Walkervale - Avenell Heights
Statistical Area - sa2

Walkervale - Avenell Heights is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Walkervale - Avenell Heights' population is approximately 11,313 as of August 2025. This figure indicates an increase of 331 people, a rise of 3.0%, since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 10,982. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 11,322 as of June 2024 and an additional 40 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 909 persons per square kilometer, broadly inline with averages observed across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed approximately 55.5% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary growth for the area.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 using 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 inline with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 using a base year of 2022. Future population trends suggest an increase just below the median of regional areas nationally, with the area expected to expand by 884 persons to 2041 based on the latest population numbers, indicating a total gain of 7.9% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Walkervale - Avenell Heights, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Walkervale - Avenell Heights has seen approximately 13 new homes approved annually. Development approval data, produced by the ABS on a financial year basis, shows 65 homes were approved between FY21 and FY25, with no approvals yet in FY26. On average, each dwelling accommodates around 2.5 new residents per year over the past five financial years. New homes are constructed at an average cost of $355,000, reflecting more affordable housing options compared to regional norms.

In FY26, $8.9 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating the area's primarily residential nature. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Walkervale - Avenell Heights has significantly less development activity, 82.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established properties. New building activity consists of 67.0% detached houses and 33.0% attached dwellings, showing an expanding range of medium-density options to cater to varying price brackets and lifestyles. The area currently has an estimated 1343 people per dwelling approval, reflecting its quiet development environment. Future projections indicate Walkervale - Avenell Heights will add 893 residents by 2041.

If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Walkervale - Avenell Heights has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 37thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 18 projects that could affect the region. Notable projects include St Vincent de Paul Social Housing at Walkervale Bundaberg, a new Bundaberg Hospital at Thabeban, and a community site lease on Goodwood Road (432-434). The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

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

AreaSearch analysis reveals Walkervale - Avenell Heights recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Walkervale - Avenell Heights had an unemployment rate of 6.3% with estimated employment growth of 6.6% in the year ending June 2025. As of that date, 5,236 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 2.4% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation lagged significantly at 50.8%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Employment was concentrated in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training, with a strong specialization in health care & social assistance (1.3 times the regional level). Mining employed only 1.4% of local workers, below Rest of Qld's 3.6%. Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 6.6% while labour force grew by 7.3%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.6 percentage points.

In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment and labour force growth of 1.8% and 2.0% respectively, with unemployment rising by 0.2 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 showed QLD employment contracted by 0.23%, losing 8,070 jobs, while the state unemployment rate was 4.2%. National unemployment stood at 4.5%, with national employment growth of 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Walkervale - Avenell Heights' employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.3%% over five years and 13.5% over ten years.

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

Walkervale - Avenell Heights' income level is lower than average nationally according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. Its median income among taxpayers was $42,883 and average income stood at $52,990, compared to Rest of Qld's figures of $50,780 and $64,844 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year 2022, estimated current incomes are approximately $47,905 (median) and $59,195 (average) as of March 2025. According to 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes in Walkervale - Avenell Heights fall between the 8th and 10th percentiles nationally. Income analysis shows largest segment comprises 28.3% earning $400-$799 weekly (3,201 residents), differing from metropolitan region patterns where $1,500-$2,999 dominates with 31.7%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 84.6% of income remaining, ranking at the 10th percentile.

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

In Walkervale - Avenell Heights, as recorded in the latest Census, 85.3% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 14.6% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This is similar to Non-Metro Qld's dwelling structure of 84.6% houses and 15.4% other dwellings. The home ownership rate in Walkervale - Avenell Heights was 37.2%, with the rest being mortgaged (27.7%) or rented (35.1%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,186, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,300. The median weekly rent figure for Walkervale - Avenell Heights was $275, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $285. Nationally, mortgage repayments in the area were significantly lower at $1,186 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Walkervale - Avenell Heights features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 66.1% of all households, including 21.5% couples with children, 27.6% couples without children, and 15.7% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 33.9%, with lone person households at 30.0% and group households comprising 3.7%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which matches the average for the Rest of Qld.

Walkervale - Avenell Heights faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 11.3%, substantially below the Australian average of 30.4%. This represents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 8.6%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.4%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.3%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 39.6% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (7.5%) and certificates (32.1%).

Educational participation is notably high at 26.9%, including 10.3% in primary education, 8.7% in secondary education, and 2.8% pursuing tertiary education. The three schools in Walkervale - Avenell Heights have a combined enrollment of 925 students, focusing exclusively on primary education with secondary options available in surrounding areas. School places per 100 residents stand at 8.2, below the regional average of 13.9, indicating some students may attend schools in adjacent areas.

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

Transport analysis indicates 47 active stops operating in Walkervale - Avenell Heights area. These are served by buses along four routes, offering a total of 177 weekly passenger trips. Residential accessibility to transport is rated excellent, with residents typically located 192 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 25 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately three weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Walkervale - Avenell Heights is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Critical health challenges are evident across Walkervale - Avenell Heights, with a range of health conditions impacting both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is very low at approximately 47% of the total population (~5,283 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 11.4 and 10.7% of residents respectively. Meanwhile, 56.9% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 59.1% across Rest of Qld. The area has 23.7% of residents aged 65 and over (2,681 people), which is lower than the 26.3% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

Walkervale - Avenell Heights is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Walkervale-Avenell Heights showed lower cultural diversity, with 90.1% citizens, 89.8% born in Australia, and 95.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, at 54.0%, matching Rest of Qld's figure. Top ancestry groups were Australian (31.4%), English (31.0%), and Irish (7.1%).

Notably, German ancestry was higher at 6.8% compared to regional 6.4%, Australian Aboriginal at 4.8% versus 3.4%, and Filipino at 1.2% against regional 0.8%.

Walkervale - Avenell Heights hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Walkervale - Avenell Heights is 42 years, close to Rest of Qld's average of 41 but well above the Australian median of 38. Compared to Rest of Qld, the 75-84 cohort is over-represented locally at 8.7%, while the 45-54 age group is under-represented at 10.5%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the 25-34 age group has grown from 11.9% to 13.4% of the population, whereas the 55-64 cohort has declined from 12.9% to 11.8%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Walkervale - Avenell Heights. The 25-34 age group is projected to expand by 432 people (29%), from 1,517 to 1,950. Meanwhile, the 55-64 and 5-14 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.