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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Bouldercombe has an estimated 1,972 residents. Growth has averaged 0.5% a year over five years, slower than 84% of areas nationally. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to AreaSearch's evaluation, Bouldercombe holds a population of approximately 1,972 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 24 individuals (1.2%) from the 1,948 residents documented in the 2021 Census. This adjustment is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 1,972 alongside 37 validated new addresses identified after the Census. This population level translates to a density of 1.5 persons per square kilometer, which indicates a low-density environment with significant space per resident. Natural growth served as the primary driver for population increases, accounting for roughly 45.0% of the total gains in recent times, though positive contributions were also observed from other sources such as interstate and overseas migration.
AreaSearch utilizes population projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia published in 2024, using 2022 as the base year. In cases where SA2 areas lack coverage from this dataset, or for projections extending past 2032, figures from the Queensland State Government released in 2023 (based on 2021 data) are used. Because the Queensland state projections exclude breakdowns by age, AreaSearch distributes growth across age groups by applying proportions from the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections (which use 2022 base data). Future trends point toward growth rates in the lowest national quartile for regional areas, with the local population projected to increase by 52 residents by 2041 relative to the most recent annual ERP statistics, indicating a total growth of 2.6% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Construction activity remains low in Bouldercombe, with an average of 1 new dwellings approved per year, translating to a total of 9 approvals over the last five years. Minor development volumes of this nature are typical for rural areas where housing requirements are small, and residential construction is restricted by local demand and infrastructure limits. Because approval volumes are so low, year-on-year growth trends and comparisons can fluctuate significantly due to individual developments. Bouldercombe displays a much lower level of residential construction than Rest of Qld. These building levels also track below national averages.
Additionally, all recent construction projects have been detached houses, which aligns with the rural character of the locality where larger blocks and open space are standard. The ratio of 823 people for every dwelling approval highlights the quiet and low-intensity building environment of the area. Projections indicate that Bouldercombe will add 52 residents by 2041, based on the most recent quarterly estimate from AreaSearch. Should building rates persist at their current levels, the supply of new housing may fall short of population gains, which could increase competition among purchasers and encourage stronger price appreciation.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Bouldercombe
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 5 current infrastructure and development projects inside Bouldercombe, worth an estimated $1.92 billion. A further 60 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $6.84 billion. 22 are already under construction and 17 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans communities, residential development and transport & logistics. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure projects, major planning developments, and new initiatives represent key influences on regional outcomes. AreaSearch has identified 23 active projects with potential to affect the locality. Major projects include the Capricorn BESS Project, The Central BESS, Bouldercombe Battery Project, and the Mount Morgan Tailings Processing and Rehabilitation Project, with details of the most relevant initiatives listed below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
The Central BESS
A 500MW/1000MWh battery energy storage system near Bouldercombe, Queensland, connecting directly to the Bouldercombe Terminal Station at 275kV to support the state's clean energy transition. After Rockhampton Regional Council rejected the development application in December 2024, ACEnergy appealed to the Planning and Environment Court, which approved the amended application in October 2025 with conditions addressing fire safety, visual integration, and biodiversity. ACEnergy also received AEMO 5.3.4A access standard approval in May 2025 and is finalising a connection offer with Powerlink.Construction is anticipated to commence in late 2026, with energisation targeted for late 2028. A $3.6 million Benefit Sharing Program will be distributed to neighbouring residents, the local community, and First Nations groups over the project lifecycle. A Community Reference Group, chaired by a Rockhampton Regional Council representative, is being established by mid-2026.
Capricorn BESS Project
Potentia Energy proposes a 300 MW / 1200 MWh battery energy storage system about 2.5 km north of Bouldercombe and around 15 km south of Rockhampton. The project would include up to 294 BESS containers, 98 inverters and medium voltage power stations, high voltage substation equipment, transformers, control rooms, and operations facilities, with underground connection to the adjacent Bouldercombe Powerlink substation. Potentia states the project represents more than AUD 450 million of investment and is intended to strengthen grid reliability and support Queensland's energy transition.The development application was lodged in late 2024, updated and publicly exhibited in 2025, and after Rockhampton Regional Council did not decide the application, Potentia lodged a Planning and Environment Court appeal. In January 2026 the Queensland Deputy Premier issued a proposed call-in notice, which Potentia says was formally enacted on 4 March 2026, so the project is now being assessed by the Queensland Government. Potentia is also progressing social impact assessment and community benefit agreement requirements for large scale BESS projects.
Bouldercombe Battery Project
A 50MW/100MWh battery energy storage system utilizing 40 Tesla Megapack 2.0 units, connected to Powerlink's 275kV/132kV Bouldercombe substation. The project provides arbitrage and frequency control ancillary services (FCAS) to support grid stability and enable renewable energy integration. Operational since November 2023, the battery is operated by Tesla using Autobidder software under a revenue-sharing agreement with Genex Power.
Mount Hopeful Wind Farm
The Mount Hopeful Wind Farm is a large-scale renewable energy project in Central Queensland, approved for up to 63 wind turbines and potential battery storage. The final project capacity is expected to be around 400 MW, providing clean energy to power approximately 240,000 homes.
Fitzroy to Gladstone Pipeline Project
A 983 million dollar, 117-kilometre pipeline project designed to transport up to 30 gigalitres of water annually from the Lower Fitzroy River to Gladstone. The infrastructure includes an intake and pumping station at Laurel Bank, the Alton Downs Water Treatment Plant, and two 50ML reservoirs at Aldoga. The project aims to provide long-term water security, reduce reliance on Awoonga Dam, and support emerging hydrogen and renewable energy industries. As of early 2026, the project is entering the final commissioning phase with hydrostatic testing of reservoirs and pipe sections largely complete.
Mount Morgan Tailings Processing and Rehabilitation Project
A $150 million project to reopen the historic Mount Morgan mine for tailings processing and rehabilitation, expected to create 150 ongoing jobs and generate new economic opportunities.
Gracemere State High School
New Queensland Government secondary school for Gracemere. The project has progressed to the detailed design phase following approval of the Ministerial Infrastructure Designation. Stage 1 will deliver facilities for Years 7 and 8, with construction expected to commence in Term 4 2026 by F.K Gardner and Sons. The campus is scheduled to open in 2028 and will expand over time to a full Years 7-12 secondary school.
Sienna Estate
Sienna Estate is a 69-lot masterplanned residential community in Gracemere offering house-and-land packages and duplexes. Developed by Altus Property Group, it features generously sized blocks (720-1200sqm), high-quality inclusions, and provisions for green spaces, aiming to alleviate housing undersupply in the Rockhampton region.
1,012 residents of Bouldercombe are employed, from a labour force of 1,032. Unemployment sits at 1.9%, with participation at 63.4%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.7% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,687, about 86% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local workforce is evenly distributed between white-collar and blue-collar occupations, featuring notable representation in industrial and manufacturing sectors, alongside an unemployment rate of only 1.9%. As of March 2026, there are 1,012 employed residents in the area, and the unemployment rate sits 2.0% below the 3.9% recorded in Regional Qld. Workforce participation matches the Regional Qld level of 64.3% closely. Census records indicate that a small proportion of residents (11.4%) worked from home, although the influence of Covid-19 lockdowns during that period should be taken into account. Residential employment is largely concentrated in the health care & social assistance, construction, and mining sectors.
The representation of mining is particularly strong, with local employment ratios reaching 2.7 times the regional average. Conversely, the accommodation & food sector is underrepresented, employing 4.7% of the workforce compared to 8.3% across the region. A comparison of the Census working population against the resident population suggests that local employment opportunities within the area are limited. AreaSearch's analysis of SALM and ABS data shows that over the 12-month period, the local labor force contracted by 5.0% and employment fell by 3.3%, which resulted in a 1.7 percentage point drop in the unemployment rate. In contrast, Regional Qld experienced an employment increase of 0.1%, labor force expansion of 0.3%, and a 0.1 percentage point rise in unemployment. National employment projections released in May-25 by Jobs and Skills Australia provide further context regarding future demand trends for Bouldercombe. These five-year and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential growth. Although employment nationwide is projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates vary significantly by sector. Mapping these industry-specific trends to the local employment profile suggests that employment in Bouldercombe would expand by 5.7% over five years and 12.3% over ten years, noting that this calculation is a basic weighted extrapolation for demonstration purposes and does not account for local population forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Bouldercombe is $1,437 a week (about $75,000 a year), with median personal income at $644 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $55,370 a year against an average of $66,565. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Taxpayer data from the ATO for the 2023 financial year shows that Bouldercombe SA2 registered a median taxpayer income of $55,370 and an average income of $66,565. These figures sit slightly below the national average and compare to $53,146 (median) and $66,593 (average) across Regional Qld. Adjusting for Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since the 2023 financial year, estimated income levels as of March 2026 would be roughly $61,660 for the median and $74,127 for the average. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual incomes in the locality fell between the 18th and 31st percentiles nationally.
Income distribution figures indicate the largest bracket contains 28.4% of local residents (560 people) within the $1,500 - 2,999 range, mirroring the broader region where 31.7% of residents fall into this category. Housing costs consume a manageable portion of earnings, leaving 87.6% retained, though disposable income is below the national average at the 36th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Bouldercombe had 670 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 98% detached houses and 0% apartments. 41% are owned with a mortgage, 13% rented and 46% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $250 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,550 a month. Rent absorbs 17.4% of household income here and mortgage repayments 24.9%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, residential properties in Bouldercombe were composed of 98.1% separate houses and 1.9% other dwelling types like semi-detached homes, apartments, or alternative accommodation, compared to 76.4% separate houses and 23.6% other dwelling types across Regional Qld. Home ownership rates in Bouldercombe were higher than regional levels at 46.2%, with remaining households holding a mortgage (41.0%) or renting (12.8%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,550 sat below the regional average of $1,655, and the median weekly rent of $250 was also lower than the Regional Qld average of $345.
On a national scale, mortgage costs in Bouldercombe are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rent costs are below the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Bouldercombe counted 670 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.6 people each. 30% are couples with children, against 36% couples without children. 22% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.2 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family households constitute the majority of homes at 75.8%, consisting of couples with children (30.0%), couples without children (36.4%), and single-parent households (9.9%). Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 24.2%, with single-person households representing 21.6% and group households making up 1.3%. The median household occupancy of 2.6 residents is higher than the Regional Qld average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
10.1% of adults in Bouldercombe hold a university qualification, including 8.0% with a bachelor degree and 1.2% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 89% of areas nationally. A further 34.2% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 107 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 953 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
The region shows lower rates of higher education, with university qualification levels (10.1%) sitting well below the national average of 30.4%. This highlights an area for potential educational development and support. Bachelor degrees represent the main tertiary qualification at 8.0%, with postgraduate qualifications at 1.2% and graduate diplomas at 0.9%. Vocational and technical qualifications are common, with 42.4% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications from vocational institutions, including advanced diplomas (8.2%) and certificates (34.2%). A high proportion of residents are engaged in studies, with 31.6% of the population enrolled in formal education programs.
Within this student cohort, 12.5% attend primary schools, 12.5% are in secondary schools, and 2.2% are enrolled in tertiary education programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Bouldercombe means driving: households keep an average of 2.0 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
63.4% of residents in Bouldercombe report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 78% of areas nationally. 4.8% need daily assistance with core activities, and 52.1% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.1 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Assessment of mortality statistics and chronic disease trends indicates health difficulties in Bouldercombe, with common illnesses noted among both younger and older cohorts. Private health insurance coverage levels also track slightly lower than the average SA2 region, representing roughly 52% of the population (~1,027 people). Arthritis and asthma are the most prevalent medical diagnoses in the locality, affecting 10.3% and 8.1% of residents respectively. Conversely, 63.4% of the population reported no chronic medical conditions, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. The working-age cohort exhibits elevated rates of chronic illnesses, representing a key health concern.
Residents aged 65 and older make up 24.5% of the local population (482 people), which is higher than the 20.4% regional average. Senior health outcomes rank above average, outperforming the general population on a national scale.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Bouldercombe is largely Australian-born, at 94.4% of residents, with 0.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (37.0%) and English (32.7%). 4.4% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity metrics in Bouldercombe are below average, with citizens representing 86.3% of the population, Australian-born residents accounting for 94.4%, and English-only speakers at home totaling 99.6%. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, practiced by 60.2% of residents, compared to 52.2% recorded across Regional Qld. Parental country of birth statistics show the primary ancestries in Bouldercombe are Australian at 37.0% of the population (higher than the regional average of 26.5%), English at 32.7%, and Scottish at 7.7%. Divergences from regional trends are present in other ethnic backgrounds, with German ancestry at 4.7% (matching the 4.7% regional rate), Australian Aboriginal at 4.4% (compared to 3.9% regionally), and Spanish at 0.4% (compared to 0.3% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Bouldercombe is 46, older than 81% of areas nationally. 17.0% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The median age of 46 years in Bouldercombe is higher than the regional median of 41 years and the national median of 38 years. Compared to Regional Qld, the local area has a larger proportion of residents aged 65 - 74 (15.8%) and a smaller share of 25 - 34 year-olds (7.5%). The proportion of residents aged 65 - 74 is higher than the national figure of 9.4%. Since the 2021 Census, the 65 to 74 demographic increased from 13.7% to 15.8% of the population, and the 75 to 84 cohort rose from 5.6% to 6.7%.
In contrast, the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 13.8% to 12.3% and the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 13.4% to 11.9%. Significant shifts in the age structure are projected by 2041, led by a 60% increase in the 75 to 84 cohort, which is expected to rise from 132 to 212 residents (an increase of 79 people). Population aging will persist, with residents aged 65 and over accounting for 78% of the projected growth. Conversely, the 45 to 54 and 5 to 14 age brackets are expected to shrink.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Bouldercombe
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 5 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 37 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (1,948 at the 2021 Census → 1,972 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (308031206). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.