Agnes Water
At a median age of 49, Agnes Water sits 9 years above the national figure, making it one of Queensland's older coastal communities by demographic profile. Population grew 23% over the decade and internal migration drives roughly 309 net arrivals a year, yet the income base is thin: household income ranks at the 18th percentile nationally, and IRSAD and IEO both sit in decile 1, the lowest advantage tier. The vacancy rate of 31.8% is unusually high, reflecting a large proportion of dwellings used as holiday homes or short-term lets. Construction (15.4%) and hospitality (13.8%) dominate employment, consistent with a resort-coastal economy rather than a knowledge or services hub.
Population
2,729
Median Age
49.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,112/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$409K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The median house price sits at approximately $409,000, affordable compared to most Queensland coastal markets and well below the state median. Separate houses dominate at 87.8% of stock, with apartments at just 6.8%, so buyers mostly choose between detached homes rather than a mixed-stock market. Three-bedroom homes are the most common at 42.1%, followed by 4-plus bedroom at 25.6%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,500, and mortgage-to-income runs at 31.2%, just above the 30% stress threshold despite the relatively modest price. Outright owners represent 44% of households, a higher share than the national average, indicating many properties are held debt-free by retirees or long-term residents. The affordability trend improved from 61.5% in 2011 to 54.2% in 2021.
For Buyers
The median house price sits at approximately $409,000, affordable compared to most Queensland coastal markets and well below the state median. Separate houses dominate at 87.8% of stock, with apartments at just 6.8%, so buyers mostly choose between detached homes rather than a mixed-stock market. Three-bedroom homes are the most common at 42.1%, followed by 4-plus bedroom at 25.6%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,500, and mortgage-to-income runs at 31.2%, just above the 30% stress threshold despite the relatively modest price. Outright owners represent 44% of households, a higher share than the national average, indicating many properties are held debt-free by retirees or long-term residents. The affordability trend improved from 61.5% in 2011 to 54.2% in 2021.
For Investors
Rental demand is constrained by the community's structure: only 24.2% of households rent, below the national average, and the 31.8% vacancy rate signals that a large segment of dwellings sits empty between tourist stays. Weekly rent of $320 against a $409,000 median implies a gross yield near 4.1%, reasonable for coastal Queensland. Rent grew 14.6% over the period, outpacing real income growth of 5.7%. Net internal migration averages 309 arrivals a year, the primary demand driver, with overseas migration contributing just 35. The gentrification score is Active at 55, supported by population growth of 46% since 2011 and an accelerating pattern of new arrivals. Development recorded 0 applications in the past 12 months, limiting near-term supply pressure.
Development Activity
Total DAs
166
Last 12 Months
0
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
—
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
Schools in Agnes Water iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Goora Gan Steiner School
Prep-6 · 69 students
Discovery Christian College
Prep-12 · 345 students
Agnes Water State School
Prep-6 · 210 students
Demographics
Agnes Water's median age of 49 is 9 years above the national figure, and the demographic shift is accelerating: the senior share rose 8.6 points while the working-age share fell 3.5 points over the decade. The population of 2,729 is predominantly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (1,087), Irish (271) and Scottish (269) ancestry, with 17.8% born overseas, which is 3.8 points below the national figure. Average household size of 2.3 is slightly below national. Couples without children make up 41.3% of families, consistent with the retirement and sea-change profile. The volunteering rate of 21.8% is notably high, suggesting strong civic engagement in this smaller community. University qualifications at 17.9% run 12.2 points below the national figure, reflecting the working-class and trade-oriented resident base.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
87.8%
Houses
3.9%
Townhouse
6.8%
Apartment
Tenure
Ownership without a mortgage is the most common tenure at 44%, well above the national rate, because the aging population has had decades to pay off loans. Mortgaged households sit at 31.8% and renters at 24.2%. The dominant dwelling type is separate houses at 87.8%, far higher than most coastal markets in Queensland, with apartments at only 6.8% and semi-detached at 3.9%. Three-bedroom homes are most common at 42.1%, followed by 4-plus bedroom at 25.6%, with 2-bedroom at 20.2% and smaller dwellings at 12.1%. At $409,000 median price and $1,500 monthly repayments, the entry cost is lower than many comparable coastal suburbs in QLD, yet the 31.8% vacancy rate signals the market includes a substantial holiday and investment stock layer sitting idle for extended periods.
Mortgage / mo
$1,500
Rent / wk
$320
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$579
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
31.8%
Unoccupied
461
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
31.2% stressed
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
41.3%
Couples, no children
1,788
Total families
Economy & Employment
The employment base reflects a coastal and trades economy rather than a professional services hub. Construction leads at 15.4% of employed residents, followed by hospitality at 13.8%, education at 11.8%, healthcare at 8.6% and mining at 8.5%. By occupation, professionals (148) and labourers (136) sit almost equally at the top, with managers at 125. The unemployment rate of 8.8% is elevated compared to the QLD state average, and the participation rate of just 43.7% reflects a large retired population, with 912 residents not in the labour force. SEIFA decile 1 on both IRSAD and IEO indicates the suburb falls in the most disadvantaged tier nationally, driven by low household incomes at the 18th percentile and limited access to higher education and high-paying occupations. Real income grew 5.7% over the decade, lagging the national pace.
Unemployment
7.0%
Labour Force
3,593
Unemployed
251
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
55.5%
Part-time
35.7%
Participation
43.7%
Employed
917
Occupations
Top Industries
University
17.9%
Postgraduate
3.5%
Born Overseas
17.8%
Dwellings
991
Transport to Work
Transport is overwhelmingly car-dependent: 78.5% drive to work and only 1.2% use public transport, well below the national average, reflecting limited bus services to this remote coastal location. Unusually, 13.3% of residents walk or cycle, above typical suburban rates, likely because the compact town centre is accessible on foot. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families rely on facilities in neighbouring communities. Safety data is not available for Agnes Water in this dataset. The IRSD decile of 2 and IRSAD decile of 1 indicate significant relative disadvantage nationally, with 6.4% of residents (150 people) needing daily assistance, higher than the national rate. Rent-to-income sits at 28.8%, approaching the 30% stress threshold for tenants. The 21.8% volunteering rate, well above the national average, reflects the active community involvement typical of smaller coastal towns.
Drive
78.5%
Public Transport
1.2%
Walk / Cycle
13.3%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+2.03%/yr
(+168 people/yr)
EstablishedAgnes Water's SA2 population grew from 7,521 in 2023 to 8,267 in 2025, a 10% rise in two years, and medium forecasts project continued expansion to 8,834 by 2031. The suburb-level population of 2,729 grew 23% over the decade at 2.03% per year. Internal migration is the dominant driver at 309 net arrivals annually, far exceeding the 35 net overseas arrivals. The gentrification stage rates as Active with a score of 55, supported by signals of population growth of 46% since 2011 and an accelerating share of new arrivals from 8% to 35%. The young-adult share fell 4.7 points while the senior share gained 8.6 points, confirming that most of the growth is sea-change migration of older residents rather than family formation, which shapes the demand profile for services and housing types.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+35
Net Internal / yr
+309
Gentrification Signal
Active
Population +46% since 2011, Net internal migration +309/yr, Accelerating: 8% → 35%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Agnes Water compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Agnes Water a good suburb to live in?
Agnes Water suits retirees and sea-change movers more than young families or career-focused buyers. The median age of 49 is 9 years above national, income sits at the 18th percentile nationally, and SEIFA ranks in decile 1 on disadvantage. On the positive side, the median house price of $409,000 is affordable by coastal QLD standards and the volunteering rate of 21.8% suggests a strong community.
What is the median house price in Agnes Water?
The median house price in Agnes Water is approximately $409,000, estimated from 2025 rental data. Weekly rent averages $320 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $1,500, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 31.2%, just above the 30% stress threshold. Detached houses make up 87.8% of the housing stock.
What schools are in Agnes Water?
No schools are recorded within the Agnes Water suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on educational facilities in surrounding communities. The suburb's university qualification rate of 17.9% is 12.2 points below the national figure, consistent with a resident base oriented toward trades and hospitality rather than professional careers.
Is Agnes Water safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Agnes Water in this dataset. As context, the suburb scores IRSD decile 2 nationally, indicating elevated relative disadvantage, and unemployment sits at 8.8%, above the state average. The small population of 2,729 and high volunteering rate of 21.8% are typical of cohesive regional communities.
Is Agnes Water good for property investment?
At $409,000 median price and $320 weekly rent, the gross yield is near 4.1%, reasonable compared to coastal QLD benchmarks. Rent grew 14.6% over the period and the gentrification score is Active at 55 with population up 46% since 2011. The 31.8% vacancy rate is a key risk, reflecting heavy holiday-home stock that dilutes rental demand.
How is Agnes Water's population changing?
The suburb population of 2,729 grew 23% over the decade at 2.03% annually. The broader SA2 population rose from 7,521 in 2023 to 8,267 in 2025. Internal migration adds 309 net residents a year, the primary driver. The aging trajectory is clear: the senior share gained 8.6 points and the working-age share fell 3.5 points over the same period.
What industries employ people in Agnes Water?
Construction employs the largest share at 15.4%, followed by hospitality at 13.8%, education at 11.8%, healthcare at 8.6% and mining at 8.5%. The participation rate of 43.7% is low because 912 residents are not in the labour force, mostly retirees. Unemployment sits at 8.8%, above the state average.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
Explore Agnes Water on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map