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 Feb 2026, it had risen to around 6,338, an increase of 205 people (3.3%). This growth is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 6,317 in June 2024 and the addition of 80 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density was approximately 301 persons per square kilometer as of Feb 2026. Overseas migration contributed about 75.2% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including interstate migration and natural growth being positive factors.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area 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 adopted. These state projections lack age category splits; thus, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data for each age cohort when utilising them. By 2041, the population is projected to increase by approximately 540 persons to around 6,878, reflecting an overall increase of 8.2% over the 17 years from 2024 to 2041 based on 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 moved to the area each year for every dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25. This indicates that new construction is meeting or exceeding demand, providing more options for buyers and facilitating population growth.

The average expected construction cost of new dwellings is $294,000, which is below regional levels, suggesting more affordable housing choices. In FY-26, there have been $323,000 in commercial approvals, reflecting a predominantly residential focus. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach has seen significantly reduced construction activity, with 53.0% fewer new homes per person than the regional average. This scarcity typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Nationally, this activity is also below average, suggesting maturity in the area and potential planning constraints. Recent construction consists of 26.0% standalone homes and 74.0% townhouses or apartments. This shift towards compact living offers affordable entry pathways, attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers.

It marks a significant departure from existing housing patterns, which are currently 55.0% houses. This change may indicate diminishing developable land availability and evolving lifestyle preferences. The estimated population per dwelling approval in the area is 1076 people, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach is expected to grow by 519 residents through to 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, offering 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 to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified seven projects likely impacting this region. Notable ones are Navigation Drive Road Link, Half Moon Bay Estate, Woolworths Trinity Beach Shopping Centre, and Bluewater Living. The following details these projects in order of 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.

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

Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach has a skilled workforce with notable representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate as of September 2025 is 4.2%. There are 3,503 residents employed while the unemployment rate is 0.2% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%.

Workforce participation is at par with Rest of Qld's 65.7%. According to Census responses, 15.2% of residents work from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, construction, and accommodation & food services. Health care & social assistance stands out with employment levels at 1.3 times the regional average.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 1.1% versus the regional average of 4.5%. The area may offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census working population vs resident population comparison. Over the 12 months to September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 2.0%, with employment decreasing by 3.5%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.5 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of Qld where employment grew by 1.7% and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but industry-specific projections vary significantly. Applying these projections to Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only and does not account for localised population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023 shows Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $55,331 and an average income of $65,336. Nationally, the median was $53,146 and the average was $66,593. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $60,814 (median) and $71,811 (average), based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91%. The 2021 Census records personal income at the 47th percentile ($791 weekly) and household income at the 22nd percentile. Income analysis reveals 30.9% of the population, or 1,958 individuals, fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 82.8% of income remaining after housing costs, 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

Dwelling structure in Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach, as evaluated at the 2016 Census, comprised 54.6% houses and 45.4% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach was at 27.9%, with the remainder mortgaged (31.3%) or rented (40.8%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,408, below Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,655 and the national average of $1,863. Median weekly rent in Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach was $310, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $345 and 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, 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

Yorkeys Knob's educational qualifications trail regional benchmarks, with 24.8% of residents aged 15+ holding university degrees compared to Australia's 30.4%. University degree holders lead at 17.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.8%) and graduate diplomas (2.8%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 42.5% of residents aged 15+ holding them – advanced diplomas (12.8%) and certificates (29.7%). Educational participation is high, with 28.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: primary (8.9%), secondary (7.9%), and tertiary (4.9%).

Educational participation is notably 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 operational public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by four different routes that collectively facilitate 464 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is deemed good, with residents typically residing 221 meters from the nearest stop. As a predominantly residential region, most inhabitants commute outside the area, with cars being the primary mode of transportation at 92%. On average, there are 1.2 vehicles per dwelling, lower than the regional norm. According to the 2021 Census, 15.2% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

The service frequency averages 66 trips daily across all routes, translating to roughly 18 weekly trips per individual stop.

Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Yorkeys Knob Machans Beach's health metrics closely align with national benchmarks, according to AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence.

The area has a standard level of common health conditions across both young and old age cohorts. Private health cover is slightly lower at approximately 52% of the total population (~3,289 people). Mental health issues and arthritis are the most common medical conditions, affecting 8.9% and 8.6% of residents respectively. 68.3% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 67.6% across Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among working-age residents are typical. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 22.7%, or 1,441 people, compared to 20.4% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, with national rankings even higher than the general population.

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 had a cultural diversity above average, with 9.7% of its population speaking languages other than English at home and 24.7% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 39.7% of the population. Notably, Judaism was overrepresented at 0.2%, compared to 0.1% in the rest of Queensland.

The top three parental ancestry groups were English (29.2%), Australian (22.2%), and Irish (10.1%). French, Scottish, and German ethnicities showed notable divergences: French was overrepresented at 0.9%, Scottish at 9.1%, and German at 4.5%.

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

Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach has a median age of 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 (14.5%), but fewer residents aged 5-14 (8.1%). This concentration of 65-74 year-olds is well above the national average of 9.5%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 has grown from 4.9% to 6.8%, while the 35 to 44 cohort increased from 12.5% to 14.0%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 16.4% to 13.9%, and the 5 to 14 group dropped from 10.3% to 8.1%. By 2041, Yorkeys Knob - Machans Beach is projected to experience notable shifts in its age composition. The 25 to 34 age group is expected to grow by 23%, reaching 959 people from 778. Conversely, the 55 to 64 and 5 to 14 cohorts are anticipated to decrease in population.