River Heads, QLD: suburb profile

The population of River Heads QLD is 2,044 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in River Heads is $543 per week ($28,236 per year). Median rent in River Heads is $350 per week ($1,517 per month). River Heads has a median age of 54 years, older than the national median of 38. River Heads has a population density of 146 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in River Heads is England. The most common religion is No religion (44.6% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is German. The median monthly mortgage repayment in River Heads is $1,400.

Population
2,044
Census 2021
Median income
$543/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$350/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
54years
Census 2021

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

River Heads vs the typical QLD suburb

The median personal income in River Heads is $543 a week, 27% below the typical QLD suburb ($747). That ranks 1,332nd of 1,527 QLD suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $350 a week, $30 more than the typical QLD suburb. Rent takes 28.2% of the median household income here, against 20.4% in the typical QLD suburb. The median resident is 54, 12 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.
MeasureRiver HeadsTypical QLDDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$543/wk$747/wk −27%$766/wk
Household income$1,243/wk$1,593/wk −22%$1,637/wk
Rent$350/wk$320/wk +9%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,400/mo$1,625/mo −14%$1,733/mo
Median age5442 +12 yrs42
Rent share of household income28.2%20.4% +7.7 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 River Heads, the typical QLD suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

River Heads Population

2,044 residents at the 2021 Census.

River Heads Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$543/wk
$28,236 per year
Ranked 7,799 of 14,663
Median Rent
$350/wk
$1,517 per month
Ranked 3,104 of 14,663
Median Age
54years
16 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$1,400/mo
Avg household size: 2.4 · 0.8 per bedroom

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

River Heads Rent Prices & Affordability

28% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $1,243/wk
Median rent $350/wk
Rent to income 28.2%

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

Median rent in River Heads against your income

About $5,386 a month
Median rent $350/wk
Left after rent $893/wk
Rent share 28.2%

River Heads Map

River Heads, Queensland Map data: OpenStreetMap
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People in River Heads

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 50.3% (1,027) Female 49.7% (1,015)

Population Density

146
people per km²
2,044 people · 14.0 km²

Households

2.4
Avg household size
0.8
Persons per bedroom
$1,347
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
5.6%
New Zealand
4.5%
Philippines
1.0%
South Africa
0.7%
Netherlands
0.6%
Scotland
0.4%
Germany
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

German
0.5%
Mandarin
0.3%
Filipino
0.3%
French
0.2%
Polish
0.2%
Thai
0.2%
Afrikaans
0.2%

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

Ancestry

English
48.0%
Australian
38.1%
Scottish
12.4%
Irish
11.5%
German
6.8%
Australian Aboriginal
4.8%
Dutch
2.7%
Italian
1.9%
Filipino
1.6%
New Zealander
1.4%
Maori
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
44.6%
Anglican
17.4%
Catholic
15.8%
Not stated
5.3%
Uniting Church
3.4%
Presbyterian and Reformed
3.3%
Christian (other)
2.2%
Baptist
2.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

5.5%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
54.4% 968
Separated
4.2% 75
Divorced
12.2% 218
Widowed
4.4% 79
Never married
24.7% 440

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: no children
48.7%
Couple: children under 15
25.2%
Couple: no children under 15
12.7%
One parent: children under 15
8.7%
One parent: no children under 15
4.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
19.0%
2 persons
51.3%
3 persons
13.2%
4 persons
8.6%
5 persons
4.9%
6+ persons
3.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in River Heads

Housing Tenure

Of the 789 occupied private dwellings in River Heads at the 2021 Census, 16.2% were rented, 47.1% owned outright and 35.2% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.4% 11 dwellings
Owned outright
47.1% 372 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
35.2% 278 dwellings
Rented
16.2% 128 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.4% 11 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
99.2%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
0.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
3.0%
2 bedrooms
14.5%
3 bedrooms
42.8%
4 bedrooms
34.9%
5 bedrooms
3.6%
6+ bedrooms
1.2%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
2.7%
$300-$449/mo
5.0%
$450-$599/mo
5.4%
$600-$799/mo
6.2%
$800-$999/mo
5.4%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
25.6%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
20.5%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
22.5%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
3.9%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
2.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
0.6%
1 vehicle
28.0%
2 vehicles
42.8%
3 vehicles
18.5%
4+ vehicles
10.1%

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

Work, income and education in River Heads

Employment

Employed full-time
24.7% 410 people
Employed part-time
19.2% 319 people
Unemployed
4.8% 79 people
Not in labour force
51.4% 853 people

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

Occupation

Community & Personal Service
21.7%
Professionals
18.7%
Technicians & Trade Workers
16.1%
Labourers
11.5%
Clerical & Administrative
11.0%
Managers
8.3%
Sales Workers
6.6%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
6.0%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
3.4%
$1-$149/wk
1.4%
$150-$299/wk
0.7%
$300-$399/wk
2.3%
$400-$499/wk
7.8%
$500-$649/wk
5.2%
$650-$799/wk
11.1%
$800-$999/wk
10.0%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
8.9%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
9.3%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
7.4%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.8%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
10.2%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
7.3%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
4.1%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
1.2%
$4,000+/wk
3.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
12.2%
$1-$149/wk
3.8%
$150-$299/wk
9.0%
$300-$399/wk
8.2%
$400-$499/wk
7.0%
$500-$649/wk
4.7%
$650-$799/wk
10.7%
$800-$999/wk
11.2%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
11.5%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
5.9%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.6%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
4.2%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
3.6%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
0.7%
$3,500+/wk
1.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
74.3%
Did not go to work
16.0%
Car (passenger)
5.4%
Walked only
1.6%
Other
1.2%
Truck
1.0%
Bus
0.6%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
43.5%
Year 10 or equivalent
37.9%
Year 11 or equivalent
10.5%
Year 9 or equivalent
8.1%

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
57.3%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
16.8%
Bachelor Degree
14.3%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
4.3%
Postgraduate Degree
4.2%
Certificate I/II
3.1%

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

Field of Study

Engineering
18.3%
Health
15.5%
Society & Culture
15.3%
Management & Commerce
14.8%
Education
11.3%
Architecture & Building
9.7%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
8.3%
Creative Arts
3.3%
Agriculture & Environment
1.6%
Natural & Physical Sciences
1.2%
Information Technology
0.8%

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

School & University Attendance

Secondary: Government
32.9%
Primary: Government
24.1%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
10.8%
Vocational Education
8.7%
Primary: Catholic
7.7%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
7.3%
Pre-school
7.3%
Secondary: Catholic
1.0%

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
86.0%
Has need for assistance
10.4%
Need for assistance not stated
3.5%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
323
Arthritis
156
Heart disease
103
Asthma
101
Lung condition
95
Diabetes
81
Cancer
62
Kidney disease
38
Stroke
34
Dementia
7

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
16.1% 274
Did not provide
83.9% 1,433

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
13.0% 224
Not a volunteer
87.0% 1,496

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Previously served
7.0% 121
Never served
93.0% 1,597

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
26.5%
1 child
15.3%
2 children
30.4%
3 children
17.7%
4 children
7.5%
5+ children
2.7%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
4
1951: 1960
37
1961: 1970
66
1971: 1980
66
1981: 1990
42
1991: 2000
47
2001: 2010
63
2011: 2015
15
2016
6
2018
5
2019
6

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

Population Mobility

22.5%
moved in the last year
57.1%
moved in the last 5 years
9.2%
unemployment rate (Census)
48.6%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
1,518
Moved from QLD
285
Moved: same area (SA2)
57
Moved from NSW
41
Moved from VIC
24
Moved from WA
11
Moved from ACT
5
Moved from overseas
4
Moved from SA
4
Moved from TAS
3

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
17.8%
5: 14 hours
27.8%
15: 29 hours
16.3%
30+ hours
11.8%
Did not do domestic work
26.3%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
75.0%
Step family: no other children
13.1%
Blended family: no other children
8.8%
Intact family: other children present
3.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Suburbs near River Heads

The closest suburb to River Heads is Booral (Qld), 5.7 km away.

Booral (Qld)
5.7 km away · income $585/wk · rent $335/wk
Wondunna
10.1 km away · income $765/wk · rent $390/wk
Urangan
11.2 km away · income $527/wk · rent $335/wk
Nikenbah
11.6 km away · income $740/wk · rent $390/wk
Kawungan
11.8 km away · income $550/wk · rent $340/wk
Sunshine Acres
12.0 km away · income $723/wk · rent $300/wk

Frequently Asked Questions About River Heads

What is the population of River Heads QLD?

The population of River Heads QLD is 2,044 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 146 people per km². River Heads is ranked #2,995 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in River Heads?

The median personal income in River Heads QLD is $543 per week, or $28,236 per year. The median household income is $1,243 per week. Family income is $1,347 per week. River Heads is ranked #7,799 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in River Heads?

Median rent in River Heads QLD is $350 per week ($1,517 per month). Rent represents 28.2% of household income, which is considered moderate. River Heads ranks #3,104 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in River Heads?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in River Heads QLD is $1,400. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in River Heads?

The median age in River Heads QLD is 54 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is River Heads a good suburb to live in?

River Heads is a suburb in Queensland with a population of 2,044. The median income is $543/wk, which is below the typical QLD suburb ($747/wk). Rent affordability is rated as moderate (28.2% 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: 32435. All dollar figures in AUD.