Alice River (Qld)

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Analysis of ABS demographic updates and recently confirmed addresses from Districts indicates that the suburb of Alice River has an estimated population of 3,178 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 493 people (18.4%) from the 2,685 residents recorded in the 2021 Census. The projection is based on a resident population estimate of 3,043 calculated by Districts using the ABS release of June 2025 ERP data, combined with 154 validated new addresses added since the Census. This population level translates to a density of 79 persons per square kilometer, indicating low density and ample space for future residential expansion. The 18.4% growth rate in the suburb of Alice River since the 2021 census outpaced the wider SA4 region (7.1%) and the corresponding SA3 area, establishing the community as a regional growth leader. The primary driver of this population growth was interstate migration, which accounted for approximately of the gains, although natural increase and overseas migration also contributed positively.

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The suburb of Alice River is characterized by a skilled resident workforce with solid representation in essential services, and an unemployment rate of only 1.9% based on aggregated local statistical data. By March 2026, 1,532 local residents were employed. The jobless rate sits 2.0% below the Regional Qld average of 3.9%, while the labor participation rate remains close to the regional benchmark of 64.3%. Census data indicates a minor 6.8% portion of the workforce operated from home, though this figure may have been influenced by pandemic-related lockdown measures.

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Aggregated ATO statistics for the 2023 financial year show that taxpayers in the suburb of Alice River recorded a median income of $54,156 and an average income of $61,264. These figures are below national averages and compare to regional benchmarks of $53,146 (median) and $66,593 (average) across Regional Qld. Adjusted for a Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since the 2023 financial year, current estimated income levels would stand at approximately $60,308 for the median and $68,224 on average as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census places household, family, and personal incomes in the suburb of Alice River in high brackets, ranking between the 78th and 90th percentiles nationwide. The largest earnings bracket consists of 39.5% of residents (1,255 people) earning between and weekly, which is higher than the regional average of for the same bracket. High earners also form a notable segment, with of the population earning more than per week, reflecting significant local spending power. Housing costs absorb of income, while strong household earnings place residents in the th percentile for disposable income, and the local SEIFA income decile is .

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According to the latest Census data, the dwelling stock in the suburb of Alice River consisted of 100.0% houses, with other dwelling types such as apartments and semi-detached properties representing none of the market, compared to Regional Qld where houses make up 76.4% and alternative structures account for 23.6%. The rate of outright home ownership was 27.3%, trailing the wider Regional Qld average, while the remaining homes were occupied by mortgagors (65.3%) or tenants (7.4%). The median monthly mortgage payment was $2,000, which is higher than the regional median of $1,655, and the median weekly rent was $415, compared to Regional Qld's median of $345. Locally, mortgage costs exceed the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents are also notably higher than the national figure of $375.

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Families make up the vast majority of households in the suburb of Alice River at 90.5%, comprising couples with children at 48.1%, couples without children at 33.4%, and single parents at 9.0%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 9.5%, consisting of single-person households at 8.1% and group households at 0.9%. The median household size of 3.1 residents is larger than the Regional Qld average of 2.5.

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Educational attainment profiles show that 17.3% of residents in the suburb of Alice River hold university qualifications, which is below the national average of 30.4%. Within tertiary education, bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.3%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 3.2% and graduate diplomas at 1.8%. Vocational and trade qualifications are highly prevalent, with 43.8% of residents aged 15 and over holding these credentials, split between advanced diplomas (10.7%) and certificates (33.1%).

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The suburb of Alice River shows health characteristics that align closely with national averages. Assessment of mortality and chronic illnesses indicates that common conditions are slightly more prevalent than average across both young and old age groups, while the rate of private health insurance coverage is relatively low at approximately 51% of the population (~1,636 people).

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Cultural diversity measures are lower than average in the suburb of Alice River, where 90.8% of the population was born in Australia, 95.6% hold citizenship, and 98.3% speak only English at home. The most common religious affiliation is Christianity, followed by 58.1% of the community, compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld.

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The median age in the suburb of Alice River is 38 years, which is identical to the Australian average and slightly below the Regional Qld median of 41 years. The 45 - 54 age group shows a high representation at 14.2% compared to Regional Qld, while the 75 - 84 cohort is less common at 3.8%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 25 to 34 increased from 11.8% to 14.4%, and the 0 to 4 group grew from 6.2% to 7.3%. Over the same period, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 16.5% to 13.4%, and the 15 to 24 age bracket fell from to . Population projections for point to changing demographics, with the to age bracket forecast to increase by ( people) to reach from while the to group is expected to decrease by people.

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Alice River currently has an estimated 231 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 152 children aged 0-2 and 102 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 39% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 2% by 2041 (to approximately 235 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 345. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 15.4 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the top 20% of areas assessed nationally.