Allenstown
A vacancy rate of 15.3% stands out immediately for a suburb of only 2.23 square kilometres, and it reflects the structural reality of Allenstown: nearly half of all households rent, household income sits at the 21.6th percentile nationally, and the median house price of $326,000 sits well below Queensland and national medians. With 1,239 residents per square kilometre and a median age of 37, three years below the national figure, this is a compact, younger-than-average suburb in Rockhampton where affordability is the dominant story. The IRSD and IRSAD deciles both sit at 5, placing the area in the middle tier nationally, with advantage and disadvantage roughly balanced.
Population
2,762
Median Age
37.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,147/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
3
Median House
$326K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The median house price of $326,000 makes Allenstown one of the more affordable entry points in regional Queensland, with monthly mortgage repayments estimated at $1,230 and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.8%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. Separate houses account for 70.1% of dwellings, so buyers have reasonable choice of detached stock. Three-bedroom homes lead at 36.1% of the dwelling mix, followed closely by 2-bedroom at 35.1%, with 4-plus bedroom homes at 20.3%. Outright owners make up 24.1% of households and mortgage holders 26.3%, figures lower than national averages, which is consistent with the high 49.6% renter share. Rent-to-income sits at 21.8%, below the 30% stress level, making the suburb accessible for tenants as well.
For Buyers
The median house price of $326,000 makes Allenstown one of the more affordable entry points in regional Queensland, with monthly mortgage repayments estimated at $1,230 and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.8%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. Separate houses account for 70.1% of dwellings, so buyers have reasonable choice of detached stock. Three-bedroom homes lead at 36.1% of the dwelling mix, followed closely by 2-bedroom at 35.1%, with 4-plus bedroom homes at 20.3%. Outright owners make up 24.1% of households and mortgage holders 26.3%, figures lower than national averages, which is consistent with the high 49.6% renter share. Rent-to-income sits at 21.8%, below the 30% stress level, making the suburb accessible for tenants as well.
For Investors
Allenstown's 49.6% renter share is considerably higher than national averages, giving landlords a broad tenant base. Weekly rent of $250 against a $326,000 median house price implies a gross yield in the range of 3.9%, more competitive than most capital city markets. The 15.3% vacancy rate is elevated and signals oversupply risk in the rental segment, so properties need to be priced keenly to hold tenants. Development activity is low at 2 applications in the past 12 months, limiting new competition from new-build supply. Net overseas migration averages 89 people per year, providing a steady underlying demand driver, while internal migration averages minus 32, meaning the suburb loses more residents to other parts of Australia than it gains, a factor that caps growth expectations.
Development Activity
Total DAs
3
Last 12 Months
3
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
—
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Allenstown iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Allenstown State School
Prep-6 · 296 students
Demographics
The median age of 37 is 3.0 years below the national figure, giving the suburb a slightly younger profile than average. Overseas-born residents account for 13.0% of the population, which is 8.6 points below the national rate, so the suburb is less internationally diverse compared to most major urban areas. Ancestry is heavily Anglo-Celtic: English is the most common at 1,009 residents, followed by Irish (342) and Scottish (274). The average household size of 2.1 is 0.4 below national, consistent with a profile of smaller households. University qualifications at 25.2% are 4.9 points below the national rate. Couples with children account for 644 families and couples without children 381, with total families at 1,659 across the 2,762-person population.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
70.1%
Houses
13.6%
Townhouse
15.7%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure in Allenstown is strongly skewed toward renting: 49.6% of households rent, compared to 26.3% with a mortgage and 24.1% owning outright, a pattern consistent with the 21.6th percentile household income nationally. The dwelling mix is dominated by separate houses at 70.1%, with apartments at 15.7% and semi-detached at 13.6%. Bedroom sizes cluster around 2 and 3 bedrooms, each accounting for roughly 35-36% of stock, with 4-plus at 20.3%. The median house price of $326,000 reflects affordability rather than prestige, and the vacancy rate of 15.3% indicates there is slack in the market. Rent-to-income at 21.8% and mortgage-to-income at 24.8% both sit below stress thresholds, meaning housing costs are manageable for residents at current income levels.
Mortgage / mo
$1,230
Rent / wk
$250
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$701
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
15.3%
Unoccupied
207
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.8%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
23.0%
Couples, no children
1,659
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant industry at 29.5% of employed residents (225 workers), more than twice the share of the next sector. Education follows at 10.6% (81 workers), then Hospitality at 8.0%, Public Administration at 7.7% and Construction at 6.4%. By occupation, Professionals lead at 245 workers, followed by Community and Personal Service (175), Labourers (137), Managers (128) and Clerical/Admin (126). The unemployment rate is 8.3%, above national averages, and the participation rate of 53.7% is low, with 750 residents not in the labour force. The full-time employment rate among those working is 65.1%. SEIFA deciles range across the indexes: IRSD at 5 and IRSAD at 5 place this suburb in the middle tier nationally, while the IEO decile of 6 indicates slightly above-average educational and occupational outcomes relative to the disadvantage measures.
Unemployment
3.3%
Labour Force
4,415
Unemployed
147
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
65.1%
Part-time
26.6%
Participation
53.7%
Employed
1,119
Occupations
Top Industries
University
25.2%
Postgraduate
6.2%
Born Overseas
13.0%
Dwellings
1,133
Transport to Work
Allenstown is heavily car-dependent: 81.5% of residents drive to work, compared to just 1.6% using public transport and 7.9% walking or cycling. This is notably high car reliance, above most urban averages nationally. Crime data is not available in this dataset, so safety cannot be quantified directly. As an indirect measure, the IRSAD decile of 5 places the suburb at the national midpoint for relative advantage and disadvantage, suggesting neither concentrated disadvantage nor strong advantage. Volunteering runs at 15.6% and 7.7% of residents (192 people) require daily assistance. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families draw on facilities in neighbouring Rockhampton suburbs. The SEIFA IEO decile of 6 indicates slightly above-median educational and occupational access relative to the national distribution.
Drive
81.5%
Public Transport
1.6%
Walk / Cycle
7.9%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
-0.36%/yr
(-29 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation in Allenstown has been declining: the 10-year change is minus 3.5% and the annual trend is minus 0.36%, equating to a loss of roughly 29 residents per year. Historical data shows the broader SA2 area peaked at 8,132 in 2024 and sits at 8,125 in 2025. Medium forecasts project continued slow decline toward 7,884 by 2031. Internal migration is a net negative at minus 32 per year, partly offset by overseas migration averaging plus 89 per year, making overseas arrivals the only positive population driver. The gentrification score is 0 and the stage is classified as not gentrifying. Rent growth has been 12.0% over the measured period and real income growth 7.3%, meaning rents have risen faster than incomes, gradually tightening affordability despite the suburb's low absolute price points.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+89
Net Internal / yr
-32
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Allenstown compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Allenstown a good suburb to live in?
Allenstown offers genuine affordability, with a $326,000 median house price and housing costs well below stress thresholds: rent-to-income at 21.8% and mortgage-to-income at 24.8%. The IRSAD decile of 5 places it at the national midpoint. The main trade-offs are an 8.3% unemployment rate, above national averages, and high car dependence at 81.5% of commuters.
What is the median house price in Allenstown?
The median house price is $326,000, estimated from 2025 rental data. Weekly rent averages $250 and monthly mortgage repayments run approximately $1,230. At these levels, the mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.8% stays below the 30% stress threshold, making ownership more financially manageable than in most metropolitan markets.
What schools are in Allenstown?
No schools are recorded inside the Allenstown suburb boundary in this dataset. Families typically access schools in neighbouring Rockhampton suburbs. Despite this, the suburb's IEO decile of 6 indicates slightly above-median educational and occupational access nationally, and 25.2% of residents hold university qualifications.
Is Allenstown safe?
Specific crime rate data is not available for Allenstown in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the IRSAD decile of 5 places the suburb at the national midpoint for advantage and disadvantage, and the IRSD decile of 5 indicates moderate levels of relative disadvantage. Around 7.7% of residents (192 people) require daily assistance, close to the national average.
Is Allenstown good for property investment?
The 49.6% renter share is well above national averages, providing a large tenant pool. Weekly rent of $250 against a $326,000 median implies a gross yield around 3.9%, competitive by national standards. The 15.3% vacancy rate is elevated and worth monitoring, and annual population is declining by roughly 29 residents per year, which limits capital growth expectations.
How is Allenstown's population changing?
Population has declined 3.5% over 10 years, with an annual trend of minus 0.36%, equating to about 29 fewer residents each year. Overseas migration adds 89 residents per year on average, but internal migration removes 32, leaving net slow decline. Medium forecasts project the broader area falling from 8,125 in 2025 to around 7,884 by 2031.
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.
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