Iluka
A 46-year median age puts Iluka 6 years above the national figure, yet its population of 5,669 sits within a high-income, high-growth coastal profile. Household income ranks at the 97.9th percentile, while 53.3% of residents were born overseas, 31.7 percentage points above the national share. Detached homes account for 97.6% of dwellings and 86.4% have four or more bedrooms, which helps explain the family-sized feel. Compared with nearby Ocean Reef and Burns Beach, Iluka's standout mix is established wealth, large-home stock and an older resident base.
Population
5,669
Median Age
46.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$3,144/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
5
Iluka suits buyers seeking large detached homes, but a dependable median sale figure is not available to anchor a conventional price comparison. Separate houses make up 97.6% of dwellings, while 86.4% have four or more bedrooms, so the stock is oriented to families rather than compact units. The typical mortgage repayment is $2,600 per month, and mortgage costs equal 19.1% of household income, lower than rent at 20.2%. With 52.9% of homes mortgaged and 38.3% owned outright, the suburb has a stronger owner base than its 7.8% rental share. Compare current sales carefully because detached, high-income markets can vary by street and renovation level.
For Buyers
Iluka suits buyers seeking large detached homes, but a dependable median sale figure is not available to anchor a conventional price comparison. Separate houses make up 97.6% of dwellings, while 86.4% have four or more bedrooms, so the stock is oriented to families rather than compact units. The typical mortgage repayment is $2,600 per month, and mortgage costs equal 19.1% of household income, lower than rent at 20.2%. With 52.9% of homes mortgaged and 38.3% owned outright, the suburb has a stronger owner base than its 7.8% rental share. Compare current sales carefully because detached, high-income markets can vary by street and renovation level.
For Investors
Iluka's rental profile is tight but relatively small: 7.8% of occupied dwellings are rented, compared with 38.3% owned outright and 52.9% mortgaged. Weekly rent is $635 and vacancy is 3.2%, so tenant demand should be tested against the limited rental pool rather than assumed from vacancy alone. Five development applications in the past 12 months indicate modest local activity, not a large new supply pipeline. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, while 97.6% separate-house stock reinforces owner appeal. Compare achievable rent, insurance and maintenance costs with nearby Ocean Reef and Burns Beach before committing.
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
Iluka combines an older age profile with substantial overseas representation. The median age is 46, which is 6 years above the national figure, while 53.3% of residents were born overseas, 31.7 percentage points above the national share. University attainment is 39.4%, or 9.3 points above national, and the average household size of 3.0 is 0.5 above national. English ancestry is recorded for 2,827 people, followed by Irish at 654 and Scottish at 602. Christianity counts 3,203 residents versus 1,983 reporting no religion. An 80.5% stay rate suggests a more settled base than the 19.5% turnover rate, even as overseas migration adds new households.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
97.6%
Houses
0.9%
Townhouse
1.3%
Apartment
Tenure
Iluka's housing stock is unusually detached and large: 97.6% of dwellings are separate houses, compared with 1.3% apartments and 0.9% semi-detached homes. Four-plus-bedroom properties account for 86.4%, while three-bedroom homes represent 8.7%, making the suburb more family-oriented than unit-led markets. Tenure is concentrated among mortgaged households at 52.9% and outright owners at 38.3%, with only 7.8% renting. Mortgage costs equal 19.1% of household income, below the 20.2% rent share, and the mortgage-stress flag is false. Couples with children make up 55.1% of families, helping explain demand for larger homes. Compared with Ocean Reef and Burns Beach, assess each property's lot and condition rather than relying on a suburb average.
Mortgage / mo
$2,600
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$635
Census 2021
HH Size
3.0
Personal Income / wk
$995
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
3.2%
Unoccupied
61
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.1%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
55.1%
Couples with children
37.8%
Couples, no children
7.1%
Single parent
1,722
Total families
Economy & Employment
Iluka's economy is anchored by Healthcare at 15.9% of jobs, followed by Education at 13.6%, Professional/Tech at 12.4%, Construction at 10.5% and Mining at 8.3%. That mix aligns with 817 Professionals, 563 Managers and 465 Clerical/Admin workers, while Trades account for 396. Participation is 71.2%, unemployment 4.2% and full-time employment 57.9%, indicating a stronger labour connection than in less advantaged suburbs. SEIFA reinforces the position: education and occupation sit in decile 8, economic resources in decile 10, and both disadvantage and advantage indexes in decile 10. The lower education decile suggests prosperity is broader than formal education alone, because occupations and household resources also contribute.
Unemployment
4.2%
Labour Force
3,373
Unemployed
140
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
57.9%
Part-time
37.7%
Participation
71.2%
Employed
3,233
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
39.4%
Postgraduate
9.0%
Born Overseas
53.3%
Dwellings
1,847
Transport to Work
Iluka's liveability profile favours drivers and home-based workers. Car drivers account for 72.3% of journeys, compared with 6.5% using public transport and 1.2% walking or cycling, while 14.4% work from home. The 2.52 square kilometre suburb has a density of 2,249.2 people per square kilometre, and its detached, low-rise form likely contributes to car reliance. Social stability is notable: 80.5% stayed at the same address and volunteering is 15.1%. Socioeconomic advantage ranks above most areas, with IRSAD and IRSD in decile 10 and IER also in decile 10. Families should check exact school enrolment zones and nearby options, since access can vary by address.
Drive
72.3%
Public Transport
6.5%
Walk / Cycle
1.2%
Work from Home
14.4%
Population Forecast
+2.81%/yr
(+316 people/yr)
EstablishedIluka's forecast combines strong momentum with an aging trajectory. Annual growth is 2.81%, driven by overseas migration, while population change across the wider area reaches 57.9% over 10 years. The aging signal is clear: senior share has risen 5.8% and young share has fallen 4.6%, with the senior movement higher than the young-share change. This points to a changing age mix rather than simple family expansion. Gentrification is not currently indicated, with a score of 10 and a stage of Not gentrifying. Compared with the suburb's 19.5% turnover rate and 80.5% stay rate, this suggests growth can add new households without erasing established ties.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+224
Net Internal / yr
+30
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Strong overseas inflow +224/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Iluka compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Iluka a good suburb to live in?
Iluka can suit households wanting large detached homes, strong incomes and a settled coastal setting. The median age is 46, household income ranks at the 97.9th percentile, and 97.6% of dwellings are separate houses. Car dependence is high at 72.3%, so transport needs matter.
What is the median house price in Iluka?
A dependable median house price is not quoted for Iluka, so use recent comparable sales and current listings rather than relying on a single figure. Test repayments against the $2,600 monthly mortgage figure and household income of $3,144 per week. The 86.4% four-plus-bedroom share also makes property mix important.
What schools are in Iluka?
School choice should be checked against the exact Iluka address, including enrolment zones and nearby government, Catholic or independent options. This is particularly relevant because 55.1% of families are couples with children and average household size is 3.0. Allow for travel time because 72.3% commute by car and only 6.5% use public transport.
Is Iluka safe?
Iluka has strong socioeconomic indicators, including an IRSAD decile of 10 and 2.6% of residents needing assistance. Those figures do not establish personal safety, so check current police information and visit the area at different times before deciding. Street activity and lighting can vary within a 2.52 square kilometre suburb.
Is Iluka good for property investment?
Iluka may suit investors targeting established detached housing, but returns need careful testing. Weekly rent is $635, vacancy is 3.2%, and only 7.8% of dwellings are rented, compared with 52.9% mortgaged. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, while 5 development applications in 12 months indicate limited local activity rather than a major new supply wave.
How is Iluka's population changing?
Iluka currently has 5,669 residents. Growth is forecast at 2.81% annually, with overseas migration as the primary driver, and population change across the wider area is 57.9% over 10 years. The trajectory is Aging: senior share is up 5.8% and young share is down 4.6%, so growth is occurring alongside an older resident mix.
What languages are spoken in Iluka?
Iluka has a migrant-majority profile, with 53.3% of residents born overseas, 31.7 percentage points above the national share. Among recorded language groups, Afrikaans has 88 speakers, Mandarin 27 and Arabic 23. English ancestry is also prominent at 2,827 people, alongside Irish ancestry at 654.
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). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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