QLD 4357 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Millmerran

With a median house price of $302,000 and a vacancy rate of 13.5%, Millmerran presents a stark contrast to coastal Queensland markets. Agriculture drives 22.9% of local employment, making the economy more dependent on a single sector than most regional towns. Household income sits in the 23.6th percentile nationally, reflecting the wage structure of a farming and labouring workforce. The median age of 45 is 5 years above the national figure, and the population of 1,545 grew just 3.5% over the decade, signalling a stable but slowly aging community rather than a growth corridor.

Millmerran urban fabric map

Population

1,545

Median Age

45.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,181/wk

DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year

6

Median House

$302K

Estimated from rent (2025)

143.6 km²· 10.8 people/km²· Family income $1,521/wk

At $302,000, Millmerran's median house price is well below the Queensland state median, making entry costs low for first-home buyers. Mortgage repayments average $1,083 per month, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.2% sits comfortably below the 30% stress threshold, meaning buyers here carry proportionally lighter debt than the national average. Separate houses dominate at 92.1% of stock, with 3-bedroom homes the most common at 48.1% and 4-plus bedroom dwellings at 30.6%. Outright ownership is high at 40.9%, compared to mortgage holders at 26.5%, indicating many residents have owned their properties for decades. For buyers wanting space and minimal financial stress, the numbers favour Millmerran over most southeast Queensland alternatives.

For Buyers

At $302,000, Millmerran's median house price is well below the Queensland state median, making entry costs low for first-home buyers. Mortgage repayments average $1,083 per month, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.2% sits comfortably below the 30% stress threshold, meaning buyers here carry proportionally lighter debt than the national average. Separate houses dominate at 92.1% of stock, with 3-bedroom homes the most common at 48.1% and 4-plus bedroom dwellings at 30.6%. Outright ownership is high at 40.9%, compared to mortgage holders at 26.5%, indicating many residents have owned their properties for decades. For buyers wanting space and minimal financial stress, the numbers favour Millmerran over most southeast Queensland alternatives.

For Investors

A 13.5% vacancy rate is the key caution for investors. That figure is elevated compared to healthy rental markets, suggesting demand does not consistently absorb available supply. Weekly rent averages $240, and rent growth was 33.3% over the measured period, a strong relative gain but still modest in dollar terms. The renter share of 32.6% provides a tenant base, and net overseas migration of 24 persons a year slightly exceeds internal migration of 5, suggesting modest demand from new arrivals. Development activity was low at 6 applications in the past 12 months, mostly change-of-use and operational works rather than residential builds. Returns hinge on agricultural employment stability rather than population-driven demand.

Development Activity

Total DAs

18

Last 12 Months

6

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

Change of Use
6
Subdivision
1
Other
1
Landscaping / Retaining Wall
1

Schools in Millmerran iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged

St Joseph's School

ICSEA 972 Primary Catholic

Prep-6 · 82 students

Millmerran State School

ICSEA 928 Combined Government

Prep-10 · 239 students

Demographics

The median age of 45 places Millmerran 5 years above the national average, and the senior share grew 5.0 points over the decade while the young adult share fell 5.2 points, a clear aging trajectory. English ancestry dominates at 532 residents, followed by Scottish at 157 and Irish at 134, putting Millmerran among the more Anglo-Celtic communities in Queensland. Overseas-born residents make up 15.6%, which is 6.0 percentage points below the national figure, so the population is notably more Australian-born than state and national comparisons. University qualifications reach 19.5%, running 10.6 points below the national rate, consistent with an economy built on agriculture, laboring, and trades rather than professional services. Average household size is 2.3, just below the national figure of 2.5.

Age Distribution

0-14
17.8%
15-24
9.3%
25-44
22.7%
45-64
24.4%
65+
25.6%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
5.1%
2 bed
16.3%
3 bed
48.1%
4+ bed
30.6%

Dwelling Structure

92.1%

Houses

4.4%

Townhouse

0.5%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 40.9% Mortgage 26.5% Rent 32.6%

Owner-occupiers account for 67.4% of households combined (40.9% outright plus 26.5% on mortgages), higher than the national owner-occupier rate, while renters make up 32.6%. The stock is almost entirely separate houses at 92.1%, with semi-detached at 4.4% and apartments at just 0.5%, far below the national apartment share. Three-bedroom homes are the dominant size at 48.1%, with 4-plus bedroom homes at 30.6% reflecting rural block properties. The 13.5% vacancy rate is a structural feature of the market, above typical benchmarks, because the housing supply exceeds the current population's needs. Rent-to-income at 20.3% keeps tenants below the 30% stress threshold, and mortgage-to-income at 21.2% is similarly manageable compared to many Queensland markets.

Mortgage / mo

$1,083

Rent / wk

$240

HH Size

2.3

Personal Income / wk

$623

Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)

13.5%

Unoccupied

89

Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

20.3%

Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

21.2%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Mandarin
13

Ancestry

English
532
Scottish
157
Ancestry NS
146
Irish
134
German
119
Other
111

Household Composition

34.6%

Couples, no children

1,075

Total families

Economy & Employment

Agriculture employs 22.9% of the local workforce (83 workers), the largest single industry and more than double its typical national share, underscoring how dependent the local economy is on farming conditions. Healthcare follows at 16.3% (59 workers) and Education at 10.2% (37 workers), reflecting the service base typical of a regional centre. Construction accounts for 9.4% and Utilities 8.3%, the latter above average given the region's energy infrastructure. By occupation, Labourers lead at 140 workers, Managers follow at 99, and Machinery/Drivers at 78. The unemployment rate of 4.3% is close to the national figure, and the full-time employment rate of 68.1% is solid, though the participation rate of 49.6% is low because a large share (483 people) are not in the labour force, consistent with an older population. SEIFA deciles tell the full story: IRSD decile 2 and IRSAD decile 1, placing Millmerran among the more disadvantaged communities nationally.

Unemployment

4.4%

Labour Force

1,733

Unemployed

77

Quarterly Trend

Mar-24 Dec-25

Source: SALM Dec-25

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Overall advantage
1
Disadvantage
2
Economic resources
3
Education & occupation
1

Full-time

68.1%

Part-time

27.6%

Participation

49.6%

Employed

605

Occupations

Labourers 140
Managers 99
Machinery/Drivers 78
Sales 64
Community/Personal 60
Clerical/Admin 56
Professionals 46

Top Industries

Agriculture 22.9%
Healthcare 16.3%
Education 10.2%
Construction 9.4%
Utilities 8.3%

University

19.5%

Postgraduate

2.0%

Born Overseas

15.6%

Dwellings

571

Transport to Work

Car use is near universal at 84.2% of commuters, reflecting the low-density, rural nature of Millmerran where public transport options are limited. Walking and cycling account for 6.2% of trips, above what many comparable towns show. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families are reliant on schools in the broader Millmerran district. The volunteering rate of 18.9% is above the national average, indicating a strong community contribution culture. Need for daily assistance affects 10.2% of residents (144 people), slightly above national norms and consistent with the older population structure. SEIFA IRSD decile 2 places Millmerran in the lower tier nationally for relative disadvantage, meaning residents face more socioeconomic challenges than approximately 80% of Australian suburbs.

Drive

84.2%

Public Transport

N/A

Walk / Cycle

6.2%

Work from Home

N/A

Population Forecast

+0.09%/yr

(+3 people/yr)

Established

Population grew 3.5% over the decade to reach approximately 1,545 residents, one of the slower trajectories in Queensland, at just 3 additional persons per year currently. Forecasts to 2031 hold the wider SA2 population near 3,310 to 3,324 under the medium scenario, effectively flat. The gentrification score of 12 and a 'not gentrifying' classification confirm no upward shift in socioeconomic profile is underway. Affordability remained stable from 2011 (35.3%) to 2021 (35.5%), meaning house prices have not outrun local incomes over the long run, a contrast to coastal Queensland. Migration is balanced, with net overseas arrivals of 24 per year slightly offsetting modest internal movement. For investors, slow and stable growth means demand is unlikely to spike, but it also means little risk of a sharp population decline.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Balanced

Net Overseas / yr

+24

Net Internal / yr

+5

0

Gentrification Signal

Not gentrifying

National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs

How Millmerran compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 24%
Household Income
Bottom 24%
Rent Level
Bottom 42%
Apartments
Bottom 10%
Renters
Top 24%
Uni Educated
Bottom 35%
Born Overseas
Top 44%
Density
Top 42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Millmerran a good suburb to live in?

Millmerran suits those seeking affordable rural living with low financial stress. Mortgage repayments average $1,083 per month and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.2% is well below the 30% stress threshold. The trade-offs are limited public transport, a SEIFA IRSD decile 2 disadvantage rating, and a 13.5% vacancy rate reflecting a thin rental market.

What is the median house price in Millmerran?

The median house price is estimated at $302,000 based on 2025 rental data, well below the Queensland state median. Weekly rent averages $240 and monthly mortgage repayments run around $1,083. The rent-to-income ratio of 20.3% is below the 30% stress threshold.

What schools are in Millmerran?

No schools are recorded inside the Millmerran suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on educational facilities in the broader Millmerran district and nearby townships. Locally, 19.5% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 10.6 percentage points below the national rate.

Is Millmerran safe?

Detailed crime rate data is not available for Millmerran in this dataset. As a contextual indicator, the suburb scores SEIFA IRSD decile 2, meaning it ranks below approximately 80% of Australian communities on relative socioeconomic advantage, which can correlate with higher reported crime rates in some regional towns.

Is Millmerran good for property investment?

The 13.5% vacancy rate is the primary concern for investors, indicating more supply than consistent demand. Weekly rent of $240 against a $302,000 median implies a gross yield around 4.1%, above typical east-coast city yields. Rent grew 33.3% over the measured period, but population growth of 3.5% over 10 years means capital growth depends on agricultural conditions rather than population pressure.

How is Millmerran's population changing?

The population grew 3.5% over 10 years, adding roughly 3 persons per year at the current trend. The profile is aging, with the senior share rising 5.0 points and the young adult share falling 5.2 points over the decade. Medium forecasts project the broader SA2 population holding near 3,310 to 3,324 through 2031, effectively flat.

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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