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, is approximately 3,986 as of May 2026. This figure represents an increase of 198 individuals, marking a 5.2% rise since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,788 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 3,959 in June 2025 and an additional 56 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 82.7% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts 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 are used, released in 2023 and based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Considering projected demographic shifts, Kilkivan is expected to increase by approximately 428 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of around 10.1% over the 16-year period, based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.

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 dwellings. As of FY-26, 20 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.9 people move to the area each year for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating a balanced supply and demand market with stable conditions. The average construction cost value of new properties is $223,000, which is below regional norms, offering more affordable housing options.

In this financial year, $4.2 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, reflecting Kilkivan's primarily residential nature. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Kilkivan records roughly half the building activity per person and ranks among the 57th percentile nationally. All new construction consists of detached houses, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes.

With around 271 people per approval, Kilkivan reflects a low-density area. According to AreaSearch quarterly estimates, Kilkivan is forecasted to gain 401 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

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 13 projects likely impacting the region. Notable initiatives 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 has a balanced workforce with diverse sector representation and an unemployment rate of 4.0%. In the year ending December 2025, employment grew by 8.5%. As of that date, 1,914 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate in line with Regional Qld's rate of 4.0%, but workforce participation is lower at 58.9% compared to Regional Qld's 64.5%.

Approximately 21.3% of residents work from home. Leading employment industries include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and construction. The area has a notable concentration in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with employment levels at 5.5 times the regional average. Health care & social assistance employs 10.6% of local workers, below Regional Qld's 16.1%.

Employment opportunities locally may be limited, as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment increased by 8.5%, while labour force increased by 8.8%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Kilkivan's employment should increase by approximately 5.0% over five years and 11.2% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to Kilkivan's employment mix.

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 the latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers in Kilkivan SA2 is $40,562 and the average income stands at $52,499. These figures compare to those of Regional Qld's which are $53,146 (median) and $66,593 (average). Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $45,170 (median) and $58,463 (average) as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes in Kilkivan all fall between the 4th and 6th percentiles nationally. The income bracket indicating earnings of $400 - 799 captures 28.4% of the community (1,132 individuals), differing 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

In Kilkivan, as per the latest Census evaluation, 96.8% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 3.2% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This is in contrast to Regional Queensland's figures of 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kilkivan stood at 50.4%, with mortgaged dwellings making up 33.0% and rented ones accounting for 16.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, significantly lower than Regional Queensland's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent in Kilkivan was recorded at $200, substantially below Regional Queensland's figure of $345 and the national average of $375. Nationally, Kilkivan's mortgage repayments were notably lower than the Australian average of $1,863.

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%, with lone person households at 29.1% and group households comprising 2.3% of the total. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Regional Queensland 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 the most common at 9.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.5%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 42.7% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.3%) and certificates (32.4%). Educational participation is high at 26.8%, comprising primary education (10.6%), secondary education (10.2%), and tertiary education (2.0%).

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

Health indicators suggest below-average outcomes in Kilkivan. AreaSearch's assessment found mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence to be slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover was extremely low at approximately 46% of the total population (around 1,845 people), compared to 52.5% in Regional Qld and the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions were arthritis, impacting 11.3% of residents, and mental health issues, affecting 9.1%. Meanwhile, 61.8% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.6% in Regional Qld. The working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. Kilkivan has 26.6% of residents aged 65 and over (1,061 people), higher than the 20.4% in Regional Qld. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, with national rankings even higher than the general population.

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, 89.7% born in Australia, and 97.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Kilkivan, comprising 54.4% of people, compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld. In terms of ancestry, the top three represented groups are English (33.6%), Australian (31.7%), and Scottish (9.3%).

Notably, German is overrepresented at 6.0%, while Australian Aboriginal is slightly underrepresented at 3.6%. Irish representation stands at 8.3%.

Kilkivan ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Kilkivan's median age of 50 years is significantly older than Regional Queensland's 41 and the Australian median of 38. The age profile shows that those aged 65-74 make up 15.9%, which is particularly prominent compared to other age groups, while the 25-34 group constitutes only 7.8%. This concentration of 65-74 year-olds is well above the national average of 9.4%. Post-2021 Census data indicates that the 15-24 age group has grown from 9.0% to 10.7%, while the 5-14 cohort has declined from 11.9% to 9.8% and the 55-64 group has dropped from 18.2% to 16.6%. Demographic modeling suggests that Kilkivan's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041, with the 25-34 age cohort projected to grow steadily, increasing by 89 people (29%) from 310 to 400. Conversely, numbers in the 15-24 age range are expected to fall by 58.