Hay Point
A mining-industry port community with a population of 1,306 and a household income sitting in the 74.4th percentile nationally, Hay Point carries an unusual combination of above-average earnings and below-average educational attainment. The suburb scores SEIFA decile 3 across three of four indexes, which is lower than income alone would predict, because university qualifications reach only 9.0%, a figure 21.1 percentage points below the national average. Owner-occupier tenure is strong: 32.8% own outright and 43.0% hold a mortgage, while the 14.7% vacancy rate is high, reflecting a transient workforce base tied to mining and bulk coal shipping operations nearby.
Population
1,306
Median Age
43.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,983/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
2
Median House
$443K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The median house price is estimated at $443,000, affordable relative to Queensland metro markets, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 18.6% sits comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. Detached houses dominate at 96.7% of dwellings, so buyers are shopping an almost entirely freestanding stock. Three-bedroom homes account for 52.5% of dwellings and 4-plus bedroom homes for 35.2%, a bedroom profile heavier than the national average, which reflects family-sized houses built to accommodate mining workforce households. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,600. With households at the 74.4th income percentile, purchase affordability looks reasonable compared to the state, though a 14.7% vacancy rate cautions that resale liquidity can be thin.
For Buyers
The median house price is estimated at $443,000, affordable relative to Queensland metro markets, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 18.6% sits comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. Detached houses dominate at 96.7% of dwellings, so buyers are shopping an almost entirely freestanding stock. Three-bedroom homes account for 52.5% of dwellings and 4-plus bedroom homes for 35.2%, a bedroom profile heavier than the national average, which reflects family-sized houses built to accommodate mining workforce households. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,600. With households at the 74.4th income percentile, purchase affordability looks reasonable compared to the state, though a 14.7% vacancy rate cautions that resale liquidity can be thin.
For Investors
Weekly rent of $350 against a $443,000 median implies a gross yield of approximately 4.1%, higher than most coastal Queensland suburbs. However, the 14.7% vacancy rate is a material risk, reflecting a workforce-dependent tenant base that cycles with mining project activity rather than organic population demand. Rental stress is not evident, with rent-to-income at 17.7%, which suggests tenants can afford current rents, but sustained demand requires the coal terminal to remain active. Net internal migration runs at minus 11 people per year, indicating the suburb loses residents to other parts of Australia. Development activity is low at 1 application in the past 12 months, so new supply is not a concern, but thin transaction volumes make price discovery difficult.
Development Activity
Total DAs
2
Last 12 Months
2
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
—
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age is 43, which is 3.0 years above the national figure, and the suburb is on an aging trajectory with the senior share rising 4.2 points over the decade. Male residents account for 50.5% of the population, consistent with a workforce community. Ancestry is predominantly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (562), Irish (134) and Scottish (127), with overseas-born residents at 10.5%, which is 11.1 percentage points below the national average. Average household size of 2.5 matches the national figure. Couples with children make up 38.5% of families, above the couples-without-children share of 33.9%, indicating the suburb houses more young families than retirees despite the elevated median age.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
96.7%
Houses
2.4%
Townhouse
0.9%
Apartment
Tenure
Owner-occupier tenure is the standout: 32.8% own outright and 43.0% carry a mortgage, leaving only 24.2% renting, a renter share well below the national average. Almost all dwellings are separate houses at 96.7%, with semi-detached at 2.4% and apartments at just 0.9%. The bedroom distribution skews large, with 52.5% three-bedroom and 35.2% with four or more bedrooms. Mortgage-to-income at 18.6% and rent-to-income at 17.7% are both below stress thresholds, meaning neither buyers nor renters are stretched at current income levels. The 14.7% vacancy rate is elevated compared to most suburbs and reflects the transient nature of fly-in-fly-out and contract workforce housing rather than permanent oversupply.
Mortgage / mo
$1,600
Rent / wk
$350
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$875
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
14.7%
Unoccupied
80
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
17.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.6%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
33.9%
Couples, no children
981
Total families
Economy & Employment
Mining is the dominant industry at 18.5% of local workers (63 people), followed by Transport at 12.0% (41) and Construction at 10.0% (34), a concentration reflecting the suburb's role adjacent to the Hay Point coal export terminal. By occupation, Machinery and Drivers lead at 105 workers, confirming a blue-collar, operational workforce. Unemployment is 5.6% and the full-time employment rate is 76.7% among those employed, indicating most work is full-time and project-based. Participation sits at 52.7%, lower than the income level would suggest, partly because 329 residents are outside the labour force. The SEIFA IEO decile 2 score means education and occupation advantage ranks in the bottom tier nationally, despite household incomes at the 74.4th percentile, a split explained by well-paying trade and operator roles that do not require tertiary qualifications.
Unemployment
3.9%
Labour Force
1,686
Unemployed
66
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
76.7%
Part-time
17.7%
Participation
52.7%
Employed
537
Occupations
Top Industries
University
9.0%
Postgraduate
1.5%
Born Overseas
10.5%
Dwellings
456
Transport to Work
Car dependence is near-total, with 92.6% of residents driving to work, compared to public transport use of only 2.0%, because the suburb's location on the Mackay coast south of the city does not support bus routes with practical commute times. The IRSAD decile 3 score places Hay Point below most Queensland suburbs on the advantage-disadvantage scale. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families rely on schools in Sarina or Mackay. Volunteering at 10.9% is modest, and 5.1% of residents need daily assistance, a figure consistent with an aging median age of 43. Rent and mortgage stress are both below threshold, meaning housing costs are manageable relative to local incomes, which is one of the more tangible livability positives in a suburb that otherwise serves an industrial and resource function.
Drive
92.6%
Public Transport
2.0%
Walk / Cycle
1.8%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
-0.79%/yr
(-23 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation is trending downward at minus 0.79% per year, or about 23 fewer residents annually, and the 10-year change registers minus 3.3%. The medium forecast continues this trajectory, projecting the population to fall from roughly 2,814 in 2026 to approximately 2,699 by 2031. Overseas migration contributes a modest positive of 17 net arrivals per year, but internal migration runs at minus 11, pointing to residents leaving for other parts of Queensland or interstate. The gentrification score is 0 and the stage is not gentrifying, which fits a resource-industry suburb with no signals of changing demographics or investment-led renovation activity. Rent growth of 34.6% over the decade and real income growth of 28.4% show the community has benefited from the resources cycle, but slower commodity demand would directly reduce population.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+17
Net Internal / yr
-11
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Hay Point compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hay Point a good suburb to live in?
Hay Point suits workers tied to the coal terminal and port operations. Household income sits in the 74.4th percentile nationally, housing costs are not stressful at 18.6% mortgage-to-income and 17.7% rent-to-income, and the suburb offers freestanding houses. The SEIFA IRSAD decile 3 ranking indicates below-average amenity compared to most QLD suburbs, and the 14.7% vacancy rate signals a transient population base.
What is the median house price in Hay Point?
The median house price is estimated at $443,000, based on 2025 data. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,600 and weekly rent is $350. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 18.6% is well below the 30% stress threshold, making purchase costs manageable for households at the local income level.
What schools are in Hay Point?
No schools are recorded inside the Hay Point suburb boundary in this dataset. With a population of 1,306 and an area of 24.6 km2, families rely on schools in Sarina and Mackay. University qualifications in the suburb reach only 9.0%, which is 21.1 percentage points below the national figure.
Is Hay Point safe?
Detailed crime statistics for Hay Point are not available in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores SEIFA IRSD decile 3, which is below the median disadvantage level nationally. Approximately 5.1% of the 1,306 residents (around 59 people) require daily assistance, broadly in line with the suburb's median age of 43.
Is Hay Point good for property investment?
Gross yield is approximately 4.1% based on $350 weekly rent and a $443,000 median, which is reasonable compared to coastal QLD suburbs. The 14.7% vacancy rate is a key risk, as the tenant base is tied to mining and port operations rather than permanent residents. Net internal migration runs at minus 11 per year, and population is forecast to fall to around 2,699 by 2031 under medium projections.
How is Hay Point's population changing?
Population is declining at minus 0.79% per year, losing about 23 residents annually, with a 10-year total change of minus 3.3%. The medium forecast projects a drop from roughly 2,814 in 2026 to approximately 2,699 by 2031. Overseas migration adds 17 net arrivals per year, but internal migration removes 11, and the dominant driver is the level of activity at the Hay Point coal terminal.
What industries employ residents of Hay Point?
Mining is the largest employer at 18.5% of the local workforce (63 workers), followed by Transport at 12.0% (41) and Construction at 10.0% (34). Machinery operators and drivers form the largest occupation group with 105 workers. The full-time employment rate is 76.7% among employed residents, reflecting project-based and operational roles that tend to be full-time rather than casual.
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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