Sandstone Point
With a median age of 62, Sandstone Point sits 22 years above the national figure, making it one of the most distinctly retirement-oriented communities on the Pumicestone Passage. Household income lands in just the 11.5th percentile nationally, yet 61.4% of dwellings are owned outright, which is higher than most Queensland coastal areas, reflecting a retiree base that has paid off mortgages rather than a low-wealth population. Population has grown 22.1% over the last decade, driven largely by internal migration of 245 residents per year, as sea-change and tree-change movers continue to choose the area. At 4,094 people across 5.42 square kilometres, the suburb remains low-density and predominantly detached housing at 73.9% of all dwellings.
Population
4,094
Median Age
62.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$963/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
7
Median House
$475K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The estimated median house price of $475,000 sits below many comparable Queensland coastal locations, partly because incomes are low and 41.5% of renters face housing cost stress. Separate houses dominate at 73.9% of stock, and 4-plus bedroom homes account for 42.6% of dwellings, a high share that reflects the spacious, land-focused character of the suburb. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,560, with a mortgage-to-income ratio of 37.4%, above the 30% stress threshold. Buyers considering the area should weigh the affordable entry price against the low-income profile: household weekly income is just $963, placing Sandstone Point in the bottom 12th percentile nationally. Semi-detached dwellings make up 14.3%, offering a less common but cheaper entry point compared to the detached-house majority.
For Buyers
The estimated median house price of $475,000 sits below many comparable Queensland coastal locations, partly because incomes are low and 41.5% of renters face housing cost stress. Separate houses dominate at 73.9% of stock, and 4-plus bedroom homes account for 42.6% of dwellings, a high share that reflects the spacious, land-focused character of the suburb. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,560, with a mortgage-to-income ratio of 37.4%, above the 30% stress threshold. Buyers considering the area should weigh the affordable entry price against the low-income profile: household weekly income is just $963, placing Sandstone Point in the bottom 12th percentile nationally. Semi-detached dwellings make up 14.3%, offering a less common but cheaper entry point compared to the detached-house majority.
For Investors
The rental market in Sandstone Point is thin by design: only 17.5% of dwellings are rented, versus a much higher share in most Queensland suburban markets. Weekly rent averages $400 and the vacancy rate of 5.3% is elevated, signalling limited rental demand in a community where outright ownership at 61.4% is the norm. Rent grew 20.0% over the measured period, above inflation, but that growth comes from a low base. Net internal migration of 245 residents per year supports population expansion, and the 10-year population increase of 22.1% shows sustained interest in the area. Development activity is low at 7 applications in 12 months, mostly minor works, which means new supply is not a near-term threat to existing investor holdings.
Development Activity
Total DAs
17
Last 12 Months
7
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-30.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 62 is 22 years above the national average, placing Sandstone Point firmly in the top tier of aging suburbs nationally. The senior share rose 11.8 points and the working-age share fell 6.0 points over the decade, reinforcing an accelerating aging trajectory. Only 17.0% hold university qualifications, which is 13.1 percentage points below the national figure, consistent with a trade and community-services workforce rather than a professional one. Overseas-born residents account for 22.4% of the population, roughly matching the national average. Ancestry is predominantly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (2,032), Irish (574) and Scottish (515). Average household size of 2.1 is 0.4 below the national figure, typical of an older, couples-without-children profile, with 52.5% of families being couples without children.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
73.9%
Houses
14.3%
Townhouse
2.7%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure in Sandstone Point is dominated by outright owners at 61.4%, well above the national norm, while mortgage holders account for only 21.1% and renters 17.5%. This split reflects a retiree-heavy cohort who bought before prices escalated. The stock leans heavily toward separate houses at 73.9%, with semi-detached dwellings at 14.3% and apartments at just 2.7%. Four-plus bedroom homes make up 42.6% of the housing mix, higher than most Queensland coastal suburbs, and three-bedroom dwellings account for 37.9%. Estimated median house price is $475,000, with monthly mortgage repayments of $1,560. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 37.4% and rent-to-income of 41.5% both exceed stress thresholds, signalling that for those still paying housing costs, the burden is significant relative to local incomes.
Mortgage / mo
$1,560
Rent / wk
$400
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$510
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.3%
Unoccupied
104
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
41.5% stressed
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
37.4% stressed
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
52.5%
Couples, no children
3,246
Total families
Economy & Employment
The local workforce is small because only 31.4% of residents participate in the labour force, compared to the national average, a direct consequence of the retirement-age population where 2,181 people are not in the labour force. Healthcare leads all industries at 20.5% of workers (159 people), followed by Education at 12.0% (93) and Construction at 10.6% (82). By occupation, Professionals (192) and Community/Personal Service workers (172) lead, followed closely by Clerical/Admin (151) and Labourers (135). The unemployment rate among active participants is 7.9%, above typical suburban baselines, reflecting the limited local job base. SEIFA confirms economic constraint: IRSAD scores at decile 2 nationally, with IEO also at decile 2, both well below average, while the IER score of decile 5 is more moderate because high outright ownership boosts asset-based resources.
Unemployment
4.1%
Labour Force
7,518
Unemployed
308
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
59.5%
Part-time
32.6%
Participation
31.4%
Employed
1,052
Occupations
Top Industries
University
17.0%
Postgraduate
2.8%
Born Overseas
22.4%
Dwellings
1,841
Transport to Work
Car dependency at Sandstone Point is near-total: 88.5% of residents drive to work, compared to much lower rates in urban centres, and public transport use is only 1.7%, reflecting the absence of rail connections typical of peri-urban coastal Queensland. Walking and cycling account for 3.0% of commutes. Crime data is not available in this dataset, but the IRSD decile of 3 indicates below-average relative advantage nationally, and 9.9% of residents (392 people) need daily assistance with core activities, above average for the population size. The volunteering rate of 12.8% is moderate. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families rely on nearby Ningi, Banksia Beach and Bribie Island schools. The low-density character, coastal location, and high outright-ownership rate create a stable, low-turnover community where 77.3% of residents stayed in place over the measured period.
Drive
88.5%
Public Transport
1.7%
Walk / Cycle
3.0%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.74%/yr
(+309 people/yr)
EstablishedSandstone Point is on a consistent upward trajectory, with population growing 1.74% annually, adding around 309 people per year. The 10-year population increase of 22.1% classifies the suburb as active rather than stable. Internal migration is the primary driver at a net 245 residents per year, with overseas migration adding 65 annually. The gentrification score reads Active with signals including 28% population growth since 2011 and net internal migration of 245 per year. Medium forecasts project the broader SA2 area reaching around 18,263 people by 2026 and 19,810 by 2031. Affordability improved from 68.2% in 2011 to 63.2% in 2021, a positive trend. The young share fell 4.5 points and the senior share rose 11.8 points over the decade, so future growth is likely to maintain the established aging and sea-change demographic pattern.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+65
Net Internal / yr
+245
Gentrification Signal
Active
Population +28% since 2011, Net internal migration +245/yr, Accelerating: 11% → 16%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Sandstone Point compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sandstone Point a good suburb to live in?
Sandstone Point suits retirees and sea-change movers well: 61.4% own their home outright, density is low, and the suburb has grown 22.1% over 10 years. Household income sits in the 11.5th percentile nationally, so it is not an affluent area, and car dependency is high at 88.5% of commuters driving. The IRSAD decile is 2, below average nationally.
What is the median house price in Sandstone Point?
The estimated median house price is $475,000, derived from the local rental market in 2025. Weekly rent averages $400. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,560, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 37.4%, which exceeds the 30% housing stress threshold.
What schools are in Sandstone Point?
No schools are recorded inside the Sandstone Point boundary in this dataset. The suburb has only 4,094 residents and a median age of 62, so families with children are a small share of the community. Nearby Ningi and Bribie Island areas serve the broader local school-age population.
Is Sandstone Point safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Sandstone Point in this dataset. As a contextual indicator, the suburb has a low-density residential character with 4,094 people across 5.42 square kilometres, and 77.3% of residents stayed in place over the measured period, suggesting a stable, low-turnover community. The IRSD decile is 3, below average nationally.
Is Sandstone Point good for property investment?
The investment case is cautious. The vacancy rate of 5.3% is elevated, only 17.5% of dwellings are rented, and weekly rent of $400 against an estimated $475,000 median implies a gross yield around 4.4%. Rent grew 20.0% over the measured period, and net internal migration of 245 per year provides steady demand support. Development activity is low at 7 applications in 12 months.
How is Sandstone Point's population changing?
Population grew 22.1% over 10 years and is forecast to grow at 1.74% per year, adding around 309 people annually. Internal migration of 245 residents per year is the primary driver. The suburb is aging, with the senior share rising 11.8 points and working-age share falling 6.0 points over the decade.
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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