Maryborough Surrounds - South

Population growth drivers in Maryborough Surrounds - South are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Maryborough Surrounds - South's population is around 10,931 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 1,383 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 9,548 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 10,892 in June 2024 and an additional 307 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2.9 persons per square kilometer. Maryborough Surrounds - South's growth of 14.5% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area (8.2%) and the non-metro area, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 94.1% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted. Considering projected demographic shifts, a population increase just below the median of regional areas across the nation is expected by 2041. The area is expected to grow by 1,339 persons by 2041, reflecting a gain of 11.9% in total over the 17 years based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.

The level of residential development activity in Maryborough Surrounds - South was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

Maryborough Surrounds - South has seen approximately 89 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25. A total of 446 homes were approved during this period, with an additional 30 approved in FY26 so far. This translates to an average of 3.9 new residents arriving per dwelling constructed each year.

The demand for housing has significantly outpaced supply, which typically influences prices and competition among buyers. New homes are being built at an average construction cost value of $217,000, which is below the regional average, indicating more affordable housing options. Commercial development has been moderate this financial year, with $14.4 million in approvals registered.

Compared to the rest of Queensland, Maryborough Surrounds - South has shown slightly higher levels of development, at 40.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period. This maintains reasonable buyer options while sustaining existing property demand. However, building activity has slowed in recent years. All new construction has consisted of detached dwellings, preserving the area's traditional low-density character and focusing on family homes. The location currently has approximately 157 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. Future projections estimate that Maryborough Surrounds - South will add 1,299 residents by 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Given current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering favourable conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating further population growth beyond current projections.

Maryborough Surrounds - South has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 22 projects likely impacting the region. Notable initiatives include Bruce Highway - Tiaro Bypass, Tiaro Bulls and Barrels Community Event, Mungar Road Upgrade, Glenwood Playground. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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Employment performance in Maryborough Surrounds - South has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Maryborough Surrounds - South has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, prominent manufacturing and industrial sectors, an unemployment rate of 6.4%, and estimated employment growth of 9.8% in the past year as of September 2025. The area has 4,436 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.4% above Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%.

Workforce participation is lower at 40.1%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key industries include health care & social assistance, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and construction. The area specializes in agriculture, forestry & fishing with an employment share 2.8 times the regional level, but accommodation & food services are under-represented at 5.5% compared to Rest of Qld's 8.3%. Employment opportunities appear limited locally based on Census data analysis.

In the year to September 2025, employment levels increased by 9.8%, and labour force grew by 10.6%, leading to an unemployment rise of 0.7 percentage points. By comparison, Rest of Qld had employment growth of 1.7% and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. State-level data from 25-Nov shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01%, with a state unemployment rate of 4.2%. National employment forecasts project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary between sectors. Applying these projections to Maryborough Surrounds - South's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.7% over five years and 12.4% over ten years.

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

The median taxpayer income in Maryborough Surrounds - South SA2 was $42,851 and the average was $50,114 according to AreaSearch's aggregation of postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022. This is lower than national averages, with Rest of Qld having a median income of $50,780 and an average income of $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $48,846 (median) and $57,125 (average). Census data shows that household, family and personal incomes in Maryborough Surrounds - South fall between the 2nd and 2nd percentiles nationally. The income bracket of $400 - 799 captures 31.7% of the community (3,465 individuals), contrasting with metropolitan regions where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket leads at 31.7%. Economic circumstances indicate financial pressure, with 41.7% of households having weekly budgets below $800. While housing costs are modest, retaining 88.2% of income, total disposable income ranks at the 5th percentile nationally.

Maryborough Surrounds - South is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Maryborough Surrounds - South's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, comprised 97.9% houses and 2.1% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 91.8% houses and 8.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Maryborough Surrounds - South was 57.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 32.2% and rented ones at 10.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,170, below Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,179. The median weekly rent was $250, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $260. Nationally, Maryborough Surrounds - South's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Maryborough Surrounds - South features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 69.3% of all households, including 19.2% couples with children, 40.8% couples without children, and 8.6% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 30.7%, with lone person households at 26.8% and group households making up 4.0%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.3.

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

The area has university qualification rates of 10.2%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 7.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.4%) and graduate diplomas (1.2%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 46.0% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (9.7%) and certificates (36.3%). Education is actively pursued by a substantial 23.7% of the population.

This includes 9.2% in primary education, 7.6% in secondary education, and 2.4% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

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

Maryborough Surrounds - South faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older age groups. Approximately 46% (~5,050 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (14.6%) and mental health issues (10.5%). Around 54.3% report no medical ailments, comparable to Rest of Qld's 54.0%. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 31.8% (~3,473 people), compared to Rest of Qld's 29.9%. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges but are better than the general population in health metrics.

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

Maryborough Surrounds - South had a cultural diversity index below average, with 87.9% of its population being citizens, 86.2% born in Australia, and 97.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 52.6%. This figure is similar to the regional average of 52.8% across Rest of Qld.

The top three ancestry groups were English (34.2%), Australian (30.2%), and Scottish (8.5%). Notably, German ancestry was slightly overrepresented at 6.7%, compared to 6.6% regionally. Australian Aboriginal ancestry was present at 2.7%, lower than the regional average of 3.4%. New Zealand ancestry was also slightly higher at 0.6%, compared to 0.5% regionally.

Maryborough Surrounds - South ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Maryborough Surrounds - South is 54 years, which is significantly higher than the Rest of Qld average of 41 years and well above the national norm of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of Qld average, the 65-74 age cohort is notably over-represented at 21.4% locally, while the 25-34 year-olds are under-represented at 7.6%. The local concentration of the 65-74 cohort is well above the national figure of 9.4%. Between 2021 and present, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 7.2% to 9.0% of the population. During this period, the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 21.1% to 18.9%, and the 45 to 54 group has dropped from 13.4% to 11.9%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes for Maryborough Surrounds - South, with the 75 to 84 cohort projected to grow by 40%, adding 388 residents to reach 1,368. Senior residents aged 65 and above will drive 57% of population growth, underscoring trends towards demographic aging. Conversely, both the 5 to 14 and 55 to 64 age groups are projected to see reduced numbers.