Median house price
—
No data available
QLD · Whitsunday Council
Airlie Beach, 4802
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,490
Growth (1 yr)
+2.3%
Growth (5 yr)
+13.3%
Median age
41
Median income
$1,562/wk
Employment rate
58.7%
Languages at home
13.6%non-English
Most common: Spanish, French, Arabic
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Coastal
- Café precinct
- Green suburb
- High desirability
- Education hub
Suburb profile
Well away from Brisbane, Airlie Beach is a coastal smaller community built around sand, sea and space. Families and commuters make up much of the community, with plenty of young families in the mix. Many residents were born overseas or speak a language other than English at home.
A genuine café and dining culture runs through the area, denser than many peers of a similar size. Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many coastal suburbs, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Most routine trips are on foot, while buses and ferries cover longer journeys across the metro area.
Housing is expensive relative to much of the state. An emerging neighbourhood feel is building here, with new households gradually reshaping local life.
Versus similar coastal suburbs, the suburb reads around average on desirability, chiefly because schools and education, plus growth momentum trail behind.
At a glance
Airlie Beach snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$550/wk
Population (ERP)
1,490
+2.3% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
29.9%
Census unoccupied dwellings
Livability profile
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#9
among Coastal & beach · Emerging
Safety
85th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
83rd
percentile in QLD
Advantage (IRSAD)
6/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
41st
percentile among schools with ICSEA
Population growth
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Housing mix
Dwelling types from the 2021 Census
Risks & flags
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Living here
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
- Desirability score
- 49.9/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 31% of Queensland's suburbs
- National rank
- 2186th in Australia
- State rank
- 472nd in QLD
- Peer rank
- #9 among Coastal & beach · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #62 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 81%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- All types (Mar 2026)
- $550
Median weekly rent from Queensland RTA rental bond data. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- RTA bond statistics — Residential Tenancies Authority (Queensland) · Mar 2026 · Updated · Quarterly releases
Population
Estimated resident population
1,490(June 2025)
+2.3% annual · +13.3% over 5 years · 83th percentile in QLD
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +2.3%
- 5-year growth
- +13.3%
- Change in 1 year
- +34
- Change in 5 years
- +175
- Growth rank in QLD
- 83th percentile
ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.
Methodology
Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.
The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~1,750), extrapolated at +3.0% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,312
- Median age
- 41
- Median household income / week
- $1,562
- Dwelling vacancy
- 29.9%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 186 of 623
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,925
- Employment rate
- 58.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 131 / 55 / 183 (+ 51 other)
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
- Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries
Community & culture
No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
Reported offences are running lower than the same point last year.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2026 to Aug 2026)
- 118
- Against the person
- 33
- Against property
- 28
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 79.2
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 40 residents
- State safety percentile
- 85.1th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate, partial year)
- -7.1%
Most common offence types
- Assault95
- Drug Offences286
- Good Order Offences192
- Other Theft (Excl. Unlawful Entry)136
- Traffic And Related Offences167
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- QPS Online Crime Map — Queensland Police Service · Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 → Jan 2026 to Aug 2026; Jan 2026 to Aug 2026 · Updated · Calendar-year aggregates
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 987
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 41th
School list
- Cannonvale State SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 987 · 41th percentile · LBOTE 11% · 758 students · Top SEA quarter 7% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- BrightEyeskindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Amenities
223 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
22 restaurants · 11 cafes · 5 pubs · 3 bars · 1 supermarkets · 2 pharmacies · 3 fast food · 1 playgrounds
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Highly walkable for everyday errands
- Strong café and dining scene — 44 food & drink venues nearby
- Great for outdoor family life — 25 parks mapped in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
- Reasonable bus and transport access — 12 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 88/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 8.38
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 33.54
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 19.05
Food & drink(44)
- BeachesBar
365 Shute Harbour Road
- Breeze BarBar
- MagnumsBar
- Berry & Maple PatisserieCafe
- BOHO CafeCafe
Shingley Drive
- Cafe One 3Cafe
- Fruit N RootzCafe
Unit 10 370 Shute Harbour Road
- Le Kiosk Café & BarCafe
1 Shingley Drive
- Le Shack CafeCafe
356 Shute Harbour Road
- Rufus and CoCafe
- Sidewalk CafeCafe
- Sister's Corner CafeCafe
Unit 3 273 Shute Harbour Road
- Village CafeCafe
- Wisdom CafeCafe
Unit 1B 273 Shute Harbour Road
- Domino'sFast food
- McDonald'sFast food
- SubwayFast food
- Airlie Beach HotelPub
- Boaty'sPub
- Denman's CellarPub
- Dragon LinkPub
- Paddy'sPub
- Alley CatRestaurant
- Anchor BarRestaurant
- Beagles PizzaRestaurant
Unit 4 293 Shute Harbour Road
- Cooks bar & grillRestaurant
- Cool LalaRestaurant
- D'viet HouseRestaurant
- Fish D'VineRestaurant
- Hog's Breath CafeRestaurant
- Joa SushiRestaurant
Unit 6 287 Shute Harbour Road
- KCs steaks&seafoodRestaurant
- La TabellaRestaurant
- Lazy JoesRestaurant
- Little VegasRestaurant
- Paradiso Airlie BeachRestaurant
287 Shute Harbour Road
- SchuckzRestaurant
- SorrentoRestaurant
- The deckRestaurant
- The Garden BarRestaurant
- The Garden Bar BistroRestaurant
- The PubRestaurant
- Tides Bar and RestaurantRestaurant
- TreehouseRestaurant
Shopping(4)
- NightOwlConvenience store
- WoolworthsSupermarket
Waterson Way, Airlie Beach
Community(1)
- BrightEyesKindergarten
Health & services(3)
- Whitsunday Doctors ServiceMedical clinic
- Pharmacy (2)
Sport & outdoors(32)
- Headland ParkPark
- Park (24)
- Playground
- Airlie Beach LagoonSwimming pool
- Swimming pool (5)
Transport(13)
12 bus stops · 1 ferry terminals
Other(96)
- BWSAlcohol
- Thirsty CamelAlcohol
- Foot's artworkArt
- ANZATM
- Commonwealth BankATM
- rediATMATM
- WestpacATM
- Boat tour meeting pointAttraction
- Cruise WhitsundaysAttraction
- Red Cat AdventuresAttraction
- ZigZag Whitsundays Day TourAttraction
Coral Sea Marina Shingley Drive, Airlie Beach
- NABBank
348 Shute Harbour Road
- Bench
- Prosail WhitsundaysBoat Rental
- Beach Book BoutiqueBooks
- Fashion BikinisBoutique
- "Heart of the Reef" Transit TerminalBus Station
- AvisCar Rental
- Camperman Australia Campervan Hire Airlie BeachCar Rental
- EuropcarCar Rental
398 Shute Harbour Road
- Fun RentalsCar Rental
- HertzCar Rental
- Baku SwimClothes
- BeachworxClothes
- BillabongClothes
- City BeachClothes
- Cotton OnClothes
- Go girlClothes
- PEARL boutiqueClothes
- Quadrant MarineClothes
- Reef GoddessClothes
- Swim swim swimClothes
- Cold RockConfectionery
- Drinking water (7)
- AB MarineElectronics
- Fishing
- The Jungle TraderFurniture
- Airlie Waterfront B&BGuest House
- Whitsunday Moorings B&BGuest House
37 Airlie Crescent
- Whitsundays BarberHairdresser
- Airlie Beach YHAHostel
- Backpackers by the BayHostel
- BaseHostel
- Bounce Airlie Beach (Hostel)Hostel
13 Waterson Way
- Hostel
- MagnumsHostel
- Magnums Reception & Tour DeskHostel
- Nomads Airlie BeachHostel
- Airlie ApartmentsHotel
- Airlie Beach HotelHotel
- Airly Beach Hotel receptionHotel
- Club Wyndham Airlie BeachHotel
- Colonial Court Holiday ApartmentsHotel
- Coral Sea ResortHotel
25 Ocean View Avenue, Airlie Beach
- Hotel (12)
- Mantra Boathouse ApartmentsHotel
- Portside WhitsundayHotel
- Sunlit WatersHotel
- The Summit Airlie BeachHotel
- Waterview Airlie BeachHotel
- Whitsunday ReflectionsHotel
- New Zealand Natural Airlie BeachIce Cream
Unit 13 370 Shute Harbour Road
- Information
- Tourism Infomation, AirliebeachInformation
- BoostJuice Bar
- Ju-Lee'sLaundry
- Coral Sea Marina ResortMarina
Shingley Drive
- Port of Airlie MarinaMarina
- Whitsunday Sailing ClubMarina
- Airlie Beach Motor LodgeMotel
- Boom NightclubNightclub
- Mama Africa'sNightclub
- Airlie Creek Car ParkParking
- Parking (16)
- Port of Airlie Boatramp ParkingParking
- Port of Airlie CarparkParking
- Temporary Council Overflow CarparkParking
- Woolworths ParkingParking
Waterson Way, Airlie Beach
- Public toilets
- AquadiveScuba Diving
- Shower
- Coral Sea Marina BoatrampSlipway
- Port of Airlie Boat RampSlipway
- Slipway
- RIP CURLSports
- Swimming Area
- Airlie InkTattoo
- Taxi
- TelstraTelephone
- Whitsundays Sailing OfficeTicket
Unit 1 4 Airlie Esplanade
- Beaches TravelTravel Agency
- Camira Sailing Adventure Day CruiseTravel Agency
263 Shute Harbour Road
- oz sailTravel Agency
Unit 3 398 Shute Harbour Road
- Peterpans Adventure TravelTravel Agency
- Travel BugsTravel Agency
- Whitsundays Central Reservations CentreTravel Agency
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Parks & reserves
1 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Headland ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 25
- Parks (OSM)
- 25
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 3
- Nearest hospital
- Health Care Centre (1.2 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- Not in suburb
- PharmacyPharmacy
- PharmacyPharmacy
- Whitsunday Doctors ServiceDoctor
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 22
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 14.8
Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.
For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.
Data sources & freshness
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
Weather
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 29° / 25°
- Rainfall
- 772 mm · ~90 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 27° / 22°
- Rainfall
- 599 mm · ~75 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 22° / 18°
- Rainfall
- 157 mm · ~20 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 26° / 21°
- Rainfall
- 140 mm · ~18 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated
Future & Planning
Planning & development
Development applications from QLD coordinated projects (lodged 2020–2026).
1 planning-related records
Other· 1 proposal
- Port of Airlie MarinaIntegrated marina development: boating, tourism, residential and commercial facilitiesCompleted EIS project
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- QLD coordinated projects — Queensland Department of State Development · 2020–2026 · Updated · State projects (not council DAs)
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via Queensland Bushfire Prone Area mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated
Politics & representation
- Federal electorate
- Dawson
- Member of Parliament
- Andrew WILLCOX (Liberal National Party of Queensland)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 117,202
- Turnout (2025)
- 88.2%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- -1.4 pp toward Coalition
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 61.8%Labor 38.2%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 69.7 km away).
Coalition 62.6%Labor 37.4%
0.7 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: -3.7 pp toward Coalition
Nearest polling places
- Airlie BeachLabor 36.0% · Coalition 64.0% TPP (2025)1.1 km away
- CannonvaleLabor 41.1% · Coalition 58.9% TPP (2025)1.8 km away
- ProserpineLabor 31.7% · Coalition 68.3% TPP (2025)20.1 km away
- Hamilton IslandLabor 55.1% · Coalition 44.9% TPP (2025)28.4 km away
- BloomsburyLabor 30.7% · Coalition 69.3% TPP (2025)49.5 km away
Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.
Data sources & freshness
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 6/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 5/10
ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?
IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.
IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.
A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
This suburb ranks highly for
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
More in Whitsunday Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Queensland.