Ooralea - Bakers Creek
Statistical Area - sa2

Ooralea - Bakers Creek lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Ooralea - Bakers Creek's population was around 6,678 as of November 2025. This reflected an increase of 737 people (12.4%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,941 people. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 6,514 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 162 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equated to a density ratio of 137 persons per square kilometer, providing significant space per person and potential room for further development. Ooralea - Bakers Creek's 12.4% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area (6.6%), along with the SA4 region, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration that contributed approximately 59.4% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including overseas migration and natural growth were positive factors.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and for years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections, released in 2023 and based on 2021 data, are adopted. It should be noted that these state projections do not provide age category splits; hence where utilised, AreaSearch is applying proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age cohort. Moving forward with demographic trends, a significant population increase in the top quartile of Australian non-metropolitan areas is forecast, with the area expected to expand by 2,129 persons to 2041 based on the latest population numbers, reflecting an increase of 29.4% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Ooralea - Bakers Creek among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Ooralea - Bakers Creek has recorded approximately 39 residential properties granted approval each year over the past five financial years, totalling 197 homes. So far in FY26, 9 approvals have been recorded. On average, 4.6 people moved to the area annually for each dwelling built between FY21 and FY25, indicating high demand exceeding new supply. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $280,000, below the regional average, offering more affordable housing options.

This financial year has seen $83.3 million in commercial approvals, reflecting strong commercial development momentum. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Ooralea - Bakers Creek shows 81.0% higher new home approvals per person. Recent development has been entirely comprised of detached dwellings, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated population count is 419 people per dwelling approval.

Future projections show Ooralea - Bakers Creek adding approximately 1,965 residents by 2041, with building activity keeping pace with growth projections despite potential increased buyer competition as the population grows.

Ooralea - Bakers Creek has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 30thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 22 projects that may affect this region. Notable ones include QUT Mackay Renewable Biocommodities Pilot Plant Expansion, Mackay Technology Park, The Gardens at Ooralea, and Resources Centre of Excellence Stage 2 - Future Industries Hub. Relevant projects are listed below.

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

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AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Ooralea - Bakers Creek performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Ooralea - Bakers Creek has a skilled workforce with strong representation in manufacturing and industrial sectors. As of June 2025, the unemployment rate is 1.3%.

Over the past year, employment has been relatively stable. The area's unemployment rate is 2.6% lower than Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%, and workforce participation is higher at 66.2% compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key industries for residents are health care & social assistance, mining, and retail trade. Mining is particularly strong, employing 3.7 times the regional level.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 1.3% of local workers, below Rest of Qld's 4.5%. There are 2.0 workers for every resident, indicating that the area functions as an employment hub hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 0.3%, while labour force decreased by 0.3%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.6 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of Qld where employment rose by 1.8%, labour force grew by 2.0%, and unemployment rose by 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest that Ooralea - Bakers Creek's employment mix could grow approximately by 5.8% over five years and 12.6% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment profile.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

Ooralea - Bakers Creek had one of Australia's highest incomes according to AreaSearch's ATO data aggregation for financial year 2022. The median income was $65,632 and the average was $82,064. This compares with Rest of Qld's figures of $50,780 and $64,844 respectively. Using Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of September 2025 are approximately $74,814 (median) and $93,545 (average). Census data shows household, family, and personal incomes in Ooralea - Bakers Creek cluster around the 74th percentile nationally. The earnings profile indicates that 37.0% of residents earn between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, mirroring the regional average of 31.7%. Notably, 30.3% of residents earn above $3,000 per week, indicating strong economic capacity in the area. Housing accounts for 13.6% of income, with residents ranking at the 78th percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Ooralea - Bakers Creek is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

The dwelling structure in Ooralea-Bakers Creek, as per the latest Census, consisted of 90.9% houses and 9.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro Qld's 85.1% houses and 14.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Ooralea-Bakers Creek was at 29.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 43.8% and rented ones at 26.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,820, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $410, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $340. Nationally, Ooralea-Bakers Creek's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Ooralea - Bakers Creek has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 75.7% of all households, including 36.2% couples with children, 28.2% couples without children, and 9.9% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 24.3%, with lone person households at 20.7% and group households comprising 3.6%. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.6.

Ooralea - Bakers Creek faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area has lower university qualification rates at 17.2%, compared to the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 13.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.4%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Vocational credentials are held by 42.3% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 7.5% and certificates at 34.8%. Educational participation is high, with 32.0% currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 12.4% in primary, 8.2% in secondary, and 5.4% in tertiary education. Dundula State School serves the area, enrolling 120 students exclusively for primary education. Secondary options are available in nearby areas. The area has limited local school capacity with 1.8 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 17.1, leading many families to travel for schooling.

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

Transport analysis indicates ten active transport stops operating within Ooralea-Bakers Creek. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with two individual routes collectively providing 155 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated moderate, with residents typically located 526 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 22 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 15 weekly trips per stop.

The level of general health in Ooralea - Bakers Creek is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population and nearer the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Ooralea - Bakers Creek shows superior health outcomes with a low prevalence of common conditions among its general population, nearing national averages for older, at-risk cohorts. Private health cover is exceptionally high here, at approximately 61% (4,060 people), compared to Rest of Qld's 57.0%. Nationally, it stands at 55.3%.

Asthma and mental health issues are the most common conditions, affecting 6.8% each. 72.9% report no medical ailments, higher than Rest of Qld's 69.7%. The area has 14.3% seniors (957 people), lower than Rest of Qld's 16.2%. However, health outcomes among seniors require more attention than the broader population.

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

Ooralea-Bakers Creek has a cultural diversity index below the average, with 86.0% of its population being Australian citizens, born in Australia (84.3%), and speaking English only at home (88.1%). Christianity is the predominant religion here, accounting for 60.3% of the population, compared to 56.8% in the rest of Queensland. The top three ancestry groups are Australian (29.7%), English (26.3%), and Irish (7.3%).

There are notable differences in the representation of certain ethnicities: Maltese is overrepresented at 3.1%, Filipino at 3.8%, and Maori at 0.7%.

Ooralea - Bakers Creek's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Ooralea - Bakers Creek has a median age of 36, which is lower than the Rest of Qld figure of 41 and marginally lower than Australia's median age of 38. The 35-44 age cohort is notably over-represented in Ooralea - Bakers Creek at 15.8%, compared to the Rest of Qld average, while the 65-74 year-olds are under-represented at 8.0%. Between 2021 and present day, the 15-24 age group has grown from 12.2% to 13.1% of the population. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort has declined from 11.9% to 11.0%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Ooralea - Bakers Creek's age profile. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to expand by 426 people (42%), growing from 1,017 to 1,444. Meanwhile, the 5-14 cohort is projected to grow by a modest 2%, adding 15 people.