QLD 4560 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Montville

At a median age of 56, Montville sits 16 years above the national figure, making it one of Queensland's most distinctly retirement-oriented communities. The suburb's 1,092 residents are spread across 18.1 square kilometres at a density of just 60 per km2, and more than half of all homes are owned outright, well above national norms. A 14.7% vacancy rate and household income at the 49th percentile nationally round out a profile of affordable, low-density lifestyle living that attracts owner-occupiers rather than renters.

Montville urban fabric map

Population

1,092

Median Age

56.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,550/wk

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

11

Median House

$507K

Estimated from rent (2025)

18.1 km²· 60.3 people/km²· Family income $1,771/wk

The median house price of $507,000 sits at an accessible level compared to Southeast Queensland coastal markets, and the housing stock is almost entirely detached: 93% of dwellings are separate houses, with fewer than 5% semi-detached and only 2.2% apartments. Four-bedroom-plus homes account for 38.9% of stock, with three-bedroom homes at 44.2%, giving buyers a predominantly family-sized supply. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,000 and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 29.8% stays just below the 30% stress threshold, meaning ownership is financially attainable for median-income households. The 52.9% outright ownership rate, higher than the national average, signals that many residents have held properties long-term rather than entering at recent peak prices.

For Buyers

The median house price of $507,000 sits at an accessible level compared to Southeast Queensland coastal markets, and the housing stock is almost entirely detached: 93% of dwellings are separate houses, with fewer than 5% semi-detached and only 2.2% apartments. Four-bedroom-plus homes account for 38.9% of stock, with three-bedroom homes at 44.2%, giving buyers a predominantly family-sized supply. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,000 and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 29.8% stays just below the 30% stress threshold, meaning ownership is financially attainable for median-income households. The 52.9% outright ownership rate, higher than the national average, signals that many residents have held properties long-term rather than entering at recent peak prices.

For Investors

Montville presents mixed signals for investors. Weekly rent of $375 against a $507,000 median house price implies a gross yield around 3.8%, modest but not negligible for a tree-change market. The 14.7% vacancy rate is high and reflects both the seasonal tourism character of the area and thin tenant demand in a population that skews toward outright owners. Only 18.1% of residents rent, well below the national average, so the rental pool is structurally shallow. Development activity is limited at 11 applications in 12 months, with no high-density approvals, suggesting supply is constrained rather than expanding. Demand drivers are lifestyle-led rather than employment-led, which makes performance sensitive to broader property sentiment in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

Development Activity

Total DAs

32

Last 12 Months

11

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

-15.4%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Change of Use
13
Other
6
Multi-Dwelling / Townhouse
1
Landscaping / Retaining Wall
1
New Dwelling
1
Driveway / Crossover
1
Subdivision
1

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

Montville State School

ICSEA 1072 Primary Government

Prep-6 · 91 students

Demographics

The median age of 56 is 16 years above the national figure, the dominant characteristic of this community. Couples without children make up 45.9% of all families, consistent with an established post-family demographic, and the participation rate in the labour force is just 46.4% because 399 residents are outside the workforce entirely. University qualifications reach 38.9%, which is 8.8 percentage points above national, suggesting an educated sea-change cohort that chose Montville for lifestyle reasons. Overseas-born residents at 24.5% are 2.9 points above the national figure. Ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic, with English (547), Irish (177) and Scottish (172) the top three groups. The volunteering rate of 26.7% is notably high, reflecting a community where retirees contribute time rather than income.

Age Distribution

0-14
12.8%
15-24
5.6%
25-44
15.8%
45-64
35.3%
65+
30.4%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
3.9%
2 bed
13.0%
3 bed
44.2%
4+ bed
38.9%

Dwelling Structure

93.0%

Houses

4.9%

Townhouse

2.2%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 52.9% Mortgage 29.0% Rent 18.1%

Detached houses dominate at 93% of all dwellings, with semi-detached at 4.9% and apartments at just 2.2%, making Montville one of the least dense housing markets in southeast Queensland. Bedroom distribution skews large: 44.2% are three-bedroom homes and 38.9% have four or more bedrooms, while only 13% have two bedrooms. Ownership tenure is strongly weighted toward outright owners at 52.9%, compared to 29% with a mortgage and 18.1% renting. The median house price of $507,000 is estimated from 2025 rental data, and monthly mortgage repayments of $2,000 keep the mortgage-to-income ratio at 29.8%, just below the stress threshold. The high outright ownership share, higher than the national norm, reflects both long tenure and an older demographic less likely to carry debt.

Mortgage / mo

$2,000

Rent / wk

$375

HH Size

2.4

Personal Income / wk

$719

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

14.7%

Unoccupied

72

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

24.2%

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

29.8%

Community Profile

Ancestry

English
547
Irish
177
Scottish
172
Other
74
Ancestry NS
73
German
71

Household Composition

45.9%

Couples, no children

844

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare leads local employment at 16.5% of workers (57 people), followed by Education at 14.7% (51) and Hospitality at 11.6% (40), a mix that reflects both the ageing population's service needs and the hinterland tourism trade. Professional and Technical services contribute 10.4% and Construction 6.9%. By occupation, Professionals (125) and Managers (102) are the top two categories, consistent with a skilled sea-change cohort. The full-time employment rate of 53.3% and unemployment of 4.3% sit close to national benchmarks, though participation is low at 46.4% because the retired population suppresses the denominator. Household income at the 49.3rd percentile nationally falls in the middle of the distribution, below what the professional occupation mix might suggest, because many residents are part-time or retired.

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

Full-time

53.3%

Part-time

42.4%

Participation

46.4%

Employed

422

Occupations

Professionals 125
Managers 102
Community/Personal 66
Clerical/Admin 52
Labourers 37
Sales 24
Machinery/Drivers 10

Top Industries

Healthcare 16.5%
Education 14.7%
Hospitality 11.6%
Professional/Tech 10.4%
Construction 6.9%

University

38.9%

Postgraduate

10.5%

Born Overseas

24.5%

Dwellings

412

Transport to Work

Car ownership is near-universal at 87.2% of residents commuting by car, which reflects the rural geography of an 18.1 km2 area with minimal public transport at 2.7%. Walking and cycling at 8.6% is higher than many regional areas, consistent with leisure-oriented residents. No schools are recorded within the Montville boundary, so families rely on facilities in nearby Mapleton or the broader Sunshine Coast network. Crime data is not available for this suburb. At 26.7% volunteering participation, community engagement sits well above the national average, and housing stress indicators are low with rent-to-income at 24.2% and mortgage-to-income at 29.8%, both below the 30% stress threshold. Average household size of 2.4 is marginally below the national figure, aligned with the older couples-without-children profile.

Drive

87.2%

Public Transport

2.7%

Walk / Cycle

8.6%

Work from Home

N/A

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

How Montville compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 27%
Household Income
Bottom 49%
Rent Level
Top 21%
Apartments
Bottom 37%
Renters
Bottom 43%
Uni Educated
Top 19%
Public Transport
Bottom 43%
Born Overseas
Top 21%
Density
Top 29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Montville a good suburb to live in?

Montville suits lifestyle-oriented buyers and retirees well. The median age is 56, some 16 years above national, and 52.9% of homes are owned outright with no mortgage. Housing stress is low, with mortgage-to-income at 29.8% and rent-to-income at 24.2%. The trade-off is minimal public transport, no schools within the boundary, and a 14.7% vacancy rate that points to thin local services.

What is the median house price in Montville?

The median house price is $507,000, estimated from 2025 rental data. Weekly rent averages $375 and monthly mortgage repayments run approximately $2,000. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 29.8% keeps ownership within reach for median-income households, and 93% of dwellings are detached houses.

What schools are in Montville?

No schools are recorded within the Montville suburb boundary in this dataset. Families access education in neighbouring areas such as Mapleton and the wider Sunshine Coast network. Locally, 38.9% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 8.8 percentage points above the national average.

Is Montville safe?

Detailed crime statistics are not available for Montville. As contextual indicators, housing stress is low with mortgage-to-income at 29.8% and rent-to-income at 24.2%, and the volunteering rate of 26.7% signals a high degree of community engagement. The population of 1,092 and low density of 60 residents per km2 are consistent with a quiet semi-rural setting.

Is Montville good for property investment?

The $507,000 median and $375 weekly rent imply a gross yield around 3.8%, which is modest. The 14.7% vacancy rate is high compared to urban markets, reflecting thin rental demand where only 18.1% of residents rent rather than own. Development activity is just 11 applications in 12 months, and population growth is constrained, making capital growth the primary investment thesis.

How is Montville's population changing?

The current population is 1,092 across 18.1 km2. The median age of 56 is 16 years above national, and 45.9% of families are couples without children, indicators that natural increase is limited. The turnover rate of 21.8% shows some churn but 78.2% of residents stayed in place between census periods, suggesting a stable rather than growing community.

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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