Smithfield vs Yorkeys Knob

Smithfield is the younger of the two, with a median age of 34 against 46 in Yorkeys Knob. In Smithfield, most households own their home, the large majority of homes are detached houses, and about half of households are couple families. In Yorkeys Knob, about half of households rent and about half of households are people living alone. Houses cost more in Smithfield: a median of $815,000, against $685,000 in Yorkeys Knob, and rent is higher there too. On these figures, Smithfield tends to suit families with children and couples, while Yorkeys Knob suits renters, people living alone, and older residents.

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

Smithfield

ahead on 3 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more parks and reserves (10 vs 4)
  • has more separate houses rather than flats (91% vs 37%)
  • is already more of a family suburb (63% vs 38%)

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

First-home buyers

Yorkeys Knob

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper houses ($685,000 vs $815,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Yorkeys Knob

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (47% vs 33%)
  • has cheaper rent ($310/wk vs $420/wk)

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

Commuting to the city

Smithfield

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is more walkable (59/100 vs 19/100)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

They split

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

  • Smithfield has more GPs (4 vs 1)
  • Yorkeys Knob has more units and townhouses to downsize into (63% vs 9%)

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

Investors

Smithfield

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • is growing faster (25.7% vs 1.3%)
  • returns a higher gross yield on units (6.8% vs 5.7%)

Weighs house yield, unit yield, and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Smithfield Yorkeys Knob
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.

Smithfield Yorkeys Knob
Walkability 59 / 19
Smithfield — Walkability: 59/100 Yorkeys Knob — Walkability: 19/100
Safety 19 / 21
Smithfield — Safety: 19/100 Yorkeys Knob — Safety: 21/100
Low fire risk 76 / 100
Smithfield — Low fire risk: 76/100 Yorkeys Knob — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

Smithfield has more residents (6,664 vs 2,794); Smithfield has higher household incomes ($95,680 vs $64,168).

Smithfield Yorkeys Knob
Population 6,664
+58% vs other
 2,794
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +25.7% +1.3%
Median age 34 46
Median household income $95,680/yr
+33% vs other
 $64,168/yr
Median weekly rent $420/wk
+26% vs other
 $310/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Smithfield Yorkeys Knob
0-4 6.5% / 3.9%
Smithfield — 0-4: 6.5% Yorkeys Knob — 0-4: 3.9%
5-14 13.1% / 9.7%
Smithfield — 5-14: 13.1% Yorkeys Knob — 5-14: 9.7%
15-19 8.0% / 4.1%
Smithfield — 15-19: 8.0% Yorkeys Knob — 15-19: 4.1%
20-24 7.9% / 4.5%
Smithfield — 20-24: 7.9% Yorkeys Knob — 20-24: 4.5%
25-34 14.8% / 12.6%
Smithfield — 25-34: 14.8% Yorkeys Knob — 25-34: 12.6%
35-44 14.8% / 12.5%
Smithfield — 35-44: 14.8% Yorkeys Knob — 35-44: 12.5%
45-54 13.1% / 15.7%
Smithfield — 45-54: 13.1% Yorkeys Knob — 45-54: 15.7%
55-64 10.1% / 15.5%
Smithfield — 55-64: 10.1% Yorkeys Knob — 55-64: 15.5%
65-74 7.3% / 14.0%
Smithfield — 65-74: 7.3% Yorkeys Knob — 65-74: 14.0%
75-84 3.5% / 5.9%
Smithfield — 75-84: 3.5% Yorkeys Knob — 75-84: 5.9%
85+ 1.0% / 1.4%
Smithfield — 85+: 1.0% Yorkeys Knob — 85+: 1.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (15.7%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Smithfield 26.8% lone person
Smithfield — Lone Person: 26.8% Smithfield — Couple Families: 46.2% Smithfield — One Parent Families: 17.2% Smithfield — Group Household: 8.0% Smithfield — Other Families: 1.8%
Yorkeys Knob 54.9% lone person
Yorkeys Knob — Lone Person: 54.9% Yorkeys Knob — Couple Families: 18.4% Yorkeys Knob — One Parent Families: 19.2% Yorkeys Knob — Group Household: 6.5% Yorkeys Knob — Other Families: 1.0%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Smithfield 33.0% renting
Smithfield — Owned Outright: 23.5% Smithfield — Mortgage: 43.5% Smithfield — Renting: 33.0%
Yorkeys Knob 47.3% renting
Yorkeys Knob — Owned Outright: 25.9% Yorkeys Knob — Mortgage: 26.8% Yorkeys Knob — Renting: 47.3%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Smithfield Yorkeys Knob
Certificate III & IV 16.4% / 18.8%
Smithfield — Certificate III & IV: 16.4% Yorkeys Knob — Certificate III & IV: 18.8%
Bachelor Degree 12.2% / 12.5%
Smithfield — Bachelor Degree: 12.2% Yorkeys Knob — Bachelor Degree: 12.5%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 8.6% / 9.2%
Smithfield — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.6% Yorkeys Knob — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.2%
Postgraduate Degree 3.6% / 2.7%
Smithfield — Postgraduate Degree: 3.6% Yorkeys Knob — Postgraduate Degree: 2.7%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.8% / 1.8%
Smithfield — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.8% Yorkeys Knob — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.8%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (18.8%).

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.

Smithfield Yorkeys Knob
England 4.4% / 6.0%
Smithfield — England: 4.4% Yorkeys Knob — England: 6.0%
New Zealand 2.6% / 3.4%
Smithfield — New Zealand: 2.6% Yorkeys Knob — New Zealand: 3.4%
India 2.2% / —
Smithfield — India: 2.2% Yorkeys Knob — India: not among its largest
Philippines 1.1% / 1.1%
Smithfield — Philippines: 1.1% Yorkeys Knob — Philippines: 1.1%
Germany 0.7% / 0.8%
Smithfield — Germany: 0.7% Yorkeys Knob — Germany: 0.8%
Scotland — / 1.2%
Smithfield — Scotland: not among its largest Yorkeys Knob — Scotland: 1.2%
China 1.1% / —
Smithfield — China: 1.1% Yorkeys Knob — China: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (6.0%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Smithfield 91.0% houses
Smithfield — Houses: 91.0% Smithfield — Townhouses: 2.7% Smithfield — Flats / Apartments: 6.3%
Yorkeys Knob 36.9% houses
Yorkeys Knob — Houses: 36.9% Yorkeys Knob — Townhouses: 37.4% Yorkeys Knob — Flats / Apartments: 25.6%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Smithfield Yorkeys Knob
Median house price $815,000 $685,000
Median unit price $468,000 $484,500
Median land price $875,000 —
Typical days to sell (houses) 20 days
from 92 sales
 27 days
from 25 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.

Smithfield Yorkeys Knob
3 bed $740K / $642K
Smithfield — 3 bed: $740K (64 sales) Yorkeys Knob — 3 bed: $642K (26 sales)

64 vs 26 sales

4 bed $840K / $735K
Smithfield — 4 bed: $840K (109 sales) Yorkeys Knob — 4 bed: $735K (18 sales)

109 vs 18 sales

Development activity

Smithfield Yorkeys Knob
New dwellings approved 767
across Cairns
same for both
Approvals change year on year -81%
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.

Smithfield Yorkeys Knob
Houses 4.7%
$765/wk on $838K
 4.5%
$595/wk on $694K
Units 6.8%
$650/wk on $500K
 5.7%
$545/wk on $500K

Ranking within QLD

Smithfield Yorkeys Knob
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 69% of QLD Higher than 30% of QLD
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 89% of QLD Higher than 78% of QLD
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 76% of QLD
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 88% of QLD Higher than 71% of QLD
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 85% of QLD Higher than 75% of QLD
Rental yield (units) Higher than 95% of QLD Higher than 85% of QLD

Liveability

Smithfield is more walkable (59 vs 19); Smithfield scores higher overall (41 vs 32).

Smithfield Yorkeys Knob
Grade C D
Score 41/100 32/100
Socio-economic band advantaged area
decile 7/10
 below-average income
decile 3/10

Risk profile

Smithfield carries more bushfire risk (24 vs 0).

Smithfield Yorkeys Knob
Bushfire Low
24/100
 None
0/100
Crime High
81/100
 High
79/100
Flood Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
 High
81/100
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 1
within 5 km
same for both

Schools

Smithfield Yorkeys Knob
Inside the suburb 2 1
Rated above peers 1
same for both
Rated at peers 1 0
Rated below peers 0
same for both
Universities within 10 km 1
James Cook University - Cairns, 0.0 km
 1
James Cook University - Cairns, 3.1 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 5.1% 1.1%

Schools in Smithfield

  • Newman Catholic College Catholic · Secondary above peers
  • Tropical North Learning Academy - Smithfield State High School Government · Secondary at peers

Schools in Yorkeys Knob

  • Yorkeys Knob State School Government · Primary above peers

Amenities in the suburb

Smithfield Yorkeys Knob
Supermarkets 4 0
Cafes & restaurants 5 3
Parks & reserves 10 4
Childcare 4 2
GPs 4 1
Pharmacies 4 1
Police stations 1 0
Banks & Bank@Post 6 1
Fuel stations 3 1
Waterways 20 5

Mobility

Smithfield Yorkeys Knob
Walkability score 59/100 19/100
Distance to Brisbane 1713.8 km 1713.7 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 1188 min 1185 min
Public transport score 79/100
Bus
 65/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 61.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
 19.2
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 0.7%
postcode 4878
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 64
postcode 4878
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.

Smithfield Yorkeys Knob
Car (driver) 74.4% / 75.5%
Smithfield — Car (driver): 74.4% Yorkeys Knob — Car (driver): 75.5%
Worked from Home 15.3% / 16.1%
Smithfield — Worked from Home: 15.3% Yorkeys Knob — Worked from Home: 16.1%
Car (passenger) 5.5% / 3.6%
Smithfield — Car (passenger): 5.5% Yorkeys Knob — Car (passenger): 3.6%
Walked Only 2.1% / 3.1%
Smithfield — Walked Only: 2.1% Yorkeys Knob — Walked Only: 3.1%
Bus 1.5% / 1.2%
Smithfield — Bus: 1.5% Yorkeys Knob — Bus: 1.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (75.5%).

Setting

Smithfield Yorkeys Knob
Elevation 16 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 4 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 3.4 km
4.6 km to a named beach
 1.4 km
4.8 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Smithfield Yorkeys Knob
Connectivity score 76/100 57/100
Most common technology Fibre to the premises Fibre to the node
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 54%
2,904 premises
 22%
1,686 premises

Climate

Smithfield Yorkeys Knob
Annual rainfall 2,121 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 31.9°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 18.1°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Smithfield Yorkeys Knob
PM2.5 5.6 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 18.6 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ —
same for both

Council rates

Smithfield Yorkeys Knob
Average residential rate $1,354/yr
same for both
Council Cairns
same for both

Federal electorate

Smithfield Yorkeys Knob
Division Leichhardt
same for both
Member Matt Smith
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Smithfield Yorkeys Knob
Grant amount $30,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Smithfield

Large Blocks

Yorkeys Knob

Affordable Coastal River Townhouses

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Smithfield

Smithfield vs Trinity Beach Smithfield vs Kewarra Beach Smithfield vs Trinity Park Smithfield vs Caravonica Smithfield vs Barron

Other comparisons with Yorkeys Knob

Yorkeys Knob vs Trinity Park Yorkeys Knob vs Holloways Beach Yorkeys Knob vs Coral Sea Yorkeys Knob vs Barron
Full data on Smithfield Full data on Yorkeys Knob
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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