Maryborough
An older regional service centre, Maryborough has 15,287 residents and a median age of 49, which is 9 years above the national comparison. Its 13.4% university-qualified share is 16.7 percentage points below the national figure, while 85.0% of dwellings are separate houses. Compared with nearby Hervey Bay, Maryborough suits buyers seeking an established, detached-home setting, with internal migration and a 2.15% annual growth trend adding momentum.
Population
15,287
Median Age
49.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$926/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
38
Maryborough suits buyers prioritising detached housing and manageable holding costs, but the absence of a current median sale price makes address-level sales checks essential. Separate houses account for 85.0% of stock, while 49.1% of homes have three bedrooms and 17.8% have four or more, giving families more choice than a unit-heavy market. The $1,008 monthly mortgage benchmark represents 25.1% of household income, while $250 weekly rent represents 27.0%, and both stress indicators are recorded as false. Compared with nearby Hervey Bay, inspect flood exposure, renovation needs and commuting distance property by property.
For Buyers
Maryborough suits buyers prioritising detached housing and manageable holding costs, but the absence of a current median sale price makes address-level sales checks essential. Separate houses account for 85.0% of stock, while 49.1% of homes have three bedrooms and 17.8% have four or more, giving families more choice than a unit-heavy market. The $1,008 monthly mortgage benchmark represents 25.1% of household income, while $250 weekly rent represents 27.0%, and both stress indicators are recorded as false. Compared with nearby Hervey Bay, inspect flood exposure, renovation needs and commuting distance property by property.
For Investors
Investors get a low-rent entry point, but vacancy and employment risk deserve attention. Weekly rent is $250 and vacancy is 8.8%, higher than in a tightly supplied market, which can weaken rent competition because available homes give tenants more choice. Renting accounts for 34.7% of households, while 38.8% own outright and 24.4% hold a mortgage. Development activity reached 36 applications in 12 months, creating possible renewal and service demand. Population growth runs at 2.15% annually and is driven by internal migration, although unemployment is 12.2%, so tenant demand should be stress-tested against local employment conditions.
Development Activity
Total DAs
91
Last 12 Months
38
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+216.7%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Maryborough
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Riverside Christian College (Maryborough)
St Mary's College (Maryborough)
St Mary's Primary School (Maryborough)
Maryborough Special School
Aldridge State High School
Demographics
Maryborough's median age of 49 is 9 years above the national comparison, and its 2.2-person average household is 0.3 below the national figure. The population is strongly Anglo-leaning: English ancestry counts 6,790, followed by Scottish at 1,676 and Irish at 1,675; Christianity records 7,115 people versus 6,498 reporting no religion. Only 9.8% were born overseas, 11.8 percentage points below the national comparison, and 13.4% have university qualifications, 16.7 points below national. Compared with nearby Hervey Bay's coastal setting, Maryborough reads as a more established service centre, with 77.2% of residents staying at the same address.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
85.0%
Houses
8.7%
Townhouse
5.7%
Apartment
Tenure
Maryborough's housing stock is detached-dominant: separate houses make up 85.0%, compared with 5.7% apartments and 8.7% semi-detached dwellings. Three-bedroom homes account for 49.1% of stock, while two-bedroom homes represent 26.8%, making family-sized houses more common than smaller formats. Tenure is relatively settled, with 38.8% owned outright, 24.4% mortgaged and 34.7% rented. Weekly rent is $250 and rent-to-income is 27.0%, while the $1,008 monthly mortgage benchmark equals 25.1% of income. Compared with nearby Hervey Bay, buyers should assess flood exposure, insurance and maintenance because an older detached stock profile can carry higher upkeep than newer, compact housing.
Mortgage / mo
$1,008
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (Jun 2026 quarter), QLD RTA bond data. Census 2021 median: $250.
$550
Bond data Jun 2026 quarter · houses $550 · units $380
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$496
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.8%
Unoccupied
618
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.0%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.1%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
27.1%
Couples with children
44.7%
Couples, no children
26.6%
Single parent
3,908
Total families
Economy & Employment
Maryborough is anchored by service industries, with healthcare employing 797 people or 27.4% of workers, ahead of education at 383 and retail at 254. Public administration contributes 224 jobs and manufacturing 213, so the local base is broader than a single-industry town, although healthcare remains the largest pillar. Occupations mirror that mix: community and personal services number 894, labourers 709, trades 621, professionals 610 and sales 583. Unemployment is 12.2% and participation is 42.7%, while household income sits at $926 a week, at the 9.5th percentile nationally. Compared with higher-income regional centres, this points to constrained spending power, making healthcare, public services and value retail important anchors.
Unemployment
12.2%
Labour Force
5,514
Unemployed
673
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
52.5%
Part-time
40.3%
Participation
42.7%
Employed
4,841
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
13.4%
Postgraduate
2.1%
Born Overseas
9.8%
Dwellings
6,386
Transport to Work
Maryborough provides broad school access, with 10 schools spanning government, Catholic and independent sectors, including primary, high school and special-school options. Families should check enrolment zones against the exact address because catchments can cross local streets. Daily travel is strongly car-based: 78.8% drive, compared with only 0.5% using public transport; 7.4% walk or cycle and 5.7% work from home. The suburb has a median age of 49 and an IRSAD decile of 1, so services, accessibility and health support matter more than in higher-decile areas. A suburb-specific crime rate should be checked with Queensland Police, and streets should be inspected at different times before renting or buying.
Drive
78.8%
Public Transport
0.5%
Walk / Cycle
7.4%
Work from Home
5.7%
Population Forecast
+2.15%/yr
(+240 people/yr)
EstablishedMaryborough has an established profile, but the growth signal is not static: the annual trend is 2.15%, with internal migration the primary driver. Across the wider area, population change is forecast at 24.9% over 10 years, while the shift trajectory is Aging; the senior share has increased 11.7 percentage points and the working share has fallen 7.0 points. Renewal signals conflict: gentrification is labelled Active with a score of 54, while a separate shift assessment gives a score of 19 and the stage Not gentrifying. Development activity reached 36 applications in 12 months, which may support renewal because demand is being accompanied by project activity. Compared with a mature suburb with flat growth, 2.15% is a stronger forward rate, but services must keep pace with an older population.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+29
Net Internal / yr
+355
Gentrification Signal
Active
Population +43% since 2011, Net internal migration +355/yr, Accelerating: 8% → 32%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Maryborough compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maryborough a good suburb to live in?
Maryborough can suit households seeking established services, detached homes and a slower-paced regional setting. The median age is 49, 85.0% of dwellings are separate houses and 10 schools provide government, Catholic and independent options. Car dependence is high at 78.8%, so daily convenience depends on having reliable transport.
What is the median house price in Maryborough?
Maryborough has no reliable current dollar median to quote. Weekly rent is $250 and the mortgage benchmark is $1,008 a month, with housing costs representing 27.0% and 25.1% of household income respectively. Buyers should use recent settled sales and compare similar streets, dwelling conditions and flood exposure before making an offer.
What schools are in Maryborough?
Maryborough has 10 schools across government, Catholic and independent sectors, including primary, high school and special-school settings. Families should check the enrolment zone for the exact address because school catchments can cross local streets. The mix supports several schooling pathways, but school choice and travel times will vary by neighbourhood.
Is Maryborough safe?
A current suburb-specific crime rate should be checked with Queensland Police before deciding. Maryborough has 15,287 residents and 77.2% of residents stayed at the same address, but neither measure establishes safety. Visit prospective streets during the day and evening, ask local providers about conditions and check property lighting, access and flood-related risks.
Is Maryborough good for property investment?
Maryborough may suit yield-focused investors because weekly rent is $250 and 34.7% of households rent. However, the 8.8% vacancy rate is relatively high, which can increase letting risk, while unemployment is 12.2%. The 2.15% annual growth trend and 36 development applications in 12 months add interest, but tenant demand should be assessed carefully.
How is Maryborough's population changing?
Maryborough has a current population of 15,287, with an annual growth trend of 2.15% driven by internal migration. Across the wider area, population change is forecast at 24.9% over 10 years. The trajectory is Aging, with the senior share up 11.7 percentage points and the working share down 7.0 points, so growth is likely to increase demand for health and accessibility services.
What development is occurring in Maryborough?
Development activity reached 36 applications in 12 months, covering building work, material changes of use and referrals. Examples include domestic outbuildings and accommodation for 10 PALM scheme employees. This activity may support local renewal and employment, but applications do not guarantee completed dwellings, so investors should verify project status and likely effects on nearby rental supply.
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.
Explore Maryborough on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map