Worongary
With 59.1% of dwellings containing four or more bedrooms and a household income percentile of 82.2, Worongary is a family-oriented Gold Coast hinterland suburb rather than a compact apartment market. Its 6,021 residents live at 430.1 people per sq km, while 55.4% of households are paying a mortgage. Household income sits above the national middle, and average household size is 3.1, or 0.6 higher than the national comparison. Compared with nearby Mudgeeraba and Merrimac, Worongary has a more detached profile, with 98.4% separate houses and 77.8% driving to work. Growth is steady but aging, so its appeal rests on space, established routines and family demand more than rapid urban change.
Population
6,021
Median Age
40.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,160/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
23
Worongary suits buyers prioritising space over apartment access: 98.4% of dwellings are separate houses, 59.1% have four or more bedrooms and 36.1% have three bedrooms. A current sale median is not available, so monthly holding costs are a useful first filter. The indicative mortgage figure is $2,153, while weekly rent is $450. Mortgage payments equal 23.0% of household income and rent 20.8%, both below common stress markers, although 55.4% mortgage tenure makes interest-rate changes important. Compared with smaller, denser parts of the Gold Coast, Worongary has fewer compact alternatives, so inspect land size, slope, school catchment and commute before comparing homes.
For Buyers
Worongary suits buyers prioritising space over apartment access: 98.4% of dwellings are separate houses, 59.1% have four or more bedrooms and 36.1% have three bedrooms. A current sale median is not available, so monthly holding costs are a useful first filter. The indicative mortgage figure is $2,153, while weekly rent is $450. Mortgage payments equal 23.0% of household income and rent 20.8%, both below common stress markers, although 55.4% mortgage tenure makes interest-rate changes important. Compared with smaller, denser parts of the Gold Coast, Worongary has fewer compact alternatives, so inspect land size, slope, school catchment and commute before comparing homes.
For Investors
Investor demand in Worongary is tied more to family housing than to a large tenant pool. Only 13.3% of households rent, while 98.4% of dwellings are separate houses and 59.1% contain four or more bedrooms. Weekly rent is $450 and vacancy is 2.6%, a tighter setting than a high-supply market, but the low rental share can make tenant depth narrower than in more apartment-heavy Gold Coast suburbs. Sixteen development matters were recorded over 12 months, so additions should be checked for their effect on competing stock. Rent growth of 30.0% supports the income case, while balanced migration means demand is not driven by one unusually strong stream. Compare gross yield, insurance, maintenance and land value before relying on rent momentum.
Development Activity
Total DAs
25
Last 12 Months
23
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+1050.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Worongary
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Worongary State School
Demographics
At 6,021 residents, Worongary has a median age of 40, matching the national comparison, but its trajectory is older: the senior share rose 3.8 points and the working share fell 2.6 points. Average household size is 3.1, or 0.6 above the national comparison, reflecting 50.1% of families being couples with children and 33.5% couples without children. University attainment is 24.8%, 5.3 percentage points below the national level, while 22.6% were born overseas, 1.0 point above it. English ancestry is most common at 2,698 people, followed by Irish at 656 and Scottish at 638. Christianity at 2,747 and no religion at 2,721 are nearly even. With 81.2% staying at the same address, turnover is lower than in a highly mobile renter market.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
98.4%
Houses
0.0%
Townhouse
1.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Housing stock in Worongary is concentrated in detached family homes: 98.4% are separate houses and only 1.6% are apartments. Larger formats dominate, with 59.1% of dwellings containing four or more bedrooms and 36.1% containing three bedrooms. Tenure is mortgage-led: 55.4% are paying off a loan, compared with 30.6% owned outright and 13.3% rented. The indicative monthly mortgage is $2,153, equal to 23.0% of household income, while $450 weekly rent represents 20.8%, both below common stress markers. This structure supports family stability but limits entry-level choice, so Worongary is less flexible than denser Gold Coast suburbs. A current sale median is not stated; compare individual sales by land, condition and bedroom count rather than using apartment benchmarks.
Mortgage / mo
$2,153
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (Jun 2026 quarter), QLD RTA bond data. Census 2021 median: $450.
$950
Bond data Jun 2026 quarter · houses $950
HH Size
3.1
Personal Income / wk
$799
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
2.6%
Unoccupied
49
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.0%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
50.1%
Couples with children
33.5%
Couples, no children
15.6%
Single parent
1,696
Total families
Economy & Employment
Worongary's economy combines trade-based work with professional services. Construction is the largest industry at 16.5% or 337 workers, followed by healthcare at 15.9% and 324, education at 12.4% and 252, professional and technical services at 7.9% and 162, and retail at 7.3% and 148. Occupations are similarly split between trades at 535, professionals at 532, managers at 425 and clerical or administrative roles at 413. Participation is 67.3%, unemployment is 4.4% and full-time employment is 53.7%, while household income sits at the 82.2nd percentile. SEIFA results are uneven: IER reaches decile 10, but IEO is decile 6, with IRSAD at 7 and IRSD at 8. The suburb ranks higher on economic resources than on every social measure, reflecting strong incomes alongside a less uniform education and occupation profile.
Unemployment
4.4%
Labour Force
3,269
Unemployed
145
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
53.7%
Part-time
36.2%
Participation
67.3%
Employed
3,124
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
24.8%
Postgraduate
4.6%
Born Overseas
22.6%
Dwellings
1,844
Transport to Work
Livability in Worongary is built around space and driving. The suburb covers 14.0 sq km at 430.1 people per sq km, and 77.8% of workers drive, compared with just 0.8% using public transport and 1.2% walking or cycling. Work from home is 15.7%, which softens commute pressure for some households. One identified local school, Worongary State School, is a government state school; families should check enrolment zones and nearby options against the exact address. An IRSAD decile of 7 places the suburb above the national midpoint for relative advantage, while 14.0% volunteering supports local participation. A suburb-wide crime rate is not available, so assess street-level conditions and recent police information rather than assuming safety. Compared with denser Gold Coast areas, the trade-off is more room but less spontaneous walking and transit access.
Drive
77.8%
Public Transport
0.8%
Walk / Cycle
1.2%
Work from Home
15.7%
Population Forecast
+0.99%/yr
(+91 people/yr)
EstablishedWorongary's growth profile is steady rather than explosive: the trend is 0.99% annually, with migration classified as Balanced. Across the wider area, population change is 15.2% over 10 years, while the trajectory is labelled Aging because the senior share has risen 3.8 points and the working share has fallen 2.6 points. Gentrification remains at Early signs, with a score of 33, so demographic change is present but not yet a dominant redevelopment story. Rent growth of 30.0% and real income growth of 16.7% add pressure to household budgets, even as affordability is marked Improving from 72.2 in 2011 to 65.4 in 2021. Development activity reached 16 matters in 12 months, meaning growth is more likely to arrive through incremental change than a sudden transformation. Compared with faster-changing Gold Coast precincts, expect measured demand and an older resident mix.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+63
Net Internal / yr
+91
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +19% since 2011, Net internal migration +91/yr, Accelerating: 4% → 14%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Worongary compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Worongary a good suburb to live in?
Worongary suits households wanting detached space, with 98.4% separate houses, 59.1% four-plus-bedroom homes and an average household size of 3.1. It is more car-dependent than many Gold Coast areas, with 77.8% driving and only 0.8% using public transport, so lifestyle fit depends on commute needs.
What is the median house price in Worongary?
A current median house price is not available for Worongary. The housing mix is 98.4% separate houses, with 59.1% of dwellings containing four or more bedrooms, so compare recent sales by land size, condition and bedroom count rather than applying an apartment benchmark.
What schools are in Worongary?
Worongary State School is the identified local school and is a government state school. Families should check catchment boundaries and transport from the exact address, then compare nearby options because school access can differ by street. The suburb's 77.8% car-driver share makes school runs a practical consideration.
Is Worongary safe?
A suburb-wide crime rate is not available, so no firm safety rating should be inferred. Worongary has 6,021 residents across 14.0 sq km, and households should check recent police incident information, street lighting, traffic conditions and the exact address before deciding. Safety can vary by road and pocket, particularly in a low-density area.
Is Worongary good for property investment?
Worongary can suit a family-home investment strategy: weekly rent is $450, vacancy is 2.6% and 98.4% of dwellings are separate houses. However, only 13.3% of households rent, so the tenant pool is smaller than in apartment-heavy areas. Rent growth of 30.0% is supportive, but compare yield, insurance and maintenance before buying.
How is Worongary's population changing?
The trend is steady at 0.99% annually, with migration classified as Balanced. Across the wider area, population change is 15.2% over 10 years. Worongary is also on an Aging trajectory: the senior share rose 3.8 points while the working share fell 2.6 points, so future demand is likely to favour established family and downsizer housing more than youth-led rental growth.
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 education open registers (school locations), 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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