Queanbeyan
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Queanbeyan are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Queanbeyan's population, as of November 2025, is approximately 11,385. This figure represents an increase from the 2021 Census total of 11,342 people, a rise of 43 individuals (0.4%). The ABS estimated resident population in June 2024 was 11,373, with an additional 54 validated new addresses since the Census date contributing to this growth. This results in a population density ratio of 2,391 persons per square kilometer, placing Queanbeyan in the upper quartile relative to other locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration accounted for approximately 73.4% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is using ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch employs the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on demographic trends and latest population numbers, Queanbeyan is forecasted to experience significant growth in the top quartile of Australian non-metropolitan areas. By 2041, the area's population is expected to increase by 3,295 persons, representing a total gain of 28.8% over the 17-year period.

The level of residential development activity in Queanbeyan is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Queanbeyan has averaged approximately 14 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 73 homes. As of FY26, 65 approvals have been recorded. The population decline in recent years has maintained adequate housing supply relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with good buyer choice. New properties are constructed at an average value of $324,000.

This financial year has seen $30.7 million in commercial approvals, indicating robust local business investment. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Queanbeyan shows significantly reduced construction activity, being 84.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established properties. The area's development activity is also under the national average, suggesting its established nature and potential planning limitations. New development consists of 50.0% detached houses and 50.0% attached dwellings, offering affordable entry pathways and attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. There are approximately 1400 people per dwelling approval in the location, demonstrating an established market.

Population forecasts indicate Queanbeyan will gain 3,283 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and driving price growth.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified ten projects likely affecting the region. Notable ones include Spotlight Queanbeyan Retail Redevelopment, Yass Road upgrade, Bungendore Road and Ellerton Drive intersection improvement, Queanbeyan East Public Preschool construction, and 202 Crawford Street Apartments development. The following list details those most relevant.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Employment performance in Queanbeyan exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

Queanbeyan has a well-educated workforce with prominent essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 2.7%.

As of June 2025, 6825 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.0% below the Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation in Queanbeyan is 67.9%, higher than the Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Major employment sectors include public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and construction. Public administration & safety has a particularly high share at 3.2 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 0.3% of local workers, lower than the Rest of NSW's 5.3%.

Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data analysis. Between June 2024 and June 2025, Queanbeyan's labour force decreased by 3.6%, employment declined by 4.3%, leading to a 0.7 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. In contrast, the Rest of NSW saw employment contract by 0.1%, labour force grow by 0.3%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project total employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Queanbeyan's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.2% over five years and 12.8% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Queanbeyan had a median taxpayer income of $57,952 and an average of $68,228. This is higher than the national averages of $49,459 and $62,998 respectively in Rest of NSW. Based on Wage Price Index growth from financial year 2022 to September 2025 (12.61%), estimated median income is approximately $65,260 and average is $76,832. Census data indicates personal income ranks at the 78th percentile ($996 weekly) and household income at the 47th percentile. Income distribution shows 36.1% (4,109 individuals) in the $1,500 - $2,999 band, consistent with regional trends of 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.9% of income remaining, ranking at the 48th percentile. Queanbeyan's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Queanbeyan displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Queanbeyan's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census evaluation, consisted of 41.8% houses and 58.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro NSW's 74.5% houses and 25.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Queanbeyan was at 23.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 32.4% and rented ones at 44.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,700, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $2,167. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $330, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $355. Nationally, Queanbeyan's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 54.7% of all households, including 21.0% couples with children, 22.2% couples without children, and 10.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 45.3%, with lone person households at 41.9% and group households comprising 3.4% of the total. The median household size is 2.1 people, smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.6.

Educational attainment in Queanbeyan aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

Queanbeyan's educational profile is notable within its region, with 31.2% of residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications, exceeding the Rest of NSW average of 21.3%. This rate also surpasses that of the SA4 region at 24.1%, indicating a community emphasis on higher education. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 17.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (10.5%) and graduate diplomas (2.8%).

Vocational credentials are prominent, with 31.9% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (10.5%) and certificates (21.4%). Educational participation is high, with 26.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.0% in primary education, 5.4% in tertiary education, and 5.1% pursuing secondary education. Queanbeyan's five schools have a combined enrollment reaching 1,385 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 1005) and balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes three primary, one secondary, and one K-12 school. School capacity exceeds residential needs, with 12.2 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 10.1, suggesting Queanbeyan serves as an educational hub for the broader region.

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

Queanbeyan has 56 active public transport stops operating within the city. These stops offer a mix of train and bus services. There are 110 individual routes serving these stops, collectively providing 3,894 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility to public transport is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 160 meters from the nearest stop. On average, there are 556 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 69 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Queanbeyan is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, though to a considerably higher degree among older age cohorts

Queanbeyan faces significant health challenges with common health conditions being somewhat prevalent across all age groups but to a higher degree among older adults. Approximately 54% of Queanbeyan's total population (~6,113 people) have private health cover, compared to 61.0% in the rest of NSW.

Mental health issues and arthritis are the most common medical conditions in Queanbeyan, affecting 10.2% and 8.5% of residents respectively. About 66.5% of residents claim to be completely free from medical ailments, compared to 68.7% in the rest of NSW. The area has a senior population (aged 65 and over) of 14.2%, comprising 1,614 people. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than those in the broader population.

Queanbeyan was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Queanbeyan's population showed greater cultural diversity compared to most other local areas, with 28.3% born overseas and 24.4% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Queanbeyan, accounting for 47.1% of its population. The 'Other' religious category had a higher representation in Queanbeyan at 3.2%, compared to the Rest of NSW's 1.6%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were Australian (23.8%), English (23.2%), and Other (13.0%), with the latter being significantly higher than the regional average of 7.9%. Certain ethnic groups showed notable differences in representation: Macedonian at 2.0% compared to the regional 1.5%, Serbian at 0.7% versus 0.6%, and Croatian at 0.9% matching the regional figure.

Queanbeyan's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Queanbeyan is 36 years, which is significantly lower than Rest of NSW's average of 43 years and somewhat younger than Australia's median age of 38 years. The 25-34 age group comprises 22.9% of Queanbeyan's population, compared to Rest of NSW, while the 65-74 cohort makes up 7.2%. This proportion of individuals aged 25-34 is well above the national average of 14.5%. According to data from the 2021 Census, the 25-34 age group has increased from 20.9% to 22.9%, and the 35-44 cohort has risen from 14.5% to 15.9%. Conversely, the 5-14 age group has decreased from 9.4% to 8.2%, and the 65-74 group has fallen from 8.2% to 7.2%. Population forecasts for Queanbeyan in 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes. The 25-34 age group is projected to grow by 42%, adding 1,086 people and reaching a total of 3,694 from the current 2,607. In contrast, the 55-64 cohort is expected to show minimal growth of just 1%, increasing by only 12 people.