Cardwell at a glance
Walk score
22
Very car dependent
Population
1,320
Median age 60
The brief
What to know about Cardwell.
The postcode for Cardwell is 4849 (QLD).
Cardwell (4849) sits in the Cassowary Coast region of Queensland.
Cardwell has roughly 1,320 residents, with a retiree-heavy demographic. Households are a roughly even mix of owners and renters. Daily life is car-dependent: most residents drive to work, school and the shops.
Day to day
What it’s like to live here.
Cardwell scores 22/100 on walkability, which makes it car-dependent with limited public transport. Plan for two cars in a typical household, especially if work isn't local.
Schooling within or near the suburb covers 6 government primary, 1 government secondary, 2 Catholic, 1 independent.
Who lives here
Demographics.
The 2021 Census put Cardwell's population at 1,320, with a median age of 60. That sits as a retiree-heavy demographic. Households are a roughly even mix of owners and renters (57% own, 39% rent), which shapes everything from school catchment stability to how often properties turn over. Lone-person households are notable here (40%), often a marker of unit-heavy stock and walkable infrastructure.
Population
1,320
Median age
60
Family households
56%
Lone person
40%
Demographics data as of May 2026· ABS 2021 Census
Market
The price of a home here.
Median house price
Verified median pending
We don't yet have a verified suburb-level median for this market. We're working on a data partner; in the meantime, treat the state-level figures as a guide only. How we source data.
Sales data as of May 2026· sales-qld
Rental and ownership
Weekly rent (house)
$252/wk
Weekly rent (unit)
$250/wk
Owner occupied
57%
Renter occupied
39%
At a deeper level
1,320
Median age: 60
Free appraisal
What’s your home worth in Cardwell?
A local agent who actually sells in Cardwell will give you an honest number, backed by recent comparable sales. Free, no commitment to list.
Free guide · 2026 edition
Thinking of selling in Cardwell?
The complete guide to selling: what it costs, how agents price your home, and a 12-week plan to settlement. Personalised to Cardwell, free, in 60 seconds.
Free guide · 2026 edition
Thinking of buying in Cardwell?
What you can actually spend, the 2026 first home buyer schemes for your state, and how not to overpay. A free buying guide, in about 60 seconds.
Get property alerts for Cardwell
Be the first to know when new listings hit the market.
Safety
Crime and safety.
LGA-wide data, not suburb-specific
QLD Police only publishes crime statistics at the local government area / region level. The numbers below cover the entire Cassowary Coast Regional Council, which may include suburbs with very different crime profiles. Quieter residential pockets within the LGA likely have lower rates than the total suggests; busier areas may have higher.
4,896
total offences in 2026 across the Cassowary Coast Regional Council LGA
Top offence categories
Crime statistics are reported at LGA level and may cover a broader area than this suburb.
Source: State Police Open Data
Getting around
Walkability.
22
10
10
Scores calculated from OpenStreetMap data (ODbL)
Walkability data as of May 2026· OpenStreetMap
Place
Location.
Amenities
Transport
Education
Schools in Cardwell.
Local schools for Cardwell
View the catchment for each school to find out more.
Government School Catchment
Cardwell State School
Kennedy State School
Murray River Upper State School
© ACARA, licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Frequently asked
About Cardwell.
- What is the Cardwell postcode?
- Cardwell is in the 4849 postcode, in QLD, in the Cassowary Coast Regional Council region.
- Where is Cardwell?
- Cardwell is a regional suburb in QLD, postcode 4849, in the Cassowary Coast Regional Council region.
- What is the average rent in Cardwell?
- The median weekly rent for houses is $252, for units it's $250.
- What schools are in Cardwell?
- There are 10 schools serving Cardwell on this page, including Cardwell State School, Kennedy State School, Murray River Upper State School.
- How walkable is Cardwell?
- Cardwell has a Walk Score of 22 out of 100, highly car-dependent. transit score 10, bike score 10.
- What suburbs are near Cardwell?
- Cardwell is close to Ellerbeck, Damper Creek, Kennedy, Carruchan, Lumholtz.
- What is the population of Cardwell?
- The population of Cardwell is approximately 1,320 (2021 Census). The median age is 60.
For Sale
Cardwell
Buying
Selling
Side by side
Compare Cardwell vs a nearby suburb
See median prices, growth, schools, walkability and risk side by side in one view.
Sources cited
Median, growth and rental data from state revenue offices and ABS. Census from ABS 2021. Climate from BoM. Hazard from Geoscience Australia. School data from ACARA. Crime from state police open data. Full methodology →
Always dated
Every figure on this page carries its source and as-of date in a tooltip. If a figure looks off to you, tell us and we’ll fix it within a week.
No login
No paywall, no sign-up, no download form. The suburb data is the product. We earn from partner brokers and agents on the rare occasion you ask for one.
Thinking about selling in Cardwell?
The complete selling guide, personalised to Cardwell: what it really costs, how agents price homes here, and a 12-week plan to settlement. Free PDF, 60 seconds.
Get the free selling guide