Parkhurst
At a median age of 32, Parkhurst skews 8 years younger than the national figure, yet household income sits at the 84th percentile nationally, a combination that marks this Rockhampton suburb as an affordable, family-focused area punching above its income weight. Separate houses dominate at 95.7% of dwellings, with 66.1% having 4 or more bedrooms, and the median house price of $478,000 keeps mortgage repayments at just 19.1% of income, well below the 30% stress threshold. The SEIFA IRSAD decile of 3 reflects below-average socioeconomic advantage compared to national norms, yet the income data tells a different story for working households.
Population
3,043
Median Age
32.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,227/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
15
Median House
$478K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At $478,000, the median house price in Parkhurst sits substantially below the national median, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 19.1% is far below the 30% stress threshold, making affordability a genuine strength here. The stock is overwhelmingly separate houses at 95.7%, with 66.1% of dwellings having 4 or more bedrooms, meaning families find large homes at accessible prices. Only 0.7% of dwellings are semi-detached, and apartment data is not available, so buyers should expect a near-universal detached housing market. The affordability trend has been improving, with the affordability ratio moving from 41.0% in 2011 to 33.9% in 2021, suggesting conditions have become more accessible for buyers over the past decade.
For Buyers
At $478,000, the median house price in Parkhurst sits substantially below the national median, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 19.1% is far below the 30% stress threshold, making affordability a genuine strength here. The stock is overwhelmingly separate houses at 95.7%, with 66.1% of dwellings having 4 or more bedrooms, meaning families find large homes at accessible prices. Only 0.7% of dwellings are semi-detached, and apartment data is not available, so buyers should expect a near-universal detached housing market. The affordability trend has been improving, with the affordability ratio moving from 41.0% in 2011 to 33.9% in 2021, suggesting conditions have become more accessible for buyers over the past decade.
For Investors
Parkhurst offers landlords a rent of $360 per week against a $478,000 median, producing a gross yield around 3.9%, higher than most capital city markets. The 28.1% renter share provides a solid tenant base, and the vacancy rate of 4.7% is elevated compared to tight metro markets, so investors should factor in potential vacancy costs. Rent growth reached 14.3% over the measured period, outpacing real income growth of 12.5%, which supports continued rental demand. Net internal migration of 107 people per year is the primary demand driver, more than 4 times the 24 overseas arrivals annually, signalling locally driven demand rather than international transience. Development activity is low at 10 applications in 12 months, limiting near-term supply pressure.
Development Activity
Total DAs
15
Last 12 Months
15
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 Parkhurst iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Parkhurst State School
Prep-6 · 428 students
Demographics
The median age of 32 is 8 years below the national average, driven by a large cohort of young families evidenced by 55% of households being couples with children. Average household size is 2.9, which is 0.4 above the national figure, consistent with the family-oriented profile. Overseas-born residents account for just 9.1%, which is 12.5 percentage points below the national rate, and ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (1,201), Scottish (315) and Irish (308). University qualifications reach 24.5%, sitting 5.6 points below the national rate, reflecting a workforce concentrated in trades, healthcare and public administration rather than professional services. The volunteering rate of 15.1% indicates moderate community engagement.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
95.7%
Houses
0.7%
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
The housing stock in Parkhurst is almost entirely separate detached houses at 95.7%, with semi-detached homes just 0.7%. Within that stock, 66.1% of dwellings have 4 or more bedrooms, while 3-bedroom homes make up 27.9%, meaning the suburb overwhelmingly caters to families needing space. Tenure splits as 49.8% with a mortgage, 28.1% renting and 22.0% owned outright. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 19.1% and rent-to-income of 16.2% both sit comfortably below stress thresholds, lower than state and national averages for most metros, indicating genuine housing affordability. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,842, accessible for a household earning at the 84th income percentile.
Mortgage / mo
$1,842
Rent / wk
$360
HH Size
2.9
Personal Income / wk
$981
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.7%
Unoccupied
48
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
16.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.1%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
21.1%
Couples, no children
2,456
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant industry at 20.1% of employed residents (213 workers), followed by Education at 15.1% (160 workers) and Public Administration at 9.4% (100 workers), reflecting Parkhurst's proximity to Rockhampton Hospital and CQUniversity. Construction (8.7%) and Mining (6.5%) add industrial weight, consistent with Central Queensland's resource economy. By occupation, Professionals (287) lead, followed by Clerical/Admin (239) and Community/Personal service workers (196). The unemployment rate of 3.3% is low, and full-time employment runs at 69.1%. The SEIFA IEO decile of 2 places Parkhurst in the bottom 20% nationally for education and occupation outcomes, a contrast to the income data that reflects the trades-heavy workforce composition rather than low earnings.
Unemployment
3.9%
Labour Force
4,530
Unemployed
177
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
69.1%
Part-time
27.6%
Participation
68.2%
Employed
1,486
Occupations
Top Industries
University
24.5%
Postgraduate
4.0%
Born Overseas
9.1%
Dwellings
962
Transport to Work
Car dependence in Parkhurst is high at 91.0% of commuters, compared to the national average, with only 1.6% using public transport, which reflects the regional setting within greater Rockhampton. Walking and cycling account for 1.7%. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families depend on facilities in surrounding Rockhampton suburbs. Crime data is not available for this suburb. The IRSAD decile of 3 places Parkhurst below the national average in overall advantage, yet housing stress indicators tell a more positive story: only 3.6% of residents (103 people) need daily assistance, mortgage repayments absorb just 19.1% of income, and rent-to-income sits at 16.2%, both well below typical urban stress benchmarks.
Drive
91.0%
Public Transport
1.6%
Walk / Cycle
1.7%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.19%/yr
(+97 people/yr)
EstablishedParkhurst has grown 15.2% over the past decade, and population growth is forecast at 1.19% per year, adding around 97 residents annually through to 2031. Internal migration is the primary driver at 107 net arrivals per year, with overseas migration contributing 24 annually. The gentrification score of 35 signals early signs of change, with population up 21% since 2011 and the accelerating internal migration rate moving from 4% to 16%. The senior share has grown 3.8 percentage points while the young share declined 0.7 points, indicating an aging trajectory despite the suburb's young median age, which means the suburb is retaining established families rather than cycling in new young ones. Medium forecasts project population reaching approximately 8,608 by 2031.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+24
Net Internal / yr
+107
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +21% since 2011, Net internal migration +107/yr, Accelerating: 4% → 16%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Parkhurst compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Parkhurst a good suburb to live in?
Parkhurst suits families looking for large, affordable homes in a regional Queensland setting. The median house price of $478,000 is well below national capital city levels, mortgage repayments absorb just 19.1% of household income, and 95.7% of dwellings are separate houses. The SEIFA IRSAD decile of 3 indicates below-average socioeconomic advantage nationally, but housing affordability and income levels are genuine strengths.
What is the median house price in Parkhurst?
The median house price in Parkhurst is $478,000 (estimated from 2025 data). Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,842, and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 19.1%, well below the 30% stress threshold. Rents average $360 per week, and rent-to-income sits at just 16.2%.
What schools are in Parkhurst?
No schools are recorded within the Parkhurst suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring Rockhampton suburbs. The suburb has a young population with a median age of 32, and households are predominantly families with 2.9 average occupants, so school access from adjacent areas is a key consideration.
Is Parkhurst safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Parkhurst in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, only 3.6% of residents (103 people) need daily assistance, and housing stress is low, with mortgage and rent costs both below 20% of income. The suburb has a 3.3% unemployment rate, below the national average.
Is Parkhurst good for property investment?
Parkhurst offers a gross rental yield around 3.9%, higher than most major capital city markets, with weekly rent of $360 against a $478,000 median. Rent grew 14.3% over the measured period. The vacancy rate of 4.7% is elevated compared to tight markets, and development activity is low at 10 applications in 12 months, limiting new supply competition.
How is Parkhurst's population changing?
Parkhurst grew 15.2% over the past decade and is forecast to grow 1.19% annually, adding around 97 residents per year through 2031. Internal migration is the main driver at 107 net arrivals annually. The gentrification score of 35 signals early signs of change, with population up 21% since 2011 and an accelerating internal migration trend.
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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