Maryborough (Qld)
Statistical Area - sa2

Maryborough is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Maryborough's population, as of August 2025, is approximately 19,275. This figure represents a rise from the 2021 Census count of 18,558 people, an increase of 717 individuals (3.9%). The growth is inferred from ABS estimated resident population figures for June 2024, showing 19,258 residents and validated new addresses totalling 79 since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 228 persons per square kilometer. Population expansion was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 81.6% 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 from 2023, based on 2021 data, are adopted. Age category splits are applied proportionally according to ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023, using 2022 data. Future demographic trends suggest a population increase slightly below the national regional median by 2041. The area is expected to gain approximately 1,017 persons by then, marking an overall growth of 5.2% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Maryborough when compared nationally

Maryborough has seen approximately 33 new homes approved each year. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis, totalling 168 approvals across the past five financial years, from FY20 to FY25, with five approvals so far in FY26. On average, 3.9 people have moved to the area for each dwelling built over these years, indicating substantial demand outstripping supply, which typically leads to heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $431,000, below regional norms, reflecting more affordable housing options for purchasers.

This financial year has seen $112.4 million in commercial development approvals, demonstrating high levels of local commercial activity compared to the Rest of Qld region where Maryborough records markedly lower building activity, 72.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new homes typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Nationally, this activity is also below average, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. New building activity shows 81.0% standalone homes and 19.0% medium to high-density housing, maintaining the area's traditional low density character focused on family homes appealing to those seeking space. The estimated count of 561 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment.

Looking ahead, Maryborough is expected to grow by 1,000 residents through to 2041. Existing development levels seem aligned with future requirements, maintaining stable market conditions without significant price pressures.

Maryborough has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 16thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 12 projects likely to affect the region. Notable initiatives include Energy Storage Industries' Battery Manufacturing Facility, Homes for Queenslanders - Maryborough Social Housing project, Mary Harbour Development, and Hyundai Rotem Steel Roll Forming Facility, as outlined below.

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

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

Maryborough in Queensland has a diverse workforce with balanced white and blue collar employment. Essential services sectors are well represented, with an unemployment rate of 9.0% as of June 2025.

The area experienced employment growth of 5.4% over the past year. As of June 2025, 7,586 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 5.1%, significantly higher than the Rest of Queensland's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation in Maryborough lags at 42.9%, compared to the Rest of Queensland's 59.1%. The dominant employment sectors among residents include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training.

Health care & social assistance is particularly specialized with an employment share of 1.3 times the regional level. Conversely, construction shows lower representation at 7.2% versus the regional average of 10.1%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census working population data. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 5.4%, labour force increased by 7.4%, resulting in an unemployment rise of 1.8 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of Queensland experienced employment growth of 1.8% and a 0.2 percentage point rise in unemployment. State-level data to Sep-25 shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.23%, with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%. National employment forecasts from May 2025 project national employment expansion by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Maryborough's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.3% over five years and 13.5% over ten years.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode-level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Maryborough's median income among taxpayers is $42,669. The average income was $49,261 during this period. Nationally, these figures are lower than the average. In comparison, Rest of Qld had a median income of $50,780 and an average of $64,844 in the same year. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Maryborough's median income are approximately $47,666 and the average is around $55,029 as of March 2025. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Maryborough fall between the 3rd and 5th percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals that the largest segment consists of 32.2% earning $400 - $799 weekly, with a total of 6,206 residents falling into this category. This differs from the surrounding region where the $1,500 - $2,999 category is predominant at 31.7%. The prevalence of lower-income residents, with 40.7% earning under $800 weekly, suggests constrained household budgets across much of the locality. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Maryborough, with only 84.4% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 5th percentile nationally.

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

Maryborough's dwelling structures in its latest Census report comprised 86.5% houses and 13.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Non-Metro Qld had 91.8% houses and 8.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Maryborough was at 39.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 28.1% and rented ones at 32.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,083, below Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,179. Median weekly rent in Maryborough was $255, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $260. Nationally, Maryborough's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Maryborough features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 62.2% of all households, including 18.7% couples with children, 27.7% couples without children, and 14.8% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 37.8%, with lone person households at 34.1% and group households comprising 3.7%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.3.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 9.9%, substantially lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 7.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.3%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 40.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas (8.5%) and certificates (31.6%). Educational participation is high at 27.8%, including primary education (10.9%), secondary education (9.7%), and tertiary education (2.2%).

Thirteen schools serve 5,064 students in Maryborough. The educational mix includes six primary, three secondary, and four K-12 schools. As an education hub with 26.3 school places per 100 residents - significantly higher than the regional average of 12.3 - it attracts students from surrounding communities.

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

Maryborough has 111 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by seven different routes that together facilitate 527 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of the transport system is moderate, with residents typically located 472 meters from their nearest stop.

On average, there are 75 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately four weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Maryborough is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Maryborough faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older age groups. The rate of private health cover is notably low at approximately 46%, covering around 8,885 people, compared to the national average of 55.3%.

Arthritis and mental health issues are the most prevalent medical conditions in the area, impacting 13.0% and 11.9% of residents respectively. A total of 52.6% of residents reported being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 54.0% across the Rest of Qld. The population aged 65 and over stands at 26.3%, comprising approximately 5,075 people, which is lower than the 29.9% in the Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly aligning with the general population's health profile.

The latest Census data sees Maryborough placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Maryborough's cultural diversity was found to be below average. As of the latest available data, dated June 2016, 87.7% of its population were citizens, with 90.3% born in Australia and 97.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Maryborough as of June 2016, comprising 51.7% of the population, compared to 52.8% across the rest of Queensland.

Regarding ancestry, the top three represented groups in Maryborough were English (32.7%), Australian (31.2%), and Irish (8.0%) as of June 2016. Notably, certain ethnic groups had different representations: German was overrepresented at 6.5% compared to 6.6% regionally, Australian Aboriginal was at 3.8% versus 3.4%, and Scottish was at 8.0% versus 8.2%.

Maryborough hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Maryborough's median age is 47 years, which exceeds Rest of Qld's median age of 41 and is considerably older than the national norm of 38. Compared to the Rest of Qld average, Maryborough has a notably higher percentage of people aged 65-74 (13.6% locally) and a lower percentage of people aged 5-14 (10.2%). Between 2021 and now, the proportion of people aged 0-4 has increased from 4.3% to 4.9%, while the proportion of those aged 5-14 has decreased from 11.3% to 10.2%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests that Maryborough's age profile will change significantly. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to expand by 412 people (19%), from 2,118 to 2,531. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are expected to account for 55% of total population growth, reflecting Maryborough's aging demographic profile. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 5-14 and 55-64 cohorts.