Kilkivan

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

Kilkivan's population, as of February 2026, is approximately 3,925, showing an increase of 137 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 3,788. This growth is inferred from ABS estimates: 3,913 in June 2024 and an additional 55 validated new addresses post-Census. The population density is about 1.2 persons per square kilometer. Interstate migration contributed around 63.2% of the recent population gains. AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.

For areas not covered or years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections from 2023 using 2021 data are adopted, with proportional growth weightings applied for age cohorts based on ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 using 2022 data. Projected demographic shifts indicate a population increase of approximately 457 persons to 2041, reflecting an 11.3% total increase over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Kilkivan according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Kilkivan has seen approximately 17 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling 88 homes. In FY26 so far, 16 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.9 people move to the area each year for each dwelling built between FY21 and FY25, indicating a balanced supply and demand market with stable conditions. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $223,000, below regional norms, offering more affordable housing options.

This financial year has seen $4.2 million in commercial development approvals, reflecting Kilkivan's primarily residential nature. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Kilkivan records roughly half the building activity per person and ranks among the 57th percentile nationally. All new construction since FY21 has been detached houses, maintaining the area's traditional low density character focused on family homes.

With around 271 people per approval, Kilkivan reflects a low density area. Population forecasts indicate Kilkivan will gain 445 residents by 2041, with current development well-matched to future needs, supporting steady market conditions without extreme price pressure.

Kilkivan has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence a region's performance. AreaSearch identified 13 projects potentially impacting this area. Key projects are Woolooga Solar Farm, Lower Wonga Solar Farm (Proposed), EQUIS Lower Wonga (Woolaoga) BESS, and Curra Town Centre Development. The following list details those 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.

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

Kilkivan has a balanced workforce with diverse sector representation and an unemployment rate of 3.9%. Over the past year, ending September 2025, employment grew by 9.4%. The area had 1,911 residents in work while its unemployment rate was 0.1% below Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%.

Workforce participation lagged at 59.6%, compared to Rest of Qld's 65.7%. A moderate 21.3% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Leading employment industries were agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and construction. Agriculture, forestry & fishing had notably high concentration with employment levels at 5.5 times the regional average.

Health care & social assistance employed just 10.6% of local workers, below Rest of Qld's 16.1%. The area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census working population vs resident population comparison. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 9.4%, while labour force increased by 10.0%, causing unemployment rate to rise by 0.5 percentage points. 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. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggested potential future demand within Kilkivan. These projections estimated national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across industry sectors. Applying these projections to Kilkivan's employment mix indicated local employment should increase by 5.0% over five years and 11.2% over ten years.

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

Kilkivan SA2's median income among taxpayers in financial year 2023 was $40,562. Its average income stood at $52,499 during the same period. In comparison, Rest of Qld had median and average incomes of $53,146 and $66,593 respectively. By September 2025, estimated median and average incomes in Kilkivan SA2 would be approximately $44,582 and $57,702 based on a 9.91% growth since financial year 2023. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Kilkivan fell between the 4th and 6th percentiles nationally. In Kilkivan, 28.4% of individuals earned within the $400 - 799 bracket, while surrounding regions had a dominance of earnings in the $1,500 - 2,999 range with 31.7%. Despite modest housing costs allowing for 87.9% income retention, Kilkivan's total disposable income ranked at the 11th percentile nationally.

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

Kilkivan's dwellings, as per the latest Census, consisted of 96.8% houses and 3.2% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kilkivan was at 50.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 33.0% and rented ones at 16.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,300, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent figure was $200, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $345. Nationally, Kilkivan's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 68.5% of all households, consisting of 23.3% couples with children, 36.9% couples without children, and 8.0% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 31.5%, with lone person households at 29.1% and group households comprising 2.3%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 12.1%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 9.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.5%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Vocational credentials are held by 42.7% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 10.3% and certificates at 32.4%. Educational participation is high, with 26.8% currently enrolled in formal education, including 10.6% in primary, 10.2% in secondary, and 2.0% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 26.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.6% in primary education, 10.2% in secondary education, and 2.0% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health outcomes in Kilkivan are marginally below the national average with common health conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts

Kilkivan's health indicators show below-average outcomes based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover is extremely low at approximately 46% of the total population (~1,817 people), compared to 52.5% in Rest of Qld and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (11.3%) and mental health issues (9.1%). 61.8% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.6% in Rest of Qld. Working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 25.3% of residents aged 65 and over (993 people), higher than the 20.4% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, ranking even higher than the general population nationally.

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

Kilkivan's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 87.4% of its population being citizens born in Australia who speak English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 54.4% of Kilkivan's population, compared to 52.2% across the rest of Queensland. The top three represented ancestry groups were English (33.6%), Australian (31.7%), and Scottish (9.3%).

Notably, German ancestry was overrepresented at 6.0%, while Australian Aboriginal and Irish ancestries were slightly underrepresented at 3.6% and 8.3% respectively.

Kilkivan ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Kilkivan's median age of 50 years is significantly older than Rest of Qld's 41 and higher than Australia's median of 38. The age profile shows that those aged 55-64 make up a particularly prominent group at 17.0%, while the 25-34 age group is comparatively smaller at 8.0%. This concentration of those aged 55-64 is well above the national average of 11.2%. According to data from the post-2021 Census, the population aged 15 to 24 has grown from 9.0% to 10.4%, while the 5 to 14 age group has declined from 11.9% to 10.0%. The number of those aged 55 to 64 has also decreased slightly, from 18.2% to 17.0%. Demographic modeling suggests Kilkivan's age profile will evolve significantly by the year 2041. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to grow steadily, expanding by 95 people (30%) from 314 to 410. Conversely, numbers in the 15-24 age range are expected to fall by 50.