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 was 6,209 as of Aug 2025, according to AreaSearch's analysis. This figure represents an increase of 635 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,574. The growth is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 6,169 as of June 2024 and 54 validated new addresses added since the census date. This results in a density ratio of 174 persons per square kilometer. The area's 11.4% growth between the 2021 Census and Aug 2025 exceeded both the non-metro average (8.6%) and national average, making it a regional growth leader. Interstate migration contributed approximately 83.4% of overall population gains during recent periods.

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 from 2023 (based on 2021 data) are adopted, with proportional growth weightings applied in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort. Future trends project an above median population growth for national non-metropolitan areas, with the region expected to expand by 1,479 persons to 2041 based on latest numbers, recording a total 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 received approximately 35 residential property approvals per year. ABS data shows 178 homes approved over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, with an additional five approved in FY26. On average, 4.9 new residents have moved into each dwelling constructed during these years. This has led to a substantial lag between supply and demand, driving buyer competition and pricing pressures.

The average construction cost of new homes is $488,000, aligning with regional patterns. In FY26, $2.8 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating the area's residential character. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Craignish-Dundowran Beach has 52.0% less development activity per person. This scarcity typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties.

Recent building activity comprises solely detached houses, preserving the area's low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. With around 184 people approved per property, Craignish-Dundowran Beach is a developing area with projected population growth of 1,439 residents by 2041. Development pace appears to be keeping up with this projected growth, although increasing competition among buyers is expected as the population expands.

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

Four projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area: Maryborough-Hervey Bay Road upgrade (started 2019), Pialba-Burrum Heads Road intersection upgrade (commenced 2020), BayWest City Centre development (proposed for 2021), Dundowran Industrial Park expansion (planned for 2022), and Torbanlea-Pialba Road upgrade (scheduled for 2023).

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

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 is estimated at 6.5%. There are 2,999 residents in work, with an unemployment rate of 0.8% below Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation lags significantly at 53.4%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Leading employment industries among residents include health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training.

Health care & social assistance has notable concentration with levels at 1.3 times the regional average. Agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence with 1.5% employment compared to 4.5% regionally. The area offers limited local employment opportunities as indicated by Census working population vs resident population count. In the 12-month period ending June 2025, employment increased by 6.5%, labour force by 7.4%, resulting in unemployment rising by 0.9 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of Qld where employment rose by 1.8%, labour force grew by 2.0%, and unemployment rose by 0.2 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 shows QLD employment contracted by 0.23% (losing 8,070 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%. This compares favourably to the national unemployment rate of 4.5%, lagging the national employment growth of 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project national employment expansion by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying growth rates between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Craignish - Dundowran Beach's employment mix suggests 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 was $51,828 and average income was $65,161. These figures are comparable to Queensland's overall median of $50,780 and average of $64,844. By March 2025, considering a 11.71% increase since financial year 2022, estimated median income would be approximately $57,897 and average income around $72,791. According to the 2021 Census, household income ranks at the 39th percentile ($1,563 weekly) and personal income at the 22nd percentile. Income brackets indicate 31.0% of residents fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 range. After housing costs, 86.4% of income remains for other expenses. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

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

Dwelling structure in Craignish - Dundowran Beach, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 99.0% houses and 1.1% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 83.9% houses and 16.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Craignish - Dundowran Beach was 46.5%, with the remainder either mortgaged (44.1%) or rented (9.5%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,430. Median weekly rent was $375, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $335. Nationally, Craignish - Dundowran Beach's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were comparable at $375.

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, including 31.8% couples with children, 43.6% couples without children, and 9.2% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 15.1%, with lone person households at 12.0% and group households comprising 2.8%. The median household size is 2.7 people, 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 challenges and opportunities 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 prominent, with 44.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (11.8%) and certificates (32.3%).

Educational participation is high at 26.2%, with 10.7% in primary education, 9.0% in secondary education, and 1.8% pursuing tertiary education. Schools appear to be located outside the immediate catchment boundaries, requiring students 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 operational transport stops offering bus services. Two routes serve these stops, totalling 35 weekly passenger trips. Residents' access to transport is moderate, with an average distance of 455 meters to the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages five daily trips across all routes, equating to roughly 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 has significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent among both younger and older age groups. Approximately 52% (~3,253 people) have private health cover, higher than the average SA2 area's 47.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (10.5%) and mental health issues (8.9%). About 64.1% report no medical ailments, compared to 56.7% in Rest of Qld. Around 24.6% (1,526 people) are aged 65 and over, lower than the 31.0% in Rest of Qld.

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, as per the 2016 Census, showed below-average cultural diversity. 81.7% of its population were born in Australia, with 90.6% being citizens and 95.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 53.6%, slightly higher than the Rest of Queensland's 52.7%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (34.3%), Australian (27.1%), and Scottish (8.6%). Notably, German (5.2% vs regional 5.3%) and Dutch (1.6% vs regional 1.3%) were overrepresented, while South African (0.5% vs regional 0.3%) showed a slight increase in representation.

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 Queensland's figure of 41 and the national norm of 38. The 65-74 age group makes up 15.5%, compared to Rest of Qld's figure, while the 25-34 cohort stands at 7.2%. This 65-74 concentration is significantly higher than the national average of 9.4%. Post-2021 Census data shows that 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 a total of 1,264 from the current figure of 961. Meanwhile, the 15-24 cohort is expected to grow by a modest 3%, with an increase of 17 people.