East Innisfail
All four SEIFA indexes place East Innisfail in decile 1, the most disadvantaged tier nationally, yet the suburb maintains a 41.8% renter share and a median house price estimated at $313,000, well below the national median. The 1,757 residents live in a compact 1.35 sq km footprint, with 86.5% of dwellings being separate houses. Household income sits in the 17.1st percentile nationally, and the unemployment rate of 9.4% is roughly double the Australian average. Healthcare dominates employment at 24.2% of the local workforce, while an 11.4% vacancy rate signals soft rental demand despite relatively low rents of $255 per week.
Population
1,757
Median Age
39.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,092/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
6
Median House
$313K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The median house price of $313,000 makes East Innisfail highly affordable compared to the national median, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.9% sits below the 30% stress threshold despite household incomes in just the 17.1st percentile nationally. Separate houses account for 86.5% of dwellings, with three-bedroom homes the most common at 50.5% and four-plus bedroom homes at 23.8%. The 34.2% outright ownership rate indicates a base of long-term residents without debt, while 24.0% carry mortgages. Weekly rent averages $255, and monthly mortgage repayments average $1,083. Buyers should note the high vacancy rate of 11.4%, which reflects subdued housing demand in a slow-growth area where population has risen just 0.4% over ten years.
For Buyers
The median house price of $313,000 makes East Innisfail highly affordable compared to the national median, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.9% sits below the 30% stress threshold despite household incomes in just the 17.1st percentile nationally. Separate houses account for 86.5% of dwellings, with three-bedroom homes the most common at 50.5% and four-plus bedroom homes at 23.8%. The 34.2% outright ownership rate indicates a base of long-term residents without debt, while 24.0% carry mortgages. Weekly rent averages $255, and monthly mortgage repayments average $1,083. Buyers should note the high vacancy rate of 11.4%, which reflects subdued housing demand in a slow-growth area where population has risen just 0.4% over ten years.
For Investors
A 41.8% renter share provides a large tenant pool, but the $255 weekly rent against a $313,000 median produces a gross yield near 4.2%, reasonable by Queensland regional standards. The 11.4% vacancy rate is the key concern: it is elevated above typical healthy markets and signals more supply than current demand can absorb. Development activity is low at just 5 applications in the past 12 months, mostly small structures, so new supply is not the driver. Net overseas migration averages positive 89 residents per year, the primary population driver, while internal migration runs negative 62 annually. Rent grew 32.3% over the measurement period, a stronger result than house prices suggest. Investors should weigh the yield opportunity against the decile 1 SEIFA score, which correlates with higher tenant risk and limited capital growth runway.
Development Activity
Total DAs
6
Last 12 Months
6
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 East Innisfail iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Innisfail East State School
Prep-6 · 148 students
Radiant Life College
Prep-10 · 137 students
Demographics
The median age of 39 is one year below the national figure, and the demographic trajectory is aging, with the senior share up 3.5 points and the young share down 1.2 points over the decade. Overseas-born residents make up 15.2% of the population, compared to the national figure of around 30%, indicating a predominantly locally born community. Ancestry is Anglo-Celtic dominated, led by English (526), Irish (207) and Scottish (138). Average household size is 2.3, which is 0.2 below the national figure. The university qualification rate of 20.0% runs 10.1 points below national, consistent with the decile 1 IEO score for education and occupation. Volunteering reaches 16.6% of residents, and 7.2% require daily assistance, somewhat higher than more advantaged suburbs.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
86.5%
Houses
7.0%
Townhouse
6.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure splits with 34.2% owning outright, 24.0% carrying a mortgage and 41.8% renting. The high renter share relative to owners reflects the low-income profile, where household incomes sit in the 17.1st percentile nationally and purchasing capacity is constrained. The stock is strongly detached, with 86.5% separate houses and apartments accounting for just 6.0%. Three-bedroom dwellings dominate at 50.5%, followed by four-plus bedrooms at 23.8%. The median house price is estimated at $313,000, with weekly rent at $255 and monthly mortgage repayments at $1,083. Mortgage-to-income at 22.9% and rent-to-income at 23.4% both stay below the 30% stress threshold, meaning housing costs are manageable relative to incomes despite those incomes being well below the national median.
Mortgage / mo
$1,083
Rent / wk
$255
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$628
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
11.4%
Unoccupied
89
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.9%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
29.2%
Couples, no children
1,240
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads employment at 24.2% of workers (104 people), well above what a suburb of 1,757 residents would typically sustain, likely serving the broader Innisfail area. Agriculture follows at 11.9% (51 workers) and Education at 10.7% (46 workers), reflecting the regional Far North Queensland economy. The unemployment rate of 9.4% is approximately double the national average, and the labour force participation rate of 51.9% is low, with 494 residents not in the labour force. All four SEIFA deciles sit at 1, the lowest nationally, indicating concentrated socioeconomic disadvantage. Real income grew 10.2% over the decade, and full-time employment runs at 59.6% of those employed. Labourers are the largest occupation group at 158 workers, followed by Professionals at 123.
Unemployment
11.7%
Labour Force
4,327
Unemployed
507
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
59.6%
Part-time
31.0%
Participation
51.9%
Employed
658
Occupations
Top Industries
University
20.0%
Postgraduate
4.2%
Born Overseas
15.2%
Dwellings
683
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high, with 78.8% of residents driving to work, above the national average, and public transport use at 1.6% reflects the limited service typical of regional Queensland. Walking and cycling account for 3.5% of commutes. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary, so families depend on nearby Innisfail institutions. The suburb scores decile 1 on IRSAD, the lowest tier nationally, indicating concentrated disadvantage. At 7.2%, the share of residents needing daily assistance is higher than most suburban averages, consistent with both the aging profile and the low-income base. Rent-to-income at 23.4% keeps housing costs manageable for renters. With a density of 1,300 residents per sq km and a predominantly detached-house layout, the suburb offers space but limited access to services within its 1.35 sq km footprint.
Drive
78.8%
Public Transport
1.6%
Walk / Cycle
3.5%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
-0.15%/yr
(-14 people/yr)
EstablishedAnnual population growth runs at negative 0.15%, equivalent to losing about 14 persons per year. Over ten years the suburb grew just 0.4%, classifying it as an established, slow-growth area. The medium forecast projects the broader area population declining from approximately 9,452 today to around 9,351 by 2031. The primary growth driver is overseas migration at a positive 89 net arrivals annually, which partially offsets internal outflow of negative 62 per year. The gentrification score sits at 10 out of 100, firmly in the not gentrifying category, consistent with decile 1 disadvantage across all SEIFA measures. Affordability held stable from 41.3% in 2011 to 40.3% in 2021, and rent grew 32.3% over the period, faster than the slow population trajectory would suggest.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+89
Net Internal / yr
-62
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
COVID recovered (-2% dip → full recovery)
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How East Innisfail compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is East Innisfail a good suburb to live in?
East Innisfail offers genuinely affordable housing with a $313,000 median and mortgage costs at 22.9% of income, well below the 30% stress level. The trade-off is significant disadvantage: all 4 SEIFA indexes score decile 1, the lowest tier nationally, and unemployment sits at 9.4%, roughly double the Australian average. It suits buyers prioritising affordability over amenity.
What is the median house price in East Innisfail?
The median house price is estimated at $313,000, making it highly affordable compared to most Australian markets. Weekly rent averages $255, and monthly mortgage repayments run around $1,083. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.9% stays below the 30% stress threshold despite household incomes in the 17.1st percentile nationally.
What schools are in East Innisfail?
No schools are recorded inside the East Innisfail suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in adjacent Innisfail, which serves as the main centre for the area. The local university qualification rate is 20.0%, which is 10.1 percentage points below the national figure.
Is East Innisfail safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for East Innisfail in this dataset. As an indirect measure, the suburb scores decile 1 on IRSD, the most disadvantaged tier nationally, and unemployment is 9.4%, both factors associated with higher crime risk in comparable areas. Prospective residents should check Queensland Police Service crime mapping for current data.
Is East Innisfail good for property investment?
The 41.8% renter share and $255 weekly rent against a $313,000 median imply a gross yield near 4.2%, which is reasonable. However, the 11.4% vacancy rate is elevated, and annual population growth is negative 0.15%. Rent grew 32.3% over the period, but the decile 1 SEIFA profile and net internal outflow of 62 residents per year limit capital growth prospects.
How is East Innisfail's population changing?
The suburb is losing population at approximately 14 persons per year, a rate of negative 0.15% annually. Over 10 years, total growth was just 0.4%. Overseas migration adds a net 89 residents annually, the primary positive driver, while internal migration removes 62. The medium forecast projects the broader area declining from around 9,452 to about 9,351 by 2031.
What industries employ residents in East Innisfail?
Healthcare is the largest employer at 24.2% of workers (104 people), above what the suburb's 1,757 population would typically sustain, indicating it draws workers from surrounding areas. Agriculture employs 11.9% (51 workers) and Education 10.7% (46 workers). The unemployment rate of 9.4% is approximately double the national average.
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.
Explore East Innisfail on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map