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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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Sales Activity
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Population
Emu Park lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends
Emu Park's population is 6,357 as of May 2026. This figure reflects an increase of 559 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,798. The change is inferred from ABS estimates: 6,314 in June 2025 and an additional 108 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 155 persons per square kilometer. Emu Park's growth rate of 9.6% since the 2021 census exceeded its SA3 area (7.0%) and SA4 region, making it a growth leader. Interstate migration contributed approximately 91.5% of overall population gains during recent periods.
AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are used, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. These state projections do not provide age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) are applied. Future population dynamics anticipate a significant increase in the top quartile of Australian non-metropolitan areas, with Emu Park expected to increase by 1,892 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 29.1% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Emu Park among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide
Emu Park granted approval for approximately 52 residential properties annually over the past five financial years, totalling 261 homes. In FY-26 so far, 32 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.9 new residents arrived per year per new home between FY-21 and FY-25. The average construction cost value of new dwellings was $352,000.
This financial year has seen $4.9 million in commercial approvals, indicating limited focus on commercial development. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Emu Park records 127% more building activity per person, offering buyers greater choice. New developments consist of 76% standalone homes and 24% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's low-density nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. There are approximately 119 people per dwelling approval in Emu Park, indicating an expanding market.
According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Emu Park is projected to add 1,849 residents by 2041. Building activity is keeping pace with growth projections, though buyers may experience increased competition as the population grows.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Emu Park
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
Infrastructure
Emu Park has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 47thth percentile nationally
Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified two projects likely affecting the region: Lifestyles By The Beach Over 50s Village, Zilzie; Seaspray Estate, Zilzie; East West Connector Project; Bruce Highway (Rockhampton-St Lawrence) - bridges safety upgrades and targeted safety works. Key projects are detailed below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Santos GLNG Project
A major coal seam gas (CSG) to liquefied natural gas (LNG) project operated by Santos on behalf of the GLNG joint venture (Santos 30%, PETRONAS 27.5%, TotalEnergies 27.5%, KOGAS 15%). The project spans gas field development across the Surat and Bowen Basins (Roma, Fairview, Arcadia and Scotia fields), a 420km underground gas transmission pipeline, and a two-train LNG processing plant on Curtis Island near Gladstone with a combined nameplate capacity of 7.8 Mtpa. The LNG facility delivered its first cargo in October 2015 and both trains have been operational since 2016. Active Gas Field Development (GFD) expansion continues: 104 wells were drilled across GLNG acreage in 2025 despite flood disruptions, with full-year LNG production of 6 Mt delivered. Record daily production was achieved at Roma (223 TJ/day) and Scotia (105 TJ/day average in Q4 2025). Fairview development continued with 116 wells drilled under the SD25 and EE Phase 1 programs. A mid-term LNG supply contract for approximately 0.6 Mtpa was signed for commencement in 2026. Long-term production operations are planned to continue through to approximately 2045.
Building Future Hospitals Program
Now referred to as the Hospital Rescue Plan, this $18.5 billion program is the largest health infrastructure investment in Queensland history. It aims to deliver over 2,600 new public hospital beds by 2032 through three new hospitals (Coomera, Bundaberg, Toowoomba) and major expansions at 10 existing facilities including QEII, Logan, and Princess Alexandra hospitals. Recent milestones in 2026 include the completion of the concept design for the 600-bed Coomera Hospital and the final concrete pour for the QEII Hospital expansion clinical building.
Fitzroy to Gladstone Pipeline Project
A 983 million dollar, 117-kilometre pipeline project designed to transport up to 30 gigalitres of water annually from the Lower Fitzroy River to Gladstone. The infrastructure includes an intake and pumping station at Laurel Bank, the Alton Downs Water Treatment Plant, and two 50ML reservoirs at Aldoga. The project aims to provide long-term water security, reduce reliance on Awoonga Dam, and support emerging hydrogen and renewable energy industries. As of early 2026, the project is entering the final commissioning phase with hydrostatic testing of reservoirs and pipe sections largely complete.
Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program
A jointly funded Australian and Queensland Government road safety program delivering priority upgrades on high-risk sections of the Bruce Highway north of Gympie. The program includes wide centre line treatments, road widening, pavement strengthening, intersection upgrades, overtaking lanes, narrow structure widening and rest areas. Current works include early start and accelerated construction packages, with 22 new design and construction contracts released to market in 2026 and delivery targeted by 2030.
Bruce Highway (Rockhampton-St Lawrence) - bridges safety upgrades and targeted safety works
Under the Bruce Highway Upgrade Program, TMR has completed bridge safety upgrades at Twelve Mile Creek and John Murphy Bridge north of Rockhampton (construction completed Jan 2025). Further targeted safety works on the Rockhampton-St Lawrence corridor are progressing through planning and preconstruction as part of the Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program.
Lifestyles By The Beach Over 50s Village, Zilzie
A DA approved masterplanned over 50s land lease community on about 27.8 hectares at 78 Svendsen Road, Zilzie, around 23 km south of Yeppoon. The project, branded Lifestyles By The Beach and now in the Palm Lake Group pipeline, will deliver about 319 single level homes plus resort style facilities including a community and wellness centre, cinema, pool, gym, games room, tennis courts, bowling green and RV parking. The village is aimed at active retirees seeking coastal lifestyle living on Queenslands Capricorn Coast.
Seaspray Estate, Zilzie
Seaspray Estate is an established master planned coastal residential community at Cocoanut Point in Zilzie on the Capricorn Coast. The original land estate comprised about 52 residential allotments and several balance development sites, which were marketed and sold via Ray White Special Projects in 2014. The broader Seaspray community now includes Seaspray Resort and the Seaspray Health and Fitness Centre with pools, gyms, tennis and pickleball courts, pharmacy, health services, beauty and wellness operators and a cafe bar, providing local residents with resort style facilities within walking distance of homes. Most subdivision works are complete and remaining vacant lots are sold and developed individually by various builders and owners.
East West Connector Project
The East West Connector is a critical road infrastructure project linking Hidden Valley and Keppel Bay Marina in Livingstone Shire, QLD. It aims to reduce travel times, improve road safety, support economic development, and unlock access to over 1,500 new residential lots. Stage 1 has secured $25 million funding from the Queensland Government for construction, with pre-construction activities underway.
Employment
The employment landscape in Emu Park presents a mixed picture: unemployment remains low at 3.8%, yet recent job losses have affected its comparative national standing
Emu Park has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs, with essential services well represented. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. As of December 2025, 2689 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.8%, which is 0.2% lower than Regional Qld's rate of 4.0%.
Workforce participation in Emu Park is 53.2%, compared to Regional Qld's 64.5%. According to Census responses, only 7.0% of residents work from home. The key industries are health care & social assistance, mining, and construction. Mining employment share is high at 2.9 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented with 1.2% compared to Regional Qld's 4.5%.
Employment opportunities locally may be limited. Between December 2024 and December 2025, the labour force decreased by 3.4%, employment declined by 2.4%, causing unemployment to fall by 0.9 percentage points. In contrast, Regional Qld had employment growth of 0.7% and labour force growth of 1.0%, with unemployment rising by 0.3 percentage points. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest Emu Park's employment should increase by 6.1% over five years and 13.1% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment
AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that income in Emu Park SA2 is slightly above average nationally, with a median assessed at $52,300 and an average income of $69,045. This differs from Regional Qld's figures of a median income of $53,146 and an average income of $66,593. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $58,241 (median) and $76,889 (average) as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Emu Park fall between the 13th and 13th percentiles nationally. The data reveals that the predominant cohort spans 27.0% of locals (1,716 people) with incomes in the $800 - 1,499 category, unlike trends in the broader area where 31.7% fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 range. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.3% of income remaining, ranking at the 13th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Emu Park is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership
Emu Park's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 88.1% houses and 11.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Regional Qld's 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Emu Park stood at 42.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 29.3% and rented ones at 28.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,517, lower than Regional Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent figure in Emu Park was $350, compared to Regional Qld's $345. Nationally, Emu Park's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, with rents at $375 being less than the national figure.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Emu Park has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size
Family households constitute 70.0% of all households, including 20.8% couples with children, 36.5% couples without children, and 12.1% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 30.0%, with lone person households at 27.3% and group households making up 2.6%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Regional Queensland average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Emu Park faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally
The area's university qualification rate is 15.2%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.9%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 41.9% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.0%) and certificates (31.9%). Educational participation is high, with 27.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 11.0% in primary, 8.7% in secondary, and 2.1% in tertiary education.
Educational participation is notably high, with 27.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.0% in primary education, 8.7% in secondary education, and 2.1% pursuing tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
No public transport data available for this catchment area.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Health performance in Emu Park is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts
Emu Park faces significant health challenges, according to AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence.
Both younger and older age groups show high prevalence of common health conditions. The area has a private health cover rate of approximately 53%, slightly higher than the average SA2 area's rate. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (11.9% of residents) and mental health issues (9.7%). Notably, 59.4% of residents claim to have no medical ailments, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Working-age individuals in the area face substantial health challenges due to high chronic condition rates. Emu Park has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over (29.2%, or 1,854 people) than Regional Qld's average (20.4%). Health outcomes among seniors present notable challenges, with national rankings even worse than those for the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
The latest Census data sees Emu Park placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics
Emu Park's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 87.9% of its population being citizens, 88.7% born in Australia, and 97.6% speaking English only at home. The predominant religion in Emu Park is Christianity, comprising 55.7% of the population, compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld. Regarding ancestry, the top three represented groups are English (31.2%), Australian (30.4%), and Scottish (8.6%).
Notable divergences exist in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Welsh is overrepresented at 0.8%, German at 5.1%, and Australian Aboriginal at 4.7%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Emu Park hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide
Emu Park's median age is 49 years, significantly higher than the Regional Queensland average of 41 and substantially exceeding the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 65 to 74 are particularly prominent, making up 16.4% of the population, compared to 12.0% in Regional Queensland and 9.4% nationally. Meanwhile, the proportion of those aged 15 to 24 is smaller at 8.0%, compared to 13.7% in Regional Queensland. From 2021 to present, the population aged 75 to 84 has grown from 9.0% to 10.3%, while the 35 to 44 cohort increased from 10.5% to 11.7%. Conversely, the proportion of those aged 5 to 14 has declined from 12.7% to 11.3%. By 2041, Emu Park's age composition is expected to shift notably. The population aged 75 to 84 is projected to grow by 57%, adding 374 people and reaching a total of 1,030 from the current figure of 655. Meanwhile, the 15 to 24 group will experience more modest growth of 2%, with an increase of just 8 residents.