Oonoonba
At a median house price of $401,000, Oonoonba sits well below the national median while scoring in SEIFA decile 7 on three of four indexes, signalling above-average socioeconomic standing for its price point. The suburb's most striking feature is its renter majority: 52.6% of households rent, compared to roughly 30% nationally, in a stock that is 73.9% separate houses. Population has grown 33.9% over the past decade, driven largely by overseas migration averaging 56 arrivals per year, and the median age of 31 runs 9 years younger than the national figure. That youth, affordability, and growth trajectory set Oonoonba apart from most Townsville suburbs.
Population
2,050
Median Age
31.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,510/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
5
Median House
$401K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The median house price of $401,000 places Oonoonba firmly below the national median, making it one of the more accessible entry points in Queensland for buyers seeking a detached house. Separate houses make up 73.9% of the stock, with semi-detached dwellings at 23.5% and apartments just 2.6%, so the market is strongly oriented toward traditional homes. Three-bedroom houses dominate at 49.4% of all dwellings, followed by two-bedroom at 26.7% and four-plus bedroom at 16.1%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,430, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.9% is comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. Only 17.2% own outright, compared to a higher national rate, because the young median age of 31 means fewer residents have had time to pay off their homes.
For Buyers
The median house price of $401,000 places Oonoonba firmly below the national median, making it one of the more accessible entry points in Queensland for buyers seeking a detached house. Separate houses make up 73.9% of the stock, with semi-detached dwellings at 23.5% and apartments just 2.6%, so the market is strongly oriented toward traditional homes. Three-bedroom houses dominate at 49.4% of all dwellings, followed by two-bedroom at 26.7% and four-plus bedroom at 16.1%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,430, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.9% is comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. Only 17.2% own outright, compared to a higher national rate, because the young median age of 31 means fewer residents have had time to pay off their homes.
For Investors
A 52.6% renter share, well above the national average of around 30%, gives landlords a deep and persistent tenant pool in Oonoonba. Weekly rent sits at $320, and the rent-to-income ratio of 21.2% keeps tenants within comfortable bounds, reducing default risk. The vacancy rate of 9.4% is elevated and warrants attention, suggesting supply currently exceeds demand in some segments. Overseas migration averaging 56 residents per year is the primary demand driver, with internal migration contributing a modest net 7 annually. Rent growth of 2.9% over the measured period is modest but positive. Four development applications were lodged in the past 12 months, indicating low near-term supply pressure from new construction.
Development Activity
Total DAs
5
Last 12 Months
5
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
Demographics
The median age of 31 is 9 years below the national figure, one of the strongest youth signals in the Townsville region. Over the decade, the young resident share fell 6.3 points while the senior share rose 4.1 points, so the suburb is aging from a very young base. Overseas-born residents make up 13.1%, which is 8.5 points below the national average, reflecting a predominantly Australian-born population. Ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic: English (782 residents), Irish (241), and Scottish (212) lead the count. The average household size of 2.1 is 0.4 below the national figure, consistent with the 38% of families who are couples without children. University qualifications reach 28.8%, sitting 1.3 points below the national rate.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
73.9%
Houses
23.5%
Townhouse
2.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure tells a clear story in Oonoonba: 52.6% of households rent, while only 17.2% own outright and 30.2% carry a mortgage. The high renter share relative to the national average reflects the young median age of 31 and the suburb's affordability relative to Townsville and Queensland more broadly. The stock is 73.9% separate houses, with semi-detached at 23.5%, meaning renters here are largely renting houses rather than apartments. Three-bedroom dwellings account for 49.4% of stock, giving the market a family-oriented profile. The median house price of $401,000 is estimated from 2025 rental data, and the monthly mortgage cost of $1,430 keeps ownership within reach for dual-income households at the local median family income of $1,955 per week.
Mortgage / mo
$1,430
Rent / wk
$320
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$931
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.4%
Unoccupied
95
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.9%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
38.0%
Couples, no children
1,292
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads employment at 21.4% of workers (158 residents), closely followed by Public Administration at 20.6% (152), reflecting Townsville's role as a major regional service and defence hub. Education adds 11.1% (82 workers) and Construction 7.3% (54). By occupation, Community and Personal Service roles top the list at 264 workers, followed by Professionals at 230. The unemployment rate of 6.0% is above the national average, and the participation rate of 67.2% suggests a portion of the working-age population is not actively seeking employment. The SEIFA IRSD decile of 8 places Oonoonba in the upper third nationally for relative advantage, meaning fewer residents face economic disadvantage than most Australian suburbs. Real incomes grew 11.9% over the decade.
Unemployment
1.9%
Labour Force
4,588
Unemployed
88
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
72.8%
Part-time
21.2%
Participation
67.2%
Employed
1,122
Occupations
Top Industries
University
28.8%
Postgraduate
5.2%
Born Overseas
13.1%
Dwellings
914
Transport to Work
Car dependence in Oonoonba is extreme: 92.2% of residents drive to work, compared to roughly 60-70% nationally, while only 0.3% use public transport and 1.7% walk or cycle. This reflects the suburb's location within Townsville's suburban fringe, where road infrastructure dominates and public transit options are limited. The IRSAD decile of 7 ranks Oonoonba above average nationally for combined advantage and disadvantage. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families rely on schools in neighbouring areas. The need-for-assistance rate of 5.4% (102 residents) is moderate. Volunteering stands at 11.8%, a reasonable community participation rate. Housing stress is low, with both rent-to-income at 21.2% and mortgage-to-income at 21.9% sitting comfortably below stress thresholds.
Drive
92.2%
Public Transport
0.3%
Walk / Cycle
1.7%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+2.43%/yr
(+183 people/yr)
EstablishedOonoonba's population grew 33.9% over the past decade, a rate well above the national average, and the current population of 2,050 is forecast to reach 8,942 at the SA2 level by 2031 under medium projections. Annual growth runs at 2.43%, adding roughly 183 persons per year. Overseas migration is the primary engine, contributing an average of 56 arrivals annually, while internal migration adds just 7 net per year. The gentrification score of 42 reflects early signs of change, driven by the population surge of nearly 40% since 2011, though the suburb does not yet show strong price or demographic uplift consistent with advanced gentrification. Affordability has improved significantly, with the affordability ratio dropping from 43.9% in 2011 to 32.8% in 2021, indicating the suburb is becoming relatively more accessible over time.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+56
Net Internal / yr
+7
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +39% since 2011
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Oonoonba compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oonoonba a good suburb to live in?
Oonoonba scores SEIFA decile 7 on three of four indexes, ranking above average nationally for socioeconomic conditions. The median age of 31 makes it one of the younger suburbs in Townsville. The main trade-offs are a high vacancy rate of 9.4% and strong car dependence at 92.2% of commuters driving, reflecting limited public transport.
What is the median house price in Oonoonba?
The median house price is approximately $401,000, estimated from 2025 rental data. Weekly rent averages $320 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $1,430, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.9%, well below the 30% stress threshold.
What schools are in Oonoonba?
No schools are recorded inside the Oonoonba suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring Townsville suburbs. Locally, 28.8% of residents hold university qualifications, which is close to the national average of 30.1%.
Is Oonoonba safe?
Crime statistics for Oonoonba are not available in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores SEIFA IRSD decile 8, placing it in the upper third nationally for low relative disadvantage. Housing stress is low, with rent-to-income at 21.2% and mortgage-to-income at 21.9%, both below stress thresholds.
Is Oonoonba good for property investment?
A renter share of 52.6%, more than double the national average, provides strong tenant demand. Weekly rent of $320 against a $401,000 median implies a gross yield of around 4.2%, competitive by Queensland standards. The vacancy rate of 9.4% is elevated, so investors should target the dominant 3-bedroom house segment at 49.4% of stock, where absorption is stronger.
How is Oonoonba's population changing?
Population grew 33.9% over the past decade, well above the national rate. Annual growth is 2.43%, adding about 183 persons per year. Overseas migration drives the increase at 56 arrivals annually, and the medium forecast sees the broader SA2 area reaching 8,942 by 2031 from a 2025 base of 7,544.
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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