Lakes Creek

Lakes Creek has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Lakes Creek's population was 4,880 as of Nov 2021. By Nov 2025, it is around 5,041, an increase of 161 people (3.3%). This growth is inferred from the estimated resident population of 5,039 in June 2024 and 73 new addresses validated since the Census date. The population density is 299 persons per square kilometer. Overseas migration contributed approximately 53.2% of 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 by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. Future trends suggest a population increase just below the median of national non-metropolitan areas, with an expected growth to 5,409 persons by 2041, reflecting a gain of 6.2% over 17 years.

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

Lakes Creek has seen minimal construction activity with 3 new dwellings approved annually on average over the past five years (totalling 19). This low level of development is typical in rural areas where housing needs are modest and construction activity is limited by local demand and infrastructure capacity. It is important to note that yearly growth figures can vary significantly based on individual projects, given such low approval numbers.

Lakes Creek has substantially lower development levels compared to the Rest of Qld. This activity level also falls below national patterns. Recent development in Lakes Creek has been exclusively detached dwellings, with a focus on family homes suited for those seeking a rural lifestyle and space. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 2826 people, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment.

According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Lakes Creek is projected to add 312 residents by 2041 if current trends continue. If current development rates persist, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Lakes Creek has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 16 projects likely affecting the region. Notable projects include Dual Occupancy Development at 259 Rockonia Road, Thozet Road - Rockonia Road Traffic Signals Installation, Abattoir Alterations and Additions at 484 Lakes Creek Road, and Land Based Recreational Fishing Platform - Donovan Park. 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.

Employment drivers in Lakes Creek are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Lakes Creek's workforce is balanced across white and blue collar jobs, with manufacturing and industrial sectors prominent. Its unemployment rate was 7.7% in September 2025, which is 3.6% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%.

Workforce participation in Lakes Creek stands at 61.5%, slightly above Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key employment industries include health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and retail trade. Manufacturing is particularly strong, with an employment share 2.5 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 0.7% versus the regional average of 4.5%. Over a 12-month period ending in September 2025, Lakes Creek's labour force increased by 1.2%, but employment declined by 0.2%, leading to a 1.3 percentage point rise in unemployment rate.

In contrast, 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. State-level data up to 25-Nov-25 shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01%, losing 1,210 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%, closely aligned with the national rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Lakes Creek's employment mix suggests local employment should grow by 5.6% over five years and 12.5% over ten years, although these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 indicates Lakes Creek SA2's median income among taxpayers is $50,558, with an average of $59,671. This is below the national average. The Rest of Qld has a median income of $50,780 and an average of $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Lakes Creek would be approximately $57,631 (median) and $68,019 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Lakes Creek rank modestly, between the 25th and 35th percentiles. The predominant income cohort spans 32.7% of locals (1,648 people) in the $1,500 - 2,999 category, similar to regional levels where 31.7% occupy this bracket. After housing costs, 85.3% of income remains, ranking at the 28th percentile nationally.

Lakes Creek is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Lakes Creek's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, was 88.9% houses and 11.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Compared to Non-Metro Qld, which had 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Lakes Creek was at 28.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 36.7% and rented ones at 35.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, below Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,517. Median weekly rent in Lakes Creek was $260, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $300. Nationally, Lakes Creek's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Lakes Creek features high concentrations of group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 67.7% of all households, including 27.0% couples with children, 24.7% couples without children, and 14.8% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 32.3%, with lone person households at 27.1% and group households comprising 5.0%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which aligns with the average in the Rest of Qld.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 11.4%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 8.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.6%) and graduate diplomas (1.4%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 38.9% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (7.5%) and certificates (31.4%). Educational participation is high at 29.5%, comprising primary education (11.9%), secondary education (8.8%), and tertiary education (3.2%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 29.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.9% in primary education, 8.8% in secondary education, and 3.2% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health performance in Lakes Creek is well below average with considerably higher than average prevalence of common health conditions and to an even higher degree among older age cohorts

Lakes Creek faces significant health challenges with a notably higher prevalence of common health conditions compared to averages, particularly amongst older age groups. Approximately half (50%) of Lakes Creek's total population (~2,495 people) has private health cover, lower than Rest of Qld's 53.2% and the national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues and arthritis are the most prevalent conditions, affecting 10.1% and 8.9% of residents respectively.

However, 65.5% of residents claim to be free from medical ailments, slightly higher than Rest of Qld's 64.7%. Lakes Creek has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 15.2% (766 people) compared to Rest of Qld's 18.5%, but health outcomes among seniors require more attention due to the challenges they face.

Lakes Creek ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Lakes Creek had a cultural diversity index below average, with 85.5% citizens, 86.4% born in Australia, and 89.0% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 51.1%, compared to 56.3% across Rest of Qld. The top three ancestral groups were Australian (29.6%), English (28.5%), and Australian Aboriginal (7.7%).

Notably, Vietnamese people made up 1.2% in Lakes Creek versus 0.2% regionally, Germans comprised 4.4% compared to 4.9%, and Filipinos accounted for 1.5% versus 1.0%.

Lakes Creek's population is younger than the national pattern

The median age in Lakes Creek is 35 years, which is lower than Rest of Qld's average of 41 years and also under the national average of 38 years. The 25-34 cohort makes up 14.6% of Lakes Creek's population, notably higher than the Rest of Qld average, while the 75-84 year-olds make up only 4.7%, which is lower than the Rest of Qld average. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 65 to 74 age group has grown from 8.1% to 9.0% of the population, while the 25 to 34 cohort has declined from 15.5% to 14.6%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes for Lakes Creek. By 2041, the 25 to 34 age group is projected to grow by 19%, reaching 872 people from 734. Conversely, both the 45 to 54 and 15 to 24 age groups are expected to have reduced numbers.