Palm Island, QLD: suburb profile

The population of Palm Island QLD is 2,138 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Palm Island is $384 per week ($19,968 per year). Median rent in Palm Island is $125 per week ($542 per month). Palm Island has a median age of 27 years, younger than the national median of 38. Palm Island has a population density of 24 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Palm Island is England. The most common religion is Catholic (45.6% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Australian Indigenous Languages. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Palm Island is $2,167.

There were 1,352 recorded offences in Palm Island in 2025-26, a rate of 632 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was assault (564 offences).

Population
2,138
Census 2021
Median income
$384/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$125/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
27years
Census 2021

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

Palm Island vs the typical QLD suburb

The median personal income in Palm Island is $384 a week, 49% below the typical QLD suburb ($747). That ranks 1,513th of 1,527 QLD suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $125 a week, $195 less than the typical QLD suburb. Rent takes 12.8% of the median household income here, against 20.4% in the typical QLD suburb. The median resident is 27, 15 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.
MeasurePalm IslandTypical QLDDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$384/wk$747/wk −49%$766/wk
Household income$973/wk$1,593/wk −39%$1,637/wk
Rent$125/wk$320/wk −61%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$2,167/mo$1,625/mo +33%$1,733/mo
Median age2742 −15 yrs42
Rent share of household income12.8%20.4% −7.6 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 Palm Island, the typical QLD suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Palm Island Population

2,138 residents at the 2021 Census.

Palm Island Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$384/wk
$19,968 per year
Ranked 8,793 of 14,663
Median Rent
$125/wk
$542 per month
Ranked 8,470 of 14,663
Median Age
27years
11 years younger than the national median
Mortgage
$2,167/mo
Avg household size: 3.7 · 1.2 per bedroom

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

Palm Island Rent Prices & Affordability

13% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $973/wk
Median rent $125/wk
Rent to income 12.8%

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

Median rent in Palm Island against your income

About $4,216 a month
Median rent $125/wk
Left after rent $848/wk
Rent share 12.8%

Palm Island Map

Palm Island, Queensland Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Palm Island, Queensland: 18.6934°S, 146.5878°E

Palm Island Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents

People in Palm Island

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 48.1% (1,027) Female 51.9% (1,106)

Population Density

24
people per km²
2,138 people · 88.9 km²

Households

3.7
Avg household size
1.2
Persons per bedroom
$898
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
Male Female

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

Most common overseas birthplaces

England
0.4%
New Zealand
0.3%
United States of America
0.2%
Philippines
0.2%
Fiji
0.1%
Afghanistan
0.0%
Bangladesh
0.0%

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

Most common languages at home other than English

Australian Indigenous Languages
39.4%
Spanish
0.1%
Afrikaans
0.0%
Arabic
0.0%
Cantonese
0.0%
Mandarin
0.0%
Other Chinese languages
0.0%

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

Ancestry

Australian Aboriginal
87.8%
Australian
5.6%
English
4.4%
Irish
0.7%
Chinese
0.5%
Italian
0.4%
Scottish
0.4%
German
0.3%
Maori
0.2%
Filipino
0.2%
Greek
0.2%

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

Catholic
45.6%
No religion
16.4%
Anglican
15.1%
Othr Protestnt
7.9%
Not stated
7.6%
Pentecostal
2.2%
Baptist
2.1%
Christian (other)
0.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

89.7%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
9.1% 134
Separated
2.2% 32
Divorced
1.4% 21
Widowed
2.2% 32
Never married
85.1% 1,255

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
41.5%
One parent: children under 15
32.5%
Couple: no children
10.1%
One parent: no children under 15
8.3%
Couple: no children under 15
7.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
21.0%
2 persons
19.0%
3 persons
12.9%
4 persons
12.5%
5 persons
10.5%
6+ persons
24.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Palm Island

Housing Tenure

Of the 494 occupied private dwellings in Palm Island at the 2021 Census, 91.9% were rented, 1.6% owned outright and 0.0% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
3.6% 18 dwellings
Owned outright
1.6% 8 dwellings
Rented
91.9% 454 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
2.4% 12 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
98.6%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
0.7%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
0.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
4.4%
2 bedrooms
24.9%
3 bedrooms
42.3%
4 bedrooms
23.3%
5 bedrooms
3.2%
6+ bedrooms
1.9%

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

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
49.8%
1 vehicle
35.4%
2 vehicles
11.9%
3 vehicles
2.3%
4+ vehicles
0.6%

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

Work, income and education in Palm Island

Employment

Employed full-time
15.0% 197 people
Employed part-time
9.1% 119 people
Unemployed
3.1% 40 people
Not in labour force
72.8% 955 people

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

Occupation

Community & Personal Service
37.3%
Professionals
28.5%
Clerical & Administrative
10.9%
Managers
7.3%
Technicians & Trade Workers
7.3%
Labourers
3.6%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
3.1%
Sales Workers
2.1%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
0.9%
$150-$299/wk
6.2%
$300-$399/wk
6.0%
$400-$499/wk
8.2%
$500-$649/wk
8.0%
$650-$799/wk
11.1%
$800-$999/wk
10.0%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
9.3%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.3%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
7.8%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.1%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
8.6%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
4.4%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
2.4%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
0.7%
$4,000+/wk
4.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
7.9%
$1-$149/wk
3.7%
$150-$299/wk
34.4%
$300-$399/wk
10.1%
$400-$499/wk
3.6%
$500-$649/wk
4.5%
$650-$799/wk
10.4%
$800-$999/wk
6.4%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
6.7%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
3.8%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
2.2%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
2.7%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
2.4%
$3,500+/wk
1.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Walked only
39.7%
Car (driver)
37.2%
Car (passenger)
12.9%
Bus
4.9%
Did not go to work
4.0%
Other
1.2%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
34.0%
Year 10 or equivalent
33.4%
Year 11 or equivalent
19.3%
Year 9 or equivalent
13.3%

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
52.3%
Bachelor Degree
17.4%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
15.5%
Certificate I/II
8.0%
Postgraduate Degree
4.5%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
2.3%

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

Field of Study

Education
24.4%
Society & Culture
18.3%
Health
16.5%
Management & Commerce
15.2%
Engineering
9.1%
Architecture & Building
8.5%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
6.1%
Natural & Physical Sciences
1.8%

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

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
46.2%
Primary: Catholic
23.3%
Secondary: Government
14.3%
Pre-school
5.8%
Secondary: Catholic
4.9%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
2.4%
Vocational Education
1.9%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
1.3%

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
90.3%
Has need for assistance
3.3%
Need for assistance not stated
6.5%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Diabetes
61
Mental health
45
Heart disease
39
Asthma
18
Kidney disease
18
Arthritis
14
Stroke
12
Lung condition
10
Dementia
4
Cancer
3

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
11.8% 157
Did not provide
88.2% 1,173

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
5.9% 79
Not a volunteer
94.1% 1,265

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Previously served
1.3% 18
Never served
98.7% 1,346

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
35.9%
1 child
15.2%
2 children
13.3%
3 children
12.4%
4 children
12.9%
5+ children
10.4%

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

When Migrants Arrived

1971: 1980
7
1981: 1990
3
1991: 2000
8
2001: 2010
6
2016
3
2017
4
2018
5
2019
7

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

Population Mobility

6.6%
moved in the last year
16.1%
moved in the last 5 years
10.4%
unemployment rate (Census)
27.3%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
1,843
Moved from QLD
61
Moved: same area (SA2)
55
Moved from NT
7
Moved from NSW
3
Moved from SA
3

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
33.8%
5: 14 hours
15.7%
15: 29 hours
7.7%
30+ hours
3.6%
Did not do domestic work
39.2%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
64.9%
Intact family: other children present
9.7%
Step family: no other children
8.4%
Other couple: children only
7.8%
Blended family: no other children
6.5%
Blended family: other children present
2.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Palm Island Crime Statistics

1,352 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Assault
564
Domestic Violence
413
Drug Offences
126
Break & Enter
71
Property Damage
52
Traffic
52
Theft
40
Sexual Offences
20
Weapons
8
Fraud
6

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

Kowanyama
Income: $341/wk Rent: $115/wk $10/wk less rent
Doomadgee
Income: $354/wk Rent: $120/wk $5/wk less rent
Hope Vale
Income: $390/wk Rent: $120/wk $5/wk less rent
Cherbourg
Income: $375/wk Rent: $100/wk $25/wk less rent
Woorabinda
Income: $361/wk Rent: $120/wk $5/wk less rent

Compare Palm Island

Frequently Asked Questions About Palm Island

What is the population of Palm Island QLD?

The population of Palm Island QLD is 2,138 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 24 people per km². Palm Island is ranked #2,928 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Palm Island?

The median personal income in Palm Island QLD is $384 per week, or $19,968 per year. The median household income is $973 per week. Family income is $898 per week. Palm Island is ranked #8,793 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Palm Island?

Median rent in Palm Island QLD is $125 per week ($542 per month). Rent represents 12.8% of household income, which is considered affordable. Palm Island ranks #8,470 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Palm Island?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Palm Island QLD is $2,167. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Palm Island?

The median age in Palm Island QLD is 27 years. This is younger than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Palm Island a good suburb to live in?

Palm Island is a suburb in Queensland with a population of 2,138. The median income is $384/wk, which is below the typical QLD suburb ($747/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (12.8% 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: 32260. All dollar figures in AUD.