Gladstone Hinterland
Statistical Area - sa2

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 12,216 as of August 2025. This figure reflects an increase of 687 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 11,529. The growth is inferred from ABS estimates; the population was 12,158 in June 2024 and there were 76 new validated addresses since the census date. This results in a density ratio of 1.9 persons per square kilometer. Gladstone Hinterland's 6.0% growth since the census is close to the SA4 region's 6.4%, indicating strong fundamentals. Natural growth contributed approximately 58.7% of overall population gains recently, with all migration factors also positive.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a 2022 base year. For areas not covered by this data 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; AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort. Demographic trends project above median population growth outside capital cities. Gladstone Hinterland is expected to grow by 2,756 persons to 2041, recording a total gain of 22.1% over the 17 years.

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

Gladstone Hinterland has received approximately 28 dwelling approvals per year. The Australian Bureau of Statistics provides development approval data on a financial year basis, with 144 homes approved over the past five years from FY-21 to FY-25, and four approvals so far in FY-26. On average, 3.9 new residents have arrived annually per dwelling constructed between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating demand outpacing supply which can put upward pressure on prices and increase buyer competition. The average construction value of new properties is $444,000, below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options.

Commercial approvals this financial year totalled $11.4 million, showing moderate commercial development levels. Compared to Rest of Qld, Gladstone Hinterland records about three-quarters the building activity per person, placing it at the 38th percentile nationally, indicating limited buyer options and strong demand for established homes. Recent development has consisted solely of standalone homes, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 446 people, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment.

Population forecasts project an increase of 2,698 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to keep pace with population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Gladstone Hinterland has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 43rdth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 57 projects potentially impacting the region. Notable ones include Calliope Residential Growth Area, Hughes Road Battery Energy Storage System, Clinton Industrial Estate, and Brookview Estate. The following details those most relevant.

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

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

Gladstone Hinterland's workforce spans white and blue collar jobs with notable representation in construction. Unemployment stood at 4.0% in June 2025, aligning with Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 4.1%, compared to Rest of Qld's 1.8%. As of June 2025, 6,499 residents were employed, with workforce participation at 62.5% (Rest of Qld: 59.1%). Dominant sectors include manufacturing, construction, and transport, postal & warehousing. Manufacturing employment was particularly high at 2.6 times the regional average.

Health care & social assistance had limited presence with 8.7% employment compared to 16.1% regionally. Employment opportunities locally appeared limited based on Census working population vs resident population comparison. Between Jun-24 and Jun-25, employment increased by 4.1%, labour force by 4.9%, raising unemployment rate by 0.7 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 showed QLD employment contracted by 0.23% (losing 8,070 jobs), with state unemployment at 4.2%. National unemployment was 4.5%, with national employment growth of 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's forecasts from May 2025 project national employment to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Gladstone Hinterland's mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.2% over five years and 11.5% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2022, Gladstone Hinterland had a median income among taxpayers of $59,781. The average income level stood at $73,391. Nationally, this is very high compared to levels of $50,780 and $64,844 across Rest of Qld respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $66,781 (median) and $81,985 (average) as of March 2025. From the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Gladstone Hinterland cluster around the 57th percentile nationally. Looking at income distribution, the predominant cohort spans 34.0% of locals (4,153 people) in the $1,500 - 2,999 category, consistent with broader trends across the surrounding region showing 31.7% in the same category. After housing costs, residents retain 86.7% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power.

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 evaluated at the latest Census conducted on 28 August 2016, comprised 93.9% houses and 6.1% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 85.7% houses and 14.3% other dwellings. The level of home ownership in Gladstone Hinterland was 32.6%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (47.5%) or rented (19.9%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,885, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $290. Nationally, Gladstone Hinterland's mortgage repayments are higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 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 constitute the remaining 18.5%, with lone person households at 16.7% and group households comprising 1.7%. The median household size is 2.8 people, which is 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 the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 8.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.2%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 47.0% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas (8.3%) and certificates (38.7%). Educational participation is high at 31.9%, including 14.2% in primary, 10.5% in secondary, and 2.3% in tertiary education.

There are 10 schools serving approximately 1,387 students in Gladstone Hinterland, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 958). The educational mix includes 7 primary, 1 secondary, and 2 K-12 schools. School places per 100 residents is 11.3, below the regional average of 18.2, indicating some students may attend schools in adjacent areas. Note that 'n/a' for school enrolments refers to parent campus.

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 higher than average health outcomes.

Prevalence of common health conditions is low across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover rate is high at approximately 56% (~6840 people). Most common medical conditions are mental health issues (7.6%) and arthritis (7.5%). 71.9% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 69.4% in the rest of Queensland. The area has 15.4% of residents aged 65 and over (1887 people). Health outcomes among seniors are above average, similar to the general population's health 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 showed low cultural diversity, with 89.4% citizens, 91.0% born in Australia, and 97.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, at 50.6%, compared to 47.5% in Rest of Qld. The top three ancestral groups were Australian (35.3%), English (30.5%), and Scottish (7.8%).

Notably, German ancestry was slightly higher at 5.3% vs regional 5.1%, South African remained steady at 0.6%, and Australian Aboriginal was lower at 3.8% vs regional 4.3%.

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

The median age in Gladstone Hinterland is 38 years, slightly below Rest of Queensland's average of 41 but inline with Australia's median age of 38. The percentage of residents aged 5-14 is 15.9%, higher than Rest of Queensland's figure, while the percentage of those aged 75-84 is 4.7%, lower compared to Rest of Queensland. Post-2021 Census data shows the 75 to 84 age group grew from 3.5% to 4.7%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 17.2% to 15.9%, and the 45 to 54 group dropped from 14.4% to 13.3%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic shifts in Gladstone Hinterland. Notably, the 25 to 34 age group is expected to grow by 37% (479 people), reaching a total of 1,784 from its current figure of 1,304. Meanwhile, the 15 to 24 cohort shows minimal growth of just 5% (73 people).