Yeppoon
Statistical Area - sa2

Yeppoon lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Yeppoon's population, as of Aug 2025, is around 22,482. This reflects an increase of 2,238 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 20,244. The change was inferred from ABS estimates: Yeppoon's population was 22,120 in June 2024, with an additional 532 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 286 persons per square kilometer. Yeppoon's growth rate exceeded its SA4 region (6.4%) and SA3 area, marking it as a leader in regional population growth. Interstate migration contributed approximately 75.2% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including overseas migration and natural growth being positive factors.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 using 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data or years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are used, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. These state projections do not provide age category splits; thus AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort. By 2041, a significant population increase is forecasted for Yeppoon, with an expected gain of 7,567 persons and a total increase of 32.0%.

The level of residential development activity in Yeppoon was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

Yeppoon has received approximately 145 dwelling approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics provides development approval data on a financial year basis, with 729 homes approved over the past five years from FY20 to FY25, and 14 approved so far in FY26. On average, 2.5 people have moved to Yeppoon per new home constructed annually over these five financial years. The average construction cost of new homes has been $496,000, aligning with broader regional development trends.

This year, there have been $47.2 million in commercial approvals, indicating strong local business investment. Compared to the Rest of Queensland, Yeppoon records 154% more construction activity per person, offering buyers greater choice. New building activity consists of 84% detached houses and 16% medium and high-density housing, maintaining Yeppoon's traditional low-density character focused on family homes. With around 132 people per dwelling approval, Yeppoon exhibits characteristics of a growth area.

Population forecasts suggest Yeppoon will gain 7,205 residents by 2041. Given current development rates, housing supply may struggle to keep pace with population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Yeppoon has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 34thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 22 projects that could affect the region. Notable ones are Surf Lakes Yeppoon Wave Resort, Yeppoon Aquatic Centre Facilities Upgrade, Bay Plaza (Keppel Bay Plaza) Redevelopment, and Station Quarter Mixed-Use Development. 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 assessment positions Yeppoon ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Yeppoon has a skilled workforce with well-represented essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 3.2% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 4.4%.

As of June 2025, 12,002 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.7% below Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%, and workforce participation on par at 59.1%. Leading industries include health care & social assistance, education & training, and mining, which is particularly strong with an employment share three times the regional level. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing has lower representation at 1.4% versus the regional average of 4.5%. Over June 2024 to June 2025, employment increased by 4.4%, labour force by 5.3%, leading to an unemployment rise of 0.8 percentage points.

By comparison, Rest of Qld recorded employment growth of 1.8% and unemployment rose by 0.2 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 shows Queensland employment contracted by 0.23%, with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%. National forecasts suggest employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but local growth rates may differ based on industry-specific projections.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Yeppoon's median income at $55,607 and average income at $73,604. This compares to Rest of Qld's median income of $50,780 and average income of $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes for Yeppoon as of March 2025 would be approximately $62,119 (median) and $82,223 (average). Census 2021 income data ranks Yeppoon's household, family, and personal incomes modestly, between the 44th and 46th percentiles. The $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 29.9% of Yeppoon's community (6,722 individuals), similar to metropolitan regions where this cohort represents 31.7%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Yeppoon, with only 84.7% of income remaining, ranking at the 46th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

Yeppoon's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 83.4% houses and 16.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro Qld's 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Yeppoon was at 33.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 37.8% and rented ones at 28.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,733, while the median weekly rent figure was $350. Nationally, Yeppoon's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, with rents being less than the national figure of $375.

Yeppoon has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 72.3% of all households, including 28.0% couples with children, 32.8% couples without children, and 10.8% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 27.7%, with lone person households at 25.1% and group households comprising 2.6%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which matches the average for the Rest of Queensland.

Yeppoon shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

The area's university qualification rate is 19.3%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 13.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 41.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas (9.7%) and certificates (31.4%). Educational participation is high at 29.3%, including primary (10.8%), secondary (10.2%), and tertiary education (3.6%).

Yeppoon has a network of 7 schools educating approximately 4,396 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 991) and balanced educational opportunities. Education provision is balanced with 4 primary and 3 secondary schools serving distinct age groups.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health performance in Yeppoon is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Yeppoon faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is high at approximately 56% of the total population (~12,589 people), compared to 53.2% in the rest of Queensland.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 9.5 and 7.9% of residents respectively. 67.0% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 64.7% in the rest of Queensland. As of 21 June 2021, 21.6% of residents are aged 65 and over (4,847 people), which is higher than the 18.5% in the rest of Queensland. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

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

Yeppoon showed cultural diversity below average levels, with 88.4% being citizens, 87.0% born in Australia, and 96.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Yeppoon, comprising 56.2%, similar to the Rest of Qld's 56.3%. The top three ancestry groups were English (31.2%), Australian (29.8%), and Irish (9.6%).

Notably, German (4.9% vs regional 4.9%) and New Zealand (0.9% vs regional 0.6%) and Maori (0.7% vs regional 0.5%) ethnic groups showed higher representation than the regional averages.

Yeppoon hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Yeppoon is 42 years, close to the Rest of Queensland's average of 41 and notably higher than the Australian median of 38. Comparing Yeppoon with the Rest of Queensland, the cohort aged 65-74 years is over-represented at 12.3% locally, while those aged 25-34 are under-represented at 11.3%. Between the 2021 Census and present day, the proportion of Yeppoon's population aged 65 to 74 has increased from 11.4% to 12.3%, while the proportion aged 5 to 14 has declined from 13.3% to 12.0%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic shifts in Yeppoon. The cohort aged 25-34 is projected to expand by 1,237 individuals (48%), growing from 2,551 to 3,789 residents. Meanwhile, the 15-24 age group is expected to grow more modestly at 10%, adding only 260 residents.