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 per AreaSearch's analysis, stood at approximately 3,917 by November 2025. This figure indicates a rise of 129 individuals, representing a 3.4% increase from the 2021 Census total of 3,788 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 3,913 reported by the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 60 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1.2 persons per square kilometer. Interstate migration contributed approximately 63.2% of overall population gains during recent periods, with natural growth and overseas migration also playing positive roles.

AreaSearch employs ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 using a base year of 2022. 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. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits; thus, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings aligned with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 using a base year of 2022. Considering projected demographic shifts, Kilkivan is expected to experience population growth just below Australia's non-metropolitan median. By 2041, based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, the area is projected to increase by 457 persons, reflecting an overall increase of 11.6% 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, 15 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.9 people moved to the area per 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 for areas assessed. All new construction in Kilkivan has been detached houses, maintaining its traditional low density character with a focus on family homes.

With around 271 people per approval, Kilkivan reflects a low-density area. By 2041, population forecasts indicate Kilkivan will gain 453 residents. Current development appears 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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 12 projects likely to impact the area. Notable ones include Woolooga Solar Farm, Lower Wonga Solar Farm (Proposed), EQUIS Lower Wonga (Woolooga) 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's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs with diverse industry representation. Its unemployment rate was 3.9% in September 2025, lower than Rest of Qld's 4.1%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 9.4%. There were 1,911 residents employed in September 2025 with an unemployment rate of 0.1% below Rest of Qld's rate. Workforce participation lagged at 47.5%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Leading employment industries included agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and construction.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing employed 5.5 times the regional average, while health care & social assistance employed 10.6% of local workers, below Rest of Qld's 16.1%. Over the year to September 2025, employment increased by 9.4%, labour force by 10.0%, raising unemployment by 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld had employment growth of 1.7% and labour force growth of 2.1%, with a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 showed QLD employment contracted by 0.01%, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. National employment forecasts from May-25 project national growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but local projections vary based on industry-specific growth rates. Applying these projections to Kilkivan's employment mix suggests 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

The Kilkivan SA2's income level is lower than average on a national basis according to ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. The median income among taxpayers in Kilkivan SA2 is $38,675 and the average income stands at $48,127. These figures compare to Rest of Qld's median income of $50,780 and average income of $64,844 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Kilkivan SA2 would be approximately $44,086 (median) and $54,860 (average) as of September 2025. According to the Census conducted in 2021, household, family and personal incomes in Kilkivan all fall between the 4th and 6th percentiles nationally. The income brackets indicate that the $400 - 799 earnings band captures 28.4% of the community (1,112 individuals), which differs from patterns across the surrounding region where the $1,500 - 2,999 band dominates with 31.7%. While housing costs are modest with 87.9% of income retained, the total disposable income ranks at just the 11th percentile nationally.

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

Dwelling structure in Kilkivan, as evaluated at the latest Census held on 28 August 2016, comprised 96.8% houses and 3.2% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 91.8% houses and 8.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kilkivan was 50.4%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged at 33.0% or rented at 16.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, below Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,326. Median weekly rent in Kilkivan was $200, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $290. Nationally, Kilkivan's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863 as at 30 June 2021, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375 in the same period.

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

Family households account for 68.5% of all households, including 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%, consisting of 29.1% lone person households and 2.3% group households. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.4.

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

The area has university qualification rates of 12.1%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.5%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 42.7% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas at 10.3% and certificates at 32.4%.

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

Kilkivan faces significant health challenges, as indicated by health data. Both younger and older age groups have notable prevalence of common health conditions.

Only approximately 46% of Kilkivan's total population (~1,801 people) has private health cover, which is lower than the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions in the area are arthritis (affecting 11.3% of residents) and mental health issues (9.1%). Conversely, 61.8% of Kilkivan residents report being completely free from medical ailments, compared to 60.3% across the rest of Queensland. As of 25.4%, Kilkivan has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over (994 people) than the national average. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Kilkivan are above average and better than those of the general population in terms of health metrics.

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 showed lower cultural diversity, with 87.4% citizens, 89.7% born in Australia, and 97.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 54.4%, compared to 50.4% regionally. Top ancestral groups were English (33.6%), Australian (31.7%), and Scottish (9.3%).

Notable differences included German (6.0% vs regional 5.8%), Australian Aboriginal (3.6% vs 3.0%), and Irish (8.3% vs 8.4%).

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 the Australian median of 38. The age profile shows that those aged 65-74 make up a prominent 15.4%, while the 25-34 group is smaller at 7.7%. This concentration of 65-74 year-olds is well above the national average of 9.4%. Post-Census data from 2021 shows that the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 9.0% to 10.2%, while the 5 to 14 cohort has declined from 11.9% to 10.4%. Additionally, the 55 to 64 group has dropped from 18.2% to 16.8%. Demographic modeling suggests that Kilkivan's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 25 to 34 age cohort is projected to grow steadily, increasing by 108 people (36%) from 301 to 410. Conversely, numbers in the 15 to 24 age range are expected to fall by 43.