Torquay - Scarness - Kawungan

An assessment of population growth drivers in Torquay - Scarness - Kawungan reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Torquay - Scarness - Kawungan's population is approximately 16,958 as of November 2025. Between June 2024 and this date, the population increased by 357 people due to validated new addresses. The estimated resident population on June 2024 was 16,413. The population in 2021 Census was 15,786, reflecting a growth of 1,172 people (7.4%) since then. This growth rate is close to the non-metro area's growth rate of 8.8%. Interstate migration contributed approximately 64.2% of this population gain.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections for years post-2032, based on 2021 data. For areas not covered by the ABS data or years beyond 2032, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings from the ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 using 2022 data. By 2041, Torquay - Scarness - Kawungan's population is projected to increase by approximately 1,300 persons, reflecting a total gain of 4.5% over the 17 years based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Torquay - Scarness - Kawungan among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Torquay - Scarness - Kawungan has recorded approximately 127 residential property approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling 635 homes. As of FY-26, 71 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.1 new residents arrive annually for each new home approved between FY-21 and FY-25, suggesting balanced supply and demand with stable market conditions. New properties are constructed at an average value of $342,000, aligning with regional trends.

This financial year has seen $11.7 million in commercial approvals, indicating moderate commercial development levels. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Torquay - Scarness - Kawungan has around two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person but ranks among the 90th percentile nationally for development activity, which has increased recently. New building activity comprises 83.0% standalone homes and 17.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's suburban character with detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers.

The location has approximately 88 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. By 2041, Torquay - Scarness - Kawungan is projected to grow by 755 residents (AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should meet demand, offering favourable conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond projections.

Torquay - Scarness - Kawungan has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

The performance of a region is significantly impacted by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified 24 such projects that could potentially affect this area. Notable among these are Marina Square Development, HBC Build Australia Mixed-Use Development, Esplanade 408-412 Mixed Use Development, and Hervey Bay Community Hub. The following list provides details on those likely to have the most relevance.

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

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Employment performance in Torquay - Scarness - Kawungan has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Torquay - Scarness - Kawungan has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs. The unemployment rate was 6.4% as of September 2025.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 9.1%. As of September 2025, 6,822 residents were in work, with an unemployment rate of 7.3%, which is 3.2 percentage points higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation was 42.5%, significantly lower than Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key industries for employment among residents were health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food.

The area had a particular specialization in health care & social assistance, with an employment share of 1.6 times the regional level. Agriculture, forestry & fishing employed just 1.2% of local workers, below Rest of Qld's 4.5%. Employment opportunities locally appeared limited based on Census working population vs resident population comparison. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 9.1%, labour force grew by 9.5%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.4 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment rise by 1.7%, labour force grow by 2.1%, and unemployment increase by 0.3 percentage points. State-level data up to 25-Nov-25 showed Queensland employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1,210 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia projected national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Torquay - Scarness - Kawungan's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.7% over ten years, though this was a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and did not account for localised population projections.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

Torquay - Scarness - Kawungan SA2 had median assessed income of $41,915 and average income of $52,698 in financial year 2022. This was lower than national averages of $50,780 (median) and $64,844 (average) for Rest of Qld. By September 2025, estimated median income would be approximately $47,779 and average income $60,070 based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99%. Census data from 2021 shows household, family, and personal incomes in the area fell between the 3rd and 5th percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate that 32.0% (5,426 individuals) earned $400-$799 weekly, contrasting with Rest of Qld's leading bracket of $1,500-$2,999 at 31.7%. Lower income households were prevalent, with 40.9% earning below $800 weekly, suggesting affordability pressures for many residents. Housing affordability was severe, with only 82.3% of income remaining, ranking at the 4th percentile nationally.

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

The dwelling structure in Torquay - Scarness - Kawungan, as per the latest Census, consisted of 73.6% houses and 26.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro Qld's 83.9% houses and 16.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Torquay - Scarness - Kawungan stood at 41.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 22.7% and rented dwellings at 36.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, below Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,430. The median weekly rent figure was $305, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $335. Nationally, Torquay - Scarness - Kawungan's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Torquay - Scarness - Kawungan features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 63.0% of all households, including 17.1% couples with children, 32.0% couples without children, and 13.0% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 37.0%, with lone person households at 33.3% and group households making up 3.7%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.3.

Torquay - Scarness - Kawungan faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 14.7%, 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 most common at 10.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.4%) and graduate diplomas (1.9%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 40.9% of residents aged 15 and above holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas at 10.4% and certificates at 30.5%.

A substantial 24.5% of the population is actively pursuing formal education, including 8.9% in primary education, 8.2% 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

Transport analysis shows 65 active stops operating in Torquay - Scarness - Kawungan area. These are mixed bus stops serviced by five routes providing 211 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport accessibility is rated good with residents typically located 293 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 30 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately three weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Torquay - Scarness - Kawungan is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Torquay - Scarness - Kawungan faces significant health challenges, affecting both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low, at approximately 47% (~7,919 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (13.3%) and mental health issues (10.3%). Conversely, 54.5% report no medical ailments, slightly lower than Rest of Qld's 56.7%. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over (32.3%, or 5,482 people), compared to Rest of Qld at 31.0%. Health outcomes among seniors are broadly similar to those of the general population.

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

Torquay-Scarness-Kawungan showed cultural diversity below average, with 81.2% born in Australia, 88.4% being citizens, and 94.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, at 52.2%, compared to 52.7% regionally. Top ancestry groups were English (33.3%), Australian (27.5%), and Scottish (8.4%).

Notably, German (5.5%) was slightly overrepresented compared to the regional average of 5.3%. Australian Aboriginal (3.4%) and Maori (0.6%) also showed slight increases from their respective regional averages of 3.3% and 0.5%.

Torquay - Scarness - Kawungan ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Torquay - Scarness - Kawungan has a median age of 52, which is higher than Rest of Qld's figure of 41 and also above the national average of 38. The 65-74 age group makes up 16.0% of its population, compared to Rest of Qld's percentage, while the 5-14 cohort comprises 8.8%. This 65-74 concentration is higher than the national figure of 9.4%. According to the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 9.0% to 10.3%, while the 5 to 14 cohort has decreased from 10.5% to 8.8% and the 65 to 74 group has dropped from 17.2% to 16.0%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Torquay - Scarness - Kawungan's age profile. The 85+ age cohort is projected to increase by 510 people (69%), from 737 to 1,248. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are expected to account for 56% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 55 to 64 and 5 to 14 cohorts.