Pialba - Eli Waters

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 is approximately 17,953 as of November 2025. This represents a growth of 2,097 people (13.2%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 15,856. The increase is inferred from an estimated resident population of 17,383 in June 2024 and an additional 769 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 959 persons per square kilometer. Pialba - Eli Waters' growth rate exceeded both the non-metro area (8.8%) and the national average, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Interstate migration contributed approximately 84.1% 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 by this data 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 in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 using 2022 data as the base year. Future population trends indicate a moderate increase, with the area expected to expand by 1,605 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an overall gain of approximately 5.8% over the 17-year period.

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

Eli Waters in Pialba has seen approximately 217 residential properties granted approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, around 1,086 homes were approved, with an additional 140 approved so far in FY-26. This results in an average of about 1.7 people moving to the area for each dwelling built over these five years, indicating a balanced supply and demand market that supports stable conditions.

The average construction cost value of new properties is around $370,000, which is below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options. In FY-26, commercial development approvals have totaled approximately $76.2 million, reflecting strong commercial development momentum in the area. When compared to the Rest of Qld, Pialba - Eli Waters maintains similar development levels per person, consistent with the broader area's market balance and indicating strong developer confidence. New developments in the location consist of 94.0% standalone homes and 6.0% townhouses or apartments, sustaining the area's suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space.

There are approximately 76 people per dwelling approval, suggesting an expanding market. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Pialba - Eli Waters is expected to grow by around 1,035 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 strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 16 projects likely to affect the region. Notable ones 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. Projects of most relevance are listed below.

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

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

Pialba - Eli Waters has a balanced workforce with representation across white and blue collar jobs. Key sectors include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food.

The area specializes in health care & social assistance, with an employment share 1.8 times the regional level. Agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 0.5% compared to 4.5% regionally. As of June 2025, 6,352 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 6.6%. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 5.3%.

The unemployment rate in Pialba - Eli Waters is 2.7% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%, and workforce participation lags significantly at 40.0% compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. The ratio of workers to residents, as at the Census, indicates a level of local employment opportunities above the norm. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 5.3%, labour force grew by 7.1%, causing unemployment rate to rise by 1.5 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of Qld saw employment grow by 1.8%, labour force expand by 2.0%, and unemployment rise by 0.2 percentage points. State-level data to Nov-25 shows Queensland employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1,210 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%, broadly in line with the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary significantly between sectors. Applying these projections to Pialba - Eli Waters' employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.2% over five years and 15.0% 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 ended June 30, 2022 indicates that income in Pialba - Eli Waters SA2 is below the national average. The median income was $41,759 and the average income stood at $52,502. This contrasts with Rest of Qld's figures where the median income was $50,780 and the average income was $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year ended June 30, 2022, current estimates would be approximately $47,601 (median) and $59,847 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes in Pialba - Eli Waters all fall between the 3rd and 5th percentiles nationally. Income analysis shows that the $400 - 799 earnings band captures 31.3% of the community (5,619 individuals), unlike trends in the metropolitan region where 31.7% fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 range. Housing affordability pressures are severe 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

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 types. This is compared to Non-Metro Qld's 83.9% houses and 16.1% 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, below Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,430. Median weekly rent in the area was $350, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $335. Nationally, Pialba-Eli Waters' median mortgage repayments were lower at $1,400 than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were also lower at $350 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 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, which aligns with the average in the Rest of Qld.

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 disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.1%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Trade and technical skills are prevalent, 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 is actively pursuing formal education, including 9.6% in primary education, 7.7% in secondary education, and 2.6% in tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis conducted in Pialba - Eli Waters shows 48 active transport stops operating. These are a mix of bus stops serviced by 8 individual routes. Collectively, these provide 529 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated as moderate with residents typically located 432 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 75 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 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 various conditions affecting both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low, at approximately 47% (around 8,384 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (13.7%) and mental health issues (9.8%). About 54.6% of residents report no medical ailments, slightly lower than the Rest of Qld's 56.7%. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, at 34.6% (around 6,204 people), compared to Rest of Qld's 31.0%. Health outcomes among seniors are broadly in line 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 the Pialba area, had a cultural diversity profile roughly matching its wider region's average. 77.8% of Eli Waters' population was born in Australia, with 88.1% being citizens and 92.5% speaking English at home. Christianity dominated Eli Waters' religious landscape, with 53.1%, slightly higher than the regional average of 52.7%.

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

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

The median age in Pialba - Eli Waters is 52, which exceeds both the Rest of Qld figure at 41 and the national average of 38. The 75-84 age group comprises 14.3%, higher than Rest of Qld's percentage and significantly above the national average of 6%. Conversely, the 35-44 cohort stands at 9.4%, lower than Rest of Qld's figure. Post the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age group increased from 8.7% to 9.6%, while the 65 to 74 group decreased from 17.6% to 15.7%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Pialba - Eli Waters' age profile. The 85+ cohort is expected to increase by 526 people (64%), from 818 to 1,345. 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 forecasted for the 55-64 and 45-54 cohorts.