Gladstone Central vs South Gladstone

In Gladstone Central, most households rent, most homes are flats or apartments, and most households are people living alone. In South Gladstone, about half of households rent, most homes are detached houses, and about half of households are people living alone. On these figures, Gladstone Central tends to suit renters and people living alone, while South Gladstone suits families with children.

South Gladstone has a notably larger population of 3476 compared to Gladstone Central's 1550, and scores higher on liveability at 39 versus 26. Gladstone Central offers better walkability (69 versus 61) and slightly higher median household income ($68,848 versus $66,716), though it carries a higher crime risk rating of 98 compared to South Gladstone's 83. Rental yields are comparable between the two, with Gladstone Central showing a modest edge for houses at 4.9% and South Gladstone slightly ahead for units at 6.2%. Both suburbs are similarly distant from the CBD and face no bushfire or flood risk.

Written by an AI language model from the figures below. Every number in it is checked against those figures before it is published.

Which one suits you?

There is no overall winner — the suburb that suits a family with school-age kids is routinely the wrong one for someone commuting into the city. So each of these answers its own question, against a checklist you can see, using the same figures in the tables below.

Families with school-age kids

South Gladstone

ahead on 4 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more separate houses rather than flats (64% vs 32%)
  • has more schools rated above their peers (1 vs 0)
  • is already more of a family suburb (46% vs 26%)
  • But Gladstone Central has more parks and reserves (11 vs 8)

Weighs schools, house stock, crime, parks, childcare, and who already lives there.

First-home buyers

They split

one each way, out of the 3 things we measure here

  • Gladstone Central leaves households under less mortgage stress (20% vs 26%)
  • South Gladstone has cheaper units ($288,000 vs $345,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Gladstone Central

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (69% vs 49%)

Weighs rent, rental stress, and how much is for rent.

Commuting to the city

South Gladstone

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a shorter drive in (366 min vs 371 min)
  • sits closer to the CBD (526.4 km vs 529.5 km)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

They split

one each way, out of the 5 things we measure here

  • Gladstone Central has more units and townhouses to downsize into (68% vs 36%)
  • South Gladstone carries lower crime risk (83/100 vs 98/100)

Weighs smaller dwellings, who already lives there, GPs, walkability, and crime.

Investors

They split

one each way, out of the 3 things we measure here

  • Gladstone Central returns a higher gross yield on houses (5.0% vs 4.2%)
  • South Gladstone is growing faster (5.5% vs 0.2%)

Weighs house yield, unit yield, and population growth.

Where they sit

Gladstone Central and South Gladstone drawn to the same scale. Both outlines are shown together, so the map answers whether they share a border and how their areas compare.

Gladstone Central South Gladstone
Hides rows where both suburbs match

Bars start at zero. Scores, risks and rankings are drawn against their full 0–100 range; other rows are drawn in proportion to the larger of the two.

Side by side, out of 100

Risks are inverted — shown as safety and low exposure — so a longer bar always means better.

Gladstone Central South Gladstone
Walkability 69 / 63
Gladstone Central — Walkability: 69/100 South Gladstone — Walkability: 63/100
Safety 2 / 17
Gladstone Central — Safety: 2/100 South Gladstone — Safety: 17/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Gladstone Central — Low fire risk: 100/100 South Gladstone — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

South Gladstone has more residents (3,476 vs 1,550).

Gladstone Central South Gladstone
Population 1,550 3,476
+124% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +0.2% +5.5%
Median age 39
same for both
Median household income $68,848/yr
+3% vs other
 $66,716/yr
Median weekly rent $240/wk
same for both

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Gladstone Central South Gladstone
0-4 5.7% / 5.5%
Gladstone Central — 0-4: 5.7% South Gladstone — 0-4: 5.5%
5-14 7.5% / 12.5%
Gladstone Central — 5-14: 7.5% South Gladstone — 5-14: 12.5%
15-19 5.4% / 7.0%
Gladstone Central — 15-19: 5.4% South Gladstone — 15-19: 7.0%
20-24 8.6% / 6.2%
Gladstone Central — 20-24: 8.6% South Gladstone — 20-24: 6.2%
25-34 16.8% / 12.6%
Gladstone Central — 25-34: 16.8% South Gladstone — 25-34: 12.6%
35-44 13.7% / 13.4%
Gladstone Central — 35-44: 13.7% South Gladstone — 35-44: 13.4%
45-54 15.9% / 14.7%
Gladstone Central — 45-54: 15.9% South Gladstone — 45-54: 14.7%
55-64 14.5% / 14.1%
Gladstone Central — 55-64: 14.5% South Gladstone — 55-64: 14.1%
65-74 8.4% / 8.5%
Gladstone Central — 65-74: 8.4% South Gladstone — 65-74: 8.5%
75-84 2.6% / 4.0%
Gladstone Central — 75-84: 2.6% South Gladstone — 75-84: 4.0%
85+ 1.2% / 1.6%
Gladstone Central — 85+: 1.2% South Gladstone — 85+: 1.6%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (16.8%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Gladstone Central 66.4% lone person
Gladstone Central — Lone Person: 66.4% Gladstone Central — Couple Families: 16.4% Gladstone Central — One Parent Families: 9.9% Gladstone Central — Group Household: 5.7% Gladstone Central — Other Families: 1.5%
South Gladstone 47.1% lone person
South Gladstone — Lone Person: 47.1% South Gladstone — Couple Families: 28.9% South Gladstone — One Parent Families: 17.5% South Gladstone — Group Household: 5.6% South Gladstone — Other Families: 0.9%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Gladstone Central 69.0% renting
Gladstone Central — Owned Outright: 16.5% Gladstone Central — Mortgage: 14.6% Gladstone Central — Renting: 69.0%
South Gladstone 49.4% renting
South Gladstone — Owned Outright: 22.4% South Gladstone — Mortgage: 28.2% South Gladstone — Renting: 49.4%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Where residents were born

Largest overseas birthplaces, as a share of all residents, 2021 Census. A dash means that country is not among the suburb's own eight largest.

Gladstone Central South Gladstone
New Zealand 3.4% / 3.0%
Gladstone Central — New Zealand: 3.4% South Gladstone — New Zealand: 3.0%
Philippines 2.1% / 3.8%
Gladstone Central — Philippines: 2.1% South Gladstone — Philippines: 3.8%
England 2.7% / 2.3%
Gladstone Central — England: 2.7% South Gladstone — England: 2.3%
India 3.2% / 1.0%
Gladstone Central — India: 3.2% South Gladstone — India: 1.0%
South Africa 1.0% / 0.7%
Gladstone Central — South Africa: 1.0% South Gladstone — South Africa: 0.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (3.8%).

Qualifications

Highest non-school qualification, residents 15+, 2021 Census.

Gladstone Central South Gladstone
Certificate III & IV 17.6% / 19.7%
Gladstone Central — Certificate III & IV: 17.6% South Gladstone — Certificate III & IV: 19.7%
Bachelor Degree 12.6% / 8.3%
Gladstone Central — Bachelor Degree: 12.6% South Gladstone — Bachelor Degree: 8.3%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 4.1% / 5.3%
Gladstone Central — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 4.1% South Gladstone — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 5.3%
Postgraduate Degree 3.4% / 2.0%
Gladstone Central — Postgraduate Degree: 3.4% South Gladstone — Postgraduate Degree: 2.0%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.3% / 1.0%
Gladstone Central — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.3% South Gladstone — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.0%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (19.7%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Gladstone Central 32.0% houses
Gladstone Central — Houses: 32.0% Gladstone Central — Flats / Apartments: 58.3% Gladstone Central — Townhouses: 9.8%
South Gladstone 64.5% houses
South Gladstone — Houses: 64.5% South Gladstone — Flats / Apartments: 12.5% South Gladstone — Townhouses: 23.1%
Houses Flats / Apartments Townhouses

Property market

Gladstone Central South Gladstone
Median house price $535,000 $541,444
Median unit price $345,000 $288,000
Median land price — $195,000
Typical days to sell (houses) 48 days
from 26 sales
 35 days
from 60 sales

Unit price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

Gladstone Central South Gladstone
2 bed $345K / $280K
Gladstone Central — 2 bed: $345K (102 sales) South Gladstone — 2 bed: $280K (49 sales)

102 vs 49 sales

3 bed $390K / $430K
Gladstone Central — 3 bed: $390K (12 sales) South Gladstone — 3 bed: $430K (13 sales)

12 vs 13 sales

House price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

Gladstone Central South Gladstone
2 bed $465K / $335K
Gladstone Central — 2 bed: $465K (15 sales) South Gladstone — 2 bed: $335K (19 sales)

15 vs 19 sales

3 bed $525K / $510K
Gladstone Central — 3 bed: $525K (23 sales) South Gladstone — 3 bed: $510K (60 sales)

23 vs 60 sales

4 bed $622K / $650K
Gladstone Central — 4 bed: $622K (8 sales) South Gladstone — 4 bed: $650K (50 sales)

8 vs 50 sales

Development activity

Gladstone Central South Gladstone
New dwellings approved 274
across Gladstone
same for both
Approvals change year on year +132%
same for both

Gross rental yield

Gross — before strata, rates, management, insurance and vacancy. From median advertised rents and median asking prices over the last 6 months. How we calculate.

Gladstone Central South Gladstone
Houses 5.0%
$450/wk on $464K
 4.2%
$470/wk on $584K
Units 6.0%
$435/wk on $379K
 6.2%
$355/wk on $299K

Ranking within QLD

Gladstone Central South Gladstone
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 35% of QLD Higher than 33% of QLD
Schools — Higher than 76% of QLD
Walkability Higher than 91% of QLD Higher than 90% of QLD
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 35% of QLD Higher than 36% of QLD
NBN connectivity Higher than 78% of QLD
same for both
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 92% of QLD Higher than 63% of QLD
Rental yield (units) Higher than 88% of QLD Higher than 92% of QLD

Liveability

South Gladstone scores higher overall (43 vs 30).

Gladstone Central South Gladstone
Grade D C
Score 30/100 43/100
Socio-economic band below-average income
decile 2/10
 high-need area
decile 1/10

Risk profile

Gladstone Central carries more crime risk (98 vs 83).

Gladstone Central South Gladstone
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime High
98/100
 High
83/100
Flood Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 13
within 5 km
same for both

Schools

Gladstone Central South Gladstone
Inside the suburb 2 3
Rated above peers 0 1
Rated at peers 1
same for both
Rated below peers 1 0

Schools in Gladstone Central

  • Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School Catholic · Primary at peers
  • Gladstone Central State School Government · Primary below peers

Schools in South Gladstone

  • Toolooa State High School Government · Secondary above peers
  • Gladstone South State School Government · Primary at peers
  • Trinity College - South Gladstone Campus Independent · Secondary

Amenities in the suburb

Gladstone Central South Gladstone
Supermarkets 1 0
Cafes & restaurants 4 0
Parks & reserves 11 8
Childcare 4 2
GPs 2
same for both
Pharmacies 2 1
Police stations 1 0
Banks & Bank@Post 7 1
Fuel stations 2 1
Waterways 1 2

Mobility

Gladstone Central sits further from the CBD (529.5 km vs 526.4 km).

Gladstone Central South Gladstone
Walkability score 69/100 63/100
Distance to Brisbane 529.5 km 526.4 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 371 min 366 min
Public transport score 30/100
Bus
 41/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 8.2
7-9am + 5-7pm
 13.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 0.3%
postcode 4680
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 59
postcode 4680
same for both

How people get to work

Method of travel on census day 2021 — which fell during COVID restrictions, so working from home is inflated and every travel mode understated.

Gladstone Central South Gladstone
Car (driver) 71.4% / 83.4%
Gladstone Central — Car (driver): 71.4% South Gladstone — Car (driver): 83.4%
Walked Only 14.1% / 2.4%
Gladstone Central — Walked Only: 14.1% South Gladstone — Walked Only: 2.4%
Car (passenger) 6.0% / 7.4%
Gladstone Central — Car (passenger): 6.0% South Gladstone — Car (passenger): 7.4%
Worked from Home 6.3% / 4.6%
Gladstone Central — Worked from Home: 6.3% South Gladstone — Worked from Home: 4.6%
Bicycle 1.5% / 1.5%
Gladstone Central — Bicycle: 1.5% South Gladstone — Bicycle: 1.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (83.4%).

Setting

Gladstone Central South Gladstone
Elevation 6 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 39 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 949 m 1.5 km

NBN connectivity

Gladstone Central South Gladstone
Connectivity score 69/100 68/100
Most common technology Fibre to the node
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 19%
2,416 premises
 31%
2,158 premises

Climate

Gladstone Central South Gladstone
Annual rainfall 851 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 31.8°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 14.5°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Gladstone Central South Gladstone
PM2.5 — 5.3 µg/m³
PM10 — 16.0 µg/m³
NO₂ 0.38 pphm 0.49 pphm

Council rates

Gladstone Central South Gladstone
Average residential rate $2,358/yr
same for both
Council Gladstone
same for both

Federal electorate

Gladstone Central South Gladstone
Division Flynn
same for both
Member Colin Boyce
same for both
Party Liberal National Party of Queensland
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Gladstone Central South Gladstone
Grant amount $30,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Gladstone Central

Affordable Apartments Coastal Parks

South Gladstone

Affordable Coastal Townhouses

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Gladstone Central

Gladstone Central vs West Gladstone Gladstone Central vs Barney Point

Other comparisons with South Gladstone

South Gladstone vs West Gladstone South Gladstone vs Sun Valley South Gladstone vs Barney Point South Gladstone vs Toolooa
Full data on Gladstone Central Full data on South Gladstone
Unlock full address-level data — $29/month

Information shown is provided as-is from Australian government and commercial data sources.
Always verify with the relevant authority before making property decisions.
See Data Sources and How We Calculate for details.

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