Russell Island, QLD: suburb profile

The population of Russell Island QLD is 3,698 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Russell Island is $449 per week ($23,348 per year). Median rent in Russell Island is $260 per week ($1,127 per month). Russell Island has a median age of 59 years, older than the national median of 38. Russell Island has a population density of 211 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Russell Island is New Zealand. The most common religion is No religion (38.6% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is French. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Russell Island is $867.

There were 747 recorded offences in Russell Island in 2025-26, a rate of 202 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was drug offences (280 offences).

Population
3,698
Census 2021
Median income
$449/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$260/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
59years
Census 2021

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

Russell Island vs the typical QLD suburb

The median personal income in Russell Island is $449 a week, 40% below the typical QLD suburb ($747). That ranks 1,475th of 1,527 QLD suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $260 a week, $60 less than the typical QLD suburb. Rent takes 34.4% of the median household income here, against 20.4% in the typical QLD suburb. The median resident is 59, 17 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.
MeasureRussell IslandTypical QLDDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$449/wk$747/wk −40%$766/wk
Household income$756/wk$1,593/wk −53%$1,637/wk
Rent$260/wk$320/wk −19%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$867/mo$1,625/mo −47%$1,733/mo
Median age5942 +17 yrs42
Rent share of household income34.4%20.4% +14.0 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 Russell Island, the typical QLD suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Russell Island Population

3,698 residents at the 2021 Census.

Russell Island Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$449/wk
$23,348 per year
Ranked 8,649 of 14,663
Median Rent
$260/wk
$1,127 per month
Ranked 5,884 of 14,663
Median Age
59years
21 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$867/mo
Avg household size: 1.9 · 0.8 per bedroom

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

Russell Island Rent Prices & Affordability

34% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $756/wk
Median rent $260/wk
Rent to income 34.4%

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

Median rent in Russell Island against your income

About $3,276 a month
Median rent $260/wk
Left after rent $496/wk
Rent share 34.4%

Russell Island Schools

1
schools nearby
1
government
922
avg ICSEA score
179
total students
Russell Island State School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 179 students
922
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 Russell Island, with a map

Russell Island Map

Russell Island, Queensland Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

People in Russell Island

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 51.7% (1,914) Female 48.3% (1,785)

Population Density

211
people per km²
3,698 people · 17.5 km²

Households

1.9
Avg household size
0.8
Persons per bedroom
$929
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
7.5%
England
6.3%
Philippines
1.2%
Germany
0.9%
Scotland
0.6%
South Africa
0.6%
United States of America
0.5%

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

Most common languages at home other than English

French
0.6%
German
0.5%
Tagalog
0.4%
Filipino
0.3%
Italian
0.3%
Polish
0.2%
Vietnamese
0.2%

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

Ancestry

English
44.7%
Australian
31.7%
Irish
14.1%
Scottish
12.7%
German
5.3%
Australian Aboriginal
4.5%
Dutch
1.9%
Italian
1.6%
New Zealander
1.6%
Filipino
1.6%
Maori
1.5%

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
38.6%
Anglican
14.8%
Catholic
14.0%
Not stated
11.5%
Christian (other)
4.0%
Presbyterian and Reformed
3.3%
Uniting Church
2.9%
Buddhism
1.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

5.2%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
38.1% 1,278
Separated
6.5% 219
Divorced
20.4% 682
Widowed
6.8% 228
Never married
28.2% 944

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: no children
49.9%
Couple: children under 15
16.8%
One parent: children under 15
11.3%
Couple: no children under 15
11.2%
One parent: no children under 15
10.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
40.0%
2 persons
42.4%
3 persons
10.6%
4 persons
3.6%
5 persons
2.0%
6+ persons
1.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Russell Island

Housing Tenure

Of the 1,760 occupied private dwellings in Russell Island at the 2021 Census, 25.5% were rented, 48.4% owned outright and 21.9% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.8% 31 dwellings
Owned outright
48.4% 852 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
21.9% 386 dwellings
Rented
25.5% 448 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
2.3% 40 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
100.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
6.1%
2 bedrooms
38.5%
3 bedrooms
47.0%
4 bedrooms
6.8%
5 bedrooms
1.2%
6+ bedrooms
0.4%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
11.4%
$300-$449/mo
11.4%
$450-$599/mo
8.0%
$600-$799/mo
12.9%
$800-$999/mo
15.7%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
26.3%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
8.3%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
6.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
11.1%
1 vehicle
51.1%
2 vehicles
28.7%
3 vehicles
6.4%
4+ vehicles
2.7%

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

Work, income and education in Russell Island

Employment

Employed full-time
12.2% 354 people
Employed part-time
13.4% 390 people
Unemployed
4.9% 143 people
Not in labour force
69.5% 2,017 people

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

Occupation

Community & Personal Service
21.2%
Technicians & Trade Workers
17.9%
Professionals
15.2%
Labourers
11.7%
Managers
10.7%
Sales Workers
9.6%
Clerical & Administrative
7.7%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
6.0%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
2.5%
$1-$149/wk
0.6%
$150-$299/wk
3.1%
$300-$399/wk
5.8%
$400-$499/wk
18.1%
$500-$649/wk
9.3%
$650-$799/wk
15.2%
$800-$999/wk
13.1%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
10.7%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
6.2%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
4.3%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
3.1%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
4.0%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
1.5%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
0.9%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
0.5%
$4,000+/wk
0.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
10.0%
$1-$149/wk
3.3%
$150-$299/wk
12.1%
$300-$399/wk
14.8%
$400-$499/wk
15.0%
$500-$649/wk
7.4%
$650-$799/wk
10.1%
$800-$999/wk
9.4%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
7.1%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
3.6%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
2.3%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
1.2%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
2.1%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
0.5%
$3,500+/wk
1.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
56.0%
Did not go to work
20.9%
Walked only
8.0%
Ferry
4.3%
Car (passenger)
3.9%
Other
2.2%
Truck
2.0%
Motorbike/Scooter
1.4%
Bicycle
0.6%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.6%

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

Education Level

Year 10 or equivalent
39.2%
Year 12 or equivalent
38.9%
Year 9 or equivalent
11.4%
Year 11 or equivalent
10.5%

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
53.6%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
21.2%
Bachelor Degree
16.0%
Postgraduate Degree
3.7%
Certificate I/II
3.1%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
2.4%

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

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
19.5%
Society & Culture
17.9%
Engineering
14.9%
Health
11.6%
Architecture & Building
10.6%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
8.8%
Creative Arts
5.4%
Education
5.0%
Agriculture & Environment
2.6%
Information Technology
2.2%
Natural & Physical Sciences
1.4%

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

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
38.5%
Secondary: Government
32.4%
Vocational Education
16.7%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
3.6%
Pre-school
3.6%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
3.6%
Primary: Catholic
1.5%

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
75.7%
Has need for assistance
14.5%
Need for assistance not stated
9.8%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
690
Arthritis
361
Lung condition
256
Heart disease
201
Diabetes
193
Asthma
155
Cancer
114
Stroke
87
Kidney disease
70
Dementia
13

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
18.9% 564
Did not provide
81.1% 2,424

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
12.9% 390
Not a volunteer
87.1% 2,625

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Reserves
0.1% 4
Previously served
6.2% 187
Never served
93.7% 2,847

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
23.9%
1 child
13.0%
2 children
27.1%
3 children
22.0%
4 children
11.0%
5+ children
3.0%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
15
1951: 1960
71
1961: 1970
133
1971: 1980
138
1981: 1990
159
1991: 2000
99
2001: 2010
123
2011: 2015
55
2016
7
2017
3
2018
11
2019
6
2020
4
2021
3

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

Population Mobility

21.3%
moved in the last year
52.4%
moved in the last 5 years
14.2%
unemployment rate (Census)
30.1%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
2,590
Moved from QLD
309
Moved: same area (SA2)
237
Moved from NSW
66
Moved from VIC
30
Moved from overseas
23
Moved from TAS
9
Moved from NT
9
Moved from SA
8
Moved from WA
7

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
14.8%
5: 14 hours
25.3%
15: 29 hours
16.2%
30+ hours
13.7%
Did not do domestic work
29.9%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
71.2%
Step family: no other children
20.9%
Blended family: no other children
4.0%
Other couple: children only
4.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Russell Island Crime Statistics

747 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Drug Offences
280
Assault
110
Theft
99
Domestic Violence
73
Break & Enter
49
Property Damage
37
Fraud
28
Traffic
27
Weapons
24
Sexual Offences
16
Robbery
4

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

Suburbs near Russell Island

The closest suburb to Russell Island is Macleay Island, 7.8 km away.

Macleay Island
7.8 km away · income $450/wk · rent $260/wk
Redland Bay
10.2 km away · income $835/wk · rent $465/wk
Jacobs Well
12.7 km away · income $903/wk · rent $465/wk
Carbrook
13.6 km away · income $748/wk · rent $375/wk
Victoria Point (Qld)
14.1 km away · income $703/wk · rent $450/wk
Pimpama
17.0 km away · income $856/wk · rent $440/wk

Frequently Asked Questions About Russell Island

What is the population of Russell Island QLD?

The population of Russell Island QLD is 3,698 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 211 people per km². Russell Island is ranked #2,046 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Russell Island?

The median personal income in Russell Island QLD is $449 per week, or $23,348 per year. The median household income is $756 per week. Family income is $929 per week. Russell Island is ranked #8,649 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Russell Island?

Median rent in Russell Island QLD is $260 per week ($1,127 per month). Rent represents 34.4% of household income, which is considered moderate. Russell Island ranks #5,884 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Russell Island?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Russell Island QLD is $867. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Russell Island?

The median age in Russell Island QLD is 59 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Russell Island a good suburb to live in?

Russell Island is a suburb in Queensland with a population of 3,698. The median income is $449/wk, which is below the typical QLD suburb ($747/wk). Rent affordability is rated as moderate (34.4% 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: 32497. All dollar figures in AUD.