Kilcoy

Population growth drivers in Kilcoy are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Kilcoy's population was around 5,799 people as of June 2021. By November 2025, it had increased to approximately 6,315, reflecting a growth of 516 people (8.9%) since the last census. This increase is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 6,108 in June 2024 and an additional 221 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio was around 2.2 persons per square kilometer as of November 2025. Kilcoy's growth rate of 8.9% since the census is within 1.2 percentage points of Queensland's state average of 10.1%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 94.8% of overall population gains during recent periods, though all migration drivers were 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 by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted, with proportional growth weightings applied for age cohorts. Future population trends project an above median growth, with the area expected to expand by 1,170 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 15.2% over the 17-year period based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.

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

Kilcoy averaged approximately 50 new dwelling approvals annually. Between financial years FY21 and FY25250 homes were approved, with an additional 42 approved in FY26 up to the current date. Each year, around 1.4 people moved to Kilcoy for each dwelling built during these five financial years.

This has resulted in balanced supply and demand, creating stable market conditions. The average construction cost value of new homes was $316,000. In FY26, commercial development approvals totaled $26.8 million, indicating consistent investment activity.

Compared to Greater Brisbane, Kilcoy's new dwelling approval rate per person is roughly two-thirds, placing it in the 84th percentile nationally among assessed areas. New developments consist of 98.0% detached houses and 2.0% attached dwellings, maintaining Kilcoy's low-density character and attracting space-seeking buyers. With approximately 116 people moving to Kilcoy for each dwelling approval, it exhibits growth area characteristics. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Kilcoy is projected to gain 962 residents by 2041. Given current development patterns, new housing supply should meet demand, presenting favorable conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Kilcoy has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 39thth percentile nationally

Eleven projects have been identified by AreaSearch as likely to impact the area. Key projects include Queensland Supergrid South, D'Aguilar Highway Safety Improvements, Queensland Energy Roadmap 2025, and Borumba Pumped Hydro Project. The following details those expected to be most relevant.

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.

AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Kilcoy performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Kilcoy has a diverse workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, prominent manufacturing and industrial sectors, and an unemployment rate of 1.9%. In the year up to September 2025, employment grew by 8.1%.

As of that date, 3,256 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 2.1% lower than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation in Kilcoy stands at 55.5%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Key industries for employment among residents include manufacturing, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and health care & social assistance. Manufacturing is particularly specialized, with an employment share 3.9 times the regional level.

Professional & technical services have limited presence, at 1.9% compared to 8.9% regionally. Many Kilcoy residents commute elsewhere for work. Over the year to September 2025, employment increased by 8.1%, labour force by 6.3%, and unemployment fell by 1.7 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane's employment grew by 3.8% while unemployment fell by 0.5 percentage points. Statewide in Queensland, as of 25-Nov, employment contracted by 0.01% with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. National employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Kilcoy's employment mix suggests local employment could grow by 4.3% in five years and 10.6% in ten years, although these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2022 shows Kilcoy SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $47,780 and an average level of $55,133. This is lower than national averages, which were $55,645 and $70,520 respectively for Greater Brisbane in the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $54,464 (median) and $62,846 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Kilcoy fall between the 22nd and 26th percentiles nationally. The data indicates that 29.5% of the population (1,862 individuals) have incomes ranging from $1,500 to $2,999, consistent with broader trends across the surrounding region where 33.3% fall into the same category. After housing costs, 85.1% of income remains, ranking at the 24th percentile nationally.

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

Kilcoy's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 97.9% houses and 2.0% other dwellings. In comparison, Brisbane metro had 97.6% houses and 2.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kilcoy was at 41.9%, similar to Brisbane metro's figure. Mortgaged dwellings accounted for 36.8%, while rented dwellings were 21.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Kilcoy was $1,517, lower than Brisbane metro's $1,715 and the national average of $1,863. Median weekly rent in Kilcoy was $330, compared to Brisbane metro's $340 and the national figure of $375.

Kilcoy has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 72.6% of all households, consisting of 27.1% couples with children, 35.2% couples without children, and 9.9% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 27.4%, with lone person households at 23.7% and group households making up 3.6% of the total. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 15.6%, significantly lower than Greater Brisbane's average of 30.5%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.8%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 41.0% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.6%) and certificates (30.4%). Educational participation is high, with 28.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes primary education (11.5%), secondary education (10.4%), and tertiary education (2.1%).

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

Kilcoy has eight active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by a single route in total, offering 24 weekly passenger trips combined. The accessibility of these services is rated as limited, with residents typically located 7601 meters away from the nearest stop.

On average, there are three daily trips across all routes, equating to roughly three weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Kilcoy is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data indicates significant challenges for Kilcoy. Both younger and older age groups have high prevalence rates of common health conditions.

Only approximately 48% (~3,005 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical issues are arthritis (10.3%) and mental health concerns (7.9%). About 65.9% report no medical ailments, similar to Greater Brisbane's 66.1%. Kilcoy has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 23.6% (1,493 people), compared to Greater Brisbane's 20.8%.

In terms of cultural diversity, Kilcoy records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Kilcoy had a cultural diversity level above average, with 21.2% of its population born overseas and 13.2% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Kilcoy, comprising 57.7% of people, compared to 51.2% across Greater Brisbane. The top three ancestry groups were English (30.3%), Australian (29.3%), and Filipino (7.6%).

Notably, German representation was higher than average at 5.6%, while Samoan and Korean representations were also slightly above regional averages at 0.3% each.

Kilcoy hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

The median age in Kilcoy is 44 years, which is higher than Greater Brisbane's average of 36 years and exceeds the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 65-74 years make up 14.0% of the population, while those aged 25-34 years comprise only 9.5%. Between 2021 and the present, the proportion of people aged 75 to 84 has increased from 6.1% to 8.1%, while the proportion of those aged 5 to 14 has decreased from 12.7% to 11.1%. The percentage of people aged 25 to 34 has also dropped, from 11.0% to 9.5%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Kilcoy's age structure. The number of people aged 75 to 84 is projected to increase by 380 individuals (74%), rising from 512 to 893. Notably, the combined population of all those aged 65 and above will account for 61% of total population growth, reflecting Kilcoy's aging demographic trend. Conversely, the populations of those aged 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 are expected to decline.