Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
River Heads suburb profile
River Heads, QLD · Postcode 4655
This River Heads suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for River Heads, QLD (postcode 4655). 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 River Heads with nearby suburbs.
River Heads at a glance
Population
2,044
Median rent
$350/wk
Household income
$1,243/wk
Median age
54
River Heads 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
+58% over 10 years
Population
2,044
was 1,539 in 2016
+505 · +32.8%
Median rent
$350/wk
was $280/wk in 2016
+$70 · +25%
Household income
$1,243/wk
was $964/wk in 2016
+$279 · +28.9%
Median age
54
was 52 in 2016
+2 · +3.8%
Dig deeper: River Heads population growth · River Heads then and now
River Heads vs nearby & QLD
Median Census 2021 figures for River Heads, nearby suburbs (8), and the QLD state median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
-5.4% vs area
- River Heads$350/wk
- Nearby$337.5/wk
- QLD$370/wk
Household income
-27.7% vs area
- River Heads$1,243/wk
- Nearby$1,011/wk
- QLD$1,719/wk
Median age
+38.5% vs area
- River Heads54
- Nearby51.5
- QLD39
Personal income
-31.4% vs area
- River Heads$543/wk
- Nearby$533.5/wk
- QLD$791/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in QLD.
Socio-economic profile
How River Heads compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
River Heads sits below average for socio-economic advantage compared with suburbs Australia-wide. It shows lower education and occupation levels.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 2929.9
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 2891.7
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 4992.4
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 1862.8
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
River Heads on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for River Heads, QLD.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
River Heads people
- Population
- 2,044
- Median age
- 54
- Born overseas
- 17.9%
- Average household size
- 2.4
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
River Heads income
- Median household income
- $1,243/wk
- Median personal income
- $543/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
River Heads housing
- Median rent
- $350/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $1,400/mo
- Separate houses
- 87.2%
- Flats & apartments
- 0%
- Owned outright
- 42.3%
- Mortgaged
- 31.6%
- Rented
- 14.5%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 10.2%
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
River Heads work
- Employment to population
- 44.1%
- Unemployment rate
- 9.5%
- Year 12 or above
- 39%
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 4655)
Compare River Heads with nearby suburbs
River Heads in numbers
River Heads had 2,044 residents at the 2021 Census. The median age is 54, 35% above the typical QLD suburb. The average household has 2.4 people. 17.9% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 42.3% own their home outright, 31.6% are paying a mortgage, 14.5% rent. Separate houses make up 87.2% of dwellings, with 0% in flats or apartments. Median rent was $350/wk, close to the typical QLD suburb.
Median household income was $1,243/wk, 26% below the typical QLD suburb. The unemployment rate on Census night was 9.5%. 39% of adults had completed Year 12 or above. On the ABS SEIFA index of relative socio-economic disadvantage it sits in decile 2 nationally (1 is most disadvantaged, 10 least).
Between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses the population grew 32.8% (from 1,539 to 2,044). Median rent moved from $280/wk to $350/wk (+25%).
River Heads suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in River Heads, QLD?
- The median weekly rent in River Heads was $350/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in River Heads, QLD?
- River Heads had 2,044 residents at the 2021 Census, up 32.8% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in River Heads?
- Median household income in River Heads was $1,243/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in River Heads?
- 14.5% of occupied homes in River Heads were rented, 42.3% were owned outright and 31.6% were owned with a mortgage.
About this River Heads suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching River Heads. 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