Wongawallan
Household income at the 90.3rd percentile nationally makes Wongawallan one of Gold Coast hinterland's higher-earning pockets despite a modest $580,000 median house price, producing unusually low financial stress across both mortgage and rental households. The suburb covers 32.79 km2 with a population of only 1,415, giving a density of 43.2 people per km2, far below suburban averages. Population has grown 88.1% over the past decade, driven primarily by internal migration averaging 1,331 net residents per year to the broader region. Almost the entire housing stock, 98.6%, consists of separate houses, and 68% have four or more bedrooms, making this one of the most family-oriented, large-lot precincts in Queensland.
Population
1,415
Median Age
43.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,383/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$580K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The estimated median house price of $580,000 is accessible relative to household income sitting at the 90.3rd percentile nationally, and monthly mortgage repayments average $2,350. Mortgage-to-income sits at 22.8%, well below the standard 30% stress threshold, meaning buyers here carry a lighter debt burden than in comparable tree-change markets. Almost all dwellings are separate houses (98.6%), and 68% have four or more bedrooms, so buyers seeking large family homes on acreage face very little apartment or semi-detached competition. Outright owners at 31.2% and mortgage holders at 61.7% signal an established ownership culture. With only 7.1% of residents renting, turnover is low; 80.4% of residents remained at the same address over the census period, which keeps stock tight and listing volumes modest.
For Buyers
The estimated median house price of $580,000 is accessible relative to household income sitting at the 90.3rd percentile nationally, and monthly mortgage repayments average $2,350. Mortgage-to-income sits at 22.8%, well below the standard 30% stress threshold, meaning buyers here carry a lighter debt burden than in comparable tree-change markets. Almost all dwellings are separate houses (98.6%), and 68% have four or more bedrooms, so buyers seeking large family homes on acreage face very little apartment or semi-detached competition. Outright owners at 31.2% and mortgage holders at 61.7% signal an established ownership culture. With only 7.1% of residents renting, turnover is low; 80.4% of residents remained at the same address over the census period, which keeps stock tight and listing volumes modest.
For Investors
A 7.1% renter share is the defining challenge for investors: demand for rental accommodation is thin in a suburb where owner-occupiers dominate at 92.9% of households. Weekly rent averages $420 and the vacancy rate sits at 5.8%, which is elevated relative to most Queensland suburbs and points to limited rental demand. Against a $580,000 median, $420 weekly rent implies a gross yield around 3.8%, reasonable but not exceptional. On the demand side, the broader area receives average net internal migration of 1,331 persons per year, supporting long-run population growth. No development applications were recorded in the past 12 months, suggesting the precinct is in an established phase rather than an active supply surge. Investors relying on rental income should factor in the structurally low renter share and above-average vacancy before committing.
Demographics
The median age of 43 sits 3 years above the national figure, reflecting a settled, family-and-owner demographic. Average household size is 3.1, which is 0.6 above the national average, consistent with the high proportion of couples with children (568 out of 1,203 total families) and the dominance of 4-plus bedroom dwellings. Overseas-born residents account for 25.1%, which is 3.5 percentage points above the national figure. Ancestry is predominantly Anglo-Celtic: English (639), Scottish (172) and Irish (166) are the top three groups. University qualifications reach 26.8%, which is 3.3 points below the national figure, while the top occupations are Professionals (140 workers) and Managers (110), suggesting practical and trade-linked skills are well represented alongside white-collar roles. Volunteering runs at 13% of residents.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
98.6%
Houses
N/A
Townhouse
1.4%
Apartment
Tenure
Separate houses account for 98.6% of all dwellings, the highest single-form concentration you will find in most Queensland suburbs, and 68% of those have four or more bedrooms, signalling large-lot acreage or lifestyle blocks rather than standard suburban quarter-acres. Tenure splits are heavily owner-favoured: 31.2% own outright and 61.7% carry a mortgage, compared with a national renter share around 30%; Wongawallan's 7.1% renter base is far below average. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,350, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.8% is comfortably below the 30% stress threshold, which reflects the income cushion of a household at the 90.3rd percentile nationally. Rent-to-income at 17.6% is equally relaxed. Only 2.4% of dwellings have zero or one bedroom, confirming this is almost exclusively family-scale housing stock.
Mortgage / mo
$2,350
Rent / wk
$420
HH Size
3.1
Personal Income / wk
$879
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.8%
Unoccupied
26
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
17.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.8%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
22.1%
Couples, no children
1,203
Total families
Economy & Employment
Construction leads the local industry mix at 15.1% of workers (77 people), which is consistent with a rapidly growing, large-lot precinct where tradespeople live close to their work sites. Healthcare follows at 13.5% (69 workers) and Education at 11% (56 workers), giving a combined 39.6% in services that track population growth. Professional and Technical services contribute 7.8% and Retail 7.2%. Professionals (140) and Managers (110) are the top two occupations. Unemployment sits at 5.2% and the full-time employment rate is 63.3%, while participation at 59.2% is moderate, partly because 323 residents are outside the labour force. SEIFA scores show an interesting split: the IER decile of 9 indicates strong economic resources, while the IEO decile of 4 reflects that education and occupation credentials are below the national median, pointing to a well-resourced but trade-oriented workforce.
Unemployment
5.3%
Labour Force
16,227
Unemployed
866
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
63.3%
Part-time
31.5%
Participation
59.2%
Employed
624
Occupations
Top Industries
University
26.8%
Postgraduate
6.8%
Born Overseas
25.1%
Dwellings
421
Transport to Work
Car dependence is almost total: 94.2% of residents drive to work, which is expected for a low-density, acreage suburb covering 32.79 km2 without a significant public transport network. Only 1.8% walk or cycle. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families rely on schools in neighbouring areas. Crime data is not available for Wongawallan in this dataset; as a proxy, the IRSD decile of 6 places the suburb slightly above the national midpoint on the relative disadvantage index. At 5.4% (71 residents), the share needing daily assistance is low. Housing stress is absent by standard measures: rent-to-income at 17.6% and mortgage-to-income at 22.8% both sit well below threshold levels. The combination of large blocks, high household income at the 90.3rd percentile nationally, and strong family composition supports a practical, self-sufficient lifestyle.
Drive
94.2%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
1.8%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+3.7%/yr
(+1,124 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation growth has been dramatic: an 88.1% increase over the decade brought the suburb from a much smaller base to 1,415 residents, and the forecast medium scenario projects the broader area reaching 35,100 by 2031, up from 30,342 in 2025. Annual growth is running at 3.7%, adding roughly 1,124 persons per year to the region. Internal migration is the primary driver, with an average net inflow of 1,331 residents annually, reflecting lifestyle-driven movement from metro Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Overseas migration adds 110 per year. Gentrification is classified as New development, meaning the suburb is in a formative phase rather than a mature gentrification cycle. Rent growth reached 20.3% over the forecast period while real income grew 12%, compressing affordability modestly but the affordability trend remains positive, improving from 47.9% in 2011 to 41.9% in 2021.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+110
Net Internal / yr
+1,331
Gentrification Signal
New development
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Wongawallan compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wongawallan a good suburb to live in?
Wongawallan suits families seeking large homes on acreage with high household income. Household income sits at the 90.3rd percentile nationally, mortgage stress is low at 22.8% of income, and 98.6% of dwellings are separate houses with 68% having 4 or more bedrooms. The trade-off is near-total car dependence and no schools within the suburb boundary.
What is the median house price in Wongawallan?
The median house price is estimated at $580,000 based on 2025 rental data. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,350, representing 22.8% of household income, well below the 30% stress threshold. Weekly rent averages $420, giving a rent-to-income ratio of 17.6%.
What schools are in Wongawallan?
No schools are recorded within the Wongawallan suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. The suburb has a university qualification rate of 26.8%, which is 3.3 percentage points below the national average, and a median age of 43 years.
Is Wongawallan safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Wongawallan. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores IRSD decile 6, placing it above the national midpoint on the relative disadvantage index. Only 5.4% of residents (71 people) need daily assistance, and the low-density acreage setting with 43.2 residents per km2 is typical of lower-risk lifestyle precincts.
Is Wongawallan good for property investment?
The investment case is mixed. Weekly rent of $420 against a $580,000 median implies a gross yield around 3.8%, but the 5.8% vacancy rate is elevated and renter demand is structurally low at 7.1% of households. Population in the broader region is growing at 3.7% annually with net internal migration of 1,331 per year, which supports long-term capital growth prospects.
How is Wongawallan's population changing?
Population grew 88.1% over the past decade and the current count is 1,415 residents. Annual growth is 3.7% for the broader area, adding around 1,124 persons per year. Internal migration is the primary driver at 1,331 net residents annually. Medium forecasts project the wider area reaching 35,100 by 2031, up from 30,342 in 2025.
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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