,024 per year. The median household income is $1,336 per week. Family income is $1,870 per week. Scarborough is ranked #5,262 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Scarborough?

Median rent in Scarborough QLD is $350 per week ($1,517 per month). Rent represents 26.2% of household income, which is considered moderate. Scarborough ranks #3,104 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Scarborough?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Scarborough QLD is $1,907. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Scarborough?

The median age in Scarborough QLD is 53 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Scarborough a good suburb to live in?

Scarborough is a suburb in Queensland with a population of 9,178. The median income is $712/wk, which is below the typical QLD suburb ($747/wk). Rent affordability is rated as moderate (26.2% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Explore More

Australian Average Salary Australian House Prices Brisbane Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 32524. All dollar figures in AUD.