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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Moranbah has an estimated 9,947 residents, up from 9,425 at the 2021 Census — a change of 522 people, or 5.5%. Growth has averaged 0.8% a year over five years. Natural increase accounts for 62.2% of that increase. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to the analysis by AreaSearch, the population of Moranbah stands at approximately 9,947 in May 2026. This represents a growth of 522 individuals (5.5%) relative to the 9,425 residents recorded in the 2021 Census. This shift is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 9,928 alongside 57 validated new addresses identified after the Census. The resulting population density is 3.3 persons per square kilometer, indicating a spacious residential environment. The 5.5% post-census growth rate is within 2.1 percentage points of the broader SA4 region (7.6%), showing solid local growth dynamics.
Natural increase was the primary driver of this growth, accounting for roughly 62.2% of the total population rise in recent times. AreaSearch utilizes population projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia published in 2024, using 2022 as the baseline year. For any SA2 regions where this data is unavailable, or for periods after 2032, projections from the Queensland State Government released in 2023 (based on 2021 data) are substituted. Because the Queensland state projections omit detailed age groups, AreaSearch distributes age cohort growth proportionally based on the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections, which use 2022 data. Looking ahead, population growth is projected to run slightly below the median rate for regional Australian locations, with an expected increase of 632 people by 2041 relative to the latest annual ERP statistics, representing a 6.2% overall expansion over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
44 new dwellings have been approved in Moranbah over the past five years, an average of 8 a year. That is 0.9 approvals per 1,000 residents. Few approvals have been recorded in the most recent months, well below the longer-run average; the latest ABS periods are still being reported. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Moranbah has registered an average of approximately 8 new residential approvals annually, yielding 44 dwellings over the last 5 financial years. Throughout FY-26 to date, 0 approvals have been documented. With an average of 9.1 new residents added per completed dwelling between FY-21 and FY-25, construction has fallen behind local demand, which typically intensifies buyer competition and exerts upward pressure on prices. Newly built properties show an average value of $221,000, which is below the regional average and offers more affordable entry points for buyers. Additionally, commercial approvals have reached $15.2 million this financial year, showing moderate commercial investment activity.
Construction activity per capita in Moranbah is roughly half the level observed across the Rest of Qld, placing the area in the 12th percentile nationally, which reduces options for buyers while driving demand for existing properties. This rate of development is also lower than the national average, suggesting a mature market or potential developmental barriers. New residential construction consists of 25.0% separate houses and 75.0% medium to high-density dwellings. This focus on higher density housing offers affordable options and attracts downsizers, investors, and first-time buyers. This pattern is a clear shift from the current housing profile, where houses make up 82.0% of dwellings, indicating a scarcity of developable land and changing lifestyle choices and affordability constraints. The ratio of 5317 people per single dwelling approval highlights a quiet development landscape with low construction volume. Demographic projections estimate that Moranbah will add 613 residents by 2041, based on the most recent quarterly estimates from AreaSearch. If current building rates do not accelerate, the supply of housing will likely fall short of population growth, leading to stronger competition among buyers and supporting upward price trends.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Moranbah
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 10 current infrastructure and development projects inside Moranbah, worth an estimated $282 million. A further 83 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $37.7 billion. 31 are already under construction and 29 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans energy, transport & logistics and residential development. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Changes in local infrastructure projects, major developments, and urban planning policies are key influences on local performance. AreaSearch has identified a total of 15 projects expected to influence the area. Prominent examples include the Isaac Resources Excellence Precinct, the Moranbah Mixed Use Development, the Moranbah North Waste Coal Mine Gas Power Project Expansion, and the Moranbah Affordable Housing Project, with details of the most significant projects listed below.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Isaac Resources Excellence Precinct
A jointly funded innovation, research and training precinct in Moranbah focused on resources, critical minerals, mine rehabilitation, renewable energy, workforce development and industry collaboration. Construction is continuing with staged works scheduled through mid-2027, alongside industry partnerships and tenant planning.
Moranbah Mixed Use Development
DA approved staged mixed-use development in Moranbah comprising 132 mixed zoned lots, including a 96-apartment complex and a 96-room hotel. Civil works for power, water, roads, and infrastructure completed, with millions invested. Positioned to support mining expansion with new housing demands from upcoming Winchester South Project Coal mine.
Isaac Regional Local Government Infrastructure Plan
Draft infrastructure plan covering transport, water supply, parks and sewerage networks across the Isaac region including St Lawrence. Focuses on high-level infrastructure essential for future development over the next 10 to 15 years in urban and rural sectors.
Moranbah North Waste Coal Mine Gas Power Project Expansion
The project involved an 18 MW expansion of the existing Moranbah North Waste Coal Mine Gas Power Station, increasing its total capacity to 63 MW. It captures and combusts waste coal mine gas to generate electricity for the national grid, providing approximately 400 GWh annually and avoiding around 313,000 tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions per year.
Moranbah Community Centre Revitalisation
Major upgrade of 50-year-old community centre to address growing corporate and community needs. Funded by Resources Community Infrastructure Fund and Isaac Regional Council.
Moranbah Resource Recovery Centre Expansion
Expansion and improvement of Moranbah's waste facility including a new refuse transfer station, a 30,000 m2 engineered and lined landfill cell, and stormwater and leachate ponds to improve environmental performance and regional capacity.
Moranbah Affordable Housing Project
A 16-unit affordable housing complex in Moranbah, including five units designed to Liveable Housing Australia's gold standards for tenants supported by the National Disability Insurance Scheme, providing safe and secure homes for the community.
Moranbah Town Square Development Project
Community infrastructure project removing old fountain structure and creating new creative garden setting with benches, shade structures, water features and improved lighting.
6,596 residents of Moranbah are employed, from a labour force of 6,678. Unemployment sits at 1.2%, with participation at 87.1%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 4.2% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 11,150, about 112% of the resident population, so the area draws in more workers than it sends out. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The workforce in Moranbah is highly skilled, with strong representation in manufacturing and industrial sectors, an unemployment rate of only 1.2%, and an estimated annual employment growth rate of 4.7%. As of March 2026, there are 6,596 employed residents, and the local unemployment rate sits 2.7% below the Regional Qld level of 3.9%. Labor force participation is exceptionally high at 87.1%, compared to 64.3% in Regional Qld. Census data indicates that only a minor share of residents (3.9%) worked from home, though this figure may have been influenced by pandemic-related lockdowns.
The primary employment sectors for local residents are mining, accommodation & food, and education & training. The local economy is heavily focused on mining, with employment concentration in this sector reaching 11.8 times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance is underrepresented, employing only 4.2% of the local workforce compared to 16.1% across Regional Qld. At the time of the Census, the area recorded a ratio of 0.9 jobs for every resident, pointing to a robust local employment market. Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, employment levels rose by 4.7% and the labour force grew by 5.4% during the year to March 2026, which led to an increase of 0.6 percentage points in the unemployment rate. Meanwhile, Regional Qld saw employment grow by 0.1% and the labour force expand by 0.3%, resulting in a 0.1 percentage point increase in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 provide additional insight into potential future demand within Moranbah. These projections cover five and ten-year periods and have been overlaid onto the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. National employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary considerably across industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Moranbah's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 4.2% over five years and 10.5% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Moranbah is $3,079 a week (about $160,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,553 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $93,441 a year against an average of $105,814. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
According to aggregated postcode-level ATO data from AreaSearch for the 2023 financial year, the median taxpayer income in Moranbah was $93,441 and the average taxpayer income was $105,814. These figures are exceptionally high by national standards and stand in sharp contrast to the median of $53,146 and average of $66,593 recorded across Regional Qld. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates as of March 2026 would stand at approximately $104,056 for the median and $117,834 for the average. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Moranbah all ranked within the 97th to 98th percentiles nationally.
Income distribution shows that the largest segment of residents, 33.1% (3,292 people), falls within the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly income bracket, which is similar to the 31.7% seen regionally. High affluence is evident, with 51.8% of earners making over $3,000 per week, a factor that supports premium retail and services. Residents keep 95.5% of their income after housing costs, showing strong purchasing power, while the area ranks in the 5th decile of the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Moranbah had 2,634 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 82% detached houses and 1% apartments. 20% are owned with a mortgage, 71% rented and 9% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $111 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,300 a month. Rent absorbs 3.6% of household income here and mortgage repayments 9.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, the housing stock in Moranbah consisted of 81.9% separate houses and 18.1% other dwelling types, such as semi-detached properties, apartments, and alternative structures, compared to 76.4% separate houses and 23.6% other dwellings in Regional Qld. Home ownership rates in Moranbah were low at 8.8%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (19.8%) or rented (71.3%). The median monthly mortgage payment was $1,300, which is lower than the Regional Qld average of $1,655. The median weekly rent was $111, compared to $345 in Regional Qld. On a national level, mortgage repayments in Moranbah are lower than the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents are significantly below the national average of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Moranbah counted 2,634 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 2,780 today, averaging 2.8 people each. 42% are couples with children, more than in 84% of areas nationally, against 22% couples without children. 22% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.6 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of households at 75.5%, which includes couples with children at 42.4%, couples without children at 22.2%, and single-parent households at 9.8%. The remaining 24.5% consists of non-family households, with single-person households representing 21.5% and group households making up 3.1%. The median household size is 2.8 individuals, which exceeds the Regional Qld average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
18.0% of adults in Moranbah hold a university qualification, including 13.3% with a bachelor degree and 2.8% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 42.7% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 1,939 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 958 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
The local community experiences lower rates of university completion, with 18.0% of residents holding a tertiary degree compared to the national average of 30.4%. This highlights an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Among those with university degrees, bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 2.8% and graduate diplomas at 1.9%. Vocational and technical training is highly prevalent, with 51.4% of residents aged 15 and over holding qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas at 8.7% and certificates at 42.7%. Participation in education is high throughout the community, with 42.9% of residents enrolled in an educational institution.
This population is distributed across primary education at 19.6%, secondary education at 11.1%, and tertiary studies at 3.4%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Moranbah means driving: households keep an average of 1.8 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
78.8% of residents in Moranbah report no long-term health condition. 1.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 73.1% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.2 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Moranbah exhibits strong health profiles based on mortality rates and the occurrence of chronic illnesses, with low rates of common health conditions observed in both younger and older demographics. The rate of private health insurance coverage is exceptionally high, encompassing about 73% of the population (7,271 people), compared to 52.5% in Regional Qld and a national average of 55.7%. The most frequent health issues reported by residents were asthma (8.6%) and mental health conditions (6.8%). A high proportion of the population (78.8%) reported no long-term medical conditions, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld.
The working-age population exhibits good health with low rates of chronic disease. Seniors aged 65 and over represent 3.6% of the population (363 people), which is lower than the 20.4% average for Regional Qld. The health outcomes of these senior residents are strong, ranking higher nationally than the general local population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Moranbah is largely Australian-born, at 85.4% of residents, with 7.9% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (30.2%) and English (28.7%). 4.1% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Moranbah displays a lower level of cultural diversity, with citizens making up 74.8% of the population, Australian-born individuals representing 85.4%, and English-only speakers at home accounting for 92.1%. Christianity is the predominant religion, followed by 45.5% of residents. The category of Other religions shows the most noticeable difference, accounting for 0.7% of the population compared to 0.8% in Regional Qld. In terms of parent country of birth, the three largest ancestry groups are Australian (30.2%), English (28.7%), and Irish (7.3%). There are also notable differences in other groups, with Maori representing 1.7% of the population (compared to 0.8% regionally), New Zealand ancestry at 1.1% (compared to 0.9%), and Filipino ancestry at 2.3% (compared to 0.9%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Moranbah is 31, younger than 95% of areas nationally. 33.2% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The median age of 31 years in Moranbah is lower than the Regional Qld median of 41 years and the national median of 38 years. The 25 - 34 age bracket is highly represented at 21.9% of the population, compared to a lower presence of the 65 - 74 bracket at 2.9%. The concentration of residents aged 25 - 34 is higher than the national average of 14.6%. Since 2021, the 25 to 34 age cohort has increased from 20.0% to 21.9% of the population, while the 5 to 14 cohort decreased from 16.5% to 14.5% and the 15 to 24 cohort fell from 12.3% to 11.3%.
Projections for 2041 indicate significant demographic shifts, with the 25 to 34 age group expected to grow by 343 people (16%) from 2,182 to 2,526, while the 15 to 24 and 5 to 14 age cohorts are projected to decrease in size.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Moranbah
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 this month all 10 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 57 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (9,425 at the 2021 Census → 9,947 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (312011341). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.