QLD 4680 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Glen Eden

With household income at the 79th percentile nationally yet a median house price of $416,000, Glen Eden sits at the affordable end of Queensland's housing spectrum, making it one of the few places where a mortgage consumes just 17.2% of household income. The suburb is young, with a median age of 30 compared to the national figure of 40, which is 10 years below average, and the occupational mix skews toward manufacturing, machinery operators, and labourers rather than professional services. Nearly 87% of homes are separate houses, the renter share is 44%, and SEIFA deciles of 1 and 2 signal concentrated disadvantage across education, occupation, and economic resources.

Glen Eden urban fabric map

Population

2,918

Median Age

30.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$2,096/wk

DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year

0

Median House

$416K

Estimated from rent (2025)

6.94 km²· 420.7 people/km²· Family income $2,308/wk

The median house price of $416,000 is well below the Queensland state norm, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 17.2% is among the most comfortable in the region, well below the 30% stress threshold. Detached houses dominate at 87.3% of the stock, with semi-detached homes at 5.9% and apartments at 6.8%, meaning buyers face a largely traditional suburban market. The bedroom profile skews large: 63.1% of dwellings have four or more bedrooms and 35.8% have three, suited to families and tradespeople. Only 14.9% of homes are owned outright, compared to a higher national average, while 40.7% carry a mortgage and 44.3% rent, pointing to a relatively young and still-leveraged owner base. Weekly rent of $320 implies a modest yield against the $416,000 median.

For Buyers

The median house price of $416,000 is well below the Queensland state norm, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 17.2% is among the most comfortable in the region, well below the 30% stress threshold. Detached houses dominate at 87.3% of the stock, with semi-detached homes at 5.9% and apartments at 6.8%, meaning buyers face a largely traditional suburban market. The bedroom profile skews large: 63.1% of dwellings have four or more bedrooms and 35.8% have three, suited to families and tradespeople. Only 14.9% of homes are owned outright, compared to a higher national average, while 40.7% carry a mortgage and 44.3% rent, pointing to a relatively young and still-leveraged owner base. Weekly rent of $320 implies a modest yield against the $416,000 median.

For Investors

The 44.3% renter share creates a substantial tenant pool, well above the national average, and rent-to-income sits at a comfortable 15.3%, suggesting renters are not under acute stress. Weekly rent of $320 and an estimated median price of $416,000 imply a gross yield near 4%, more attractive than most east-coast capital markets. However, the vacancy rate of 7.9% is elevated and signals oversupply relative to current demand, which may put downward pressure on rents. Net migration is balanced, with roughly 24 internal arrivals and 6 overseas arrivals annually keeping demand thin but steady. Population grew 6.7% over the past decade, though the trajectory has plateaued recently at around 3,453 residents, and annual growth is forecast at 0.32% through 2031.

Development Activity

Total DAs

11

Last 12 Months

0

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

Demographics

The median age of 30 is 10 years below the national figure, placing Glen Eden among Queensland's younger suburbs, though the senior share rose 10.2 points over the decade, the largest aging signal in the dataset. The overseas-born share of 13.2% is 8.4 percentage points below the national average, and ancestry is predominantly Anglo-Celtic: English (1,167 residents), Irish (305), and Scottish (290). University qualifications at 20.1% are 10 percentage points below the national figure, consistent with an occupational profile heavy in manufacturing, transport, and construction. Average household size of 2.8 is 0.3 above the national average, reflecting the prevalence of family households, with 1,167 couple-with-children families recorded. Volunteering at 17.5% of residents is a positive community signal.

Age Distribution

0-14
25.1%
15-24
14.7%
25-44
31.0%
45-64
21.7%
65+
7.8%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
N/A
2 bed
1.1%
3 bed
35.8%
4+ bed
63.1%

Dwelling Structure

87.3%

Houses

5.9%

Townhouse

6.8%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 14.9% Mortgage 40.7% Rent 44.3%

The median house price of $416,000 is estimated from rents as of 2025, and the rent-to-income ratio of 15.3% and mortgage-to-income of 17.2% both sit well below stress thresholds, making Glen Eden affordable relative to Queensland state averages. Tenure splits into 14.9% outright owners, 40.7% mortgagees, and 44.3% renters, the last of which is notably higher than national norms, reflecting the younger demographic. The stock is overwhelmingly detached houses at 87.3%, with a bedroom composition that skews toward larger homes: 63.1% have four or more bedrooms. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,560. The low outright ownership rate compared to the national baseline suggests most owner-occupiers arrived in the past 15 years rather than holding long-term paid-off assets.

Mortgage / mo

$1,560

Rent / wk

$320

HH Size

2.8

Personal Income / wk

$975

Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)

7.9%

Unoccupied

86

Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

15.3%

Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

17.2%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Afrikaans
16

Ancestry

English
1,167
Irish
305
Scottish
290
Ancestry NS
210
Other
197
German
183

Household Composition

21.4%

Couples, no children

2,351

Total families

Economy & Employment

Manufacturing leads employment at 17.5% of workers (166 residents), followed by healthcare at 13.5% (128) and education at 10.1% (96), with transport at 9.9% (94) and construction at 8.3% (79). The occupation mix reflects a hands-on workforce: Professionals account for 225 workers but are outnumbered by Machinery Operators and Drivers (181) and Labourers (175). The unemployment rate is 5.9%, above the national average, and the participation rate of 65.3% is moderate. Full-time employment accounts for 69.7% of those working, a reasonably robust rate. Weekly personal income of $975 places the suburb at the 79th household income percentile nationally, a notable strength given the SEIFA decile 1 IEO and IRSAD scores, which point to relative disadvantage in education and occupation rather than income alone. Real incomes grew 12.5% over the decade.

Unemployment

6.4%

Labour Force

1,415

Unemployed

90

Quarterly Trend

Mar-24 Dec-25

Source: SALM Dec-25

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Overall advantage
1
Disadvantage
2
Economic resources
2
Education & occupation
1

Full-time

69.7%

Part-time

24.4%

Participation

65.3%

Employed

1,345

Occupations

Professionals 225
Machinery/Drivers 181
Labourers 175
Community/Personal 161
Clerical/Admin 138
Managers 125
Sales 124

Top Industries

Manufacturing 17.5%
Healthcare 13.5%
Education 10.1%
Transport 9.9%
Construction 8.3%

University

20.1%

Postgraduate

3.0%

Born Overseas

13.2%

Dwellings

992

Transport to Work

Car dependence is absolute: 93% of residents drive to work, and public transport use is just 0.8%, one of the lowest rates for any Queensland suburb. Walking and cycling represent 1% of commutes. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families rely on institutions in adjacent Gladstone-region suburbs. Crime data is not available in the dataset, so safety cannot be quantified directly. The suburb scores decile 1 on both IEO (education and occupation advantage) and IRSAD (relative socio-economic advantage and disadvantage), placing it in the bottom tenth nationally, a concentration of disadvantage that affects long-term livability prospects. Only 4.4% of residents need assistance with core activities, and rent-to-income at 15.3% leaves most renters with room in their budgets despite the low SEIFA scores.

Drive

93.0%

Public Transport

0.8%

Walk / Cycle

1.0%

Work from Home

N/A

Population Forecast

+0.32%/yr

(+11 people/yr)

Established

Glen Eden's population has been essentially flat recently, with 3,453 residents in 2025 down slightly from 3,471 in 2024, and the 10-year population change is 6.7%. Medium forecasts project a rise to 3,506 by 2031, equivalent to 0.32% annual growth, below the Queensland state pace. Migration is balanced at roughly 24 net internal arrivals and 6 overseas arrivals per year, too thin to accelerate supply pressure. Rent growth of 42.1% over the period demonstrates that while population growth was moderate, rental demand outpaced supply, which has supported yields. The gentrification score is 38, described as early signs, a meaningful signal that the suburb could follow an upward trajectory if income and education gains continue, though no strong gentrification signals are confirmed yet.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Balanced

Net Overseas / yr

+6

Net Internal / yr

+24

0

Gentrification Signal

Not gentrifying

National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs

How Glen Eden compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 18%
Household Income
Top 21%
Rent Level
Top 34%
Apartments
Top 38%
Renters
Top 12%
Uni Educated
Bottom 38%
Public Transport
Bottom 11%
Born Overseas
Bottom 46%
Density
Top 20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Glen Eden a good suburb to live in?

Glen Eden offers affordable housing with a median price of $416,000 and a mortgage-to-income ratio of just 17.2%, well below the 30% stress threshold. The tradeoffs are a SEIFA IRSAD decile of 1, placing it in the bottom 10% nationally for socio-economic advantage, and near-total car dependence with 93% of workers driving. The suburb suits buyers prioritising space and affordability over amenity.

What is the median house price in Glen Eden?

The median house price is estimated at $416,000 as of 2025, derived from rental data. Weekly rent averages $320 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $1,560. At these levels, the mortgage-to-income ratio is 17.2%, among the most affordable in the Gladstone region.

What schools are in Glen Eden?

No schools are recorded within the Glen Eden suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring Gladstone-region suburbs. University qualification rates locally are 20.1%, which is 10 percentage points below the national average, consistent with the suburb's industrial and trades-oriented workforce.

Is Glen Eden safe?

Detailed crime statistics are not available for Glen Eden in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores SEIFA IRSD decile 2, meaning it sits in the second-lowest bracket for relative disadvantage nationally. Only 4.4% of its 2,918 residents need daily assistance, but the low SEIFA scores point to structural disadvantage that typically correlates with higher crime rates.

Is Glen Eden good for property investment?

The 44.3% renter share and weekly rent of $320 against a $416,000 median imply a gross yield near 4%, stronger than most east-coast capitals. However, the vacancy rate of 7.9% is elevated, signalling current oversupply. Population growth is slow at 0.32% annually, but rent growth of 42.1% over the past decade shows landlords have benefited from demand outpacing supply.

How is Glen Eden's population changing?

Population grew 6.7% over the past decade but has plateaued near 3,453 residents in 2025, slightly down from 3,471 in 2024. Medium forecasts project a rise to 3,506 by 2031 at 0.32% per year. Net migration is balanced at roughly 30 arrivals annually, too modest to drive rapid change.

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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