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 6,759 as of November 2025. This reflects an increase of 372 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,387 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 6,767 in June 2024 and an additional 77 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level equates to a density ratio of 287 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Telina - Toolooa has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%, outpacing its SA4 region. Population growth was primarily driven by natural growth contributing approximately 50.6% during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. These state projections do not provide age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections are applied for each age cohort. Nationally, non-metropolitan areas are projected to have above median population growth, with Telina - Toolooa expected to increase by 1,150 persons to 2041 based on the latest numbers, recording a gain of 17.1% 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 home approvals each year over the past five financial years, totalling 54 homes. So far in FY26, 4 approvals have been recorded. On average, about 4.3 people move to the area annually for each dwelling built between FY21 and FY25. This has led to significant demand outpacing supply, which typically puts upward pressure on prices and increases competition among buyers.

New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $355,000. In FY26, $916,000 in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating a predominantly residential focus. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Telina - Toolooa records markedly lower building activity, which is 50% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction usually reinforces demand and pricing for existing homes. Nationally, this activity is also below average, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints.

All new constructions have been detached dwellings, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 545 people, indicating a quiet, low activity development environment. Population forecasts indicate Telina - Toolooa will gain 1,158 residents by 2041. At current development rates, 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 to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified three projects likely to impact the area: Clinton Industrial Estate, Port of Gladstone Gatcombe, Golding Cutting Channel Duplication Project (Gladstone Project), and Clinton Vessel Interaction Project. The following list details those most relevant.

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Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

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 manufacturing and industrial sectors, and an unemployment rate of 5.4% as of June 2025. The area experienced employment growth of 3.7% in the past year.

The unemployment rate is 1.4% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%, with workforce participation at 66.5%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Manufacturing, construction, and health care & social assistance are leading employment industries among residents. Manufacturing has a notable concentration with employment levels at 3.0 times the regional average, while health care & social assistance shows lower representation at 10.2% versus the regional average of 16.1%. Employment opportunities appear limited locally based on Census data comparisons.

Over the year to June 2025, employment increased by 3.7%, labour force grew by 5.1%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 1.3 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of Qld where employment rose by 1.8% and unemployment rose by 0.2 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia (May 2025) suggest Telina - Toolooa's employment could grow by approximately 5.2% over five years and 11.6% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

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's of $50,780 and $64,844 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $74,092 (median) and $91,590 (average) as of September 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 (2,494 individuals). This is 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

Telina - Toolooa's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 92.2% houses and 7.8% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 85.7% houses and 14.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Telina - Toolooa was at 22.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 41.5% and rented ones at 36.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,517, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,600. The median weekly rent figure in Telina - Toolooa was $300, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $275. Nationally, mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $1,863, while rents were substantially lower at $375.

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

Family households comprise 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 account for 23.4%, with lone person households at 20.2% and group households making up 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 faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 14.4%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees lead at 11.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 1.8% and graduate diplomas at 1.4%. Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 45.5% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas at 8.0% and certificates at 37.5%.

Educational participation is notably high, with 32.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 12.5% in primary, 10.8% in secondary, and 3.4% pursuing tertiary education. Carinity Education - Rockhampton (Glen Eden) provides local educational services within Telina - Toolooa, with an enrollment of 0 students as of the latest data. Secondary education dominates with 1 school, while primary students typically attend schools in adjacent catchments. With no schools located 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 indicates 21 active public transport stops operating within Telina - Toolooa. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, totaling five individual routes that provide 180 weekly passenger trips collectively. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 381 meters from the nearest transport stop.

Service frequency averages 25 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately eight weekly trips per individual 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 shows positive outcomes overall. Common health condition prevalence among general residents is low but higher than national averages among older and at-risk groups.

Private health cover rate is high at approximately 60% (4,041 people), compared to 55.6% in Rest of Qld. Mental health issues affect 9.3%, asthma impacts 8.2%. 70.2% report no medical ailments, compared to 69.4% in Rest of Qld. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 10.6% (715 people), lower than the 15.2% in Rest of Qld.

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 had a low level of cultural diversity, with 87.4% of its population being Australian citizens, 87.1% born in Australia, and 93.9% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 46.4% of Telina-Toolooa's population, compared to 47.5% across the rest of Queensland. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (31.2%), English (29.7%), and Irish (7.2%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal people were overrepresented at 4.8%, compared to 4.3% regionally, as were Maori at 0.9% (vs 0.8%) and German at 4.6% (vs 5.1%).

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 lower than Rest of Qld's average of 41 and substantially under the Australian median of 38. Relative to Rest of Qld, Telina - Toolooa has a higher concentration of 25-34 year-olds at 16.3%, but fewer 65-74 year-olds at 6.8%. Between the 2021 Census and now, 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 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. The 25 to 34 group will grow by 37%, reaching 1,502 people from the current 1,100. Meanwhile, the 15 to 24 group will contract by 43 residents.