Berserker
Every SEIFA index here sits in decile 1, the most disadvantaged 10% nationally, yet the $321,000 median house price and 80.9% detached-house share make this Rockhampton's accessible end of the family-home market. The contradiction is structural rather than transitional: the gentrification score of 0 confirms no upward pressure, and the population has actually shrunk 3.1% over the past decade. With university qualifications at 15.2%, which is 14.9 points below the national figure, the local economy leans on Healthcare (22.4%) and trades such as Labourers (493 workers) rather than knowledge work. A 12.7% vacancy rate signals a soft rental market despite weekly rent of just $260.
Population
7,020
Median Age
35.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,171/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
14
Median House
$321K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At $321,000 the median house price is a fraction of capital-city levels, and the monthly mortgage repayment of $1,116 produces a mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.0%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold despite household income sitting in the 23.2 percentile nationally. Stock is overwhelmingly suited to families: 80.9% are separate houses and only 4.5% apartments, with three-bedroom homes the dominant configuration at 49.1% and four-plus bedrooms a further 15.0%. Ownership is split between 25.4% outright owners and 31.4% with a mortgage. The trade-off for affordability is weak appreciation, since the population fell 3.1% over ten years and growth is forecast at just 0.03% annually, so buyers should treat this as a lifestyle purchase rather than a capital-growth play.
For Buyers
At $321,000 the median house price is a fraction of capital-city levels, and the monthly mortgage repayment of $1,116 produces a mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.0%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold despite household income sitting in the 23.2 percentile nationally. Stock is overwhelmingly suited to families: 80.9% are separate houses and only 4.5% apartments, with three-bedroom homes the dominant configuration at 49.1% and four-plus bedrooms a further 15.0%. Ownership is split between 25.4% outright owners and 31.4% with a mortgage. The trade-off for affordability is weak appreciation, since the population fell 3.1% over ten years and growth is forecast at just 0.03% annually, so buyers should treat this as a lifestyle purchase rather than a capital-growth play.
For Investors
The 43.2% renter share is meaningfully higher than the national tenure pattern, giving landlords a deep tenant pool, but the 12.7% vacancy rate is the warning sign: it points to oversupply relative to demand. Weekly rent of $260 against a $321,000 median produces a gross yield near 4.2%, stronger than most capital-city suburbs because the entry price is so low. Rent grew 10.6% over the measured period, yet the demand fundamentals are thin. Net overseas migration adds only 32 people a year and internal migration runs at minus 33, so the suburb loses more residents to other parts of Australia than it gains. Development is modest at 14 applications in 12 months, several being dual-occupancy plans, which suggests incremental rather than transformative supply growth.
Development Activity
Total DAs
14
Last 12 Months
14
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 Berserker iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Kingsley College
Prep-12 · 274 students
Berserker Street State School
Prep-6 · 308 students
Demographics
The median age of 35 is 5 years below the national median, and the average household size of 2.3 is 0.2 below national, indicating a working-age population with smaller families. Overseas-born residents at 10.3% are 11.3 points below the national figure, making this a notably Anglo-leaning population: English ancestry leads with 2,719, followed by Irish at 679 and Scottish at 593, while Mandarin is the largest non-English language at just 24 speakers. University attainment of 15.2% is 14.9 points below national, the demographic root of the area's lower income base, because fewer degree holders means fewer high-paying knowledge roles. Couples with children (1,816 families) outnumber couples without children (1,142), confirming the family orientation of the housing stock.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
80.9%
Houses
14.0%
Townhouse
4.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure splits into 43.2% renting, 31.4% mortgaged and 25.4% owned outright, a renter-heavy profile for a detached-housing suburb where 80.9% of dwellings are separate houses and only 4.5% are apartments. Three-bedroom homes account for 49.1% of stock and two-bedroom 29.7%, so the area is built for households rather than singles. The median house price of $321,000 keeps both housing costs in check: rent-to-income sits at 22.2% and mortgage-to-income at 22.0%, neither flagged as stress, which is unusual given household income falls in the 23.2 percentile nationally. The reason is simple causation: low prices offset low incomes. The 12.7% vacancy rate, well above a balanced market's roughly 3%, shows supply outpacing demand and explains why rents stay modest.
Mortgage / mo
$1,116
Rent / wk
$260
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$676
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
12.7%
Unoccupied
396
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.0%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
23.6%
Couples, no children
4,834
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare dominates employment at 22.4% (361 workers), followed by Education at 13.2% (213), Construction at 8.2% (132), Retail at 7.8% (126) and Public Admin at 7.5% (121), a profile typical of a regional service centre rather than an industrial or professional hub. Among occupations, Labourers (493) and Community/Personal Service (492) lead, with Professionals a distant third at 348, which aligns with the below-national 15.2% university rate. The labour market is soft: unemployment of 8.4% is above the national average and participation of 53.4% is low, partly because 1,859 residents are not in the labour force. All four SEIFA deciles land at 1, confirming the disadvantage is broad-based across income, education and occupation rather than a single weak indicator.
Unemployment
7.4%
Labour Force
3,844
Unemployed
286
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
65.9%
Part-time
25.7%
Participation
53.4%
Employed
2,750
Occupations
Top Industries
University
15.2%
Postgraduate
2.5%
Born Overseas
10.3%
Dwellings
2,728
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high, with 84.4% of commuters driving and only 1.2% using public transport, well below what inner-city suburbs report, so a vehicle is close to essential here. Walking or cycling accounts for 5.0%, reflecting the low-density layout at 1,491 people per square kilometre across 4.71 square kilometres. The dominant detached-house form (80.9%) and family-sized three-bedroom stock support a quieter suburban lifestyle. Affordability is the standout, since rent-to-income of 22.2% leaves more disposable income than higher-priced markets. The honest caveat is that all four SEIFA indices rank in decile 1, the most disadvantaged tier nationally, which correlates with fewer local services and amenities than wealthier suburbs offer.
Drive
84.4%
Public Transport
1.2%
Walk / Cycle
5.0%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.03%/yr
(+2 people/yr)
EstablishedGrowth is effectively flat at 0.03% per year, equivalent to about 2 people annually, and the medium forecast projects the population edging only from roughly 7,186 in 2026 to 7,195 by 2031. This stagnation follows a 3.1% decline over the previous decade, so the suburb is established and stable rather than expanding. The gentrification score of 0 confirms no upward repositioning is underway, and the mixed trajectory reflects offsetting forces: overseas migration adds 32 people a year while internal migration subtracts 33. One genuine positive is affordability, which improved from 45.6% in 2011 to 38.5% in 2021, alongside real income growth of 6.7%, meaning local purchasing power rose modestly even as the headcount held steady.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+32
Net Internal / yr
-33
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Berserker compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Berserker a good suburb to live in?
Berserker suits budget-conscious families: the median house price is $321,000 and 80.9% of dwellings are detached houses, with rent-to-income at a manageable 22.2%. The trade-off is that all four SEIFA indices sit in decile 1, the most disadvantaged tier nationally, and unemployment of 8.4% is above average, so amenity and job options are more limited than in higher-ranked suburbs.
What is the median house price in Berserker?
The median house price is approximately $321,000, with a typical monthly mortgage repayment of $1,116. Weekly rent averages $260, producing a gross rental yield near 4.2%. Affordability is strong, with mortgage-to-income at 22.0%, but capital growth is weak given the population fell 3.1% over the past decade.
What schools are in Berserker?
No schools fall within Berserker's boundary in the dataset, so families rely on schools in neighbouring Rockhampton suburbs. Education is still a major local employer at 13.2% of jobs (213 workers), indicating school infrastructure is concentrated nearby rather than within the 4.71 square kilometre suburb itself.
Is Berserker safe?
Verified crime statistics are not available for Berserker in this dataset, so a safety rating cannot be given on the numbers. The suburb is a low-density residential area at 1,491 people per square kilometre with 80.9% detached houses, a typical quiet suburban profile, but prospective residents should check current Queensland Police data directly.
Is Berserker good for property investment?
The 43.2% renter share and roughly 4.2% gross yield ($260 weekly rent on a $321,000 median) are attractive for cash-flow investors. However the 12.7% vacancy rate signals oversupply, and net internal migration of minus 33 a year plus flat 0.03% growth limit capital-growth prospects, making it a yield play rather than a growth play.
How is Berserker's population changing?
Population is essentially static, growing just 0.03% per year (about 2 people) and forecast to reach only around 7,195 by 2031. This follows a 3.1% decline over the prior decade. Overseas migration adds 32 residents annually while internal migration removes 33, leaving the headcount near 7,020 with no gentrification underway (score of 0).
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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