Elimbah
Household income in the 83rd percentile nationally stands out against a median house price of $503,000, making Elimbah one of the more affordable entry points for well-earning families on the Sunshine Coast hinterland. The suburb covers 101 square kilometres at a density of just 42 residents per km2, with 97.6% of dwellings being separate houses and 71.7% having 4 or more bedrooms. Mortgage-to-income sits at 21.2%, below the stress threshold, because relatively modest prices align with above-average household incomes of $2,183 per week. Population grew 15.3% over the past decade, and early signs of gentrification are emerging, though the suburb remains firmly in the affordable, detached-dominant, mortgage-belt category.
Population
4,290
Median Age
40.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,183/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
37
Median House
$503K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The median house price of $503,000 sits well below the national median for detached houses, making Elimbah accessible for buyers priced out of coastal markets. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,000, and mortgage-to-income is 21.2%, a comfortable ratio compared to the 30% stress benchmark. The stock is almost entirely separate houses at 97.6%, and 71.7% of those have 4 or more bedrooms, suiting families seeking space. Ownership is strong: 32.9% own outright and 57.6% are paying a mortgage, leaving only 9.5% renting. The low renter share and high mortgage rate reflect a community actively building equity rather than transitioning, which supports price stability. Buyers are effectively getting large family homes at a fraction of what the same dwelling would cost closer to Brisbane or the coast.
For Buyers
The median house price of $503,000 sits well below the national median for detached houses, making Elimbah accessible for buyers priced out of coastal markets. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,000, and mortgage-to-income is 21.2%, a comfortable ratio compared to the 30% stress benchmark. The stock is almost entirely separate houses at 97.6%, and 71.7% of those have 4 or more bedrooms, suiting families seeking space. Ownership is strong: 32.9% own outright and 57.6% are paying a mortgage, leaving only 9.5% renting. The low renter share and high mortgage rate reflect a community actively building equity rather than transitioning, which supports price stability. Buyers are effectively getting large family homes at a fraction of what the same dwelling would cost closer to Brisbane or the coast.
For Investors
Rental demand in Elimbah is thin, with only 9.5% of households renting and a vacancy rate of 4.3%, above the typical 3% threshold that signals balanced supply. Weekly rent of $370 against the $503,000 median implies a gross yield around 3.8%, modest but not negligible. Rent grew 23.3% over the period, outpacing many comparable hinterland suburbs, which points to improving rental fundamentals. Development activity is active at 36 applications in the past 12 months, including subdivision and operational works for Elimbah East Stage 3, signalling that new supply is being added. Net migration averages 36 internal arrivals and 18 overseas arrivals annually, supporting steady demand. The investment case favours long-hold capital growth over yield, given the affordability trajectory and population growth of 1.44% per year.
Development Activity
Total DAs
102
Last 12 Months
37
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-30.2%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Elimbah iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Elimbah State School
Prep-6 · 538 students
Demographics
The median age is 40, matching the national figure exactly, though the trajectory is aging with the senior share up 5.0 points over the decade while the young adult share fell 3.8 points. Overseas-born residents make up 14.5%, which is 7.1 percentage points below the national average, reflecting the Anglo-Celtic character: English ancestry leads at 1,882 residents, followed by Irish (454) and Scottish (447). University qualifications reach 18.1%, sitting 12.0 percentage points below the national figure, consistent with the suburb's concentration in trade and hands-on occupations. Average household size is 3.1 people, which is 0.6 above the national figure, and 41.6% of families are couples with children, pointing to a family-oriented, owner-occupier community. Volunteering at 12.0% reflects moderate community engagement.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
97.6%
Houses
N/A
Townhouse
1.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Elimbah is overwhelmingly a detached-house suburb, with 97.6% of dwellings being separate houses and only 1.6% apartments. The bedroom profile skews large: 71.7% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms and 23.8% have 3 bedrooms, meaning small dwellings are rare. Tenure data shows 32.9% of households own their home outright and 57.6% are on a mortgage, a mortgage-heavy split that is typical of suburbs attracting families at an earlier wealth stage. Rent-to-income at 16.9% is comfortably below the 30% stress level, and mortgage-to-income at 21.2% is similarly benign. The median house price of $503,000 is below the national detached-house median, and affordability improved from 50.8% of income in 2011 to 46.9% in 2021, meaning the suburb has become relatively more accessible over time despite nominal price growth.
Mortgage / mo
$2,000
Rent / wk
$370
HH Size
3.1
Personal Income / wk
$789
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.3%
Unoccupied
59
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
16.9%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.2%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
25.7%
Couples, no children
3,732
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads local employment at 16.6% of workers (228 people), closely followed by Construction at 16.3% (224), which reflects both the suburban growth phase and the trade-heavy occupational mix. Education accounts for 13.3% (182 workers) and Public Admin adds 7.1% (98). By occupation, Professionals (311) and Clerical workers (274) rank highest, but Labourers (273) and Managers (266) are nearly equal, showing a balanced workforce rather than a professional-dominant suburb. Unemployment is 5.2%, above the national average, and the participation rate of 60.3% is moderate, with 1,002 residents not in the labour force. Household income at the 83rd percentile nationally is notably high given that university qualification rates are 12 points below national, suggesting that trade-sector incomes and dual-income households drive the income ranking. SEIFA IRSAD sits at decile 5, placing Elimbah at the national median on the combined advantage-disadvantage measure.
Unemployment
2.8%
Labour Force
2,659
Unemployed
75
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
65.7%
Part-time
29.1%
Participation
60.3%
Employed
1,974
Occupations
Top Industries
University
18.1%
Postgraduate
2.8%
Born Overseas
14.5%
Dwellings
1,315
Transport to Work
Car dependence is very high: 89.7% of residents drive to work, compared to the national average of roughly 60%, because public transport serves only 2.0% of commuters in this low-density, 101 km2 area. Amenity trade-offs come with the acreage lifestyle: no schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families depend on nearby centres. On the disadvantage dimension, IRSAD sits at decile 5, placing Elimbah at the national median, with no significant pockets of deep disadvantage or concentrated advantage. Housing stress is absent: rent-to-income at 16.9% and mortgage-to-income at 21.2% are both well below the 30% threshold. Turnover is low, with 79.7% of residents staying in place, which points to a settled community. The need-for-assistance rate of 6.1% is broadly in line with national norms for a suburb of median age 40.
Drive
89.7%
Public Transport
2.0%
Walk / Cycle
2.7%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.44%/yr
(+67 people/yr)
EstablishedElimbah's population reached approximately 4,645 in 2025 and is forecast to reach 5,050 by 2031 on the medium scenario, representing annual growth of around 1.44% or 67 people per year. Over the past decade the population rose 15.3%, and the gentrification score of 22 indicates early signs of transition, supported by signals including 22% population growth since 2011 and an accelerating growth rate. Migration is balanced: an average of 36 net internal arrivals and 18 net overseas arrivals per year sustain the inflow. Real incomes grew 8.7% over the decade, and rent growth of 23.3% signals strengthening property fundamentals. The suburb did not experience a COVID population dip, a resilience marker compared to many urban areas. Affordability improved from 2011 to 2021, suggesting conditions for continued household formation rather than a lock-out scenario.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+18
Net Internal / yr
+36
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +22% since 2011, Accelerating: 6% → 15%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Elimbah compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elimbah a good suburb to live in?
Elimbah offers affordable large-lot living with household income at the 83rd percentile nationally and a median house price of $503,000. Mortgage-to-income is 21.2%, well below the 30% stress level. The trade-off is near-total car dependence at 89.7% of commuters and limited public transport, so residents need a vehicle for daily life.
What is the median house price in Elimbah?
The median house price is approximately $503,000, estimated from 2025 rental data. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,000 and weekly rent is $370. The price sits below the national detached-house median, and affordability as a share of income improved from 50.8% in 2011 to 46.9% in 2021.
What schools are in Elimbah?
No schools are recorded within the Elimbah suburb boundary in this dataset. Residents rely on schools in nearby Caboolture and Bribie Island corridor communities. Despite this, 18.1% of the workforce holds university qualifications and the top employment sector is Healthcare at 16.6%, suggesting families are engaged with education in nearby centres.
Is Elimbah safe?
Crime statistics specific to Elimbah are not available in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb ranks at SEIFA IRSAD decile 5, the national median on combined advantage and disadvantage, with 79.7% of residents remaining in place year over year. Low residential turnover typically correlates with stable community conditions.
Is Elimbah good for property investment?
The gross yield is approximately 3.8% based on $370 weekly rent and a $503,000 median, modest but supported by 23.3% rent growth. Vacancy at 4.3% is above the balanced-market threshold of 3%, so demand is not yet tight. Annual population growth of 1.44% and 36 development applications in the past 12 months point to steady long-term capital growth potential.
How is Elimbah's population changing?
Population grew 15.3% over the past decade, reaching approximately 4,645 in 2025. Annual growth runs at 1.44% or about 67 people per year. Medium forecasts project the population reaching 5,050 by 2031. The suburb draws 36 net internal migrants and 18 net overseas arrivals annually, with no COVID-era population dip recorded.
How much development is happening in Elimbah?
There were 36 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, including subdivision works and operational permits for the Elimbah East Stage 3 project. This active pipeline reflects the suburb's growth phase, with new residential land being released. The gentrification score of 22 indicates early-stage transition, consistent with this development activity.
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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