Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
Cardwell suburb profile
Cardwell, QLD · Postcode 4849
This Cardwell suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for Cardwell, QLD (postcode 4849). Use it as a free suburb report covering population, median rent, household income, age, housing tenure and employment, plus how those figures changed since Census 2016— then compare Cardwell with nearby suburbs.
Cardwell at a glance
Population
1,320
Median rent
$250/wk
Household income
$846/wk
Median age
60
Cardwell trends (2016 → 2021)
Change since the previous Census. Historical figures are mapped from State Suburbs (SSC) to today's suburb boundaries.
Population
Census 2011 → 2016 → 2021
+5.5% over 10 years
Population
1,320
was 1,309 in 2016
+11 · +0.8%
Median rent
$250/wk
was $230/wk in 2016
+$20 · +8.7%
Household income
$846/wk
was $845/wk in 2016
+$1 · +0.1%
Median age
60
was 57 in 2016
+3 · +5.3%
Dig deeper: Cardwell population growth · Cardwell then and now
Cardwell vs nearby & QLD
Median Census 2021 figures for Cardwell, nearby suburbs (8), and the QLD state median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
-32.4% vs area
- Cardwell$250/wk
- Nearby$252.5/wk
- QLD$370/wk
Household income
-50.8% vs area
- Cardwell$846/wk
- Nearby$1,263/wk
- QLD$1,719/wk
Median age
+53.8% vs area
- Cardwell60
- Nearby48.5
- QLD39
Personal income
-35.8% vs area
- Cardwell$508/wk
- Nearby$699.5/wk
- QLD$791/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in QLD.
Socio-economic profile
How Cardwell compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
Cardwell ranks among Australia's most disadvantaged suburbs. It shows limited economic resources and lower education and occupation levels.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 1867.8
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 1849.7
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 1884.4
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 1863.3
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
Cardwell on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for Cardwell, QLD.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
Cardwell people
- Population
- 1,320
- Median age
- 60
- Born overseas
- 16.1%
- Average household size
- 1.9
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
Cardwell income
- Median household income
- $846/wk
- Median personal income
- $508/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
Cardwell housing
- Median rent
- $250/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $1,278/mo
- Separate houses
- 52.2%
- Flats & apartments
- 7.3%
- Owned outright
- 32.1%
- Mortgaged
- 10.3%
- Rented
- 28.8%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 25.4%
Median weekly rent for rented dwellings
Median monthly mortgage repayment
Percentage of dwellings that are separate houses
Percentage of dwellings that are flats or apartments
Percentage of dwellings owned without a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings with a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings rented
Percentage of private dwellings unoccupied on Census night
Cardwell work
- Employment to population
- 34.5%
- Unemployment rate
- 8.2%
- Year 12 or above
- 31.9%
Employed persons as a percentage of population aged 15+
Unemployed persons as a percentage of the labour force
Percentage with Year 12 or equivalent as highest school level
Nearby suburb profiles (near 4849)
Compare Cardwell with nearby suburbs
Cardwell in numbers
Cardwell had 1,320 residents at the 2021 Census. The median age is 60, 50% above the typical QLD suburb. The average household has 1.9 people. 16.1% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 32.1% own their home outright, 10.3% are paying a mortgage, 28.8% rent. Separate houses make up 52.2% of dwellings, with 7.3% in flats or apartments. Median rent was $250/wk, 29% below the typical QLD suburb.
Median household income was $846/wk, 50% below the typical QLD suburb. The unemployment rate on Census night was 8.2%. 31.9% of adults had completed Year 12 or above. On the ABS SEIFA index of relative socio-economic disadvantage it sits in decile 1 nationally (1 is most disadvantaged, 10 least).
Between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses the population grew 0.8% (from 1,309 to 1,320). Median rent moved from $230/wk to $250/wk (+8.7%).
Cardwell suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in Cardwell, QLD?
- The median weekly rent in Cardwell was $250/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in Cardwell, QLD?
- Cardwell had 1,320 residents at the 2021 Census, up 0.8% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in Cardwell?
- Median household income in Cardwell was $846/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in Cardwell?
- 28.8% of occupied homes in Cardwell were rented, 32.1% were owned outright and 10.3% were owned with a mortgage.
About this Cardwell suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching Cardwell. Where shown, 2016 values come from the 2016 State Suburbs (SSC) profile, linked via ABS geographic correspondence — boundaries are not always identical. Medians may be suppressed for very small areas. This is not financial or relocation advice — use it alongside current market data.
Source: ABS Census 2021. Methodology