QLD 4566 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Noosaville

A 21.8% vacancy rate, the highest figure in this dataset, defines Noosaville's dual character: a retiree-lifestyle suburb that doubles as a holiday-let market. The median age of 56 sits 16 years above the national figure, and 50.9% own their homes outright, pointing to a population that has already paid down its property. Despite low household income (40th percentile nationally), rents are high at $490/week, a gap that reflects tourist-driven pricing rather than local earning power. The 48.2% couples-without-children share is nearly triple the typical suburb figure, confirming this is predominantly empty-nester territory.

Noosaville urban fabric map

Population

8,716

Median Age

56.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,399/wk

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

13

Median House

$592K

Estimated from rent (2025)

26.02 km²· 334.9 people/km²· Family income $1,799/wk

Noosaville's estimated median of $592,000 buys into the Noosa lifestyle precinct but comes with elevated financial stress. Mortgage repayments of $1,991/month consume 32.9% of household income, above the 30% threshold. This reflects the lower income base (40th percentile) rather than extreme prices. The housing mix leans detached (60.7%) but includes 28.5% semi-detached and 10.5% apartments, unusual diversity for a regional QLD suburb. Three-bedroom homes dominate (37.3%) with 4+ bedrooms close behind (36.1%). The 50.9% outright ownership rate means most current holders have no mortgage, creating a market where new buyers compete against cashed-up sellers upgrading or downsizing.

For Buyers

Noosaville's estimated median of $592,000 buys into the Noosa lifestyle precinct but comes with elevated financial stress. Mortgage repayments of $1,991/month consume 32.9% of household income, above the 30% threshold. This reflects the lower income base (40th percentile) rather than extreme prices. The housing mix leans detached (60.7%) but includes 28.5% semi-detached and 10.5% apartments, unusual diversity for a regional QLD suburb. Three-bedroom homes dominate (37.3%) with 4+ bedrooms close behind (36.1%). The 50.9% outright ownership rate means most current holders have no mortgage, creating a market where new buyers compete against cashed-up sellers upgrading or downsizing.

For Investors

The 21.8% vacancy rate is the critical number: it signals a market saturated with short-term holiday lets that deflate long-term rental returns. Median rent of $490/week appears strong, but that figure competes with seasonal tourism fluctuation. The 23.9% rental population is moderate, and rent-to-income stress at 35.0% exceeds the threshold, suggesting tenants are financially stretched compared to lower-priced corridors. Only 10 development applications in 12 months indicate minimal new supply. Overseas migration (+120/year) drives growth, with internal migration near neutral (-10/year). Population is projected to reach approximately 10,380 by 2031, growing at 1.07% annually.

Development Activity

Total DAs

13

Last 12 Months

13

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

Subdivision
4
Renovation / Extension
2
Multi-Dwelling / Townhouse
1
Garage / Carport / Shed
1
Demolition
1
Landscaping / Retaining Wall
1
Driveway / Crossover
1
Fencing
1

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

Good Shepherd Lutheran College

ICSEA 1117 Combined Independent

Prep-12 · 1121 students

St Teresa's Catholic College

ICSEA 1066 Secondary Catholic

7-12 · 801 students

Noosaville State School

ICSEA 1039 Primary Government

Prep-6 · 418 students

Demographics

At a median age of 56, Noosaville is 16 years older than the national average, the widest gap in this batch. English ancestry dominates (4,162), followed by Scottish (1,265) and Irish (1,207), reflecting a Anglo-Australian retirement demographic. Only 30.0% were born overseas. The household size of 2.2 is below the national median, and 48.2% of families are couples without children, compared to roughly 37% nationally. University qualifications at 32.1% are 2.0 points above the national rate. Part-time employment (1,446) nearly matches full-time (1,642), consistent with semi-retired lifestyles, and the 41.9% participation rate is well below the national average because 3,678 residents are outside the labour force entirely.

Age Distribution

0-14
11.6%
15-24
7.7%
25-44
15.0%
45-64
28.4%
65+
37.4%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
2.9%
2 bed
23.7%
3 bed
37.3%
4+ bed
36.1%

Dwelling Structure

60.7%

Houses

28.5%

Townhouse

10.5%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 50.9% Mortgage 25.2% Rent 23.9%

Detached houses make up 60.7%, with semi-detached at 28.5% and apartments at 10.5%, a more diverse stock than typical QLD suburbs. Three-bedroom homes lead (37.3%), followed by 4+ bedrooms (36.1%) and 2 bedrooms (23.7%). Outright owners dominate at 50.9%, with renters at 23.9% and mortgage holders at 25.2%. Both rent stress (35.0%) and mortgage stress (32.9%) exceed the 30% threshold, driven by the low income base rather than extreme pricing. At $592,000 estimated median, Noosaville is priced higher than many regional centres, reflecting lifestyle premium rather than income fundamentals compared to nearby inland suburbs.

Mortgage / mo

$1,991

Rent / wk

$490

HH Size

2.2

Personal Income / wk

$749

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

21.8%

Unoccupied

1,034

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

35.0% stressed

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

32.9% stressed

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Portuguese
30
Italian
29
Nepali
21
German
17
French
11

Ancestry

English
4,162
Scottish
1,265
Irish
1,207
Other
623
German
535
Ancestry NS
441

Household Composition

48.2%

Couples, no children

6,469

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare leads at 16.8% (402 workers), followed by Hospitality (11.7%), the highest hospitality share in this batch, consistent with the tourism economy. Professional/Tech (9.9%), Construction (9.8%), and Education (9.5%) round out the top five. Managers (627) and Professionals (731) lead occupations, reflecting business owner and self-employed profiles. Unemployment at 4.4% is moderate, but the 41.9% participation rate is very low. The SEIFA IRSAD decile of 7 places overall advantage above the national median, while all four deciles cluster at 7, showing consistent mid-upper positioning without extreme wealth or disadvantage.

Unemployment

2.6%

Labour Force

4,304

Unemployed

110

Quarterly Trend

Mar-24 Dec-25

Source: SALM Dec-25

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

Overall advantage
7
Disadvantage
7
Economic resources
7
Education & occupation
7

Full-time

53.2%

Part-time

42.4%

Participation

41.9%

Employed

3,088

Occupations

Professionals 731
Managers 627
Community/Personal 429
Sales 400
Clerical/Admin 382
Labourers 303
Machinery/Drivers 108

Top Industries

Healthcare 16.8%
Hospitality 11.7%
Professional/Tech 9.9%
Construction 9.8%
Education 9.5%

University

32.1%

Postgraduate

6.3%

Born Overseas

30.0%

Dwellings

3,717

Transport to Work

Three schools serve Noosaville. Good Shepherd Lutheran College (Independent Combined, ICSEA 1117, 1,121 students) is the largest and highest-performing. St Teresa's Catholic College (Secondary, ICSEA 1066, 801 students) and Noosaville State School (Government Primary, ICSEA 1039, 418 students) also score above the national average of 1000. Public transport use is very low at 1.6%, but 7.2% walk or cycle, among the highest rates in this batch. The SEIFA IRSAD decile of 7 indicates above-average socioeconomic conditions nationally. The 6.1% needing-assistance rate and 18.8% volunteering rate are both moderate.

Drive

84.7%

Public Transport

1.6%

Walk / Cycle

7.2%

Work from Home

N/A

Population Forecast

+1.07%/yr

(+103 people/yr)

Established

Population grows at 1.07% annually (103 persons/year), projected to reach approximately 10,380 by 2031. The 10-year change of 20.8% reflects Noosa's continued attractiveness to sea-changers and retirees. However, the trajectory is firmly 'Aging': the senior share grew 12.7 points (the largest increase in this batch), while the working-age share dropped 7.4 points. The young share fell 3.2 points. Overseas migration (+120/year) is the primary driver, with internal flows near neutral. Real income grew 16.1% over the decade, and rents surged 39.1%, both above the national average, despite the low base income.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Overseas Migration

Net Overseas / yr

+120

Net Internal / yr

-10

6

Gentrification Signal

Not gentrifying

Population +19% since 2011

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

How Noosaville compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 6%
Household Income
Bottom 40%
Rent Level
Top 6%
Apartments
Top 29%
Renters
Top 41%
Uni Educated
Top 30%
Public Transport
Bottom 27%
Born Overseas
Top 14%
Density
Top 21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Noosaville a good suburb to live in?

Noosaville suits retirees and lifestyle-seekers: median age 56, 50.9% own outright, and 48.2% are couples without children. Three schools score above the ICSEA national average of 1000. The SEIFA IRSAD decile of 7 indicates above-average conditions. The tradeoff is limited public transport (1.6% usage) and housing stress above 30% for both renters and mortgage holders due to the lower income base.

What is the median house price in Noosaville?

The estimated median house price is $592,000 (2025 estimate). Monthly mortgage repayments of approximately $1,991 consume 32.9% of the median household income of $1,399/week, exceeding the standard 30% stress threshold. This reflects the lifestyle premium pricing relative to local incomes in the 40th percentile.

What schools are in Noosaville?

Three schools serve the suburb: Good Shepherd Lutheran College (Independent Combined, ICSEA 1117, 1,121 students), St Teresa's Catholic College (Secondary, ICSEA 1066, 801 students), and Noosaville State School (Government Primary, ICSEA 1039, 418 students). All three score above the national ICSEA average of 1000.

Is Noosaville safe?

Crime statistics are not available in our current dataset for Noosaville. The SEIFA deciles cluster at 7 across all four indices, indicating above-average socioeconomic conditions. The 72.7% residential stability rate and 50.9% outright ownership suggest a settled community. The low unemployment rate of 4.4% is a positive indicator compared to the national average.

Is Noosaville good for property investment?

The 21.8% vacancy rate is the key risk factor, likely driven by short-term holiday lets competing with long-term rentals. Median rent of $490/week appears strong, but seasonal fluctuation and rent stress at 35.0% suggest tenant affordability is stretched. Only 10 development applications in 12 months means limited new supply. Population growth of 1.07%/year is moderate compared to faster-growing Sunshine Coast suburbs.

How is Noosaville's population changing?

Population grows at 1.07% annually (103 persons/year), projected to reach approximately 10,380 by 2031. The ageing trend is pronounced: the senior share grew 12.7 percentage points over the decade (the largest increase in this group) while the working-age share fell 7.4 points. Overseas migration of +120/year is the primary driver, with internal flows near neutral.

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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