Geraldton
A 16.0% vacancy rate is the standout feature of Geraldton, alongside an aging resident base and modest household incomes. The suburb has 3,246 residents in 4.47 square kilometres, with a median age of 47, or 7.0 years above the national figure. Household income sits at the 21.3rd percentile, while 44.2% of households rent. That combination can suit renters and buyers seeking a compact regional centre, but it also points to softer demand in some pockets. Geraldton's compact footprint and mixed housing should be assessed separately from nearby Beachlands and Mount Tarcoola, where street context can differ.
Population
3,246
Median Age
47.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,142/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Geraldton suits buyers who prioritise manageable holding costs and established housing, but recent local sales should set the price benchmark. The indicative mortgage figure is $1,400 a month, weekly rent is $220 and mortgage repayments equal 28.3% of household income, with mortgage stress flagged false. Separate houses account for 64.5% of dwellings, while 30.5% are semi-detached and 4.3% apartments, giving buyers more attached options than a detached-only market. Three-bedroom homes lead at 43.9%, followed by two-bedroom homes at 27.5%. The 21.3rd household-income percentile is below the midpoint, so deposit size, insurance and maintenance costs matter as much as the purchase price.
For Buyers
Geraldton suits buyers who prioritise manageable holding costs and established housing, but recent local sales should set the price benchmark. The indicative mortgage figure is $1,400 a month, weekly rent is $220 and mortgage repayments equal 28.3% of household income, with mortgage stress flagged false. Separate houses account for 64.5% of dwellings, while 30.5% are semi-detached and 4.3% apartments, giving buyers more attached options than a detached-only market. Three-bedroom homes lead at 43.9%, followed by two-bedroom homes at 27.5%. The 21.3rd household-income percentile is below the midpoint, so deposit size, insurance and maintenance costs matter as much as the purchase price.
For Investors
Geraldton's investment case is income-led but vacancy-sensitive. Rent is $220 a week, 44.2% of households rent and the vacancy rate is 16.0%, so rental cash flow needs to be weighed against the risk of longer letting periods. The rent-to-income ratio is 19.3%, with rent stress flagged false, which supports tenant affordability but can limit rent escalation. No development projects were recorded in the past 12 months, reducing the immediate supply pipeline. Growth runs at 2.18% annually and is driven by internal migration, yet an aging trajectory may favour accessible, low-maintenance dwellings. Compared with a tightly supplied rental market, 16.0% vacancy calls for conservative occupancy assumptions.
Schools in Geraldton
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
HOLLAND STREET SCHOOL
GERALDTON FLEXIBLE SCHOOL
GERALDTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL
NAGLE CATHOLIC COLLEGE
ST FRANCIS XAVIER PRIMARY SCHOOL
Demographics
Geraldton has an older profile than the national norm: median age is 47, 7.0 years above national, and the senior share has risen 4.0 percentage points while the young share fell 0.3 points. University attainment is 20.9%, 9.2 points below the national comparison, and overseas-born residents account for 20.9%, 0.7 points below national. Average household size is 2.0, aligning with 48.6% of families being couples without children; one-parent families represent 19.6%. English ancestry is the largest recorded ancestry count at 1,115, while religious responses include Christianity at 1,475 and no religion at 1,233. Compared with a younger university-oriented centre, Geraldton's age and education mix is more likely to sustain demand for healthcare and community services because those sectors already anchor local employment.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
64.5%
Houses
30.5%
Townhouse
4.3%
Apartment
Tenure
Geraldton's tenure pattern is mixed rather than owner-dominated. Outright owners account for 31.3%, mortgage holders 22.0% and renters 44.2%, with 2.5% in other tenure. The dwelling stock is also more attached than a conventional detached profile: 64.5% separate houses, 30.5% semi-detached dwellings and 4.3% apartments. Three-bedroom homes lead at 43.9%, while 27.5% have two bedrooms and 21.6% have four or more. A 16.0% vacancy rate can make leasing outcomes less predictable, so buyers should test building condition, body-corporate costs and resale demand rather than rely on one property type. Recent settled sales should be compared with nearby Beachlands and Mount Tarcoola, because Geraldton's 4.47 square kilometres contain varied tenure and density.
Mortgage / mo
$1,400
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$220
Census 2021
HH Size
2.0
Personal Income / wk
$645
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
16.0%
Unoccupied
244
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.3%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
28.8%
Couples with children
48.6%
Couples, no children
19.6%
Single parent
716
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is Geraldton's leading industry at 25.2% and 213 workers, followed by education at 13.0% and 110, construction at 7.8% and 66, retail at 7.6% and 64, and hospitality at 6.3% and 53. This mix gives the local economy a service-heavy base, while occupations span 305 professionals, 188 trades workers, 159 community and personal service workers, 159 labourers and 130 sales workers. Labour participation is 50.6%, unemployment 7.6% and full-time employment 59.1%. Household income is $1,142 weekly, at the 21.3rd percentile, below the midpoint. SEIFA results show sharper education and occupation disadvantage, with IEO decile 2 against IER decile 5, IRSD decile 4 and IRSAD decile 4. The gap suggests qualification constraints are more pronounced than broad area disadvantage, even as health and education provide important employment anchors.
Unemployment
7.6%
Labour Force
1,413
Unemployed
107
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
59.1%
Part-time
35.5%
Participation
50.6%
Employed
1,306
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
20.9%
Postgraduate
4.3%
Born Overseas
20.9%
Dwellings
1,283
Transport to Work
Geraldton is practical for car users, with 73.2% driving to work and only 1.7% using public transport; 11.2% walk or cycle and 5.3% work from home. That pattern reflects a regional activity centre where daily trips are more likely to rely on private vehicles than transit. Ten local schools span government primary, senior high and education support categories, plus non-government flexible, grammar and Catholic provision, giving families a broad sector and type mix without implying equal access for every address. Density is 725.4 people per square kilometre across 4.47 square kilometres, supporting relatively compact services. IRSAD sits at decile 4, below the most advantaged areas, so access to services and household budgets should be considered together. Compared with a transit-led metro suburb, Geraldton is more car-dependent. Prospective residents should review current police incident data and the exact street before deciding.
Drive
73.2%
Public Transport
1.7%
Walk / Cycle
11.2%
Work from Home
5.3%
Population Forecast
+2.18%/yr
(+216 people/yr)
EstablishedGeraldton's growth outlook is positive but structurally older. The forecast trend is 2.18% a year, with internal migration identified as the primary driver, so demand depends more on people moving within Australia than on a youthful local base. The trajectory is labelled Aging: the senior share is up 4.0 points, the working share is down 2.1, and population change across the wider area runs at 31.6% over 10 years. Gentrification is described as Active at a score of 48, while another reading is labelled Early signs at 25. Compared with a no-growth setting, 2.18% annual expansion is above zero, but the age pattern may favour healthcare, smaller homes and accessible services over family-led expansion.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+31
Net Internal / yr
+133
Gentrification Signal
Active
Population +48% since 2011, Net internal migration +133/yr, Accelerating: 17% → 26%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Geraldton compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Geraldton a good suburb to live in?
Geraldton can suit residents who value a compact regional setting, established services and a weekly rent of $220. Median age is 47, vacancy is 16.0% and 73.2% drive to work, so it is older and more car-dependent than a typical transit-led urban area. Check the exact street for noise, services and current safety conditions.
What is the median house price in Geraldton?
Geraldton's current median house price should be checked against recent settled sales and comparable listings. Practical affordability markers include the $1,400 monthly mortgage figure, $220 weekly rent and mortgage repayments equal to 28.3% of household income. Household income sits at the 21.3rd percentile, below the midpoint, so buyers should test deposit and insurance costs carefully.
What schools are in Geraldton?
Geraldton has 10 local schools across government primary, senior high and education support categories. Non-government choices include a flexible school, grammar school and Catholic college. Exact enrolment zones and transport can vary by address, so families should confirm eligibility before signing a lease or purchase contract.
Is Geraldton safe?
Safety should be assessed with current police incident data and the exact street rather than inferred from suburb averages. Geraldton has 3,246 residents, a 47 median age and 44.2% renting; those figures describe population and tenure, not crime outcomes. Check recent incidents, lighting and access routes before committing.
Is Geraldton good for property investment?
Geraldton may suit an investor seeking a $220 weekly rent, but the 16.0% vacancy rate is a significant caution compared with a tightly supplied market. About 44.2% of households rent, and no development projects were recorded in 12 months. Growth is 2.18% annually and driven by internal migration, so conservative vacancy and maintenance assumptions are important.
How is Geraldton's population changing?
Population change across the wider area runs at 31.6% over 10 years, while the annual trend is 2.18% and internal migration is the primary driver. Geraldton's trajectory is Aging: the senior share has increased 4.0 points and the working share has fallen 2.1. That points to ongoing growth with demand shifting toward healthcare, accessible housing and services.
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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