Dundowran
At 1,085 residents across 12.71 square kilometres, Dundowran has a low density of 85.4 people per square kilometre and a distinctly detached housing base, with 97.0% of dwellings being separate houses. The median age is 42, which is 2 years above the national figure, while 57.1% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms. Compared with nearby Hervey Bay areas such as Eli Waters, this points to a lower-density setting suited to families, established households and older residents. Internal migration and 2.21% annual growth add momentum, although the suburb is on an aging trajectory, with the senior share up 7.3%.
Local council: Fraser Coast
Population
1,085
Median Age
42.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,403/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
26
Dundowran suits buyers seeking larger detached homes, because 97.0% of dwellings are separate houses and 57.1% contain 4 or more bedrooms. The tenure mix also reflects a strong mortgage-belt profile: 42.2% of households are paying a mortgage, compared with 39.7% owning outright and 17.3% renting. The monthly mortgage figure is $1,452, while mortgage costs equal 23.9% of household income, lower than the 25.7% rent-to-income share. Compared with more compact nearby suburbs, buyers should expect greater reliance on cars and should assess each property's land, upkeep and travel requirements carefully.
For Buyers
Dundowran suits buyers seeking larger detached homes, because 97.0% of dwellings are separate houses and 57.1% contain 4 or more bedrooms. The tenure mix also reflects a strong mortgage-belt profile: 42.2% of households are paying a mortgage, compared with 39.7% owning outright and 17.3% renting. The monthly mortgage figure is $1,452, while mortgage costs equal 23.9% of household income, lower than the 25.7% rent-to-income share. Compared with more compact nearby suburbs, buyers should expect greater reliance on cars and should assess each property's land, upkeep and travel requirements carefully.
For Investors
Dundowran has a modest rental base, with 17.3% of households renting, lower than the 39.7% owning outright. Weekly rent is $360 and vacancy is 6.4%, so investors should allow for periods of downtime when testing cash flow. A current median sale price is not established, preventing a meaningful gross-yield calculation from the available figures. The investment case is supported by 24 development applications in 12 months, 2.21% annual growth and internal migration as the primary growth driver. Compared with a purely static market, that combination suggests potential demand, but the detached housing profile and aging trajectory favour careful tenant and property selection.
Development Activity
Total DAs
40
Last 12 Months
26
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+271.4%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Dundowran has a median age of 42, 2 years above the national figure, and an average household size of 2.8, or 0.3 higher than nationally. University qualification levels are 19.0%, which is 11.1 percentage points below the national comparison, while the overseas-born share is 16.3%, 5.3 points lower. English ancestry is recorded for 513 residents, followed by Scottish at 140 and Irish at 108. Christianity accounts for 519 people and no religion for 463. Compared with more migrant-heavy or younger regional centres, Dundowran has a more established Anglo-Australian profile, helping explain its large-household and older-resident demand.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
97.0%
Houses
3.0%
Townhouse
0.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Dundowran's housing is overwhelmingly detached, with separate houses accounting for 97.0% and semi-detached dwellings 3.0%. Larger homes dominate: 57.1% have 4 or more bedrooms, 34.0% have 3 bedrooms and 7.9% have 2 bedrooms. Mortgage households represent 42.2%, higher than the 39.7% owning outright, while renting is comparatively low at 17.3%. Mortgage costs equal 23.9% of household income, lower than the 25.7% rent-to-income share, and average household size is 2.8. Compared with apartment-led markets, this structure points to more land, maintenance and family-space exposure, with fewer compact rental options.
Mortgage / mo
$1,452
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (Jun 2026 quarter), QLD RTA bond data. Census 2021 median: $360.
$590
Bond data Jun 2026 quarter · houses $590 · units $480
HH Size
2.8
Personal Income / wk
$612
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
6.4%
Unoccupied
25
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.9%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
38.3%
Couples with children
45.9%
Couples, no children
17.8%
Single parent
303
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is Dundowran's largest industry at 29.3%, or 79 workers, followed by education at 11.5% and 31 workers, construction at 8.5% and 23, retail at 7.0% and 19, and public administration at 7.0% and 19. The leading occupations are community and personal services with 90 workers, professionals with 67, clerical and administration with 59, trades with 57, and sales with 40. Employment is mixed, with a 57.5% full-time rate, 5.7% unemployment and 54.2% participation. The economic resources decile of 8 is above the education and occupation decile of 4, suggesting household resources rank higher than formal qualification and job-profile measures. IRSAD and IRSD both sit at decile 5, around the national midpoint.
Unemployment
5.7%
Labour Force
454
Unemployed
26
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
57.5%
Part-time
34.6%
Participation
54.2%
Employed
428
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
19.0%
Postgraduate
3.4%
Born Overseas
16.3%
Dwellings
368
Transport to Work
Dundowran's 12.71 square kilometres and density of 85.4 people per square kilometre create a lower-density lifestyle than compact urban suburbs. Daily movement is strongly car-based, with 81.5% driving to work, compared with 2.7% walking or cycling, while 9.1% work from home. That pattern can suit households wanting space, but it makes vehicle access and trip planning more important. The IRSAD decile is 5, close to the national midpoint, while 14.3% of residents volunteer and 9.5% need assistance with core activities. Compared with denser nearby areas, families should check school catchments, transport times and local services against the exact address, and review recent incident patterns before choosing a street.
Drive
81.5%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
2.7%
Work from Home
9.1%
Growth Outlook
Dundowran's growth outlook is established but active rather than explosive. Annual growth is forecast at 2.21%, with internal migration identified as the primary driver. Population change across the wider area is 24.1% over 10 years, while the shift is classified as Aging. The senior share has increased 7.3%, higher than the 3.5% decline in the young share, so future demand is likely to favour accessible homes and services as well as family housing. Gentrification is labelled Active with a score of 43, higher than the earlier shift score of 33. Rent growth of 25.0% and real income growth of 15.1% indicate changing affordability pressures alongside continued demand.
Population trend: Fraser Coast council area
Dundowran sits in the Fraser Coast council area. These are the council area's residents, not Dundowran's.
Residents 2025
122,924
Growth, 5 yr average
+2.3%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+2.1%
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 Dundowran compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dundowran a good suburb to live in?
Dundowran can suit households wanting space, detached housing and a quieter setting. It has 1,085 residents, a density of 85.4 people per square kilometre and 97.0% separate houses. The trade-off is car dependence, with 81.5% driving to work, so access to services and school travel should be checked for each address.
What is the median house price in Dundowran?
There is no current median house price figure to quote for Dundowran. Buyers should compare recent sales of similar properties, particularly because 97.0% of homes are separate houses and 57.1% have 4 or more bedrooms. The weekly rent is $360, but rent should not be used as a substitute for a sale-price estimate.
What schools are in Dundowran?
Families should check nearby school options, enrolment zones and travel times using the exact Dundowran address. The suburb covers 12.71 square kilometres and 81.5% of workers drive, indicating that school access may be more car-dependent than in compact urban areas. School quality or eligibility should be confirmed directly with each school.
Is Dundowran safe?
A definitive safety judgement requires recent Queensland Police incident checks and a review of the exact street. Dundowran's density is 85.4 people per square kilometre, but low density alone does not establish safety. Prospective residents should compare recent incidents, lighting, traffic conditions and access to emergency services before committing to a property.
Is Dundowran good for property investment?
Dundowran may suit investors seeking detached rental property in a market recording 2.21% annual growth and internal migration. Weekly rent is $360 and vacancy is 6.4%, while 24 development applications were recorded over 12 months. The 17.3% rental share is below outright ownership at 39.7%, so tenant demand and achievable rent should be tested carefully.
How is Dundowran's population changing?
Growth is being driven by internal migration, with annual growth forecast at 2.21% and population change across the wider area measured at 24.1% over 10 years. The trajectory is Aging: the senior share has risen 7.3% while the young share has fallen 3.5%. That should increase demand for accessible services alongside established family housing.
What development is occurring in Dundowran?
Dundowran recorded 24 development applications over 12 months, including industrial lot reconfiguration and proposals involving a food and drink outlet, medium impact industry and a service station. This level of activity is higher than a purely static local market and may improve services or employment, although residents should assess traffic, noise and land-use impacts.
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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