Diddillibah
At 46, Diddillibah's median age is 6 years above the national median, an older profile than many coastal growth areas. The 1,703-resident locality covers 11.05 square kilometres at 154.2 people per square kilometre, with 93.8% of homes detached. Mortgage costs are a pressure point: the 35.7% mortgage-to-income ratio is higher than the 23.2% rent-to-income ratio. Compared with Maroochydore and Bli Bli, its appeal is more tied to detached housing and driving than to dense, transit-led living. Growth tracks at 1.73% annually with an Aging trajectory.
Local council: Sunshine Coast
Population
1,703
Median Age
46.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,424/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
14
Homebuyers are choosing a detached, low-density market, with separate houses making up 93.8% of dwellings and 4 or more bedrooms accounting for 44.9%, compared with 31.2% for 2-bedroom homes. That mix suits buyers seeking land and larger floorplans, but it can narrow the entry-level pool because apartments and semi-detached dwellings each represent only 0.7%. A monthly mortgage figure of $2,200 sits alongside mortgage stress of 35.7% of household income, higher than rent-to-income at 23.2%. With no current median house price, buyers should compare individual sales, lot size and renovation costs rather than rely on a suburb-wide benchmark.
For Buyers
Homebuyers are choosing a detached, low-density market, with separate houses making up 93.8% of dwellings and 4 or more bedrooms accounting for 44.9%, compared with 31.2% for 2-bedroom homes. That mix suits buyers seeking land and larger floorplans, but it can narrow the entry-level pool because apartments and semi-detached dwellings each represent only 0.7%. A monthly mortgage figure of $2,200 sits alongside mortgage stress of 35.7% of household income, higher than rent-to-income at 23.2%. With no current median house price, buyers should compare individual sales, lot size and renovation costs rather than rely on a suburb-wide benchmark.
For Investors
Investment demand is shaped by a modest rental base: 13.9% of occupied homes are rented, while weekly rent is $330 and vacancy is 4.1%. Compared with the 49.1% owned outright and 33.4% mortgaged, the tenant pool is smaller, so leasing depth may depend on pricing and property condition. No median house price is available, preventing a reliable gross yield calculation. The wider growth trend is 1.73% a year, migration is labelled Balanced, and 13 development applications were recorded over 12 months. Rent growth of 35.6% is higher than real income growth of 14.5%, which can support rents but also test affordability.
Development Activity
Total DAs
22
Last 12 Months
14
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+366.7%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Diddillibah has 1,703 residents and a median age of 46, which is 6 years above the national comparison. The overseas-born share is 19.7%, 1.9 percentage points below the national figure, while university attainment is 27.7%, 2.4 points lower. Average household size is 2.6, only 0.1 above the national level, and 75.9% stayed at the same address, helping explain the established household base. English ancestry counts 794 people, followed by Scottish at 213, Irish at 167 and German at 122. No religion and Christianity are similarly prominent at 784 and 764, giving the locality a more Anglo-leaning profile than a migrant-majority suburb.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
93.8%
Houses
0.7%
Townhouse
0.7%
Apartment
Tenure
Housing is overwhelmingly detached: separate houses account for 93.8% of dwellings, versus 0.7% apartments and 0.7% semi-detached homes. The bedroom profile is also larger than a compact unit market, with 44.9% of dwellings containing 4 or more bedrooms and 31.2% containing 2 bedrooms. Tenure is weighted toward owners, with 49.1% owned outright and 33.4% under mortgage, compared with 13.9% rented. This structure reflects established family housing, with 47.8% of couples having children, but mortgage pressure is higher than rental pressure: 35.7% of income versus 23.2%. Compared with Maroochydore's more urban housing context, buyers should expect fewer small-format options and assess maintenance costs carefully.
Mortgage / mo
$2,200
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (Jun 2026 quarter), QLD RTA bond data. Census 2021 median: $330.
$680
Bond data Jun 2026 quarter · houses $680
HH Size
2.6
Personal Income / wk
$683
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.1%
Unoccupied
26
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
35.7% stressed
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
47.8%
Couples with children
39.8%
Couples, no children
10.9%
Single parent
450
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the largest named industry at 19.7%, or 100 workers, followed by construction at 16.3% and 83, education at 12.2% and 62, professional and technical work at 7.5% and 38, and retail at 5.7% and 29. Occupations are led by professionals at 156, managers at 113 and trades at 108. Unemployment is 6.7%, participation is 56.9% and full-time employment is 54.5%, tying local demand to care, building and education services. SEIFA records IEO decile 6, IER 8, IRSD 6 and IRSAD 6. The IER result is higher than the other deciles, consistent with 49.1% outright ownership, while household income ranks at the 42nd percentile nationally.
Unemployment
6.7%
Labour Force
793
Unemployed
53
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
54.5%
Part-time
36.8%
Participation
56.9%
Employed
740
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
27.7%
Postgraduate
6.6%
Born Overseas
19.7%
Dwellings
592
Transport to Work
Day-to-day life is strongly car dependent. About 73.8% travel as car drivers, compared with 1.3% using public transport and 1.8% walking or cycling; 18.1% work from home, which may soften commute pressure for some households. The 11.05 square kilometre area has a density of 154.2 people per square kilometre, giving the locality a lower-intensity feel than a dense centre. IRSAD sits in decile 6, while volunteering reaches 17.7% and 7.2% of residents need assistance. Check recent Queensland Police information and visit the exact street at different times. Families should verify nearby school options and enrolment zones against the address, because practical access matters more than suburb labels.
Drive
73.8%
Public Transport
1.3%
Walk / Cycle
1.8%
Work from Home
18.1%
Growth Outlook
Growth is steady rather than explosive, with the annual trend at 1.73% and migration labelled Balanced. Across the wider area, population change is 30.9% over 10 years, while Diddillibah's shift is Aging: the senior share rose 8.2 percentage points and the working share fell 6.1 points. Gentrification is at the Early signs stage with a score of 27, indicating change without a dominant shift in identity. Rent growth of 35.6% is higher than real income growth of 14.5%, while affordability is labelled Improving, moving from 58.8 in 2011 to 56.6 in 2021. Demand should persist, but aging and housing costs matter more than rapid turnover.
Population trend: Sunshine Coast council area
Diddillibah sits in the Sunshine Coast council area. These are the council area's residents, not Diddillibah's.
Residents 2025
381,957
Growth, 5 yr average
+2.5%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+2.0%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Diddillibah compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Diddillibah a good suburb to live in?
Diddillibah suits buyers seeking detached homes, space and a quieter setting, but it is car dependent. The median age is 46, 6 years above the national median, and 73.8% drive to work compared with 1.3% using public transport. Check the exact street, commute and nearby services before deciding.
What is the median house price in Diddillibah?
A current median house price is not available for Diddillibah. Buyers can frame costs using the $2,200 monthly mortgage figure, $330 weekly rent and a 93.8% separate-house share, which is much higher than the 0.7% apartment share. Compare recent sales by land size and condition.
What schools are in Diddillibah?
School access should be checked against the exact address and enrolment zone, including nearby options outside Diddillibah. The suburb has 73.8% car drivers and only 1.3% public transport use, so driving may be more practical than transit for some school trips. Confirm routes and eligibility directly with each school.
Is Diddillibah safe?
A suburb-level crime rate is not available, so check recent Queensland Police information and visit the exact street at different times before buying or renting. Diddillibah has 1,703 residents and 7.2% need assistance, figures that provide context but are not safety measures. Compare several local streets rather than relying on a general label.
Is Diddillibah good for property investment?
Investment prospects are mixed. Weekly rent is $330, vacancy is 4.1% and 13 development applications were recorded over 12 months, while the annual growth trend is 1.73% and migration is Balanced. Compared with a high-renter market, the 13.9% rental share is modest, so yield depends heavily on purchase price, property quality and tenant demand.
How is Diddillibah's population changing?
Population change across the wider area is 30.9% over 10 years, with the annual trend at 1.73% and migration labelled Balanced. Diddillibah itself has 1,703 residents today and an Aging trajectory: the senior share increased 8.2 points while the working share fell 6.1 points. Gentrification is at the Early signs stage with a score of 27, so change is more likely to be gradual than youth-led.
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).
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