Telina - Toolooa
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Telina - Toolooa's population is around 6,777 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase from 6,387 people recorded in the 2021 Census, a growth of 390 people (6.1%). The change is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 6,767 in June 2024 and an additional 84 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 288 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Telina - Toolooa has shown resilient growth with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%, outpacing its SA4 region. Natural growth contributed approximately 50.6% to overall population gains recently, although all drivers including overseas and interstate migration were positive factors.

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, with proportional growth weightings applied for age cohorts as per ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023. Nationally, non-metropolitan areas are projected to have above median population growth trends. By 2041, Telina - Toolooa is expected to increase by 1,150 persons based on the latest numbers, recording a gain of 16.8% in total over the 17 years.

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

Telina - Toolooa has seen approximately 10 new homes approved annually. Development approval data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows 54 dwellings approved between financial years FY21 and FY25, with an additional 2 approved so far in FY26. On average, over these five years, each home built has led to around 4.3 new residents per year. This demand significantly exceeds new supply, contributing to price growth and increased buyer competition.

New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $402,000, which is below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers. In FY26, commercial approvals totaled $916,000, indicating minimal commercial development activity compared to the rest of Queensland, where Telina - Toolooa has significantly less development activity, at 50.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction often reinforces demand and pricing for existing properties. Additionally, all new construction in Telina - Toolooa has been comprised of detached dwellings, maintaining its traditional low-density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. The estimated population of 545 people per dwelling approval reflects the area's quiet, low-activity development environment.

Looking ahead, Telina - Toolooa is projected to grow by 1,140 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Telina - Toolooa has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 33rdth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified three projects likely to impact this region. Key projects are Clinton Industrial Estate, Port of Gladstone Gatcombe, Golding Cutting Channel Duplication Project (Gladstone), Grid Reinforcement Project, and Clinton Vessel Interaction Project. Details of the most relevant ones follow.

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

The employment landscape in Telina - Toolooa shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

Telina - Toolooa has a diverse workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, prominent in manufacturing and industrial sectors. The unemployment rate was 5.4% as of June 2021, with an estimated employment growth of 3.7%.

As of June 2025, there are 3,782 residents employed, with an unemployment rate at 1.4% above the Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation is higher than average at 66.5%. Key employment industries include manufacturing, construction, and health care & social assistance. Manufacturing shows high concentration, at 3.0 times the regional average.

Over the year to June 2025, employment increased by 3.7%, while labour force grew by 5.1%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate of 1.3 percentage points. State-level data as of Sep-25 shows QLD employment contracted by 0.23%, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. National forecasts suggest employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but local growth patterns may differ due to industry-specific projections.

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

Telina - Toolooa's income level is extremely high nationally according to the latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. Telina - Toolooa's median income among taxpayers is $64,999 and the average income stands at $80,349. This compares to figures for Rest of Qld which are $50,780 and $64,844 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $72,610 (median) and $89,758 (average) as of March 2025. According to 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes in Telina - Toolooa cluster around the 62nd percentile nationally. The data shows the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 36.9% of the community (2,500 individuals), consistent with broader trends across the broader area showing 31.7% in the same category. After housing costs, residents retain 86.9% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power.

Telina - Toolooa is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

The latest Census data showed that in Telina - Toolooa, 92.2% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 7.8% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This is compared to Non-Metro Qld's figures of 85.7% houses and 14.3% other dwellings. The home ownership rate in Telina - Toolooa was 22.5%, with the rest either mortgaged (41.5%) or rented (36.0%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,517, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,600. Meanwhile, the median weekly rent figure was $300, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $275. Nationally, Telina - Toolooa's mortgage repayments are significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are substantially below the national figure of $375.

Telina - Toolooa has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 76.6% of all households, including 35.2% couples with children, 27.4% couples without children, and 13.3% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 23.4%, with lone person households at 20.2% and group households at 3.1%. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

Educational outcomes in Telina - Toolooa fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area has lower university qualification rates (14.4%) compared to the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both challenges and opportunities for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.8%) and graduate diplomas (1.4%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 45.5% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (8.0%) and certificates (37.5%).

Educational participation is high at 32.7%, with 12.5% in primary education, 10.8% in secondary education, and 3.4% pursuing tertiary education. Carinity Education - Rockhampton (Glen Eden) provides local educational services within Telina - Toolooa but has no current students enrolled there. Secondary education is dominated by one school, while primary students typically attend schools in adjacent areas due to the lack of schools within Telina - Toolooa. Residents must travel to neighboring areas for educational services. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments please refer to parent campus.

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

Transport analysis shows 21 active public transport stops operating within Telina - Toolooa. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with five individual routes providing service. A total of 180 weekly passenger trips are made across these routes.

Residents have good accessibility to transport, with an average distance of 381 meters to the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 25 trips per day, resulting in approximately eight weekly trips per stop.

Telina - Toolooa's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Health data for Telina - Toolooa residents shows a relatively positive health profile with low prevalence of common conditions among the general population. However, prevalence is higher than the national average in older and at-risk cohorts.

Private health cover is exceptionally high, with approximately 60% of the total population (4,052 people) having it, compared to 55.6% across the rest of Queensland. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions, affecting 9.3% and 8.2% of residents respectively. 70.2% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 69.4% in the rest of Queensland. The area has 10.6% of residents aged 65 and over (717 people), which is lower than the 15.2% in the rest of Queensland but still requires more attention due to the increased health needs of older populations.

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

Telina-Toolooa's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 87.4% of its population being citizens, 87.1% born in Australia, and 93.9% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the main religion in Telina-Toolooa, comprising 46.4% of its population, compared to 47.5% across the rest of Qld. The top three ancestry groups are Australian (31.2%), English (29.7%), and Irish (7.2%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal is overrepresented at 4.8%, Maori at 0.9%, and German at 4.6%.

Telina - Toolooa hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

The median age in Telina - Toolooa is 34 years, which is notably under Rest of Qld's average of 41 and also substantially under the Australian median of 38. Relative to Rest of Qld, Telina - Toolooa has a higher concentration of 25-34 residents (16.3%) but fewer 65-74 year-olds (6.8%). In the period from 2021 Census to present, the 25 to 34 age group has grown from 14.5% to 16.3%, while the 35 to 44 cohort increased from 13.7% to 14.7%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 13.4% to 11.1% and the 5 to 14 group dropped from 15.9% to 14.6%. By 2041, Telina - Toolooa is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. Leading this demographic shift, the 25 to 34 group will grow by 36%, adding 398 people to reach 1,502 from the current total of 1,103. Meanwhile, the 15 to 24 group is projected to contract by 45 residents.