Monto
With a median age of 55, Monto sits 15 years above the national figure, making it one of Queensland's most distinctly senior rural communities. The household income lands in just the 6.3rd percentile nationally, yet 45.2% of residents own their home outright, well above national averages, because low property prices remove the need for debt. The median house price is around $218,000, roughly a fraction of Queensland's capital-city medians, and the vacancy rate of 21.0% signals an oversupplied rental market. Population has grown 14.8% over the past decade, a stronger trend than many comparable inland towns.
Population
1,156
Median Age
55.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$853/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$218K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At an estimated $218,000 median house price, Monto is dramatically more affordable than the Queensland state median, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.7% sits comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. The stock is 96.6% separate houses, so buyers get a genuine detached dwelling rather than apartments or units. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 53.0% of dwellings, with 4-plus bedroom properties at 23.1%, giving families reasonable room to choose. Monthly mortgage repayments average around $800, which is low compared to most Queensland coastal markets. The 45.2% outright-ownership rate, substantially higher than the national norm, signals a settled owner base rather than a transient one.
For Buyers
At an estimated $218,000 median house price, Monto is dramatically more affordable than the Queensland state median, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.7% sits comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. The stock is 96.6% separate houses, so buyers get a genuine detached dwelling rather than apartments or units. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 53.0% of dwellings, with 4-plus bedroom properties at 23.1%, giving families reasonable room to choose. Monthly mortgage repayments average around $800, which is low compared to most Queensland coastal markets. The 45.2% outright-ownership rate, substantially higher than the national norm, signals a settled owner base rather than a transient one.
For Investors
The rental market in Monto requires careful scrutiny. Weekly rent of $170 against an estimated $218,000 median produces a gross yield near 4.0%, higher than many city suburbs, but the 21.0% vacancy rate is a significant red flag, indicating more available rentals than the tenant pool can absorb. The renter share is 32.7%, providing a reasonable base of demand. Annual population growth of 1.51% adds about 186 people per year to the broader area, and net migration is balanced between overseas (59 per year) and internal (38 per year) flows. With zero development applications in the past 12 months, no new supply pressure exists, though the high vacancy suggests existing stock already exceeds demand.
Schools in Monto iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St Therese's Catholic Primary School
Prep-6 · 36 students
Monto State High School
7-12 · 149 students
Monto State School
Prep-6 · 111 students
Demographics
Monto's median age of 55 is 15 years above the national average, placing it firmly in Australia's oldest demographic bracket. The overseas-born share of 9.5% is 12.1 percentage points below the national figure, reflecting a predominantly locally born, Anglo-Celtic population: English ancestry leads at 505 residents, followed by German (152), Scottish (150) and Irish (105). University qualifications at 17.3% run 12.8 points below the national rate, consistent with a rural town where trade and agriculture have historically defined career paths. Average household size of 2.0 is 0.5 below national, shaped by the high proportion of couples without children at 43.8% of families. The volunteering rate of 22.5% is notably high, typical of tight rural communities.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
96.6%
Houses
0.6%
Townhouse
1.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Ownership structures in Monto reflect the low price point and aging population: 45.2% own outright, 22.1% hold a mortgage and 32.7% rent, a tenure split where outright owners are notably dominant compared to most Australian suburbs. Separate houses account for 96.6% of all dwellings, with apartments at just 1.6% and semi-detached homes at 0.6%, so this is almost exclusively a house-and-land market. Three-bedroom homes form the core at 53.0%, with 4-plus bedrooms at 23.1% and 2-bedroom homes at 21.3%. The rent-to-income ratio of 19.9% keeps housing costs well below stress levels for tenants, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.7% does the same for buyers. The 21.0% vacancy rate stands out as the key risk factor across the housing profile.
Mortgage / mo
$800
Rent / wk
$170
HH Size
2.0
Personal Income / wk
$491
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
21.0%
Unoccupied
136
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.9%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.7%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
43.8%
Couples, no children
712
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the largest employer at 20.3% of workers (46 people), followed by Education at 17.6% (40) and Agriculture at 10.1% (23), a structure typical of a small regional service centre serving a broader farming catchment. By occupation, Managers (73) and Labourers (67) are the two largest groups, reflecting both the farming and public-sector character of the local economy. The unemployment rate of 8.7% is above national averages, and the participation rate of just 43.4% is low, because 457 residents are not in the labour force, consistent with the heavily retired, aging demographic. Monto scores decile 2 on both IRSD and IRSAD, placing it in the bottom quintile nationally for socioeconomic advantage, driven by the low income base in the 6.3rd percentile.
Unemployment
6.4%
Labour Force
6,579
Unemployed
423
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
60.9%
Part-time
30.4%
Participation
43.4%
Employed
399
Occupations
Top Industries
University
17.3%
Postgraduate
2.4%
Born Overseas
9.5%
Dwellings
505
Transport to Work
Monto residents rely heavily on private cars, with 75.6% driving to work, a higher car dependence than state or national benchmarks for urban areas, though normal for remote Queensland. An unusually high 19.6% walk or cycle, likely reflecting the small, walkable town centre rather than active-transport infrastructure. Public transport data is not available. The suburb scores decile 2 on IRSAD nationally, indicating below-average access to services and economic resources compared to most of Australia. Around 13.2% of residents (140 people) need assistance with daily tasks, a rate consistent with the aged population profile where 45 is the median. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, meaning families rely on facilities serving the wider Monto district.
Drive
75.6%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
19.6%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.51%/yr
(+186 people/yr)
EstablishedMonto's broader SA2 area has seen 14.8% population growth over the past decade, stronger than many comparable remote Queensland towns. The annual growth rate of 1.51% implies about 186 additional residents per year at the SA2 level, supported by balanced migration: net overseas migration of 59 per year and net internal migration of 38 per year. The gentrification score of 23 registers as early signs, partly because population growth of over 20% since 2011 has occurred, though the stage is classified Not gentrifying given the low income base. Rent grew 29.6% over the shift period while real income grew 6.3%, a widening gap that may squeeze affordability over time despite the low absolute rent of $170 per week.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+59
Net Internal / yr
+38
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +20% since 2011
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Monto compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Monto a good suburb to live in?
Monto suits residents seeking very affordable housing, with a median price around $218,000 and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.7%, well below stress levels. The trade-offs are a decile 2 IRSAD score nationally, meaning below-average service access, an unemployment rate of 8.7%, and a 21.0% rental vacancy rate signalling limited economic activity.
What is the median house price in Monto?
The estimated median house price is $218,000, well below Queensland state and national medians. Weekly rent averages $170 and monthly mortgage repayments average around $800. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.7% and rent-to-income of 19.9% both sit comfortably below financial stress thresholds.
What schools are in Monto?
No schools are recorded within the Monto suburb boundary in this dataset. Families access educational facilities serving the broader Monto district. The local university qualification rate is 17.3%, which is 12.8 percentage points below the national figure, reflecting the historical emphasis on trade and agriculture in this rural community.
Is Monto safe?
Detailed crime statistics for Monto are not available in this dataset. As a contextual indicator, the suburb scores decile 2 on IRSAD nationally, reflecting a lower socioeconomic profile that can correlate with higher crime rates in some areas. The volunteering rate of 22.5% suggests a connected community, which is often associated with lower antisocial behaviour.
Is Monto good for property investment?
The numbers are mixed. A gross rental yield near 4.0% based on $170 weekly rent and a $218,000 median is higher than many city suburbs, but the 21.0% vacancy rate signals oversupply. Zero development applications in the past 12 months means no new stock is coming. Investors should weigh strong yield potential against the high vacancy and low income base at the 6.3rd percentile nationally.
How is Monto's population changing?
The broader area has grown 14.8% over the past decade, with an annual rate of 1.51%, adding approximately 186 people per year. Migration is balanced, with 59 net overseas arrivals and 38 net internal migrants annually. The population trajectory is aging, with the senior share rising 4.9 points over the decade, meaning growth is happening alongside a structural shift toward older residents.
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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