Craignish - Dundowran Beach
Statistical Area - sa2

Craignish - Dundowran Beach lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Craignish-Dundowran Beach's population, as of November 2025, is approximately 6,209 people. This figure represents an increase of 635 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,574 people, marking an 11.4% growth rate. The change was inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 6,169 as of June 2024 and an additional 54 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 174 persons per square kilometer. Craignish-Dundowran Beach's growth rate exceeded both the non-metro area average (8.8%) and the national average, making it a regional growth leader. Interstate migration contributed approximately 83.4% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including overseas migration and natural growth were positive factors.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, which were released in 2023 and 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 using 2022 data as the base year. Demographically, Australia's non-metropolitan areas are projected to have above median population growth moving forward. Based on the latest population numbers, Craignish-Dundowran Beach is expected to expand by 1,479 persons to reach a total of approximately 7,688 people by 2041, recording a gain of 23.2% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Craignish - Dundowran Beach among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Craignish-Dundowran Beach has seen approximately 35 new home approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling 178 homes. As of FY26, 32 approvals have been recorded. On average, 4.9 new residents arrive annually for each dwelling constructed between FY21 and FY25. This has led to a significant demand outpacing supply, which typically puts upward pressure on prices and increases competition among buyers.

New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $341,000, consistent with regional patterns. In FY26, there have been $2.8 million in commercial approvals, indicating limited commercial development focus compared to the rest of Queensland, where Craignish-Dundowran Beach has 52.0% less development activity per person. This constrained new construction usually reinforces demand and pricing for existing homes. Recent building activity consists entirely of detached houses, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers, with around 184 people per approval.

Craignish-Dundowran Beach is expected to grow by 1,439 residents through to 2041, with building activity keeping pace with growth projections, though buyers may experience heightened competition as the population grows.

Craignish - Dundowran Beach has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 36thth percentile nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified four projects likely impacting the region: Maryborough-Hervey Bay Road upgrade, Pialba-Burrum Heads Road intersection improvement, BayWest City Centre development, Dundowran Industrial Park expansion, and Torbanlea-Pialba Road upgrade.

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

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.

Employment performance in Craignish - Dundowran Beach exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

Craignish-Dundowran Beach has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 3.1% as of June 2025.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 6.5%. There were 2,999 residents in work while the unemployment rate was 0.8% lower than Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation lagged significantly at 53.4%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Leading employment industries among residents were health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training.

Health care & social assistance had notable concentration with levels at 1.3 times the regional average. Agriculture, forestry & fishing had limited presence at 1.5%, compared to 4.5% regionally. Employment opportunities locally appeared limited based on Census working population vs resident population comparison. In the 12-month period ending June 2025, employment increased by 6.5% while labour force grew by 7.4%, resulting in unemployment rising by 0.9 percentage points. This contrasted with Rest of Qld where employment rose by 1.8%, labour force grew by 2.0%, and unemployment rose by 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 estimated national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Craignish-Dundowran Beach's employment mix suggested local growth of approximately 6.8% over five years and 14.1% over ten years.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's data for financial year 2022 shows median income in Craignish - Dundowran Beach at $51,828 and average income at $65,161. These figures are similar to national averages. In comparison, Rest of Qld had a median income of $50,780 and an average income of $64,844 in the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of September 2025 are approximately $59,079 (median) and $74,277 (average). The 2021 Census records household income at the 39th percentile ($1,563 weekly) and personal income at the 22nd percentile. Income brackets indicate 31% of individuals earn between $1,500 - 2,999 annually. After housing expenses, 86.4% of income remains for other costs. The area's SEIFA income ranking is in the 4th decile.

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

In Craignish - Dundowran Beach, as assessed in the latest Census, 99.0% of dwellings were houses, with 1.1% being semi-detached, apartments, or 'other' dwellings. This contrasts with Non-Metro Qld's figures of 83.9% houses and 16.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Craignish - Dundowran Beach stood at 46.5%, similar to Non-Metro Qld, with mortgaged properties at 44.1% and rented ones at 9.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,430. Median weekly rent in the area was $375, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $335 and the national figure of $375. Nationally, Craignish - Dundowran Beach's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863.

Craignish - Dundowran Beach features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 84.9% of all households, consisting of 31.8% couples with children, 43.6% couples without children, and 9.2% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 15.1%, with lone person households at 12.0% and group households comprising 2.8% of the total. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.3.

Educational attainment in Craignish - Dundowran Beach aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 18.7%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.4%) and graduate diplomas (2.3%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 44.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (11.8%) and certificates (32.3%).

Educational participation is high, with 26.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.7% in primary, 9.0% in secondary, and 1.8% in tertiary education. Schools appear to be located outside the immediate catchment boundaries, requiring families to access them in neighboring areas.

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

Craignish-Dundowran Beach has 20 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by two different routes that together offer 35 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as moderate, with residents on average being 455 meters away from the nearest stop.

On average, there are five trips per day across all routes, resulting in about one weekly trip per individual stop.

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

Craignish-Dundowran Beach faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is approximately 52% of the total population (~3,253 people), leading that of the average SA2 area but slightly lower than the Rest of Qld at 47.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (10.5%) and mental health issues (8.9%). A total of 64.1% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, higher than the Rest of Qld's 56.7%. The area has 24.6% of residents aged 65 and over (1,526 people), lower than the Rest of Qld's 31.0%.

Craignish - Dundowran Beach ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Craignish-Dundowran Beach had a cultural diversity index below average, with 81.7% of its residents born in Australia, 90.6% being citizens, and 95.5% speaking English exclusively at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 53.6% of the population, compared to 52.7% across the rest of Queensland. The top three ancestry groups were English (34.3%), Australian (27.1%), and Scottish (8.6%).

Notably, German (5.2%) and Dutch (1.6%) ethnicities were overrepresented in Craignish-Dundowran Beach compared to regional averages of 5.3% and 1.3%, respectively. South African ethnicity was also slightly higher at 0.5%.

Craignish - Dundowran Beach hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Craignish - Dundowran Beach has a median age of 48, which is higher than Rest of Qld's figure of 41 and significantly above the national norm of 38. The 65-74 age group comprises 15.5%, compared to Rest of Qld, while the 25-34 cohort stands at 7.2%. This 65-74 concentration is well above the national average of 9.4%. Post-2021 Census data indicates the 15-24 age group grew from 8.8% to 10.2%, while the 45-54 cohort declined from 14.9% to 13.6% and the 5-14 group dropped from 13.7% to 12.5%. By 2041, Craignish - Dundowran Beach is expected to see notable demographic shifts. The 65-74 age group is projected to grow by 31%, adding 302 people and reaching 1,264 from 961. Meanwhile, the 15-24 cohort grows by a modest 3%, with an increase of 17 people.