Mudjimba
An 11.5% vacancy rate in a suburb of only 2,664 residents tells you something about how Mudjimba functions: it draws holiday and short-stay demand rather than a stable permanent population. The median age of 44 sits 4 years above the national figure, and the senior share rose 11.4 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 4 points. Household income lands in the 62nd percentile nationally, middling but comfortable, and rent-to-income at 26.1% stays below the 30% stress threshold. Population grew 17.5% over 10 years, driven primarily by overseas arrivals averaging 133 a year.
Population
2,664
Median Age
44.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,763/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
4
Median House
$576K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The median house price is estimated at $576,000 based on 2025 rental data, well below the Queensland coastal average for comparable beachside locations. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,045, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.8%, below the 30% stress threshold even on a household income in the 62nd percentile nationally. Separate houses account for 59.4% of stock, with semi-detached dwellings at 27.1% and apartments at 10%. Bedroom distribution skews larger: 35.4% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms and 49.8% have 3 bedrooms, which means this is predominantly family-sized housing. Outright owners at 32.5% slightly exceed renters at 29.9%, suggesting a core of settled, debt-free residents alongside a holidaying population.
For Buyers
The median house price is estimated at $576,000 based on 2025 rental data, well below the Queensland coastal average for comparable beachside locations. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,045, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.8%, below the 30% stress threshold even on a household income in the 62nd percentile nationally. Separate houses account for 59.4% of stock, with semi-detached dwellings at 27.1% and apartments at 10%. Bedroom distribution skews larger: 35.4% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms and 49.8% have 3 bedrooms, which means this is predominantly family-sized housing. Outright owners at 32.5% slightly exceed renters at 29.9%, suggesting a core of settled, debt-free residents alongside a holidaying population.
For Investors
A 29.9% renter share and weekly rent of $460 support landlord demand, but the headline figure is the 11.5% vacancy rate, roughly 3 to 4 times higher than typical metro suburbs. That vacancy reflects the coastal holiday-market nature of Mudjimba rather than structural weakness, but investors should price in lower occupancy. Net overseas migration averaging 133 a year drives most population growth, compared to just 26 from internal migration, creating steady incremental demand. Development activity is thin at 4 applications in the past 12 months, including one dual occupancy application, which means new supply is not competing hard. Rent grew 27.9% over the period, above most capital-city benchmarks, indicating rental demand is real despite high vacancy.
Development Activity
Total DAs
18
Last 12 Months
4
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-42.9%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 44 is 4 years above the national figure, and the aging trajectory is clear: the senior share climbed 11.4 points over the decade while the young share fell 5.5 points. This places Mudjimba firmly in the retirement-adjacent coastal belt. Overseas-born residents at 17.5% are 4.1 points below the national average, and ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic: English leads at 1,234 residents, followed by Irish (374), Scottish (318) and German (188). The volunteering rate of 19.1% is relatively high, consistent with an older, settled community. Average household size is 2.6, matching national norms. Couples with children (817 families) outnumber couples without children (665), though 31.8% of families are child-free couples.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
59.4%
Houses
27.1%
Townhouse
10.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure splits show 32.5% own outright, 37.6% carry a mortgage and 29.9% rent. Outright owners nearly matching renters in a coastal suburb is unusual and signals that many properties are held long-term rather than traded frequently. Separate houses dominate at 59.4%, with 27.1% semi-detached and 10% apartments. Larger homes dominate the bedroom breakdown: 49.8% are 3-bedroom and 35.4% are 4-plus bedrooms, leaving only 11.3% at 2 bedrooms and 3.4% studio or 1-bedroom. Mortgage repayments average $2,045 a month on a $576,000 estimated median, a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.8%, which is below the stress line. Rent-to-income of 26.1% is similarly manageable, sitting below the 30% stress threshold.
Mortgage / mo
$2,045
Rent / wk
$460
HH Size
2.6
Personal Income / wk
$831
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
11.5%
Unoccupied
127
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.8%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
31.8%
Couples, no children
2,090
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare dominates local employment at 25.4% (243 workers), significantly above its national share, followed by Construction at 15.2% (145) and Education at 11.6% (111). Hospitality at 7.1% and Professional/Tech at 6.9% round out the top five, reflecting both the coastal tourism economy and a growing services base. By occupation, Professionals lead at 265 workers, followed by Clerical/Admin at 205, Community/Personal at 193 and Managers at 167. The unemployment rate is 4.4% and the participation rate of 59.5% is low compared to national norms, because the older age profile keeps 659 residents outside the labour force entirely. The SEIFA IRSD decile of 6 and IRSAD decile of 5 place Mudjimba in the middle tier nationally, neither disadvantaged nor affluent.
Unemployment
3.4%
Labour Force
6,434
Unemployed
221
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
57.9%
Part-time
37.7%
Participation
59.5%
Employed
1,260
Occupations
Top Industries
University
27.8%
Postgraduate
5.1%
Born Overseas
17.5%
Dwellings
982
Transport to Work
Car dependency is high, with 91.5% of residents commuting by car, and only 0.5% using public transport, which is well below the national average and confirms this is a car-dependent coastal suburb with limited transit infrastructure. Walking and cycling account for 3% of commutes. No schools are recorded within the Mudjimba boundary, so families rely on institutions in the surrounding Sunshine Coast area. Crime data is not available for this suburb at the SA2 level. The SEIFA IRSAD decile of 5 places the suburb at the national median on the combined advantage-disadvantage index. Housing stress indicators are contained: rent-to-income at 26.1% and mortgage-to-income at 26.8% both sit below the 30% stress line, and only 4.5% of residents need daily assistance.
Drive
91.5%
Public Transport
0.5%
Walk / Cycle
3.0%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.38%/yr
(+175 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 17.5% over 10 years, above the national average for established suburbs, and the annual trend adds around 175 people or 1.38% a year. Overseas migration at 133 net arrivals annually is the primary driver, compared to only 26 from internal migration, suggesting Mudjimba is attracting international newcomers rather than pulling from other Australian cities. Medium forecasts project population reaching approximately 13,848 by 2031, up from an estimated 12,672 in 2025. Gentrification signals are at the early-signs stage, with the score of 21 reflecting a 19% population rise since 2011 and an accelerating share of higher-income arrivals. Affordability improved from 60.9% in 2011 to 57.6% in 2021, meaning housing costs are consuming a slightly smaller share of income than a decade ago.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+133
Net Internal / yr
+26
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +19% since 2011, Accelerating: 6% → 12%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Mudjimba compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mudjimba a good suburb to live in?
Mudjimba suits retirees and sea-changers more than young families. The median age is 44, which is 4 years above the national figure, and household income sits at the 62nd percentile nationally. Housing affordability is reasonable, with rent-to-income at 26.1% and mortgage-to-income at 26.8%, both below the 30% stress threshold. The main limitation is very low public transport use at just 0.5%, making car ownership essential.
What is the median house price in Mudjimba?
The median house price is estimated at $576,000 based on 2025 rental data, with weekly rent averaging $460. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,045, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.8%. Rent grew 27.9% over the measured period, indicating strong rental demand relative to the coastal holiday market.
What schools are in Mudjimba?
No schools are recorded within the Mudjimba boundary in this dataset. The suburb covers just 3.37 km2 with a population of 2,664, so families rely on schools in neighbouring Sunshine Coast suburbs. University qualifications at 27.8% sit 2.3 points below the national average, reflecting the older, established resident profile.
Is Mudjimba safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Mudjimba at the SA2 level. As a proxy indicator, the suburb scores decile 6 on IRSD, placing it in the upper half nationally on the relative disadvantage index. Only 4.5% of residents (113 people) need daily assistance, which is consistent with a functional, low-disadvantage community.
Is Mudjimba good for property investment?
The 11.5% vacancy rate is the key risk factor, roughly 3 to 4 times higher than metro norms and typical of coastal holiday markets. Weekly rent of $460 against an estimated $576,000 median gives a gross yield around 4.2%. Rent grew 27.9% over the period and overseas migration adds 133 net residents a year, providing demand support. Development activity is low at 4 applications in 12 months, so new supply is not a near-term threat.
How is Mudjimba's population changing?
Population grew 17.5% over the past 10 years and is currently expanding at 1.38% annually, adding around 175 people a year. Overseas migration averaging 133 net arrivals a year is the primary growth driver, compared to just 26 from internal migration. Medium forecasts project the broader area reaching approximately 13,848 by 2031, up from 12,672 in 2025.
What is the age profile of Mudjimba?
Mudjimba has a median age of 44, which is 4 years above the national figure. The senior share rose 11.4 points over the decade while the young share fell 5.5 points, classifying the suburb as aging in trajectory. The participation rate of 59.5% is below national norms because 659 residents are outside the labour force, consistent with a retirement-oriented demographic.
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 Mudjimba on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map