Gladstone Hinterland

Gladstone Hinterland has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Gladstone Hinterland's population is around 12,228 as of November 2025. This reflects a growth of 699 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 11,529 people. The increase is inferred from the estimated resident population of 12,158 in June 2024 and an additional 80 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1.9 persons per square kilometer. Gladstone Hinterland's growth rate of 6.1% since the census is within 0.5 percentage points of the SA4 region's growth rate of 6.6%. Natural growth contributed approximately 58.7% to overall population gains recently, with all drivers being positive factors.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections from 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted, with proportional growth weightings applied for age cohorts. Demographic trends project an above median population growth outside capital cities, with Gladstone Hinterland expected to grow by 2,756 persons to 2041, reflecting a total gain of 22.0% over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Gladstone Hinterland when compared nationally

Gladstone Hinterland approved approximately 28 dwellings annually over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, totalling 144 homes. In FY26 up to June, 10 dwellings have been approved. On average, 3.9 new residents arrived per dwelling constructed each year during this period.

This supply lagged demand, leading to heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures. The average value of new homes being built was $275,000, under regional levels, indicating more affordable housing choices for buyers. In FY26, $11.4 million in commercial approvals have been registered, suggesting balanced commercial development activity. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Gladstone Hinterland records about three-quarters the building activity per person and ranks among the 38th percentile nationally, indicating limited buyer options while strengthening demand for established homes.

Recent development has been entirely standalone homes, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 446 people, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment. Population forecasts indicate Gladstone Hinterland will gain 2,686 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Gladstone Hinterland has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 54 projects that could impact the area. Key projects include Calliope Residential Growth Area, Hughes Road Battery Energy Storage System, Clinton Industrial Estate, and Brookview Estate. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

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

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The labour market in Gladstone Hinterland demonstrates typical performance when compared to similar areas across Australia

Gladstone Hinterland had a balanced workforce as of September 2025, with an unemployment rate of 3.8% and estimated employment growth of 0.7% over the past year. There were 6,457 residents in work, with an unemployment rate 0.3% lower than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%.

Workforce participation was 62.5%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Dominant employment sectors included manufacturing, construction, and transport, postal & warehousing. Manufacturing had particularly notable concentration, with employment levels at 2.6 times the regional average. Health care & social assistance had limited presence, with 8.7% employment compared to 16.1% regionally.

AreaSearch analysis showed employment increased by 0.7% over a 12-month period alongside labour force increasing by 1.3%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.6 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld experienced employment growth of 1.7% and labour force growth of 2.1%, with a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. State-level data to 25-Nov showed QLD employment contracted by 0.01%, losing 1,210 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 projected national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Gladstone Hinterland's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 5.2% over five years and 11.5% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2022, the Gladstone Hinterland SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $59,781 and an average level standing at $73,391. This is high nationally compared to levels of $50,780 and $64,844 across Rest of Qld respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $68,144 (median) and $83,658 (average) as of September 2025. From the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Gladstone Hinterland cluster around the 56th percentile nationally. Looking at income distribution, 34.0% of locals (4,157 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 category. After housing costs, residents retain 86.7% of their income.

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

The dwelling structure in Gladstone Hinterland, as per the latest Census, consisted of 93.9% houses and 6.1% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 85.7% houses and 14.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Gladstone Hinterland stood at 32.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 47.5% and rented ones at 19.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,885, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,600. The median weekly rent in Gladstone Hinterland was $290, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $275. Nationally, Gladstone Hinterland's mortgage repayments were higher at $1,885 than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were lower at $290 compared to the national figure of $375.

Gladstone Hinterland features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 81.5% of all households, including 38.4% couples with children, 33.1% couples without children, and 9.6% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 18.5%, with lone person households at 16.7% and group households comprising 1.7% of the total. The median household size is 2.8 people, larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 10.8%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common, with 8.4% of residents holding one, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.2%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 47.0% of residents aged 15+ possessing them, including advanced diplomas (8.3%) and certificates (38.7%).

Educational participation is high, with 31.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 14.2% in primary education, 10.5% in secondary education, and 2.3% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

The level of general health in Gladstone Hinterland is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Gladstone Hinterland shows superior health outcomes, with low prevalence of common conditions across both younger and older age groups.

Private health cover is high at approximately 56% (~6,847 people). Mental health issues affect 7.6%, arthritis impacts 7.5%. 71.9% report no medical ailments, compared to 69.4% in the rest of Queensland. The area has 15.4% aged 65 and over (1,889 people). Health outcomes among seniors are above average, mirroring general population's profile.

The latest Census data sees Gladstone Hinterland placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Gladstone Hinterland, as per the census, had a cultural diversity index below average. Its population was predominantly citizens at 89.4%, born in Australia at 91.0%, and speaking English only at home at 97.3%. Christianity was the dominant religion, practiced by 50.6% of residents, compared to 47.5% across Rest of Qld.

The top three ancestry groups were Australian (35.3%), English (30.5%), and Scottish (7.8%). Notably, German ancestry was slightly overrepresented at 5.3%, South African remained consistent at 0.6%, and Australian Aboriginal was present at 3.8%.

Gladstone Hinterland's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Gladstone Hinterland is 38 years, slightly below Rest of Qld's average of 41 but in line with Australia's median age of 38. The 5-14 age group constitutes 15.9%, higher than Rest of Qld's percentage, while the 75-84 cohort makes up 4.7%. Post-Census data shows the 75 to 84 age group increased from 3.5% to 4.7%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 age group decreased from 17.2% to 15.9%, and the 45 to 54 group fell from 14.4% to 13.3%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes in Gladstone Hinterland. Notably, the 25 to 34 age group is projected to grow by 37%, adding 478 people to reach 1,784 from 1,305. In contrast, the 15 to 24 cohort shows minimal growth of just 5%, with an increase of 71 people.