Pialba - Eli Waters
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Pialba-Eli Waters' population was approximately 17,916 as of August 2025. This figure represents an increase of 2,060 people, a 13.0% rise from the 2021 Census count of 15,856 inhabitants. The growth is inferred from ABS estimates; the population was around 17,383 in June 2024 and there were 753 new addresses validated since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of approximately 957 persons per square kilometer. Pialba-Eli Waters' growth exceeded non-metro areas (8.6%) and national averages, positioning it as a regional growth leader. Interstate migration contributed roughly 84.1% to recent population gains.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for SA2 areas released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For uncovers areas post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections from 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted, applying proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 using 2022 data for age cohorts. By 2041, the population is expected to increase by approximately 1,605 persons, a 6.0% gain over 17 years based on current numbers.

The level of residential development activity in Pialba - Eli Waters was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

Pialba - Eli Waters has recorded approximately 217 residential properties granted approval per year. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, around 1,086 homes have been approved, with an additional 113 approved in FY-26 so far. The average population growth for each dwelling built over these five years has been approximately 1.7 people per year, indicating a balanced supply and demand market that supports stable conditions.

New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $370,000, which is below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers. In FY-26, $76.2 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating strong commercial development momentum in the area. When compared to the Rest of Qld, Pialba - Eli Waters has similar levels of development per person, maintaining market balance consistent with the broader area. This is substantially higher than national averages, suggesting strong developer confidence in the location.

New development consists predominantly of standalone homes at 94.0%, with townhouses or apartments making up the remaining 6.0%. This sustains the area's suburban identity and caters to buyers seeking space and family homes. The location has approximately 76 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. Looking ahead, Pialba - Eli Waters is expected to grow by around 1,072 residents through to 2041. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Pialba - Eli Waters has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 36thth percentile nationally

The performance of an area can significantly be influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified 18 projects that are expected to impact the area. Notable projects include Maryborough-Hervey Bay Road and Pialba-Burrum Heads Road Intersection Upgrade, Hervey Bay Community Hub, Liven Beach Road, and The Green Lifestyle Community. Below is a list detailing those likely to be most relevant.

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

AreaSearch analysis reveals Pialba - Eli Waters recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Pialba - Eli Waters has a balanced workforce with white collar and blue collar jobs well represented. Essential services sectors are prominent, with an unemployment rate of 6.6% as of June 2025.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 5.3%. There are 6,352 residents in work, with an unemployment rate 2.7% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation is significantly lower, at 40.0%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food services.

The area specializes in health care & social assistance, with an employment share 1.8 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 0.5% compared to 4.5% regionally. There are 0.7 workers per resident, indicating a level of local employment opportunities above the norm. In the 12-month period ending June 2025, employment increased by 5.3%, alongside labour force increasing by 7.1%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.5 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of Qld, where employment grew by 1.8%, labour force expanded by 2.0%, and unemployment rose by 0.2 percentage points. State-level data from Sep-25 shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.23% (losing 8,070 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts for May 2025 suggest employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Pialba - Eli Waters' employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 7.2%% over five years and 15.0% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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 income in Pialba - Eli Waters is below the national average. The median income is $41,759 and the average income stands at $52,502. This contrasts with Rest of Qld's figures where the median income is $50,780 and the average income is $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $46,649 (median) and $58,650 (average) as of March 2025. Census data reveals that household, family and personal incomes in Pialba - Eli Waters all fall between the 4th and 6th percentiles nationally. Income analysis shows that the $400 - 799 earnings band captures 31.3% of the community (5,607 individuals), unlike metropolitan regions where 31.7% fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 range. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Pialba - Eli Waters, with only 82.6% of income remaining, ranking at the 5th percentile nationally.

Pialba - Eli Waters is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Dwelling structure in Pialba - Eli Waters, as evaluated at the latest Census held on 28 August 2016, comprised 85.1% houses and 14.8% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Queensland had 83.9% houses and 16.1% other dwellings. The level of home ownership in Pialba - Eli Waters was higher at 47.7%, with the remainder being mortgaged (22.2%) or rented (30.0%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,400, lower than Non-Metro Queensland's average of $1,430 and significantly below the national average of $1,863 recorded in 2017-18 ABS data. The median weekly rent figure was $350, compared to Non-Metro Queensland's $335 and lower than the national figure of $375 as of June quarter 2021 SEIFA data.

Pialba - Eli Waters has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households compose 68.4% of all households, including 18.4% couples with children, 36.4% couples without children, and 12.7% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 31.6%, with lone person households at 28.2% and group households making up 3.3% of the total. The median household size is 2.3 people, which aligns with the Rest of Qld average.

Educational outcomes in Pialba - Eli Waters fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 16.0%, substantially below the Australian average of 30.4%. This represents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees lead at 11.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.1%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 39.6% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (9.8%) and certificates (29.8%).

A substantial 24.8% of the population actively pursues formal education, including 9.6% in primary education, 7.7% in secondary education, and 2.6% pursuing tertiary education. A robust network of six schools operates within Pialba, educating approximately 5072 students while the area demonstrates typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 986) with balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes two primary, one secondary, three K-12 schools. The area functions as an education hub with 28.3 school places per 100 residents – significantly above the regional average of 14.0 – attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

Pialba-Eli Waters has 48 operational public transport stops, all of which are bus services. These stops are served by 8 different routes that collectively facilitate 529 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport in the area is moderate, with residents generally located 432 meters from their nearest stop.

On average, there are 75 trips per day across all routes, equating to about 11 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Pialba - Eli Waters is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Pialba - Eli Waters faces significant health challenges, with a variety of conditions affecting both younger and older residents. The area has a low private health cover rate of approximately 47%, covering around 8,366 people, compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis, impacting 13.7% of residents, and mental health issues, affecting 9.8%. About 54.6% of residents report having no medical ailments, slightly lower than the 56.7% in the rest of Queensland. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, with 34.6% (6,191 people), compared to 31.0% in the rest of Queensland. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges broadly aligning with the general population's health profile.

In terms of cultural diversity, Pialba - Eli Waters records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Eli Waters, in Pialba, had a cultural diversity roughly matching the wider region's average. About 77.8% of Eli Waters' population were born in Australia, with 88.1% being citizens and 92.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was found to be the predominant religion in Eli Waters-Pialba, with 53.1% of people identifying as such, compared to 52.7% across Rest of Qld.

The top three ancestral groups were English (33.5%), Australian (26.9%), and Scottish (7.7%). Notably, German ancestry was slightly higher at 5.1%, compared to the regional average of 5.3%. New Zealand ancestry stood at 0.8% versus the region's 0.7%, while Australian Aboriginal ancestry was slightly higher at 3.4%, compared to the regional average of 3.3%.

Pialba - Eli Waters ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Pialba - Eli Waters is 52, which is higher than both the Rest of Qld figure at 41 and the national average of 38. The 75-84 age group makes up 14.3% of the population, exceeding the Rest of Qld percentage and significantly higher than the national average of 6%. Conversely, the 35-44 cohort is less prevalent at 9.4%. According to the 2021 Census, the 15-24 age group has increased from 8.7% to 9.6%, while the 65-74 cohort has decreased from 17.6% to 15.7%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Pialba - Eli Waters' age profile. The 85+ age group is expected to increase by 65% from 816 to 1,345 people. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are projected to account for 58% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic trend. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 55-64 and 45-54 cohorts.