Agnes Water - Miriam Vale
Statistical Area - sa2

Agnes Water - Miriam Vale lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Agnes Water - Miriam Vale's population is around 8,026 as of August 2025. This reflects an increase of 1,219 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,807 people. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 7,886 in June 2024 and an additional 419 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2.1 persons per square kilometer. Agnes Water - Miriam Vale's growth rate of 17.9% since the 2021 census exceeded both the SA4 region (6.4%) and the SA3 area, indicating it as a growth leader in the region. Interstate migration contributed approximately 85.9% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including overseas migration and natural growth were positive factors.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. Considering projected demographic shifts, a population increase just below the median of Australian non-metropolitan areas is expected for Agnes Water - Miriam Vale, with an increase of 1,065 persons to 2041 based on latest population numbers, representing an increase of 11.5% over the 17-year period.

The level of residential development activity in Agnes Water - Miriam Vale was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

Agnes Water - Miriam Vale has granted approximately 68 residential property approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis, totalling 342 approvals from FY-21 to FY-25, with 7 recorded so far in FY-26. Each year, around 4.4 people have moved to the area for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating high demand outpacing supply, which can influence prices and buyer competition. New homes are constructed at an average cost of $513,000, aligning with regional trends.

This financial year has seen $3.8 million in commercial approvals, reflecting the area's residential nature. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Agnes Water - Miriam Vale records 202.0% more new home approvals per capita, offering buyers greater choice. Recent development has consisted solely of detached dwellings, maintaining the area's low-density character and attracting space-seeking buyers. With around 125 people moving in for each dwelling approval, Agnes Water - Miriam Vale exhibits growth area characteristics.

Projected population growth by 2041 is approximately 925 residents. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing favorable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting further population growth beyond current projections.

Agnes Water - Miriam Vale has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 32ndth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 21 projects that may affect the region. Notable ones are Discovery Drive Residential Development (Lot 2 Captain Cook Drive), Laguna Agnes Water, Rutherglen Solar & Storage, and Eurimbula Solar Farm (formerly Rodds Bay Solar Farm). The following list details those most relevant.

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

Employment drivers in Agnes Water - Miriam Vale are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Agnes Water - Miriam Vale has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar employment. The construction sector is prominent.

Unemployment rate was 9.7% in June 2024, with an estimated employment growth of 2.0%. As of June 2025, there are 3,285 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 5.7%, which is higher than the Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation is lower at 46.3% compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key industries include construction, accommodation & food, and retail trade.

Accommodation & food has notable concentration with employment levels at 1.6 times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance shows lower representation at 6.8%, compared to the regional average of 16.1%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited based on Census working population vs resident population comparison. During June 2025, employment levels increased by 2.0% and labour force increased by 4.9%, causing unemployment rate to rise by 2.6 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 shows QLD employment contracted by 0.23%, with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%. National employment forecasts from May 2025 project national growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Agnes Water - Miriam Vale's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.4%% over five years and 11.5% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

Agnes Water - Miriam Vale had a median income among taxpayers of $39,580 in the financial year 2022. The average income was $55,987 during this period. Both figures were below the national averages of $50,780 and $64,844 respectively for Rest of Qld. By March 2025, estimates suggest the median income will be approximately $44,215 and the average income around $62,543, based on a Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year 2022. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Agnes Water - Miriam Vale ranked between the 4th and 4th percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. Income distribution data shows that 27.1% of the population fell within the $400 - 799 income range, differing from regional levels where the $1,500 - 2,999 category was predominant at 31.7%. After housing costs, 85.7% of income remained, placing Agnes Water - Miriam Vale at the 6th percentile nationally for disposable income.

Agnes Water - Miriam Vale is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Agnes Water - Miriam Vale, as evaluated in the latest Census, 91.7% of dwellings were houses while 8.4% consisted of other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This differs from Non-Metro Qld's composition of 85.7% houses and 14.3% other dwellings. In Agnes Water - Miriam Vale, home ownership stood at 51.4%, with mortgaged properties at 32.1% and rented dwellings at 16.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,336, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,600. Weekly rent in Agnes Water - Miriam Vale was recorded at $275, matching Non-Metro Qld's figure but significantly lower than the national average of $375. Nationally, mortgage repayments were higher at $1,863 compared to Agnes Water - Miriam Vale's figure.

Agnes Water - Miriam Vale has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 68.3% of all households, including 20.4% couples with children, 38.5% couples without children, and 8.2% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 31.7%, consisting of 28.0% lone person households and 3.7% group households. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

Agnes Water - Miriam Vale faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area has university qualification rates of 13.4%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees lead at 9.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 45.7% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (9.6%) and certificates (36.1%).

Educational participation is high, with 27.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.6% in primary education, 9.9% in secondary education, and 2.1% pursuing tertiary education. There are nine schools operating within Agnes Water - Miriam Vale, educating approximately 1,062 students. The area demonstrates typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 966) with balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes five primary and four K-12 schools. School places per 100 residents (13.2) are below the regional average (18.2), with some students likely attending schools in adjacent areas. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health performance in Agnes Water - Miriam Vale is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data indicates significant health challenges in Agnes Water - Miriam Vale, with notable prevalence of common conditions across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low, at approximately 48% of the total population (~3,852 people), compared to 55.6% in the rest of Queensland and the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (11.5%) and mental health issues (8.7%), while 63.9% report having no medical ailments, compared to 69.4% in the rest of Queensland.

The area has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 24.5% (1,963 people), compared to 15.2% in the rest of Queensland. Health outcomes among seniors are strong, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

Agnes Water - Miriam Vale is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Agnes Water-Miram Vale had a lower than average cultural diversity, with 83.8% of its population being citizens born in Australia who spoke English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, practiced by 47.8% of the population. Judaism, however, was overrepresented at 0.1%, compared to 0% regionally.

The top three ancestry groups were English (32.6%), Australian (31.3%), and Scottish (8.2%). Notably, German (6.0%) and Russian (0.4%) ethnicity were also overrepresented, while Australian Aboriginal was underrepresented at 2.8%.

Agnes Water - Miriam Vale ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Agnes Water - Miriam Vale has a median age of 52, which is higher than the Rest of Qld figure of 41 and also above the national average of 38. The age group of 55-64 shows strong representation at 21.4%, compared to Rest of Qld's figure, while the 25-34 cohort is less prevalent at 5.8%. This concentration of the 55-64 age group is well above the national average of 11.2%. According to the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 6.6% to 7.9%, while the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 16.2% to 14.5%. Demographic modeling suggests that Agnes Water - Miriam Vale's age profile will change significantly by 2041. The 75 to 84 age cohort is projected to grow by 228 people (41%), from 552 to 781. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are expected to account for 57% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 5 to 14 and 15 to 24 cohorts.