Bundaberg

Bundaberg is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Bundaberg's population, as of February 2026, is approximately 6596 people. This figure represents an increase of 349 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6247 people. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 6554 in June 2024 and an additional 40 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1077 persons per square kilometer, similar to averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration primarily drove population growth, contributing approximately 86.8% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts 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 used, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 and based on 2022 data. Looking ahead, demographic trends suggest a population increase just below Australia's non-metropolitan median by 2041, with the area expected to grow by 472 persons, reflecting a gain of approximately 6.5% over the 17-year period based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Bundaberg according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Bundaberg has received approximately 14 dwelling approvals per year. Between FY21-FY25, 74 homes were approved, with another 16 approved in FY26 so far. On average, 2.9 people moved to the area annually for each new home constructed between FY21 and FY25.

The average construction value of these dwellings was $342,000. In FY26, commercial approvals totalled $22.7 million. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Bundaberg's building activity is 64.0% below the regional average per person. Recent constructions comprised 31.0% standalone homes and 69.0% medium and high-density housing. By FY25, Bundaberg had an established housing proportion of 53.0%. Population forecasts indicate Bundaberg will gain 430 residents by 2041. Current construction rates appear balanced with future demand.

Population forecasts indicate Bundaberg will gain 430 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Present construction rates appear balanced with future demand, fostering steady market conditions without excessive price pressure.

Bundaberg has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 13 projects likely to impact the area. Key projects include Oasis Estate - Burnett Heads, Bundaberg Civic and Cultural Precinct, New Bundaberg Hospital, and South Beach Precinct. 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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AreaSearch analysis reveals Bundaberg recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Bundaberg has a skilled workforce with notable representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 9.2% as of September 2025, which is 1.0 percentage points higher than the Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 9.7%.

As of the Census date, 3,215 residents were employed while workforce participation was recorded at 63.7%, slightly below the Rest of Qld average of 65.7%. A low 4.0% of residents worked from home according to Census responses. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and accommodation & food sectors. The area has a particularly high concentration in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with employment levels at 3.2 times the regional average.

Conversely, construction employs only 6.1% of local workers, below the Rest of Qld's 10.1%. There are 1.7 workers for every resident, indicating that Bundaberg functions as an employment hub attracting workers from surrounding areas. Over the 12-month period ending in May-25, employment increased by 9.7% while labour force grew by 10.2%, resulting in a rise of 0.4 percentage points in unemployment rate. By comparison, Rest of Qld recorded employment growth of 1.7%, labour force growth of 2.1%, and an increase of 0.3 percentage points in unemployment rate. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project national employment to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Bundaberg's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released for financial year ending June 2023 shows Bundaberg SA2 had median taxpayer income of $46,094 and average income of $57,756. These figures are below national averages of $53,146 and $66,593 respectively in Rest of Qld. Using Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since June 2023, estimated median and average incomes for Bundaberg as of September 2025 are approximately $50,662 and $63,480. Census data indicates Bundaberg's household, family, and personal incomes fall between the 2nd and 12th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows 29.9% (1,972 individuals) earn $400-$799 weekly, contrasting with the region's leading bracket of $1,500-$2,999 at 31.7%. Notably, 41.9% of households earn below $800 weekly, indicating affordability pressures. Housing affordability is severe, with only 79.6% of income remaining, ranking at the 3rd percentile nationally.

Bundaberg displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Dwelling structure in Bundaberg, as evaluated at the Census 2016, comprised 53.0% houses and 46.9% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bundaberg was 21.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 16.5% and rented ones at 62.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,118, below Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,655. Median weekly rent in Bundaberg was $250, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $345. Nationally, Bundaberg's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Bundaberg features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 51.2% of all households, including 14.1% couples with children, 19.9% couples without children, and 15.2% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 48.8%, with lone person households at 42.9% and group households at 5.6%. The median household size is 2.1 people, smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

Bundaberg faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 17.5%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.8%) and graduate diplomas (1.2%). Trade and technical skills are prevalent, with 36.1% of residents aged 15 and above holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (7.8%) and certificates (28.3%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 27.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.2% in primary education, 7.5% in secondary education, and 3.7% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Bundaberg has 39 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 12 different routes that together facilitate 493 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these transport services is rated as good, with residents typically living 233 meters away from the nearest stop. In this predominantly residential area, most people commute outwards, primarily by car (88%), while 7% walk. On average, there are 0.9 vehicles per dwelling, which is below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, only 4.0% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

Across all routes, service frequency averages 70 trips per day, equating to approximately 12 weekly trips per stop.

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

Bundaberg faces significant health challenges, as assessed by AreaSearch through mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Several health conditions affect both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 48% of Bundaberg's total population (around 3,179 people), compared to 52.5% in the rest of Queensland and the national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues and arthritis are the most common conditions, impacting 11.6% and 10.4% of residents respectively. However, 60.7% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 67.6% in the rest of Queensland. The working-age population faces notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. Bundaberg has 17.0% of residents aged 65 and over (1,118 people), lower than the 20.4% in the rest of Queensland. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly similar to those of the general population.

In terms of cultural diversity, Bundaberg records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Bundaberg's cultural diversity was found to be above average, with 22.0% of its population born overseas and 14.5% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the main religion in Bundaberg, comprising 45.7% of the population. Notably, Buddhism was overrepresented in Bundaberg compared to the rest of Queensland, making up 2.5% versus 1.1%.

Regarding ancestry, the top three groups were English (28.6%), Australian (26.6%), and Other (8.1%). There were also notable divergences in certain ethnic groups: German was overrepresented at 5.2% compared to 4.7% regionally, Australian Aboriginal at 5.0% versus 3.9%, and Korean at 0.6% compared to 0.2%.

Bundaberg's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Bundaberg's median age is 37 years, which is significantly lower than the Rest of Qld average of 41, and essentially aligned with Australia's median age of 38. Compared to the Rest of Qld average, Bundaberg has a notably higher proportion of 25-34 year-olds (19.6%) and a lower proportion of 5-14 year-olds (9.2%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is well above the national average of 14.4%. Following the Census conducted in 2021, Bundaberg's median age decreased by 1 year to 37 due to a shift in its population towards younger residents. Specifically, the proportion of 25 to 34 year-olds increased from 16.2% to 19.6%, while the 0 to 4 cohort rose from 5.0% to 6.0%. Conversely, the proportions of 5 to 14 year-olds and 65 to 74 year-olds decreased to 9.2% and 9.0% respectively from their previous levels of 10.7% and 10.4%. Demographic projections suggest that Bundaberg's age profile will change significantly by the year 2041, with the strongest growth expected in the 25-34 age group (20%), adding 257 residents to reach a total of 1,551. Conversely, the 55-64 and 5-14 cohorts are projected to experience population declines.