Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach

Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach's population was 6,133 as of the 2021 Census. By Nov 2025, it is estimated to be around 6,323, reflecting an increase of approximately 190 people (3.1%) since the Census date. This growth is inferred from the ABS's estimated resident population of 6,317 as of June 2024 and an additional 77 validated new addresses since then. The population density ratio is around 301 persons per square kilometer. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 75.2% of overall gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, based on 2021 data released in 2023. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings based on ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 with a base year of 2022. Looking ahead, the area is expected to expand by approximately 540 persons to reach around 6,863 by 2041, reflecting an increase of about 8.4% over the 17-year period based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach has seen approximately 21 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling 106 homes. As of FY-26, 21 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.6 people per year moved to the area for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25. The average construction value of new dwellings is $294,000, which is below regional levels.

This financial year has seen $323,000 in commercial approvals. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach shows significantly reduced construction, with 53.0% fewer new homes per person than the regional average. Recent construction comprises 26.0% standalone homes and 74.0% townhouses or apartments, a shift from the current housing pattern of 55.0% houses. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 1076 people. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach is expected to grow by 534 residents by 2041.

Looking ahead, Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach is expected to grow by 534 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch identified six projects expected to influence this region. Notable initiatives are Navigation Drive Road Link, Half Moon Bay Estate, Bluewater Living, Seascape Terraces, Trinity Park. The following details projects deemed most relevant:.

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.

Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach has a skilled workforce with well-represented essential services sectors. The unemployment rate is 4.2%.

As of September 2025, there are 3,503 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, which is 0.2% higher than the Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation is similar to Rest of Qld at 59.1%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, construction, and accommodation & food. Notably, health care & social assistance has employment levels at 1.3 times the regional average.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 1.1% compared to the regional average of 4.5%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities as indicated by Census data. Over the year ending September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 2.0%, and employment decreased by 3.5%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.5 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of Qld saw employment grow by 1.7% and unemployment rise by 0.3 percentage points. State-level data from 25-Nov shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1,210 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%, closely aligned with the national rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts suggest growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data from financial year 2022 shows Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $51,900 and an average of $62,535. Nationally, the median was $50,780 and the average was $64,844. By September 2025, estimates suggest the median would be approximately $59,161 and the average $71,284, accounting for a 13.99% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022. The 2021 Census reported weekly personal income at the 47th percentile ($791) and household income at the 22nd percentile. Income analysis indicates 30.9% of the population (1,953 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, mirroring regional trends where 31.7% occupy this bracket. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 82.8% of income remaining, ranking at the 21st percentile.

Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

The dwelling structure in Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach, as per the latest Census, consisted of 54.6% houses and 45.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro Qld's 80.8% houses and 19.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach was 27.9%, with 31.3% of dwellings mortgaged and 40.8% rented. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,408, below Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent figure was $310, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $390. Nationally, Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, with rents substantially below the national figure of $375.

Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 57.3% of all households, including 16.3% couples with children, 26.1% couples without children, and 14.2% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 42.7%, with lone person households at 37.4% and group households making up 5.2%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

Educational qualifications in Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach trail show that 24.8% of residents aged 15 and above hold university degrees, compared to the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 17.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 4.8% and graduate diplomas at 2.8%. Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 42.5% of residents holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (12.8%) and certificates (29.7%). Educational participation is high, with 28.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 8.9% in primary education, 7.9% in secondary education, and 4.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach has 25 active public transport stops. These are served by buses on four different routes, offering a total of 464 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy good transport accessibility, with an average distance of 221 meters to the nearest stop.

Service frequency is 66 trips per day across all routes, equating to around 18 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health outcomes in Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach are marginally below the national average with common health conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts

Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach has below-average health indicators with common conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age groups.

Private health cover is approximately 51% of the total population (~3,231 people), lagging behind the average SA2 area. The most common medical conditions are mental health issues (8.9%) and arthritis (8.6%). 68.3% of residents report no medical ailments compared to 73.1% in Rest of Qld. The area has 22.1% of residents aged 65 and over (1,399 people), higher than the 16.7% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors are strong and perform better than the general population in health metrics.

In terms of cultural diversity, Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Yorkeys Knob-Machans Beach, surveyed in 2016, had 9.7% of its population speaking a language other than English at home. Born overseas, 24.7% resided there by 2016. Christianity was the predominant religion, with 39.7%.

Judaism's representation stood at 0.2%, compared to the regional average of 0.2%. Parents' country of birth revealed top ancestry groups: English (29.2%), Australian (22.2%), and Irish (10.1%). French (0.9% vs 0.7%), Scottish (9.1% vs 8.0%), and German (4.5% vs 4.3%) showed notable overrepresentation compared to regional averages.

Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach's median age is 46 years, which is significantly higher than Rest of Qld's 41 years and the national average of 38 years. Compared to Rest of Qld, Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach has a higher proportion of residents aged 65-74 (14.2%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (8.7%). Between the 2021 Census and present, the population aged 75 to 84 has grown from 4.9% to 6.5%, while the 15 to 24 cohort increased from 8.6% to 9.8%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort declined from 16.4% to 14.7%, and the 5 to 14 group dropped from 10.3% to 8.7%. By 2041, Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach is projected to experience notable shifts in its age composition. The 25 to 34 group is expected to grow by 27%, reaching 959 people from 754. Meanwhile, the 45 to 54 and 55 to 64 cohorts are anticipated to see population declines.