Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
Palm Island suburb profile
Palm Island, QLD · Postcode 4816
This Palm Island suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for Palm Island, QLD (postcode 4816). 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 Palm Island with nearby suburbs.
Palm Island at a glance
Population
2,138
Median rent
$125/wk
Household income
$973/wk
Median age
27
Palm Island 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
-10.2% over 10 years
Population
2,138
was 2,455 in 2016
-317 · -12.9%
Median rent
$125/wk
was $120/wk in 2016
+$5 · +4.2%
Household income
$973/wk
was $1,122/wk in 2016
$149 · -13.3%
Median age
27
was 24 in 2016
+3 · +12.5%
Dig deeper: Palm Island population growth · Palm Island then and now
Palm Island vs nearby & QLD
Median Census 2021 figures for Palm Island, nearby suburbs (8), and the QLD state median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
-66.2% vs area
- Palm Island$125/wk
- Nearby$305/wk
- QLD$370/wk
Household income
-43.4% vs area
- Palm Island$973/wk
- Nearby$1,539/wk
- QLD$1,719/wk
Median age
-30.8% vs area
- Palm Island27
- Nearby38.5
- QLD39
Personal income
-51.5% vs area
- Palm Island$384/wk
- Nearby$779.5/wk
- QLD$791/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in QLD.
Socio-economic profile
How Palm Island compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
Palm Island ranks among Australia's most disadvantaged suburbs. It shows limited economic resources and lower education and occupation levels.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 1566.9
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 1706.9
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 1570.3
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 1851.2
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
Palm Island on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for Palm Island, QLD.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
Palm Island people
- Population
- 2,138
- Median age
- 27
- Born overseas
- 2.1%
- Average household size
- 3.7
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
Palm Island income
- Median household income
- $973/wk
- Median personal income
- $384/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
Palm Island housing
- Median rent
- $125/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $2,167/mo
- Separate houses
- 82.3%
- Flats & apartments
- 7.7%
- Owned outright
- 1.5%
- Mortgaged
- 0%
- Rented
- 87.5%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 4.8%
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
Palm Island work
- Employment to population
- 24.4%
- Unemployment rate
- 9.5%
- Year 12 or above
- 27.1%
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 4816)
Compare Palm Island with nearby suburbs
Palm Island in numbers
Palm Island had 2,138 residents at the 2021 Census. The median age is 27, 32% below the typical QLD suburb. The average household has 3.7 people. 2.1% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 1.5% own their home outright, 0% are paying a mortgage, 87.5% rent. Separate houses make up 82.3% of dwellings, with 7.7% in flats or apartments. Median rent was $125/wk, 64% below the typical QLD suburb.
Median household income was $973/wk, 42% below the typical QLD suburb. The unemployment rate on Census night was 9.5%. 27.1% 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 fell 12.9% (from 2,455 to 2,138). Median rent moved from $120/wk to $125/wk (+4.2%).
Palm Island suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in Palm Island, QLD?
- The median weekly rent in Palm Island was $125/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in Palm Island, QLD?
- Palm Island had 2,138 residents at the 2021 Census, down 12.9% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in Palm Island?
- Median household income in Palm Island was $973/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in Palm Island?
- 87.5% of occupied homes in Palm Island were rented, 1.5% were owned outright and 0% were owned with a mortgage.
About this Palm Island suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching Palm Island. 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