Proserpine
With a median house price of $342,000 and household income in the 23.5th percentile nationally, Proserpine sits in the affordable end of the Queensland market, drawing residents priced out of coastal centres further south. The suburb scores decile 2 on IEO (education and occupation advantage), well below the national midpoint, yet the IER (economic resources) sits at decile 6, reflecting moderate asset ownership, with 32.9% of households owning outright. Median age is 42, two years above the national figure, and the population has grown 10.9% over the last decade, driven largely by internal migration of 118 people per year.
Population
3,614
Median Age
42.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,175/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$342K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At $342,000 the median house price is well below the national median, making Proserpine one of the more accessible regional entry points in QLD. Separate houses dominate at 78.6% of dwellings and three-bedroom homes account for 50.4% of stock, with 4-plus bedroom homes at 24.7%, so family-sized layouts are plentiful. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,300 and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 25.6%, below the 30% stress threshold. Outright ownership at 32.9% is solid, though renters make up 37.2% of households. The combination of low entry price and manageable servicing costs puts ownership within reach for households with median incomes, which is the primary draw compared to higher-cost coastal alternatives.
For Buyers
At $342,000 the median house price is well below the national median, making Proserpine one of the more accessible regional entry points in QLD. Separate houses dominate at 78.6% of dwellings and three-bedroom homes account for 50.4% of stock, with 4-plus bedroom homes at 24.7%, so family-sized layouts are plentiful. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,300 and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 25.6%, below the 30% stress threshold. Outright ownership at 32.9% is solid, though renters make up 37.2% of households. The combination of low entry price and manageable servicing costs puts ownership within reach for households with median incomes, which is the primary draw compared to higher-cost coastal alternatives.
For Investors
A 37.2% renter share provides a broader tenant base than the national average, and weekly rent of $260 against a $342,000 median implies a gross yield near 3.9%, more attractive than most coastal Queensland markets. The vacancy rate of 9.2% is elevated, signalling current oversupply in the rental pool and limiting upward rent pressure. Net internal migration of 118 people per year is the strongest demand driver. Population grew 1.02% annually with 97 additional residents per year on average, and the medium forecast projects the broader area reaching 10,001 by 2031. The gentrification score of 35 sits at early signs stage, suggesting gradual improvement rather than rapid capital gains. Development was effectively flat over the past 12 months, so new supply is not a near-term headwind.
Schools in Proserpine iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St Catherine's Catholic College The Whitsundays
Prep-12 · 725 students
Proserpine State High School
7-12 · 1116 students
Proserpine State School
Prep-6 · 577 students
Demographics
The median age of 42 is 2.0 years above the national figure, and the trajectory is aging, with the senior share rising 6.7 points and the working-age share falling 4.1 points over the decade. Overseas-born residents account for 11.1% of the population, which is 10.5 percentage points below the national average, placing Proserpine firmly in the Anglo-leaning category. Ancestry reflects this: English (1,625), Irish (402) and Scottish (383) are the three largest groups. University qualifications reach 14.1%, which is 16.0 points below the national figure, and average household size is 2.4. Couples with children account for 999 families and couples without children total 715, consistent with an established, mixed-family suburb rather than a younger growth area.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
78.6%
Houses
6.3%
Townhouse
13.5%
Apartment
Tenure
The tenure profile shows 32.9% owning outright, 29.8% carrying a mortgage and 37.2% renting. Outright ownership tracking ahead of mortgage holders reflects the older median age and longer established residency, with 74.8% of residents unchanged address over the census period. The stock is predominantly separate houses at 78.6%, with apartments at 13.5% and semi-detached at 6.3%. Three-bedroom homes lead at 50.4% and 4-plus bedroom dwellings follow at 24.7%, showing a supply weighted toward family sizing. Mortgage-to-income of 25.6% and rent-to-income of 22.1% both sit below stress thresholds, making Proserpine affordable to service relative to income, compared to coastal QLD markets where rent-to-income ratios routinely exceed 30%.
Mortgage / mo
$1,300
Rent / wk
$260
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$668
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.2%
Unoccupied
139
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.6%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
27.7%
Couples, no children
2,583
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads employment at 16.0% (145 workers), followed by Education at 12.0% (109) and Construction at 10.9% (99), with Retail at 8.2% and Hospitality at 7.4%. By occupation, Labourers lead at 227 workers, above Professionals at 188 and Community and Personal Service at 182, which aligns with the decile 2 IEO score reflecting limited white-collar concentration. Unemployment stands at 5.6% and full-time employment at 65.4%, with 51.7% participation, lower than the national rate, partly because 1,085 residents are not in the labour force. Real income grew 5.4% over the decade, modest but positive. Weekly household income of $1,175 places the suburb in the 23.5th percentile nationally, a clear income gap compared to state and national averages.
Unemployment
3.2%
Labour Force
4,979
Unemployed
159
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
65.4%
Part-time
29.0%
Participation
51.7%
Employed
1,420
Occupations
Top Industries
University
14.1%
Postgraduate
1.1%
Born Overseas
11.1%
Dwellings
1,374
Transport to Work
Transport in Proserpine is car-dependent, with 80.0% of residents driving, which is typical for a regional QLD town, and public transport usage at 1.4% is low compared to the state average. Walking and cycling account for 11.9% of trips, higher than expected for a regional centre, reflecting the compact 23.38 km2 footprint and flat terrain. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset. The IRSAD decile of 3 places Proserpine in the lower quarter nationally for socioeconomic advantage, while the IER decile of 6 is above the midpoint, indicating moderate asset holdings relative to advantage. Volunteering is active at 18.1% and 10.2% of residents (346 people) need daily assistance, above the national average, consistent with the aging profile and lower-income context.
Drive
80.0%
Public Transport
1.4%
Walk / Cycle
11.9%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.02%/yr
(+97 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 10.9% over the last decade and the annual trend rate is 1.02%, adding roughly 97 residents per year. Internal migration is the primary driver at a net 118 arrivals annually, supported by 22 net overseas migrants per year, suggesting Proserpine is attracting domestic movers, likely from higher-cost areas, rather than drawing international settlers. The gentrification score of 35 puts the suburb at early signs stage, with signals including population up 16% since 2011 and accelerating internal migration. The medium population forecast for the broader area projects growth from 9,503 in 2025 to 10,001 by 2031. Affordability improved from 41.8% in 2011 to 38.2% in 2021, and rent grew 18.5% over the period, pointing to rising demand relative to income.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+22
Net Internal / yr
+118
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +16% since 2011, Net internal migration +118/yr, Accelerating: 3% → 13%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Proserpine compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Proserpine a good suburb to live in?
Proserpine suits buyers and families prioritising affordability and space. The median house price of $342,000 is well below coastal Queensland markets, mortgage-to-income sits at 25.6%, and 78.6% of dwellings are separate houses. The IRSAD decile of 3 reflects below-average socioeconomic advantage nationally, though the IER decile of 6 indicates moderate asset ownership.
What is the median house price in Proserpine?
The median house price is $342,000, estimated from 2025 rental data. Weekly rent averages $260 and monthly mortgage repayments run approximately $1,300. Mortgage-to-income at 25.6% sits below the 30% stress threshold, making Proserpine one of the more affordable regional entry points in QLD.
What schools are in Proserpine?
No schools are recorded inside the Proserpine suburb boundary in this dataset. University qualifications among residents stand at 14.1%, which is 16.0 points below the national average, reflecting the region's trade and labouring occupational base rather than a white-collar professional profile.
Is Proserpine safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Proserpine in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores decile 4 on IRSD, placing it in the lower-middle tier nationally for relative disadvantage. About 10.2% of residents (346 people) need daily assistance, above the national average, consistent with the aging demographic profile.
Is Proserpine good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $260 against a $342,000 median implies a gross yield near 3.9%, stronger than many coastal QLD markets. However, the vacancy rate of 9.2% is elevated, limiting near-term rent growth. Internal migration of 118 net arrivals per year and annual population growth of 1.02% provide steady underlying demand. Early gentrification signals suggest gradual rather than rapid capital appreciation.
How is Proserpine's population changing?
Population grew 10.9% over the last decade and sits at 3,614, with an annual growth rate of 1.02%, adding roughly 97 residents per year. Internal migration is the primary driver at 118 net arrivals annually. The medium forecast projects the broader area reaching 10,001 by 2031. The trajectory is aging, with the senior share up 6.7 points over the decade.
What industries and jobs are in Proserpine?
Healthcare employs 16.0% of local workers (145 people), followed by Education at 12.0% (109) and Construction at 10.9% (99). By occupation, Labourers lead at 227 workers, above Professionals at 188. The unemployment rate is 5.6% and weekly household income of $1,175 places the suburb in the 23.5th percentile nationally.
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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