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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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Burdekin has an estimated 7,980 residents, up from 7,658 at the 2021 Census — a change of 322 people, or 4.2%. Growth has averaged 0.5% a year over five years. 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 investigations by AreaSearch, the population of Burdekin stands at approximately 7,980 in May 2026. This represents a gain of 322 people (4.2%) relative to the 2021 Census, which registered 7,658 residents. This calculation is derived from the ABS estimated resident population of 7,980 in June 2025 alongside 2 validated new addresses confirmed since the Census. With a density of 1.6 persons per square kilometer, the locality offers significant personal space. Burdekin's 4.2% expansion rate outpaced the broader SA3 region (3.4%), establishing it as a primary growth corridor. This upward trend was mostly propelled by overseas migration, which made up around 71.2% of the population growth, although interstate arrivals and natural growth also registered positive net outcomes.
Projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia, issued in 2024 using 2022 as a baseline, are utilized for each SA2. For areas lacking this data, or for periods past 2032, projections from the Queensland State Government released in 2023 (based on 2021 numbers) are implemented instead. Because these state figures omit age breakdowns, AreaSearch scales cohort growth using the ABS Greater Capital Region projections from 2023 (built on 2022 baselines). Over the projection horizon, a net reduction in residents is anticipated, with the population set to contract by 949 persons by 2041. Despite this overall drop, certain brackets will grow, particularly the 85 and over group, which is forecast to rise by 75 people. The age section provides further details.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
56 new dwellings have been approved in Burdekin over the past five years, an average of 11 a year. That is 1.4 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 3, well below that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Approximately 11 new residential approvals occur in Burdekin annually, amounting to 56 homes over the last 5 financial years. In FY-26, 3 approvals have been logged so far. Because the region averages 3.5 new residents for every finished dwelling between FY-21 and FY-25, demand outstrips supply, which commonly elevates purchase competition and prices while new builds carry an average value of $437,000. In addition, $6.1 million in commercial building approvals have been registered this fiscal year, highlighting the residential orientation of the area. Burdekin generates roughly 69% of the per capita construction volume seen in the Rest of Qld, placing it in the 24th percentile of areas evaluated nationwide, which limits options for buyers and strengthens interest in existing real estate.
This level sits below the national benchmark, pointing to the mature nature of the locality and potential regulatory hurdles. Recent residential work consists solely of detached houses, preserving a classic low-density layout that caters to families wanting larger properties. The presence of 681 people per residential approval highlights the tranquil, slow-paced construction sector. Given that the population is projected to stabilize or fall, Burdekin will likely experience less pressure on its housing stock, which could create favorable conditions for purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Burdekin
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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 2 current infrastructure and development projects inside Burdekin, worth an estimated $1.76 billion. A further 36 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $4.76 billion. 13 are already under construction and 12 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, precincts & urban renewal and business parks & technology hubs. 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, planning choices, and development projects play a major role in regional performance. AreaSearch has identified 6 projects that are likely to influence the area. Principal developments include the Ayr Industrial Precinct, the St Francis Catholic School Prep Classrooms Refurbishment, the Haughton Pipeline Stage 2, and the Burdekin Solar Farm, with the list below highlighting those of most significance.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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
Haughton Pipeline Stage 2
Major Townsville water security project extending the Haughton Pipeline from the Haughton River to the Burdekin River near Clare. Stage 2 includes about 28.5 km of large diameter raw water pipeline, pump station infrastructure, control systems, trenchless sections and power supply interfaces to enable raw water transfer to Ross River Dam during prolonged dry periods. Construction is continuing, with most trenched pipeline works expected to be completed by early 2026, while pump station design, remaining trenchless sections, final funding and commissioning are being refined through a Concept Study and Business Case due in June 2026.
Ayr Industrial Precinct
Council-led industrial land release in Ayr, North Queensland, on a 14.32 hectare site at 31-87 Craig Street. Stage 1 lots are now selling from $50 per square metre plus GST, with the precinct nearing completion as of mid-2026. The precinct offers fully serviced land with underground power, wide roads, services to boundary and design guidelines for manufacturing, logistics and trade services. Strategic access to the Bruce Highway, Port of Townsville, Townsville Airport and the Bowen Basin.Council has also adopted an Economic Stimulus Policy offering fee and infrastructure charge reductions to support development.
St Francis Catholic School Prep Classrooms Refurbishment
Refurbishment of prep classrooms at St Francis Catholic School in Ayr to create modern and functional learning environments, featuring raised stages for interactive learning, reading nooks, abundant storage, and themed classrooms inspired by reef and rainforest.
Burdekin BESS & Solar Farm
A proposed 140 MW solar farm paired with a 500 MW / 2000 MWh (4 hours) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) located approximately 12km south of Clare in regional Queensland. Originally approved in 2017 as a solar farm, a change application was submitted in March 2025 to develop a larger, standalone BESS with the solar component being optional for the future. The project aims to store excess renewable energy and enhance regional grid stability.
Queensland Resources Common User Facility
Australian-first critical minerals processing test facility being developed by the Queensland Government at Cleveland Bay Industrial Park, Townsville. The facility will enable demonstration-scale processing trials, initially for vanadium with future capability for cobalt, rare earth elements and other critical minerals. Construction and commissioning are progressing with Sedgman as managing contractor, with opening targeted for late 2026.
Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct
Townsville City Council's 2200-hectare Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct is being developed about 40 km south of Townsville as a long-term advanced manufacturing, processing, technology and low-emissions industry hub. Enabling infrastructure is underway, with internal road construction progressing, Stage 2 roads commencing in February 2026 for about eight months, and raw water infrastructure in design with water transmission main tenders expected in mid-2026 and construction scheduled from mid-2026. The Queensland Coordinator-General lists the precinct as a prescribed project with approvals progressing, road construction underway, and enabling water infrastructure expected to finish in Q3 2029.
Wulguru Group Stuart Facility Expansion
Multi-stage expansion of Wulguru Group's 17 hectare Stuart manufacturing and engineering facility. Stage 1, including an 8,500 sqm heavy fabrication workshop, 2,000 sqm paint and blast facility and new head office, was completed in 2025. Stage 2 has development approval and will deliver rail wagon maintenance, locomotive maintenance, rail wheel workshop and rolling stock paint and blast facilities. The balance of the site is currently being developed with operations targeted during 2027.
SunHQ Hydrogen Hub
Renewable hydrogen production and refuelling hub at the Sun Metals Zinc Refinery precinct featuring a 1 MW PEM electrolyser powered by the co-located Sun Metals Solar Farm, with compression, storage and dispensing infrastructure to supply Ark Energy/Townsville Logistics heavy vehicles and third-party users (up to ~155,000 kg p.a.).
3,682 residents of Burdekin are employed, from a labour force of 3,879. Unemployment sits at 5.1%, with participation at 58.6%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 4.5% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. 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 workforce in Burdekin is evenly divided between white and blue collar jobs, with industrial and manufacturing roles highly visible, alongside an unemployment rate of 5.1%. In March 2026, 3,682 local citizens were employed, with the unemployment rate tracking 1.2% higher than the Regional Qld mark of 3.9%, and the participation rate showing a notable gap (58.6% versus 64.3% in Regional Qld). Census statistics show that only 11.7% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure was likely influenced by past pandemic containment measures. Local workers are mostly employed in agriculture, forestry & fishing, manufacturing, and health care & social assistance.
The agricultural, forestry & fishing sector shows extreme concentration, with a workforce share 6.2 times that of the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance accounts for only 9.4% of jobs, compared to 16.1% in Regional Qld. Although there are local employment options, a comparison of the Census working population against the resident population suggests many workers travel outside the area for their jobs. An examination of SALM and ABS statistics by AreaSearch shows that during the 12 months ending March 2026, the local labour force contracted by 1.9% and total employment fell by 2.7%, leading to an increase of 0.8 percentage points in the unemployment rate. In contrast, Regional Qld saw employment rise by 0.1%, its labour force expand by 0.3%, and unemployment edge up by 0.1 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia published in May-25 offer additional context on future demand in Burdekin. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to project future trends. Nationally, employment is predicted to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though individual industry trajectories vary. Weighting these projections against Burdekin's current industry composition indicates local employment could rise by 4.5% over five years and 10.6% over ten years, though this simple extrapolation does not account for local population changes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Burdekin is $1,422 a week (about $74,000 a year), with median personal income at $736 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $53,989 a year against an average of $62,516. 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
According to tax data at the postcode level from the ATO compiled by AreaSearch for the 2023 financial year, taxpayers in the Burdekin SA2 recorded a median income of $53,989 and an average income of $62,516. This sits below national standards, and compares to a median of $53,146 and an average of $66,593 in Regional Qld. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index expansion of 11.36% since the 2023 financial year, estimated values in March 2026 would stand at roughly $60,122 for the median and $69,618 for the average. Census data indicates that personal, family, and household incomes are modest, falling between the 30th and 35th percentiles.
The distribution of earnings shows that 32.8% of the cohort (2,617 people) earn between $1,500 - 2,999, mirroring the wider region where this bracket accounts for 31.7%. Homeowners and renters retain 91.2% of their income after housing costs, though disposable income ranks in the 39th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Burdekin had 2,850 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 96% detached houses and 0% apartments. 30% are owned with a mortgage, 20% rented and 50% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $210 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,200 a month. Rent absorbs 14.8% of household income here and mortgage repayments 19.5%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
The housing stock in Burdekin at the last Census consisted of 95.9% standalone houses and 4.1% other options like semi-detached dwellings, apartments, or alternative formats, compared to Regional Qld where houses make up 76.4% and other formats account for 23.6%. Home ownership rates in Burdekin were much higher than Regional Qld at 49.8%, while mortgaged properties stood at 29.8% and rented dwellings made up 20.4%. Typical monthly mortgage payments were far lower than the regional standard at $1,200, and typical weekly rent was recorded at $210, compared to Regional Qld averages of $1,655 and $345.
Locally, mortgage costs are much lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are significantly below the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Burdekin counted 2,850 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.4 people each. 29% are couples with children, against 35% couples without children. 26% 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
Families make up the majority of households at 72.0%, which includes couples with children at 28.5%, couples without children at 35.1%, and single parent households at 7.9%. Single person dwellings make up 26.1% and group living situations make up 1.9%, accounting for the remaining 28.0% of non-family households. The average household size is 2.4 people, slightly below the Regional Qld average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
11.0% of adults in Burdekin hold a university qualification, including 8.9% with a bachelor degree and 1.0% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 96% of areas nationally. A further 32.9% hold a vocational qualification. 12 schools serve the area, with 667 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 903 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
Educational markers show room for improvement, with university graduation rates at 11.0% sitting far below the national average of 30.4%. This highlights a space where focused educational programs could make a difference. Bachelor degrees are the most common tertiary qualification at 8.9%, followed by graduate diplomas at 1.1% and postgraduate degrees at 1.0%. Vocational qualifications are common, with 39.8% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas at 6.9% and certificates at 32.9%. Enrolment rates are high in the community, with 26.4% of the population registered in formal study.
This comprises 10.8% of residents attending primary school, 9.7% in secondary school, and 2.1% in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Burdekin means driving: households keep an average of 1.8 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
66.3% of residents in Burdekin report no long-term health condition. 6.3% need daily assistance with core activities, and 50.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.7 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Analysis of mortality rates and chronic illnesses by AreaSearch shows that Burdekin faces noticeable health difficulties, with chronic conditions common among both younger and older residents, and private health insurance membership standing at a relatively low rate of approximately 50% of the population (~4,021 individuals). This compares to 52.5% across Regional Qld and a national average of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most common diagnoses, affecting 10.5% and 6.7% of residents. Meanwhile, 66.3% of the population reported no long-term illnesses, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Health indicators for working-age residents are typical.
Those aged 65 and over comprise 24.4% of the population (1,949 people), which is higher than the 20.4% recorded in Regional Qld, with national comparisons for the area matching typical trends.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Burdekin is largely Australian-born, at 91.9% of residents, with 5.8% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (29.0%) and English (26.3%). 3.3% 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
Burdekin ranks below average for cultural diversity, with citizens making up 88.9% of the population, Australian-born individuals representing 91.9%, and English-only speakers at home accounting for 94.2%. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 73.2% of people, compared to 52.2% in Regional Qld. For parental birthplaces, the three largest ancestries are Australian at 29.0%, English at 26.3%, and Italian at 13.2%, which is significantly higher than the regional average of 2.4%. Other groups show notable differences: Spanish backgrounds account for 0.8% in Burdekin (compared to 0.3% regionally), German backgrounds stand at 4.2% (compared to 4.7%), and Australian Aboriginal backgrounds comprise 3.3% (compared to 3.9%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Burdekin is 47, older than 84% of areas nationally. 21.0% 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 in Burdekin is 47 years, which is higher than the Regional Qld average of 41 and the national average of 38. The 65 - 74 age bracket is over-represented at 14.0% locally, while the 25 - 34 bracket is under-represented at 10.0%. Since 2021, the 25 to 34 age group increased from 9.3% to 10.0% of the population, whereas the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 13.6% to 12.3%. Projections indicate the age profile will change by 2041. The 85+ cohort is expected to increase by 73 people (36%) from 203 to 277.
The combined 65+ groups are projected to account for 95% of total growth, showing the aging of the population. Conversely, the 75 to 84 and 0 to 4 brackets are projected to shrink.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Burdekin
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 2 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 — 2 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (7,658 at the 2021 Census → 7,980 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 (318011461). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.