Gin Gin
Statistical Area - sa2

An assessment of population growth drivers in Gin Gin reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Gin Gin's population is around 5,784 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase of 382 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,402 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 5,745 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 149 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2.5 persons per square kilometer. Gin Gin's growth of 7.1% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area's growth of 6.0%. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration, contributing approximately 82.3% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. These state projections do not provide age category splits, so proportional growth weightings are applied in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort. Considering projected demographic shifts, a population increase just below the median of regional areas across the nation is expected by 2041, with Gin Gin expected to grow by 390 persons, recording a gain of 6.1% over the 17 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Gin Gin when compared nationally

Gin Gin has seen approximately 20 new homes approved each year. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis, with 102 homes approved over the past five financial years between FY-21 and FY-25, including three approvals so far in FY-26. On average, 4.1 people have moved to the area each year for each dwelling built during these five financial years. This demand has significantly outpaced supply, putting upward pressure on prices and increasing competition among buyers.

New homes are being constructed at an average value of $298,000, which is below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers. A total of $1.9 million in commercial approvals have been registered this financial year, indicating a predominantly residential focus. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Gin Gin has seen slightly more development, with 13.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period.

This has preserved reasonable buyer options while sustaining existing property demand. All new construction in the area has been comprised of detached dwellings, maintaining its traditional low density character and focusing on family homes that appeal to those seeking space. The location currently has approximately 228 people per dwelling approval, indicating room for growth. Population forecasts suggest Gin Gin will gain 351 residents by 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Gin Gin has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 38thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified seven projects that may impact the region. Notable projects include Bundaberg Solar Farm by GPG Australia, Mt Perry Summit Walk, Mt Rawdon Pumped Hydro Project, and Mount Perry Waste Facility Solar Upgrade Project. The following list details those most relevant.

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

Employment drivers in Gin Gin are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Gin Gin's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs with varied sector representation. Its unemployment rate was 9.1% in the past year, rising to 5.2% by June 2025.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 4.8%. As of June 2025, 2,322 residents were employed while workforce participation lagged significantly at 41.9%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key industries for employment among residents are agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and education & training. The area specializes in agriculture, forestry & fishing with an employment share 5.4 times the regional level.

However, health care & social assistance is under-represented at 12.4% of Gin Gin's workforce compared to Rest of Qld's 16.1%. Employment opportunities appear limited locally based on Census working population vs resident population comparison. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 4.8%, labour force by 7.9%, leading to a rise in unemployment by 2.7 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld recorded employment growth of 1.8% with unemployment rising by 0.2 percentage points. State-level data as of Sep-25 shows QLD employment contracted by 0.23%, with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%. Nationally, employment grew by 0.26% and the unemployment rate was 4.5%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project a growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Gin Gin's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.1% over five years and 11.6% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

Gin Gin's median taxpayer income in financial year 2022 was $33,870, with an average of $43,922. This is lower than the national average, contrasting with Rest of Qld's median income of $50,780 and average income of $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Gin Gin would be approximately $37,836 (median) and $49,065 (average) as of March 2025. Census data reveals that household, family, and personal incomes in Gin Gin all fall between the 2nd and 2nd percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate that 31.1% of the community earns between $400 and $799 (1,798 individuals), contrasting with metropolitan regions where the leading bracket is $1,500 to $2,999 at 31.7%. Economic circumstances reflect widespread financial pressure, with 41.6% of households operating within modest weekly budgets below $800. Housing costs are modest, with 88.1% of income retained, but the total disposable income ranks at just the 5th percentile nationally.

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

Gin Gin's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, was 96.1% houses and 3.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Non-Metro Qld had 93.4% houses and 6.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Gin Gin was 51.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 31.9% and rented ones at 16.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,000, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,083. Median weekly rent in Gin Gin was $250, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $230. Nationally, Gin Gin's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Gin Gin features high concentrations of group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 67.3% of all households, including 19.7% that are couples with children, 35.9% that are couples without children, and 10.7% that are single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 32.7%, with lone person households at 27.8% and group households comprising 5.0% of the total. The median household size is 2.3 people, which matches the average for the Rest of Queensland.

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

Gin Gin faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 9.3%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 7.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.0%) and graduate diplomas (1.0%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 42.9% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (8.8%) and certificates (34.1%).

Educational participation is high at 26.8%, including secondary education (10.4%), primary education (9.6%), and tertiary education (2.5%). Six schools operate within Gin Gin, educating approximately 781 students. The educational provision is balanced with five primary schools and one secondary school serving distinct age groups.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health performance in Gin Gin is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Health challenges are prominent across Gin Gin, affecting both younger and older age groups. The rate of private health cover stands at approximately 48%, with around 2764 people covered (~48% of the total population), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

Arthritis (14.1%) and mental health issues (9.7%) are the most common medical conditions in the area, while 55.7% of residents report having no medical ailments, slightly lower than the 59.4% reported across Rest of Qld. Gin Gin has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 27.8%, with approximately 1609 people falling into this age group, compared to 26.8% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges but perform better than the general population in health metrics.

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

Gin Gin, surveyed in 2016, had a predominantly homogeneous population: 85.7% were citizens, 85.4% were born in Australia, and 96.1% spoke English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, practiced by 54.1%, slightly lower than the regional average of 56.4%. The top three ancestry groups were English (32.7%), Australian (30.6%), and Irish (7.6%).

Notably, German ancestry was higher in Gin Gin at 7.0% compared to 7.8% regionally, Hungarian was slightly higher at 0.5% versus 0.2%, and Australian Aboriginal was lower at 3.1% against the regional average of 6.0%.

Gin Gin ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Gin Gin has a median age of 52, which is higher than Rest of Qld's figure of 41 and well above the national average of 38. The 55-64 age group makes up 19.3% of Gin Gin's population, compared to 10.7% in Rest of Qld and 11.2% nationally. Meanwhile, the 25-34 cohort is less prevalent at 7.7%. Post-2021 Census, the 75-84 age group has increased from 8.1% to 9.2%, while the 65-74 group has decreased from 17.5% to 16.3% and the 45-54 group has dropped from 13.8% to 12.6%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Gin Gin's age profile. The 85+ cohort is projected to more than double, growing by 153 people (116%) from 133 to 287. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are expected to account for 67% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic trend. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 5-14 and 15-24 cohorts.