Evans Head

Population growth drivers in Evans Head are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Evans Head's population was around 6,070 as of May 2026. This figure reflects an increase of 427 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 5,643. The growth is inferred from the ABS estimated resident population of 6,062 in June 2025 and the addition of 355 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 11.2 persons per square kilometer. Evans Head's population grew by 7.6% between the 2021 Census and May 2026, exceeding the SA4 region's growth rate of 3.7%. Interstate migration contributed approximately 69.5% to this growth during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections for areas not covered by this data, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. These projections indicate an above median population growth for the area, with an expected expansion of 860 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total increase of 14.0% over the 16 years.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Evans Head when compared nationally

Evans Head has granted around 18 residential property approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 90 homes. In FY26 so far, 15 approvals have been recorded. Each year, an average of 4.7 people move to the area for each dwelling built between FY21 and FY25. This demand exceeds new supply, leading to price growth and increased buyer competition.

New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $409,000, slightly above the regional average. Commercial approvals in Evans Head this financial year totalled $7.6 million, indicating limited commercial development focus. Compared to Rest of NSW, Evans Head shows approximately half the construction activity per person and ranks among the 46th percentile nationally for buyer options, suggesting somewhat limited choices while demand for established properties strengthens. This activity is also below the national average, indicating the area's established nature and potential planning limitations.

New development consists of 86.0% detached houses and 14.0% attached dwellings, preserving Evans Head's low density character with a focus on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. Developers are constructing more detached housing than the existing pattern implies (71.0% at Census), reflecting strong demand for family homes amid densification trends. The estimated count of 364 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects Evans Head's quiet, low activity development environment. Population forecasts indicate Evans Head will gain 852 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Evans Head has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Local infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified two projects expected to impact the area: Woodburn Street Mixed-use Precinct at Evans Head (17 McDonald Place) and Iron Gates Residential Release also in Evans Head. Additionally, the Queensland Energy Roadmap 2026 is noted. The following details these projects, focusing on those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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The labour market in Evans Head demonstrates typical performance when compared to similar areas across Australia

Evans Head has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. Its unemployment rate was 3.0% as of December 2025, which is 0.9% lower than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation in Evans Head was 51.6%, compared to Regional NSW's 60.5%.

According to Census responses, only 13.4% of residents worked from home. The dominant employment sectors were health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction. Notably, education & training had employment levels at 1.3 times the regional average. However, public administration & safety was under-represented with only 5.4% of Evans Head's workforce compared to Regional NSW's 7.5%.

The area may offer limited local employment opportunities as indicated by the Census working population vs resident population count. Over the year to December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 0.1% and employment declined by 0.1%, keeping unemployment relatively stable at 3.0%. In contrast, Regional NSW saw employment contract by 1.2%, labour force fall by 0.8%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% expansion over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Evans Head's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.2% over ten years, though these are simple weighted extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

The Evans Head SA2's income level is lower than average nationally according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. Its median income among taxpayers is $45,021 and average income stands at $52,906. These figures compare with Regional NSW's median of $52,390 and average of $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $49,667 (median) and $58,366 (average) as of March 2026. Census 2021 income data shows household, family and personal incomes in Evans Head all fall between the 8th and 15th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows 27.9% of its population (1,693 individuals) fall within the $800 - 1,499 income range, contrasting with surrounding regions where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket leads at 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.0% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 9th percentile nationally.

Evans Head is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Dwelling structure in Evans Head, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 70.7% houses and 29.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Evans Head was at 43.6%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (26.9%) or rented (29.5%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,563, below Regional NSW's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Evans Head was recorded at $320, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Evans Head's mortgage repayments are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are substantially below the national figure of $375.

Evans Head features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 65.2% of all households, including 20.7% couples with children, 32.9% couples without children, and 10.9% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 34.8%, with lone person households at 31.0% and group households comprising 3.4%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

Educational outcomes in Evans Head fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 17.6%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 12.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.9%) and graduate diplomas (2.0%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 42.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.2%) and certificates (31.9%). Educational participation is high at 27.6%, comprising primary education (10.5%), secondary education (8.8%), and tertiary education (2.6%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 27.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.5% in primary education, 8.8% in secondary education, and 2.6% pursuing tertiary education.

Transport servicing is low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Evans Head has 183 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 19 different routes that together offer 259 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these stops is rated as good, with residents typically located 218 meters from the nearest stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward using cars, which remain the dominant mode of transport at 90%. Six percent of residents walk to their destinations. On average, there are 1.4 vehicles per dwelling in Evans Head.

According to the 2021 Census, only 13.4% of residents work from home, a figure that may reflect COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 37 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately one weekly trip per individual stop. A map accompanies this analysis, showing the 100 nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.

Evans Head's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Evans Head residents have shown relatively positive health outcomes, according to AreaSearch's analysis of mortality rates and health conditions. The prevalence of common health conditions is quite low among the general population but higher than the national average for older, at-risk cohorts. Private health cover is extremely low in Evans Head, with approximately 46% of the total population (~2,810 people) having it, compared to 51.9% across Regional NSW and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (12.1%) and mental health issues (9.2%), while 59.6% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.3% in Regional NSW. The working-age population faces notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. Evans Head has 31.2% of residents aged 65 and over (1,895 people), higher than the 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges but rank lower nationally than those for the broader population.

The latest Census data sees Evans Head placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Evans Head showed cultural diversity below average levels, with 88.5% citizens, 91.9% born in Australia, and 97.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity dominated as the main religion, comprising 53.6%, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW. Top ancestry groups were English (31.6%), Australian (31.4%), and Irish (10.0%).

Notable differences existed in Scottish representation (9.4% vs regional 8.0%), Australian Aboriginal (4.1% vs 4.6%), and New Zealand (0.7% vs 0.4%).

Evans Head hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Evans Head has a median age of 49, which is higher than Regional NSW's figure of 43 and Australia's average of 38 years. Compared to the regional average, Evans Head has an over-representation of the 65-74 age group (17.8% locally), while the 25-34 age group is under-represented (8.2%). This concentration of the 65-74 cohort is significantly higher than the national figure of 9.4%. From 2021 to present, the 75-84 age group has increased from 7.8% to 9.9%, while the 65-74 cohort has risen from 16.5% to 17.8%. Conversely, the 5-14 age group has decreased from 11.2% to 10.0%, and the 55-64 age group has dropped from 16.1% to 15.0%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections show significant shifts in Evans Head's age structure. The 75-84 age cohort is projected to grow by 225 people (38%), increasing from 602 to 828. Meanwhile, the 15-24 age range is expected to decrease by 27.