Burdekin
Statistical Area - sa2

Burdekin has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Burdekin's population is approximately 7,899 as of August 2025, reflecting an increase of 241 people since the 2021 Census. The 2021 Census reported a population of 7,658 people in Burdekin. This growth can be inferred from the estimated resident population of 7,903 as of June 2024 and an additional five validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 1.6 persons per square kilometer. Burdekin's population growth of 3.1% since the census is within 0.6 percentage points of the SA3 area's growth rate of 3.7%. The primary driver for this growth was overseas migration, contributing approximately 87.0% of overall population gains.

AreaSearch uses 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 adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings from the ABS Greater Capital Region projections, released in 2023 with a base year of 2022. According to these projections, Burdekin's population is expected to decline by 952 persons by 2041, while specific age cohorts are anticipated to grow, notably the 85 and over age group projected to expand by 74 people.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Burdekin, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Burdekin has seen approximately 11 new homes approved annually. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis, totalling 56 approvals across the past five financial years from FY2021 to FY2025, with one recorded so far in FY2026. On average, 1.4 new residents have arrived per new home over the past five financial years, indicating balanced supply and demand with stable market conditions. However, this has increased to 6.5 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, suggesting growing popularity and potential supply constraints in the area. New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost of $515,000, aligning with broader regional development trends.

Additionally, $6.1 million in commercial approvals have been registered in this financial year, reflecting the residential character of the area. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Burdekin records around 68% of building activity per person and places among the 24th percentile of areas assessed nationally, offering limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing properties. This level is below average nationally, indicating maturity in the area and possible planning constraints. Recent building activity consists entirely of detached dwellings, maintaining Burdekin's traditional low-density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space.

The estimated population per dwelling approval is 675 people, reflecting its quiet, low-activity development environment. With expected stable or declining population growth, Burdekin should see reduced pressure on housing, potentially creating opportunities for buyers in the area.

Burdekin has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 45thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified six projects that could affect the region. Notable projects include Ayr Industrial Precinct, St Francis Catholic School Prep Classrooms Refurbishment, Burdekin Solar Farm, and Burdekin Falls Dam Upgrade. Below is a list of those most likely to be relevant.

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

AreaSearch analysis reveals Burdekin recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Burdekin's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs, with prominent manufacturing and industrial sectors. Its unemployment rate was 5.0% in June 2025.

Compared to the Rest of Queensland (Rest of Qld), Burdekin had an unemployment rate 1.1% higher at 3.9%, while workforce participation was similar at 59.1%. Employment is concentrated in agriculture, forestry & fishing, manufacturing, and health care & social assistance. Agriculture, forestry & fishing employs a significantly higher share of workers (6.2 times the regional level) than other sectors. Health care & social assistance employs 9.4% of local workers, lower than Rest of Qld's 16.1%.

Over the year to June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 2.5%, and employment declined by 4.2%, leading to a 1.7 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. Meanwhile, Rest of Qld saw employment grow by 1.8% and labour force by 2.0%, with unemployment rising by 0.2 percentage points. State-level data for Queensland (QLD) as of Sep-25 showed employment contracted by 0.23% (-8,070 jobs), with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 4.5%, and employment grew by 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project a 6.6% growth over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Burdekin's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 4.5% over five years and 10.6% over ten years, assuming no changes in population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Burdekin's median taxpayer income was $51,808 and average income was $60,174 in financial year 2022, according to AreaSearch aggregated ATO postcode level data. This is lower than the national average of $64,844 for Rest of Qld, which had a median income of $50,780. By March 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $57,875 (median) and $67,220 (average), based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year 2022. Census data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Burdekin rank modestly, between the 30th and 36th percentiles. Income distribution shows that 32.8% (2,590 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 range, similar to the broader area's 31.7%. Housing costs allow for retention of 91.2%, but disposable income is below average at the 39th percentile.

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

Dwelling structure in Burdekin, as evaluated at the latest Census held on 9 August 2016, comprised 95.9% houses and 4.1% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, or other types of dwellings. This is compared to Non-Metro Queensland's structure which was 89.5% houses and 10.5% other dwellings at the same time. The level of home ownership in Burdekin was recorded at 49.8%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged at 29.8% or rented at 20.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,200 as of June 2017, which is lower than Non-Metro Queensland's average of $1,350 and significantly below the national average of $1,965 reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics for the same period. The median weekly rent figure in Burdekin was recorded at $210 in June 2017, compared to Non-Metro Queensland's $220 and the national figure of $345.

Burdekin has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 72.0% of all households, including 28.5% couples with children, 35.1% couples without children, and 7.9% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 28.0%, with lone person households at 26.1% and group households comprising 1.9%. The median household size is 2.4 people, larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.3.

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

The area faces educational challenges with university qualification rates at 11.0%, substantially below the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees lead at 8.9%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.1%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.0%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 39.8% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (6.9%) and certificates (32.9%).

Educational participation is high at 26.4%, including primary education (10.8%), secondary education (9.7%), and tertiary education (2.1%). There are 12 schools serving 667 students in Burdekin, with varied educational conditions across the area. Education provision is balanced with 11 primary and 1 secondary school serving distinct age groups. Local school capacity is limited at 8.4 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 21.1, leading many families to travel to nearby areas for schooling.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health performance in Burdekin is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Burdekin faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent among both younger and older age cohorts. Approximately half of its total population (~3,910 people) has private health cover, compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 10.5% of residents) and mental health issues (6.7%). Sixty-six point three percent declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, similar to the Rest of Qld's 66.2%. Twenty-three point nine percent of residents are aged 65 and over (1,890 people).

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

Burdekin's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 88.9% of its population being citizens, 91.9% born in Australia, and 94.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion in Burdekin, making up 73.2% of people, compared to 70.7% across Rest of Qld. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (29.0%), English (26.3%), and Italian (13.2%).

Notably, Spanish was overrepresented at 0.8%, German at 4.2%, and Australian Aboriginal at 3.3%.

Burdekin hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Burdekin's median age is 47 years, which is notably higher than Rest of Qld's 41 years and older than the national norm of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of Qld average, the 65-74 cohort is notably over-represented at 13.9% locally, while the 25-34 year-olds are under-represented at 9.7%. Between January 2021 and present, the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 10.4% to 11.0% of the population. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 13.6% to 12.4%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Burdekin's age profile will evolve significantly. The 85+ age cohort is projected to expand by 70 people (37%) from 191 to 262. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 84% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 75 to 84 and 0 to 4 cohorts.