Heatley
Statistical Area - sa2

Heatley has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Heatley's population was approximately 4,001 as of November 2025, reflecting a growth of 94 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 3,907. This increase is inferred from the estimated resident population of 3,999 in June 2024 and an additional validated new address since the Census date. The population density was around 1,970 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Natural growth contributed approximately 51.5% to overall population gains during recent periods. 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 released in 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted, applying proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort. Population projections indicate a decline of 166 persons by 2041, with the 25 to 34 age group expected to expand by 111 people.

The level of residential development activity in Heatley is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Heatley has had minimal residential development activity with only 1 dwelling approval annually over the past five years, totalling 6. This low level of development reflects Heatley's rural nature, where housing needs drive development rather than broad market demand. Yearly growth figures and relativities can vary considerably due to the low approval numbers.

Compared to Rest of Qld, Heatley shows significantly less construction activity, with levels also under national averages. Recent development in Heatley has been entirely detached houses, focusing on family homes suited for those seeking rural lifestyle and space. Notably, developers are building more traditional houses than the current mix suggests (84.0% at Census), indicating strong demand for family homes despite density pressures. Population projections showing stability or decline should reduce housing demand pressures in Heatley, benefiting potential buyers.

With population projections showing stability or decline, Heatley should see reduced housing demand pressures, benefiting potential buyers.

Heatley has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 32ndth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects likely to impact the area. Major projects include Garbutt - Upper Ross Road (Riverway Drive) Stage 2 Duplication, Harris Crossing Estate, Kirwan Police Complex, and Kirwan Health Campus Expansion.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Employment conditions in Heatley face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Heatley's workforce comprises both white and blue-collar jobs, with essential services well represented. The unemployment rate is 10.8%.

As of June 2025, 1,670 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 6.9% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation stands at 54.7%, below Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key employment sectors include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food. The area specializes in public administration & safety, with an employment share 1.6 times the regional level.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing has negligible presence at 0.0% compared to region's 4.5%. Limited local employment opportunities are indicated by Census data. Between June 2024 and June 2025, Heatley's labour force decreased by 1.9%, while employment declined by 4.4%, leading to a 2.3 percentage point rise in unemployment. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment grow by 1.8% and labour force expand by 2.0%. Jobs and Skills Australia projects national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Heatley's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.2%% over five years and 13.2% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

Heatley's median income among taxpayers in financial year 2022 was $44,190. The average income stood at $52,235 during the same period. In comparison, Rest of Qld's median and average incomes were $50,780 and $64,844 respectively. Based on a Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Heatley would be approximately $50,372 (median) and $59,543 (average) as of September 2025. According to Census 2021 income data, household, family and personal incomes in Heatley all fall between the 18th and 21st percentiles nationally. In terms of income distribution, the predominant cohort spans 31.8% of locals (1,272 people) with incomes ranging from $1,500 to $2,999, which aligns with the regional average for this cohort. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Heatley, with only 84.3% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 19th percentile nationally.

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

Heatley's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 84.0% houses and 16.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro Qld's 81.3% houses and 18.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Heatley was at 31.3%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (33.8%) or rented (34.9%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Heatley was $1,300, below Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,517. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $280, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $305. Nationally, Heatley's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Heatley features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 65.0% of all households, including 20.9% couples with children, 23.9% couples without children, and 17.6% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 35.0%, with lone person households at 31.8% and group households making up 3.6%. The median household size is 2.4 people, smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 13.5%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 10.3%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.7%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.5%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 38.5% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 8.6% and certificates at 29.9%. Educational participation is high, with 29.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 10.8% in primary, 9.3% in secondary, and 4.0% in tertiary education. Heatley's three schools have a combined enrollment of 1,170 students. Educational provision is conventional, with one primary and two secondary institutions. The area functions as an educational hub with 29.2 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 16.7. It attracts students from surrounding communities. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

Transport servicing is low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Heatley has 17 active public transport stops. All these stops are bus routes. There are three different routes operating in total.

Each week, these routes provide 300 passenger trips combined. The accessibility of transport in Heatley is rated as good. On average, residents live 210 meters away from the nearest stop. Across all routes, there are an average of 42 trips per day. This equates to about 17 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Health challenges are prominent in Heatley, affecting various age groups. The most prevalent conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 10.4 and 10.0% of residents respectively. Conversely, 59.7% report no medical ailments.

This is lower than the Rest of Qld's 67.8%. Heatley has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 20.1%, compared to Rest of Qld's 14.9%. Private health cover in Heatley stands at approximately 46% (~1,848 people), lower than the national average of 55.3% and Rest of Qld's 53.3%.

Heatley ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Heatley's population shows low cultural diversity, with 86.3% being Australian citizens and 86.3% born in Australia. Most residents speak English only at home, at 90.3%. Christianity is the predominant religion, followed by 55.7%, compared to 52.7% regionally.

The top three ancestry groups are Australian (26.8%), English (25.7%), and Other (9.0%). Notably, Australian Aboriginal people are overrepresented at 8.1% versus the regional average of 5.0%. Filipino and German populations also differ from regional averages, with Filipinos at 2.0% compared to 1.1%, and Germans at 4.1% versus 4.0%.

Heatley's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Heatley's median age is 40, close to Rest of Qld's figure of 41 but exceeding the national norm of 38. The 75-84 age group has strong representation at 9.5%, compared to Rest of Qld, while the 65-74 cohort is less prevalent at 7.5%. Following the Census on 2021/08/10, the 25-34 age group grew from 12.2% to 14.4%, and the 75-84 cohort increased from 8.2% to 9.5%. Conversely, the 65-74 cohort declined from 9.6% to 7.5%, and the 5-14 group dropped from 12.9% to 10.9%. Demographic modeling suggests Heatley's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041/07/01, with the 25-34 group projected to grow by 14%, reaching 657 from 574. Population declines are projected for the 45-54 and 55-64 cohorts.