QLD 4553 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Palmview

The median age of 29 sits 11 years below the national figure, and almost everything else about Palmview follows from how young the resident base is. Households earn $2,306 a week, placing the suburb in the 88.2nd percentile nationally, yet 63.1% carry a mortgage and only 12.0% own outright, the profile of young families still buying in rather than established owners. Dwellings are 93.0% separate houses and 63.5% have four or more bedrooms, the largest format in a low-density 18.56 km2 footprint at 282.1 residents per km2. Turnover runs high at 47.1%, consistent with a fast-filling growth corridor on the Sunshine Coast.

Palmview urban fabric map

Population

5,236

Median Age

29.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$2,306/wk

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

8

Median House

$607K

Estimated from rent (2025)

18.56 km²· 282.1 people/km²· Family income $2,324/wk

The median house price near $607,000 is moderate by coastal Queensland standards, and the format buyers get for it is generous: 93.0% of dwellings are separate houses and 63.5% carry four or more bedrooms, with another 33.1% offering three. That skew toward large family homes explains why average household size reaches 3.0, half a person above the national figure. Monthly mortgage repayments average about $2,000, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 20.0%, well below the 30% stress threshold, because household incomes in the 88.2nd percentile comfortably cover repayments. With 63.1% of residents on a mortgage against just 12.0% owning outright, the buyer pool here is dominated by working families financing newly built houses rather than downsizers or cash buyers.

For Buyers

The median house price near $607,000 is moderate by coastal Queensland standards, and the format buyers get for it is generous: 93.0% of dwellings are separate houses and 63.5% carry four or more bedrooms, with another 33.1% offering three. That skew toward large family homes explains why average household size reaches 3.0, half a person above the national figure. Monthly mortgage repayments average about $2,000, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 20.0%, well below the 30% stress threshold, because household incomes in the 88.2nd percentile comfortably cover repayments. With 63.1% of residents on a mortgage against just 12.0% owning outright, the buyer pool here is dominated by working families financing newly built houses rather than downsizers or cash buyers.

For Investors

A 25.0% renter share and weekly rent of $510 give landlords a working tenant base, and against a $607,000 median that rent implies a gross yield near 4.4%, stronger than most metropolitan markets. The 5.0% vacancy rate is higher than a tight market but reflects a steady pipeline of new houses being absorbed rather than chronic oversupply. Rent-to-income sits at 22.1%, leaving tenants room to absorb increases. Development activity is modest at 8 applications in 12 months, recent ones spanning operational works, building works and a material change of use, which points to land still being brought online. With a median age of 29, 11 years below national, and turnover at 47.1%, demand is underpinned by young households forming and relocating into the corridor.

Development Activity

Total DAs

22

Last 12 Months

8

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

+166.7%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Other
3
Change of Use
3
Subdivision
2
New Dwelling
1
Commercial / Industrial
1
Landscaping / Retaining Wall
1

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

Palmview State Primary School

ICSEA 1037 Primary Government

Prep-6 · 596 students

Palmview State Secondary College

ICSEA 1021 Secondary Government

7-10 · 379 students

Demographics

The median age of 29 is 11.0 years below the national figure, the single most defining trait of the suburb and the reason average household size reaches 3.0, half a person above national. Family structure is child-heavy: 2,395 families are couples with children against just 884 couples with no children, or 20.1%. Overseas-born residents reach 24.9%, 3.3 points above national, and ancestry leans Anglo, led by English (2,288), Scottish (526) and Irish (474), with German (298) behind. The top non-English languages are Punjabi (40 speakers), Afrikaans (27) and Gujarati (21), a small but varied migrant mix. University qualifications at 32.4% run 2.3 points above national, and Christianity (1,953) is the dominant religion ahead of Hinduism (119).

Age Distribution

0-14
24.7%
15-24
15.2%
25-44
37.8%
45-64
17.4%
65+
4.9%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
0.4%
2 bed
2.9%
3 bed
33.1%
4+ bed
63.5%

Dwelling Structure

93.0%

Houses

6.5%

Townhouse

0.5%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 12.0% Mortgage 63.1% Rent 25.0%

Tenure tilts heavily toward recent buyers: 63.1% carry a mortgage, 25.0% rent and only 12.0% own outright, an unusual split that marks Palmview as a corridor where young families are still financing entry rather than holding debt-free wealth. The stock is overwhelmingly detached at 93.0% separate houses, with apartments at just 0.5% and semi-detached at 6.5%, so density stays low at 282.1 residents per km2. Bedroom counts run large, 63.5% with four or more and 33.1% with three, matching the 3.0 average household size. Mortgage-to-income at 20.0% and rent-to-income at 22.1% both sit below the 30% stress threshold, a sign that the 88.2nd-percentile household income of $2,306 a week absorbs housing costs more comfortably than in higher-priced markets.

Mortgage / mo

$2,000

Rent / wk

$510

HH Size

3.0

Personal Income / wk

$1,001

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

5.0%

Unoccupied

88

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

22.1%

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

20.0%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Punjabi
40
Afrikaans
27
Guj
21
Korean
13
Mandarin
12
Portuguese
12

Ancestry

English
2,288
Other
529
Scottish
526
Irish
474
German
298
Ancestry NS
242

Household Composition

20.1%

Couples, no children

4,394

Total families

Economy & Employment

The workforce concentrates in service and trade sectors rather than corporate offices: Healthcare leads at 23.4% (503 workers), Construction follows at 12.1% (260) and Education at 10.1% (216), with Retail at 8.1% and Professional/Tech at 7.8%. The construction share is notably high and fits a suburb still being built out. By occupation, Professionals (666) lead, ahead of Clerical/Admin (418) and Community/Personal (371). Unemployment is low at 3.9% and the full-time employment rate reaches 63.5%, with participation at 71.5%, elevated because the young median age of 29 leaves only 665 residents not in the labour force. SEIFA scores are not available in this dataset, so advantage tiers cannot be ranked, but the 88.2nd-percentile household income points to a comfortably resourced area.

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

Full-time

63.5%

Part-time

32.6%

Participation

71.5%

Employed

2,705

Occupations

Professionals 666
Clerical/Admin 418
Community/Personal 371
Managers 335
Sales 315
Labourers 246
Machinery/Drivers 126

Top Industries

Healthcare 23.4%
Construction 12.1%
Education 10.1%
Retail 8.1%
Professional/Tech 7.8%

University

32.4%

Postgraduate

6.4%

Born Overseas

24.9%

Dwellings

1,672

Transport to Work

Car dependence is near total: 93.3% of commuters drive, while public transport carries just 0.6% and only 1.1% walk or cycle, well below national active-transport rates and a function of the low 282.1 residents per km2 density spread across 18.56 km2. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families rely on institutions in neighbouring areas, a practical trade-off for a corridor still being built out. Crime statistics are not available, so safety cannot be ranked directly, but only 2.9% of residents (147 people) need daily assistance, consistent with the young median age of 29. Housing costs stay manageable, with rent-to-income at 22.1% and mortgage-to-income at 20.0%, both below the 30% stress line.

Drive

93.3%

Public Transport

0.6%

Walk / Cycle

1.1%

Work from Home

N/A

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

How Palmview compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 11%
Household Income
Top 12%
Rent Level
Top 5%
Apartments
Bottom 10%
Renters
Top 39%
Uni Educated
Top 30%
Public Transport
Bottom 6%
Born Overseas
Top 20%
Density
Top 22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Palmview a good suburb to live in?

Palmview suits young families: the median age is 29, 11 years below national, and average household size reaches 3.0. Household income sits in the 88.2nd percentile at $2,306 a week, and housing costs stay manageable with mortgage-to-income at 20.0%, below the 30% stress threshold. The main trade-off is heavy car dependence at 93.3% of commuters.

What is the median house price in Palmview?

The median house price is around $607,000, moderate for coastal Queensland. Weekly rent averages $510 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $2,000, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 20.0%. With 93.0% of dwellings separate houses, buyers here mostly purchase large detached family homes.

What schools are in Palmview?

No schools are recorded inside the Palmview boundary in this dataset, so families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. The resident base is young, with a median age of 29 and 2,395 families that are couples with children, so schooling demand is met largely through adjacent areas.

Is Palmview safe?

Detailed crime statistics are not available for Palmview in this dataset, so safety cannot be ranked directly. As an indirect indicator, only 2.9% of residents, or 147 people, need daily assistance, and the suburb sits in the 88.2nd income percentile, both consistent with a comfortably resourced area.

Is Palmview good for property investment?

Rent of $510 a week against a $607,000 median gives a gross yield near 4.4%, stronger than most metro markets. The renter share is 25.0% and vacancy sits at 5.0%. A young median age of 29 and 47.1% turnover support tenant demand, though the case rests on yield and growth rather than a deep rental base.

How is Palmview's population changing?

Forward forecasts are not available, but the current 5,236 residents and 47.1% turnover point to a fast-filling growth corridor. The median age of 29 is 11 years below national, and 63.1% of residents carry a mortgage against 12.0% owning outright, the footprint of an area filling with young buyers.

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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