Emerald, QLD: suburb profile

The population of Emerald QLD is 14,904 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Emerald is $1,035 per week ($53,820 per year). Median rent in Emerald is $300 per week ($1,300 per month). Emerald has a median age of 32 years, younger than the national median of 38. Emerald has a population density of 18 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Emerald is New Zealand. The most common religion is No religion (36.9% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Afrikaans. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Emerald is $1,647.

There were 2,373 recorded offences in Emerald in 2025-26, a rate of 159 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (549 offences).

Population
14,904
Census 2021
Median income
$1,035/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$300/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
32years
Census 2021

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

Emerald vs the typical QLD suburb

The median personal income in Emerald is $1,035 a week, 39% above the typical QLD suburb ($747). That ranks 142nd of 1,527 QLD suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $300 a week, $20 less than the typical QLD suburb. Rent takes 13.6% of the median household income here, against 20.4% in the typical QLD suburb. The median resident is 32, 10 years younger 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.
MeasureEmeraldTypical QLDDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$1,035/wk$747/wk +39%$766/wk
Household income$2,202/wk$1,593/wk +38%$1,637/wk
Rent$300/wk$320/wk −6%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,647/mo$1,625/mo +1%$1,733/mo
Median age3242 −10 yrs42
Rent share of household income13.6%20.4% −6.8 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 Emerald, the typical QLD suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Emerald Population

14,904 residents at the 2021 Census.

Emerald Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$1,035/wk
$53,820 per year
Ranked 1,007 of 14,663
Median Rent
$300/wk
$1,300 per month
Ranked 4,529 of 14,663
Median Age
32years
6 years younger than the national median
Mortgage
$1,647/mo
Avg household size: 2.7 · 0.8 per bedroom

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

Emerald Rent Prices & Affordability

14% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $2,202/wk
Median rent $300/wk
Rent to income 13.6%

Rent is under 25% of household income, generally considered affordable.

Median rent in Emerald against your income

About $9,542 a month
Median rent $300/wk
Left after rent $1,902/wk
Rent share 13.6%

Emerald Schools

4
schools nearby
2
government
974
avg ICSEA score
6,847
total students
Marist College Catholic
Secondary · 7-12 · 697 students
999
ICSEA
St Brigid's Catholic Primary School Catholic
Primary · Prep-6 · 323 students
990
ICSEA
Capricornia School of Distance Education Government
Combined · Prep-12 · 5,463 students
960
ICSEA
Denison State School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 364 students
948
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 Emerald, with a map

Emerald Map

Emerald, Queensland Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Emerald, Queensland: 23.5615°S, 148.1402°E

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

People in Emerald

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 51.1% (7,621) Female 48.9% (7,280)

Population Density

18
people per km²
14,904 people · 833.5 km²

Households

2.7
Avg household size
0.8
Persons per bedroom
$2,519
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

New Zealand
4.0%
Philippines
1.7%
South Africa
1.4%
England
1.1%
India
0.7%
Zimbabwe
0.4%
China
0.4%

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

Most common languages at home other than English

Afrikaans
0.9%
Tagalog
0.7%
Mandarin
0.7%
Filipino
0.5%
Punjabi
0.4%
Hindi
0.3%
Thai
0.2%

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

Ancestry

Australian
38.7%
English
37.1%
Irish
11.1%
Scottish
10.8%
German
6.4%
Australian Aboriginal
4.7%
Maori
2.2%
Filipino
2.0%
Italian
2.0%
New Zealander
1.6%
Dutch
1.3%

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
36.9%
Catholic
21.8%
Anglican
10.6%
Not stated
10.1%
Christian (other)
5.0%
Uniting Church
4.6%
Presbyterian and Reformed
2.0%
Pentecostal
1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

5.0%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
47.8% 5,327
Separated
3.6% 405
Divorced
7.3% 815
Widowed
2.5% 284
Never married
38.7% 4,314

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
54.7%
Couple: no children
22.4%
Couple: no children under 15
10.4%
One parent: children under 15
9.2%
One parent: no children under 15
3.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
23.0%
2 persons
31.4%
3 persons
15.2%
4 persons
17.5%
5 persons
8.8%
6+ persons
4.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Emerald

Housing Tenure

Of the 4,950 occupied private dwellings in Emerald at the 2021 Census, 43.2% were rented, 16.3% owned outright and 37.1% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
2.0% 97 dwellings
Owned outright
16.3% 805 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
37.1% 1,835 dwellings
Rented
43.2% 2,136 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.5% 73 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
88.7%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
6.8%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
4.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
2.6%
2 bedrooms
11.1%
3 bedrooms
35.1%
4 bedrooms
42.5%
5 bedrooms
7.0%
6+ bedrooms
1.7%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
3.3%
$300-$449/mo
2.3%
$450-$599/mo
1.8%
$600-$799/mo
3.8%
$800-$999/mo
6.7%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
21.3%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
21.7%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
23.8%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
8.7%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
6.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
3.3%
1 vehicle
31.6%
2 vehicles
40.2%
3 vehicles
16.0%
4+ vehicles
8.9%

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

Work, income and education in Emerald

Employment

Employed full-time
55.2% 5,285 people
Employed part-time
22.9% 2,187 people
Unemployed
2.8% 264 people
Not in labour force
19.2% 1,833 people

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

Occupation

Technicians & Trade Workers
22.9%
Professionals
20.8%
Managers
12.2%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
12.1%
Clerical & Administrative
10.3%
Community & Personal Service
9.2%
Labourers
6.8%
Sales Workers
5.7%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
1.4%
$1-$149/wk
0.3%
$150-$299/wk
0.8%
$300-$399/wk
1.2%
$400-$499/wk
2.8%
$500-$649/wk
2.7%
$650-$799/wk
4.3%
$800-$999/wk
4.6%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
6.7%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
6.5%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.4%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.1%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
15.0%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
9.6%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
9.2%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
6.2%
$4,000+/wk
16.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
9.4%
$1-$149/wk
4.2%
$150-$299/wk
4.2%
$300-$399/wk
2.0%
$400-$499/wk
1.9%
$500-$649/wk
2.2%
$650-$799/wk
8.4%
$800-$999/wk
10.0%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
11.1%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
9.2%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
8.3%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.2%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
13.4%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
4.2%
$3,500+/wk
5.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
70.5%
Did not go to work
11.6%
Car (passenger)
6.9%
Bus
5.0%
Walked only
3.2%
Truck
0.8%
Bicycle
0.7%
Other
0.5%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.4%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.4%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
62.0%
Year 10 or equivalent
25.3%
Year 11 or equivalent
8.9%
Year 9 or equivalent
3.8%

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
51.4%
Bachelor Degree
21.4%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
14.5%
Certificate I/II
4.6%
Postgraduate Degree
4.5%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
3.6%

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

Field of Study

Engineering
31.5%
Management & Commerce
17.2%
Education
11.8%
Health
9.1%
Society & Culture
9.0%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
6.9%
Architecture & Building
5.4%
Agriculture & Environment
4.8%
Natural & Physical Sciences
1.8%
Information Technology
1.2%
Creative Arts
1.2%

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

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
26.7%
Secondary: Government
20.9%
Primary: Catholic
18.5%
Secondary: Catholic
10.8%
Vocational Education
9.1%
Pre-school
8.7%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
2.8%
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
87.5%
Has need for assistance
3.4%
Need for assistance not stated
9.1%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
1,091
Asthma
525
Arthritis
274
Diabetes
251
Heart disease
212
Lung condition
174
Cancer
119
Kidney disease
77
Stroke
68
Dementia
14

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
9.0% 895
Did not provide
91.0% 9,083

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
19.4% 1,936
Not a volunteer
80.6% 8,056

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.1% 11
Previously served
2.3% 235
Never served
97.5% 9,789

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
29.9%
1 child
12.1%
2 children
27.4%
3 children
19.5%
4 children
8.5%
5+ children
2.6%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
5
1951: 1960
20
1961: 1970
75
1971: 1980
128
1981: 1990
143
1991: 2000
172
2001: 2010
619
2011: 2015
414
2016
95
2017
85
2018
81
2019
143
2020
61
2021
82

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

Population Mobility

21.8%
moved in the last year
54.3%
moved in the last 5 years
3.2%
unemployment rate (Census)
73.8%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
10,489
Moved: same area (SA2)
1,511
Moved from QLD
1,018
Moved from overseas
159
Moved from NSW
102
Moved from VIC
38
Moved from WA
35
Moved from NT
10
Moved from SA
8
Moved from TAS
7

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
22.4%
5: 14 hours
30.3%
15: 29 hours
12.0%
30+ hours
10.0%
Did not do domestic work
25.3%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
79.0%
Step family: no other children
14.0%
Blended family: no other children
5.3%
Intact family: other children present
0.9%
Other couple: children only
0.5%
Step family: other children present
0.2%
Blended family: other children present
0.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Emerald Crime Statistics

2,373 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Theft
549
Drug Offences
544
Assault
350
Domestic Violence
223
Traffic
207
Break & Enter
153
Property Damage
121
Fraud
114
Weapons
70
Sexual Offences
42

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

Townview
Income: $1,075/wk Rent: $253/wk $47/wk less rent
Winston
Income: $1,190/wk Rent: $261/wk $39/wk less rent
Arriga
Income: $924/wk Rent: $266/wk $34/wk less rent
Cambooya
Income: $839/wk Rent: $290/wk $10/wk less rent
Thursday Island
Income: $902/wk Rent: $200/wk $100/wk less rent
Moura
Income: $882/wk Rent: $225/wk $75/wk less rent
Etna Creek
Income: $956/wk Rent: $200/wk $100/wk less rent
Mornington (Qld)
Income: $1,100/wk Rent: $245/wk $55/wk less rent

Compare Emerald (Qld)

Frequently Asked Questions About Emerald

What is the population of Emerald QLD?

The population of Emerald QLD is 14,904 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 18 people per km². Emerald is ranked #284 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Emerald?

The median personal income in Emerald QLD is $1,035 per week, or $53,820 per year. The median household income is $2,202 per week. Family income is $2,519 per week. Emerald is ranked #1,007 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Emerald?

Median rent in Emerald QLD is $300 per week ($1,300 per month). Rent represents 13.6% of household income, which is considered affordable. Emerald ranks #4,529 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Emerald?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Emerald QLD is $1,647. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Emerald?

The median age in Emerald QLD is 32 years. This is younger than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Emerald a good suburb to live in?

Emerald is a suburb in Queensland with a population of 14,904. The median income is $1,035/wk, which is above the typical QLD suburb ($747/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (13.6% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

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Australian Average Salary Australian House Prices Brisbane Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 30973. All dollar figures in AUD.