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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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Emerald has an estimated 15,255 residents, up from 14,089 at the 2021 Census — a change of 1,166 people, or 8.3%. Growth has averaged 1.3% a year over five years. 196 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Natural increase accounts for 57.8% of that increase. That puts 391 residents on each square kilometre. 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 the analysis by AreaSearch, the population of Emerald stands at approximately 15,255 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 1,166 individuals (8.3%) relative to the 14,089 residents recorded in the 2021 Census. The calculation is based on the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 15,238 combined with 196 confirmed new addresses registered after the Census. The region maintains a density of 391 persons per square kilometer, indicating low density and capacity for future expansion. The growth rate of 8.3% since the 2021 census outpaced the broader SA3 area (6.3%) and the SA4 region, establishing Emerald as a leading growth zone.
Natural increase was the primary contributor to this growth, accounting for roughly 57.8% of the total population rise in recent times. AreaSearch incorporates projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia for individual SA2 zones published in 2024 using 2022 as a starting point. Where this data is unavailable, or for periods after 2032, projections from the Queensland State Government released in 2023 and based on 2021 statistics are used. Because the state-level figures lack age-specific details, AreaSearch allocates growth weightings across age groups using the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections based on 2022 data. Future demographic forecasts point to an increase slightly under the median for regional Australia, with an estimated rise of 1,450 residents by 2041 compared to the most recent annual ERP statistics, representing a 9.4% total expansion over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
90 new dwellings have been approved in Emerald over the past five years, an average of 18 a year. That is 1.2 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 41, running ahead of 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
Emerald has averaged approximately 18 dwelling approvals per year, resulting in 90 new residential properties over the last 5 financial years. In the current FY-26 period, 38 approvals have been logged. With an average of 10.4 individuals added to the local population for each new dwelling constructed between FY-21 and FY-25, building activity is running well behind demand. This imbalance typically increases competition among buyers and exerts upward pressure on prices, even as new dwellings average $293,000 in construction costs—a figure below the regional average that offers relatively affordable options.
Additionally, commercial development remains steady with $10.9 million in approvals documented during this financial year. Emerald displays a per capita construction rate similar to the Rest of Qld, aligning with wider regional trends and supporting market equilibrium, despite a recent slowdown in activity. The volume of building is lower than the national average, reflecting a mature market and highlighting potential planning or physical constraints. Detached houses comprise 91.0% of recent construction, while townhouses and apartments make up 9.0%, maintaining the low-density character of the area with a focus on single-family homes popular with buyers seeking space. The ratio of 2406 people per single dwelling approval highlights a quiet development landscape with low overall activity. Projections indicate that Emerald's population will expand by 1,433 residents by 2041, based on the most recent quarterly estimates from AreaSearch. If building activity remains at its current level, residential supply may fail to keep pace with population expansion, which is likely to heighten competition among buyers and support price growth.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Emerald
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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 6 current infrastructure and development projects inside Emerald, worth an estimated $37 million. A further 85 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $38.2 billion. 25 are already under construction and 23 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans energy, transport & logistics and communities, precincts & urban renewal. 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
Changes to local infrastructure, major construction projects, and planning strategies are key drivers of regional performance. AreaSearch has identified 7 projects expected to influence the local area. Principal developments include the Codenwarra Road Mixed-Use Development Site, Nogoa Rise Estate Residential Development, 91 Gray Street Apartment Development, and the Emerald Regional Botanic Gardens Upgrade, with details provided below for those of highest relevance.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Codenwarra Road Mixed-Use Development Site
Approved major shopping centre and mixed-use development situated opposite Central Highlands Marketplace on an 11.45 hectare site. To be developed by Development Directive Pty Ltd, the proposed centre will feature a supermarket, 8 individual retail outlets, and 268 car parking spaces. The Central Highlands Regional Council approved a rebate for a change in land use in April 2026 to facilitate the development.
Emerald Regional Botanic Gardens Redevelopment
A 7 million AUD redevelopment of the 42-hectare Emerald Regional Botanic Gardens. The project features the construction of a new permanent, flood-resilient footbridge over the Nogoa River and extensive pathway upgrades to improve safety, connectivity, and accessibility for the community.
Nogoa Rise Estate Residential Development
Multi-stage residential estate development by Central Highlands Regional Council featuring fully serviced residential lots in Emerald's sought-after Nogoa Rise area. The development has expanded to Stages 5 and 6, offering quality residential opportunities in the growing Central Highlands region.
91 Gray Street Apartment Development
Small-scale residential apartment development featuring 11 modern residential units across 2 floors in Emerald's Central Highlands region. The project represents a modest urban infill development providing additional housing options in this regional Queensland mining and agricultural service center.
Gregory-Capricorn Highway Intersection Upgrade
Intersection upgrade at the junction of Gregory and Capricorn Highways in Emerald, involving widening approaches, installing traffic signals, and improving turning lanes. The upgrade enhances safety and reduces congestion at this critical junction serving both local and through traffic. The project also included pedestrian infrastructure improvements.
Emerald Hospital Emergency Department Upgrade
A complete refurbishment and upgrade of the Emergency Department at Emerald Hospital that officially opened in April 2024. The upgrade improves patient flow and provides better access to care closer to home. Features include improved privacy, additional clinical consultation spaces, resuscitation bays, better treatment spaces for mental health crisis patients, and a safer treatment environment.
Capricorn Highway Widening (Winton Creek to Agricultural College)
Safety upgrade to widen and rehabilitate about 2.5-2.6 km of the Capricorn Highway east of Emerald between Winton Creek and the Emerald Agricultural College. Scope included pavement widening and strengthening, wide centre line treatment, drainage works, sealing and line marking to improve safety and heavy vehicle operations. Funding reported at about $5m across the Australian and Queensland Governments, with delivery by Queensland TMR via contractor Decmil. Indicative completion: 2022.
Valeria Coal Project
The Valeria Coal Project was a proposed $1.5 billion greenfield open-cut mine designed to extract up to 20 million tonnes of thermal and metallurgical coal annually over a 35-year period. In December 2022, Glencore officially withdrew the project from the Queensland Government's 'Coordinated Project' assessment process and placed it under review. The decision was driven by increased global economic uncertainty, a commitment to a managed decline of thermal coal assets to reach net-zero by 2050, and changes to Queensland's coal royalty tax structure.The project remains inactive as of early 2026.
9,470 residents of Emerald are employed, from a labour force of 9,649. Unemployment sits at 1.9%, with participation at 82.0%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.2% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 13,784, about 90% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Emerald possesses a skilled labor pool with strong representation in manufacturing and industrial sectors, alongside a low unemployment rate of 1.9%. As of March 2026, 9,470 local residents are employed, which is 2.1% lower than the unemployment rate of 3.9% recorded in Regional Qld. Furthermore, the participation rate of 82.0% is significantly higher than the 64.3% average for Regional Qld. Census data indicates that a modest 4.4% of the workforce worked from home, though this figure may have been affected by pandemic-era lockdowns. The major employment sectors for local workers are mining, retail trade, and education & training.
The region exhibits a strong concentration in mining, with a workforce share that is 5.4 times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance is underrepresented, employing 8.1% of local workers compared to 16.1% in Regional Qld. The relationship between the resident working population and local jobs suggests a significant portion of the workforce commutes outside the area for employment, despite the presence of local opportunities. According to an AreaSearch evaluation of SALM and ABS statistics, the period ending March 2026 saw the labour force shrink by 5.0% and employment drop by 4.1%, which caused the unemployment rate to decrease by 0.9 percentage points. In contrast, Regional Qld experienced employment growth of 0.1%, a labour force increase of 0.3%, and a 0.1 percentage point rise in unemployment. Forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia released in May-25 provide additional context regarding future job demand in Emerald. These forecasts span five and ten year intervals and were aligned with the local employment structure to project growth trends. National employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and by 13.7% over ten years, though sectoral growth varies considerably. When these sectoral forecasts are applied to Emerald's employment composition, local employment is expected to rise by 5.2% over five years and by 11.5% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Emerald is $2,190 a week (about $114,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,033 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $63,868 a year against an average of $81,213. 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 postcode-level ATO data compiled by AreaSearch for the 2023 financial year, taxpayers in the Emerald SA2 recorded a median income of $63,868 and an average income of $81,213. These figures are among the highest nationwide, exceeding the Regional Qld median of $53,146 and average of $66,593. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates for March 2026 would be roughly $71,123 for the median and $90,439 for the average. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual incomes in Emerald ranked in the 77th to 81st percentiles nationally.
Regarding distribution, 37.4% of the population (5,705 individuals) earn between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, compared to 31.7% in the broader region. Higher income earners are prominent, with 31.0% earning more than $3,000 per week, pointing to high local purchasing power. Residents keep 87.3% of their income after paying for housing, and the area is positioned in the 4th decile on the SEIFA index of relative socio-economic advantage and disadvantage.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Emerald had 4,736 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 80% detached houses and 8% apartments. 38% are owned with a mortgage, 46% rented and 16% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $300 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,600 a month. Rent absorbs 13.7% of household income here and mortgage repayments 16.9%. 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 Emerald at the time of the last Census consisted of 80.4% separate houses and 19.5% other dwelling types, such as semi-detached properties, apartments, and alternative structures, compared to 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings in Regional Qld. Home ownership rates in Emerald were lower than the wider regional average at 15.9%, with the remaining properties occupied by residents with a mortgage (37.9%) or renting (46.2%). The median monthly mortgage payment was $1,600, which is below the Regional Qld average of $1,655, while the median weekly rent stood at $300, compared to $345 in Regional Qld.
Locally, mortgage costs are notably below the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are also well below the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Emerald counted 4,736 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 5,128 today, averaging 2.7 people each. 37% are couples with children, against 25% couples without children. 23% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up 73.1% of local households, consisting of couples with children at 36.7%, couples without children at 25.3%, and single-parent households at 10.2%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 26.9% of households, with single-person households representing 23.4% and group households making up 3.4%. The median household size of 2.7 individuals is slightly above the Regional Qld average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
17.3% of adults in Emerald hold a university qualification, including 12.6% with a bachelor degree and 2.6% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 35.2% hold a vocational qualification. 10 schools serve the area, with 8,028 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 961 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
The region shows lower rates of higher education, with university qualification rates at 17.3% compared to the national average of 30.4%. This represents an area where focused educational programs could make an impact. Among residents, bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 12.6%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.6% and graduate diplomas at 2.1%. Vocational and technical training is highly prevalent, with 43.8% of residents aged 15 and over holding qualification credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas at 8.6% and certificates at 35.2%. Participation in study is high, with 35.4% of the population currently undertaking formal education.
This group includes 14.8% of residents in primary school, 10.7% in secondary school, and 2.9% enrolled in tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Emerald means driving: households keep an average of 1.6 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
75.7% of residents in Emerald report no long-term health condition. 3.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 59.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.2 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators in Emerald align closely with national averages according to AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality data and chronic illness rates, showing standard rates of common health conditions across all age brackets. Private health insurance coverage is high at approximately 60% of the population (9,137 residents), compared to 52.5% across Regional Qld. Asthma and mental health conditions are the most prevalent medical issues, affecting 8.0% and 7.6% of residents respectively. Meanwhile, 75.7% of the population reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 67.6% in Regional Qld. Health outcomes for residents under 65 are better than average.
Residents aged 65 and over make up 9.3% of the population (1,426 individuals), which is lower than the Regional Qld average of 20.4%. Seniors in the area experience above-average health outcomes, with national rankings that exceed those of the overall local population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Emerald is largely Australian-born, at 83.9% of residents, with 9.0% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (29.2%) and English (28.1%). 3.7% 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
Emerald exhibits lower levels of cultural diversity relative to broader benchmarks, with citizens making up 82.6% of the population, 83.9% born in Australia, and 91.0% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, followed by 54.8% of residents, compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld. Regarding parental country of birth, the three most common ancestries are Australian at 29.2%, English at 28.1%, and Irish at 8.3%. Some ethnic groups show higher concentrations compared to the wider region, with Maori representation at 1.7% in Emerald compared to 0.8% regionally, New Zealand ancestry at 1.2% compared to 0.9%, and South Australian ancestry at 0.8% compared to 0.5%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Emerald is 32, younger than 92% of areas nationally. 31.0% 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 Emerald is 32 years, which is lower than the Regional Qld average of 41 and the national median of 38. Compared to Regional Qld, Emerald has a larger percentage of residents aged 25 to 34 (17.1%) and a smaller percentage of residents aged 65 to 74 (6.3%). Since the 2021 Census, the 65 to 74 age bracket grew from 4.6% to 6.3% of the population, while the 25 to 34 group rose from 15.9% to 17.1%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 age group fell from 17.6% to 15.3%.
Demographic projections indicate the local age profile will shift by 2041, with the 25 to 34 age group expected to grow by 22%, adding 583 residents to reach 3,192, while the 55 to 64 and 5 to 14 groups are projected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Emerald
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 6 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 — 196 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (14,089 at the 2021 Census → 15,255 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 (308011192). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.