Proserpine
A 42-year median age places Proserpine 2 years above the national median, while its 3,614 residents live at a modest 154.6 people per sq km. The suburb is detached-house led, with 78.6% separate houses, and household income sits at the 23.5th percentile, below the national midpoint. Compared with Airlie Beach, Proserpine has a more inland, established township feel and a stronger family-home pattern. Its 11.1% overseas-born share and English, Irish and Scottish ancestry counts point to an Anglo-leaning profile, while the forecast labels its trajectory Aging.
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
11
Buyers face a predominantly detached market: 78.6% of dwellings are separate houses, compared with 13.5% apartments and 6.3% semi-detached homes. Three-bedroom properties account for 50.4%, well above the 24.7% share of four-bedroom-plus homes, which suits households seeking practical space rather than high-density living. The housing indicators show a $1,300 monthly mortgage figure and $260 weekly rent, with mortgage costs at 25.6% of household income and rent at 22.1%; neither is flagged as housing stress. Compared with Airlie Beach, Proserpine may appeal to buyers prioritising a conventional town setting. With no reliable median house price to anchor comparisons, recent local sales should guide offers.
For Buyers
Buyers face a predominantly detached market: 78.6% of dwellings are separate houses, compared with 13.5% apartments and 6.3% semi-detached homes. Three-bedroom properties account for 50.4%, well above the 24.7% share of four-bedroom-plus homes, which suits households seeking practical space rather than high-density living. The housing indicators show a $1,300 monthly mortgage figure and $260 weekly rent, with mortgage costs at 25.6% of household income and rent at 22.1%; neither is flagged as housing stress. Compared with Airlie Beach, Proserpine may appeal to buyers prioritising a conventional town setting. With no reliable median house price to anchor comparisons, recent local sales should guide offers.
For Investors
Proserpine has a sizeable rental base, with 36.9% of occupied dwellings rented, higher than the 32.6% owned outright. Weekly rent is $260 and vacancy is 9.2%, so landlords should allow for more tenant choice than in a tightly constrained market and test returns against maintenance and insurance costs. Ten development applications in 12 months indicate some activity, although the pipeline remains below a high-volume development setting. The forecast names internal migration as the primary driver and records rent growth of 18.5%, supporting a demand case, but the 9.2% vacancy rate argues for conservative acquisition and occupancy assumptions.
Development Activity
Total DAs
11
Last 12 Months
11
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 Proserpine
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
St Catherine's Catholic College The Whitsundays (Proserpine)
Proserpine State High School
Proserpine State School
Demographics
Proserpine's median age is 42, 2 years above the national median, and its average household size of 2.4 is 0.1 below the national figure. The overseas-born share is 11.1%, 10.5 percentage points below the national comparison, while university attainment is 14.1%, 16 points below national levels. English ancestry counts 1,625 people, followed by Irish at 402 and Scottish at 383. Christianity is reported for 1,901 residents and no religion for 1,411. These results fit an older, Anglo-leaning township profile, with 74.8% staying at the same address and 25.2% turnover, suggesting more residential continuity than churn.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
78.6%
Houses
6.3%
Townhouse
13.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Proserpine's tenure mix is more renter-heavy than its ownership profile: 36.9% rent, compared with 32.6% owning outright and 29.6% paying a mortgage. The dwelling stock is led by separate houses at 78.6%, versus 13.5% apartments and 6.3% semi-detached homes. Three-bedroom dwellings account for 50.4%, above the combined 24.9% share of 0 to 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom homes. Vacancy is 9.2%, higher than a tight rental setting, while rent is $260 weekly and the mortgage indicator is $1,300 monthly. This mix supports practical family housing, but compared with Airlie Beach, buyers should weigh township convenience against coastal pricing and resale depth.
Mortgage / mo
$1,300
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (Jun 2026 quarter), QLD RTA bond data. Census 2021 median: $260.
$600
Bond data Jun 2026 quarter · houses $600
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
35.8%
Couples with children
40.0%
Couples, no children
23.2%
Single parent
915
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads local employment at 16.0% and 145 workers, followed by education at 12.0% and 109, construction at 10.9% and 99, retail at 8.2% and 74, and hospitality at 7.4% and 67. The occupation mix is practical, led by trades at 271 and labourers at 227, ahead of professionals at 188. Unemployment is 5.2%, participation is 55.8%, and full-time work is 60.3%. Household income ranks at the 23.5th percentile, below the national midpoint. SEIFA is uneven: education and occupation sit in decile 2, while economic resources reach decile 6; overall disadvantage is decile 4 and advantage/disadvantage decile 3. That pattern reflects service and trade work alongside constrained incomes.
Unemployment
5.2%
Labour Force
1,625
Unemployed
85
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
60.3%
Part-time
31.9%
Participation
55.8%
Employed
1,540
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
14.1%
Postgraduate
1.1%
Born Overseas
11.1%
Dwellings
1,374
Transport to Work
Daily travel is strongly car dependent: 75.7% drive, compared with 1.4% using public transport, while 11.3% walk or cycle and 5.4% work from home. Three nearby schools span 2 government options and 1 Catholic non-state college, covering primary and secondary pathways; families should confirm enrolment zones for the exact address. Proserpine's density is 154.6 people per sq km across 23.38 sq km, giving it a lower-density setting than a compact urban centre. The IRSAD score is in decile 3, below the middle deciles, while volunteering is 18.1%. Safety should be checked at address level through current local information and visits at different times.
Drive
75.7%
Public Transport
1.4%
Walk / Cycle
11.3%
Work from Home
5.4%
Population Forecast
+1.02%/yr
(+97 people/yr)
EstablishedProserpine's forecast trend is 1.02% annual growth, with internal migration named as the primary driver. Population change across the wider area is 10.9% over 10 years, pointing to positive momentum rather than a flat outlook. The shift trajectory is Aging: the senior share rises 6.7 percentage points, while the working share falls 4.1 points and the young share falls 2.6 points. Gentrification remains at the Early signs stage with a score of 35, and rent growth is 18.5%. Compared with a mature, static township, these figures suggest measured expansion, but the age profile means future demand may favour services, accessible homes and downsizer stock.
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 residents who prefer a lower-density township with practical services, detached housing and car-based travel. It has 3,614 residents, a median age of 42, 78.6% separate houses and 3 nearby schools. Compared with Airlie Beach, it is more inland and established, so inspect the exact street for amenities and travel times.
What is the median house price in Proserpine?
A current median house price is not available as a dependable benchmark, so buyers should check recent comparable sales. Market context includes $260 weekly rent, a 9.2% vacancy rate and a $1,300 monthly mortgage figure. Because 78.6% of homes are separate houses, compare similar three-bedroom properties rather than mixing apartments and houses.
What schools are in Proserpine?
Schools include Proserpine State School, Proserpine State High School and St Catherine's Catholic College The Whitsundays (Proserpine). The mix is 2 government schools and 1 Catholic non-state school, covering primary and secondary pathways. Families should confirm catchments and enrolment conditions for the exact address, particularly when comparing 3-bedroom homes with different walking and driving access.
Is Proserpine safe?
Safety should be checked at address level rather than inferred from suburb character. Review recent Queensland Police information, speak with residents and inspect lighting, street activity and access at different times. Proserpine's density is 154.6 people per sq km and 75.7% of residents drive, so conditions may vary between quieter residential streets and busier routes.
Is Proserpine good for property investment?
Proserpine can suit investors seeking a regional rental market, but returns need careful testing. Rent is $260 a week, vacancy is 9.2%, and 36.9% of dwellings are rented, higher than the 32.6% owned outright. Ten development applications in 12 months and 18.5% rent growth add activity, while internal migration supports demand. The vacancy rate calls for conservative occupancy assumptions.
How is Proserpine's population changing?
Proserpine's population is 3,614 today. Across the wider area, the forecast records 10.9% population change over 10 years and a 1.02% annual trend, driven primarily by internal migration. The trajectory is Aging, with the senior share up 6.7 percentage points and the young share down 2.6 points. That suggests growth with a changing age mix rather than a purely youth-led expansion.
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 education open registers (school locations), 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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