QLD 4512 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Wamuran

Household income in Wamuran sits at the 79.7th percentile nationally, yet the median house price is estimated at $485,000, well below the national median for comparable family-sized stock. That gap explains why 88% of households own or are buying, with renters representing just 12%, far lower than state averages. The suburb spans 68 square kilometres at a density of only 49 people per km2, with 99.3% of dwellings being separate houses and 65.7% having four or more bedrooms. Median age of 43 is 3 years above the national figure, pointing toward an aging, established owner-occupier base rather than a first-home or transient market.

Wamuran urban fabric map

Population

3,374

Median Age

43.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$2,105/wk

DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year

15

Median House

$485K

Estimated from rent (2025)

68.37 km²· 49.3 people/km²· Family income $2,156/wk

The estimated median house price of $485,000 makes Wamuran substantially more affordable than most Southeast Queensland benchmarks. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,000, and mortgage-to-income sits at 21.9%, below the 30% stress threshold, meaning buyers here carry lower debt burden compared to coastal corridor suburbs. Stock is almost entirely separate houses at 99.3%, with 65.7% having four or more bedrooms, so buyers seeking space and land get more per dollar than in urban centres. Ownership rates are high: 38% own outright and 50% carry a mortgage, leaving just 12% renting. The low renter share reflects genuine demand for long-term settlement rather than transient occupancy.

For Buyers

The estimated median house price of $485,000 makes Wamuran substantially more affordable than most Southeast Queensland benchmarks. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,000, and mortgage-to-income sits at 21.9%, below the 30% stress threshold, meaning buyers here carry lower debt burden compared to coastal corridor suburbs. Stock is almost entirely separate houses at 99.3%, with 65.7% having four or more bedrooms, so buyers seeking space and land get more per dollar than in urban centres. Ownership rates are high: 38% own outright and 50% carry a mortgage, leaving just 12% renting. The low renter share reflects genuine demand for long-term settlement rather than transient occupancy.

For Investors

A 12% renter share and weekly rent of $345 point to limited rental demand relative to the ownership-dominated base. Gross yield on the $485,000 median works out near 3.7%, above many coastal Queensland suburbs but below regional benchmarks with stronger tenant pools. Vacancy sits at 4.3%, which is above the tight sub-3% threshold that signals undersupply. Development activity shows 14 applications lodged in the past 12 months, mostly residential alterations and outbuildings rather than new dwellings. Population growth runs at 1.44% annually, adding roughly 65 people per year, and overseas migration delivers a net 52 residents annually. The investment case is long-term capital growth in an affordable family suburb rather than yield-driven returns.

Development Activity

Total DAs

32

Last 12 Months

15

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

-6.2%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Change of Use
13
Subdivision
4
Renovation / Extension
3
Garage / Carport / Shed
3
Granny Flat / Secondary Dwelling
3
Driveway / Crossover
1
Other
1
Swimming Pool / Spa
1

Schools in Wamuran iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged

Wamuran State School

ICSEA 979 Primary Government

Prep-6 · 323 students

Demographics

The median age of 43 is 3 years above the national figure, and the demographic trend confirms continued aging: the senior share rose 8.2 percentage points over the decade while the working-age share fell 3.9 points. University qualifications reach 20.2%, which is 9.9 points below the national rate, consistent with an occupational mix weighted toward trades, labourers, and managers rather than professional services. Overseas-born residents make up 15.5%, which is 6.1 points below the national average, and ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (1,455), Irish (369) and Scottish (343). Average household size of 3.0 is 0.5 above national, reflecting the high share of couples with children, who account for 1,188 of 2,782 recorded families.

Age Distribution

0-14
17.9%
15-24
11.6%
25-44
22.2%
45-64
30.3%
65+
17.6%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
1.7%
2 bed
5.1%
3 bed
27.6%
4+ bed
65.7%

Dwelling Structure

99.3%

Houses

N/A

Townhouse

0.7%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 38.0% Mortgage 50.0% Rent 12.0%

Almost all dwellings in Wamuran are separate houses at 99.3%, with apartments accounting for just 0.7%. The bedroom profile is strongly skewed toward large homes: 65.7% have four or more bedrooms and 27.6% have three bedrooms, compared to the national distribution where three-bedroom homes dominate. Outright ownership at 38% is well above the national average, and mortgage holders at 50% represent the main buyer cohort. Rent-to-income sits at 16.4%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold, and mortgage-to-income at 21.9% is similarly low. The vacancy rate of 4.3% is slightly elevated, suggesting that rental properties take longer to fill than in tighter suburban markets. Price-to-income implied by the $485,000 median against a $2,105 weekly household income is manageable by Australian standards.

Mortgage / mo

$2,000

Rent / wk

$345

HH Size

3.0

Personal Income / wk

$771

Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)

4.3%

Unoccupied

46

Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

16.4%

Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

21.9%

Community Profile

Ancestry

English
1,455
Irish
369
Scottish
343
German
246
Ancestry NS
195
Other
189

Household Composition

28.1%

Couples, no children

2,782

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare leads employment at 18% of workers (188 people), followed by Construction at 16% (167), Education at 8.8% (92), Public Administration at 8% (83), and Agriculture at 7.6% (79). By occupation, Managers (254) and Professionals (233) rank first and second, but Labourers (228) and Clerical/Admin (219) are close behind, reflecting a genuinely mixed workforce rather than a purely white-collar base. The unemployment rate of 3.8% is in line with national norms, and the full-time employment rate of 65% is healthy. The IRSD score of 1025 places the suburb at decile 6 nationally for relative disadvantage, meaning it sits in the upper half without being distinctly advantaged. The IEO decile of 4 reflects the below-average university qualification rate and occupational mix.

Unemployment

2.1%

Labour Force

2,576

Unemployed

55

Quarterly Trend

Mar-24 Dec-25

Source: SALM Dec-25

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Overall advantage
5
Disadvantage
6
Economic resources
9
Education & occupation
4

Full-time

65.0%

Part-time

31.2%

Participation

58.2%

Employed

1,551

Occupations

Managers 254
Professionals 233
Labourers 228
Clerical/Admin 219
Community/Personal 168
Sales 135
Machinery/Drivers 127

Top Industries

Healthcare 18.0%
Construction 16.0%
Education 8.8%
Public Admin 8.0%
Agriculture 7.6%

University

20.2%

Postgraduate

3.6%

Born Overseas

15.5%

Dwellings

1,028

Transport to Work

Car dependency is high at 86.6% of commuters driving, compared to the national average, and public transport use is just 1.7%, consistent with a rural-fringe location without train access. The IRSAD decile of 5 places Wamuran in the middle of the national advantage-disadvantage distribution, neither deprived nor particularly advantaged by composite measures. Volunteering at 13.1% and 7.5% of residents needing daily assistance (240 people) reflect community engagement and a modest care burden. The IER decile of 9 is notably high, indicating strong economic resources relative to national peers, which aligns with the 79.7th percentile household income. No schools are recorded in the suburb boundary data, so families depend on facilities in neighbouring towns. Housing stress is low on both measures: mortgage-to-income at 21.9% and rent-to-income at 16.4% sit comfortably below stress thresholds.

Drive

86.6%

Public Transport

1.7%

Walk / Cycle

5.8%

Work from Home

N/A

Population Forecast

+1.44%/yr

(+65 people/yr)

Established

Population grew 17.9% over the decade, adding roughly 510 people since 2011, and current growth of 1.44% per year projects to around 4,880 residents by 2030 under the medium forecast. Internal migration contributes a net 7 residents annually while overseas migration adds 52, so international arrivals are the stronger driver. The gentrification score of 8 and stage of not gentrifying mean property values are unlikely to jump from gentrification pressure in the near term. Affordability improved from 53.1% of income in 2011 to 45.6% in 2021, a meaningful shift that has attracted mortgage-belt families priced out of closer-in suburbs. Rent grew 16.7% over the period and real income grew 10.4%, indicating modest housing cost pressure that is still contained relative to the national trend.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Balanced

Net Overseas / yr

+52

Net Internal / yr

+7

8

Gentrification Signal

Not gentrifying

Population +23% since 2011

National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs

How Wamuran compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 16%
Household Income
Top 20%
Rent Level
Top 29%
Apartments
Bottom 15%
Renters
Bottom 23%
Uni Educated
Bottom 38%
Public Transport
Bottom 29%
Born Overseas
Top 44%
Density
Top 30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Wamuran a good suburb to live in?

Wamuran suits families seeking space and affordability. The estimated median house price is $485,000, mortgage-to-income runs at 21.9% (below the 30% stress threshold), and 88% of households own their home. The IER decile of 9 indicates strong economic resources nationally, though public transport is limited at just 1.7% of commuters, so car ownership is essential.

What is the median house price in Wamuran?

The median house price is estimated at $485,000 (2025). Weekly rent averages $345 and monthly mortgage repayments run approximately $2,000, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.9%. Nearly all dwellings are separate houses (99.3%), with 65.7% having four or more bedrooms.

What schools are in Wamuran?

No schools are recorded inside the Wamuran suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring towns. University qualification rates locally are 20.2%, which is 9.9 percentage points below the national figure, consistent with a trades and services workforce profile.

Is Wamuran safe?

Detailed crime rate statistics for Wamuran are not available in this dataset. As an indirect measure, the IRSD decile of 6 places the suburb in the upper half nationally for low relative disadvantage, and household income sits at the 79.7th percentile, both associated with lower crime environments. Volunteering participation of 13.1% also indicates an engaged community.

Is Wamuran good for property investment?

Rental yield is estimated near 3.7% on the $485,000 median, above coastal Queensland averages but constrained by a low 12% renter share and 4.3% vacancy rate. Population is growing at 1.44% annually, adding around 65 residents per year, and affordability improved from 53.1% to 45.6% of income over the decade, indicating continued buyer demand from families priced out of closer suburbs.

How is Wamuran's population changing?

Population grew 17.9% over the past decade and currently trends at 1.44% annually, around 65 people per year. The medium forecast projects about 4,880 residents by 2030. Overseas migration is the main driver at a net 52 arrivals annually. The suburb is aging, with the senior share rising 8.2 percentage points and the working-age share declining 3.9 points over the decade.

What is the employment situation in Wamuran?

The unemployment rate is 3.8% and 65% of employed residents work full time. Healthcare (18%) and Construction (16%) are the two largest industries. Managers (254 workers) and Professionals (233) lead by occupation, though Labourers (228) are close behind. Participation rate of 58.2% reflects the aging profile, with 839 residents not in the labour force.

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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