Malanda - Yungaburra
Statistical Area - sa2

Malanda - Yungaburra has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

As of November 2025, Malanda - Yungaburra's population is approximately 9,858, reflecting an increase of 763 people since the 2021 Census. This growth represents an 8.4% rise from the previously reported figure of 9,095 people. The change was inferred from ABS estimates showing a resident population of 9,585 in June 2024 and an additional 446 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 7.9 persons per square kilometer. Malanda - Yungaburra's growth rate exceeded that of its SA3 area (7.3%) and SA4 region, marking it as a growth leader. Interstate migration contributed approximately 79.3% of the 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 by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted. These state projections do not provide age category splits; thus, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data for each age cohort. Future population dynamics anticipate an increase just below the median of regional areas across the nation, with Malanda - Yungaburra expected to increase by 676 persons to 2041 based on the latest population numbers, representing a total increase of 4.1% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Malanda - Yungaburra among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Malanda - Yungaburra averaged approximately 61 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, with a total of 308 homes approved during this period. In FY-26, up to April, there have been 49 dwelling approvals. Each dwelling built on average attracted 2.1 new residents annually over the past five financial years.

The average construction cost value for new dwellings is $356,000. This year, $4.7 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating a primarily residential area. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Malanda - Yungaburra has recorded 25.0% higher construction activity per person over the past five years.

The recent construction comprises 98.0% detached dwellings and 2.0% attached dwellings, maintaining the area's low-density nature. There are approximately 156 people per dwelling approval in the location. By 2041, Malanda - Yungaburra is projected to add 403 residents. Given current development patterns, new housing supply should meet demand, potentially facilitating further population growth.

Malanda - Yungaburra has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 9thth percentile nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 13 projects potentially impacting the area. Notable ones are Atherton Hospital Redevelopment, Priors Creek Development, Atherton Large Format Retail Precinct, and Vernon Apartments. The following details projects likely most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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Employment performance in Malanda - Yungaburra has been broadly consistent with national averages

Malanda - Yungaburra has an unemployment rate of 2.9% as of June 2025, with 4,568 residents employed. This rate is 1.0% lower than the Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation in the area is 54.2%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Leading employment industries among residents are agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and education & training. The area has a particularly notable concentration in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with employment levels at 3.3 times the regional average. However, health care & social assistance is under-represented, with only 13.5% of Malanda - Yungaburra's workforce compared to 16.1% in Rest of Qld.

Over the 12 months to June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 1.5%, and employment declined by 2.5%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 1.0 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment rise by 1.8% and the labour force grow by 2.0%, with unemployment rising by 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Malanda - Yungaburra's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.8% over five years and 12.4% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

Malanda - Yungaburra shows a median taxpayer income of $42,429 and an average of $53,957 according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. This is lower than average on a national basis, contrasting with Rest of Qld's median income of $50,780 and average income of $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $48,365 (median) and $61,506 (average) as of September 2025. According to 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes in Malanda - Yungaburra all fall between the 20th and 21st percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 27.4% of residents (2,701 people), reflecting patterns seen the surrounding region where 31.7% similarly occupy this range. While housing costs are modest with 88.7% of income retained, the total disposable income ranks at just the 26th percentile nationally and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

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

The dwelling structure in Malanda - Yungaburra, as per the latest Census, consisted of 95.1% houses and 4.9% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This is compared to Non-Metro Qld's 91.0% houses and 9.0% other dwellings. The home ownership level in Malanda - Yungaburra was 51.1%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (28.0%) or rented (20.9%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,430, aligning with Non-Metro Qld's average. The median weekly rent figure was $260, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $270. Nationally, Malanda - Yungaburra's median monthly mortgage repayments were lower at $1,430 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Malanda - Yungaburra has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 72.2% of all households, including 24.3% that are couples with children, 38.1% that are couples without children, and 9.4% that are single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 27.8%, with lone person households at 25.2% and group households comprising 2.6%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which aligns with the average for the Rest of Qld.

Educational outcomes in Malanda - Yungaburra fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

Educational qualifications in Malanda-Yungaburra trail regional benchmarks. As of the latest data, 21.4% of residents aged 15+ hold university degrees compared to Australia's 30.4%. This indicates potential for educational development. Bachelor degrees are most common at 14.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.2%) and graduate diplomas (2.6%).

Vocational credentials are prominent, with 41.9% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 11.5% and certificates at 30.4%. Educational participation is high, with 27.8% currently enrolled in formal education: 11.6% in primary, 10.1% in secondary, and 2.2% in tertiary education. Six schools operate within Malanda-Yungaburra, educating approximately 1,360 students as of the latest count. The area has typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 968), with balanced educational opportunities. Education provision is balanced with five primary and one secondary school serving distinct age groups.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health performance in Malanda - Yungaburra is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Malanda-Yungaburra faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is very low at approximately 47% of the total population (~4,633 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 9.6 and 7.0% of residents respectively. 67.0% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, similar to the 67.5% across Rest of Qld. The area has 27.6% of residents aged 65 and over (2,721 people), higher than the 25.1% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, performing even better than the general population in health metrics.

Malanda - Yungaburra is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Malanda-Yungaburra showed lower cultural diversity, with 87.9% citizens, 84.8% born in Australia, and 95.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, at 51.3%, slightly below Rest of Qld's 52.6%. The top three ancestry groups were English (30.0%), Australian (28.9%), and Irish (9.8%).

Notably, German (5.1%) and Scottish (8.4%) groups were overrepresented compared to regional averages of 4.3% and 7.5%, respectively. New Zealanders comprised 0.9%, slightly above the region's 0.6%.

Malanda - Yungaburra ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Malandan - Yungaburra has a median age of 51, which is higher than the Rest of Qld figure of 41 and Australia's national average of 38 years. The 65-74 cohort is notably over-represented in Malanda-Yungaburra at 16.4%, compared to the Rest of Qld average, while the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 6.4%. This concentration of the 65-74 cohort is well above the national figure of 9.4%. Between 2021 and present, the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 8.0% to 8.8% of the population. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 13.5% to 12.7%. By 2041, demographic projections show significant shifts in Malanda-Yungaburra's age structure. The 85+ age cohort is projected to increase by 188 people (75%), from 250 to 439. Senior residents aged 65 and above will drive 58% of population growth, indicating demographic aging trends. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 35-44 and 5-14 age cohorts.