Bundaberg Surrounds - North

An assessment of population growth drivers in Bundaberg Surrounds - North reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Bundaberg Surrounds - North's population was approximately 9,834 as of November 2025, an increase of 558 people from the 2021 Census figure of 9,276. This growth represents a 6.0% rise since the census date, inferred from the estimated resident population of 9,839 in June 2024 and 67 validated new addresses added subsequently. The population density was around 7.7 persons per square kilometer. The area's 6.0% growth rate is within 2.6 percentage points of the SA3 area's 8.6%, indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Interstate migration contributed approximately 62.6% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including overseas migration and natural growth being 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 by this data 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; therefore, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023, based on 2022 data for each age cohort. Based on projected demographic shifts, Bundaberg Surrounds - North is expected to increase by around 850 persons to 2041, reflecting an 8.7% total increase over the 17-year period.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Bundaberg Surrounds - North when compared nationally

Bundaberg Surrounds - North has seen approximately 54 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling 274 dwellings. As of FY-26, 20 approvals have been recorded. Each dwelling built has resulted in an average of 2.1 new residents per year between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating strong demand that supports property values. The average construction cost value for these homes is $320,000, reflecting more affordable housing options compared to regional norms.

In the current financial year, $2.9 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, demonstrating the area's primarily residential nature. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Bundaberg Surrounds - North maintains similar construction rates per person, consistent with broader market conditions. All new constructions have been detached houses, maintaining the area's traditional low density character and appealing to those seeking family homes with space.

With around 264 people per approval, Bundaberg Surrounds - North reflects a low-density area. According to AreaSearch quarterly estimates, the area is forecasted to gain 855 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing favourable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

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

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 44 projects that could impact this region. Notable initiatives are Brookfield Estate, Bundaberg Solar Farm, Port of Bundaberg Expansion, and Branvale Estate. The following details projects expected to have the most relevance.

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The labour market in Bundaberg Surrounds - North demonstrates typical performance when compared to similar areas across Australia

Bundaberg Surrounds - North has a balanced workforce with diverse sector representation. Its unemployment rate was 3.8% in September 2024.

Over the past year, employment grew by an estimated 10.4%. As of September 2025, there are 5,005 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.8%, which is 0.3% below Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation in the area is 50.6%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Leading employment industries among residents include health care & social assistance, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and retail trade.

The area has a particularly notable concentration in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with employment levels at 3.9 times the regional average. In contrast, accommodation & food employs just 4.3% of local workers, below Rest of Qld's 8.3%. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 10.4%, while labour force increased by 10.3%, leaving unemployment broadly flat. In contrast, Rest of Qld experienced employment growth of 1.7% and labour force growth of 2.1%, with a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment. To provide broader context, state-level data to 25-Nov-25 shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1,210 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%, broadly in line with the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Bundaberg Surrounds - North's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.8% over five years and 12.6% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

The Bundaberg Surrounds - North SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $45,332 and an average income of $55,879 in the financial year 2022, according to ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. These figures are lower than those for Rest of Qld, which stood at $50,780 and $64,844 respectively. Based on a Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since the financial year 2022, estimated current incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $51,674 (median) and $63,696 (average). According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Bundaberg Surrounds - North all fall between the 8th and 14th percentiles nationally. The income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 captures 28.2% of the community (2,773 individuals), which is consistent with broader trends across the surrounding region showing 31.7% in the same category. Housing costs are modest, with 87.0% of income retained, but total disposable income ranks at just the 18th percentile nationally.

Bundaberg Surrounds - North is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Bundaberg Surrounds - North, as per the latest Census, 96.6% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 3.4% being semi-detached homes, apartments, or other types. This is in contrast to Non-Metro Qld's figures of 84.6% houses and 15.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bundaberg Surrounds - North stood at 47.4%, with mortgaged properties making up 35.9% and rented dwellings accounting for 16.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, aligning with Non-Metro Qld's average, while the median weekly rent was $300, compared to Non-Metro Qld's averages of $1,300 and $285 respectively. Nationally, Bundaberg Surrounds - North had lower mortgage repayments at $1,300 compared to Australia's average of $1,863, and lower rents at $300 compared to the national figure of $375.

Bundaberg Surrounds - North has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households compose 76.6% of all households, including 26.6% couples with children, 38.9% couples without children, and 10.7% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 23.4%, with lone person households at 19.6% and group households comprising 3.8%. The median household size is 2.5 people, larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.4.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 12.1%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This indicates a need for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 9.3%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.5%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.3%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 42.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (8.6%) and certificates (33.8%).

Educational participation is high at 26.7%, with 10.1% in primary education, 9.9% in secondary 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

Transport analysis shows six active public transport stops in Bundaberg Surrounds - North. These stops are served by one route, offering 12 weekly passenger trips collectively. Transport accessibility is limited, with residents typically located 5394 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages one trip per day across all routes, equating to approximately two weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Bundaberg Surrounds - North is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Bundaberg Surrounds - North faces significant health challenges, with common conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low, at approximately 48% (around 4,720 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most frequent medical issues are arthritis (12.1%) and mental health problems (9.2%). About 61.3% of residents report no medical ailments, slightly higher than the Rest of Qld's 59.1%. The area has 24.4% seniors aged 65 and over (2,394 people), lower than Rest of Qld's 26.3%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors show some challenges but perform better than the general population in health metrics.

Bundaberg Surrounds - North is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Bundaberg Surrounds - North, surveyed in 2016, had a population with 87.9% being citizens, 86.6% born in Australia, and 96.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 51.2%. This compares to 54.0% across Rest of Qld.

The top three ancestry groups were English (33.2%), Australian (31.7%), and Irish (7.7%). Notably, German ethnicity was overrepresented at 5.9%, Maltese at 0.7%, and Australian Aboriginal at 2.8%.

Bundaberg Surrounds - North hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Bundaberg Surrounds - North has a median age of 49 years, which is significantly higher than the Rest of Qld average of 41 years and exceeds the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 55-64 are particularly prominent, making up 18.6% of the population, while those aged 25-34 make up only 8.6%. This concentration of 55-64 year-olds is well above the national average of 11.2%. Between 2021 and present, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 6.5% to 7.9%, while the 35 to 44 cohort increased from 10.1% to 11.2%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 14.3% to 12.5%, and the 5 to 14 group dropped from 12.2% to 10.4%. By 2041, Bundaberg Surrounds - North is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. The 65 to 74 group is projected to grow by 19%, reaching 1,741 people from the current 1,468. This growth will be led by those aged 65 and above, who are expected to comprise 53% of the projected population growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 5 to 14 and 55 to 64 age cohorts.