Innisfail
Sitting in decile 1 on all four SEIFA indexes, Innisfail ranks among the most disadvantaged localities nationally, yet its median house price of $295,000 sits well below the Queensland state average, making entry-level ownership accessible. Household weekly income of $894 places residents in just the 7.3rd percentile nationally, and two thirds of the 1,091 residents are renters, an unusually high proportion compared to typical regional Queensland towns. Agriculture accounts for 23.9% of local employment and healthcare for another 20.1%, making the economy dependent on two sectors with limited wage growth. The population of the broader Innisfail SA2 area is gradually declining at roughly 14 persons per year.
Population
1,091
Median Age
41.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$894/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
7
Median House
$295K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The median house price of $295,000 is significantly below the Queensland state median, offering accessible entry for buyers. With 53.2% separate houses and 17.9% semi-detached dwellings, there is reasonable detached housing stock, though 24.3% apartments also feature. Bedroom distribution skews toward two-bedroom (37.2%) and three-bedroom (38.2%) homes, with 4-plus bedroom properties at 15.1%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,083, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 28.0%, below the 30% stress threshold. However, outright ownership stands at only 22.5% and mortgage holders at just 10.7%, reflecting a population that largely rents rather than buys. The low proportion of owner-occupiers compared to the national average signals limited organic demand pressure to drive prices higher.
For Buyers
The median house price of $295,000 is significantly below the Queensland state median, offering accessible entry for buyers. With 53.2% separate houses and 17.9% semi-detached dwellings, there is reasonable detached housing stock, though 24.3% apartments also feature. Bedroom distribution skews toward two-bedroom (37.2%) and three-bedroom (38.2%) homes, with 4-plus bedroom properties at 15.1%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,083, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 28.0%, below the 30% stress threshold. However, outright ownership stands at only 22.5% and mortgage holders at just 10.7%, reflecting a population that largely rents rather than buys. The low proportion of owner-occupiers compared to the national average signals limited organic demand pressure to drive prices higher.
For Investors
Innisfail's renter share of 66.8% is well above national norms, providing a large tenant pool, but the 13.7% vacancy rate signals meaningful oversupply in the rental market. Weekly rent of $230 against a $295,000 median implies a gross yield around 4.1%, above average compared to capital city markets. Overseas migration adds a net 89 residents per year to the broader SA2 area, partially offsetting internal outflows of 62 per year. Development activity is minimal at just 3 applications in the past 12 months, with no new residential supply recorded. Rent growth of 32.3% over the decade shows landlords have captured real income growth, but the high vacancy rate requires careful tenant selection. The combination of high vacancy and declining population trend means investors face real occupancy risk.
Development Activity
Total DAs
7
Last 12 Months
7
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
Schools in Innisfail iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Good Counsel Primary School
Prep-6 · 340 students
Good Counsel College
7-12 · 414 students
Innisfail State School
Prep-6 · 117 students
Demographics
The median age of 41 is one year above the national figure, and the demographic trajectory is aging, with the senior share rising 3.5 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 0.2 points. Overseas-born residents reach 30.0%, which is 8.4 percentage points above the national average, reflecting the region's historical and ongoing migration from Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Ancestry data shows English (253) and Irish (73) heritage as the largest groups, alongside a significant Punjabi-speaking community of 55 residents. University qualifications reach just 17.8%, which is 12.3 percentage points below the national figure, consistent with an economy led by labouring and trade occupations. Average household size of 2.2 is 0.3 below national, pointing to smaller family units and an older couple-without-children composition.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
53.2%
Houses
17.9%
Townhouse
24.3%
Apartment
Tenure
Owner-occupiers are a minority: only 22.5% own their home outright and 10.7% carry a mortgage, while 66.8% rent, a renter majority that is notably high compared to regional Queensland norms. The stock splits across separate houses (53.2%), apartments (24.3%) and semi-detached dwellings (17.9%). Two-bedroom and three-bedroom properties each account for roughly 37-38% of stock, with studios and one-bedrooms at 9.5%. The median house price of $295,000 is estimated from 2025 rent data, placing it well below the Queensland state median. Rent-to-income sits at 25.7%, below the 30% stress threshold, meaning average renters are not in housing stress despite low incomes. Mortgage-to-income at 28.0% also sits below the stress threshold for the small proportion who do carry a mortgage.
Mortgage / mo
$1,083
Rent / wk
$230
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$572
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
13.7%
Unoccupied
66
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.0%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
26.5%
Couples, no children
679
Total families
Economy & Employment
Agriculture is the largest employment sector at 23.9% (44 workers), driven by the region's sugarcane and tropical fruit industries, and healthcare follows at 20.1% (37 workers). Hospitality accounts for 9.8% and transport for 8.7%, rounding out an economy oriented toward physical and service roles. By occupation, labourers are the largest group (147 workers), well ahead of managers (44) and professionals (41), consistent with the decile 1 IEO score for education and occupation, the lowest tier nationally. The unemployment rate of 12.5% is substantially above the national average, and the participation rate of just 46.9% indicates more than half the working-age population is outside the labour force. Real income growth of 10.2% over the decade has occurred, but household income in the 7.3rd percentile nationally means the local economy remains structurally low-wage.
Unemployment
11.7%
Labour Force
4,327
Unemployed
507
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
57.9%
Part-time
29.6%
Participation
46.9%
Employed
378
Occupations
Top Industries
University
17.8%
Postgraduate
3.7%
Born Overseas
30.0%
Dwellings
408
Transport to Work
Active transport is notably well used: 14.7% of residents walk or cycle to work, above the national average, and 56.2% drive. Public transport use at 6.5% is modest, reflecting the regional setting. No schools are recorded within the 1.64 square kilometre Innisfail suburb boundary in this dataset, though the wider town has educational facilities. The IRSAD decile 1 ranking places the suburb in the most disadvantaged tier nationally, meaning residents face higher average levels of economic and social disadvantage compared to all other Australian suburbs. Volunteering participation is 9.2% and 10.7% of residents (approximately 106 people) require daily assistance. Rent-to-income at 25.7% keeps housing costs below the stress threshold for renters, and the household turnover rate of 28.1% means nearly 3 in 10 residents move each year.
Drive
56.2%
Public Transport
6.5%
Walk / Cycle
14.7%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
-0.15%/yr
(-14 people/yr)
EstablishedThe broader Innisfail SA2 area is in slow demographic decline, losing approximately 14 persons per year at an annual rate of negative 0.15%. The medium population forecast projects the area falling from around 9,452 today to roughly 9,351 by 2031. Despite this, the area recovered from a COVID dip of 2.2%, with the current population 0.5% above its COVID low. Internal migration is a net negative at minus 62 per year, while overseas migration contributes a net positive 89 per year, making overseas arrivals the primary demographic stabiliser. The gentrification score of 10 out of 100 confirms the area is not gentrifying, with affordability holding steady at around 40% across 2011 and 2021. Population growth over 10 years is just 0.4%, making Innisfail a slow-growth market compared to faster-expanding regional centres.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+89
Net Internal / yr
-62
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
COVID recovered (-2% dip → full recovery)
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Innisfail compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Innisfail a good suburb to live in?
Innisfail scores decile 1 on all four SEIFA indexes, placing it in the most disadvantaged tier nationally. Household income sits in the 7.3rd percentile nationally. The cost of living is low, with a $295,000 median house price and rent of $230 per week, but unemployment at 12.5% and limited professional employment opportunities are significant constraints.
What is the median house price in Innisfail?
The median house price is approximately $295,000, estimated from 2025 rental data. This is well below the Queensland state median. Weekly rent averages $230, and monthly mortgage repayments run about $1,083, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 28.0%, which is below the 30% stress threshold.
What schools are in Innisfail?
No schools are recorded within the 1.64 square kilometre Innisfail suburb boundary in this dataset. The wider Innisfail town area does have schooling options. Locally, only 17.8% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 12.3 percentage points below the national figure.
Is Innisfail safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Innisfail in this dataset. As a contextual indicator, the suburb scores decile 1 on the IRSD index of relative disadvantage, the lowest tier nationally, and unemployment sits at 12.5%, well above the national average. Both factors are generally associated with higher crime risk compared to more advantaged areas.
Is Innisfail good for property investment?
A 66.8% renter share provides a large tenant pool, and weekly rent of $230 against a $295,000 median implies a gross yield around 4.1%, higher than most capital city markets. However, a 13.7% vacancy rate signals oversupply, and the population is declining at roughly 14 persons per year. Rent grew 32.3% over the decade but future demand drivers are limited.
How is Innisfail's population changing?
The broader Innisfail SA2 area has a population of approximately 9,452 and is declining at around 14 persons per year, a rate of negative 0.15% annually. Medium forecasts project the population at approximately 9,351 by 2031. Overseas migration adds a net 89 residents annually, but this is outpaced over time by internal outflow of 62 per year.
What languages are spoken in Innisfail?
About 30.0% of Innisfail residents were born overseas, which is 8.4 percentage points above the national average. Punjabi is the most recorded non-English language with 55 speakers, reflecting a South Asian community in the area. The English-ancestry population (253 residents) and Irish-ancestry group (73) are the largest heritage communities.
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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