Atherton
Agriculture employs 8.6% of workers, a share 4x the national average, anchoring Atherton's identity as a Tablelands service town rather than a coastal lifestyle suburb. At $357,000 estimated median, it is the cheapest suburb in this dataset, and household incomes sit in just the 17.5th percentile nationally. Yet internal migration runs at +116/year, meaning Australians are actively choosing to relocate here, likely retirees and tree-changers drawn by affordability and the 7.3% walk/cycle-to-work rate, the highest in this dataset after Chippendale.
Population
7,724
Median Age
46.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,099/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
11
Median House
$357K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The estimated $357,000 median makes Atherton the most affordable suburb analysed, with mortgage repayments of $1,300/month consuming 27.3% of income. Detached houses are 82.2% of stock, with 48.0% being 3-bedroom homes. Four schools serve the suburb, led by St Joseph's (Catholic, ICSEA 1022, 287 enrolled). Average household size at 2.2 is below the national 2.5, reflecting the older population (median age 46, six years above national). The 38.5% of dwellings owned outright is the highest outright rate for any affordable suburb in this set, signalling a retired-and-paid-off demographic.
For Buyers
The estimated $357,000 median makes Atherton the most affordable suburb analysed, with mortgage repayments of $1,300/month consuming 27.3% of income. Detached houses are 82.2% of stock, with 48.0% being 3-bedroom homes. Four schools serve the suburb, led by St Joseph's (Catholic, ICSEA 1022, 287 enrolled). Average household size at 2.2 is below the national 2.5, reflecting the older population (median age 46, six years above national). The 38.5% of dwellings owned outright is the highest outright rate for any affordable suburb in this set, signalling a retired-and-paid-off demographic.
For Investors
The 38.5% renting rate is high, but the 9.4% vacancy rate is elevated. Weekly rent of $280 on a $357,000 estimated median gives approximately 4.1% gross yield. Internal migration of +116/year and overseas +82/year provide demand, and the gentrification score of 36 (Early signs) with accelerating growth (4% to 14%) signals rising interest. However, only 10 development applications in 12 months reflect limited supply pressure. The risk is that household incomes at the 17.5th percentile cap rental growth potential, as tenants cannot absorb significant increases.
Development Activity
Total DAs
11
Last 12 Months
11
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 Atherton iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St Joseph's School
Prep-6 · 287 students
Jubilee Christian College
Prep-12 · 850 students
Atherton State High School
7-12 · 781 students
Atherton State School
Prep-6 · 331 students
Demographics
The median age of 46 is 6 years above the national median, and the aging trajectory is steep: senior share rose 5.9 percentage points, while young share fell 3.3 percentage points over the decade. University attainment at 19.8% is 10.3 percentage points below the national average. English ancestry dominates (2,884), with Irish (961) and Scottish (804) following. Language diversity is minimal, with Italian (36 speakers) being the most common non-English language. Only 15.1% were born overseas, 6.5 percentage points below the national rate. Couples without children (33.6% of families) outnumber couples with children, consistent with the retiree profile.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
82.2%
Houses
9.7%
Townhouse
6.9%
Apartment
Tenure
Detached houses dominate at 82.2%, with semi-detached at 9.7% and apartments at 6.9%. Three-bedroom homes make up 48.0%, and 4+ bedrooms account for 26.3%. Ownership splits to 38.5% outright, 23.0% mortgaged, and 38.5% renting. The matched outright-ownership and renting rates create an unusual bimodal tenure structure: paid-off retirees alongside renters. Mortgage stress at 27.3% is below the threshold, but the low 23.0% mortgage rate means fewer residents are actively building equity. The 24.1% residential turnover is moderate for a regional town.
Mortgage / mo
$1,300
Rent / wk
$280
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$641
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.4%
Unoccupied
321
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.3%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
33.6%
Couples, no children
5,292
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare (21.2%) dominates, consistent with the older population requiring health services. Education (11.9%) and public admin (9.0%) reflect the town's role as a Tablelands administrative centre. Agriculture at 8.6% is 4x the national average and distinguishes Atherton from suburban markets. Construction (8.5%) rounds out the top 5. The occupation mix shows professionals (486) and labourers (455) nearly equal, with community/personal services (456) matching labourers. SEIFA IRSAD decile 3 places Atherton in the bottom 30% nationally for socio-economic advantage.
Unemployment
6.8%
Labour Force
5,637
Unemployed
381
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
60.2%
Part-time
34.4%
Participation
46.8%
Employed
2,846
Occupations
Top Industries
University
19.8%
Postgraduate
3.3%
Born Overseas
15.1%
Dwellings
3,076
Transport to Work
Four schools serve Atherton: St Joseph's (Catholic, ICSEA 1022, 287 enrolled), Jubilee Christian College (Independent, Combined, ICSEA 1017, 850 enrolled), Atherton State High School (Government, ICSEA 963, 781 enrolled), and Atherton State School (Government, ICSEA 903, 331 enrolled). Walking and cycling at 7.3% is the highest in this dataset outside Chippendale, reflecting the compact town centre. Public transport at 1.1% is negligible. Need for assistance at 8.7% is above the national average, consistent with the older population. Volunteering at 19.4% is well above the national rate.
Drive
82.7%
Public Transport
1.1%
Walk / Cycle
7.3%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.19%/yr
(+149 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation is projected to grow from 12,472 in 2025 to 13,309 by 2031, adding 149 people annually at 1.19%, close to the national average. Growth is balanced between internal (+116/year) and overseas (+82/year) migration. The suburb grew 14.3% over the past decade. Gentrification is at early signs (score 36), with growth accelerating from 4% to 14%. The aging trajectory is pronounced: senior share rose 5.9 percentage points, the highest in this dataset. Real income grew 13.1% over the decade. Affordability improved from 45.8% to 41.9% mortgage-to-income, though this partly reflects the low mortgage take-up rate.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+82
Net Internal / yr
+116
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +19% since 2011, Net internal migration +116/yr, Accelerating: 4% → 14%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Atherton compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Atherton a good suburb to live in?
For retirees and tree-changers seeking affordable small-town living, Atherton delivers: $357,000 median, 82.2% detached housing, 7.3% walkability, and 4 schools. The 19.4% volunteering rate, above the national average, suggests community engagement. Trade-offs include SEIFA decile 3, limited public transport (1.1%), and household incomes at the 17.5th percentile.
What is the median house price in Atherton?
The rent-derived estimate is $357,000 (2025), the lowest in this dataset. Mortgage repayments of $1,300/month consume 27.3% of household income, below the 30% stress threshold. The 38.5% outright ownership rate means many long-term residents carry no housing costs.
What schools are in Atherton?
Four schools serve the suburb: St Joseph's (Catholic, Primary, ICSEA 1022, 287 enrolled) and Jubilee Christian College (Independent, Combined, ICSEA 1017, 850 enrolled) both score above the national median. Government options are Atherton State High (ICSEA 963, 781 enrolled) and Atherton State School (ICSEA 903, 331 enrolled).
Is Atherton safe?
Suburb-level crime data is not available for Atherton in the current dataset. The SEIFA IRSD decile of 3 places it below the national midpoint. However, the strong volunteering rate (19.4%) and small-town character (density 82 people/sq km) typically correlate with lower crime per capita than urban centres of similar SEIFA ranking.
Is Atherton good for property investment?
Gross yield of approximately 4.1% ($280/week on $357,000) is reasonable, and internal migration of +116/year indicates genuine demand. However, the 9.4% vacancy rate is high, and household incomes at the 17.5th percentile limit rent growth potential. The gentrification score of 36 (Early signs) and 14.3% decade growth are mildly positive signals.
How is Atherton's population changing?
Population grew 14.3% over the past decade and is forecast to reach 13,309 by 2031. Growth is balanced between internal (+116/year) and overseas (+82/year) migration. The aging trajectory is the steepest in this dataset: senior share rose 5.9 percentage points while young share fell 3.3 percentage points, reflecting Atherton's role as a retirement destination.
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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