🔍

Bowen Hills

QLD 4006 • Greater Brisbane

4,898
Population (2021)
$80,652
Median Household Income
1.72 km²
Area
$390/wk
Median Rent
Inner-CityGrowth SuburbUrban RenewalEntertainment HubWell-Connected

About Bowen Hills

Bowen Hills is a vibrant inner-city suburb located just 3.2 kilometres north-east of the Brisbane CBD, within the City of Brisbane. The suburb experienced rapid population growth, surging from 3,226 residents in 2016 to 4,898 by 2021, driven by extensive apartment development and urban renewal. Bowen Hills sits at the junction of several major transport corridors and is a key gateway between Brisbane's CBD and its northern suburbs. The neighbourhood of Mayne occupies the northern portion of the suburb, contributing to its diverse urban character.

Bowen Hills offers an eclectic mix of urban living with its blend of heritage buildings, modern apartment towers, creative spaces, and commercial precincts. The suburb is home to the historic Brisbane Exhibition Grounds (RNA Showgrounds), the Old Museum Building, and the King Street entertainment and dining precinct. Residents enjoy excellent transport connectivity with Bowen Hills station served by multiple rail lines and numerous bus routes. The inner-city location provides easy access to Fortitude Valley's nightlife, New Farm's parklands, and the Brisbane Riverwalk.

Bowen Hills falls under postcode 4006 and is governed by Brisbane Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the McConnel electorate.

📰 Featured In

📰 Queensland Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4006
Urban Area
Brisbane City - Inner North
LGA / Council
Brisbane
Federal Electorate
Brisbane
State Electorate
McConnel
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-27.44°, 153.04°
Statistical Area
Greater Brisbane
Area
1.72 km²
Elevation
7m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$390
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,614
Avg Household Size
1.6 people
Median Age
30 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
8.1%

111 state housing + 107 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Bowen Hills
0.3 km
4 min
Fortitude Valley
1.2 km
15 min
Exhibition
0.8 km
10 min
Brunswick Street
1.5 km
18 min

Bus Services

  • 300, 301, 305, 306 — CBD and northern suburbs via various routes 5-10 min to CBD
  • 322 — Bowen Hills to CBD and inner suburbs 8 min to CBD
  • R396 — Bowen Hills to western suburbs Varies

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
3.2 km
By Train
5 min to Central Station
By Bus
8-12 min to Adelaide Street
By Car (Peak)
10-15 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
5-8 min

🛣️ Exceptional public transport access. Bowen Hills station is served by virtually all QR suburban lines. Walking to CBD is feasible at 30-40 minutes.

Walkability Very Walkable

Good pedestrian access to shops, dining, and entertainment along King Street and nearby Fortitude Valley. Train station and bus stops within easy walking distance.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Brisbane Local Government Area, which contains Bowen Hills. Rates are per 100,000 residents for calendar year 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
832.9 / 100k
2yr Down 25.0% 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
371.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 77.2%
Non-FV assault
713.9 / 100k
2yr Up 17.9% 10yr Up 138.5%
Robbery (unarmed)
29 / 100k
2yr Down 15.0% 10yr Up 83.4%
Steal from vehicle
616.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 28.4%
View all offence categories for Brisbane →

Source: Queensland Police Service via data.qld.gov.au

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,226
Census 2021
4,898
▲ 51.8% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$44,564
Personal Income 2021
$54,184
▲ 21.6% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$54,184 / yr
$1042/wk
Household
$80,652 / yr
$1551/wk
Family
$112,788 / yr
$2169/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,563
Born Overseas 1,913

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. New Zealand 175
  • 2. England 152
  • 3. India 143
  • 4. Brazil 118
  • 5. China 105
  • 6. Philippines 90
  • 7. South Korea 70
  • 8. Iran 45
  • 9. Thailand 41
  • 10. United States 40

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,422
Australian 1,062
Irish 528
Scottish 447
Chinese 307
German 242
Italian 198
Indian 172
Filipino 132
Spanish 89

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,698
Both parents born in Australia
2,129
Both parents born overseas
631
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
52.3%
Christianity
29.5%
Hinduism
2.9%
Buddhism
2.2%
Islam
1.8%
Sikhism
0.2%
Judaism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
110 (2.2%)
5-14 years
115 (2.3%)
15-19 years
123 (2.5%)
20-24 years
886 (18.1%)
25-34 years
2,001 (40.9%)
35-44 years
806 (16.5%)
45-54 years
390 (8.0%)
55-64 years
261 (5.3%)
65-74 years
136 (2.8%)
75-84 years
55 (1.1%)
85+ years
10 (0.2%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bowen Hills known for? +

Bowen Hills is best known as home to the RNA Brisbane Showgrounds, venue for the annual Ekka (Brisbane Royal Exhibition). The suburb is undergoing significant urban renewal with new apartment developments and is emerging as an inner-city lifestyle hub.

How far is Bowen Hills from Brisbane CBD? +

Bowen Hills is approximately 2 kilometres north of Brisbane CBD, with a train journey of around 5-7 minutes from Bowen Hills station.

Does Bowen Hills have public transport? +

Bowen Hills has its own railway station on the Airport Line and Shorncliffe Line, providing excellent connections to Brisbane CBD, the airport, and the northern suburbs.

What is the population of Bowen Hills? +

According to the 2021 Census, Bowen Hills has a population of approximately 4,898 residents within the City of Brisbane local government area, growing rapidly with new apartment developments.

Is Bowen Hills a good place to live? +

Bowen Hills is an exciting inner Brisbane suburb for those who want to be close to the CBD, with excellent train access and urban renewal investment. It suits young professionals and investors who want inner-city living at emerging prices.

What is the postcode for Bowen Hills? +

The postcode for Bowen Hills is 4006.

What is the average income in Bowen Hills? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Bowen Hills is about $1,042 per week (around $54,200 per year). The median household income is $1,551 per week and the median family income is $2,169 per week.

What is the age profile of Bowen Hills? +

The median age in Bowen Hills is 30. The largest age group is 25–34 (2,001 residents, around 41%). Around 7% of residents are under 20 and about 4% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Bowen Hills a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Bowen Hills is part of the Brisbane LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Bowen Hills? +

In Bowen Hills, the median weekly rent is $390, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,614 (2021 Census).