Winston
A 55.6% renter majority sets Winston apart from most Queensland suburbs, yet household income sits at the 82.9th percentile nationally, higher than the renter-heavy profile would suggest. The suburb covers just 0.8 square kilometres in the Mount Isa area with a population of 1,084, a density of 1,348 residents per km2. Mining employs 28.0% of the workforce, the dominant driver behind those above-average incomes. SEIFA places Winston in decile 9 for both IRSD and IRSAD, ranking in the top tier for advantage. Vacancy is elevated at 21.4%, which reflects the transient nature of mining-area accommodation rather than weak demand.
Population
1,084
Median Age
33.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,177/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$371K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The median house price is estimated at $371,000, based on 2025 rent data, which sits well below state and national benchmarks and keeps the monthly mortgage at around $1,550. Mortgage-to-income is 16.4%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold, so serviceability is not a concern for buyers at this price point. Separate houses account for 58.1% of dwellings and semi-detached stock adds another 35.1%, leaving apartments negligible. Three-bedroom homes are the most common at 42.4%, followed by two-bedroom at 24.5% and four-plus at 19.4%. Outright owners represent only 20.8% of households compared to the higher national average, consistent with the younger median age of 33 and a workforce that often relocates for mining contracts.
For Buyers
The median house price is estimated at $371,000, based on 2025 rent data, which sits well below state and national benchmarks and keeps the monthly mortgage at around $1,550. Mortgage-to-income is 16.4%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold, so serviceability is not a concern for buyers at this price point. Separate houses account for 58.1% of dwellings and semi-detached stock adds another 35.1%, leaving apartments negligible. Three-bedroom homes are the most common at 42.4%, followed by two-bedroom at 24.5% and four-plus at 19.4%. Outright owners represent only 20.8% of households compared to the higher national average, consistent with the younger median age of 33 and a workforce that often relocates for mining contracts.
For Investors
With 55.6% of households renting, Winston delivers a large tenant base relative to most Queensland suburbs, and weekly rent of $261 against a $371,000 median implies a gross yield approaching 3.7%. The 21.4% vacancy rate is the main risk, elevated because mining accommodation cycles with project activity rather than organic demand. Net internal migration averages minus 122 residents per year, with overseas migration adding 103, so net growth is thin. Rent grew 23.3% over the period, a stronger rate than many coastal markets, because mining-area rents move with commodity cycles rather than population density. Investors targeting cash flow over capital growth will find the income ratios more attractive than the vacancy rate suggests at face value.
Demographics
The median age of 33 is 7.0 years below the national figure, one of the most pronounced youth tilts in Queensland mining towns. Males account for 52.4% of residents, consistent with the male-dominated mining and machinery workforce. University qualifications reach 25.7%, which is 4.4 points below national, reflecting the trade and technical nature of mining and plant operations. Overseas-born residents are 19.0%, sitting 2.6 points below national. Ancestry is Anglo-Celtic led, with English (342), Scottish (112) and Irish (99) the top groups. Average household size of 2.4 is close to national. Couples with children make up 359 families versus 205 couples without children, showing that many mining workers bring families rather than living solo.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
58.1%
Houses
35.1%
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure is dominated by renters at 55.6%, with mortgage holders at 23.5% and outright owners at just 20.8%, both lower than state norms. The high renter share reflects mining workforce mobility: workers often sign short-term leases tied to project cycles rather than committing to purchase. Semi-detached dwellings at 35.1% are unusually prevalent alongside the 58.1% separate house share, pointing to a mix of purpose-built mining accommodation and family homes. The 21.4% vacancy rate is the most distinctive housing metric, well above the national average, because spare capacity is built into a rental market that needs to absorb surge demand when new contracts begin. Rent-to-income at 12.0% is low, meaning tenants are not under financial pressure despite the volatile local market.
Mortgage / mo
$1,550
Rent / wk
$261
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$1,190
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
21.4%
Unoccupied
116
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
12.0%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
16.4%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
26.5%
Couples, no children
774
Total families
Economy & Employment
Mining is the defining industry at 28.0% of employment (112 workers), far higher than the national share, and it explains why household income sits in the 82.9th percentile despite an outer-Queensland location. Healthcare follows at 17.8% (71 workers) and Education at 12.0% (48 workers), providing the public-sector backbone that supports mining towns. By occupation, Professionals (107) and Machinery and Drivers (100) are nearly equal, a pairing specific to resource towns where site engineers and equipment operators coexist. Full-time employment runs at 80.2% and unemployment is 3.6%, both healthier than state averages, because the town effectively imports workers to fill roles. SEIFA IER decile sits at 10, the top tier for economic resources, driven by high incomes rather than housing wealth.
Unemployment
1.6%
Labour Force
6,741
Unemployed
108
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
80.2%
Part-time
16.2%
Participation
69.3%
Employed
587
Occupations
Top Industries
University
25.7%
Postgraduate
6.1%
Born Overseas
19.0%
Dwellings
425
Transport to Work
Car dependency is high, with 84.1% of residents driving to work, compared to the national share where active and public transport play a larger combined role. Only 0.8% use public transport, reflecting the limited transit network typical of remote Queensland mining towns. Walking and cycling accounts for 5.3%, feasible within the compact 0.8 km2 boundary. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary, so families rely on institutions in nearby Mount Isa. Winston ranks in IRSAD decile 9, in the top advantage tier nationally, meaning access to services and resources is strong relative to most Australian suburbs. Volunteering reaches 18.2% and only 3.3% of residents need daily assistance, both signals of a functional, active community.
Drive
84.1%
Public Transport
0.8%
Walk / Cycle
5.3%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.28%/yr
(+31 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation growth is modest at 0.28% annually, adding roughly 31 people per year, and the 10-year change is 8.1%. The medium forecast projects the broader area reaching 11,457 by 2031 from 11,218 in 2025. Net internal outflow of 122 per year signals that workers leave when contracts end, while overseas migration adds 103, keeping the balance slightly negative on net. The gentrification score is 27 with an early signs classification, though the separate gentrification assessment flags not gentrifying given the internal outflow. Real income grew 9.7% over the period and rent rose 23.3%, both pointing to a tightening resource cycle rather than structural neighbourhood change. Affordability improved from 61.8% in 2011 to 56.4% in 2021, gradually making Winston more accessible than it was a decade ago.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+103
Net Internal / yr
-122
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Net internal outflow -122/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Winston compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Winston a good suburb to live in?
Winston scores IRSAD decile 9, placing it in the top advantage tier nationally. Household income sits at the 82.9th percentile, driven by mining employment at 28.0% of jobs. The 21.4% vacancy rate reflects mining workforce cycles, but rent-to-income of 12.0% keeps costs manageable for residents.
What is the median house price in Winston?
The median house price is estimated at $371,000 based on 2025 rent data. Weekly rent averages $261 and monthly mortgage repayments run around $1,550, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 16.4%, well below the 30% stress threshold.
What schools are in Winston?
No schools are recorded inside the Winston suburb boundary in this dataset. With a population of 1,084 across just 0.8 square kilometres, families rely on schools in the broader Mount Isa area. The suburb has a university qualification rate of 25.7% among residents.
Is Winston safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Winston in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores IRSD decile 9, in the top advantage tier for low disadvantage nationally. Only 3.3% of residents need daily assistance, and the unemployment rate is 3.6%, both consistent with a stable community.
Is Winston good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $261 against a $371,000 median implies a gross yield near 3.7%, higher than many coastal Queensland markets. The 21.4% vacancy rate is the key risk, driven by mining contract cycles. Rent grew 23.3% over the period, and internal outflow of 122 residents per year is offset partly by overseas migration of 103.
How is Winston's population changing?
Population grows at 0.28% per year, adding about 31 people annually, with the 10-year change at 8.1%. The broader area is forecast to reach 11,457 by 2031. Net internal outflow of 122 per year reflects mining worker departures, while overseas migration contributes 103 annually.
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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