Mount Morgan
With a median age of 52 and household income in just the 4.2nd percentile nationally, Mount Morgan stands out as one of Queensland's most economically constrained regional towns. All four SEIFA indexes score decile 1, the lowest advantage tier in Australia, while 97.1% of dwellings are separate houses and the median house price sits at $236,000. A 20.6% vacancy rate reflects thin demand, and the 10-year population trajectory shows a 2.3% decline. The labour force participation rate of 29.4% is well below the national average, driven by a large older population that sits outside the workforce.
Population
2,018
Median Age
52.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$779/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
3
Median House
$236K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At $236,000, the median house price is far below Queensland and national medians, making entry accessible for buyers willing to trade urban convenience for affordability. Separate houses dominate at 97.1% of stock, with 3-bedroom dwellings the most common type at 41.3%, followed by 2-bedroom at 34.7%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $758, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.5%, below the 30% stress threshold. Outright ownership is high at 51.9% compared to national norms, suggesting many long-term residents have cleared their debt. The 20.6% vacancy rate is a notable risk signal for buyers counting on resale liquidity, as thin demand can slow transaction times considerably.
For Buyers
At $236,000, the median house price is far below Queensland and national medians, making entry accessible for buyers willing to trade urban convenience for affordability. Separate houses dominate at 97.1% of stock, with 3-bedroom dwellings the most common type at 41.3%, followed by 2-bedroom at 34.7%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $758, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.5%, below the 30% stress threshold. Outright ownership is high at 51.9% compared to national norms, suggesting many long-term residents have cleared their debt. The 20.6% vacancy rate is a notable risk signal for buyers counting on resale liquidity, as thin demand can slow transaction times considerably.
For Investors
The investment fundamentals at Mount Morgan are challenging. Weekly rent of $200 against a $236,000 median implies a gross yield of around 4.4%, higher than major city markets, but a 20.6% vacancy rate signals oversupply and makes consistent tenancy harder to maintain. Net internal migration averages 41 persons annually but the 10-year population change is negative at -2.3%, suggesting the in-flow is not enough to offset natural decline. Development activity is minimal, with only 3 applications in the past 12 months, all boundary realignments rather than new supply. The rent-to-income ratio of 25.7% stays below the 30% stress threshold, meaning tenants who are employed can generally afford current rents.
Development Activity
Total DAs
3
Last 12 Months
3
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 Mount Morgan iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Mount Morgan State High School
7-12 · 230 students
Mount Morgan Central State School
Prep-6 · 123 students
Demographics
The median age of 52 is 12.0 years above the national figure, the most distinctive feature of the suburb's profile. The senior share grew 8.2 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 2.4 points, confirming an aging trajectory. Overseas-born residents make up just 9.0% of the population, which is 12.6 percentage points below the national average, and English ancestry dominates, led by English (790 residents), Irish (216) and Scottish (166). University qualifications reach only 8.9%, which is 21.2 points below the national figure. Average household size is 2.0, half a person below the national norm, consistent with older couples without children, who make up 33.2% of all families.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
97.1%
Houses
1.2%
Townhouse
1.1%
Apartment
Tenure
The housing stock is almost entirely separate houses at 97.1%, with apartments making up just 1.1% and semi-detached 1.2%. Three-bedroom homes account for 41.3% and two-bedroom 34.7%, with 4-plus bedroom homes at 16.7%. Tenure is weighted toward outright ownership at 51.9%, well above typical Queensland suburbs, with 21.3% still carrying a mortgage and 26.8% renting. The $236,000 median house price and $200 weekly rent reflect a low-income local economy, with household income in the 4.2nd percentile nationally. The 20.6% vacancy rate is the standout risk figure, pointing to more dwellings available than active demand can absorb at current population levels.
Mortgage / mo
$758
Rent / wk
$200
HH Size
2.0
Personal Income / wk
$462
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
20.6%
Unoccupied
217
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.5%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
33.2%
Couples, no children
1,165
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant industry at 27.7% of employed residents (74 workers), followed by Public Administration at 12.4% and Education at 9.7%. By occupation, Labourers lead at 92 workers, closely followed by Community and Personal Service workers at 90. The unemployment rate is 17.9%, substantially higher than state and national averages, and the labour force participation rate of just 29.4% reflects the older age profile, with 909 residents recorded as not in the labour force. All four SEIFA indexes score decile 1, the lowest tier nationally across education and occupation, economic resources, relative disadvantage and advantage. Real income grew 3.1% over the decade, but the base remains low at $779 weekly household income.
Unemployment
14.0%
Labour Force
1,123
Unemployed
157
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
59.0%
Part-time
23.1%
Participation
29.4%
Employed
417
Occupations
Top Industries
University
8.9%
Postgraduate
1.1%
Born Overseas
9.0%
Dwellings
835
Transport to Work
Car reliance is high, with 85.3% of residents driving to work, and only 1.1% using public transport, which is typical for a regional town without rail or frequent bus links. Walking and cycling account for 6.6%, above what might be expected for a low-density town. No schools are recorded in the suburb dataset, so families would rely on facilities in nearby Rockhampton or surrounding areas. Crime data is not available for this locality. The IRSAD decile 1 ranking places Mount Morgan among the most disadvantaged suburbs nationally, with 16.3% of residents (283 people) needing assistance with core activities, compared to much lower rates in higher-decile areas. Volunteering runs at 13.8%, a positive signal of community engagement given the constrained economic environment.
Drive
85.3%
Public Transport
1.1%
Walk / Cycle
6.6%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.03%/yr
(+1 people/yr)
EstablishedMount Morgan's population declined 2.3% over the past decade and the forecast trend shows near-zero growth at 0.03% annually, adding roughly 1 person per year. The medium scenario places the population at around 3,032 by 2031, up only marginally from the current figure. Net internal migration averages 41 arrivals annually but overseas migration contributes just 2 per year, giving a balanced but thin net position. The gentrification score is 0 and the stage is not gentrifying, consistent with decile 1 SEIFA scores and a population skewed toward older, lower-income residents. Rent grew 29.0% over the measured period, which is a notable shift in affordability context given that incomes grew only 3.1% in real terms.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+2
Net Internal / yr
+41
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Mount Morgan compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mount Morgan a good suburb to live in?
Mount Morgan scores decile 1 on all four SEIFA indexes, the lowest advantage tier nationally, and household income sits in just the 4.2nd percentile. The median house price of $236,000 is highly accessible, and mortgage stress is low at 22.5% of income. However, unemployment at 17.9% and a 20.6% vacancy rate point to a constrained local economy that suits residents seeking low-cost living over career opportunity.
What is the median house price in Mount Morgan?
The median house price is $236,000 (estimated from 2025 rent data), well below Queensland and national medians. Weekly rent averages $200 and monthly mortgage repayments are approximately $758. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.5% stays below the 30% stress threshold, making ownership affordable for employed residents.
What schools are in Mount Morgan?
No schools are recorded in the Mount Morgan suburb dataset used here. Families with children would typically access schooling in Rockhampton, approximately 38 km away. The local university qualification rate is 8.9%, which is 21.2 percentage points below the national average, reflecting the broader educational profile of the area.
Is Mount Morgan safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Mount Morgan in this dataset. As a contextual indicator, the suburb scores decile 1 on IRSD (relative socioeconomic disadvantage), the lowest tier nationally, which tends to correlate with higher crime exposure in comparable regional towns. Around 16.3% of residents (283 people) need daily assistance with core activities.
Is Mount Morgan good for property investment?
The gross rental yield of around 4.4% (based on $200 weekly rent and a $236,000 median) is higher than capital city markets, but the 20.6% vacancy rate is a significant risk. Population declined 2.3% over the past decade and forecast growth is near-zero at 0.03% annually. Low development activity (3 applications in 12 months) limits supply pressure but also signals weak investor demand.
How is Mount Morgan's population changing?
The population fell 2.3% over the past decade and current growth is nearly flat at 0.03% per year, adding about 1 person annually. Medium forecasts put the population at approximately 3,032 by 2031. The age profile is aging rapidly, with the senior share up 8.2 points and the working-age share down 2.4 points over the decade, which is well above national aging rates.
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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