Clontarf
Nearly 1 in 10 Clontarf residents (8.7%) needs assistance with daily activities, the second-highest rate in this cohort, a figure that tracks directly with the suburb's median age of 46, which is 6 years above the national average. The workforce is split between healthcare (21.8%) and construction (13.5%), creating an unusual pairing where the suburb's aging population generates demand for the very industry that employs its workers. Household income sits at just the 39th percentile nationally, yet 65.4% of residents own their homes (outright or mortgaged), suggesting wealth accumulated through property rather than current earnings. Only 2.3% use public transport, below even most other outer-suburban benchmarks.
Population
28
Median Age
49.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,125/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
41
The estimated median of $454,000 makes Clontarf one of the more affordable Moreton Bay suburbs. Detached houses account for 78.7% of stock, with 46.7% being three-bedroom. The 10.9% apartment share is higher than typical for this price range, providing entry-level options. Mortgage repayments of $1,733 per month produce a mortgage-to-income ratio of 28.9%, close to the 30% stress line, because incomes are modest despite affordable pricing. Only 31.0% own outright and 34.4% carry mortgages. Affordability has improved slightly (51.1% to 48.9% price-to-income over the decade). Buyers should note the 7.3% unemployment rate is above national, which could affect serviceability assessments.
For Buyers
The estimated median of $454,000 makes Clontarf one of the more affordable Moreton Bay suburbs. Detached houses account for 78.7% of stock, with 46.7% being three-bedroom. The 10.9% apartment share is higher than typical for this price range, providing entry-level options. Mortgage repayments of $1,733 per month produce a mortgage-to-income ratio of 28.9%, close to the 30% stress line, because incomes are modest despite affordable pricing. Only 31.0% own outright and 34.4% carry mortgages. Affordability has improved slightly (51.1% to 48.9% price-to-income over the decade). Buyers should note the 7.3% unemployment rate is above national, which could affect serviceability assessments.
For Investors
The 34.7% renter share provides a solid tenant base. Weekly rent of $345 against the estimated $454,000 median suggests a gross yield around 3.9%. Vacancy at 5.8% is moderately elevated. Rent grew 27.8% over the decade, driven by broader South East Queensland tightening. The 43 development applications in 12 months include multiple dwelling and accommodation proposals, indicating densification. Population grows slowly at 0.55% per year (49 people), with net overseas inflow of 83 and a small internal gain of 32. The aging demographic (median age 46) means tenant demand comes more from downsizers and retirees than young families.
Development Activity
Total DAs
85
Last 12 Months
41
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+5.1%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Clontarf iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Grace Lutheran Primary School
Prep-6 · 479 students
Clontarf Beach State School
Prep-6 · 425 students
Clontarf Beach State High School
7-12 · 877 students
Demographics
English ancestry dominates at 3,706 (44% of population), followed by Irish (1,175), Scottish (1,060), and German (512), giving a strongly Anglo-Celtic profile. The overseas-born share of 20.6% is close to the national average. University attainment at 21.5% sits 8.6 points below the national rate. The median age of 46 is 6 years above national, and the senior share grew 4.0 percentage points over the decade. Average household size of 2.3 is below the national 2.5, reflecting more single-person and couple-only households. The 31.5% childless-couple rate exceeds typical figures, consistent with an empty-nester demographic.
Age Distribution
Dwelling Structure
100.0%
Houses
N/A
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
Detached houses make up 78.7% of stock, with apartments at 10.9% and semi-detached at 7.4%. The bedroom mix shows 46.7% three-bedroom, 26.7% four-plus, and 19.0% two-bedroom, with an unusually high 7.6% studio/one-bedroom share reflecting the apartment component. Ownership is moderate: 31.0% outright, 34.4% mortgage, 34.7% renting. Mortgage stress at 28.9% is the highest in this batch, close to the 30% threshold, because incomes are below average despite modest house prices. Rent stress at 24.9% is also elevated. Affordability is tighter than headline prices suggest because of the mismatch between housing costs and local wages.
Mortgage / mo
$2,167
Rent / wk
$0
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$1,156
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
0.0%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.6%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
39.1%
Couples, no children
23
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare dominates at 21.8% (525 workers), followed by construction at 13.5% (325) and education at 11.5% (277). Manufacturing and public administration share fifth place at 6.8% each. Professionals lead occupations (627) but only slightly ahead of clerical workers (551) and community service workers (527), indicating a more evenly distributed skill base than professional-heavy suburbs. Unemployment at 7.3% is above the national average, and participation at 51.6% is well below national norms, reflecting the older demographic. SEIFA scores are uniformly low at decile 3 across all four indices, placing Clontarf in the bottom 30% nationally.
Unemployment
3.7%
Labour Force
4,636
Unemployed
173
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
43.8%
Part-time
56.2%
Participation
61.5%
Employed
16
Occupations
Top Industries
University
N/A
Postgraduate
N/A
Born Overseas
N/A
Dwellings
12
Transport to Work
Three schools serve the area: Grace Lutheran Primary (independent, ICSEA 1090, 479 students), Clontarf Beach State School (government primary, ICSEA 969, 425 students), and Clontarf Beach State High School (government secondary, ICSEA 948, 877 students). Grace Lutheran stands out at 90 points above the national ICSEA median. Public transport is minimal at 2.3%, with 88.9% driving. The SEIFA IRSAD decile of 3 indicates below-average socioeconomic conditions nationally. The 8.7% needing assistance is high, reflecting the older population, and the 13.0% volunteering rate sits below the national average.
Drive
100.0%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
N/A
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.55%/yr
(+49 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation is growing slowly at 0.55% per year (49 people), maintaining the existing demographic structure rather than transforming it. Net migration is modest: 83 overseas and 32 internal per year. Medium projections show 9,116 by 2031, up from 8,876 in 2025. The aging trajectory is the key trend: young-family share fell 1.5 points while seniors grew 4.0 points over the decade. A gentrification score of 25 suggests early signs, with real income growing 8.6% and rent up 27.8%, but this has not translated into significant demographic change. Affordability worsened slightly over the decade (from 51.1% to 48.9% price-to-income).
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+83
Net Internal / yr
+32
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Clontarf compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clontarf a good suburb to live in?
Clontarf suits retirees and those seeking affordable Moreton Bay coastal living (median $454,000). Grace Lutheran Primary has a strong ICSEA of 1090. The 21.8% healthcare workforce reflects the area's services. Drawbacks include 7.3% unemployment, SEIFA decile 3, 28.9% mortgage stress, and minimal public transport at 2.3% usage.
What is the median house price in Clontarf?
The estimated median house price is $454,000 (derived from rental data, 2025). Detached houses account for 78.7% of stock. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,733, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 28.9%, approaching the 30% stress threshold. The 10.9% apartment share provides cheaper alternatives to detached houses.
What schools are in Clontarf?
Clontarf has 3 schools: Grace Lutheran Primary (independent, ICSEA 1090, 479 students), Clontarf Beach State School (government primary, ICSEA 969, 425 students), and Clontarf Beach State High School (government secondary, ICSEA 948, 877 students). Grace Lutheran's ICSEA sits 90 points above the national median of 1000.
Is Clontarf safe?
Specific crime statistics are not available for Clontarf. The SEIFA IRSD decile of 3 indicates higher disadvantage compared to most suburbs nationally. The 7.3% unemployment rate and low median incomes (39th percentile) are risk factors. However, the 65.4% home ownership rate and older, settled population provide some stabilising influence.
Is Clontarf good for property investment?
The 34.7% renter share and estimated 3.9% gross yield ($345 weekly on $454,000) are reasonable. Population growth is slow at 0.55% per year. Vacancy of 5.8% is moderate. The 43 development applications include multiple-dwelling proposals that could increase supply. The aging demographic (median age 46) means tenant demand trends towards retirees rather than young families.
How is Clontarf's population changing?
Population grows slowly at 0.55% per year, adding about 49 residents annually. The suburb is aging: median age 46, senior share up 4.0 percentage points over the decade, and 8.7% needing daily assistance. Net migration is modest at 83 overseas and 32 internal per year. Projections show 9,116 by 2031, up from 8,876 in 2025.
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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