Bargara - Burnett Heads
Statistical Area - sa2

Bargara - Burnett Heads lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Bargara - Burnett Heads' population is around 21,892 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase of 2,884 people (15.2%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 19,008 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 21,242 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 971 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 151 persons per square kilometer. Bargara - Burnett Heads' 15.2% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area (8.4%) and the non-metro area, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration that contributed approximately 83.2% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. 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. Moving forward with demographic trends, an above median population growth of national regional areas is projected, with the area expected to expand by 4,085 persons to 2041 based on the latest population numbers, reflecting an increase of 15.7% in total over the 17 years.

The level of residential development activity in Bargara - Burnett Heads was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

Bargara-Burnett Heads recorded approximately 283 residential property approvals annually. ABS data shows 1,418 approvals across the past five financial years (FY-21 to FY-25), with 91 approved in FY-26 so far. Each dwelling averaged 2.1 new residents yearly over these five years. Average construction cost of new homes was $494,000.

Commercial development approvals totalled $41.5 million in FY-26. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Bargara-Burnett Heads had 126% more new home approvals per person. New developments comprised 91% detached houses and 9% attached dwellings. There were approximately 75 people per dwelling approval. By 2041, the population is forecast to increase by 3,435 residents.

Current construction levels should meet demand adequately, benefiting buyers and potentially exceeding population growth forecasts.

Bargara - Burnett Heads has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 39thth percentile nationally

Area infrastructure changes significantly influence local performance. AreaSearch identified 42 potential impact projects in total. Key ones are Bargara Headlands Estate, Club Bargara Resort Development, Bargara Emerging Communities Infrastructure, and Bargara Rise Estate. The following list details those likely most relevant.

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

Employment performance in Bargara - Burnett Heads exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

Bargara-Burnett Heads has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. As of June 2025, the unemployment rate is 3.1%, with an estimated employment growth of 6.6% over the past year.

There are 10,020 residents in work, and the unemployment rate is 0.8% below Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation lags significantly at 50.2%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction. The area has a particular employment specialization in health care & social assistance, with an employment share of 1.4 times the regional level.

In contrast, transport, postal & warehousing employs just 2.5% of local workers, below Rest of Qld's 4.3%. Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 6.6%, while labour force increased by 7.3%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.7 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of Qld, where employment rose by 1.8%, the labour force grew by 2.0%, and unemployment rose by 0.2 percentage points. To Sep-25, state-level data shows QLD employment contracted by 0.23% (losing 8,070 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest that while national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Bargara-Burnett Heads' employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.6%% over five years and 14.0% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch aggregated latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2022. Bargara - Burnett Heads had a median income among taxpayers of $47,681 and an average income of $58,918. Both figures were below the national averages of $50,780 and $64,844 respectively for Rest of Qld. As of March 2025, estimated median and average incomes would be approximately $53,264 and $65,817 based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year 2022. Census data indicated that household, family, and personal incomes in Bargara - Burnett Heads fell between the 19th and 21st percentiles nationally. Income distribution showed that 27.9% of individuals earned between $1,500 and $2,999, consistent with broader regional trends of 31.7%. After housing costs, 86.2% of income remained, ranking at the 24th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 4th decile.

Bargara - Burnett Heads is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Bargara - Burnett Heads, as per the latest Census data, 87.2% of dwellings were houses while 12.7% were other types such as semi-detached homes and apartments. This differs slightly from Non-Metro Queensland's figures of 84.6% houses and 15.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in the area stood at 46.1%, with mortgaged dwellings making up 30.3% and rented properties comprising 23.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Bargara - Burnett Heads was $1,500, higher than Non-Metro Queensland's average of $1,300. Weekly rent figures were recorded at $320 compared to Non-Metro Queensland's $285. Nationally, the area's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Bargara - Burnett Heads has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 73.0% of all households, including 22.9% that are couples with children, 40.2% that are couples without children, and 9.3% that are single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 27.0%, with lone person households at 24.2% and group households comprising 2.8%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.4.

Educational outcomes in Bargara - Burnett Heads fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

Educational qualifications in Bargara-Burnett Heads lag behind regional benchmarks. 20.5% of residents aged 15+ hold university degrees, compared to the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 14.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.5%) and graduate diplomas (2.5%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 38.5% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 10.3% and certificates at 28.2%.

A significant number, 23.9%, are actively pursuing formal education, including primary (8.9%), secondary (8.2%), and tertiary (2.9%) levels. The region has four schools with a combined enrolment of 966 students. These schools focus on primary education; secondary options are available in nearby areas. School capacity is limited locally at 4.4 places per 100 residents, compared to the regional average of 13.9, leading many families to travel for schooling.

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

Transport analysis indicates 88 active transport stops within Bargara - Burnett Heads, served by a mix of buses. These stops are covered by three individual routes, offering 137 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents on average located 334 meters from the nearest stop.

Services run at an average frequency of 19 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately one weekly trip per individual stop.

Health performance in Bargara - Burnett Heads 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 Bargara - Burnett Heads, with high prevalence of common conditions across both younger and older age groups. Only approximately 49% of residents (~10,748 people) have private health cover, compared to the national average of 55.3%.

Arthritis (12.4%) and mental health issues (8.7%) are the most prevalent medical conditions in the area. 59.6% of residents report no medical ailments, similar to the Rest of Qld's 59.1%. The area has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over (31.8%, or 6,968 people) compared to the Rest of Qld (26.3%).

Bargara - Burnett Heads ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Bargara-Burnett Heads, surveyed in 2016, had a low cultural diversity with 82.9% born in Australia, 90.2% being citizens, and 94.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, at 56.3%, slightly higher than the regional average of 54.0%. The top three ancestry groups were English (32.3%), Australian (27.8%), and Scottish (9.0%).

Notably, German (6.3%) and Dutch (1.5%) groups were relatively overrepresented compared to their respective regional averages of 6.4% and 1.1%. New Zealanders made up 0.8%, slightly higher than the regional average of 0.6%.

Bargara - Burnett Heads ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Bargara - Burnett Heads is 51, which exceeds the Rest of Qld figure of 41 and is above Australia's median age of 38. The percentage of residents aged 65-74 locally is notably higher at 17.5% compared to the Rest of Qld average, while those aged 25-34 are under-represented at 8.6%. This concentration of the 65-74 age group is well above the national figure of 9.4%. Between 2021 and present, the percentage of residents aged 75 to 84 has increased from 9.9% to 11.3%, while the 5 to 14 cohort has declined from 11.6% to 9.5% and the 45 to 54 group has decreased from 12.3% to 11.3%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate that the 85+ age cohort is expected to more than double, expanding by 919 people (138%) from 665 to 1,585. Senior residents aged 65 and above will contribute significantly to population growth, accounting for 64%. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 5 to 14 and 15 to 24 age cohorts.