Barney Point
An 18.7% vacancy rate in a suburb where household income sits at the 9th percentile nationally tells the story of Barney Point, Gladstone. With 1,065 residents spread across 3.5 square kilometres, this is a blue-collar coastal pocket where more than half of dwellings are rented and the median age of 46 runs 6 years above the national figure. The median house price of $331,000 sits well below national and Queensland state medians, partly because the employment base leans on Manufacturing, Transport and Construction rather than knowledge industries. Low entry costs and a high renter share make the suburb accessible but also signal underlying economic pressure.
Population
1,065
Median Age
46.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$908/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$331K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At $331,000 the median house price in Barney Point is substantially lower than typical Queensland coastal markets, creating a low barrier to entry for first-home buyers. Separate houses account for 74.3% of stock and three-bedroom dwellings dominate at 59.9%, so buyers get a conventional detached home rather than a unit. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,466, but the mortgage-to-income ratio of 37.3% exceeds the 30% stress threshold, meaning buyers financing at median price carry above-average repayment burden relative to local wages. Only 17.8% of households currently hold a mortgage, compared with 29.8% who own outright, suggesting many long-term residents bought in cheaper conditions and may not face the same pressure that newer buyers encounter.
For Buyers
At $331,000 the median house price in Barney Point is substantially lower than typical Queensland coastal markets, creating a low barrier to entry for first-home buyers. Separate houses account for 74.3% of stock and three-bedroom dwellings dominate at 59.9%, so buyers get a conventional detached home rather than a unit. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,466, but the mortgage-to-income ratio of 37.3% exceeds the 30% stress threshold, meaning buyers financing at median price carry above-average repayment burden relative to local wages. Only 17.8% of households currently hold a mortgage, compared with 29.8% who own outright, suggesting many long-term residents bought in cheaper conditions and may not face the same pressure that newer buyers encounter.
For Investors
With 52.4% of dwellings rented, Barney Point has a renter majority that is considerably above the national average, giving investors a broad tenant pool. Weekly rent of $220 implies a gross yield near 3.5% against the $331,000 median, which is modest but higher than many coastal markets. The 18.7% vacancy rate is a significant flag: roughly one in five rentable properties sits empty, which can compress rents and slow re-letting. Development activity recorded zero applications in the past 12 months, so no near-term supply surge is expected. The high unemployment rate of 16.4% and household income at the 9th percentile nationally mean tenant income risk is real, and demand growth depends heavily on the Gladstone industrial economy rather than population expansion.
Development Activity
Total DAs
16
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
Demographics
The median age of 46 is 6 years above the national figure, placing Barney Point firmly in an aging profile consistent with the high share of residents not in the labour force (375 people, against a workforce of around 332). Overseas-born residents at 15.9% sit 5.7 percentage points below national, indicating a mostly locally-born population with English as the dominant language. Ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic: English (415), Irish (111) and Scottish (86) are the top three, with Christianity the dominant religion at 415 adherents. University qualifications reach only 13.1%, which is 17 percentage points below the national average, reflecting the trade and industrial character of the local economy. Average household size of 2.0 is 0.5 below national, consistent with a smaller, older household base.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
74.3%
Houses
5.1%
Townhouse
19.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Barney Point's housing stock is predominantly detached, with separate houses making up 74.3% of dwellings and apartments at 19.5%. Three-bedroom homes are the dominant configuration at 59.9%, with four-plus bedroom homes at 12.7%. Tenure is skewed heavily toward renting at 52.4%, well above the national average, while outright ownership at 29.8% reflects the suburb's older resident base. The median house price of $331,000, estimated from rental data in 2025, is affordable relative to wider Queensland coastal comparisons. Mortgage-to-income at 37.3% exceeds the standard stress threshold even at this low price point because local incomes are low, with household weekly income of $908 sitting at the 9th income percentile nationally. The high vacancy rate of 18.7% suggests the rental stock is not fully absorbed by current demand.
Mortgage / mo
$1,466
Rent / wk
$220
HH Size
2.0
Personal Income / wk
$539
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
18.7%
Unoccupied
110
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
37.3% stressed
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
36.2%
Couples, no children
625
Total families
Economy & Employment
Manufacturing leads the local industry mix at 15.2% of employed residents, followed by Transport at 13.1% and Construction at 12.6%, together accounting for over 40% of jobs. Healthcare at 11.6% and Hospitality at 7.1% round out the top five. By occupation, Labourers are the largest group (72 workers) ahead of Professionals (59) and Machinery and Drivers (52), confirming the manual and trade-intensive nature of local employment. The unemployment rate of 16.4% is well above Queensland and national benchmarks, and the participation rate of 44.2% is low, partly due to the aging demographic with 375 residents not in the labour force. Full-time workers make up 63.0% of those employed. SEIFA data is not available for this suburb, but the household income 9th percentile ranking nationally indicates significant economic disadvantage compared with most Australian communities.
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
63.0%
Part-time
20.6%
Participation
44.2%
Employed
332
Occupations
Top Industries
University
13.1%
Postgraduate
3.0%
Born Overseas
15.9%
Dwellings
467
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high at 85.3% of residents driving to work, above the national average, with only 4.8% walking or cycling and public transport use not separately recorded at suburb level. The suburb has no schools recorded within its boundary, so families rely on services in surrounding Gladstone areas. Crime data is not available at this level, though 11.3% of residents (106 people) need daily assistance, higher than the national figure and consistent with the older median age of 46. Rent-to-income at 24.2% remains below the 30% stress threshold for tenants, meaning renting here is relatively affordable relative to local incomes. A volunteering rate of 15.0% suggests some community engagement despite the economic pressures. The main livability constraint is the economic vulnerability signalled by 16.4% unemployment and household income in the 9th percentile nationally.
Drive
85.3%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
4.8%
Work from Home
N/A
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Barney Point compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Barney Point a good suburb to live in?
Barney Point suits residents who value low housing costs and a stable, established community. The median house price of $331,000 is well below most Queensland coastal markets and rent averages $220 per week. The trade-offs are a high unemployment rate of 16.4%, household income at only the 9th percentile nationally, and an 18.7% vacancy rate that reflects subdued demand.
What is the median house price in Barney Point?
The median house price is $331,000, estimated from rental data in 2025. Weekly rent averages $220 and monthly mortgage repayments run approximately $1,466. Despite the low price, the mortgage-to-income ratio of 37.3% exceeds the standard 30% stress threshold because local household incomes average $908 per week, placing the suburb at the 9th percentile nationally.
What schools are in Barney Point?
No schools are recorded within the Barney Point boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring Gladstone suburbs. The local population has a university qualification rate of 13.1%, which is 17 percentage points below the national average, reflecting the trade and industrial employment base rather than an academic-oriented community.
Is Barney Point safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Barney Point at suburb level. As an indirect indicator, 11.3% of residents (106 people) need daily assistance, above the national average, and household income sits at the 9th percentile nationally. These economic indicators suggest a higher-disadvantage environment, though they do not directly measure crime rates.
Is Barney Point good for property investment?
The 52.4% renter majority gives investors a large tenant pool, and weekly rent of $220 against a $331,000 median implies a gross yield around 3.5%, higher than many coastal markets. However, the 18.7% vacancy rate is a significant risk, meaning roughly 1 in 5 properties sits empty. Zero development applications in 12 months limits supply competition. Investor returns depend on Gladstone's industrial economy performing.
How is Barney Point's population changing?
Barney Point's current population is 1,065 across 3.5 km2. Detailed growth forecasts are limited, but 77.5% of residents stayed in the same dwelling over the survey period, indicating a stable base rather than strong in-migration. Zero development applications in the past 12 months points to no near-term housing expansion, and the median age of 46 is 6 years above the national figure, suggesting an aging rather than growing resident base.
What industries employ people in Barney Point?
Manufacturing is the largest employer at 15.2% of local workers, followed by Transport at 13.1% and Construction at 12.6%. Healthcare accounts for 11.6% and Hospitality 7.1%. These five industries together cover nearly 60% of employed residents, reflecting Barney Point's connection to Gladstone's port and processing economy. The unemployment rate is 16.4%, well above national benchmarks.
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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