Lakes Creek

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

According to investigations by AreaSearch, the population of Lakes Creek stands at approximately 5,037 as of May 2026. This represents an addition of 157 people (3.2%) compared to the 4,880 people recorded in the 2021 Census. This shift is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 5,037 along with 73 validated new addresses identified since the Census. Such a population size results in a density of 299 persons per square kilometer, which offers plenty of space per inhabitant and opportunities for future expansion. Overseas migration was the primary driver of this growth, accounting for about 50.9% of the total population increases in recent times.

AreaSearch utilizes ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 region, which were published in 2024 using 2022 as the baseline. For any SA2 regions lacking this dataset, as well as for all years after 2032, projections from the Queensland State Government released in 2023 (based on 2021 statistics) are used. Because these state-level projections lack breakdowns by age, AreaSearch distributes growth across age cohorts using proportional weightings derived from the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections (which use 2022 baseline data). Based on these anticipated demographic transitions, population growth is projected to be slightly below the national median for regional areas, with the locality expected to add 280 residents by 2041 compared to the most recent annual ERP statistics, representing a overall rise of 5.6% over the 16 years.

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

Residential building activity in Lakes Creek is very limited, averaging 3 dwelling approvals annually, or 19 dwellings over the five-year period. This minimal development rate reflects the rural character of the district, where construction is generally sparked by specific local housing requirements rather than broad market momentum. Because the volume of approvals is so low, single development schemes can have a disproportionate effect on annual growth rates and comparative trends.

Lakes Creek exhibits far less construction volume than Rest of Qld. This pace of building is also lower than national averages. Furthermore, recent additions have consisted solely of detached dwellings, aligning with the rural layout of the area where spacious properties are common. The ratio of 2834 people in the district for each dwelling approval highlights the quiet and low-intensity nature of local building activity.

Demographic projections suggest Lakes Creek will add 280 residents through to 2041, based on the most recent quarterly estimates from AreaSearch. If building activity remains at its current low levels, the supply of housing may not keep pace with population growth, which could increase buyer rivalry and support upward pressure on prices.

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

Changes to local infrastructure, major developments, and urban planning decisions can greatly affect local performance. AreaSearch has identified a total of 14 projects expected to influence the district. Key works include the Dual Occupancy Development at 259 Rockonia Road, the installation of traffic signals at the intersection of Thozet Road and Rockonia Road, alterations and additions to the abattoir at 484 Lakes Creek Road, and the creation of a land-based recreational fishing platform at Donovan Park, with details on the most significant initiatives provided below.

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.

Lakes Creek shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Lakes Creek possesses a mixed labor force of both white and blue collar workers, with a notable concentration in industrial and manufacturing fields, alongside an unemployment rate of 5.4%. As of March 2026, there are 2,565 employed residents, and the unemployment rate sits 1.5% higher than the Regional Qld level of 3.9%, while labor force participation is relatively typical (67.3% compared to 64.3% in Regional Qld). Census records show that a minor 4.2% of the workforce worked from home, though this may reflect temporary Covid-19 lockdown conditions.

The top employment sectors for local workers are health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and retail trade. The region exhibits a distinct economic concentration in manufacturing, where the employment share is 2.5 times the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing represents a minor fraction of local jobs at 0.7% compared to 4.5% across the region. Comparing the Census count of local jobs to the resident workforce suggests that local employment opportunities are somewhat scarce.

AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics indicates that during the 12 months ending March 2026, the local labor force contracted by 5.0% and total employment fell by 2.3%, leading to a decrease in the unemployment rate of 2.6 percentage points. Over the same timeframe, Regional Qld experienced employment expansion of 0.1%, labor force growth of 0.3%, and a rise in unemployment of 0.1 percentage points. National job forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia published in May-25 offer additional context regarding future employment trends in Lakes Creek. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential growth. Nationally, employment is projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though these rates vary greatly by industry. Applying these sectoral trends to the local industry mix suggests employment in Lakes Creek could grow by 5.6% over five years and 12.5% over ten years, though this is a basic weighted projection for comparison and excludes local population dynamics.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Tax data from the ATO compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicates that income levels in the Lakes Creek SA2 are below the national average. The median income for taxpayers in the Lakes Creek SA2 is $52,921 and the average income is $62,280, compared to $53,146 and $66,593 in Regional Qld. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, current figures are estimated at roughly $58,933 (median) and $69,355 (average) as of March 2026. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual incomes in Lakes Creek all ranked in the modest 25th to 35th percentile range. The largest income group contains 32.7% of residents (1,647 people) earning between $1,500 - 2,999, which is comparable to the wider region where 31.7% fall into this bracket. Discretionary income remaining after housing costs stands at 85.3%, placing the area in 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

According to the most recent Census, the housing mix in Lakes Creek consisted of 88.9% separate houses and 11.1% other options like townhouses and apartments, compared to 76.4% houses and 23.6% other options in Regional Qld. Home ownership rates in Lakes Creek lagged behind the regional average at 28.1%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (36.7%) or rented (35.3%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,300 was lower than the Regional Qld average, while the median weekly rent was $260, compared to regional figures of $1,655 and $345. On a national scale, Lakes Creek mortgage costs are notably below the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are much lower than the national average of $375.

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

Families make up the majority of households at 67.7%, consisting of couples with children at 27.0%, couples without children at 24.7%, and single parent households at 14.8%. The remaining 32.3% are non-family households, with single person households accounting for 27.1% and group households representing 5.0% of the total. The median size of local households is 2.5 people, aligning with the Regional Qld average.

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

Educational attainment levels in the area show some disparities, with the proportion of residents holding university qualifications (11.4%) sitting well below the national average of 30.4%. This highlights a clear need and opportunity for focused educational programs. Among higher degrees, bachelor qualifications are most common at 8.4%, followed by postgraduate degrees (1.6%) and graduate diplomas (1.4%). Vocational and technical training is widely held, with 38.9% of residents aged 15+ possessing vocational qualifications, including advanced diplomas (7.5%) and certificates (31.4%).

Enrolment rates are remarkably high, with 29.5% of the local population actively participating in formal study. This cohort includes 11.9% attending primary school, 8.8% enrolled in high school, and 3.2% undertaking tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health performance in Lakes Creek is well below average with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Assessments by AreaSearch regarding mortality and chronic illnesses indicate that Lakes Creek faces notable health difficulties, with various medical issues affecting both younger and older demographics, while the proportion of residents with private health insurance is low at roughly 50% of the population (~2,538 people). This compares to a private coverage rate of 52.5% in Regional Qld and a national average of 55.7%.

Mental health difficulties and arthritis represent the most prevalent medical issues locally, affecting 10.1 and 8.9% of the population, respectively, while 65.5% of residents reported no chronic health issues, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Chronic health issues are notably high among the working-age population. Residents aged 65 and over make up 15.7% of the population (788 people), which is lower than the Regional Qld proportion of 20.4%. Health profiles for older residents show some challenges, with national rankings generally matching those of the wider population.

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

Cultural diversity measures in Lakes Creek are lower than average, with citizens making up 85.5% of the population, 86.4% born in Australia, and 89.0% speaking only English at home. The predominant religious affiliation is Christianity, chosen by 51.1% of residents, which is similar to the 52.2% recorded across Regional Qld.

Looking at ancestral backgrounds, the three largest groups in Lakes Creek are Australian at 29.6% of the population, English at 28.5%, and Australian Aboriginal at 7.7%. There are also distinct variations in other backgrounds: Vietnamese residents are notably overrepresented at 1.2% of the local population (compared to 0.2% across the region), German ancestry stands at 4.4% (compared to 4.7%), and Filipino heritage makes up 1.5% (compared to 0.9%).

Lakes Creek's population is younger than the national pattern

The median age in Lakes Creek is 35 years, which is much lower than the Regional Qld average of 41 and slightly below the national average of 38. The 25 - 34 age group is highly represented locally at 14.5% compared to the regional average, while seniors aged 75 - 84 are underrepresented at 4.7%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 65 to 74 grew from 8.1% to 9.0%, whereas the cohort aged 5 to 14 dropped from 14.3% to 13.2%. By 2041, demographic forecasts project major shifts, led by a 16% expansion (119 people) in the 25 to 34 age bracket, growing from 731 to 851, while the 5 to 14 and 15 to 24 cohorts are expected to shrink.