Get a property report and suburb profile for any property in Kelso

Kelso is an outer suburb of Townsville with a family-oriented, residential character. Streets are dominated by single-storey brick-and-tile homes on generous lots, so backyards and room for gardens and outdoor living shape daily life. Day-to-day needs are met by a small local shopping strip and community facilities, while parks, playing fields and neighbourhood playgrounds provide plenty of space for sport and children. Commuting is straightforward via main roads and Townsville’s public-bus network, and the suburb sits within easy reach of the city and coastal attractions.

About 10,599 people live in Kelso, with a median age of 34 and a typical household weekly income of $1,626. Families make up a large share of households, and roughly two-thirds of homes are owner-occupied while about one in three are rented. There are no significant new public infrastructure or civic-amenity projects reported at this time, though modest school works such as a tuckshop refurbishment at Kelso State School have been funded.

Housing in Kelso looks different depending on whether you plan to buy or rent. A median house price of $627,500 is about 7.4 times a typical local household's annual income at the last Census (weekly household income $1,626 × 52 = $84,552), which sits well above local incomes. Renting a house at $530 a week would take roughly 32.6% of that weekly household income at the last Census, a sizeable share. On these figures, buying is notably more stretched against local incomes than renting a house.

Everyone's financial situation is different, so it's important to consider your own circumstances when deciding which suburb is right for you.

House values in Kelso climbed 19.6% over the past 12 months, a strong rise in what houses are worth. House rents also rose, up 6.0% over the year, a solid increase in the rental income those properties generate.

Put simply, over the past year the capital growth on houses outpaced the lift in rental income. If capital appreciation is your priority the value movement is the key figure to watch, while the rent change is the relevant number for income-focused buyers. Whether that balance makes Kelso the right investment for you depends on your own goals and circumstances.

This information has been prepared without taking your objectives, needs and overall financial situation into account. It is not meant to be a substitute for professional financial advice. For this reason, you should consider the appropriateness of the information and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.