Tamborine
With 99.8% of dwellings being separate houses and household income at the 84th percentile nationally, Tamborine reads as an affluent, detached-house enclave spread across 71.23 square kilometres of semi-rural Queensland. The population of 4,388 has grown 19.4% over the past decade, faster than most comparable rural-fringe areas. Rent-to-income at 20.4% and mortgage-to-income at 22.6% both sit below the 30% stress threshold, making it one of the more affordable high-income suburbs in the state, and only 9.5% of residents rent, well below the national average.
Population
4,388
Median Age
41.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,211/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
28
Median House
$582K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The estimated median house price of $582,000 is based on 2025 rental data, providing an indicative rather than transaction-verified figure. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, and with mortgage-to-income at 22.6%, purchase costs remain manageable relative to local incomes, which rank at the 84th percentile nationally. Almost all stock is detached houses at 99.8%, so buyers face a straightforward but shallow pool dominated by 4-plus bedroom homes at 61.6% of dwellings. Weekly rent is $450, comparatively modest given the income profile. The vacancy rate of 4.9% is elevated versus the national typical range, signalling some slack in the rental market that could limit upward pressure on rents in the short term.
For Buyers
The estimated median house price of $582,000 is based on 2025 rental data, providing an indicative rather than transaction-verified figure. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, and with mortgage-to-income at 22.6%, purchase costs remain manageable relative to local incomes, which rank at the 84th percentile nationally. Almost all stock is detached houses at 99.8%, so buyers face a straightforward but shallow pool dominated by 4-plus bedroom homes at 61.6% of dwellings. Weekly rent is $450, comparatively modest given the income profile. The vacancy rate of 4.9% is elevated versus the national typical range, signalling some slack in the rental market that could limit upward pressure on rents in the short term.
For Investors
Rental demand in Tamborine is thin: only 9.5% of residents rent, well below the national average, and vacancy sits at 4.9%. Weekly rent of $450 against an estimated median of $582,000 implies a gross yield near 4.0%, reasonable for a semi-rural market but not exceptional. The stronger investment signal is population momentum: 26 development applications were lodged in the past 12 months, predominantly dwelling additions and new builds, and net overseas migration of 131 per year combined with net internal migration of 73 per year is driving sustained demand. Construction is the largest industry at 18.3% of workers, which implies ongoing infrastructure capacity to support further residential activity.
Development Activity
Total DAs
56
Last 12 Months
28
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+366.7%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 41 matches the national figure, though the aging trajectory tells a more important story: the senior share rose 5.2 points and the working-age share fell 2.9 points over the decade, pointing to a community shifting toward retirees and later-career households. Overseas-born residents at 19.9% sit 1.7 points below the national average, and ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (2,077), Scottish (512) and Irish (445). University qualifications at 19.3% are 10.8 points below the national figure, consistent with a workforce concentrated in trade and service industries rather than knowledge professions. Average household size of 3.1 persons is 0.6 above the national figure, reflecting the prevalence of family households with children.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
99.8%
Houses
N/A
Townhouse
0.2%
Apartment
Tenure
Tamborine is almost entirely detached houses at 99.8%, with apartments forming a token 0.2%. The bedroom profile skews large, with 61.6% of dwellings having 4 or more bedrooms and only 6.0% with 2 bedrooms, consistent with the family-oriented household profile. Tenure is dominated by mortgage holders at 65.1% versus 25.4% owning outright, indicating a relatively young ownership base still paying down debt rather than established wealth holders. Renters are only 9.5%, compared with the national average of around 32%, so the suburb functions almost exclusively as an owner-occupier market. Mortgage-to-income at 22.6% is below the 30% stress threshold, and rent-to-income at 20.4% is similarly comfortable.
Mortgage / mo
$2,167
Rent / wk
$450
HH Size
3.1
Personal Income / wk
$770
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.9%
Unoccupied
70
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.6%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
25.3%
Couples, no children
3,749
Total families
Economy & Employment
Construction is the dominant industry at 18.3% (255 workers), followed by Healthcare at 13.8% (192) and Education at 11.0% (154), with Manufacturing and Professional/Tech each at 7.0%. By occupation, Professionals (323), Clerical/Admin (320) and Managers (304) lead the workforce, pointing to a mix of white-collar employment and trades-dependent work. The SEIFA economic resources decile of 9 ranks Tamborine in the top 10% nationally for household economic resources, while the IRSD disadvantage decile of 7 and IRSAD advantage decile of 6 indicate moderate overall advantage. The unemployment rate is 5.0% with a participation rate of 58.8%, the lower participation driven partly by the aging trajectory and a large cohort of 1,013 residents not in the labour force. Real income growth of 11.6% over the decade indicates steady, if not exceptional, household income improvement.
Unemployment
3.5%
Labour Force
8,995
Unemployed
315
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
67.0%
Part-time
28.0%
Participation
58.8%
Employed
1,962
Occupations
Top Industries
University
19.3%
Postgraduate
4.8%
Born Overseas
19.9%
Dwellings
1,337
Transport to Work
Transport in Tamborine is almost entirely car-dependent, with 92.7% of residents driving to work and only 0.3% using public transport, the lowest end of the national spectrum. The IRSAD advantage decile of 6 and IRSD disadvantage decile of 7 place the suburb in the upper-mid advantage tier nationally. Housing stress is low: mortgage-to-income at 22.6% and rent-to-income at 20.4% both fall below the 30% stress benchmark. The volunteering rate of 13.2% reflects an engaged community, and only 5.2% of residents (214 people) need daily assistance. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families depend on institutions in neighbouring areas, a practical consideration given the area covers 71.23 square kilometres with a density of just 61.6 people per square kilometre.
Drive
92.7%
Public Transport
0.3%
Walk / Cycle
1.8%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.42%/yr
(+239 people/yr)
EstablishedTamborine's 10-year population gain of 19.4% is above the national average for comparable semi-rural suburbs, reaching 4,388 residents at an annual growth rate of 1.42%, adding roughly 239 per year. Medium forecasts project the broader SA2 reaching 17,574 by 2028 and 18,291 by 2031. Dual migration streams sustain this momentum: overseas arrivals of 131 per year and internal movers of 73 per year. Rent growth of 23.5% outpaced real income growth of 11.6%, gradually compressing affordability from 64.0% in 2011 to 57.6% in 2021. The gentrification score of 32 places the suburb at an Early signs stage, with entry rates accelerating from 8% to 15%, and 78.7% of residents staying between censuses, indicating stable community tenure alongside measured growth.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+131
Net Internal / yr
+73
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +24% since 2011, Net internal migration +73/yr, Accelerating: 8% → 15%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Tamborine compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tamborine a good suburb to live in?
Tamborine rates well for housing affordability, with mortgage-to-income at 22.6% and rent-to-income at 20.4%, both below the 30% stress threshold. Household incomes sit at the 84th percentile nationally. The suburb is entirely detached houses at 99.8%, offering space across 71.23 square kilometres, though public transport at 0.3% means a car is essential.
What is the median house price in Tamborine?
The estimated median house price is $582,000, based on 2025 rental data. Weekly rent averages $450 and monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167. The 4-plus bedroom segment dominates at 61.6% of dwellings, reflecting the family-oriented, rural-fringe character of the suburb.
What schools are in Tamborine?
No schools are recorded within the Tamborine suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring areas of the Logan and Gold Coast Hinterland region. University qualifications among residents reach 19.3%, which is 10.8 points below the national figure, consistent with a trade and service-sector workforce.
Is Tamborine safe?
Detailed crime statistics for Tamborine are not available in this dataset. As indirect indicators, the suburb scores IRSD decile 7 on the relative disadvantage index and SEIFA economic resources decile 9, both above the national median, suggesting a low-disadvantage environment. Only 5.2% of residents (214 people) need daily assistance.
Is Tamborine good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $450 against an estimated median of $582,000 implies a gross yield near 4.0%. The rental pool is shallow at 9.5% renters and vacancy is elevated at 4.9%, so yield risk is real. Population growth of 1.42% per year with 131 net overseas arrivals annually supports long-term demand, and gentrification signals are at an early stage.
How is Tamborine's population changing?
Tamborine's population of 4,388 grew 19.4% over the past decade, adding around 239 residents per year at a 1.42% annual rate. Overseas migration of 131 per year and internal migration of 73 per year are the primary drivers. The demographic trajectory is aging, with the senior share up 5.2 points and the working-age share down 2.9 points since 2011.
How much development is happening in Tamborine?
There were 26 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, including new dwelling constructions, additions and roof replacements. Construction is the suburb's largest industry at 18.3% of workers (255 people), indicating strong local capacity for ongoing residential activity in this semi-rural area.
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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