Kin Kora - Sun Valley

Kin Kora - Sun Valley has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Kin Kora - Sun Valley's population was approximately 3,581 as of May 2026, according to AreaSearch's analysis. This figure represents an increase of 48 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,533. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 3,581 in June 2025 and four validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,331 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Natural growth accounted for approximately 63.9% of 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 are adopted, released in 2023 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. Population projections indicate a median increase just below Australia's non-metropolitan areas by 2041. The area is expected to expand by 169 persons by then, reflecting an overall increase of approximately 4.7% over the 16 years based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.

Residential dwelling approval activity has been practically non-existent in Kin Kora - Sun Valley

Kin Kora - Sun Valley has had minimal residential development activity in recent years. From 2016 to 2020, there were only two dwelling approvals in total, averaging less than one annually. This low level of development reflects the rural nature of the area, where housing growth is typically driven by specific local needs rather than broader market demand.

It should be noted that due to the small number of approvals, individual projects can significantly impact annual growth and relativity statistics. Compared to other areas in Queensland, Kin Kora - Sun Valley has substantially lower development levels. Nationally, development levels are also below average.

Kin Kora - Sun Valley has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 45thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified one major project likely affecting the region: Hughes Road Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). Key projects include Toowoomba to Gladstone Inland Rail Extension, Brookview Estate, and Clinton Industrial Estate. The following 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 employment landscape in Kin Kora - Sun Valley shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

Kin Kora - Sun Valley has a balanced workforce with strong representation from white and blue collar jobs in manufacturing and industrial sectors. The unemployment rate as of December 2025 is 4.7%. There are 1,907 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.7%, which is 0.7% higher than Regional Qld's rate of 4.0%.

Workforce participation in Kin Kora - Sun Valley is high at 70.6%, compared to Regional Qld's 64.5%. A low 4.7% of residents work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts are notable. Key industries for employment among residents are manufacturing, construction, and health care & social assistance. Manufacturing is particularly dominant, with an employment share 2.7 times the regional level.

However, health care & social assistance is under-represented, at 10.8% of Kin Kora - Sun Valley's workforce compared to 16.1% in Regional Qld. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities. Between December 2024 and December 2025, the labour force decreased by 3.4%, with employment decreasing by 2.3%, leading to a fall in unemployment rate of 1.1 percentage points. In contrast, Regional Qld saw employment growth of 0.7% and labour force growth of 1.0%, with an increase in unemployment of 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Kin Kora - Sun Valley's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.4% over five years and 11.9% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Kin Kora - Sun Valley SA2's median income among taxpayers was $63,575 in the financial year 2023. The average income stood at $78,743 during the same period. This compares to figures for Regional Qld of $53,146 and $66,593 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $70,797 (median) and $87,688 (average) as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes in Kin Kora - Sun Valley rank modestly, between the 46th and 51st percentiles. The largest income bracket comprises 34.8% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (1,246 residents), consistent with broader trends across regional levels showing 31.7% in the same category. After housing costs, 86.5% of income remains for other expenses.

Kin Kora - Sun Valley is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Kin Kora - Sun Valley's dwelling structure, as assessed in the latest Census, consisted of 94.3% houses and 5.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This contrasted with Regional Qld's figures of 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kin Kora - Sun Valley stood at 29.1%, with mortgaged properties at 42.4% and rented dwellings at 28.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,517, lower than Regional Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent figure for Kin Kora - Sun Valley was $273, compared to Regional Qld's $345. Nationally, Kin Kora - Sun Valley's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Kin Kora - Sun Valley has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 74.4% of all households, including 29.9% couples with children, 28.1% couples without children, and 15.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 25.6%, with lone person households at 22.8% and group households comprising 2.8%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which is larger than the Regional Queensland average of 2.5.

Educational outcomes in Kin Kora - Sun Valley fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 13.6%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both challenges and opportunities for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.0%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Trade and technical skills are prevalent, with 44.7% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (7.8%) and certificates (36.9%).

Educational participation is high, with 30.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.6% in primary education, 10.4% in secondary education, and 2.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Kin Kora - Sun Valley has 13 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are serviced by five different routes that together provide 170 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically living 231 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward from this primarily residential area. Cars remain the dominant mode of transport, used by 93% of residents. On average, there are 1.6 vehicles per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, only 4.7% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 24 trips per day across all routes, resulting in approximately 13 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Kin Kora - Sun Valley is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Kin Kora - Sun Valley faces significant health challenges, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Common health conditions are somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is very high at approximately 58% of the total population (~2,091 people), compared to 52.5% across Regional Qld. The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and asthma, impacting 8.8 and 7.9% of residents respectively. Sixty-eight point two percent of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Working-age residents show above average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 15.3% of residents aged 65 and over (549 people), which is lower than the 20.4% in Regional Qld. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

Kin Kora - Sun Valley is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Kin Kora-Sun Valley, surveyed in 2016, had a culturally diverse population that was below average. 89.9% were Australian citizens, 87.4% were born in Australia, and 94.4% spoke English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, with 46.7%.

Hinduism, however, was overrepresented at 0.8%, compared to the Regional Queensland average of 0.8%. The top three ancestral groups were English (30.9%), Australian (30.6%), and Irish (8.2%). Notably, German ancestry was slightly higher at 5.3% compared to the regional average of 4.7%. Australian Aboriginal and South Australian ancestries were equally represented at 3.9% and 0.5%, respectively, mirroring their regional percentages.

Kin Kora - Sun Valley's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Kin Kora - Sun Valley is 38 years, which is slightly below Regional Queensland's average of 41 but aligns with Australia's median age of 38 years. The age group of 5-14 years has a strong representation at 14.3%, compared to the regional Queensland average. Conversely, the 75-84 age cohort is less prevalent in Kin Kora - Sun Valley at 4.8%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 11.8% to 13.2%, while the 75 to 84 cohort has risen from 3.5% to 4.8%. However, the 45 to 54 age group has declined from 15.7% to 13.1%, and the 25 to 34 age group has dropped from 12.4% to 11.0%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Kin Kora - Sun Valley, with the 25 to 34 age group expected to grow by 15 people (from 392 to 452). Conversely, the 65 to 74 and 15 to 24 age cohorts are projected to experience population declines.