Nelly Bay, QLD: suburb profile

The population of Nelly Bay QLD is 1,213 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Nelly Bay is $634 per week ($32,968 per year). Median rent in Nelly Bay is $300 per week ($1,300 per month). Nelly Bay has a median age of 56 years, older than the national median of 38. Nelly Bay has a population density of 260 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Nelly Bay is England. The most common religion is No religion (49.4% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Italian. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Nelly Bay is $1,470.

Population
1,213
Census 2021
Median income
$634/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$300/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
56years
Census 2021

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

Nelly Bay vs the typical QLD suburb

The median personal income in Nelly Bay is $634 a week, 15% below the typical QLD suburb ($747). That ranks 1,111th 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 29.9% of the median household income here, against 20.4% in the typical QLD suburb. The median resident is 56, 14 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.
MeasureNelly BayTypical QLDDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$634/wk$747/wk −15%$766/wk
Household income$1,003/wk$1,593/wk −37%$1,637/wk
Rent$300/wk$320/wk −6%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,470/mo$1,625/mo −10%$1,733/mo
Median age5642 +14 yrs42
Rent share of household income29.9%20.4% +9.5 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 Nelly Bay, the typical QLD suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Nelly Bay Population

1,213 residents at the 2021 Census.

Nelly Bay Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$634/wk
$32,968 per year
Ranked 6,551 of 14,663
Median Rent
$300/wk
$1,300 per month
Ranked 4,529 of 14,663
Median Age
56years
18 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$1,470/mo
Avg household size: 2 · 0.7 per bedroom

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

Nelly Bay Rent Prices & Affordability

30% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $1,003/wk
Median rent $300/wk
Rent to income 29.9%

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

Median rent in Nelly Bay against your income

About $4,346 a month
Median rent $300/wk
Left after rent $703/wk
Rent share 29.9%

Nelly Bay Schools

1
schools nearby
1
government
1027
avg ICSEA score
123
total students
Magnetic Island State School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 123 students
1027
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 Nelly Bay, with a map

Nelly Bay Map

Nelly Bay, Queensland Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

People in Nelly Bay

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 51.0% (619) Female 49.0% (594)

Population Density

260
people per km²
1,213 people · 4.7 km²

Households

2
Avg household size
0.7
Persons per bedroom
$1,382
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
9.4%
New Zealand
3.7%
Germany
1.4%
United States of America
1.2%
Italy
0.8%
Ireland
0.7%
France
0.7%

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

Most common languages at home other than English

Italian
1.2%
Spanish
1.0%
French
0.7%
German
0.4%
Japanese
0.4%
Arabic
0.3%
Mandarin
0.3%

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

Ancestry

English
42.4%
Australian
31.0%
Irish
16.2%
Scottish
11.0%
German
5.9%
Italian
3.5%
Dutch
2.4%
Australian Aboriginal
1.5%
New Zealander
1.2%
French
1.1%
Spanish
1.0%

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
49.4%
Catholic
13.8%
Not stated
13.1%
Anglican
11.3%
Uniting Church
3.1%
Christian (other)
2.0%
Presbyterian and Reformed
1.9%
Buddhism
1.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

1.6%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
45.6% 499
Separated
4.5% 49
Divorced
14.2% 155
Widowed
5.9% 65
Never married
29.9% 327

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: no children
54.9%
Couple: children under 15
25.1%
One parent: children under 15
7.4%
Couple: no children under 15
6.4%
One parent: no children under 15
6.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
34.0%
2 persons
47.3%
3 persons
10.2%
4 persons
5.9%
5 persons
1.2%
6+ persons
1.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Nelly Bay

Housing Tenure

Of the 484 occupied private dwellings in Nelly Bay at the 2021 Census, 27.3% were rented, 46.1% owned outright and 23.1% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
0.8% 4 dwellings
Owned outright
46.1% 223 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
23.1% 112 dwellings
Rented
27.3% 132 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
2.7% 13 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
93.3%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
4.0%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
2.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
4.9%
2 bedrooms
31.9%
3 bedrooms
46.8%
4 bedrooms
13.3%
5 bedrooms
1.9%
6+ bedrooms
1.3%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
4.9%
$450-$599/mo
8.2%
$600-$799/mo
4.1%
$800-$999/mo
9.0%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
27.9%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
18.9%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
17.2%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
6.6%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
3.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
10.9%
1 vehicle
51.9%
2 vehicles
28.0%
3 vehicles
7.4%
4+ vehicles
1.8%

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

Work, income and education in Nelly Bay

Employment

Employed full-time
26.8% 251 people
Employed part-time
22.2% 208 people
Unemployed
2.6% 24 people
Not in labour force
48.4% 453 people

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

Occupation

Professionals
29.7%
Managers
17.4%
Technicians & Trade Workers
15.3%
Community & Personal Service
14.7%
Clerical & Administrative
8.4%
Sales Workers
6.0%
Labourers
6.0%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
2.4%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
3.7%
$1-$149/wk
1.3%
$150-$299/wk
2.4%
$300-$399/wk
2.9%
$400-$499/wk
9.0%
$500-$649/wk
8.1%
$650-$799/wk
11.0%
$800-$999/wk
12.1%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
9.0%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.3%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.4%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
4.2%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
9.3%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
2.4%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
3.7%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
1.5%
$4,000+/wk
5.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
8.6%
$1-$149/wk
4.5%
$150-$299/wk
7.0%
$300-$399/wk
6.3%
$400-$499/wk
7.4%
$500-$649/wk
6.3%
$650-$799/wk
12.0%
$800-$999/wk
10.1%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
11.5%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
6.5%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.3%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
3.9%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
6.3%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
1.5%
$3,500+/wk
1.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
44.7%
Walked only
20.4%
Did not go to work
17.9%
Car (passenger)
7.3%
Bicycle
4.9%
Bus
3.0%
Ferry
1.8%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
60.3%
Year 10 or equivalent
24.8%
Year 11 or equivalent
10.2%
Year 9 or equivalent
4.6%

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
31.5%
Bachelor Degree
29.9%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
18.7%
Postgraduate Degree
11.6%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
5.0%
Certificate I/II
3.3%

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

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
18.3%
Engineering
14.2%
Society & Culture
12.3%
Health
10.7%
Education
9.8%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
8.8%
Architecture & Building
7.3%
Natural & Physical Sciences
6.9%
Agriculture & Environment
5.7%
Creative Arts
5.0%
Information Technology
0.9%

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

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
52.7%
Vocational Education
14.7%
Secondary: Government
13.2%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
10.9%
Secondary: Catholic
5.4%
Pre-school
3.1%

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
83.9%
Has need for assistance
7.1%
Need for assistance not stated
9.3%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
123
Arthritis
66
Heart disease
65
Diabetes
47
Lung condition
46
Cancer
42
Asthma
41
Kidney disease
18
Stroke
15
Dementia
3

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
12.9% 123
Did not provide
87.1% 832

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
23.5% 224
Not a volunteer
76.5% 729

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Previously served
6.3% 61
Never served
93.7% 901

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
35.1%
1 child
13.1%
2 children
30.7%
3 children
16.6%
4 children
3.7%
5+ children
0.7%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
6
1951: 1960
16
1961: 1970
37
1971: 1980
37
1981: 1990
55
1991: 2000
32
2001: 2010
45
2011: 2015
28
2016
6
2017
6
2018
6
2019
22
2020
7

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

Population Mobility

21.9%
moved in the last year
50.4%
moved in the last 5 years
4.8%
unemployment rate (Census)
47.8%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
836
Moved: same area (SA2)
98
Moved from QLD
74
Moved from NSW
27
Moved from VIC
21
Moved from WA
13
Moved from ACT
5

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
16.5%
5: 14 hours
34.2%
15: 29 hours
16.0%
30+ hours
11.5%
Did not do domestic work
21.8%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
91.7%
Step family: no other children
8.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Suburbs near Nelly Bay

The closest suburb to Nelly Bay is North Ward, 11.0 km away.

North Ward
11.0 km away · income $997/wk · rent $285/wk
Townsville City
11.5 km away · income $1,182/wk · rent $390/wk
Belgian Gardens
11.6 km away · income $964/wk · rent $283/wk
South Townsville
11.6 km away · income $914/wk · rent $300/wk
West End (Townsville - Qld)
13.1 km away · income $921/wk · rent $250/wk
Railway Estate
13.8 km away · income $877/wk · rent $300/wk

Frequently Asked Questions About Nelly Bay

What is the population of Nelly Bay QLD?

The population of Nelly Bay QLD is 1,213 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 260 people per km². Nelly Bay is ranked #3,683 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Nelly Bay?

The median personal income in Nelly Bay QLD is $634 per week, or $32,968 per year. The median household income is $1,003 per week. Family income is $1,382 per week. Nelly Bay is ranked #6,551 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Nelly Bay?

Median rent in Nelly Bay QLD is $300 per week ($1,300 per month). Rent represents 29.9% of household income, which is considered moderate. Nelly Bay ranks #4,529 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Nelly Bay?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Nelly Bay QLD is $1,470. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Nelly Bay?

The median age in Nelly Bay QLD is 56 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Nelly Bay a good suburb to live in?

Nelly Bay is a suburb in Queensland with a population of 1,213. The median income is $634/wk, which is below the typical QLD suburb ($747/wk). Rent affordability is rated as moderate (29.9% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 32115. All dollar figures in AUD.