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River Heads, Australia

Queensland · Australia

River Heads is a small town in Queensland, Australia with a population of 1,486. Elevation: 102 ft (31 m). Average temperature: 71°F (22°C).

1.5 /5.0
D Poor
1,486 Population 5/sq mi density
102 ft Elevation 31 meters
71°F Avg Temperature 22°C
30.9 in Annual Rain
Australia / Brisbane Timezone
$18,353 Median Income
D
Overall
1.5 / 5.0
Poor overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
D
Economy
1.9 / 5.0
$18,353 median income, 9.5% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$197,200 home value, $986/mo rent

Discover River Heads, Australia

Explore over 40 sections covering people, economy, housing, health, crime, climate, community, costs, trends, schools, colleges, hospitals, treatment centers, industries, museums, libraries, breweries, farmers markets, grocery stores, pharmacies, campgrounds, parks, trails, stadiums, ski resorts, daycare centers, nursing homes, churches, fire stations, cell towers, bridges, power plants, EV stations, prisons, radio stations, airports, police stations, post offices, Amtrak stations, superfund sites, UNESCO sites, and more.
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Full City Profile

About River Heads

River Heads

River Heads is a coastal town and locality in the Fraser Coast Region, Queensland, Australia. It is at the mouth of the Mary River. In the 2021 census, the locality of River Heads had a population of 2,044 people.

People

Population1,486
Median Age54.0 yrs
Density5/mi²

Economy

D
Median Income$18,353
Per Capita$18,353
Unemployment9.5%

Housing

F
Home Value$197,200
Rent$986
Ownership83.5%
Housing Units594

Climate

Avg Temp71°F (22°C)
Rain30.9 in/yr
Sunny Days336/yr
Elevation102 ft (31 m)
Population1,486
Population Density5 / sq mi
Elevation102 ft (31 m)
Coordinates-25.4155°, 152.9132°
TimezoneAustralia/Brisbane
Country🇦🇺 Australia
State / ProvinceQueensland
Average Temperature71°F (22°C)
January Average76°F (25°C)
July Average65°F (18°C)
Annual Precipitation30.9 inches (785 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)
Median Household Income$18,353
Median Age54.0 years

About River Heads

River Heads is a small town in Australia (Queensland) with a population of 1,486. The city sits at an elevation of 102 feet (31 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 71°F (22°C). Temperatures range from 76°F in January to 65°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 30.9 inches. The timezone is Australia/Brisbane.

River Heads has a population of 1,486 with a density of 5 people per square mile, spread across 287.9 square miles. The median age is 54.0 years, 39% older than the national median of 38.9.

Population

1,486
Total Population
5
People / sq mi
54.0yrs
Median Age
39% above Australia avg
287.9mi²
Land Area

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages 100.0%

Social Characteristics

River Heads vs Australia Average

The median household income in River Heads is $18,353, which is 76% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $18,353 (below the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $353, 75% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 9.5% (above the 3.6% US average). The area has 141 business establishments.

Income: River Heads vs Australia

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$18,353
76% below Australia avg
Per Capita Income$18,353
Avg Weekly Wage$353

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment9.5%
164% above Australia avg
Establishments (County)141

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

The median home value in River Heads is $197,200, 30% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $986 (15% below the national average of $1,163). 83.5% of housing units are owner-occupied (above the 65.4% national rate). There are 594 total housing units in the city. The home price-to-income ratio is 10.7x, making homeownership a significant financial stretch for most families.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$197,200
30% below Australia avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$986
15% below Australia avg

Ownership & Property

Homeownership83.5%
Owner-Occupied83.5%
Renter-Occupied16.5%
Housing Units594

Property Tax

Climate in River Heads

River Heads has an average annual temperature of 21.6°C (71°F). The hottest month is Jan (26.3°C), the coldest is Jul (16°C). Average annual precipitation is 1057 mm.

Month Avg °C / °F Min / Max °C Rain (mm)
Jan 26.3°C / 79°F 22.2° / 30.4° 140.0
Feb 26.2°C / 79°F 22.1° / 30.2° 132.4
Mar 25°C / 77°F 20.8° / 29.1° 145.5
Apr 22.5°C / 73°F 17.9° / 27.2° 65.4
May 19.2°C / 67°F 13.9° / 24.4° 85.6
Jun 17°C / 63°F 11.9° / 22.1° 79.5
Jul 16°C / 61°F 10.1° / 21.9° 40.1
Aug 16.6°C / 62°F 10.3° / 22.9° 61.9
Sep 19.4°C / 67°F 13.9° / 24.9° 36.9
Oct 21.8°C / 71°F 17° / 26.6° 88.0
Nov 23.6°C / 74°F 19.1° / 28.2° 60.9
Dec 25.3°C / 78°F 21.1° / 29.5° 120.8
River Heads has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 71°F (22°C). Winters average 76°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 336 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 30.9 inches. The city sits at an elevation of 102 feet.

Temperature

76°F Jan (25°C) 65°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average71.2°F
32% above Australia avg
January Average76°F (25°C)
July Average65°F (18°C)
Sunny Days336 days/yr

Geography

Elevation102 ft (31 m)
Area287.9 sq mi (745.7 km²)
Population Density5/sq mi
Coordinates-25.4155°N, 152.9132°W
TimezoneAustralia/Brisbane

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 30.9"
19% below Australia avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Feb) 7.09"
Driest Month (Sep) 1.57"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

5 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M5.5. Most recent: M4.9 on Aug 15, 2025.

Jul 29, 2015 128 km ENE of Rainbow Beach, Australia M5.5 132 km
Aug 1, 2015 139 km ENE of Rainbow Beach, Australia M5.4 143 km
Aug 1, 2015 123 km ENE of Rainbow Beach, Australia M5.2 129 km
Aug 15, 2025 12 km ESE of Cherbourg, Australia M4.9 133 km
Aug 14, 2015 133 km ENE of Rainbow Beach, Australia M4.3 142 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Hurricane History

3 hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 500 km since 1980. Strongest: Category 4. Most recent: Marcia (2015).

Year Name Category Closest
2015 Marcia Category 4 253 km
2009 Hamish Category 4 222 km
1980 Simon Category 1 213 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Cat 1+, 1980–2026)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 76°F (25°C) 6.5 in
February 78°F (26°C) 7.1 in Warmest, Wettest
March 76°F (25°C) 5.5 in
April 72°F (22°C) 4.0 in
May 68°F (20°C) 4.6 in
June 62°F (17°C) 2.9 in Coldest
July 65°F (18°C) 2.9 in
August 63°F (17°C) 1.6 in
September 67°F (19°C) 1.6 in Driest
October 71°F (22°C) 3.1 in
November 74°F (23°C) 4.5 in
December 77°F (25°C) 5.1 in

River Heads has a seasonal temperature swing of 16°F / from 62°F in June to 78°F in February. Total annual precipitation is 49.3 inches, with February being the wettest month (7.1") and September the driest (1.6").

View full weather details →

Museums in River Heads

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Doll Museum
Hervey Bay Historical Village & Museum
Maryborough Bond Store Museum
Maryborough Military and Colonial Museum
The Story Book
Whistle Stop Rail Museum
Wide Bay Hospitals Museum

Libraries in River Heads

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Hervey Bay Library0.0
Mayborough Library0.0

Restaurants in River Heads

1 restaurants within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Rivers Bar and Bistro

Cafes in River Heads

1 cafes within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

River Heads Cafe and Takeaway

Gas Stations in River Heads

1 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Kingfisher Bay Fuel

Airports Near River Heads

11 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Bundaberg AirportBDBMedium Airport
Hervey Bay AirportHVBMedium Airport
Aquila AirfieldSmall Airport
Childers AirportSmall Airport
Cooloola Village AirparkSmall Airport
Maryborough AirportMBHSmall Airport
North Gregory/Elliott FieldSmall Airport
Orchid Beach AirportOKBSmall Airport
Pacific Haven AirportSmall Airport
Rainbow Beach AirportSmall Airport
Toby's Gap AirstripSmall Airport

Quick Facts

Timezone
Australia/Brisbane

🇦🇺 About Australia

Capital Canberra
Population 24,992,369
Area 7,686,850 km²
GDP (USD) $1,734,451,264,656
GDP per capita $65,058
HDI 0.946
Life expectancy 83.1 years
Internet users 97.1%
Urban population 87.5%
Currency AUD (Dollar)
Languages English
Calling code +61
TLD .au
Driving side left

Public Holidays in Australia

25 public holidays this year

Date Holiday Local Name
Jan 1 New Year's Day New Year's Day
Jan 26 Australia Day Australia Day
Mar 2 Labour Day Labour Day
Mar 9 Adelaide Cup Day Adelaide Cup Day
Mar 9 Canberra Day Canberra Day
Mar 9 Eight Hours Day Eight Hours Day
Mar 9 Labour Day Labour Day
Apr 3 Good Friday Good Friday
Apr 4 Holy Saturday Easter Eve
Apr 5 Easter Sunday Easter Sunday
Apr 6 Easter Monday Easter Monday
Apr 25 Anzac Day Anzac Day
Apr 27 Anzac Day Anzac Day
May 4 Labour Day Labour Day
May 4 May Day May Day
Jun 1 Reconciliation Day Reconciliation Day
Jun 1 Western Australia Day Western Australia Day
Jun 8 King's Birthday King's Birthday
Aug 3 Picnic Day Picnic Day
Sep 28 King's Birthday King's Birthday
Oct 5 King's Birthday King's Birthday
Oct 5 Labour Day Labour Day
Nov 3 Melbourne Cup Melbourne Cup
Dec 25 Christmas Day Christmas Day
Dec 28 St. Stephen's Day Boxing Day

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Frequently Asked Questions About River Heads

What is the population of River Heads?

River Heads has a population of 1,486 residents and is located in Australia. The population density is 5 people per square mile, spread across 287.9 square miles. The median age of residents is 54.0 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years.

Is River Heads expensive to live in?

The median household income is $18,353, 76% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $197,200 (30% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $986 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 10.7x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.

What is the weather like in River Heads?

River Heads has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 71°F (22°C). Winter temperatures average 76°F in January, while summers reach an average of 65°F in July. The area receives 336 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 30.9 inches.

How is the job market in River Heads?

The job market in River Heads faces challenges, with unemployment at 9.5% / significantly above the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $353. There are 141 business establishments in the area.

How much does housing cost in River Heads?

The median home value in River Heads is $197,200. For renters, the median monthly rent is $986. The homeownership rate is 83.5%.

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