South Townsville
Half of South Townsville's residents rent, an unusually high 50.3% share that shapes the suburb's character. With a population of 2,424 and a median age of 41, one year above the national figure, this is a mid-density renter-majority pocket of Townsville where housing costs remain accessible. The IRSAD decile sits at 4, below the national midpoint, while the IEO decile of 6 indicates above-average education and occupation outcomes. Household income falls in the 47th percentile nationally, and a vacancy rate of 17.6% points to softer rental demand than the renter-majority share alone would suggest.
Population
2,424
Median Age
41.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,516/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
11
Median House
$396K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The median house price is approximately $396,000, estimated from rental yields as of 2025, well below Queensland and national medians. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,517, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.1% sits below the 30% stress threshold. Separate houses account for 52.0% of dwellings and semi-detached for 24.9%. Two-bedroom stock leads at 37.5%, with 3-bedroom at 36.1%. Only 22.8% of residents own outright, below national averages, consistent with a mobile ownership base where the majority rents rather than buys.
For Buyers
The median house price is approximately $396,000, estimated from rental yields as of 2025, well below Queensland and national medians. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,517, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.1% sits below the 30% stress threshold. Separate houses account for 52.0% of dwellings and semi-detached for 24.9%. Two-bedroom stock leads at 37.5%, with 3-bedroom at 36.1%. Only 22.8% of residents own outright, below national averages, consistent with a mobile ownership base where the majority rents rather than buys.
For Investors
A 50.3% renter share is high compared to Queensland state norms, but a 17.6% vacancy rate tempers yield expectations. Weekly rent of $300 against the $396,000 median implies a gross yield near 3.9%. Rent grew 7.1% over the measurement period, ahead of real income growth at -1.5%. The suburb logged 8 development applications in the past 12 months, mostly lot-creation work rather than new dwellings. Overseas migration adds a net 45 residents per year against a net internal outflow of 13, so demand rests on continued overseas arrivals rather than domestic movement.
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 South Townsville iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Townsville South State School
Prep-6 · 95 students
Demographics
The median age of 41 is one year above the national figure, and the trajectory is aging: the senior share rose 4.0 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 2.0 points. The overseas-born share of 17.0% is 4.6 points below the national average. Ancestry leans Anglo-Celtic, led by English (882 residents), Irish (389) and Scottish (318). University qualifications at 27.5% run 2.6 points below the national rate. Average household size of 2.0 is 0.5 below national, consistent with a couples-without-children profile: 40.4% of families fit that category.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
52.0%
Houses
24.9%
Townhouse
21.3%
Apartment
Tenure
South Townsville's tenure is dominated by renters at 50.3%, more than double the outright owner share of 22.8%, with mortgage holders at 26.9%. The 17.6% vacancy rate signals meaningful supply-demand imbalance in rentals. The dwelling mix includes 52.0% separate houses, 24.9% semi-detached and 21.3% apartments. Two-bedroom and three-bedroom dwellings together cover 73.6% of stock. Rent-to-income at 19.8% stays below stress levels, meaning renters spend less of their income on housing than is typical nationally, despite the area's below-median household income at the 47th percentile.
Mortgage / mo
$1,517
Rent / wk
$300
HH Size
2.0
Personal Income / wk
$914
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
17.6%
Unoccupied
213
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.1%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
40.4%
Couples, no children
1,333
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the largest employer at 16.6% (134 workers), followed by Public Administration at 13.6% and Construction at 11.4%. Education employs 8.9% and Hospitality 8.3%, giving the economy a public-sector and service-industry character. By occupation, Professionals lead at 265 workers, then Managers at 168. The unemployment rate of 6.1% is above the national benchmark, while full-time employment among workers reaches 69.6%. The IEO decile of 6 sits above the national midpoint, though the IRSAD decile of 4 and household income in the 47th percentile indicate that better occupation outcomes have not yet translated to broad household prosperity.
Unemployment
5.1%
Labour Force
3,177
Unemployed
161
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
69.6%
Part-time
24.3%
Participation
57.7%
Employed
1,164
Occupations
Top Industries
University
27.5%
Postgraduate
7.2%
Born Overseas
17.0%
Dwellings
986
Transport to Work
Cars dominate commuting at 83.7%, but 10.3% of residents walk or cycle, above the national average, reflecting the compact 5.05 km2 footprint and flat terrain. Public transport use is just 0.6%. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary, so families rely on institutions in neighbouring Townsville suburbs. The IRSAD decile of 4 and IER decile of 2 place the area below national midpoints on relative advantage. Housing stress is low by both measures: rent-to-income at 19.8% and mortgage-to-income at 23.1%, well within comfortable bounds compared to national benchmarks.
Drive
83.7%
Public Transport
0.6%
Walk / Cycle
10.3%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.5%/yr
(+28 people/yr)
EstablishedAnnual population growth is 0.5%, or about 28 persons per year, well below comparable coastal suburbs nationally. The 10-year population change was 3.9%. Medium forecasts project the broader SA2 reaching 5,726 by 2031, a 1.9% cumulative rise from 5,618. Overseas migration is the only net positive driver, adding 45 residents per year, while net internal migration is -13. The gentrification score registers 0, consistent with an affordable area that has not attracted the investment-led price escalation seen in comparable coastal locations elsewhere in Queensland.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+45
Net Internal / yr
-13
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How South Townsville compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Townsville a good suburb to live in?
South Townsville offers accessible housing costs with a median house price around $396,000 and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.1%, below the 30% stress threshold. The IEO decile of 6 signals above-average education and employment outcomes nationally. The 10.3% walking and cycling commute rate is higher than most Australian suburbs, suited to residents who prefer active travel in the compact 5.05 km2 area.
What is the median house price in South Townsville?
The median house price is approximately $396,000, estimated from rental yields in 2025, below typical Queensland city medians. Weekly rent averages $300 and monthly mortgage repayments are around $1,517. The rent-to-income ratio of 19.8% keeps housing costs manageable for renters compared to national benchmarks.
What schools are in South Townsville?
No schools are recorded inside the South Townsville boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring Townsville suburbs. The university qualification rate locally is 27.5%, which is 2.6 points below the national figure, suggesting residents draw on Townsville's broader education network.
Is South Townsville safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for South Townsville in this dataset. As indirect indicators, the IRSAD decile of 4 places it below the national midpoint on relative advantage, and 6.5% of residents (135 people) need daily assistance. Housing stress is low at 19.8% rent-to-income and 23.1% mortgage-to-income, suggesting stable everyday conditions for most of the 2,424 residents.
Is South Townsville good for property investment?
The 50.3% renter share is above state averages, providing a broad tenant pool, but a 17.6% vacancy rate indicates rental oversupply. Weekly rent of $300 against a $396,000 median implies a gross yield near 3.9%, and rent grew 7.1% over the measurement period. Overseas net migration of 45 per year is the primary demand driver, while net internal migration runs at -13.
How is South Townsville's population changing?
The suburb has 2,424 residents and is growing at 0.5% annually, around 28 persons per year, with a 3.9% rise over 10 years. Overseas migration adds a net 45 residents annually while internal migration removes 13. Medium forecasts project the broader SA2 reaching 5,726 by 2031. The population is aging, with the senior share up 4.0 points and working-age share down 2.0 points over the decade.
What industries employ South Townsville residents?
Healthcare is the largest employer at 16.6%, followed by Public Administration at 13.6% and Construction at 11.4%. Education accounts for 8.9% and Hospitality 8.3%. The unemployment rate is 6.1%, above the national benchmark, and 69.6% of employed residents work full-time.
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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