Mooroobool
At a $419,000 median house price, this Cairns suburb sits well below the national median, yet 77.2% of dwellings are detached houses and only 7.0% are apartments, an unusually low-density profile for a place housing 7,136 people. The affordability shows up in the numbers: monthly mortgage repayments average just $1,517 and weekly rent is $330, both far lower than capital-city equivalents. The trade-off is a slower trajectory. The median age of 41 is one year above the national figure, the senior share has risen 7.1 points over the decade, and real incomes fell 2.8% over the same period, marking an aging, low-momentum housing market rather than a growth story.
Population
7,136
Median Age
41.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,495/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
1
Median House
$419K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The $419,000 median reflects an affordable, owner-friendly market built on detached stock, with 77.2% separate houses and just 7.0% apartments. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 44.2% and 4-plus bedroom homes make up 34.4%, so buyers here are mostly families, not downsizers. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,517 produce a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.4%, below the 30% stress threshold, which keeps ownership accessible. Outright owners (31.7%) and mortgage holders (35.1%) together account for 66.8% of tenure, well above the national renter-heavy mix and a sign of a settled, established population. The catch is capital growth: real incomes fell 2.8% over the decade and population grows at only 0.7% a year, so price momentum is muted compared with faster Queensland markets.
For Buyers
The $419,000 median reflects an affordable, owner-friendly market built on detached stock, with 77.2% separate houses and just 7.0% apartments. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 44.2% and 4-plus bedroom homes make up 34.4%, so buyers here are mostly families, not downsizers. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,517 produce a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.4%, below the 30% stress threshold, which keeps ownership accessible. Outright owners (31.7%) and mortgage holders (35.1%) together account for 66.8% of tenure, well above the national renter-heavy mix and a sign of a settled, established population. The catch is capital growth: real incomes fell 2.8% over the decade and population grows at only 0.7% a year, so price momentum is muted compared with faster Queensland markets.
For Investors
Renters make up 33.2% of households, a moderate tenant pool that is smaller than inner-city suburbs but adequate for a detached-house market. Weekly rent of $330 against the $419,000 median produces a gross yield near 4.1%, materially higher than the sub-2% yields typical of premium capital-city suburbs, which is the main appeal here. Rent grew 27.8% over the decade, showing genuine tenant demand despite the aging profile. The risk is the 8.2% vacancy rate, above a healthy 2-3% benchmark, signalling some oversupply. Development is effectively nil, with just 1 application lodged in the past 12 months, so there is little new competing stock but also little market activity. Net overseas migration of 84 a year is partly offset by internal outflow of 48, leaving thin demand growth.
Development Activity
Total DAs
1
Last 12 Months
1
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 Mooroobool iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Balaclava State School
Prep-6 · 381 students
Demographics
The median age of 41 is one year above the national median, and the senior share has climbed 7.1 points over the decade while the young-resident share fell 4.6 points, confirming an aging trajectory. University qualifications at 26.5% sit 3.6 points below the national average, consistent with a service and trades workforce rather than a knowledge-economy hub. Overseas-born residents at 26.6% are 5.0 points above national, with English ancestry leading at 2,086, followed by Irish (652) and Scottish (582). Nepali is the largest non-English language at 150 speakers, ahead of Japanese (63), reflecting recent migration on top of an Anglo-Celtic base. Average household size of 2.5 matches the national figure, and couples with children (1,965) outnumber couples without children (1,421), keeping this a family-oriented suburb.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
77.2%
Houses
15.8%
Townhouse
7.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure is owner-dominated: 31.7% own outright and 35.1% hold a mortgage, leaving 33.2% renting, a far higher ownership share than renter-heavy capital-city markets. The stock is overwhelmingly detached, with 77.2% separate houses, 15.8% semi-detached and only 7.0% apartments. Three-bedroom homes (44.2%) and 4-plus bedroom homes (34.4%) make up 78.6% of dwellings, while studios and one-bedroom units are negligible at 2.8%. The $419,000 median is affordable, but the IER decile of 5 and IEO decile of 4 place residents around the middle nationally, slightly below average on education and economic resources. Mortgage-to-income at 23.4% and rent-to-income at 22.1% are both below stress thresholds, so housing costs remain manageable relative to local incomes even as affordability has worsened since 2011.
Mortgage / mo
$1,517
Rent / wk
$330
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$734
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.2%
Unoccupied
229
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.4%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
26.8%
Couples, no children
5,309
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads employment at 23.8% (505 workers), more than double the next sector, Education at 10.7% (226), followed by Construction at 8.8% (187), Public Admin at 7.6% (160) and Hospitality at 7.5% (158), a service-heavy mix typical of a regional centre like Cairns. Professionals are the largest occupation group at 633, but Community and Personal Service workers (489) and Clerical staff (421) follow closely, a flatter skill distribution than knowledge-economy suburbs. This shows up in the SEIFA scores: the IEO decile of 4 and IRSAD decile of 4 sit below the national midpoint. Full-time employment runs at 62.3% and unemployment at 6.7% is above the national average, while the 56.3% participation rate is held down by 1,883 residents not in the labour force, consistent with the aging population.
Unemployment
5.0%
Labour Force
5,670
Unemployed
284
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
62.3%
Part-time
31.0%
Participation
56.3%
Employed
3,047
Occupations
Top Industries
University
26.5%
Postgraduate
4.3%
Born Overseas
26.6%
Dwellings
2,563
Transport to Work
Mobility is heavily car-dependent: 86.2% drive to work, far above the national average, while public transport carries just 1.0% and walking or cycling 3.2%, reflecting the low density of 1,550 people per square kilometre and limited transit in a regional setting. The volunteering rate of 16.4% points to community engagement above many metro suburbs. Housing costs support liveability, with rent-to-income at 22.1% and mortgage-to-income at 23.4%, both below the 30% stress line. The IRSAD decile of 4 places the suburb below the national midpoint on advantage, and 8.2% of residents (544 people) report needing assistance with core activities, slightly elevated and consistent with the older age profile. The strong detached-house base at 77.2% suits families seeking space over walkability.
Drive
86.2%
Public Transport
1.0%
Walk / Cycle
3.2%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.7%/yr
(+73 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation growth runs at just 0.7% a year, around 73 persons, classifying this as a low-growth established suburb rather than a frontier market. The 10-year change was 8.6%, modest for Queensland. Overseas migration is the primary driver at 84 net arrivals a year, but internal migration of negative 48 shows residents leaving for other parts of Australia, halving the net gain. The aging shift is clear: the senior share rose 7.1 points and the working-age share fell 2.3 points over the decade. Affordability worsened from 41.3% in 2011 to 44.1% in 2021, and real income growth was negative 2.8%, both headwinds for future demand. The gentrification score of 24 marks early signs only, so meaningful price acceleration is not yet evident compared with faster-changing suburbs.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+84
Net Internal / yr
-48
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Mooroobool compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mooroobool a good suburb to live in?
Mooroobool suits families who value affordability and space, with a $419,000 median house price and 77.2% detached houses. Housing costs are manageable, with mortgage-to-income at 23.4% below the stress line. The trade-offs are car dependence at 86.2% and an IRSAD decile of 4, placing it below the national midpoint on advantage.
What is the median house price in Mooroobool?
The median house price is about $419,000, well below the national median. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,517 and weekly rent is $330, giving a gross rental yield near 4.1%. Rent grew 27.8% over the past decade, though capital growth has been muted alongside negative 2.8% real income growth.
What schools are in Mooroobool?
The brief does not list any schools located inside the Mooroobool boundary, so families typically rely on schools in neighbouring Cairns suburbs within postcode 4870. With 44.2% three-bedroom homes and couples with children numbering 1,965, school access in the wider area is a key consideration for buyers.
Is Mooroobool safe?
Verified crime statistics were not available in this dataset for Mooroobool, so a safety rating cannot be quoted. As context, the suburb is a low-density area of 1,550 people per square kilometre with a settled population where 76.8% of residents stayed put over the year, a stability often associated with quieter residential areas.
Is Mooroobool good for property investment?
The gross rental yield near 4.1% ($330 weekly on a $419,000 median) is far stronger than the sub-2% yields of premium capital suburbs. The renter pool is moderate at 33.2%. The main risk is the 8.2% vacancy rate, above a healthy benchmark, and slow population growth of 0.7% a year limiting capital gains.
How is Mooroobool's population changing?
Population grows slowly at 0.7% a year, about 73 people, with a 10-year change of 8.6%. Overseas migration adds 84 a year but internal outflow of 48 offsets much of it. The suburb is aging: the senior share rose 7.1 points and the median age of 41 is one year above the national figure.
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.
Explore Mooroobool on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map