Booral - River Heads
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Booral - River Heads' population is around 8102 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase of 2327 people (40.3%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5775 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 7478 in June 2024 and an additional 629 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 51 persons per square kilometer. Booral - River Heads' 40.3% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the non-metro area (8.6%) and the national average, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 92.4% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered, and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted. Considering projected demographic shifts, a significant population increase in top quartile of Australia's regional areas is forecast. The area is expected to expand by 2852 persons to 2041 based on latest population numbers, reflecting an increase of 27.5% over the 17 years.

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 property approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis, showing 1,085 dwellings approved over the past five years from FY-21 to FY-25, with 65 approvals so far in FY-26. On average, 2.1 people have moved into the area per new home constructed over these five financial years, reflecting strong demand that supports property values. New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost of $434,000, which is below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers.

In FY-26, $6.1 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, demonstrating the area's primarily residential nature. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Booral - River Heads records 176.0% more building activity per person, providing ample choice for buyers and reflecting strong developer confidence in the area. Recent construction comprises 95.0% detached houses and 5.0% 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. Population forecasts indicate that Booral - River Heads will gain approximately 2,228 residents by 2041.

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

Booral - River Heads has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 36thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 22 projects that could affect the region. Notable initiatives 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 likely to be relevant.

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

The labour market in Booral - River Heads demonstrates typical performance when compared to similar areas across Australia

Booral-River Heads has a balanced workforce with representation from both white and blue collar jobs. Essential services sectors are well represented in the area.

The unemployment rate was 3.8% as of June 2025, which is 0.1% lower than the Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. There has been an estimated employment growth of 6.4% over the past year. As of June 2025, there were 3,538 residents in work, with a workforce participation rate of 53.2%, which is lower than the Rest of Qld's rate of 59.1%. The dominant employment sectors among residents include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.

Health care & social assistance has a particularly strong presence, with an employment share of 1.3 times the regional level. Agriculture, forestry & fishing, however, has limited presence with only 2.0% employment compared to the regional average of 4.5%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 6.4%, while labour force increased by 7.5%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 1.0 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of Qld saw employment grow by 1.8%, labour force expand by 2.0%, and unemployment rise by 0.2 percentage points during the same period. At the state level, as of Sep-25, Queensland's employment contracted by 0.23% (losing 8,070 jobs), with a state unemployment rate of 4.2%. This compares favourably to the national unemployment rate of 4.5%, but lags behind the national employment growth of 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest that national employment is expected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. However, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Booral-River Heads' employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.6%% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ended June 2022, Booral - River Heads had a median income among taxpayers of $47,379 with the average level standing at $59,568. This is lower than national averages and compares to levels of $50,780 and $64,844 across Rest of Qld respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% between financial year ended June 2022 and March 2025, current estimates would be approximately $52,927 for median income and $66,543 for average income as of March 2025. From the Census conducted in August 2021, household income ranks at the 29th percentile with a weekly income of $1,402, while personal income sits at the 13th percentile. The earnings profile shows that 32.4% of residents earn between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, which is reflected in the surrounding region where 31.7% fall within this range. After accounting for housing costs, 86.3% of income remains 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' dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, was 98.7% houses and 1.3% other dwellings. This compares to Non-Metro Qld's 83.9% houses and 16.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Booral - River Heads was 45.6%, similar to Non-Metro Qld, with the rest mortgaged (42.4%) or rented (12.0%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,560, above Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,430. Median weekly rent 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, while rents were substantially below 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 making up 16.0% and group households comprising 2.4%. The median household size is 2.6 people, 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 the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 9.7%, followed by graduate diplomas (2.3%) and postgraduate qualifications (2.2%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 45.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas (10.0%) and certificates (35.8%).

A substantial 23.6% of the population is actively pursuing formal education, including 8.8% in secondary, 8.5% in primary, and 2.2% in tertiary education. Educational provision includes Bayside Christian College Hervey Bay - Nikenbah Campus and Carinity Education - Glendyne, serving a total of 132 students. Booral - River Heads has varied educational conditions, with a secondary school and a K-12 school. Local school capacity is limited at 1.6 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 14.0, leading many families to travel for schooling. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

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 operational public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by a single route, offering a total of 73 weekly passenger trips combined. Transport accessibility is rated as limited, with residents being an average of 7403 meters away from the nearest stop.

The service frequency averages ten trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 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

Critical health challenges are evident across Booral - River Heads with various health conditions impacting both younger and older age cohorts. Approximately 50% (~4,010 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (12.3%) and mental health issues (10.8%), with 58.8% reporting no medical ailments, compared to 56.7% in Rest of Qld. The area has 23.3% residents aged 65 and over (1,889 people), lower than the Rest of Qld's 31.0%. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges but perform better than the general population in health metrics.

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 2016, had a low cultural diversity with 83.1% of its population born in Australia, 90.9% being citizens, and 96.0% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, making up 51.1%, slightly lower than the regional average of 52.7%. The top three ancestry groups were English (34.2%), Australian (28.2%), and Scottish (7.7%).

Notably, German (5.3% vs 5.3%) and Dutch (1.7% vs 1.3%) were proportionally similar to the regional averages, while New Zealand was slightly higher at 0.8% compared to 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 Queensland's figure of 41 and significantly greater than Australia's norm of 38. The 65-74 age group constitutes 16.1%, compared to Queensland's figure, while the 5-14 cohort represents 9.8%. This concentration in the 65-74 group is notably higher than the national average of 9.4%. Post-2021 Census data indicates that the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 9.6% to 11.4%, and the 25 to 34 cohort has risen from 8.2% to 10.0%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort has decreased from 12.0% to 9.8%, and the 55 to 64 group has dropped from 19.1% to 17.5%. By 2041, Booral - River Heads is projected to experience significant changes in its age composition. The 65 to 74 group is expected to grow by 33%, reaching 1,733 people from the current 1,301. Meanwhile, the 15 to 24 cohort is projected to increase modestly by 1%.