Hermit Park
Almost half of Hermit Park's residents rent their homes, a figure sitting well above national owner-occupier norms, and this single fact shapes nearly every other characteristic of the suburb. Located in Townsville, 3,512 residents occupy just 2.14 km2, giving a density of 1,638 people per km2. The median house price of $350,000 is affordable by national standards, and household income sits at the 39th percentile, which explains why 49.3% of households rent rather than buy. SEIFA IRSD decile 3 confirms relative disadvantage, while healthcare dominates employment at 23% of the workforce, reflecting the suburb's position near major Townsville health facilities.
Population
3,512
Median Age
36.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,382/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
5
Median House
$350K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The median house price of $350,000 places Hermit Park well below the national median, making entry accessible for buyers who would be priced out of most capital city markets. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,406, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 23.5%, below the 30% stress threshold. Separate houses make up 54.9% of dwellings, with semi-detached homes at 35.6% and apartments at just 9.5%, so detached housing is the dominant stock type. Two-bedroom dwellings account for 47.2% of stock, the single largest segment, while 3-bedroom homes represent 29.4% and 4-plus bedroom homes 20.8%. Outright owners represent 21.1% and mortgage holders 29.6%, a tenure mix where renters outnumber buyers because the 39th-percentile household income limits deposit-saving capacity.
For Buyers
The median house price of $350,000 places Hermit Park well below the national median, making entry accessible for buyers who would be priced out of most capital city markets. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,406, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 23.5%, below the 30% stress threshold. Separate houses make up 54.9% of dwellings, with semi-detached homes at 35.6% and apartments at just 9.5%, so detached housing is the dominant stock type. Two-bedroom dwellings account for 47.2% of stock, the single largest segment, while 3-bedroom homes represent 29.4% and 4-plus bedroom homes 20.8%. Outright owners represent 21.1% and mortgage holders 29.6%, a tenure mix where renters outnumber buyers because the 39th-percentile household income limits deposit-saving capacity.
For Investors
At 49.3% renters, Hermit Park sits significantly higher than national renter averages, creating a large and stable tenant pool for landlords. Weekly rent of $255 against a $350,000 median implies a gross yield near 3.8%, more competitive than most southeast Queensland markets. However, the 11.7% vacancy rate signals above-average supply competition, and investors should factor this into occupancy assumptions. Net overseas migration adds 34 residents annually while internal migration removes 15, producing modest but positive net demand. Only 4 development applications were lodged in the past 12 months, so new supply pressure is low. The affordable price point and healthcare-dominated employment base provide income stability, since health workers represent 23% of local jobs.
Development Activity
Total DAs
5
Last 12 Months
5
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 36, which is 4.0 years below the national figure, reflecting a younger workforce profile shaped by healthcare and community service employment. Overseas-born residents at 16.9% are 4.7 points below the national average, and the ancestry mix is predominantly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (1,309), Irish (439) and Scottish (394). Average household size is 2.1, which is 0.4 below national, consistent with a mix of single-person rentals and small families. Couples with children make up 838 households, while couples without children account for 686. The employment participation rate is 62.0%, with unemployment at 6.3%, higher than national averages, because the SEIFA IRSD decile-3 standing reflects a below-median disadvantage profile.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
54.9%
Houses
35.6%
Townhouse
9.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure structure skews strongly toward renting: 49.3% of households rent, compared to 29.6% with a mortgage and 21.1% owning outright. This renter-majority profile is driven by the 39th-percentile household income, which limits access to deposits and borrowing capacity. The stock is predominantly separate houses at 54.9%, with semi-detached dwellings at 35.6% and apartments at 9.5%. Two-bedroom dwellings dominate at 47.2%, reflecting the prevalence of smaller rental units, while 3-bedroom homes represent 29.4% of stock. The median house price of $350,000 and weekly rent of $255 give a rent-to-income ratio of 18.5%, below the stress threshold, meaning renters here are not under acute housing cost pressure relative to their incomes.
Mortgage / mo
$1,406
Rent / wk
$255
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$862
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
11.7%
Unoccupied
195
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.5%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
29.4%
Couples, no children
2,334
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the standout industry at 23.0% of employed residents (279 workers), more than double the second-largest sector, Education at 11.3% (137 workers). Public Administration follows at 10.8%, Construction at 10.1% and Professional/Tech at 8.0%. By occupation, Professionals lead at 412 workers, followed by Community and Personal Service at 281 and Clerical/Admin at 205. The SEIFA IRSD decile-3 score indicates the suburb ranks below average on relative disadvantage nationally, while the IEO decile-6 score shows education and occupation levels are near the national median, creating an unusual split between relative income disadvantage and reasonably skilled occupational mix. The unemployment rate is 6.3%, above the national average, with the full-time employment rate at 66.4%.
Unemployment
7.5%
Labour Force
3,208
Unemployed
241
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
66.4%
Part-time
27.3%
Participation
62.0%
Employed
1,685
Occupations
Top Industries
University
29.6%
Postgraduate
7.4%
Born Overseas
16.9%
Dwellings
1,474
Transport to Work
Transport is car-dependent, with 85.6% of residents commuting by car, well above national averages, and only 2.1% using public transport. Active travel at 4.9% walking and cycling is modest. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families rely on schools in neighbouring Townsville suburbs. The IRSAD decile-4 ranking means Hermit Park sits below the national median on combined advantage and disadvantage measures, while IRSD decile 3 confirms higher-than-median levels of relative disadvantage. Rent stress is absent at 18.5% rent-to-income, and mortgage stress is also below the threshold at 23.5%. Volunteering reaches 15.1% of residents, and 6.6% of the population (212 people) need daily assistance, which aligns with the suburb's community-service employment base.
Drive
85.6%
Public Transport
2.1%
Walk / Cycle
4.9%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.56%/yr
(+32 people/yr)
EstablishedHermit Park is an established, low-growth suburb with population increasing at 0.56% annually, or approximately 32 persons per year. The 10-year population change was 5.7%, modest compared to Queensland growth corridors. Medium forecasts project population rising from around 5,750 in 2025 to 5,847 by 2031. Migration patterns are balanced: overseas arrivals add 34 residents per year while internal migration removes 15, so net migration is a slight positive. Gentrification is not currently occurring, though the gentrification score of 24 and classification of early signs suggests marginal upward pressure. Affordability improved from 37.4% in 2011 to 29.5% in 2021, a positive trend indicating incomes have grown faster than housing costs. Real income grew 7.1% over the period.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+34
Net Internal / yr
-15
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Hermit Park compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hermit Park a good suburb to live in?
Hermit Park suits renters and young workers well, with a median house price of $350,000 and rent-to-income of 18.5%, both below stress thresholds. The suburb scores SEIFA IRSD decile 3, below the national median on relative disadvantage, but the healthcare-heavy employment base with 23% of workers in health roles provides stable local jobs. Car ownership is essential as only 2.1% use public transport.
What is the median house price in Hermit Park?
The median house price is estimated at $350,000, making Hermit Park accessible compared to national medians. Weekly rent averages $255, giving a gross yield near 3.8%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,406, and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 23.5%, below the 30% stress level.
What schools are in Hermit Park?
No schools are recorded inside the Hermit Park boundary in this dataset, so families rely on schools in neighbouring Townsville suburbs. The suburb has a median age of 36, 4 years below the national figure, and households with children number 838 couples with children across the 2.14 km2 area.
Is Hermit Park safe?
Detailed crime rate data is not available for Hermit Park in this dataset. As context, the suburb scores SEIFA IRSD decile 3, indicating higher-than-median disadvantage nationally, and the unemployment rate of 6.3% is above national averages, both factors associated with elevated crime risk in comparable suburbs. Independent crime data from QLD Police is recommended for a current picture.
Is Hermit Park good for property investment?
The 49.3% renter share, well above national averages, creates strong rental demand. Weekly rent of $255 against a $350,000 median gives a gross yield near 3.8%, competitive for Queensland. The main risk is the 11.7% vacancy rate, which is elevated and signals supply competition. Net population growth of 32 persons per year and low new development at 4 applications in 12 months support long-term stability.
How is Hermit Park's population changing?
The suburb is growing slowly at 0.56% per year, adding about 32 residents annually. The 10-year population change was 5.7%. Medium forecasts project the population reaching 5,847 by 2031, up from 5,752 in 2025. Overseas migration contributes 34 new residents each year while internal migration removes 15, resulting in modest net positive growth.
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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