Agnes Water

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

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census, Agnes Water's population is estimated at around 3,363 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 634 people (23.2%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,729 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 3,306 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 205 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 83 persons per square kilometer. Agnes Water's 23.2% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA4 region (6.8%) and the SA3 area, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by interstate migration that contributed approximately 86.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. 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 do not provide age category splits; hence where utilised, AreaSearch is applying proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data for each age cohort. Looking at population projections moving forward, a population increase just below the median of non-metropolitan areas nationally is expected. The suburb is expected to increase by 459 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 11.9% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Agnes Water among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Agnes Water has averaged approximately 35 new dwelling approvals per year. Between FY-21 and FY-25, around 177 homes were approved, with a further 22 approved in FY-26 to date. On average, 3.2 people have moved to the area for each dwelling built over the past five financial years.

This suggests that supply is lagging behind demand, potentially leading to heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures. The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings is $513,000, slightly above the regional average. There has been $1.5 million in commercial approvals this financial year, reflecting the area's residential nature. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Agnes Water records 295.0% more new home approvals per person, offering buyers greater choice. However, construction activity has eased recently.

This is substantially higher than nationally, indicating strong developer confidence in the location. Recent building activity consists entirely of detached dwellings, maintaining the area's traditional low density character and focus on family homes. Agnes Water reflects a developing area, with approximately 114 people per approval. Future projections estimate an addition of 402 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Agnes Water has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified two projects that may impact the area: Discovery Drive Residential Development (Lot 2 Captain Cook Drive) and Laguna Agnes Water. Other notable projects include Port Of Gladstone Land And Sea Access Upgrade and Queensland Central REZ. The following details those most relevant.

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The labour market performance in Agnes Water lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Agnes Water has a skilled workforce with prominent tourism and hospitality sectors. Its unemployment rate is 5.1%, as per AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation in December 2025. There are 1,437 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 6.1%, which is 1.1% higher than Regional Qld's rate of 4.0%.

Workforce participation stands at 54.6%, significantly lower than Regional Qld's 65.4%. According to Census responses, 15.7% of residents work from home, considering Covid-19 lockdown impacts. Employment is concentrated in accommodation & food, construction, and retail trade. Agnes Water has a particular employment specialization in accommodation & food, with an employment share 2.1 times the regional level.

Conversely, health care & social assistance is under-represented, with only 7.1% of Agnes Water's workforce compared to Regional Qld's 16.1%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census working population vs resident population comparison. Over the 12 months to December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 2.8%, alongside a 1.6% employment decline, resulting in a 1.1 percentage point fall in unemployment rate. This contrasts with Regional Qld where employment grew by 0.7%, labour force expanded by 1.0%, and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest potential future demand within Agnes Water. Applying these projections to Agnes Water's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 5.8% over five years and 12.1% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

The suburb of Agnes Water's income level is below the national average according to the latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers in Agnes Water is $45,200 and the average income stands at $63,937. In comparison, Regional Qld's figures are $53,146 (median) and $66,593 (average). Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Agnes Water would be approximately $49,679 (median) and $70,273 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Agnes Water all fall between the 8th and 9th percentiles nationally. In Agnes Water, 28.9% of the population (971 individuals) have incomes within the $800 - 1,499 range, contrasting with Regional Qld where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket leads at 31.7%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Agnes Water, with only 83.3% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 9th percentile nationally.

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

The dwelling structure in Agnes Water, as per the latest Census, consists of 87.8% houses and 12.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Regional Qld's 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Agnes Water stands at 44.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 30.9% and rented ones at 24.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area is $1,500, lower than Regional Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent figure in Agnes Water is recorded at $320, compared to Regional Qld's $345. Nationally, Agnes Water's mortgage repayments are significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are substantially below the national figure of $375.

Agnes Water features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 69.2% of all households, including 22.8% couples with children, 37.7% couples without children, and 7.5% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 30.8%, with lone person households at 26.4% and group households comprising 4.7%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Regional Queensland average of 2.5.

Educational attainment in Agnes Water aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 18.6%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.1%) and graduate diplomas (2.6%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 48.3% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (11.2%) and certificates (37.1%). Educational participation is high at 29.8%, comprising primary education (12.6%), secondary education (9.6%), and tertiary education (2.7%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 29.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.6% in primary education, 9.6% in secondary education, and 2.7% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Agnes Water's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data for Agnes Water shows positive outcomes, aligning with national benchmarks.

Common health conditions are low across all age groups. Private health cover stands at approximately 53%, slightly above the average SA2 area. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (9.9%) and mental health issues (8.8%), while 67.8% of residents report no medical ailments, similar to Regional Qld's 67.6%. Working-age residents have a higher prevalence of chronic health conditions. Agnes Water has 22.8% of residents aged 65 and over (766 people), higher than Regional Qld's 20.4%. Health outcomes among seniors are strong, ranking even higher than the general population nationally.

Agnes Water ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Agnes Water's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 81.1% of its population being Australian citizens and 82.2% born in Australia. A majority, 95.6%, spoke English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 46.0% of Agnes Water's population.

While Judaism made up just 0.2% of the population, this figure was higher than the regional average of 0.1%. The top three ancestry groups were English (32.3%), Australian (29.9%), and Irish (8.0%). Notably, Russian ancestry was overrepresented at 0.7%, compared to the regional average of 0.2%. Similarly, German ancestry stood at 5.6% versus the regional figure of 4.7%, and New Zealand ancestry was 1.1% against the regional average of 0.9%.

Agnes Water hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Agnes Water's median age is 49 years, which is significantly higher than the Regional Queensland average of 41 and substantially exceeds the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 55-64 are particularly prominent at 19.1%, while those aged 25-34 make up only 6.5% of the population, which is smaller than in Regional Queensland. This concentration of people aged 55-64 is well above the national average of 11.2%. From 2021 to present, the age group of 15 to 24 has grown from 6.5% to 8.2%, while those aged 75 to 84 increased from 4.2% to 5.6%. Conversely, the age group of 45 to 54 has declined from 16.8% to 14.9%. By 2041, Agnes Water is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. The 65 to 74 age group is projected to grow by 17 people, reaching 645 from 551. Meanwhile, the 15 to 24 cohort is projected to decline by 21 people.