Howard
Median age 56 puts Howard 16 years above the national figure, making it one of Queensland's most pronounced senior-skew suburbs. Yet population growth tells a different story: the area grew 18.7% over the decade and internal migration is adding 113 residents a year, faster than many comparable regional towns. The median house price sits at $305,000, well below state and national medians, while 50.2% of households own their home outright. Healthcare dominates employment at 28.1% of the workforce, and the suburb scores decile 7 on IRSAD nationally, placing it in the middle-upper advantage tier despite household income sitting in just the 6th percentile.
Population
1,394
Median Age
56.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$854/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
2
Median House
$305K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At $305,000, Howard's median house price is substantially lower than Queensland's broader regional medians, making it one of the more affordable entry points in the Wide Bay corridor. Separate houses dominate at 94% of dwellings, so detached family homes are the norm rather than the exception. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,062, and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 28.7%, below the 30% stress threshold. Three-bedroom homes are the modal type at 49.4% of stock, with 4-plus bedroom homes at 21.9%. Half the suburb (50.2%) owns outright, which means most buyers are not competing against leveraged investors but against cash-rich retirees and downsizers settling for the long term.
For Buyers
At $305,000, Howard's median house price is substantially lower than Queensland's broader regional medians, making it one of the more affordable entry points in the Wide Bay corridor. Separate houses dominate at 94% of dwellings, so detached family homes are the norm rather than the exception. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,062, and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 28.7%, below the 30% stress threshold. Three-bedroom homes are the modal type at 49.4% of stock, with 4-plus bedroom homes at 21.9%. Half the suburb (50.2%) owns outright, which means most buyers are not competing against leveraged investors but against cash-rich retirees and downsizers settling for the long term.
For Investors
Howard's 24.1% renter share and $248 weekly rent imply a gross yield around 4.2% against the $305,000 median, higher than coastal premium markets. The 9.4% vacancy rate is elevated though, meaning one in ten rentals sits empty and void periods are a real cost. Net internal migration of 113 per year and 25% rent growth over the period signal a tightening underlying market. Development activity is low at just 2 applications in 12 months, so new supply is not a near-term risk. The investment case is yield-led, suited to long-hold buyers rather than short-term capital growth strategies.
Development Activity
Total DAs
4
Last 12 Months
2
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+100.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Howard iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Howard State School
Prep-6 · 163 students
Demographics
The median age of 56 is 16 years above the national average, and the aging trend is confirmed by a 4-point rise in the senior share over the decade. The working-age share actually grew 7.2 points, reflecting an influx of middle-aged internal migrants rather than younger arrivals. Overseas-born residents at 14.5% are 7.1 points below the national figure. Ancestry is Anglo-Celtic, led by English (625), Irish (169) and Scottish (168). Average household size is 2.2, below the national 2.5, consistent with the 45.1% of families who are couples with no children.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
94.0%
Houses
N/A
Townhouse
5.2%
Apartment
Tenure
Owner-occupiers dominate tenure: 50.2% own outright and 25.7% carry a mortgage, leaving just 24.1% renting. Outright ownership well above the national rate is a structural feature of retirement-age populations moving to affordable markets. The stock is almost entirely detached houses at 94%, with apartments at 5.2%. Three-bedroom homes are the most common at 49.4%, followed by 4-plus at 21.9% and 2-bedroom at 22.4%. At a $305,000 median and $1,062 monthly repayment, affordability is significantly better than most Queensland coastal towns. Rent-to-income is 29%, just below the 30% stress threshold, meaning tenants are not under pressure to leave despite the 9.4% vacancy rate.
Mortgage / mo
$1,062
Rent / wk
$248
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$456
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.4%
Unoccupied
63
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
29.0%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.7%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
45.1%
Couples, no children
1,031
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare dominates at 28.1% of employed residents, more than three times the share of Construction, Retail or Manufacturing (each around 9%). This healthcare concentration is self-reinforcing because the older population drives local demand. Unemployment stands at 12.2%, above the national rate, though the participation rate of 33.2% is far below national norms because 694 of 1,394 residents are retirees outside the labour force. The suburb scores decile 7 on IRSAD nationally, placing it above the median in advantage terms despite household income at just the 6th percentile.
Unemployment
1.9%
Labour Force
2,906
Unemployed
55
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
53.8%
Part-time
34.0%
Participation
33.2%
Employed
353
Occupations
Top Industries
University
11.4%
Postgraduate
1.9%
Born Overseas
14.5%
Dwellings
612
Transport to Work
Car dependency is high: 86.6% of residents drive to work, above urban QLD averages. Walking and cycling at 6.6% is notable for a 45.85 sq km regional suburb. No schools are recorded within Howard's boundaries, so families rely on nearby towns. The suburb scores decile 9 on the Index of Economic Resources, an outlier compared to its 6th percentile household income, because 50.2% outright ownership inflates asset wealth measures. IRSAD decile 7 places it above the national median. Around 15.1% of residents (200 people) need daily assistance, above national norms and consistent with the median age of 56.
Drive
86.6%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
6.6%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.82%/yr
(+52 people/yr)
High GrowthPopulation in the Howard area reached 6,308 in 2025, up 18.7% over 10 years, which is above the trajectory for many comparable regional QLD towns. Medium forecasts project continued growth to 6,597 by 2031 at 0.82% annually. Internal migration drives the headline, adding 113 net residents a year, while overseas migration contributes 47. The area dipped 5.8% during COVID but fully recovered and surpassed pre-COVID levels by 2023. Gentrification scores at 36 (early signs), with rent growth of 25% over the period outpacing the 3.8% real income growth, both signalling a gradually tightening market than the historical norm.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+47
Net Internal / yr
+113
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +36% since 2011, Net internal migration +113/yr, COVID recovered (-6% dip → full recovery)
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Howard compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Howard a good suburb to live in?
Howard suits retirees and those seeking affordable regional living. With a $305,000 median house price and 50.2% of residents owning outright, it offers low-cost stability. The suburb scores decile 7 on IRSAD nationally, placing it in the middle-upper advantage tier. The main trade-off is limited employment locally, with a 12.2% unemployment rate and 33.2% participation rate reflecting the predominantly retired population.
What is the median house price in Howard?
The median house price is approximately $305,000, estimated from 2025 rental data. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,062 with a mortgage-to-income ratio of 28.7%, below the 30% stress threshold. Weekly rent averages $248, implying a gross yield around 4.2% for investors.
What schools are in Howard?
No schools are recorded inside Howard's boundaries in this dataset. Families typically travel to nearby towns in the Wide Bay region for schooling. The local university qualification rate is 11.4%, which is 18.7 percentage points below the national figure, reflecting the suburb's older and trade-oriented population base.
Is Howard safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Howard in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores decile 7 on IRSAD nationally, above the median advantage tier, and the low-income, high-ownership profile is generally associated with stable, settled communities. About 15.1% of residents (200 people) require daily assistance, consistent with the older age profile.
Is Howard good for property investment?
Howard offers a gross rental yield around 4.2% against a $305,000 median and $248 weekly rent, higher than many premium markets. However, the 9.4% vacancy rate is elevated, meaning rental voids are a real risk. Internal migration of 113 residents a year and 25% rent growth over the period support a gradually tightening market. The investment case suits long-hold, yield-focused buyers rather than short-term capital growth strategies.
How is Howard's population changing?
The broader Howard area reached 6,308 residents in 2025, up 18.7% over 10 years. Annual growth runs at 0.82%, adding around 52 people per year. Internal migration is the primary driver at 113 net arrivals annually, with overseas migration adding 47. Medium forecasts project the population reaching 6,597 by 2031, continuing the steady upward trend.
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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