QLD 4344 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Helidon

Helidon’s most distinctive feature is its low-density, detached housing profile: 1,130 residents spread across 48.74 sq km, with density of 23.2 people per sq km and 94.4% of homes separate houses. Compared with nearby Gatton and Withcott, it reads as a smaller rural settlement. The median age is 38, two years below the national comparison, while overseas-born residents account for 8.6%, 13 percentage points below national. English, German, Irish and Scottish ancestry counts are prominent, reinforcing an anglo-leaning profile. Car travel shapes daily life, with 86.2% driving to work, because services and jobs are dispersed.

Local council: Lockyer Valley

Helidon urban fabric map

Population

1,130

Median Age

38.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,342/wk

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

9

48.74 km²· 23.2 people/km²· Family income $1,527/wk

Homebuyers in Helidon are mainly choosing detached, family-sized housing: 94.4% of dwellings are separate houses, while 42.1% have three bedrooms and another 42.1% have four or more. That mix suits households needing land, storage or workshop space more than apartment-style living. A current median house price is not available, so recent settled sales should be checked address by address rather than relying on a suburb-wide estimate. The typical mortgage repayment is $1,300 a month, versus rent of $313 a week, and mortgage costs equal 22.4% of household income without a recorded stress flag. Compared with denser regional centres, Helidon trades dwelling choice for space and a quieter housing pattern.

For Buyers

Homebuyers in Helidon are mainly choosing detached, family-sized housing: 94.4% of dwellings are separate houses, while 42.1% have three bedrooms and another 42.1% have four or more. That mix suits households needing land, storage or workshop space more than apartment-style living. A current median house price is not available, so recent settled sales should be checked address by address rather than relying on a suburb-wide estimate. The typical mortgage repayment is $1,300 a month, versus rent of $313 a week, and mortgage costs equal 22.4% of household income without a recorded stress flag. Compared with denser regional centres, Helidon trades dwelling choice for space and a quieter housing pattern.

For Investors

Helidon presents a small-market rental case rather than a high-volume development play. Renting accounts for 32.8% of occupied dwellings, weekly rent is $313 and vacancy is 8.5%, a relatively high level that can mean more choice for tenants and softer leasing pressure than tighter markets. Only 8 development matters were recorded over 12 months, so supply additions appear limited and mostly small-scale. The detached-house share is 94.4%, supporting demand from families and workers needing three or four bedrooms. Investment decisions should weigh the 7.3% unemployment rate and 57.4% participation rate, because a narrow local employment base can affect tenant depth. Compared with larger centres, returns are more dependent on individual property quality and transport access.

Development Activity

Total DAs

9

Last 12 Months

9

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

Garage / Carport / Shed
7
Deck / Pergola / Patio
2

Schools in Helidon

Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.

Helidon State School

State School Government

Demographics

Helidon has a settled, locally oriented demographic profile. Its median age of 38 is 2 years below the national comparison, while university attainment at 12.4% sits 17.7 percentage points below national. Overseas-born residents make up 8.6%, 13 points below national, and 74.7% of residents stayed at the same address, indicating lower mobility than a rapidly turning-over area. Household size is 2.6 people, 0.1 above national, with couples without children forming 39.8% of families and couples with children 37.4%. English ancestry counts 439 residents, followed by German at 133 and Irish at 123; these patterns help explain the suburb’s anglo-leaning identity.

Age Distribution

0-14
21.5%
15-24
11.1%
25-44
23.4%
45-64
26.5%
65+
17.8%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
1.8%
2 bed
14.0%
3 bed
42.1%
4+ bed
42.1%

Dwelling Structure

94.4%

Houses

5.6%

Townhouse

0.0%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 30.3% Mortgage 34.9% Rent 32.8% Other 2.1%

Housing in Helidon is overwhelmingly detached and relatively spacious by form: 94.4% of dwellings are separate houses, 42.1% contain four or more bedrooms and 42.1% contain three. Ownership is split across 30.3% owned outright, 34.9% with a mortgage and 32.8% rented, so no single tenure dominates. Mortgage costs average $1,300 monthly, or 22.4% of household income, while rent is $313 weekly and rent-to-income is 23.3%; both are recorded without stress flags. The current median house price is not available, so buyers should compare recent sales with holding costs. Compared with apartment-oriented suburbs, Helidon’s housing stock gives families more land-oriented choice but less dwelling diversity.

Mortgage / mo

$1,300

Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.

$313

Census 2021

HH Size

2.6

Personal Income / wk

$690

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

8.5%

Unoccupied

37

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

23.3%

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

22.4%

Community Profile

Ancestry

English
439
German
133
Ancestry NS
128
Irish
123
Scottish
116
Other
47

Household Composition

37.4%

Couples with children

39.8%

Couples, no children

22.4%

Single parent

294

Total families

Economy & Employment

Helidon’s economy combines essential services with manual and infrastructure-linked work. Healthcare is the largest listed industry at 18.0% and 44 workers, followed by Construction at 11.9% and 29, Public Administration at 10.7% and 26, Manufacturing at 10.2% and 25, and Transport at 9.8% and 24. Labourers number 87, Machinery and Drivers 71, Trades 69 and Managers 58, which helps explain why car dependence is high at 86.2%. The unemployment rate of 7.3% is a watchpoint, while full-time employment is 61.7% and labour-force participation is 57.4%. Household income sits at the 34.1 percentile, pointing to less spending capacity than higher-income areas and making essential services especially important.

Unemployment

7.3%

Labour Force

510

Unemployed

37

Source: ABS Census 2021

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

Full-time

61.7%

Part-time

27.1%

Participation

57.4%

Employed

473

Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021

Occupations

Labourers 87
Machinery/Drivers 71
Trades 69
Managers 58
Community/Personal 52
Clerical/Admin 50
Professionals 41
Sales 35

Top Industries

Healthcare 18.0%
Construction 11.9%
Public Admin 10.7%
Manufacturing 10.2%
Transport 9.8%

University

12.4%

Postgraduate

1.8%

Born Overseas

8.6%

Dwellings

391

Transport to Work

Helidon suits residents who value a detached setting and car-based access. About 86.2% of workers drive, only 2.3% walk or cycle and 6.0% work from home, so daily convenience depends on private transport and road links. Helidon State School is the local government school, and enrolment zones should be checked against the exact address. The suburb’s density is 23.2 people per sq km across 48.74 sq km, creating more separation than a compact town centre. Review current Queensland Police information before deciding, as a comparable crime-rate figure is not available. Compared with denser regional centres, Helidon offers more space but fewer obvious walkable services.

Drive

86.2%

Public Transport

N/A

Walk / Cycle

2.3%

Work from Home

6.0%

Growth Outlook

Helidon’s near-term growth profile appears measured rather than speculative. Eight development matters were recorded over 12 months, while 74.7% of residents stayed at the same address and turnover was 25.3%; that combination suggests incremental change because most residents remain anchored locally. The suburb has 1,130 residents across 48.74 sq km, so even modest additions can be visible in a low-density setting of 23.2 people per sq km. Compared with larger growth corridors, activity is more likely to come through small housing and property improvements than a large project pipeline. Buyers should watch infrastructure, access to Gatton and Toowoomba, and whether vacancy remains at 8.5%, because those factors will shape demand.

Population trend: Lockyer Valley council area

Helidon sits in the Lockyer Valley council area. These are the council area's residents, not Helidon's.

Residents 2025

46,058

Growth, 5 yr average

+2.2%/yr

2020 to 2025

Growth, last year

+2.4%

2024 to 2025

ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb

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

How Helidon compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 27%
Household Income
Bottom 34%
Rent Level
Top 35%
Apartments
Bottom 0%
Renters
Top 17%
Uni Educated
Bottom 11%
Born Overseas
Bottom 22%
Density
Top 35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Helidon a good suburb to live in?

Helidon can suit households seeking detached homes, space and a quieter setting. About 94.4% of dwellings are separate houses and 86.2% of workers drive, so it is better suited to car-based living than highly walkable suburbs. Its median age of 38 is 2 years below the national comparison.

What is the median house price in Helidon?

A current suburb-wide median house price is not available. Buyers should compare recent settled sales for similar three-bedroom and four-bedroom homes, since 42.1% of Helidon dwellings have three bedrooms and 42.1% have four or more. Mortgage repayments are listed at $1,300 per month.

What schools are in Helidon?

Helidon State School is the named local government school. Families should confirm the school’s current enrolment zone and year-level availability for the exact address. The suburb has a population of 1,130, so school access and broader education options should be checked across nearby Gatton and Toowoomba compared with relying only on local facilities.

Is Helidon safe?

A current crime-rate figure is not available, so safety should be checked using the latest Queensland Police information and by visiting the property at different times. Helidon has 1,130 residents and a low density of 23.2 people per sq km, meaning conditions can vary between quieter residential streets and busier transport routes.

Is Helidon good for property investment?

Helidon may suit investors targeting detached rental homes rather than rapid apartment-led growth. Renting accounts for 32.8% of dwellings, weekly rent is $313 and vacancy is 8.5%. However, only 8 development matters were recorded over 12 months, so compared with larger centres, demand and resale performance may depend more heavily on transport access and individual property quality.

How is Helidon's population changing?

The latest profile records 1,130 residents, with 74.7% staying at the same address and turnover of 25.3%. Eight development matters were recorded over 12 months, indicating incremental activity rather than a large construction pipeline. Compared with a high-turnover growth area, Helidon appears more locally anchored, although vacancy at 8.5% is worth monitoring.

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).

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