Meridan Plains vs Palmview

Palmview is the younger of the two, with a median age of 29 against 36 in Meridan Plains. In both, most homes are detached houses. In Meridan Plains, about half of households rent. In Palmview, the large majority of households own their home and most households are couple families. On these figures, Meridan Plains tends to suit renters and people living alone, while Palmview suits young adults and couples.

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

They split

one each way, out of the 6 things we measure here

  • Meridan Plains has more childcare (4 vs 1)
  • Palmview has more separate houses rather than flats (93% vs 72%)

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

First-home buyers

They split

one each way, out of the 4 things we measure here

  • Meridan Plains has cheaper units ($745,500 vs $866,000)
  • Palmview leaves households under less mortgage stress (20% vs 28%)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, land prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Meridan Plains

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (45% vs 25%)
  • has cheaper rent ($460/wk vs $510/wk)
  • But Palmview leaves renters under less rental stress (22% vs 30%)

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

Commuting to the city

Palmview

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is more walkable (33/100 vs 6/100)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Meridan Plains

ahead on 3 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (28% vs 7%)
  • has more residents already 65 and over (19% vs 5%)
  • carries lower crime risk (45/100 vs 61/100)
  • But Palmview is more walkable (33/100 vs 6/100)

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

Investors

Palmview

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is growing faster (486.3% vs 24.9%)

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Meridan Plains Palmview
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.

Meridan Plains Palmview
Walkability 6 / 33
Meridan Plains — Walkability: 6/100 Palmview — Walkability: 33/100
Safety 55 / 39
Meridan Plains — Safety: 55/100 Palmview — Safety: 39/100
Low fire risk 42 / 44
Meridan Plains — Low fire risk: 42/100 Palmview — Low fire risk: 44/100

Demographics

Palmview has higher household incomes ($119,912 vs $79,508); Meridan Plains skews older (36 vs 29).

Meridan Plains Palmview
Population 4,589 5,236
+14% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +24.9% +486.3%
Median age 36 29
Median household income $79,508/yr $119,912/yr
+51% vs other
Median weekly rent $460/wk $510/wk
+11% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Meridan Plains Palmview
0-4 6.1% / 8.9%
Meridan Plains — 0-4: 6.1% Palmview — 0-4: 8.9%
5-14 14.7% / 15.8%
Meridan Plains — 5-14: 14.7% Palmview — 5-14: 15.8%
15-19 7.5% / 6.8%
Meridan Plains — 15-19: 7.5% Palmview — 15-19: 6.8%
20-24 5.8% / 8.4%
Meridan Plains — 20-24: 5.8% Palmview — 20-24: 8.4%
25-34 14.1% / 21.0%
Meridan Plains — 25-34: 14.1% Palmview — 25-34: 21.0%
35-44 13.1% / 16.8%
Meridan Plains — 35-44: 13.1% Palmview — 35-44: 16.8%
45-54 12.7% / 11.2%
Meridan Plains — 45-54: 12.7% Palmview — 45-54: 11.2%
55-64 7.1% / 6.2%
Meridan Plains — 55-64: 7.1% Palmview — 55-64: 6.2%
65-74 7.1% / 3.3%
Meridan Plains — 65-74: 7.1% Palmview — 65-74: 3.3%
75-84 9.0% / 1.3%
Meridan Plains — 75-84: 9.0% Palmview — 75-84: 1.3%
85+ 2.9% / 0.2%
Meridan Plains — 85+: 2.9% Palmview — 85+: 0.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (21.0%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Meridan Plains 40.7% couple families
Meridan Plains — Couple Families: 40.7% Meridan Plains — Lone Person: 31.6% Meridan Plains — One Parent Families: 22.2% Meridan Plains — Group Household: 4.8% Meridan Plains — Other Families: 0.7%
Palmview 59.1% couple families
Palmview — Couple Families: 59.1% Palmview — Lone Person: 13.8% Palmview — One Parent Families: 16.5% Palmview — Group Household: 8.1% Palmview — Other Families: 2.5%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Meridan Plains 45.1% renting
Meridan Plains — Owned Outright: 22.3% Meridan Plains — Mortgage: 32.6% Meridan Plains — Renting: 45.1%
Palmview 25.0% renting
Palmview — Owned Outright: 12.0% Palmview — Mortgage: 63.1% Palmview — Renting: 25.0%
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.

Meridan Plains Palmview
England 6.1% / 6.4%
Meridan Plains — England: 6.1% Palmview — England: 6.4%
New Zealand 4.3% / 4.3%
Meridan Plains — New Zealand: 4.3% Palmview — New Zealand: 4.3%
India 2.0% / 2.2%
Meridan Plains — India: 2.0% Palmview — India: 2.2%
South Africa 1.1% / 2.2%
Meridan Plains — South Africa: 1.1% Palmview — South Africa: 2.2%
Philippines 0.6% / 0.5%
Meridan Plains — Philippines: 0.6% Palmview — Philippines: 0.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (6.4%).

Qualifications

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

Meridan Plains Palmview
Certificate III & IV 17.1% / 18.2%
Meridan Plains — Certificate III & IV: 17.1% Palmview — Certificate III & IV: 18.2%
Bachelor Degree 10.7% / 13.8%
Meridan Plains — Bachelor Degree: 10.7% Palmview — Bachelor Degree: 13.8%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 8.5% / 9.2%
Meridan Plains — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.5% Palmview — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.2%
Postgraduate Degree 2.6% / 3.4%
Meridan Plains — Postgraduate Degree: 2.6% Palmview — Postgraduate Degree: 3.4%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.4% / 1.5%
Meridan Plains — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.4% Palmview — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (18.2%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Meridan Plains 71.5% houses
Meridan Plains — Houses: 71.5% Meridan Plains — Townhouses: 24.1% Meridan Plains — Flats / Apartments: 4.4%
Palmview 92.8% houses
Palmview — Houses: 92.8% Palmview — Townhouses: 6.4% Palmview — Flats / Apartments: 0.8%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Meridan Plains Palmview
Median house price $970,000 $1,030,000
Median unit price $745,500 $866,000
Median land price $1,055,000 $925,000
Typical days to sell (houses) 24 days
from 19 sales
 26 days
from 200 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.

Meridan Plains Palmview
3 bed $909K / $910K
Meridan Plains — 3 bed: $909K (21 sales) Palmview — 3 bed: $910K (78 sales)

21 vs 78 sales

4 bed $1.11M / $1.05M
Meridan Plains — 4 bed: $1.11M (24 sales) Palmview — 4 bed: $1.05M (181 sales)

24 vs 181 sales

5 bed $1.45M / $2.05M
Meridan Plains — 5 bed: $1.45M (6 sales) Palmview — 5 bed: $2.05M (26 sales)

6 vs 26 sales

Development activity

Meridan Plains Palmview
New dwellings approved 2,962
across Sunshine Coast
same for both
Approvals change year on year -41%
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.

Meridan Plains Palmview
Houses 4.2%
$750/wk on $934K
 4.3%
$828/wk on $1.01M
Units —
same for both

Ranking within QLD

Meridan Plains Palmview
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 50% of QLD Higher than 90% of QLD
Schools — Higher than 6% of QLD
Walkability Higher than 69% of QLD Higher than 83% of QLD
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 82% of QLD Higher than 85% of QLD
NBN connectivity Higher than 94% of QLD Higher than 98% of QLD
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 63% of QLD Higher than 66% of QLD

Liveability

Palmview is more walkable (33 vs 6); Palmview scores higher overall (42 vs 35).

Meridan Plains Palmview
Grade C
same for both
Score 35/100 42/100
Socio-economic band mid-range socio-economic
decile 5/10
 very advantaged area
decile 9/10

Risk profile

Palmview carries more crime risk (61 vs 45).

Meridan Plains Palmview
Bushfire Moderate
58/100
 Moderate
56/100
Crime Moderate
45/100
 Moderate
61/100
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 3
within 5 km
 1
within 5 km

Schools

Meridan Plains Palmview
Inside the suburb 2 3
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 1 0
Rated below peers 1 2
Universities within 10 km 1
UniSC Sunshine Coast, 4.6 km
 1
UniSC Sunshine Coast, 3.4 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 1.4% 2.5%

Schools in Meridan Plains

  • Pacific Lutheran College Independent · Combined at peers
  • Meridan State College Government · Combined below peers

Schools in Palmview

  • Palmview State Primary School Government · Primary below peers
  • Palmview State Secondary College Government · Secondary below peers
  • Palmview State Special School Government · Combined · Special school

Amenities in the suburb

Meridan Plains Palmview
Supermarkets 1 0
Cafes & restaurants 1
same for both
Parks & reserves 10
same for both
Childcare 4 1
GPs 1 0
Pharmacies 1 0
Banks & Bank@Post 1 0
Fuel stations 1
same for both
Waterways 11 6

Mobility

Meridan Plains Palmview
Walkability score 6/100 33/100
Distance to Brisbane 86.5 km 86.1 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 71 min 72 min
Public transport score 38/100
Bus
 71/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 6.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
 23.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 7 min
scheduled, not actual
 1 min
scheduled, not actual
Electric vehicle share 1.0%
postcode 4551
 1.2%
postcode 4553
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 72
postcode 4551
 —
postcode 4553

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.

Meridan Plains Palmview
Car (driver) 78.6% / 78.7%
Meridan Plains — Car (driver): 78.6% Palmview — Car (driver): 78.7%
Worked from Home 11.6% / 15.3%
Meridan Plains — Worked from Home: 11.6% Palmview — Worked from Home: 15.3%
Car (passenger) 6.0% / 4.3%
Meridan Plains — Car (passenger): 6.0% Palmview — Car (passenger): 4.3%
Bicycle 1.9% / 0.4%
Meridan Plains — Bicycle: 1.9% Palmview — Bicycle: 0.4%
Walked Only 1.2% / 0.5%
Meridan Plains — Walked Only: 1.2% Palmview — Walked Only: 0.5%
Bus 0.5% / 0.9%
Meridan Plains — Bus: 0.5% Palmview — Bus: 0.9%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (78.7%).

Setting

Meridan Plains Palmview
Elevation 5 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 10 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 5.6 km 7.6 km

NBN connectivity

Meridan Plains Palmview
Connectivity score 85/100 99/100
Most common technology Fibre to the premises
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 66%
1,936 premises
 98%
3,393 premises

Air quality (annual mean)

Meridan Plains Palmview
PM2.5 5.0 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 14.0 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ 0.31 pphm
same for both

Council rates

Meridan Plains Palmview
Average residential rate $1,690/yr
same for both
Council Sunshine Coast
same for both

Federal electorate

Meridan Plains Palmview
Division Fisher
same for both
Member Andrew Wallace
same for both
Party Liberal National Party of Queensland
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Meridan Plains Palmview
Grant amount $30,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Meridan Plains

Townhouses

Palmview

Acreage Family Quiet Young Families

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Meridan Plains

Meridan Plains vs Little Mountain Meridan Plains vs Currimundi Meridan Plains vs Birtinya Meridan Plains vs Aroona Meridan Plains vs Glenview

Other comparisons with Palmview

Palmview vs Sippy Downs Palmview vs Birtinya Palmview vs Glenview Palmview vs Tanawha
Full data on Meridan Plains Full data on Palmview
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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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