Booral - River Heads

Booral - River Heads lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Booral - River Heads' population was around 8,232 as of November 2025. This figure reflects a growth of 2,457 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,775. The increase is inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 7,478 in June 2024 and an additional 679 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 52 persons per square kilometer. Booral - River Heads' growth rate of 42.5% since the 2021 census exceeded both the non-metro area (8.8%) and national average. Interstate migration contributed approximately 92.4% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers were positive factors.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections from 2023 based on 2021 data are used. These state projections do not provide age category splits; thus, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 and based on 2022 data for each age cohort. Considering projected demographic shifts, a significant population increase in the top quartile of Australia's regional areas is forecast. Booral - River Heads is expected to expand by 2,852 persons to 2041, reflecting an overall increase of 25.5% over the 17-year period based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.

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

Booral - River Heads has recorded approximately 217 residential properties granted approval annually over the past five financial years, totalling 1085 homes. As of FY26165 approvals have been recorded. On average, around 2.1 people move to the area per new home constructed each year between FY21 and FY25, indicating robust demand that supports property values. The average expected construction cost value for new homes is $317000, which is below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers.

In this financial year, $6100000 in commercial development approvals have been recorded, reflecting the area's primarily residential nature. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Booral - River Heads records 176% more building activity per person, providing ample choice for buyers and indicating strong developer confidence in the area. Recent construction comprises 95% detached houses and 5% medium and high-density housing, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. With around 28 people per dwelling approval, Booral - River Heads shows characteristics of a growth area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the area is forecasted to gain approximately 2098 residents by 2041.

At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Booral - River Heads has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 20 projects likely to affect the region. Notable ones include Fraser Coast Sports and Recreation Precinct Basketball Stadium, Astro Aero Aircraft Manufacturing Centre, Pinnacle Hervey Bay Estate, and Wondunna Mixed-Use Development (MCU22/0103). The following list details 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 Booral - River Heads shows considerable strength compared to most other Australian regions

Booral - River Heads has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. Key sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.

As of September 2025, there are 3833 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.2%. This is below the Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%, but workforce participation lags at 53.2% compared to the regional average of 59.1%. The area shows strong specialization in health care & social assistance, with employment share 1.3 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 2.0%. Employment opportunities may be limited locally based on Census data comparison.

Over the past year, employment increased by 10.8% alongside labour force growth of 11.1%, raising unemployment rate by 0.3 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of Qld's employment and labour force growth of 1.7% and 2.1% respectively, also seeing a 0.3 percentage point unemployment rise. State-level data to November 25 shows Queensland employment contracted slightly by 0.01%, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. National forecasts from May-25 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but local projections vary based on industry-specific trends. Applying these to Booral - River Heads's employment mix suggests local jobs should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.8% over ten years.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released on 1 July 2022 for financial year 2022, Booral - River Heads SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $47,379 with an average level standing at $59,568. This was lower than the national average and compared to levels of $50,780 and $64,844 across Rest of Qld respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $54,007 (median) and $67,902 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, household income ranked at the 29th percentile ($1,402 weekly), while personal income sat at the 12th percentile. The earnings profile showed that the largest segment comprised 32.4% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (2,667 residents). This reflected patterns seen in the surrounding region where 31.7% similarly occupied this range. After housing costs, 86.3% of income remained for other expenses.

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

Booral - River Heads' dwellings were 98.7% houses and 1.3% other types at the latest Census. Non-Metro Qld had 83.9% houses and 16.1% others. Home ownership in Booral - River Heads was 45.6%, similar to Non-Metro Qld's figure, with mortgaged dwellings at 42.4% and rented ones at 12.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,560, above Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,430. Median weekly rent in Booral - River Heads was $330, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $335. Nationally, Booral - River Heads' mortgage repayments were lower at $1,560 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially lower at $330 against the national figure of $375.

Booral - River Heads features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 81.6% of all households, including 28.6% couples with children, 42.1% couples without children, and 10.4% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 18.4%, with lone person households at 16.0% and group households comprising 2.4%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which is larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.3.

Booral - River Heads faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 14.2%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.7%, followed by graduate diplomas (2.3%) and postgraduate qualifications (2.2%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 45.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.0%) and certificates (35.8%). A total of 23.6% of the population is actively engaged in formal education, comprising 8.8% in secondary, 8.5% in primary, and 2.2% in tertiary education.

A substantial 23.6% of the population actively pursues formal education. This includes 8.8% in secondary education, 8.5% in primary education, and 2.2% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Booral-River Heads has six active public transport stops. These are served by buses only, with one route operating across all stops. This route provides a total of 73 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility to these stops is limited, with residents typically located approximately 7403 meters from the nearest stop. The service frequency averages ten trips per day across all routes, which equates to about twelve weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Booral - River Heads is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Booral-River Heads faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Approximately half (50%) of the total population (~4,074 people) has private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (12.3% of residents) and mental health issues (10.8%). A majority (58.8%) claim to have no medical ailments, slightly higher than the Rest of Qld's 56.7%. The area has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 23.3% (1,919 people) compared to Rest of Qld's 31.0%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Booral-River Heads are better than those for the general population.

Booral - River Heads is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Booral-River Heads, surveyed in August 2016, showed low cultural diversity with 83.1% Australian-born population, 90.9% citizens, and 96.0% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion at 51.1%, compared to 52.7% regionally. Top ancestry groups were English (34.2%), Australian (28.2%), and Scottish (7.7%).

Notable differences included higher German representation at 5.3% (vs 5.3% regionally), Dutch at 1.7% (vs 1.3%), and New Zealand at 0.8% (vs 0.7%).

Booral - River Heads hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Booral - River Heads has a median age of 48, which is higher than the Rest of Qld figure of 41 and significantly higher than the national norm of 38. The 65-74 age group shows strong representation at 16.1%, compared to Rest of Qld's figure, while the 5-14 cohort is less prevalent at 9.8%. This 65-74 concentration is well above the national average of 9.4%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 9.6% to 11.4%, and the 25 to 34 cohort increased from 8.2% to 10.0%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort has declined from 12.0% to 9.8%, and the 55 to 64 group dropped from 19.1% to 17.5%. By 2041, Booral - River Heads is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. The 65 to 74 group is projected to grow by 31%, reaching 1,733 people from 1,322. Meanwhile, the 15 to 24 cohort is projected to decline by 8 people.