Gaven
Household income in the 75th percentile nationally sits alongside a median age of 45, five years above the national figure, making Gaven one of the older, higher-earning pockets in the Gold Coast hinterland. At only 1,638 residents across 7.16 km2, this is a low-density suburb where 99.2% of dwellings are separate houses and 64.4% have four or more bedrooms. The dominant industries are Construction at 17.3% and Healthcare at 16.5%, an unusual pairing that reflects both the trade workforce drawn to Gold Coast growth and the support needs of an aging resident base. The gentrification score is 19, classified as not gentrifying, and internal migration runs at a net outflow of 236 persons per year.
Population
1,638
Median Age
45.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,015/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$585K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The median house price is $585,000, estimated from rental data for 2025, placing Gaven below many comparable southeast Queensland suburbs. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 24.8%, below the 30% stress threshold, meaning buyers here carry affordable debt loads relative to household income. Four-bedroom-plus homes make up 64.4% of the stock, higher than state and national norms, so buyers seeking family-sized detached houses have more choices than in denser suburbs. Ownership rates are high: 33.1% own outright and 54.6% are paying a mortgage, leaving just 12.3% renting. Separate houses account for 99.2% of dwellings, so apartment-style entry options are almost entirely absent.
For Buyers
The median house price is $585,000, estimated from rental data for 2025, placing Gaven below many comparable southeast Queensland suburbs. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 24.8%, below the 30% stress threshold, meaning buyers here carry affordable debt loads relative to household income. Four-bedroom-plus homes make up 64.4% of the stock, higher than state and national norms, so buyers seeking family-sized detached houses have more choices than in denser suburbs. Ownership rates are high: 33.1% own outright and 54.6% are paying a mortgage, leaving just 12.3% renting. Separate houses account for 99.2% of dwellings, so apartment-style entry options are almost entirely absent.
For Investors
With weekly rent at $455 and a median house price of $585,000, the gross rental yield sits near 4.0%, moderate rather than exceptional. The vacancy rate of 4.2% is somewhat elevated compared to tighter southeast Queensland markets, signalling softer rental demand for a suburb with only 12.3% renters. Net overseas migration adds 194 residents annually to the broader SA2 area, while net internal migration is negative at 236 outflows per year, suggesting the suburb draws international arrivals but loses domestic movers to other destinations. No development applications were recorded in the past 12 months, indicating minimal new supply pressure but also a dormant pipeline. The aging trajectory, with the senior share rising 4.3 points over the decade, shapes demand toward lower-maintenance housing rather than upsizing.
Demographics
The median age of 45 is 5 years above the national average, placing Gaven firmly in an aging cohort. The senior share has grown 4.3 points over the decade while the young adult share fell 3.3 points, a trajectory consistent with the suburb retaining long-term residents rather than attracting new families. Overseas-born residents at 24.3% are 2.7 points above national, and ancestry is predominantly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (721), Irish (192) and Scottish (188). University qualifications at 20.9% run 9.2 points below the national figure, reflecting the trade and healthcare workforce profile rather than a professional knowledge base. Average household size is 3.1 persons, 0.6 above national, pointing to the large-home, family-dwelling pattern common in outer suburban Gold Coast areas.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
99.2%
Houses
N/A
Townhouse
0.8%
Apartment
Tenure
Gaven's housing market is defined by large detached homes, with 99.2% of dwellings being separate houses and 64.4% having four or more bedrooms, both well above state and national medians. Tenure leans strongly toward ownership: 33.1% own outright and 54.6% carry a mortgage, while only 12.3% rent, a renter share significantly lower than the national average. The median house price of $585,000 is estimated from 2025 rental data, and monthly mortgage repayments of $2,167 represent 24.8% of household income, sitting below the stress threshold. Rent-to-income runs at 22.6%, also below stress levels. Housing stress indicators are therefore benign, with incomes in the 75th percentile nationally providing reasonable buffer against servicing costs.
Mortgage / mo
$2,167
Rent / wk
$455
HH Size
3.1
Personal Income / wk
$715
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.2%
Unoccupied
22
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.8%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
26.5%
Couples, no children
1,362
Total families
Economy & Employment
Construction is the largest employing industry at 17.3% (92 workers), reflecting proximity to Gold Coast development activity, followed closely by Healthcare at 16.5% (88 workers), a share that aligns with the suburb's older demographic needing community and personal care services. Professional and Technical services account for 9.6% and Education 7.5%. The full-time employment rate of 60.4% and unemployment rate of 4.9% sit close to national benchmarks. Clerical and Admin workers lead occupation categories at 132, followed by Professionals at 118 and Managers at 108. SEIFA deciles reveal a split profile: IRSD and IRSAD both score decile 6, moderate on the disadvantage scale, while the IER (economic resources) decile reaches 9, reflecting the large home ownership and household asset base despite moderate occupational status.
Unemployment
3.3%
Labour Force
11,596
Unemployed
382
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
60.4%
Part-time
34.7%
Participation
57.9%
Employed
771
Occupations
Top Industries
University
20.9%
Postgraduate
4.4%
Born Overseas
24.3%
Dwellings
502
Transport to Work
Car dependence is extremely high: 88.5% of residents drive to work, compared to a national figure well above average but Gaven's rate exceeds most urban suburbs. Only 0.5% use public transport, reflecting limited bus frequency in the Gold Coast hinterland. The IRSAD decile of 6 puts Gaven in the middle range nationally for relative advantage, though the IEO decile of 5 indicates median education and occupation standing. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families depend on nearby Gold Coast schools for schooling. The volunteering rate is 12.0% and 5.1% of residents (79 people) need daily assistance. Resident stability is high, with 83.6% having not moved in the past five years, a figure that points to settled, long-term community patterns rather than high turnover.
Drive
88.5%
Public Transport
0.5%
Walk / Cycle
3.7%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.61%/yr
(+308 people/yr)
EstablishedThe broader SA2 population reached 19,110 in 2024, up 11.8% over the decade, and medium forecasts project continued growth to 21,907 by 2031, adding roughly 308 residents per year at 1.61% annually. Growth is primarily driven by overseas migration at a net 194 arrivals per year, while internal migration runs at a net negative 236, meaning the suburb retains and gains international residents but loses domestic movers. The COVID dip was minor at 2.3% and has fully recovered. The gentrification score of 19 places Gaven as not gentrifying, with population signals including a 13% rise since 2011 and the net internal outflow together suggesting organic aging rather than a property cycle uplift. Affordability improved from 61.8% in 2011 to 57.0% in 2021.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+194
Net Internal / yr
-236
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +13% since 2011, Net internal outflow -236/yr, COVID recovered (-2% dip → full recovery)
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Gaven compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gaven a good suburb to live in?
Gaven suits households seeking large detached homes in a low-density setting with incomes in the 75th percentile nationally. The median age is 45, five years above the national figure, so the community skews toward established families and retirees. Mortgage-to-income is 24.8%, below the stress threshold, and 83.6% of residents stayed put over five years, indicating genuine residential satisfaction.
What is the median house price in Gaven?
The median house price is $585,000, estimated from 2025 rental data. Weekly rent averages $455 and monthly mortgage repayments run $2,167, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.8%, which is below the 30% stress level.
What schools are in Gaven?
No schools are recorded within the Gaven suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in nearby Gold Coast suburbs. The suburb's university qualification rate of 20.9% is 9.2 points below the national average, consistent with a trade and healthcare workforce rather than a graduate-heavy population.
Is Gaven safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Gaven in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores IRSD decile 6 nationally, a moderate disadvantage ranking, and only 5.1% of its 1,638 residents need daily assistance. The resident stability rate of 83.6% who have not moved in five years is consistent with a settled, low-disruption community.
Is Gaven good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $455 against a $585,000 median implies a gross yield near 4.0%, moderate for southeast Queensland. However, the vacancy rate of 4.2% is above tighter markets, and only 12.3% of residents rent, limiting the tenant pool. Net internal migration is negative at 236 per year, though overseas migration adds 194 annually to partially offset outflows.
How is Gaven's population changing?
The broader area reached 19,110 residents in 2024, up 11.8% over the decade, with medium forecasts projecting 21,907 by 2031 at 1.61% annual growth. Net overseas migration contributes 194 arrivals per year while net internal outflow is 236, meaning international arrivals are the main growth driver. The median age trend is aging, with the senior share up 4.3 points over the decade.
What industries employ people in Gaven?
Construction is the largest sector at 17.3% (92 workers), followed by Healthcare at 16.5% (88 workers). Professional and Technical services account for 9.6% and Education 7.5%. The full-time employment rate is 60.4% and unemployment sits at 4.9%, close to national benchmarks.
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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