Emerald
Emerald's most striking feature is its 16.3% rental vacancy rate alongside an 81.2% separate-house share, giving the Central Queensland hub a spacious but locally soft housing profile. Its 14,904 residents have a median age of 32, or 8 years below the national figure, while mining accounts for 21.7% of industry employment and household income sits at the 83.7th percentile. Unlike smaller nearby centres such as Capella and Blackwater, Emerald combines a broad school, health and public-service base with a detached-house market. The trade-off is car dependence: 77.4% drive to work, compared with 5.5% using public transport. This suits workers seeking space and regional services, but renters should test vacancy conditions and employer exposure.
Population
14,904
Median Age
32.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,202/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Homebuyers get a detached-house bias, with 81.2% of dwellings separate houses and 50.9% containing four or more bedrooms. A current median house price is not available, so the $1,647 monthly mortgage figure and $300 weekly rent are useful budgeting markers rather than a purchase benchmark. Mortgage costs are higher than rent's 13.6% share of income, at 17.3%, although both stress flags are false. Outright ownership is 16.5% and mortgage ownership is 37.7%, indicating an active buyer cohort. Compared with apartment-oriented markets, Emerald suits buyers prioritising land and family space because 34.9% of homes have 3 bedrooms and only 8.1% are apartments. Check flood, insurance, commuting and recent comparable sales across the 833.49 square kilometre suburb.
For Buyers
Homebuyers get a detached-house bias, with 81.2% of dwellings separate houses and 50.9% containing four or more bedrooms. A current median house price is not available, so the $1,647 monthly mortgage figure and $300 weekly rent are useful budgeting markers rather than a purchase benchmark. Mortgage costs are higher than rent's 13.6% share of income, at 17.3%, although both stress flags are false. Outright ownership is 16.5% and mortgage ownership is 37.7%, indicating an active buyer cohort. Compared with apartment-oriented markets, Emerald suits buyers prioritising land and family space because 34.9% of homes have 3 bedrooms and only 8.1% are apartments. Check flood, insurance, commuting and recent comparable sales across the 833.49 square kilometre suburb.
For Investors
Emerald's rental case is built around tenant demand from a mobile workforce, not scarcity pricing. Renting accounts for 43.8% of households, weekly rent is $300 and turnover is 27.3%, so investors can reach a sizeable tenant pool but may manage regular reletting. The 16.3% vacancy rate is high compared with a tight market, which can weaken rent growth and landlord pricing power. Mining employs 21.7% of workers, while education and healthcare contribute 12.6% and 10.2%, providing some diversification. There were 0 developments in the past 12 months, so supply pressure comes mainly from existing stock. Compared with lower-vacancy markets, Emerald rewards conservative debt, durable housing and careful employer concentration analysis.
Schools in Emerald
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Emerald Christian College (Emerald)
Marist College (Emerald)
Ontrack College Emerald (Emerald)
St Brigid's Catholic Primary School (Emerald)
St Patrick's Catholic Primary School (Emerald)
Demographics
Emerald has a younger resident base than the national profile: median age is 32, or 8 years below national, and university participation is 20.3%, 9.8 percentage points below national. That mix reflects a practical workforce orientation, with trades numbering 1,455 and machinery or drivers 1,173. Households average 2.7 people, 0.2 above national, and couples with children make up 50.1% of families, supporting demand for larger homes. English, Irish and Scottish are the leading reported ancestries at 5,534, 1,655 and 1,605 people. Overseas-born residents account for 16.0%, below national by 5.6 points. Compared with more migrant-heavy regional centres, Emerald has a more Anglo-leaning profile, although Christianity at 7,432 and no religion at 5,505 show meaningful variation.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
81.2%
Houses
10.2%
Townhouse
8.1%
Apartment
Tenure
Emerald's housing stock is overwhelmingly detached and relatively large: 81.2% are separate houses, 50.9% have four or more bedrooms and 34.9% have three bedrooms. Tenure is more renter-heavy than an established owner suburb, with 43.8% renting, 37.7% paying a mortgage and 16.5% owning outright. That split reflects a working regional economy and a mobile labour market, while the 27.3% turnover rate reinforces the need for flexible leasing and resale expectations. Weekly rent is $300 and rent consumes 13.6% of household income, below mortgage costs at 17.3%, so holding costs appear manageable for many households. Compared with apartment-oriented markets, Emerald offers more space but less dwelling diversity: apartments are 8.1% and semi-detached homes 10.2%. The 16.3% vacancy rate gives renters more choice than a tight market, though it can reduce landlord pricing power.
Mortgage / mo
$1,647
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (Jun 2026 quarter), QLD RTA bond data. Census 2021 median: $300.
$550
Bond data Jun 2026 quarter · houses $550 · units $430
HH Size
2.7
Personal Income / wk
$1,035
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
16.3%
Unoccupied
965
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
13.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
17.3%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
50.1%
Couples with children
35.0%
Couples, no children
13.8%
Single parent
3,717
Total families
Economy & Employment
Mining is Emerald's economic anchor at 21.7% of industry employment and 1,046 workers, followed by education at 12.6% and healthcare at 10.2%. Construction contributes 7.2% and public administration 7.0%, giving the town a broader base than a single-industry camp. Participation is 73.8%, unemployment is 3.2% and full-time employment is 66.4%, consistent with a work-oriented population. Trades lead occupations at 1,455 people, ahead of machinery or drivers at 1,173 and professionals at 1,094. Household income ranks at the 83.7th percentile, yet the IEO decile is 3 and IRSAD decile 5, showing strong earnings alongside education and disadvantage measures below national levels. Compared with metropolitan economies, Emerald is more exposed to mining cycles, but health, education and government jobs soften the risk.
Unemployment
3.2%
Labour Force
8,219
Unemployed
261
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
66.4%
Part-time
27.4%
Participation
73.8%
Employed
7,958
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
20.3%
Postgraduate
3.5%
Born Overseas
16.0%
Dwellings
4,909
Transport to Work
Emerald works best for households comfortable with driving. Car drivers account for 77.4% of commuters, versus 5.5% using public transport, while walking or cycling is 4.3% and working from home is 5.3%; the spread reflects an 833.49 square kilometre footprint and regional service role. Families have access to 10 schools across government, Catholic and independent sectors, including primary, high school and distance education options. Check enrolment zones against the exact address because catchments can cross local roads and settlement edges. A current suburb crime rate is not available, so compare the specific street, lighting, travel routes and emergency access before renting or buying. The IRSAD decile is 5, while volunteering is 19.4%, pointing to a middle-ranked socioeconomic profile and community participation. Compared with compact urban suburbs, Emerald offers more space and less transit convenience, so school runs and health appointments are easier with a car.
Drive
77.4%
Public Transport
5.5%
Walk / Cycle
4.3%
Work from Home
5.3%
Population Forecast
+1.82%/yr
(+200 people/yr)
EstablishedEmerald is an established centre with forecast trend growth of 1.82% a year, and the primary migration driver is Balanced rather than a single dominant stream. The wider area's population change is 33.4% over 10 years, while the shift trajectory is Aging: the senior share rose 6.3 percentage points and the working share fell 3.4 points. That matters because future demand is likely to favour accessible homes, health services and lower-maintenance stock alongside family housing. Gentrification is at the Early signs stage with a score of 35, while a separate shift measure records 43, so change is visible but not yet a mature premium-market story. Affordability improved from 58.9 in 2011 to 54.0 in 2021, and real income growth reached 23.1%, helping support local purchasing power. Compared with faster-growth coastal markets, Emerald's 1.82% pace suggests steady rather than explosive expansion.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+80
Net Internal / yr
+63
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +37% since 2011, Net internal migration +63/yr, Accelerating: 12% → 22%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Emerald compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Emerald a good suburb to live in?
Emerald suits households wanting space and regional services, particularly if they drive. The suburb has 14,904 residents, a median age of 32 and 81.2% separate houses. Compared with compact urban suburbs, public transport is limited at 5.5%, so car access should be part of the decision.
What is the median house price in Emerald?
A current median house price is not available for Emerald. Use the $300 weekly rent and $1,647 monthly mortgage reference as holding-cost markers, then compare recent comparable sales by street, dwelling type and land size before setting a budget.
What schools are in Emerald?
Emerald has 10 schools across government, Catholic and independent sectors, including primary, secondary and distance education options. Enrolment zones matter because the right school can depend on the exact address. Compared with smaller centres, the local mix gives families more choice, but verify intake rules and current places.
Is Emerald safe?
There is no current suburb-level crime rate to compare, so treat safety as a street-level decision. Check lighting, footpaths, travel routes and evening activity at the exact address. Emerald's IRSAD decile is 5 and volunteering rate is 19.4%, but neither measure replaces a property visit or current police information.
Is Emerald good for property investment?
Emerald can suit a conservative investor who accepts vacancy risk. Renting is 43.8%, weekly rent is $300 and vacancy is 16.3%, while 0 developments were recorded in the last 12 months. Compared with tighter rental markets, returns may depend more on purchase price, tenant retention and mining-linked employment than on fast rent increases.
How is Emerald's population changing?
Emerald has 14,904 residents today. The wider area's forecast trend is 1.82% annual growth, with a Balanced migration driver, while population change over 10 years is 33.4%. The trajectory is Aging, with the senior share up 6.3 percentage points, so future demand may shift toward accessible housing and services rather than only family expansion.
What is the rent in Emerald?
Weekly rent is $300, and renting accounts for 43.8% of households. The 16.3% vacancy rate gives tenants more negotiating room than a tight market, while the 27.3% turnover rate means landlords should budget for reletting and maintenance between occupants. Compare properties on air conditioning, yard upkeep and commuting access.
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). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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