Edge Hill
At a median age of 42 and with 38.6% of residents holding university qualifications, Edge Hill sits 2 years older and 8.5 percentage points more educated than the national average. The suburb covers 2.6 km2 near Cairns with a population of 4,088, growing just 3.8% over the past decade. Healthcare dominates the local economy at 29.3% of the workforce, reflecting proximity to Cairns Hospital. Household income places Edge Hill in the 58.1st percentile nationally, comfortably above the median, while a 9.3% rental vacancy rate signals softer rental demand than tighter coastal markets.
Population
4,088
Median Age
42.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,674/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
10
Median House
$415K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The median house price is estimated at $415,000 based on rent data from 2025, with monthly mortgage repayments around $1,618 and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.3%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. Separate houses make up 70.0% of dwellings, higher than many comparable urban suburbs, with apartments at 23.7%. Three-bedroom homes are the most common at 36.9%, followed by 4-plus bedrooms at 30.1% and 2-bedroom at 26.0%. Outright owners at 32.4% nearly match mortgage holders at 30.8%, suggesting an established, settled ownership base. The rent-to-income ratio of 18.5% keeps renting comfortable for the 36.8% of households who do so.
For Buyers
The median house price is estimated at $415,000 based on rent data from 2025, with monthly mortgage repayments around $1,618 and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.3%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. Separate houses make up 70.0% of dwellings, higher than many comparable urban suburbs, with apartments at 23.7%. Three-bedroom homes are the most common at 36.9%, followed by 4-plus bedrooms at 30.1% and 2-bedroom at 26.0%. Outright owners at 32.4% nearly match mortgage holders at 30.8%, suggesting an established, settled ownership base. The rent-to-income ratio of 18.5% keeps renting comfortable for the 36.8% of households who do so.
For Investors
With 36.8% of dwellings rented and weekly rent at $310, Edge Hill offers a functional tenant pool, though the 9.3% vacancy rate is elevated compared to tighter Queensland markets, suggesting oversupply in the rental segment. The median house price of $415,000 against $310 weekly rent implies a gross yield of approximately 3.9%, modest but more viable than inner-city alternatives. Population growth is slow at 0.14% annually and 12 persons per year, with overseas migration the primary driver at an average net 84 arrivals annually, partly offsetting internal outflows of 56 per year. Development activity is low at 7 applications in the past 12 months, limiting near-term new supply risk. The aging demographic trajectory and flat growth profile favour steady-hold investors over growth-focused strategies.
Development Activity
Total DAs
10
Last 12 Months
10
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 Edge Hill iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Edge Hill State School
Prep-6 · 864 students
Demographics
The median age of 42 is 2 years above the national figure, and the suburb is aging, with the senior share rising 5.1 percentage points and the working-age share falling 2.4 points over the past decade. Overseas-born residents account for 25.2% of the population, 3.6 percentage points above the national average. Ancestry is predominantly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (1,578), Irish (609) and Scottish (488), with German (276) also present. University qualifications at 38.6% run 8.5 points above the national figure. Average household size is 2.3, marginally below the national figure by 0.2. Couples with children (1,149) outnumber couples without children (842) among the 2,915 total families, suggesting the suburb retains family households despite the aging trend.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
70.0%
Houses
6.3%
Townhouse
23.7%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure is split between outright owners (32.4%), mortgage holders (30.8%) and renters (36.8%), with ownership rates collectively at 63.2%, above what the national renter share would suggest for a suburb of this type. Separate houses dominate at 70.0%, with apartments at 23.7% and semi-detached at 6.3%, a stock profile that favours families. Three-bedroom dwellings lead at 36.9%, followed closely by 4-plus bedroom homes at 30.1%, consistent with the family-friendly dwelling mix. The median house price of $415,000 sits at an estimated level derived from 2025 rent data rather than direct transaction records. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,618 and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.3% remain below the national stress benchmark, making Edge Hill more accessible than many Queensland coastal markets.
Mortgage / mo
$1,618
Rent / wk
$310
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$942
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.3%
Unoccupied
166
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.3%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
28.9%
Couples, no children
2,915
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare employs 29.3% of the local workforce (447 workers), substantially above the national proportion and tied closely to Cairns Hospital nearby. Education at 12.4% and Public Administration at 9.0% make up the next largest sectors, giving the suburb a public-sector and services orientation. Professionals are the dominant occupation at 672 workers, ahead of Community and Personal service workers at 295 and Managers at 255. The unemployment rate is 5.2%, slightly above national benchmarks, with a participation rate of 62.3%. Real income grew 7.0% over the decade, and household income sits in the 58.1st percentile nationally. The SEIFA IEO decile of 7 confirms above-average educational and occupational advantage, while the IRSD decile of 6 and IRSAD decile of 6 place the suburb at moderate-to-above-average advantage overall.
Unemployment
2.4%
Labour Force
4,982
Unemployed
119
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
63.5%
Part-time
31.3%
Participation
62.3%
Employed
1,965
Occupations
Top Industries
University
38.6%
Postgraduate
10.9%
Born Overseas
25.2%
Dwellings
1,624
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high at 85.0% driving to work, while public transport use is low at 1.1%, consistent with Cairns' limited transit network. Walking and cycling account for 7.5% of commutes, above average for a regional city. Volunteering at 20.3% exceeds most suburb benchmarks nationally, reflecting an engaged, established community. Only 3.7% of residents (141 people) require assistance with daily activities. Crime data is not available in this dataset, so no direct crime rate comparison can be made. The IRSAD decile of 6 places Edge Hill in the moderate-to-above-average advantage tier nationally. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families draw on schools in surrounding Cairns suburbs. Housing stress is low, with rent-to-income at 18.5% and mortgage-to-income at 22.3%, both below the 30% stress threshold.
Drive
85.0%
Public Transport
1.1%
Walk / Cycle
7.5%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.14%/yr
(+12 people/yr)
EstablishedEdge Hill's population of 4,088 grew just 3.8% over the past decade, adding approximately 12 persons per year at a 0.14% annual rate. The medium forecast projects the broader SA2 population rising gradually from 8,573 in 2025 to 8,652 by 2031, a continuation of the slow-growth trajectory. Overseas migration is the only net positive driver at 84 arrivals annually, while internal migration runs at a net outflow of 56 per year, a pattern common to regional centres that draw international residents but lose locals to larger cities. Rent growth of 30.0% over the measured period outpaced real income growth of 7.0%, tightening affordability for renters even as the overall rent-to-income ratio of 18.5% stays manageable. The gentrification score reads 0, consistent with an established suburb that is aging rather than transforming.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+84
Net Internal / yr
-56
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Edge Hill compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Edge Hill a good suburb to live in?
Edge Hill ranks at SEIFA IRSAD decile 6, placing it in the moderate-to-above-average advantage tier nationally. University qualifications reach 38.6%, some 8.5 percentage points above national. Housing stress is low, with mortgage-to-income at 22.3% and rent-to-income at 18.5%. The main trade-offs are limited public transport at 1.1% usage and a 9.3% rental vacancy rate.
What is the median house price in Edge Hill?
The median house price is estimated at $415,000 based on 2025 rent data. Monthly mortgage repayments average approximately $1,618, and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 22.3%, below the 30% stress threshold. Weekly rent averages $310, giving a rent-to-income ratio of 18.5%.
What schools are in Edge Hill?
No schools are recorded inside the Edge Hill boundary in this dataset. The suburb's population is well educated, with 38.6% holding university qualifications, which is 8.5 points above the national figure. Families rely on schools in surrounding Cairns suburbs.
Is Edge Hill safe?
Crime statistics are not available for Edge Hill in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores SEIFA IRSD decile 6, placing it above average nationally for low disadvantage. Only 3.7% of residents (141 people) need daily assistance, and the volunteering rate of 20.3% suggests a stable, engaged community.
Is Edge Hill good for property investment?
The 36.8% renter share and $310 weekly rent against a $415,000 median imply a gross yield near 3.9%, modest but functional. However, the 9.3% vacancy rate is elevated compared to tighter Queensland coastal markets, signalling oversupply in the rental segment. Population growth of 0.14% annually is slow, so returns depend more on long-term capital preservation than near-term growth.
How is Edge Hill's population changing?
Population grew 3.8% over the past decade, adding about 12 persons per year at a 0.14% annual rate. Overseas migration adds a net 84 residents annually, while internal migration runs at a net outflow of 56. The medium forecast projects the broader SA2 area reaching 8,652 by 2031. The demographic trend is aging, with the senior share up 5.1 percentage points over the decade.
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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