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 was 17,029 as of Feb 2026, reflecting a growth of 1,243 people since the 2021 Census. This increase is equivalent to a 7.9% rise from the previous census figure of 15,786 people. The population change was inferred from an estimated resident population of 16,413 in June 2024 and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,556 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's growth rate of 7.9% since the census is within 1.2 percentage points of the Rest of Qld (9.1%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Interstate migration contributed approximately 64.2% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary growth in the area.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area as 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 released in 2023 based on 2021 data are used. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age cohort are applied where utilized. Looking ahead, population projections indicate an increase just below the median of Australia's regional areas. By 2041, the area is expected to expand by approximately 1,300 persons, reflecting a total gain of 4.0% over the 17-year period 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 recorded approximately 127 residential property approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling 635 homes. As of FY-26, 81 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.1 new residents arrive annually for each new home approved between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating balanced supply and demand with stable market conditions. The average construction value of new properties is $342,000, aligning with regional trends.

This financial year has seen $11.7 million in commercial approvals, showing 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.

There are approximately 88 people per dwelling approval, suggesting an expanding market. By 2041, Torquay - Scarness - Kawungan is projected to grow by 684 residents (AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Given current development patterns, new housing supply should meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond projections.

Torquay - Scarness - Kawungan has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% 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 projects include Marina Square Development, HBC Build Australia Mixed-Use Development, Sheraton Hervey Bay Resort, and Hervey Bay Community Hub, with the following list detailing those likely to have the most relevance.

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

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.

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% in September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 9.1% over the previous year. As of that date, 6,822 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 2.3% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%.

Workforce participation lagged significantly at 50.8%, compared to Rest of Qld's 65.7%. Census responses showed that only 6.6% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Key industries for employment among residents were health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food services. The area had a particular specialization in health care & social assistance, with an employment share 1.6 times the regional level.

In contrast, agriculture, forestry & fishing employed only 1.2% of local workers, below Rest of Qld's 4.5%. Employment opportunities locally appeared limited, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. During the year to September 2025, employment levels increased by 9.1% and labour force grew by 9.5%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.4 percentage points. This contrasted with Rest of Qld where employment rose by 1.7%, labour force grew by 2.1%, and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 estimated that national employment would expand by 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 these are simple weighting extrapolations for illustrative purposes only and do not account for localized population projections.

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

The latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that Torquay - Scarness - Kawungan SA2 has lower incomes compared to the national average. The median income is $44,081 and the average income stands at $54,381. In contrast, Rest of Qld's median income is $53,146 with an average income of $66,593. Based on a 9.91% growth in wages since financial year 2023, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $48,449 (median) and $59,770 (average). The 2021 Census reveals that Torquay - Scarness - Kawungan's household, family and personal incomes fall between the 3rd and 5th percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate that 32.0% of individuals earn between $400 and $799 weekly, contrasting with the region where the highest bracket is $1,500 to $2,999 at 31.7%. Lower income households are prevalent, with 40.9% earning below $800 weekly, suggesting affordability pressures for many residents. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 82.3% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 4th percentile nationally.

Torquay - Scarness - Kawungan is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Torquay - Scarness - Kawungan, as per the latest Census evaluation, 73.6% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 26.4% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This compares to Non-Metro Qld's figures of 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in the area stood at 41.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 22.7% and rented ones at 36.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent in the area was $305, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $345. 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 constitute 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 account for the remaining 37.0%, with lone person households at 33.3% and group households comprising 3.7%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

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 Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 10.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.4%) and graduate diplomas (1.9%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 40.9% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.4%) and certificates (30.5%). A total of 24.5% of the population is actively engaged in formal education, with 8.9% in primary, 8.2% in secondary, and 2.6% in tertiary education.

A substantial 24.5% of the population actively pursues formal education. This includes 8.9% in primary education, 8.2% in secondary education, and 2.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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

The analysis of public transportation in the Torquay - Scarness - Kawungan area shows that there are 66 active transport stops currently operating. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 5 individual routes providing service to the area. Together, these routes facilitate 211 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of public transportation in this primarily residential region is rated as good, with residents typically located approximately 293 meters from their nearest transport stop. Despite this, car remains the dominant mode of commuting for residents, with 93% relying on personal vehicles to travel. This high rate of car ownership is reflected in the average vehicle ownership per dwelling, which stands at 1.1, below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, a relatively low 6.6% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency across all routes averages approximately 30 trips per day, equating to about 3 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, as assessed by AreaSearch through mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. A variety of health conditions impact both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 47% (around 7,969 people), compared to 52.5% in Rest of Qld and the national average of 55.7%.

Arthritis and mental health issues are the most prevalent conditions, affecting 13.3% and 10.3% of residents respectively. However, 54.5% claim to be free from medical ailments, compared to 67.6% in Rest of Qld. The working-age population experiences notable health challenges due to high chronic condition rates. The area has a higher proportion of seniors at 32.5% (around 5,541 people), compared to 20.4% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, generally aligning with national rankings.

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 lower cultural diversity with 81.2% of its population born in Australia, 88.4% being citizens, and 94.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 52.2%. This is similar to the regional figure of 52.2%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (33.3%), Australian (27.5%), and Scottish (8.4%). Notably, German ancestry was higher at 5.5% compared to the regional average of 4.7%, while Australian Aboriginal was slightly lower at 3.4% versus 3.9%. Maori ancestry was also lower at 0.6% compared to the regional figure of 0.8%.

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

Torquay - Scarness - Kawungan has a median age of 52, which is higher than the Rest of Qld figure of 41 and also above the national average of 38. The 65-74 age group makes up 16.1% of the population in Torquay - Scarness - Kawungan, compared to 10.9% in Rest of Qld and 9.5% nationally. Conversely, the 5-14 cohort is less prevalent at 8.4%. According to the 2021 Census, the 15-24 age group has grown from 9.0% to 10.4%, while the 35-44 cohort increased from 9.4% to 10.5%. However, the 5-14 cohort declined from 10.5% to 8.4%, and the 65-74 group decreased from 17.2% to 16.1%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Torquay - Scarness - Kawungan's age profile. The 85+ cohort is projected to increase by 468 people (60%), from 779 to 1,248. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 58% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic trend. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 55-64 and 5-14 cohorts.