Median house price
—
No data available
QLD · Townsville Council
Idalia, 4811
Est. population · Jun 2025
4,906
Growth (1 yr)
+0.7%
Growth (5 yr)
+8.7%
Median age
32
Median income
$2,524/wk
Employment rate
74.4%
Languages at home
13.5%non-English
Most common: Korean, Hindi, Afrikaans
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- High desirability
- Green suburb
- Education hub
- Café precinct
- Heritage area
Suburb profile
Idalia sits in Townsville Council as a regional mid-sized suburb that feels self-contained and a long way from big-city bustle. Day-to-day life leans on nearby towns and local hubs rather than the metro area. The community skews younger, with plenty of young families in the mix.
Local eateries and coffee spots give the area a friendly, everyday social rhythm. Pocket parks and green corners give residents room to get outside without leaving the neighbourhood. Daily life works well on foot, with key amenities clustered nearby.
Housing is expensive relative to much of the state. An emerging neighbourhood feel is building here, with new households gradually reshaping local life.
Against similar regional towns, community and employment, plus schools and education stand out and the overall desirability rating is good, with local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus safety less decisive.
At a glance
Idalia snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$620/wk
Population (ERP)
4,906
+0.7% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
7.8%
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
#8
among Country & regional · Emerging
Safety
76th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
32nd
percentile in QLD
Advantage (IRSAD)
10/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
27th
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
- 61.2/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 13% of Queensland's suburbs
- National rank
- 902nd in Australia
- State rank
- 194th in QLD
- Peer rank
- #8 among Country & regional · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #32 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 77%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- All types (Mar 2026)
- $620
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
4,906(June 2025)
+0.7% annual · +8.7% over 5 years · 32th percentile in QLD
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.7%
- 5-year growth
- +8.7%
- Change in 1 year
- +32
- Change in 5 years
- +391
- Growth rank in QLD
- 32th 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 (~5,500), extrapolated at +2.4% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 4,563
- Median age
- 32
- Median household income / week
- $2,524
- Dwelling vacancy
- 7.8%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 137 of 1,747
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,920
- Employment rate
- 74.4%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 1,283 / 13 / 310
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)
- 312
- Against the person
- 65
- Against property
- 178
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 63.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 70 residents
- State safety percentile
- 75.8th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate, partial year)
- -6.3%
Most common offence types
- Assault133
- Drug Offences107
- Other Property Damage75
- Other Theft (Excl. Unlawful Entry)274
- Unlawful Entry109
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
- 5
- Median school ICSEA (5 schools)
- 955
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 27th
School list
- Oonoonba State SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 995 · 45th percentile · LBOTE 17% · 525 students · Top SEA quarter 17% · 0.3 km awayView on My School →
- Southern Cross Catholic CollegeCombined · Catholic · ICSEA 1048 · 68th percentile · LBOTE 7% · 1,479 students · Top SEA quarter 22% · 1.6 km awayView on My School →
- William Ross State High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 955 · 27th percentile · LBOTE 10% · 862 students · Top SEA quarter 6% · 1.7 km awayView on My School →
- Yallorin Yimba Silver Lining SchoolSecondary · Independent · ICSEA 791 · 3th percentile · LBOTE 32% · 26 students · Top SEA quarter 12% · 1.9 km awayView on My School →
- Wulguru State SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 827 · 4th percentile · LBOTE 23% · 212 students · Top SEA quarter 2% · 2.0 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
2 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- kindergartenkindergarten
- kindergartenkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Amenities
92 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
4 restaurants · 4 cafes · 2 supermarkets · 2 pharmacies · 6 fast food · 1 bakeries · 1 playgrounds · 1 sports centres
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Highly walkable for everyday errands
- Decent local green space — 4 parks in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 70/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0.88
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 3.29
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0.88
Food & drink(15)
- Three LoavesBakery
- Cafe BambiniCafe
- Gloria Jean'sCafe
- The Spirited GoatCafe
- Zarraffa's CoffeeCafe
- Getta BettaFast food
- KFCFast food
- McDonald'sFast food
- Noodle BoxFast food
- Red RoosterFast food
- SubwayFast food
- Curry HubRestaurant
- Nando'sRestaurant
- Pizza HutRestaurant
- Restaurant
Shopping(7)
- Precinct Fine MeatsButcher
- NightOwlConvenience store
- Otto’s MarketConvenience store
- ColesSupermarket
2-30 Lakeside Drive
- WoolworthsSupermarket
Community(3)
- Kindergarten (2)
- Oonoonba State SchoolSchool
Health & services(3)
- Queensland X-Ray FairfieldMedical clinic
Unit 9
- Pharmacy (2)
Sport & outdoors(8)
- World GymGym
- 5 Tree ParkPark
- Lakeshore Circuit ParkPark
- Lakeshore Circuit Park 2Park
- Lakeshore Circuit Park 3Park
- Playground
- Urban ClimbSports centre
- Sports field
Other(27)
- BWSAlcohol
- CellarbrationsAlcohol
- Angelfish DragonflyBaby Goods
- Bench (11)
- Car wash
- KmartDepartment Store
2-30 Lakeside Drive
- Bunnings WarehouseDoityourself
- Fountain
- Kokoda Street FountainFountain
- Reece PlumbingHardware
- Precinct MarketMall
12-18 Village Drive, Idalia
- Parking (16)
- The PrecinctParking
- BPPetrol station
- BP Fairfield WatersPetrol station
- CaltexPetrol station
- Australia PostPost office
- Public Bookcase
- Public toilets
- Shelter (3)
- Fairfield GrangeSocial Facility
- Storage KingStorage Rental
- Townsville BMX ClubTrack
- Townsville VelodromeTrack
- Track (5)
- BridgestoneTyres
- Yes
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
4 parks and public open space in this suburb
- 5 Tree ParkPark
- Lakeshore Circuit ParkPark
- Lakeshore Circuit Park 2Park
- Lakeshore Circuit Park 3Park
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 4
- Parks (OSM)
- 4
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
- Mater Misericordiae Hospital (3.4 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- Not in suburb
- PharmacyPharmacy
- PharmacyPharmacy
- Queensland X-Ray FairfieldDoctor
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)
- 112
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 22.8
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
- 30° / 24°
- Rainfall
- 680 mm · ~85 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 28° / 21°
- Rainfall
- 277 mm · ~35 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 16°
- Rainfall
- 56 mm · ~7 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 27° / 20°
- Rainfall
- 125 mm · ~16 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated
Future & Planning
Heritage
1 heritage place
- Ross River Meatworks ChimneyState heritage place
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated
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 69.5 km away).
Coalition 53.6%Labor 46.4%
8.2 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +4.1 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Oonoonba (Dawson)Labor 46.6% · Coalition 53.4% TPP (2025)0.3 km away
- Annandale East (Dawson)Labor 39.2% · Coalition 60.8% TPP (2025)1.7 km away
- Wulguru (Dawson)Labor 46.5% · Coalition 53.5% TPP (2025)2.0 km away
- Annandale (Dawson)Labor 46.1% · Coalition 53.9% TPP (2025)3.7 km away
- NomeLabor 34.0% · Coalition 66.0% TPP (2025)17.5 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)
- 10/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 10/10
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
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
More in Townsville Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Queensland.