Queenscliff
Queenscliff packs 3,407 residents into just 0.42 sq km, producing a density of 8,058.2 people per sq km. Its household income sits at the 96.8th percentile, while 80.1% of dwellings are apartments and 45.6% are rented. That combination makes it more urban and rental-oriented than lower-density neighbouring Freshwater, even though the median age is 36, 4 years below the national figure. Queenscliff suits professionals and downsizers who value coastal access and compact living, but buyers need to price apartment stock carefully because smaller homes dominate. The 63.3% work-from-home rate also supports a quieter weekday pattern than the suburb's density might suggest.
Population
3,407
Median Age
36.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,903/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
20
Homebuyers are choosing a highly apartment-led market: 80.1% of dwellings are apartments, compared with 17.0% separate houses and 2.9% semi-detached homes. The dominant format is the 2-bedroom dwelling at 55.0%, followed by 3-bedroom homes at 19.1%, so space and strata costs matter more than a detached-house yard. A monthly mortgage figure of $3,033 sits alongside mortgage payments equal to 24.1% of household income, suggesting less repayment pressure than the suburb's high rental exposure might imply. With 45.6% renting versus 26.3% owning outright, buyers should compare strata levies, renovation rules and resale demand before paying a premium.
For Buyers
Homebuyers are choosing a highly apartment-led market: 80.1% of dwellings are apartments, compared with 17.0% separate houses and 2.9% semi-detached homes. The dominant format is the 2-bedroom dwelling at 55.0%, followed by 3-bedroom homes at 19.1%, so space and strata costs matter more than a detached-house yard. A monthly mortgage figure of $3,033 sits alongside mortgage payments equal to 24.1% of household income, suggesting less repayment pressure than the suburb's high rental exposure might imply. With 45.6% renting versus 26.3% owning outright, buyers should compare strata levies, renovation rules and resale demand before paying a premium.
For Investors
Queenscliff has a substantial tenant base, with 45.6% of households renting and a median weekly rent of $650. Vacancy is 10.0%, higher than a tightly held rental market, so investors should allow for more leasing variability even though the coastal apartment setting can support demand. The 53.8% rent growth recorded across the shift period improves the income story, while 19 development applications in 12 months indicate ongoing renovation and building activity rather than a flood of confirmed new dwellings. Internal migration is the main forecast driver, which can broaden demand, but the 80.1% apartment share makes strata quality, defects, views and levies more important than land scarcity.
Development Activity
Total DAs
145
Last 12 Months
20
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-35.5%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Queenscliff's profile is younger and more university-educated than the national average: median age is 36, 4 years below national, and 60.5% have university qualifications, 30.4 percentage points above national. Overseas-born residents account for 39.3%, 17.7 points above national, helping explain the language mix that includes Portuguese 39, French 17, Italian 17 and German 16 speakers. Households average 2.2 people, 0.3 below national, and couples without children make up 56.6% of families. Compared with neighbouring Manly, this points to a compact professional and couple-oriented population, while the 34.7% turnover rate means community composition can change quickly.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
17.0%
Houses
2.9%
Townhouse
80.1%
Apartment
Tenure
Queenscliff is a high-density apartment market rather than a detached-house market. Apartments account for 80.1% of dwellings vs 17.0% separate houses and 2.9% semi-detached homes, with 55.0% of stock containing 2 bedrooms. Tenure is split between 45.6% renters, 27.4% mortgagors and 26.3% outright owners, so turnover and investor decisions can influence building conditions and resale competition. Vacancy reaches 10.0%, higher than a tightly held market, while the $650 weekly rent and $3,033 monthly mortgage show meaningful carrying costs. Compared with neighbouring Manly, purchasers should focus more on strata records, levies, outlook and building maintenance than on land size.
Mortgage / mo
$3,033
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $650.
$900
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $1,395 · units $850
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$1,532
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
10.0%
Unoccupied
166
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.1%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
33.1%
Couples with children
56.6%
Couples, no children
9.5%
Single parent
972
Total families
Economy & Employment
Queenscliff has a high-income, knowledge-oriented employment base. Household income ranks at the 96.8th percentile, while Professional/Tech accounts for 23.3% of industry employment, ahead of Healthcare at 11.5%, Finance at 10.0%, Construction at 8.6% and Education at 6.4%. Occupations reinforce that pattern, led by 828 Professionals and 505 Managers, compared with 206 Clerical/Admin and 202 Trades workers. Labour-force participation is 75.6%, unemployment is 2.9%, and full-time employment is 67.3%. The 63.3% work-from-home rate helps explain why only 2.4% use public transport and 30.0% drive, making home workspace and reliable connectivity more valuable than proximity to a large local job hub.
Unemployment
2.9%
Labour Force
2,251
Unemployed
65
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
67.3%
Part-time
23.7%
Participation
75.6%
Employed
2,186
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
60.5%
Postgraduate
15.8%
Born Overseas
39.3%
Dwellings
1,494
Transport to Work
Daily life is shaped by compact coastal density, with 3,407 residents across 0.42 sq km and 8,058.2 people per sq km. That supports short local trips, but only 3.3% walk or cycle and 2.4% use public transport, compared with 30.0% who drive. A 63.3% work-from-home rate can reduce peak commuting pressure, although apartment residents may place more value on shared facilities, noise control and nearby services. School access should be checked against the exact address, with government, Catholic and independent options across Queenscliff, Manly and Freshwater, including enrolment zones. Compared with lower-density Northern Beaches streets, the suburb suits residents prioritising access and convenience over private outdoor space.
Drive
30.0%
Public Transport
2.4%
Walk / Cycle
3.3%
Work from Home
63.3%
Population Forecast
+2.0%/yr
(+121 people/yr)
EstablishedQueenscliff has an established profile, but its growth settings are active rather than static. The forecast trend is 2.0% annually, driven primarily by internal migration, while population change across the wider area is 35.7% over 10 years. The shift trajectory is Aging: senior share has risen 10.3 percentage points, young share has fallen 3.4 points and working share has fallen 6.7 points. Gentrification is rated Active with a score of 51, and rent growth of 53.8% adds pressure because affordability is classified as Worsening. Compared with a mature suburb experiencing little change, Queenscliff is attracting demand while becoming older and less accessible to new renters.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+24
Net Internal / yr
+163
Gentrification Signal
Active
Population +45% since 2011, Net internal migration +163/yr, Accelerating: 2% → 42%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Queenscliff compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Queenscliff a good suburb to live in?
Queenscliff can suit residents who prefer apartment living, coastal access and a professional setting. It has 3,407 residents, a median age of 36 and a 63.3% work-from-home rate. Compared with lower-density nearby suburbs, it trades private outdoor space for compact convenience and a more urban feel.
What is the median house price in Queenscliff?
A current median house price should be checked against the latest sales because 80.1% of Queenscliff dwellings are apartments and only 17.0% are separate houses. For a useful comparison, review 2-bedroom sales, which represent 55.0% of stock, alongside apartment results in Manly and Freshwater rather than relying on a detached-house median.
What schools are in Queenscliff?
School access depends on the exact address and enrolment zone. Check current government, Catholic and independent options in Queenscliff and nearby Manly or Freshwater, then confirm year levels and availability. The suburb covers only 0.42 sq km, so compare travel time, sector and catchment rules rather than relying only on suburb boundaries.
Is Queenscliff safe?
Check recent NSW Police results before labelling Queenscliff safer or less safe than Manly. Also inspect the exact street, building entry and lighting, particularly in a dense apartment setting serving 3,407 residents. Compare incidents by category and time before deciding, as conditions can differ between buildings and busy coastal routes.
Is Queenscliff good for property investment?
Queenscliff can work for investors seeking apartment exposure, with 45.6% of households renting, a $650 weekly median rent and 10.0% vacancy. The 53.8% rent growth figure supports the income case, but vacancy is higher than a tightly held market and 80.1% of dwellings are apartments. Compare strata levies, defects, insurance, views and resale demand with Manly and Freshwater before assuming gross rent will translate into stronger returns.
How is Queenscliff's population changing?
Population is changing through both growth and ageing. The forecast trend is 2.0% annually, with internal migration the primary driver, while population change across the wider area is 35.7% over 10 years. Queenscliff's trajectory is Aging: the senior share is up 10.3 points and the young share is down 3.4 points. Compared with a stable established suburb, demand is rising while the age profile is moving older.
What languages are spoken in Queenscliff?
Queenscliff is more overseas-born than the national average, with 39.3% of residents born overseas, 17.7 percentage points above national. Recorded language groups include Portuguese at 39 people, French 17, Italian 17 and German 16. English, Irish and Scottish ancestry counts are 1,437, 496 and 401, so services and communications may need more flexibility than in a less internationally connected suburb.
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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