Atherton, QLD: suburb profile

The population of Atherton QLD is 7,724 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Atherton is $641 per week ($33,332 per year). Median rent in Atherton is $280 per week ($1,213 per month). Atherton has a median age of 46 years, older than the national median of 38. Atherton has a population density of 82 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Atherton is England. The most common religion is No religion (37.7% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Italian. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Atherton is $1,300.

There were 2,311 recorded offences in Atherton in 2025-26, a rate of 299 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (615 offences).

Population
7,724
Census 2021
Median income
$641/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$280/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
46years
Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from Queensland Police Service (data.qld.gov.au), 2025-26.

Atherton vs the typical QLD suburb

The median personal income in Atherton is $641 a week, 14% below the typical QLD suburb ($747). That ranks 1,089th of 1,527 QLD suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $280 a week, $40 less than the typical QLD suburb. Rent takes 25.5% of the median household income here, against 20.4% in the typical QLD suburb. The median resident is 46, 4 years older than in the typical QLD suburb (42).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureAthertonTypical QLDDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$641/wk$747/wk −14%$766/wk
Household income$1,099/wk$1,593/wk −31%$1,637/wk
Rent$280/wk$320/wk −13%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,300/mo$1,625/mo −20%$1,733/mo
Median age4642 +4 yrs42
Rent share of household income25.5%20.4% +5.0 pts20.3%
Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au
Bar chart of median income, rent and mortgage repayment in Atherton, the typical QLD suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Atherton Population

7,724 residents at the 2021 Census.

Atherton Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$641/wk
$33,332 per year
Ranked 6,411 of 14,663
Median Rent
$280/wk
$1,213 per month
Ranked 5,374 of 14,663
Median Age
46years
8 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$1,300/mo
Avg household size: 2.2 · 0.7 per bedroom

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.

Atherton Rent Prices & Affordability

25% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: moderate.

Household income $1,099/wk
Median rent $280/wk
Rent to income 25.5%

Rent is between 25% and 35% of household income: moderate housing costs.

Median rent in Atherton against your income

About $4,762 a month
Median rent $280/wk
Left after rent $819/wk
Rent share 25.5%

Atherton Schools

4
schools nearby
2
government
976
avg ICSEA score
2,249
total students
St Joseph's School Catholic
Primary · Prep-6 · 287 students
1022
ICSEA
Jubilee Christian College Independent
Combined · Prep-12 · 850 students
1017
ICSEA
Atherton State High School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 781 students
963
ICSEA
Atherton State School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 331 students
903
ICSEA

Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

All schools near Atherton, with a map

Atherton Map

Atherton, Queensland Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Atherton, Queensland: 17.2701°S, 145.4809°E

Atherton Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (4)

People in Atherton

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 48.1% (3,718) Female 51.9% (4,009)

Population Density

82
people per km²
7,724 people · 94.2 km²

Households

2.2
Avg household size
0.7
Persons per bedroom
$1,490
Family income/wk

Age Distribution

0-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85+
Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

England
2.8%
New Zealand
1.9%
Italy
0.8%
Philippines
0.8%
Germany
0.7%
Papua New Guinea
0.7%
India
0.6%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Italian
1.0%
Australian Indigenous Languages
0.4%
German
0.4%
Punjabi
0.3%
Filipino
0.2%
Japanese
0.2%
Malayalam
0.2%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL

Ancestry

English
37.3%
Australian
36.4%
Irish
12.4%
Scottish
10.4%
Australian Aboriginal
8.2%
Italian
7.2%
German
5.7%
Dutch
1.4%
Chinese
1.0%
Filipino
0.9%
New Zealander
0.7%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Religion

No religion
37.7%
Catholic
19.3%
Anglican
11.4%
Not stated
11.3%
Uniting Church
4.0%
Christian (other)
3.4%
Presbyterian and Reformed
3.1%
Baptist
1.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

9.2%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
40.6% 2,612
Separated
3.7% 239
Divorced
11.4% 732
Widowed
8.9% 575
Never married
35.3% 2,268

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: no children
34.2%
Couple: children under 15
32.6%
One parent: children under 15
14.2%
Couple: no children under 15
11.4%
One parent: no children under 15
7.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
34.4%
2 persons
35.9%
3 persons
13.0%
4 persons
9.5%
5 persons
4.4%
6+ persons
2.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Atherton

Housing Tenure

Of the 3,094 occupied private dwellings in Atherton at the 2021 Census, 36.9% were rented, 36.9% owned outright and 22.1% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.6% 51 dwellings
Owned outright
36.9% 1,142 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
22.1% 684 dwellings
Rented
36.9% 1,142 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
2.4% 74 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Dwelling Types

Separate house
89.5%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
9.2%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
1.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
4.1%
2 bedrooms
21.1%
3 bedrooms
48.3%
4 bedrooms
22.1%
5 bedrooms
3.5%
6+ bedrooms
0.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
4.7%
$300-$449/mo
2.8%
$450-$599/mo
3.3%
$600-$799/mo
6.5%
$800-$999/mo
8.8%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
28.0%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
22.4%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
16.4%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
4.6%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
2.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
7.5%
1 vehicle
43.3%
2 vehicles
33.3%
3 vehicles
10.4%
4+ vehicles
5.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Work, income and education in Atherton

Employment

Employed full-time
30.9% 1,714 people
Employed part-time
20.4% 1,131 people
Unemployed
2.9% 161 people
Not in labour force
45.8% 2,540 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Occupation

Professionals
23.4%
Community & Personal Service
17.4%
Technicians & Trade Workers
16.5%
Managers
11.6%
Clerical & Administrative
10.5%
Labourers
10.0%
Sales Workers
5.4%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
5.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
1.8%
$1-$149/wk
1.5%
$150-$299/wk
1.9%
$300-$399/wk
3.4%
$400-$499/wk
10.0%
$500-$649/wk
9.2%
$650-$799/wk
9.7%
$800-$999/wk
9.3%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
8.4%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.7%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.2%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.3%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
10.5%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
5.1%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
4.0%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
1.8%
$4,000+/wk
4.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
8.3%
$1-$149/wk
5.2%
$150-$299/wk
7.4%
$300-$399/wk
6.7%
$400-$499/wk
5.2%
$500-$649/wk
5.3%
$650-$799/wk
12.5%
$800-$999/wk
13.1%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
11.6%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.5%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.5%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
3.7%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
5.8%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
1.0%
$3,500+/wk
1.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
70.9%
Did not go to work
11.7%
Car (passenger)
7.7%
Walked only
5.6%
Bus
0.9%
Truck
0.9%
Other
0.8%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.6%
Bicycle
0.6%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.1%
Ferry
0.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
52.9%
Year 10 or equivalent
32.6%
Year 11 or equivalent
8.5%
Year 9 or equivalent
6.0%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Qualifications

Certificate III/IV
46.5%
Bachelor Degree
22.3%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
18.7%
Postgraduate Degree
4.6%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
4.1%
Certificate I/II
3.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
16.6%
Engineering
16.5%
Society & Culture
14.8%
Health
14.8%
Education
12.6%
Architecture & Building
8.0%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
7.6%
Agriculture & Environment
4.3%
Natural & Physical Sciences
2.5%
Creative Arts
1.6%
Information Technology
0.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

School & University Attendance

Secondary: Government
32.1%
Primary: Government
31.4%
Vocational Education
10.4%
Primary: Catholic
9.1%
Pre-school
6.6%
Secondary: Catholic
5.4%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
2.6%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
2.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
82.4%
Has need for assistance
7.9%
Need for assistance not stated
9.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
730
Arthritis
261
Heart disease
221
Asthma
218
Lung condition
203
Diabetes
191
Cancer
127
Stroke
109
Kidney disease
89
Dementia
32

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
14.5% 827
Did not provide
85.5% 4,895

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
19.4% 1,117
Not a volunteer
80.6% 4,633

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.1% 3
Current ADF: Reserves
0.1% 8
Previously served
4.8% 277
Never served
95.0% 5,502

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
28.6%
1 child
11.2%
2 children
28.4%
3 children
20.1%
4 children
8.9%
5+ children
2.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
40
1951: 1960
99
1961: 1970
158
1971: 1980
134
1981: 1990
128
1991: 2000
93
2001: 2010
122
2011: 2015
76
2016
27
2017
19
2018
34
2019
39
2020
24
2021
13

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Population Mobility

17.3%
moved in the last year
46.2%
moved in the last 5 years
5.0%
unemployment rate (Census)
50.5%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
5,706
Moved from QLD
566
Moved: same area (SA2)
455
Moved from NSW
40
Moved from VIC
33
Moved from overseas
24
Moved from WA
15
Moved from NT
15
Moved from SA
10

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
20.7%
5: 14 hours
27.7%
15: 29 hours
13.5%
30+ hours
11.5%
Did not do domestic work
26.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
80.1%
Step family: no other children
10.7%
Blended family: no other children
6.8%
Other couple: children only
1.7%
Intact family: other children present
0.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Atherton Crime Statistics

2,311 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Theft
615
Drug Offences
438
Break & Enter
424
Assault
228
Domestic Violence
147
Fraud
130
Property Damage
106
Traffic
93
Weapons
76
Sexual Offences
38
Robbery
16

Total offences by year

2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

Source: Queensland Police Service (data.qld.gov.au).

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Brandon
Income: $762/wk Rent: $200/wk $80/wk less rent
Barney Point
Income: $539/wk Rent: $220/wk $60/wk less rent
Kuranda
Income: $600/wk Rent: $260/wk $20/wk less rent
Gayndah
Income: $570/wk Rent: $230/wk $50/wk less rent
Millmerran
Income: $623/wk Rent: $240/wk $40/wk less rent
Ipswich
Income: $593/wk Rent: $250/wk $30/wk less rent
Bucca (Qld)
Income: $574/wk Rent: $260/wk $20/wk less rent
Warwick (Qld)
Income: $590/wk Rent: $260/wk $20/wk less rent

Suburbs near Atherton

The closest suburb to Atherton is Tolga, 9.6 km away.

Tolga
9.6 km away · income $715/wk · rent $300/wk
Yungaburra
13.1 km away · income $722/wk · rent $290/wk
Malanda
16.0 km away · income $597/wk · rent $250/wk

Compare Atherton

Frequently Asked Questions About Atherton

What is the population of Atherton QLD?

The population of Atherton QLD is 7,724 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 82 people per km². Atherton is ranked #929 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Atherton?

The median personal income in Atherton QLD is $641 per week, or $33,332 per year. The median household income is $1,099 per week. Family income is $1,490 per week. Atherton is ranked #6,411 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Atherton?

Median rent in Atherton QLD is $280 per week ($1,213 per month). Rent represents 25.5% of household income, which is considered moderate. Atherton ranks #5,374 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Atherton?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Atherton QLD is $1,300. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Atherton?

The median age in Atherton QLD is 46 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Atherton a good suburb to live in?

Atherton is a suburb in Queensland with a population of 7,724. The median income is $641/wk, which is below the typical QLD suburb ($747/wk). Rent affordability is rated as moderate (25.5% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Explore More

Australian Average Salary Australian House Prices Brisbane Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 30096. All dollar figures in AUD.