Stafford, Queensland

Stafford
Brisbane, Queensland
Population 6,041 (2011)[1]
 • Density 1,777/km2 (4,600/sq mi)
Established 11 August 1975[2]
Postcode(s) 4053
Area 3.4 km2 (1.3 sq mi)
Location 6 km (4 mi) NNW of Brisbane CBD
LGA(s) City of Brisbane
State electorate(s) Stafford
Federal Division(s) Brisbane, Lilley, Petrie
Suburbs around Stafford:
Everton Park Stafford Heights Chermside
Everton Park Stafford Kedron
Enoggera Grange Gordon Park

Stafford is a northern suburb of Brisbane, the state capital of Queensland, Australia.

A predominantly residential suburb, including some original Queenslander-style homes and a significant number of post-war Queensland Housing Commission homes on quarter-acre blocks built around the 1940s and 1950s, Stafford lies to the west of Lutwyche Road, along the banks of Kedron Brook. Being an area of that age, a large number of Stafford's residents are elderly people, as well as growing number of families of a younger generation.

Demographics

In the 2011 Census the population of Stafford is 6,041, 52% female and 48% male.

The median/average age of the Stafford population is 34 years of age, 3 years below the Australian average.

77.7% of people living in Stafford were born in Australia. The other top responses for country of birth were New Zealand 3%, England 2.3%, Philippines 1.4%, India 0.9%, Italy 0.6%.

86.1% of people speak English as their first language 1.3% Italian, 0.6% Punjabi, 0.6% Cantonese, 0.6% Mandarin, 0.5% Spanish.

History

Stafford was originally called Happy Valley. It is possible that the name originates from the fact the Sir Thomas Brisbane for whom the city is named was an officer in the Staffordshire Regiment - a Stafford Knot is featured in the city's coat-of-arms.

A public move to rename the area after the English county of Staffordshire in 1885 and 1886 led to its current name, approved by the Queensland Place Names Board on 11 August 1975.[2]

Between 1940 and 1968 Stafford was served by electric trams operated by the Brisbane City Council. This was the last completely new tram line (as distinct from tram line extension) built in Brisbane.

One of the original large employers of local workers, Gibson's Tannery[3] (also known as Scotia Works), closed in 1982 to make way for the Stafford City Shopping Centre, which opened in 1983 and extended in 1997. Previously, the Stafford Road shopping strip at the tram terminus was the local centre.

Heritage listings

Stafford has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

Sporting Clubs

The Wilston Grange Australian Football Club[5] has played Australian rules football at Hickey Park in Stafford since 1964.

The Past Brothers competes in the South East Division junior competitions, playing out of Gibson Park in Stafford.

References

  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Stafford (Brisbane City) (State Suburb)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 15 September 2008.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Stafford". Place Names Online Search. Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water. Retrieved 15 September 2008.
  3. "Two men and a child pose with a horse and cart on a road at Stafford, Brisbane". Picture Australia. National Library of Australia. Retrieved 15 September 2008.
  4. "Stafford State School (entry 16427)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 2013-07-06.
  5. http://www.gorillas.com.au/

External links

Coordinates: 27°24′43″S 153°00′37″E / 27.4119°S 153.0102°E