Cranley
With a median age of 60, Cranley sits 20 years above the national figure, making it one of the most distinctively older-resident suburbs in the Toowoomba region. Household income ranks in the 18th percentile nationally, well below average, yet 57.3% of dwellings are owned outright, the highest tenure category. That pairing reflects a long-settled population that cleared debt decades ago rather than one in financial difficulty. At 2,281 residents across 10.43 km2, density is low at 218.7 per km2, and the suburb draws 89.2% of commuters into private cars because public transport access is limited.
Population
2,281
Median Age
60.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,112/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
2
Median House
$419K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The median house price in Cranley is estimated at $419,000, well below the national median for detached houses, which makes entry costs lower than most comparable regional suburbs. The housing stock leans toward separate houses at 67.8%, with semi-detached dwellings accounting for a notable 31.2%, higher than many outer suburbs. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,517, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 31.5%, above the 30% stress threshold, meaning buyers who purchase now face moderate financial pressure despite the relatively affordable headline price. Two-bedroom and three-bedroom homes are roughly equal at 37.6% and 37.9% of stock respectively, so the range of family sizes catered for is reasonably broad. Four-plus bedroom homes at 23.2% suggest the suburb also holds larger family dwellings.
For Buyers
The median house price in Cranley is estimated at $419,000, well below the national median for detached houses, which makes entry costs lower than most comparable regional suburbs. The housing stock leans toward separate houses at 67.8%, with semi-detached dwellings accounting for a notable 31.2%, higher than many outer suburbs. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,517, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 31.5%, above the 30% stress threshold, meaning buyers who purchase now face moderate financial pressure despite the relatively affordable headline price. Two-bedroom and three-bedroom homes are roughly equal at 37.6% and 37.9% of stock respectively, so the range of family sizes catered for is reasonably broad. Four-plus bedroom homes at 23.2% suggest the suburb also holds larger family dwellings.
For Investors
The 27.0% renter share is moderate compared to inner-city markets, and weekly rent of $330 against a $419,000 median implies a gross yield near 4.1%, more attractive than capital city norms. The vacancy rate of 7.0% is elevated, signalling some softness in rental demand relative to supply, so landlords should factor in potential void periods. Development activity is very low, with only 2 applications in the past 12 months, both material change-of-use rather than new dwelling supply, which limits risk from oversupply but also limits capital growth catalysts. The participation rate of 35.2% is low because the older resident base is largely retired, so tenant demand comes predominantly from younger workers and couples rather than families.
Development Activity
Total DAs
24
Last 12 Months
2
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
0.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 60 is 20 years above the national average, which is the defining characteristic of Cranley's population. The overseas-born share of 16.3% is 5.3 percentage points below the national figure, reflecting the Anglo-Celtic ancestry that dominates: English (961), Irish (270), Scottish (242) and German (223) account for the bulk of identifiable ancestry responses. University qualifications at 24.3% are 5.8 percentage points below national, consistent with a workforce historically centred on trade and service occupations. Average household size of 2.1 is 0.4 below national, because couples without children make up 49.9% of families, the dominant household type in a suburb where the working-age cohort is thinning. The volunteering rate of 16.2% is notable for a suburb this size.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
67.8%
Houses
31.2%
Townhouse
1.1%
Apartment
Tenure
Outright ownership at 57.3% is the standout tenure figure, far above the national norm, because the long-settled, older population has had decades to pay down mortgages. Mortgage holders account for only 15.7%, which is low and reflects that few new buyers have entered the market in recent years. Renters at 27.0% occupy the remainder. The stock is predominantly separate houses at 67.8%, with semi-detached dwellings at an unusually high 31.2% compared to most Queensland suburban markets, and apartments at just 1.1%. The estimated median house price of $419,000 places Cranley in affordable territory relative to state and national medians. The vacancy rate of 7.0% is above typical healthy-market levels of 2-3%, suggesting rental supply is somewhat ahead of demand.
Mortgage / mo
$1,517
Rent / wk
$330
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$634
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.0%
Unoccupied
71
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
29.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
31.5% stressed
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
49.9%
Couples, no children
1,524
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare dominates the local industry base at 28.2% of employed residents, more than double the second-ranked sector, Education at 10.6%. Manufacturing and Construction each contribute 8.1%, and Public Admin rounds out the top five at 7.4%. By occupation, Professionals lead at 122 workers, followed by Clerical/Admin at 108 and Community/Personal at 101, which aligns with the healthcare and education concentration. The unemployment rate of 5.8% is above average nationally, partly because the participation rate of 35.2% is very low, with 1,117 residents not in the labour force, most of them retired. Household income at the 18th percentile nationally is below average, shaped by the retired majority rather than poor wage rates among those who are employed.
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
62.0%
Part-time
32.2%
Participation
35.2%
Employed
666
Occupations
Top Industries
University
24.3%
Postgraduate
4.1%
Born Overseas
16.3%
Dwellings
950
Transport to Work
Car dependence is very high at 89.2% of commuters using private vehicles, which is above the national average and consistent with limited public transport routes serving the suburb. Walking and cycling account for just 1.4% of commuting. The need-for-assistance rate of 15.3% (331 residents) is elevated relative to most suburban benchmarks, directly reflecting the older age profile where 60 is the median. The rent-to-income ratio of 29.7% sits just below the 30% stress threshold, meaning renters are managing but with thin margin. Mortgage holders face 31.5%, just over the stress line, because the estimated median price of $419,000 is still meaningful against incomes at the 18th percentile nationally. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset.
Drive
89.2%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
1.4%
Work from Home
N/A
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Cranley compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cranley a good suburb to live in?
Cranley suits those seeking affordable, low-density living in the Toowoomba region. The median house price is around $419,000, well below capital city levels, and 57.3% of residents own their homes outright. The suburb's 2,281-person population skews older, with a median age of 60, which shapes a quiet residential character. Car ownership is essential as 89.2% of commuters drive.
What is the median house price in Cranley?
The median house price is estimated at $419,000, based on 2025 data. Weekly rent averages $330 and monthly mortgage repayments run approximately $1,517. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 31.5% is just above the 30% stress threshold, so buyers should stress-test their borrowing capacity at current rates.
What schools are in Cranley?
No schools are recorded within the Cranley boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring Toowoomba suburbs. University qualifications among residents stand at 24.3%, which is 5.8 percentage points below the national figure, reflecting a workforce historically centred on trades and services rather than professional degrees.
Is Cranley safe?
Detailed crime statistics for Cranley are not available in this dataset. As a contextual indicator, the suburb has a long-settled population where 57.3% own their homes outright and 64.0% remained in place over the reference period, both consistent with a stable, low-transience community. The need-for-assistance rate of 15.3% reflects the older age profile rather than social disadvantage.
Is Cranley good for property investment?
The gross rental yield is near 4.1%, based on $330 per week rent against a $419,000 median, which is higher than most capital city markets. However, the vacancy rate of 7.0% is elevated, signalling softer rental demand. Development activity is very low at 2 applications in 12 months, limiting near-term supply risk but also reducing capital growth catalysts.
How is Cranley's population changing?
Cranley's population of 2,281 reflects an aging-resident base with a median age of 60, which is 20 years above the national figure. The household turnover rate of 36.0% means 64.0% of residents stayed in place, consistent with low mobility. Growth prospects depend on Toowoomba's regional trajectory, and the affordable $419,000 median may attract younger buyers over time.
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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