Earlville
At a median age of 44, Earlville sits 4 years above the national figure, and the suburb's aging trajectory is the defining structural fact for buyers and investors alike. Household income lands at the 22.6th percentile nationally, placing Earlville firmly in the lower-income band despite a relatively stable affordability trend between 2011 and 2021. The median house price of $387,000 reflects that affordability, running well below most coastal QLD markets. Renters make up 37.9% of households, above the national average, while outright ownership at 31.5% points to a base of long-held, debt-free stock rather than active churn.
Population
4,200
Median Age
44.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,166/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
5
Median House
$387K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The $387,000 median house price puts Earlville significantly below the national median, making entry-level purchase accessible for buyers priced out of larger QLD coastal markets. Separate houses account for 60.2% of the stock, giving buyers genuine choice in detached dwellings, with semi-detached adding another 21.8%. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 38.1%, followed by two-bedroom at 29.1% and four-plus at 22.5%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,500, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 29.7% sits just below the 30% stress threshold, meaning buyers on typical local wages are not in financial stress. Outright owners at 31.5% exceed mortgage holders at 30.6%, a sign the suburb retains long-term residents rather than cycling through new buyers.
For Buyers
The $387,000 median house price puts Earlville significantly below the national median, making entry-level purchase accessible for buyers priced out of larger QLD coastal markets. Separate houses account for 60.2% of the stock, giving buyers genuine choice in detached dwellings, with semi-detached adding another 21.8%. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 38.1%, followed by two-bedroom at 29.1% and four-plus at 22.5%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,500, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 29.7% sits just below the 30% stress threshold, meaning buyers on typical local wages are not in financial stress. Outright owners at 31.5% exceed mortgage holders at 30.6%, a sign the suburb retains long-term residents rather than cycling through new buyers.
For Investors
Renters comprise 37.9% of households, higher than the state average, supporting consistent tenant demand. Weekly rent of $290 against a $387,000 median implies a gross yield near 3.9%, above what most Sydney or Brisbane inner-ring suburbs offer. The vacancy rate of 6.9% is elevated, however, meaning landlords face real competition to fill dwellings. Net overseas migration averages 50 arrivals per year, the primary population driver, while internal migration runs at minus 8, indicating modest net outflow to other parts of QLD. Development activity is low at just 2 applications in the past 12 months, so new supply pressure is minimal. Rent grew 30.8% over the measured period, outpacing the 3.5% real income growth, which has compressed affordability modestly.
Development Activity
Total DAs
5
Last 12 Months
5
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 Earlville iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Our Lady Help of Christians School
Prep-6 · 506 students
Demographics
The median age of 44 is 4 years above the national figure, and the senior share rose 6.5 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 3.3 points, confirming a consistent aging trajectory. Overseas-born residents reach 24%, which is 2.4 points above national, with Korean, Japanese, Cantonese and Nepali speakers among the top non-English language groups. Ancestry is predominantly Anglo-Celtic: English (1,449 residents), Irish (504) and Scottish (405) are the three largest groups. University qualifications at 23.9% run 6.2 points below the national average, aligning with the suburb's concentration in hands-on industries. Average household size of 2.2 is 0.3 below the national figure, consistent with a population weighted toward couples without children (30.7% of families).
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
60.2%
Houses
21.8%
Townhouse
16.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure splits relatively evenly across three categories: 31.5% own outright, 30.6% carry a mortgage and 37.9% rent, with renters the largest single group. The outright-owner share slightly exceeding mortgage holders reflects an older population that has paid down debt over time. Separate houses make up 60.2% of the stock, semi-detached 21.8% and apartments 16.6%, a mix that is more house-heavy than the QLD urban average. Three-bedroom homes account for 38.1% and two-bedroom 29.1%, with four-plus adding 22.5%. The vacancy rate of 6.9% is above typical healthy levels of 2-3%, suggesting modest oversupply that keeps rents competitive at $290 per week. Rent-to-income at 24.9% and mortgage-to-income at 29.7% both sit below the 30% stress threshold, indicating housing costs remain manageable relative to local incomes.
Mortgage / mo
$1,500
Rent / wk
$290
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$700
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
6.9%
Unoccupied
129
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.9%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
29.7%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
30.7%
Couples, no children
2,838
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant employment sector at 22.1% of workers (256 people), nearly double the second-largest sector, Education at 10.9% (126). Construction follows at 8.6% and Public Administration at 8.5%, with Hospitality rounding out the top five at 7.6%. By occupation, Professionals lead at 342 workers, followed by Community and Personal Services at 283 and Clerical and Administrative at 221, with Labourers at 216. The unemployment rate of 5.7% is above national averages, and participation is just 50.1%, partly because 1,285 residents are not in the labour force, a figure consistent with the older median age. Full-time employment runs at 60.6% among those working. SEIFA scores sit at decile 5 on IRSD and IRSAD, placing Earlville at the national midpoint rather than in disadvantage territory, while the IER decile 4 reflects lower economic resources typical of a renting-heavy, mid-income suburb.
Unemployment
4.8%
Labour Force
4,646
Unemployed
223
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
60.6%
Part-time
33.7%
Participation
50.1%
Employed
1,664
Occupations
Top Industries
University
23.9%
Postgraduate
4.1%
Born Overseas
24.0%
Dwellings
1,737
Transport to Work
Private car use dominates at 83.3%, well above the national average, reflecting Earlville's car-dependent layout on Cairns' southern fringe. Public transport captures only 1.8% of commuters, compared to higher rates in more transit-served capitals, though 5.8% walk or cycle. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families rely on facilities in neighbouring Cairns suburbs. The IRSAD decile of 5 places Earlville at the national midpoint for socio-economic advantage, neither strongly advantaged nor disadvantaged. The need-for-assistance rate of 8.1% (309 people) is notable given the older age profile, and volunteering reaches 14.8%, indicating active community participation. Rent-to-income at 24.9% keeps tenants below the housing stress line, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 29.7% does the same for owners with loans.
Drive
83.3%
Public Transport
1.8%
Walk / Cycle
5.8%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.3%/yr
(+26 people/yr)
EstablishedAnnual population growth is 0.3%, adding roughly 26 people per year, and the 10-year change of 4.8% classifies Earlville as a slow-growth, established suburb. Medium forecasts project the broader SA2 population rising from around 8,700 to 8,832 by 2031, modest growth consistent with the trend. Overseas migration is the sole positive driver at a net 50 arrivals per year, with internal migration running at minus 8 annually. The gentrification score is 0 and the stage reads not gentrifying, meaning no upward price pressure from demographic change is expected in the short term. Affordability has been broadly stable, moving from 41.9% in 2011 to 43.1% in 2021, a minimal shift compared to higher-growth markets. Residential turnover at 26.8% means about 73% of residents stayed in place at the 2021 Census, reinforcing the low-churn character.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+50
Net Internal / yr
-8
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Earlville compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Earlville a good suburb to live in?
Earlville offers accessible housing with a $387,000 median price well below most QLD coastal markets, and housing costs sit below the 30% stress threshold for both renters (24.9% rent-to-income) and mortgage holders (29.7%). SEIFA places it at decile 5 nationally, indicating a mid-range socio-economic standing. The suburb suits buyers seeking affordability over prestige, with 60.2% of dwellings being separate houses.
What is the median house price in Earlville?
The median house price is estimated at $387,000 based on 2025 rental data. Weekly rent averages $290 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $1,500, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 29.7%, just below the 30% stress threshold. This pricing positions Earlville as one of the more affordable suburbs in the Cairns region.
What schools are in Earlville?
No schools are recorded inside the Earlville suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring Cairns suburbs. University qualification rates locally are 23.9%, which is 6.2 points below the national average, reflecting the suburb's concentration in trade and service sector employment.
Is Earlville safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Earlville in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores decile 5 on the IRSD index, placing it at the national midpoint rather than in high-disadvantage territory. The unemployment rate of 5.7% is modestly above national levels, which is a factor some researchers associate with crime risk in comparable suburbs.
Is Earlville good for property investment?
Renters make up 37.9% of households, above the state average, supporting tenant demand. Weekly rent of $290 against a $387,000 median implies a gross yield near 3.9%, higher than most inner-city markets. However, a vacancy rate of 6.9% signals real competition among landlords. Rent growth of 30.8% over the measured period and net overseas migration of 50 per year provide demand support.
How is Earlville's population changing?
Annual growth is 0.3%, adding about 26 residents per year. The 10-year change of 4.8% is slow by QLD standards. Overseas migration is the primary driver at a net 50 per year, partly offset by internal outflow of 8 per year. Medium forecasts project the broader area reaching 8,832 residents by 2031, up from around 8,700 currently.
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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