Hughenden
A population of 1,113 spread across 932 square kilometres tells the basic story of Hughenden: density sits at just 1.2 people per km2, far below any metropolitan benchmark. What makes the suburb stand out is the combination of an unusually affordable median house price around $210,000 and a vacancy rate of 24%, the highest tier of housing surplus. Household income falls in the 31.2nd percentile nationally, yet rent-to-income at 12.3% and mortgage-to-income at 14.1% are both well below stress thresholds. Public administration drives nearly a quarter of local employment, giving the town a government-anchored economic base that differs sharply from the agriculture-only image of outback Queensland.
Population
1,113
Median Age
42.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,306/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$210K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The median house price is approximately $210,000, placing Hughenden among the most affordable markets in Queensland compared to the state median. Monthly mortgage repayments run around $800, and mortgage-to-income sits at 14.1%, well below the 30% stress threshold even at the local household income of $1,306 per week. Separate houses account for 78.1% of dwellings, with three-bedroom homes the dominant configuration at 47.6% of the stock. Four-plus bedroom homes represent 22.8%, giving buyers meaningful choice at the upper end for the price point. At 41.4% outright ownership, the suburb has a stable owner base, though the 24% vacancy rate suggests buyers can negotiate in a well-supplied market.
For Buyers
The median house price is approximately $210,000, placing Hughenden among the most affordable markets in Queensland compared to the state median. Monthly mortgage repayments run around $800, and mortgage-to-income sits at 14.1%, well below the 30% stress threshold even at the local household income of $1,306 per week. Separate houses account for 78.1% of dwellings, with three-bedroom homes the dominant configuration at 47.6% of the stock. Four-plus bedroom homes represent 22.8%, giving buyers meaningful choice at the upper end for the price point. At 41.4% outright ownership, the suburb has a stable owner base, though the 24% vacancy rate suggests buyers can negotiate in a well-supplied market.
For Investors
The vacancy rate of 24% is the key risk factor for investors, indicating a structural surplus of available dwellings relative to demand. Weekly rent of $160 against a $210,000 median implies a gross yield near 4%, higher than most capital city markets, but filling vacancies is the practical challenge. The renter share is 37.7%, providing a tenant base, and mortgage-to-income at 14.1% means cashflow breakeven is achievable at current rents. Population of 1,113 in a 932 km2 area with a labour force participation rate of 53.7% limits organic demand growth. Investors should note the public administration sector employs 24.7% of workers, meaning government staffing decisions have an outsized influence on rental demand.
Schools in Hughenden iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St Francis Catholic School
Prep-6 · 32 students
Hughenden State School
Prep-12 · 115 students
Demographics
The median age is 42, which is 2.0 years above the national figure, pointing to an aging resident profile. Overseas-born residents account for 7.7% of the population, which is 13.9 percentage points below the national average, reflecting the inland location and limited migration pathways. Ancestry is predominantly Anglo-Celtic, with English (432 residents), Irish (136) and Scottish (113) the leading groups. University qualifications reach only 17.9%, which is 12.2 percentage points below the national figure, consistent with the trade and labourer-heavy occupational mix. Average household size is 2.2, which is 0.3 below the national figure, and couples without children account for 34.1% of all families.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
78.1%
Houses
19.7%
Townhouse
0.7%
Apartment
Tenure
Separate houses dominate at 78.1% of dwellings, with semi-detached homes at 19.7% and apartments at just 0.7%. Three-bedroom homes account for 47.6% of stock, two-bedroom homes 22.6%, and four-plus bedroom 22.8%, giving a spread that skews larger than most urban markets. Tenure is fairly balanced: 41.4% own outright, 20.8% hold mortgages and 37.7% rent. The outright ownership share of 41.4% is notable for a low-income suburb, suggesting long-term established residents with paid-down loans. The 24% vacancy rate is the defining housing characteristic, producing a buyer and tenant market where supply significantly exceeds current demand at the $210,000 median price level.
Mortgage / mo
$800
Rent / wk
$160
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$770
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
24.0%
Unoccupied
132
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
12.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
14.1%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
34.1%
Couples, no children
703
Total families
Economy & Employment
Public administration employs 24.7% of the workforce (65 workers), the largest sector and a stabilising force because government jobs are less cyclical than agriculture or mining. Education follows at 16.3% (43 workers) and healthcare at 11.8% (31 workers), together forming a services cluster that serves the surrounding pastoral district. Construction accounts for 10.6% and retail 7.2%. By occupation, labourers (77) narrowly outnumber managers (73) and professionals (68), a mix that reflects both the trade economy and the government service presence. The unemployment rate is 3.7%, and full-time employment runs at 73.7% of those employed. Household income at $1,306 per week places the suburb in the 31.2nd percentile nationally.
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
73.7%
Part-time
22.6%
Participation
53.7%
Employed
464
Occupations
Top Industries
University
17.9%
Postgraduate
4.3%
Born Overseas
7.7%
Dwellings
411
Transport to Work
Car dependency is high, with 84% of commuters driving, reflecting the absence of meaningful public transport infrastructure across 932 square kilometres. An unusually high 11.1% of residents walk or cycle, above many metropolitan areas, likely because local trips within the township centre are short. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary in this dataset, though a regional service centre of 1,113 people would typically be served by a local primary school. Volunteering runs at a high 25.4%, above average nationally, suggesting strong community participation relative to population size. Housing stress is low compared to the national picture: rent-to-income at 12.3% and mortgage-to-income at 14.1% are both well below typical stress thresholds.
Drive
84.0%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
11.1%
Work from Home
N/A
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Hughenden compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hughenden a good suburb to live in?
Hughenden suits residents who value affordability and community stability over urban amenity. Housing stress is low, with rent-to-income at 12.3% and mortgage-to-income at 14.1%, well below stress thresholds. The median house price around $210,000 is substantially lower than the QLD state median. Trade-offs include limited transport options and a 24% vacancy rate that signals slow population growth.
What is the median house price in Hughenden?
The median house price is approximately $210,000, estimated from local rent data (2025). Monthly mortgage repayments run around $800. Weekly rent averages $160. This makes Hughenden one of the more affordable property markets in Queensland, significantly below the state median.
What schools are in Hughenden?
No schools are recorded inside the Hughenden suburb boundary in this dataset. As a regional service centre with a population of 1,113, the area is typically served by local primary and secondary facilities, but prospective residents should verify enrolment options directly with the Queensland Department of Education. University qualifications among residents are at 17.9%.
Is Hughenden safe?
Detailed crime rate data per 1,000 residents is not available for Hughenden in this dataset. As a contextual indicator, housing stress is very low (rent-to-income 12.3%, mortgage-to-income 14.1%) and 5.4% of residents (53 people) need daily assistance. The volunteering rate of 25.4% suggests active community participation, which is generally associated with social cohesion.
Is Hughenden good for property investment?
The $210,000 median and $160 weekly rent imply a gross yield near 4%, higher than most capital city markets. However, the 24% vacancy rate indicates significant surplus supply, making tenancy a practical challenge. The government sector employs 24.7% of workers, providing some demand stability, but the 1,113-person population limits the tenant pool significantly.
How is Hughenden's population changing?
Detailed population trend forecasts are not available in the current dataset for Hughenden. The population stands at 1,113 across 932 square kilometres, giving a density of 1.2 people per km2. The 24% vacancy rate and a labour force participation rate of 53.7%, below national norms, suggest population growth has been flat or modest in recent years.
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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