Bundaberg West
A vacancy rate of 12.8% and a renter majority at 64.5% tell the essential story of Bundaberg West: this is a suburb where most residents rent, a large share of properties sit unoccupied, and household income lands in just the 11.5th percentile nationally. All four SEIFA indexes score decile 1, the lowest advantage tier in the country. Yet the median house price sits at $317,000, well below Queensland and national medians, and rent has grown 25% over the period. The suburb covers only 2.6 km2 with a population of 2,596, producing a density of roughly 1,000 persons per km2 for an inner-Bundaberg location.
Population
2,596
Median Age
39.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$966/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
3
Median House
$317K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At $317,000, the median house price sits well below Queensland and national medians, making Bundaberg West one of the most affordable entry points in the region. Monthly repayments average $1,181 and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 28.2% stays below the 30% stress threshold. Stock splits across 45.1% separate houses, 41.9% semi-detached and 12.3% apartments. Two-bedroom dwellings dominate at 39.4%, with three-bedrooms at 34.0%. Only 20.6% of households own outright and 15.0% carry a mortgage, because 64.5% rent, meaning most residents have not entered the purchase market.
For Buyers
At $317,000, the median house price sits well below Queensland and national medians, making Bundaberg West one of the most affordable entry points in the region. Monthly repayments average $1,181 and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 28.2% stays below the 30% stress threshold. Stock splits across 45.1% separate houses, 41.9% semi-detached and 12.3% apartments. Two-bedroom dwellings dominate at 39.4%, with three-bedrooms at 34.0%. Only 20.6% of households own outright and 15.0% carry a mortgage, because 64.5% rent, meaning most residents have not entered the purchase market.
For Investors
A renter pool covering 64.5% of households, well above the national average, provides broad tenant demand with weekly rent at $245. Rent grew 25% over the period despite a 12.8% vacancy rate, which points to tightening in occupied stock while lower-quality units remain idle. Overseas migration of 188 per year offsets internal outflow of 137, leaving thin but positive net growth. Development is negligible at 1 application in 12 months, so new supply is not a near-term risk. At $317,000 entry the investment case rests on yield rather than capital growth, given SEIFA decile 1 and 0.24% annual population growth.
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 Bundaberg West iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St Patrick's Catholic Primary School
Prep-6 · 510 students
Bundaberg West State School
Prep-6 · 267 students
Demographics
The median age of 39 is 1 year below the national figure. Overseas-born residents reach 23.7%, which is 2.1 percentage points above the national rate, with Malayalam, Mandarin and Cantonese the most common non-English languages, reflecting recent overseas migration flows. Ancestry is predominantly Anglo-Celtic: English (946), Irish (231) and Scottish (226) lead the count. University qualifications at 26.7% are 3.4 points below national, consistent with the SEIFA decile 1 education index. Average household size of 2.0 is 0.5 below national, reflecting more single-person and couple-without-children households. Some 10.0% of residents, or 233 people, need daily assistance.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
45.1%
Houses
41.9%
Townhouse
12.3%
Apartment
Tenure
Renters at 64.5% of households outnumber owners by more than 2 to 1, compared to roughly 30% nationally. Only 20.6% own outright and 15.0% carry a mortgage because SEIFA decile 1 limits wealth accumulation here. Stock is unusually mixed: 41.9% semi-detached alongside 45.1% separate houses and 12.3% apartments. Two-bedroom dwellings lead at 39.4% and three-bedroom at 34.0%. The median price of $317,000 and rent-to-income ratio of 25.4% sit within affordable bounds, but the 12.8% vacancy rate flags a segment of idle stock that suppresses effective demand.
Mortgage / mo
$1,181
Rent / wk
$245
HH Size
2.0
Personal Income / wk
$610
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
12.8%
Unoccupied
163
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
30.1%
Couples, no children
1,450
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare employs 37.3% of workers, well above national sector averages, because Bundaberg serves as a regional medical hub. Agriculture (8.3%), Education (8.2%) and Hospitality (7.7%) reflect the area's farming and tourism base. By occupation, Labourers (224) slightly outnumber Professionals (199), which is unusual and reflects the SEIFA IEO decile 1 profile: lower education and occupational standing than 90% of Australian suburbs. Unemployment is 9.6%, above the national average, and participation is 47.7% because 877 residents are outside the labour force. Of those employed, 60.5% work full-time.
Unemployment
8.6%
Labour Force
3,545
Unemployed
306
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
60.5%
Part-time
29.9%
Participation
47.7%
Employed
940
Occupations
Top Industries
University
26.7%
Postgraduate
4.6%
Born Overseas
23.7%
Dwellings
1,103
Transport to Work
Car use at 72.6% is high, but 13.4% walk or cycle, above many regional suburbs of similar size, because the 2.6 km2 footprint keeps destinations close. Public transport is minimal at 2.9%. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families rely on neighbouring Bundaberg schools. All four SEIFA indexes score decile 1 nationally, the lowest advantage tier. Rent-to-income at 25.4% and mortgage-to-income at 28.2% both stay below 30% stress thresholds, but household income at the 11.5th percentile nationally leaves residents with limited buffer against unexpected costs.
Drive
72.6%
Public Transport
2.9%
Walk / Cycle
13.4%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.24%/yr
(+16 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew just 1.1% over 10 years, below most Queensland suburban growth rates, and the annual increment is only 16 persons or 0.24%. The medium forecast holds the broader Bundaberg area near 6,500 through 2031. Overseas migration of 188 per year is the sole net positive driver; internal outflow of 137 annually means residents with options tend to leave. Gentrification is at early signs stage with a score of 38, supported by real income growth of 25.4% and rent growth of 25.0%. Affordability improved from 50.9% rent-to-income in 2011 to 41.3% in 2021, a 9.6-point gain that suggests incomes grew faster than rents during that period.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+188
Net Internal / yr
-137
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Net internal outflow -137/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Bundaberg West compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bundaberg West a good suburb to live in?
Bundaberg West suits renters seeking affordability: median house price is $317,000 and rent is $245 per week. All four SEIFA indexes score decile 1 nationally, indicating low socioeconomic advantage. Unemployment is 9.6%, higher than the national average. The 2.6 km2 footprint means many destinations are walkable, with 13.4% of residents walking or cycling to work.
What is the median house price in Bundaberg West?
The median house price is $317,000 (estimated from 2025 rent data). Weekly rent averages $245 and monthly mortgage repayments average $1,181, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 28.2%, just under the 30% stress threshold. Rent grew 25% over the period.
What schools are in Bundaberg West?
No schools are recorded within the Bundaberg West suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring Bundaberg suburbs. Locally, 26.7% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 3.4 percentage points below the national rate.
Is Bundaberg West safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Bundaberg West in this dataset. As a proxy indicator, all four SEIFA indexes score decile 1 nationally, the lowest advantage tier, and unemployment runs at 9.6%, both factors associated with higher crime risk compared to higher-decile suburbs. The vacancy rate of 12.8% also indicates a degree of population instability.
Is Bundaberg West good for property investment?
The entry price is low at $317,000 and 64.5% of residents rent, providing a broad tenant pool. Rent grew 25% over the period and vacancy sits at 12.8%, which is elevated. Overseas migration of 188 per year supports demand, but internal outflow of 137 per year partially offsets this. The investment case is yield-focused given a SEIFA decile 1 profile and 0.24% annual population growth.
How is Bundaberg West's population changing?
Population grew 1.1% over 10 years to reach 2,596 residents, with annual growth of about 16 persons or 0.24%. Overseas migration averaging 188 arrivals per year is the primary driver, while net internal outflow of 137 per year reflects residents leaving for other areas. The medium forecast holds the broader Bundaberg area near 6,500 through 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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