🔍

Scarness

QLD 4655 • Rest of QLD

3,646
Population (2021)
$48,516
Median Household Income
1.84 km²
Area
$300/wk
Median Rent
CoastalAffordableRetirementFamily-FriendlyBeachside
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About Scarness

Scarness is a beachside suburb in Hervey Bay on the Fraser Coast of Queensland, situated approximately 290 kilometres north of Brisbane. With a population of around 3,650 and a lower median income of 4,440, it has a relaxed, affordable coastal character popular with retirees and young families. The suburb forms part of the Fraser Coast Regional Council and sits along the sheltered waters of Hervey Bay.

Scarness features a pleasant esplanade with parks, playgrounds, and calm swimming beaches ideal for families. The suburb has a local shopping village with cafes, takeaways, and essential services along the main Boat Harbour Drive corridor. Whale watching tours depart nearby between July and November, and World Heritage-listed Fraser Island is a short ferry ride away. The area attracts sea-changers seeking an affordable, low-key coastal lifestyle.

Scarness falls under postcode 4655 and is governed by the Fraser Coast Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Hinkler, while state elections fall under the Hervey Bay electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4655
Urban Area
Hervey Bay
LGA / Council
Fraser Coast
Federal Electorate
Hinkler
State Electorate
Hervey Bay
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-25.29°, 152.85°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
1.84 km²
Population Density
1,980 /km²
Elevation
14m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 4655

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4655, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$40,038
Median 2023–24
$49,563
▲ 23.8% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$61,563

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4655; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

Census personal income 2016 vs 2021

Personal Income 2016
$24,440
Personal Income 2021
$28,392
▲ 16.2% increase

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$28,392 / yr
$546/wk
Household
$48,516 / yr
$933/wk
Family
$65,208 / yr
$1254/wk
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$300
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,244
Avg Household Size
2 people
Median Age
51 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
7.5%

95 state housing + 27 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Route 5 — Hervey Bay to Pialba 15 min
  • Route 6 — Hervey Bay to Urangan 10 min

Commute to Pialba (Hervey Bay centre)

Distance
3 km
By Train
N/A (no local rail)
By Bus
15 min
By Car (Peak)
5 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
5 min

🛣️ Hervey Bay has no rail; nearest station is Maryborough West (35 km) for long-distance services to Brisbane

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Flat terrain and the esplanade make walking pleasant along the beachfront; local shops are accessible on foot for nearby residents.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,519
Census 2021
3,646
▲ 3.6% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Fraser Coast Local Government Area, which contains Scarness. Rates are per 100,000 residents for calendar year 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
481 / 100k
2yr Down 53.5% 10yr Down 34.0%
Motor vehicle theft
244.5 / 100k
2yr Down 26.2% 10yr Up 144.4%
Non-FV assault
932 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 100.3%
Robbery (unarmed)
15.4 / 100k
2yr Down 21.1% 10yr Up 58.4%
Steal from vehicle
432.4 / 100k
2yr Down 32.4% 10yr Up 20.3%
View all offence categories for Fraser Coast →

Source: Queensland Police Service via data.qld.gov.au

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,712
Born Overseas 657

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 177
  • 2. New Zealand 145
  • 3. Philippines 37
  • 4. South Africa 28
  • 5. Germany 25
  • 6. India 24
  • 7. Scotland 21
  • 8. Netherlands 17
  • 9. United States 17
  • 10. Italy 13

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,589
Australian 1,349
Irish 416
Scottish 396
German 259
Australian Aboriginal 156
Italian 72
Dutch 49
Filipino 48
New Zealander 43

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace

2,216
Both parents born in Australia
736
Both parents born overseas
401
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
46.2%
No Religion
42.6%
Buddhism
0.9%
Sikhism
0.5%
Islam
0.4%
Hinduism
0.2%

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📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
127 (3.5%)
5-14 years
370 (10.1%)
15-19 years
180 (4.9%)
20-24 years
156 (4.3%)
25-34 years
360 (9.9%)
35-44 years
363 (10.0%)
45-54 years
417 (11.4%)
55-64 years
540 (14.8%)
65-74 years
649 (17.8%)
75-84 years
368 (10.1%)
85+ years
128 (3.5%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Scarness known for? +

Scarness is a beachside suburb in Hervey Bay on the Fraser Coast of Queensland, situated approximately 290 kilometres north of Brisbane. With a population of around 3,650 and a lower median income of 4,440, it has a relaxed, affordable coastal character popular with retirees and young families.

How far is Scarness from Brisbane CBD? +

Scarness is approximately 3 km from Pialba (Hervey Bay centre). By car, the journey takes around 5 min off-peak and 5 min during peak hours.

Does Scarness have public transport? +

Scarness is served by bus routes connecting to Hervey Bay to Pialba, though there is no direct rail service. A car is recommended for most journeys.

What is the population of Scarness? +

According to the 2021 Census, Scarness has a population of approximately 3,646 residents. It is a mid-sized suburb within the Fraser Coast (Regional Council).

Is Scarness a good place to live? +

Scarness is a popular choice for those seeking a coastal lifestyle, offering beachside living and a relaxed community atmosphere. It suits retirees, families, and sea-changers looking to escape city life.

What is the postcode for Scarness? +

The postcode for Scarness, QLD is 4655.

What is the average income in Scarness? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Scarness is about $546 per week (around $28,400 per year). The median household income is $933 per week and the median family income is $1,254 per week.

What is the age profile of Scarness? +

The median age in Scarness is 51. The largest age group is 65–74 (649 residents, around 18%). Around 19% of residents are under 20 and about 31% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Scarness a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Scarness is part of the Fraser Coast LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Scarness? +

In Scarness, the median weekly rent is $300, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,244 (2021 Census).