Mount Morgan
Statistical Area - sa2

Mount Morgan has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Mount Morgan's population was 2,945 as of the 2021 Census. By Nov 2025, it is around 3,269, reflecting an increase of 324 people (11.0%). This growth is inferred from ABS estimated resident population figures: 3,064 in June 2024 and an additional 109 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio is 6.7 persons per square kilometer. Mount Morgan's growth exceeded its SA4 region (6.6%) and SA3 area, making it a growth leader in the region. Interstate migration contributed approximately 97.8% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts 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 are used, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age cohort. Looking ahead, regional areas nationally are anticipated to have lower quartile population growth. Mount Morgan is expected to grow by 99 persons to 2041, reflecting a decline of 3.2% over the 17 years.

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

Mount Morgan had 8 new dwelling approvals over the period from January 2016 to December 2020. This translates to an average of approximately one new dwelling approved annually in the area during this time span. The low development levels reflect Mount Morgan's rural nature, where housing needs are typically local-specific rather than broadly market-driven.

It is important to note that due to the small sample size, individual development projects can significantly influence annual growth and relativity statistics. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Mount Morgan exhibited significantly less construction activity during this period. Furthermore, its development pattern was also below national averages. All recent building activity in Mount Morgan consisted of detached dwellings, aligning with rural living preferences for space and privacy.

The estimated population per dwelling approval was 1139 people during this time span, indicating a quiet, low activity development environment. Population projections suggest stability or decline in Mount Morgan, which may result in reduced housing demand pressures, potentially benefiting potential buyers.

Mount Morgan has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 29thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified seven projects potentially affecting the region. Notable projects include Mount Morgan Tailings Processing and Rehabilitation Project, Boulder Creek Wind Farm, Bouldercombe Battery Project, and Stanwell Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). The following list details those most likely relevant.

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

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Employment conditions in Mount Morgan face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Mount Morgan's workforce comprises both white and blue-collar jobs with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 18.4% as of June 2025.

Employment grew by an estimated 1.6% over the past year. As of June 2025955 residents were employed while the unemployment rate stood at 14.5%, significantly higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation in Mount Morgan was 34.7%, lagging behind Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key industries employing residents include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training.

The area specializes in health care & social assistance, with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level. However, professional & technical services were under-represented at 1.2% compared to Rest of Qld's 5.1%. Limited local employment opportunities are indicated by the difference between Census working population and resident population. Over a 12-month period ending June 2025, employment increased by 1.6%, while labour force grew by 5.1%, resulting in a rise in unemployment rate of 2.8 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of Qld where employment grew by 1.8%, labour force expanded by 2.0%, and unemployment rose by only 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 provide insights into potential future demand in Mount Morgan. National employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying growth rates across industry sectors. Applying these projections to Mount Morgan's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.2% over five years and 13.3% 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 that Mount Morgan has lower incomes compared to national averages. The median income is $43,375 and the average is $52,057. In contrast, Rest of Qld has a median income of $50,780 and an average of $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes for Mount Morgan as of September 2025 are approximately $49,443 (median) and $59,340 (average). Census 2021 income data indicates that Mount Morgan's household, family, and personal incomes all fall within the 1st to 2nd percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows that 36.8% of individuals earn between $400 - 799, differing from broader areas where the $1,500 - 2,999 category is predominant at 31.7%. Economic circumstances suggest financial pressure with 49.3% of households having modest weekly budgets below $800. Despite modest housing costs with 88.4% of income retained, total disposable income ranks at the 3rd percentile nationally.

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

Mount Morgan's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, was 97.2% houses and 2.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Non-Metro Qld had 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Mount Morgan was 52.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 24.9% and rented ones at 22.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $840, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,517. Median weekly rent in Mount Morgan was $200, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $300. Nationally, Mount Morgan's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $840 versus Australia's average of $1,863. Rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Mount Morgan features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 55.4 percent of all households, including 14.7 percent couples with children, 25.5 percent couples without children, and 13.0 percent single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 44.6 percent, with lone person households at 40.3 percent and group households comprising 4.6 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 7.3%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 5.8%, followed by graduate diplomas (0.9%) and postgraduate qualifications (0.6%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 42.5% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas account for 7.5% and certificates for 35.0%.

Educational participation is high at 29.5%, including primary education (12.1%), secondary education (9.5%) and tertiary education (2.6%). Mount Morgan State High School and Mount Morgan Central State School serve a total of 361 students. The area has varied educational conditions, with conventional provision split between one primary and one secondary institution. School places per 100 residents are lower than the regional average at 11.6, indicating some students may attend schools in nearby areas.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

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

Mount Morgan faces significant health challenges, affecting both younger and older age groups. Approximately 46% (~1,510 people) have private health cover, compared to 53.2% across the rest of Queensland and a national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent conditions are arthritis (14.3%) and asthma (12.6%), while 42.9% report no medical ailments, compared to 64.7% in the rest of Queensland.

The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 30.2% (988 people), compared to 18.5% in the rest of Queensland. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges broadly aligned with the general population's health profile.

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

Mount Morgan's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 83.3% of its population being citizens, 91.5% born in Australia, and 98.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 54.5% of Mount Morgan's population, compared to 56.3% across the rest of Queensland. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (31.8%), English (31.2%), and Australian Aboriginal (10.3%), which is substantially higher than the regional average of 5.1%.

Notably, German ancestry was overrepresented at 3.9%, compared to 4.9% regionally, Welsh at 0.6% versus 0.4%, and Maori at 0.4% compared to 0.5%.

Mount Morgan ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Mount Morgan's median age is 53 years, significantly higher than the Rest of Qld average of 41 and considerably older than Australia's median of 38. Compared to the Rest of Qld average, Mount Morgan has a notably over-represented 65-74 cohort at 17.8%, while the 35-44 age group is under-represented at 8.2%. This 65-74 concentration is well above the national average of 9.4%. Post-2021 Census data shows the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 8.3% to 10.2%, while the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 19.3% to 18.2% and the 5 to 14 group dropped from 10.3% to 9.2%. By 2041, Mount Morgan is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition, with the 85+ group growing by 79% (60 people), reaching 136 from 75. The aging population dynamic is clear, with those aged 65 and above comprising 67% of projected growth. Conversely, both the 35 to 44 and 5 to 14 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.