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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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Sales Activity
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What it costs to rent in Pialba - Eli Waters
Median weekly rents, year-on-year movement and bond-lodgement activity for Pialba - Eli Waters (4655). Sourced from the NSW Rental Bond Board, DCJ Family & Community Services.
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SOURCE: NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ Family & Community Services), processed by AreaSearch. Imputed values are flagged. Latest publication:
Population
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
Population of Pialba - Eli Waters is approximately 17,754 as of May 2026. From the 2021 Census, this shows an increase of 1,898 people, a 12.0% rise from the previously reported population of 15,856. This growth can be attributed to an estimated resident population of 17,754 by June 2025 and an additional 830 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio is 948 persons per square kilometer, similar to averages observed across other locations assessed by AreaSearch. Pialba - Eli Waters' growth rate of 12.0% since the 2021 census exceeds that of Rest of Qld (9.2%) and the national average, indicating it as a region with notable population growth. Interstate migration contributed approximately 83.2% of overall population gains during recent periods.
AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. 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. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits; therefore, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 and based on 2022 data for each age cohort. Demographic trends suggest a population increase just below the median of national regional areas by 2041, with an expected expansion of 1,478 persons, reflecting an 8.3% total gain over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
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 seen approximately 217 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling 1086 homes. As of FY-26291 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.7 new residents per year have arrived with each new home constructed between FY-21 and FY-25, suggesting a balanced supply and demand creating stable market conditions. The average construction cost value for new properties has been $279000, which is below regional levels, indicating more affordable housing options for buyers.
In FY-26, commercial approvals have totalled $76.2 million, reflecting strong commercial development momentum in the area. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Pialba - Eli Waters has similar development levels per capita, maintaining market equilibrium with surrounding regions. This is notably higher than national averages, indicating strong developer confidence in the location. New developments consist of 94% detached dwellings and 6% attached dwellings, preserving the area's traditional low-density character focused on family homes.
With around 76 people per approval, Pialba - Eli Waters reflects a developing area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the area is expected to grow by approximately 1478 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing favourable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Pialba - Eli Waters
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
Infrastructure
Pialba - Eli Waters has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally
Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 16 projects expected to affect the region. Notable projects include Hervey Bay Community Hub, Maryborough-Hervey Bay Road upgrade, Pialba-Burrum Heads Road intersection improvement, Liven Beach Road project, and The Green Lifestyle Community development. The following list details those most relevant.
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INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Hervey Bay Community Hub
A $108.7 million five-storey civic development revitalising the Pialba city centre. The project features a new 3,650sqm two-level library, a Council Administration Centre, and a Disaster Resilience Centre. It includes community meeting rooms, creative spaces, a large outdoor public plaza for events, and underground parking. As of May 2026, the building structure is complete with the tower crane Hercules removed in February. Works are now focused on internal fit-out, facade cleaning, and 3.6 million dollars in surrounding road and footpath upgrades. The hub is scheduled to open in the second half of 2026.
The Green Lifestyle Community
A 47-hectare residential estate featuring five gated over 55s lifestyle communities, four premium residential estates, a contemporary aged care facility, medical centres, clubs, restaurant, and extensive recreational facilities. It showcases cutting-edge green technology and a back to basics lifestyle.
Radisson Hotel and SunLife Hervey Bay (The Jewel)
Mixed-use proposal in Hervey Bay City Centre comprising a 10-storey Radisson hotel (152 rooms) with wellness centre, conference facilities, restaurant and bar, alongside a 16-storey over-50s apartment tower branded SunLife with about 150 dwellings and a food and retail precinct. Council accepted a conditional $5m tender for the site and the project is progressing through the development application phase.
Marina Square Development
Transformative $60 million waterfront development featuring 144-room four-star international standard hotel in 17-storey tower, rooftop bar, cafe, function centre, and 120 residential apartments across two towers (13 and 15 storeys). Includes views overlooking Urangan Marina, Great Sandy Strait, and Fraser Island. Joint development by Hervey Bay Boat Club and Club Property Solutions, creating 210 jobs (175 during construction, 35 long-term). Part of Fraser Coast Regional Council's Urangan Harbour Master Plan. Construction delayed, likely to begin in 2025 pending finalised harbour master plan.
HBC Build Australia Mixed-Use Development
10-storey Radisson Hotel with 152 rooms and 16-storey Sunlife over 50s complex with 150 apartments, along with wellness centre, food and retail precinct. Located strategically in Hervey Bay City Centre.
SPG Hervey Bay Retail Centre
SPG Hervey Bay Retail Centre is a completed large-format retail development by Spotlight Property Group at 200 Boat Harbour Drive, Pialba. The 22,000sqm centre on a 3-hectare site features anchor tenants Spotlight, Anaconda, Harris Scarfe, and The Good Guys, plus retailers including Planet Fitness, Cafe 63, Early Settler, Eureka Furniture, Skechers, The Brave Hen, Hervey Bay Surf Outlet, Country Care Group, and Wholelife Pharmacy & Health Group. It includes a separate two-level Health & Services Hub with medical facilities, 445 car parking spaces (360 undercover), dining options, and EV charging stations.
Pialba Supported Accommodation Complex
A new supported accommodation complex in Pialba delivering 26 temporary accommodation places for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Part of the Queensland Government's 2025-26 Budget commitment of $8.1 billion to secure housing foundations, with construction scheduled to commence in 2025. The project is part of a broader initiative delivering over 290 social and community homes across the Wide Bay-Burnett region.
Maryborough - Hervey Bay Road and Pialba - Burrum Heads Road Intersection Upgrade
Stage 1 construction works commenced in August 2024 for this major intersection upgrade in Eli Waters. The project will signalise the intersection, duplicate Maryborough-Hervey Bay Road (southern approach) and Pialba-Burrum Heads Road (western section) from 2 to 4 lanes, and improve pedestrian and cyclist facilities to enhance safety and traffic flow in the growing Hervey Bay area.
Employment
Pialba - Eli Waters shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia
Pialba - Eli Waters has a balanced workforce with representation across white and blue collar jobs. Essential services sectors are well-represented, with an unemployment rate of 5.7% as of December 2025. There has been an estimated employment growth of 8.3% over the past year.
As of December 2025, 6,656 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 1.7% higher than Regional Qld's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation in Pialba - Eli Waters lags behind Regional Qld at 46.8% compared to 64.5%. According to Census responses, a low 6.1% of residents work from home. Leading employment industries among residents include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food.
Health care & social assistance has particularly notable concentration with employment levels at 1.8 times the regional average. Agriculture, forestry & fishing employs just 0.5% of local workers compared to Regional Qld's 4.5%. The ratio of 0.7 workers per resident indicates a level of local employment opportunities above the norm. Over the 12 months to December 2025, employment increased by 8.3% while labour force increased by 8.7%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.3 percentage points. In contrast, Regional Qld experienced employment growth of 0.7% and labour force growth of 1.0%, with a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Pialba - Eli Waters' employment should increase by 7.2% over five years and 15.0% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis
The Pialba - Eli Waters SA2's median income among taxpayers in financial year 2023 was $43,917. The average income stood at $54,178 during the same period. These figures are lower than those for Regional Qld, which had a median income of $53,146 and an average income of $66,593 in financial year 2023. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Pialba - Eli Waters SA2 would be approximately $48,906 (median) and $60,333 (average) as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census figures, incomes in Pialba - Eli Waters fall between the 3rd and 5th percentiles nationally. The income bracket of $400 - 799 captures 31.3% of the community (5,557 individuals), which differs from patterns across the surrounding region where the $1,500 - 2,999 band dominates with 31.7%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Pialba - Eli Waters, with only 82.6% of income remaining, ranking at the 5th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Pialba - Eli Waters is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership
In Pialba - Eli Waters, as per the latest Census evaluation, 85.1% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 14.8% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other dwelling types. This compares to Regional Qld's 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Pialba - Eli Waters stood at 47.7%, with mortgaged properties at 22.2% and rented dwellings at 30.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,400, lower than Regional Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent in the area was $350, compared to Regional Qld's $345. Nationally, Pialba - Eli Waters' mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Pialba - Eli Waters has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size
Family households comprise 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 account for 31.6%, with lone person households at 28.2% and group households comprising 3.3%. The median household size is 2.3 people, smaller than the Regional Queensland average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Educational outcomes in Pialba - Eli Waters fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment
The area's university qualification rate is 16.0%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This indicates a need for targeted educational initiatives to improve this figure. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.1%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 39.6% of residents aged 15 and above holding them.
This includes advanced diplomas (9.8%) and certificates (29.8%). A total of 24.8% of the population is actively engaged in formal education, with 9.6% in primary, 7.7% in secondary, and 2.6% in tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
Pialba-Eli Waters has 46 operational public transport stops, all of which are bus services. These stops are served by 8 different routes, offering a total of 529 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is moderate, with residents on average located 432 meters from their nearest stop. Most residents commute outside the area, with cars being the dominant mode of transport at 93%. On average, there are 1.1 vehicles per dwelling, below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, only 6.1% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.
Service frequency averages 75 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 11 weekly trips per stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Health performance in Pialba - Eli Waters is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts
Health data indicates significant health challenges in Pialba - Eli Waters, as assessed by AreaSearch. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are substantial, affecting both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low, at approximately 47% of the total population (around 8,308 people), compared to 52.5% in Regional Qld and the national average of 55.7%.
The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (13.7%) and mental health issues (9.8%). Conversely, 54.6% of residents report no medical ailments, lower than the 67.6% in Regional Qld. Working-age population health is notably challenging due to high chronic condition rates. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, at 35.0% (6,219 people), compared to 20.4% in Regional Qld. Senior health outcomes align with national rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
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, within the Pialba area, has a cultural diversity profile roughly similar to its wider regional average. The population breakdown shows that 77.8% were born in Australia, 88.1% are citizens, and 92.5% speak English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, accounting for 53.1% of the population, compared to 52.2% across Regional Queensland.
The top three ancestral groups based on parental country of birth are English (33.5%), Australian (26.9%), and Scottish (7.7%). Notably, certain ethnic groups have different representations: German is slightly higher at 5.1% in Eli Waters compared to the regional average of 4.7%, New Zealand-born residents are lower at 0.8% versus 0.9%, and Australian Aboriginal representation is also lower at 3.4% compared to the regional average of 3.9%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Pialba - Eli Waters ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide
Pialba - Eli Waters has a median age of 52, which is higher than Regional Qld's figure of 41 and also above the national average of 38. The 75-84 age group makes up 14.6% of its population, compared to Regional Qld's figure, while the 35-44 cohort is less prevalent at 9.6%. This concentration in the 75-84 age group is notably higher than the national average of 6.1%. 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 15.6%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Pialba - Eli Waters' age profile will change significantly. The 85+ age cohort is projected to increase by 546 people (63%), from 868 to 1,415. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are expected to account for 61% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 55-64 and 5-14 cohorts.