The Mount Larcom community has a lower socio-economic profile in comparison to the Gladstone Region.

• The median weekly household income is $1,268 compared to $1,693 for the Gladstone Region.
• 23.8 per cent of households earn $3,000 or more per week compared to 19.8 per cent for the Gladstone Region
• 9.1 per cent of households earn less than $650 each week compared to 7.2 per cent for Gladstone Region.
• 19.4 per cent of non-family households earn less than $650 each week compared to 47.0 per cent for Gladstone Region.

In 2021, 53.5 per cent of the Mount Larcom population over 15 were in the labour force, which is an increase of 6.15 per cent from the 2016 Census.

The labour force within the Mount Larcom township consists of 143 employed people, with the majority working full time. 7 people are unemployed, however actively looking for work; 89 are not in the labour force and 32 do not state their employment status.

The unemployment rate for the Mount Larcom community has decreased by 51 per cent (11 people) between 2016 and 2021.

In 2021, 38.7 per cent of households fully owned their housing which is slightly lower than the Gladstone Region at 29.1 per cent. There was a minimal increase in the number of people that fully own their own house, with an increase of two.

In 2021, 42 per cent of households had a mortgage in Mount Larcom, compared to 37 per cent for Gladstone Region and 34.4 per cent for the State. The number of households that own a home with a mortgage increased by two homes between 2016 and 2021.

Data from 2021 shows 14.3 per cent of dwellings were rented in Mount Larcom compared to 45.0 per cent in the Gladstone Region. These rentals are provided by a person that does not live in the household.

In 2016, 17.8 per cent (24) of homes were rented from a community housing provider and three per cent (four homes) were rented from a real estate. In 2021 no homes were rented from a community housing provider or real estate.

The average mortgage repayment is $1,300 which is lower than the Gladstone Region by $300 and $433 lower than the State. There has been a $242 reduction in average mortgage payments between 2016 and 2021.

There are shifts across multiple mortgage payment brackets. The percentage of the population paying $0-299 has increased by four households. In addition, the percentage of the population paying $1,400-$1,799 and $1,800-$2,399 has decreased by five households and nine households respectively.

There were increases in the percentage of the community with mortgage payments in the following brackets between 2016 and 2021; $600-$799 (four households), $1,000-$1,399 (12 households), $3,000-$3,999 (five households), $4,000 and over (five households).

The median rent for Mount Larcom in 2021 was $190 compared to $275 in the Gladstone Region and $365 in the State. The median rent in Mount Larcom has reduced by $35 since 2016.

Over the five year period, there has been a reduction of 28 per cent of rental properties, (2016, 32 properties; 2021, 23 properties).

The majority of rentals in the Mount Larcom township are rented privately by persons not in the same household.

Considerations:

• Mount Larcom has a significantly lower average weekly income than the region and a higher proportion of families earning less than $650 a week, coupled with a higher proportion of households with a mortgage. Consideration should be given to affordability and accessibility to services, programs and activities.

Rental prices in 2021 have remained reasonable in this area, ranging from $100-$224 across the 23 properties.