Moranbah

An assessment of population growth drivers in Moranbah reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Moranbah's population was approximately 10,013 as of February 2026. This figure represents an increase of 588 people, a 6.2% rise from the 9,425 reported in the 2021 Census. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 9,973 in June 2024 and an additional 59 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 3.3 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Moranbah has shown resilient growth with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%, outpacing its SA3 area. Natural growth contributed approximately 65.3% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024, based on 2022 data. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections from 2023, based on 2021 data, are adopted. These state projections do not provide age category splits, so 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 demographic trends suggest a population increase just below the median of Australia's non-metropolitan areas, with Moranbah expected to gain 612 persons by 2041, reflecting a total growth of 5.7% over the 17 years based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.

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

Moranbah has approved approximately 8 residential properties annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25, a total of 44 homes were approved, with none yet recorded in FY-26. On average, over these five years, around 12.8 new residents arrived per dwelling constructed.

This supply is lagging demand, indicating heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures. New properties are constructed at an average value of $221,000, which is under regional levels, suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers. In FY-26, $15.2 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, showing balanced commercial development activity compared to the rest of Queensland. Moranbah has approximately half the rate of new dwelling approvals per person compared to the rest of Queensland and ranks among the 12th percentile nationally for buyer options, suggesting limited choices while demand for established dwellings strengthens. Recent construction comprises 25.0% detached dwellings and 75.0% attached dwellings, a shift from the current housing pattern of 82.0% houses, indicating evolving lifestyle preferences and affordability needs. The area has an estimated population of 5286 people per dwelling approval, reflecting its quiet development environment.

Population forecasts indicate Moranbah will gain 572 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Moranbah has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 14 projects likely affecting the region. Notable initiatives include Isaac Resources Excellence Precinct, Moranbah Mixed Use Development, Moranbah North Waste Coal Mine Gas Power Project Expansion, and Moranbah Affordable Housing Project. The following list highlights those most relevant.

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Employment conditions in Moranbah rank among the top 10% of areas assessed nationally

Moranbah has a skilled workforce with manufacturing and industrial sectors strongly represented. Its unemployment rate was 1.1% in the past year. Employment growth was estimated at 4.1%.

As of September 2025, there were 6,543 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.0%, below Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation was 85.4% compared to Rest of Qld's 65.7%. According to Census responses, only 3.9% of residents worked from home. Leading employment industries were mining, accommodation & food, and education & training.

Mining had particularly notable concentration with employment levels at 11.8 times the regional average. However, health care & social assistance was under-represented, with only 4.2% of Moranbah's workforce compared to 16.1% in Rest of Qld. The ratio of workers per resident was 0.9 as at the Census, indicating substantial local employment opportunities. Over a 12-month period ending September 2025, employment increased by 4.1% while labour force grew by 4.3%, causing unemployment rate to rise by 0.1 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld experienced employment growth of 1.7% and labour force growth of 2.1%, with a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, published May-25, project national employment to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Moranbah's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 4.2% over five years and 10.5% over ten years.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows Moranbah SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $93,441 and an average income of $105,814. These figures are exceptionally high nationally compared to Rest of Qld's $53,146 and $66,593 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $102,701 (median) and $116,300 (average). Census 2021 income data ranks Moranbah's household, family, and personal incomes highly, between the 97th and 98th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows 33.1% of Moranbah's population falls within the $1,500 - 2,999 range, similar to the broader area at 31.7%. Economic strength is evident with 51.8% of households earning high weekly incomes exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. After housing costs, residents retain 95.5% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

In Moranbah, as per the latest Census, 81.9% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 18.1% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This is compared to Non-Metro Qld's figures of 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Moranbah stood at 8.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 19.8% and rented ones at 71.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent in Moranbah was $111, significantly below Non-Metro Qld's $345 and the national average of $375. Nationally, Moranbah's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,300 compared to Australia's average of $1,863.

Moranbah has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 75.5% of all households, including 42.4% couples with children, 22.2% couples without children, and 9.8% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 24.5%, with lone person households at 21.5% and group households comprising 3.1%. The median household size is 2.8 people, larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 18.0%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.8%) and graduate diplomas (1.9%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 51.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas account for 8.7% and certificates for 42.7%.

Educational participation is high, with 42.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 19.6% in primary education, 11.1% in secondary education, and 3.4% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

The level of general health in Moranbah is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Moranbah shows superior health outcomes based on AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both young and elderly residents have low prevalence of common health conditions. Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 73% of Moranbah's total population (7,319 people), compared to 52.5% in the rest of Queensland and 55.7% nationally.

The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma and mental health issues, affecting 8.6% and 6.8% of residents respectively. 78.8% of Moranbah residents report being completely free of medical ailments, compared to 67.6% in the rest of Queensland. Working-age residents have notably low chronic condition prevalence. The area has 3.5% of residents aged 65 and over (355 people), lower than the 20.4% in the rest of Queensland. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, with national rankings even higher than the general population.

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

Moranbah, as per data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2016, showed a lower than average cultural diversity. The population was predominantly Australian citizens (74.8%), born in Australia (85.4%) and speaking English at home (92.1%). Christianity was the major religion, practiced by 45.5% of Moranbah residents.

Notably, the 'Other' religious category comprised a smaller proportion in Moranbah (0.7%) compared to the rest of Queensland (0.8%). In terms of ancestry, Australian-born parents were most common (30.2%), followed by English (28.7%) and Irish (7.3%). Some ethnic groups showed notable variations: Maori were overrepresented at 1.7% in Moranbah compared to the regional average of 0.8%, New Zealanders at 1.1% versus 0.9%, and Filipinos at 2.3% against a regional average of 0.9%.

Moranbah hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Moranbah's median age of 31 years is younger than Rest of Qld's 41 years and considerably younger than Australia's average age of 38 years. The age group of 25-34 years has a strong representation in Moranbah at 22.6%, compared to Rest of Qld, while the 65-74 age cohort is less prevalent at 2.8%. This concentration of the 25-34 age group is higher than the national average of 14.4%. Between 2021 and present, the proportion of the population in the 25-34 age group has increased from 20.0% to 22.6%, while the 5-14 age cohort has declined from 16.5% to 13.9%. Population forecasts for Moranbah indicate significant demographic changes by 2041. The 25-34 age group is projected to increase by 341 people, from 2,259 to 2,601. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 15-24 and 5-14 age cohorts.