Clear Island Waters
Age is the defining feature of Clear Island Waters: the median age is 50, which is 10 years above the national comparison, while 45.5% of homes are owned outright. Overseas-born residents account for 39.5%, or 17.9 percentage points above the national figure, and 40.4% have university qualifications, 10.3 points above national. That combination points to an established, educated area with international connections rather than a young renter market. Compared with nearby Robina and Varsity Lakes, Clear Island Waters presents as more strongly shaped by older owner households and larger homes, with 52.4% containing four or more bedrooms. Its 4,395 residents live across 4.4 square kilometres, so local amenity and car access matter more than a high-density town-centre lifestyle.
Population
4,395
Median Age
50.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,617/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
2
Homebuyers are likely to find a market centred on established houses, with 63.6% of dwellings separate houses and 52.4% containing four or more bedrooms. The typical mortgage commitment is $2,167 per month, and mortgage repayments equal 31.0% of household income, slightly above the 30% stress threshold used in many budgeting assessments. Rent also reaches 33.4% of income, so affordability needs close testing even though household income sits around the 53.1st percentile nationally. Compared with a compact apartment market, the 25.5% semi-detached share and 11.0% apartment share provide some alternative formats. Buyers should compare recent sales by land size, bedroom count and water access because a single suburb-wide figure would conceal substantial property differences.
For Buyers
Homebuyers are likely to find a market centred on established houses, with 63.6% of dwellings separate houses and 52.4% containing four or more bedrooms. The typical mortgage commitment is $2,167 per month, and mortgage repayments equal 31.0% of household income, slightly above the 30% stress threshold used in many budgeting assessments. Rent also reaches 33.4% of income, so affordability needs close testing even though household income sits around the 53.1st percentile nationally. Compared with a compact apartment market, the 25.5% semi-detached share and 11.0% apartment share provide some alternative formats. Buyers should compare recent sales by land size, bedroom count and water access because a single suburb-wide figure would conceal substantial property differences.
For Investors
Clear Island Waters has an established rental profile rather than a high-turnover growth-market profile. Renting accounts for 20.5% of occupied dwellings, weekly rent is $540 and vacancy is 6.6%, while 75.0% of residents stayed at the same address over the reference period. Rent growth across the wider area is recorded at 33.3%, which supports income momentum, but the 31.0% mortgage-to-income ratio highlights the need to model debt costs carefully. Compared with a development-led suburb, only 2 development applications were recorded over 12 months, limiting the immediate supply signal. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, which can support rental demand, but investors should calculate yield from current comparable sales rather than rent alone.
Development Activity
Total DAs
2
Last 12 Months
2
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 Clear Island Waters
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
St Vincent's Primary School (Surfers Paradise)
Demographics
Clear Island Waters has 4,395 residents, a median age of 50 and an average household size of 2.5. The age profile is 10 years above the national comparison, while 39.5% of residents were born overseas, 17.9 percentage points above national. English is the largest recorded ancestry at 1,494 people, followed by Chinese ancestry at 496, Irish at 441 and Scottish at 358; Mandarin is spoken by 189 residents. Household life is split between couples without children at 43.6% and couples with children at 42.4%, with one-parent families at 12.7%. Compared with a younger, more transient suburb, the 25.0% turnover rate and high owner-occupier share point to a settled population, although international migration continues to add variety.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
63.6%
Houses
25.5%
Townhouse
11.0%
Apartment
Tenure
The tenure profile is unusually owner-oriented: 45.5% of dwellings are owned outright, 30.1% are being purchased with a mortgage and 20.5% are rented. Compared with a more mobile rental suburb, that structure should support neighbourhood stability, helped by 75.0% of residents remaining at the same address. Housing is also relatively large, with 52.4% of dwellings containing four or more bedrooms, 34.0% containing three bedrooms, 25.5% semi-detached and 11.0% apartments. The $2,167 monthly mortgage figure and 31.0% mortgage-to-income ratio show why established ownership does not remove affordability pressure. Clear Island Waters is more house-focused than an apartment market, so buyers should compare land, construction quality and tenure costs rather than bedroom count alone.
Mortgage / mo
$2,167
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (Jun 2026 quarter), QLD RTA bond data. Census 2021 median: $540.
$950
Bond data Jun 2026 quarter · houses $950 · units $825
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$732
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
6.6%
Unoccupied
115
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
33.4% stressed
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
31.0% stressed
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
42.4%
Couples with children
43.6%
Couples, no children
12.7%
Single parent
1,235
Total families
Economy & Employment
Employment is anchored by healthcare at 20.8% of local jobs, or 274 workers, followed by professional and technical services at 11.5% and 151 workers, education at 10.4% and 137, construction at 9.6% and 127, and retail at 8.4% and 111. The occupational mix is led by professionals at 504 people and managers at 318, supporting the personal weekly income of $732. Unemployment is 4.9%, participation is 51.7% and full-time employment is 52.6%; the lower participation rate compared with a younger workforce is consistent with 1,630 people outside the labour force and a median age of 50. Socioeconomic rankings sit above the midpoint, with IEO, IRSD and IRSAD in decile 8 and IER in decile 9. The stronger economic-resources result suggests household finances are slightly better than the broader education and disadvantage measures.
Unemployment
4.9%
Labour Force
1,956
Unemployed
96
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
52.6%
Part-time
37.1%
Participation
51.7%
Employed
1,860
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
40.4%
Postgraduate
10.9%
Born Overseas
39.5%
Dwellings
1,616
Transport to Work
Daily mobility is strongly car dependent: 70.8% of commuters drive, compared with 0.8% using public transport and 1.4% walking or cycling, while 21.5% work from home. Compared with a transit-oriented suburb, residents should check parking, road access and peak-hour travel before choosing a property. One nearby listed school is St Vincent's Primary School in Surfers Paradise, a Catholic non-State primary school; enrolment zones and travel times should be confirmed against the exact address. Clear Island Waters covers 4.4 square kilometres at a density of 998.8 people per square kilometre. With an IRSAD decile of 8, socioeconomic conditions sit above the midpoint, but the absence of a suburb-level crime rate means safety should be assessed using current police information and visits at different times.
Drive
70.8%
Public Transport
0.8%
Walk / Cycle
1.4%
Work from Home
21.5%
Population Forecast
+0.59%/yr
(+27 people/yr)
EstablishedGrowth runs at 0.59% annually, with overseas migration identified as the primary driver. The trajectory is Aging: the senior share has increased by 5.5 percentage points, while the working-age share has fallen by 3.5 points. Population change across the wider area is recorded at 10.3% over 10 years, indicating steady rather than rapid expansion. Compared with a high-growth development corridor, the gentrification score of 3 and stage of Not gentrifying point to limited transformation pressure. A separate shift assessment records a score of 27 and Early signs, so gradual change is more plausible than a sudden repricing cycle. Stable affordability, moving from 73.6 in 2011 to 73.8 in 2021, also supports an established-market outlook.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+68
Net Internal / yr
+4
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +10% since 2011
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Clear Island Waters compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clear Island Waters a good suburb to live in?
It suits households seeking established housing, stronger owner occupation and a quieter age profile. The median age is 50, 45.5% of homes are owned outright and IRSAD sits in decile 8. Car dependence is significant, with 70.8% driving, so commute patterns and access to services should guide the decision.
What is the median house price in Clear Island Waters?
Check current settled sales and comparable listings before setting a budget. The suburb is weighted toward larger homes, with 52.4% of dwellings containing four or more bedrooms and 63.6% being separate houses. Weekly rent is $540, but property type, land size and water access can create large differences between individual sales.
What schools are in Clear Island Waters?
One nearby listed option is St Vincent's Primary School in Surfers Paradise, a Catholic non-State school. Confirm the current enrolment zone and travel time for the exact address. Transport planning matters because 70.8% of residents drive to work, while only 0.8% use public transport.
Is Clear Island Waters safe?
Assess safety with current Queensland Police figures, street lighting and visits during both day and night. Clear Island Waters has 4,395 residents across 4.4 square kilometres, so the feel of individual streets can vary. Check nearby paths, parking areas and waterfront access before committing to a property.
Is Clear Island Waters good for property investment?
It can suit investors seeking an established rental market, but returns need careful pricing. Weekly rent is $540, vacancy is 6.6% and renting accounts for 20.5% of dwellings. Rent growth is recorded at 33.3%, while only 2 development applications were lodged over 12 months, so investors should test supply, insurance and debt costs.
How is Clear Island Waters's population changing?
Growth is steady at 0.59% annually and overseas migration is the primary driver. The wider-area population change is 10.3% over 10 years, while the trajectory is Aging. Senior share has risen by 5.5 percentage points and working share has fallen by 3.5 points, pointing to gradual demographic change rather than a young development boom.
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 education open registers (school locations), 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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