Bargara

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

Bargara's population is estimated at 10,302 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 1,419 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 8,883. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 10,129 residents following examination of ABS ERP data released in June 2025 and an additional 519 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 1,099 persons per square kilometer. Bargara's growth rate of 16.0% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area (9.1%) and the Rest of Qld region, marking it as a growth leader. Interstate migration contributed approximately 83.0% of overall population 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 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 proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data are applied where utilised. Future population dynamics anticipate an above median growth for Australia's non-metropolitan areas, with the suburb expected to grow by 2,083 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of 18.5% in total over the 16 years.

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

Between FY-21 and FY-25, Bargara experienced approximately 694 dwelling approvals annually. In the current financial year FY-26253 approvals have been recorded to date. Each dwelling has supported an average of 2.5 new residents per year over these five years. The average construction cost value for new homes is $494,000.

Commercial approvals totalled $15.8 million in FY-26. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Bargara has seen a 135% increase in development activity per capita. Recent construction comprises 89% detached dwellings and 11% medium and high-density housing. As of now, there are around 72 people per approval in Bargara. By 2041, the area is projected to grow by approximately 1,910 residents.

Current development rates should comfortably meet demand, providing favourable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Bargara has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Area infrastructure changes significantly influence local performance. AreaSearch identified ten projects likely impacting the region. Notable projects are Club Bargara Resort Development, Bargara Emerging Communities Infrastructure Planning, MIRA Living, and Bargara Headlands Estate. The following details projects of greatest relevance.

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

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Employment conditions in Bargara demonstrate strong performance, ranking among the top 35% of areas assessed nationally

Bargara has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well-represented. The unemployment rate was 2.8% as of December 2025. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 8.7%.

There were 4,632 residents in work by December 2025, with an unemployment rate of 1.2% below Regional Qld's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation was lower at 53.4%, compared to Regional Qld's 64.5%. Only 7.7% of residents worked from home, considering Covid-19 lockdown impacts. Leading employment industries were health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade.

Health care & social assistance had particularly notable concentration, with employment levels at 1.6 times the regional average. Construction had limited presence at 8.1%, compared to Regional Qld's 10.1%. The area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment increased by 8.7% while labour force grew by 8.5%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.1 percentage points. In contrast, Regional Qld saw employment rise by 0.7%, labour force grow by 1.0%, and unemployment increase by 0.3 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, May-25, projected national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Bargara's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.6% over ten years.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

Bargara suburb's income level is below national average according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year ended 30 June 2023. Median income among taxpayers in Bargara was $48,345 and average income stood at $59,738, compared to Regional Qld's figures of $53,146 and $66,593 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year ended 2023, current estimates would be approximately $53,837 (median) and $66,524 (average) as of March 2026. Census data from 2021 shows household, family and personal incomes in Bargara all fall between 17th and 20th percentiles nationally. Income distribution reveals that predominant cohort spans 26.2% of locals (2,699 people) in $800 - $1,499 category, differing from broader area where $1,500 - $2,999 category predominates at 31.7%. After housing costs, 85.7% of income remains, ranking at 20th percentile nationally, and area's SEIFA income ranking places it in fifth decile.

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

Dwelling structure in Bargara, as evaluated at the latest Census held on 28 August 2016, comprised 78.4% houses and 21.5% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This is compared to Regional Queensland's dwelling structure of 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bargara was at 47.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 24.8% and rented dwellings at 27.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area, as of 2016 data, was $1,517, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $340. In comparison, Regional Queensland had mortgage repayments of $1,655 and rents of $345. Nationally, Bargara's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Bargara has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 69.8% of all households, including 19.3% couples with children, 41.3% couples without children, and 8.6% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 30.2%, consisting of 27.7% lone person households and 2.4% group households. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Regional Queensland average of 2.5.

Bargara shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Bargara's educational attainment is notably higher than broader averages. Among residents aged 15+, 23.7% have university qualifications compared to 13.3% in the SA4 region and 14.7% in the SA3 area. Bachelor degrees are most common at 16.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.5%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 35.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.6%) and certificates (25.2%).

A significant portion of the population is actively engaged in education, with 22.3% pursuing formal education. This includes 8.3% in primary education, 7.1% in secondary education, and 3.1% in tertiary education.

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

Bargara has 48 operational public transport stops, serving a mix of bus routes. These stops are covered by one route in total, offering 93 weekly passenger trips combined. Transport access is deemed good, with residents typically situated 219 meters from the nearest stop. Predominantly residential, most commuters travel outward. Cars remain the primary mode at 94%. Average vehicle ownership per dwelling stands at 1.2, below regional averages.

Home work rates are relatively low at 7.7% (2021 Census data; COVID-19 conditions may influence this). Service frequency averages 13 trips daily across all routes, equating to roughly one weekly trip per individual stop.

Bargara'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

Bargara's health metrics closely match national benchmarks, as assessed by AreaSearch using mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence.

Common health conditions are standard across both young and old age groups, with private health cover at approximately 51% of the total population (around 5,241 people). The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (12.9%) and mental health issues (8.1%). About 59.0% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 67.6% in Regional Qld. Working-age residents face significant health challenges due to higher chronic condition rates. Bargara has 38.1% of residents aged 65 and over (3,925 people), exceeding Regional Qld's 20.4%. Senior health outcomes are above average, aligning with national rankings for the general population.

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

Bargara, as per the data, has a lower than average cultural diversity level. It was found that 80.0% of its population were born in Australia, with 89.3% being citizens and 94.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Bargara, accounting for 57.8% of its population, compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld.

The top three ancestry groups are English (32.7%), Australian (26.1%), and Irish (9.5%). Notably, German ancestry is overrepresented at 6.1%, compared to the regional average of 4.7%. Similarly, Scottish ancestry is higher at 9.1% versus 7.8% regionally, and Welsh ancestry is slightly higher at 0.7% compared to 0.5%.

Bargara ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Bargara is 54 years, significantly higher than Regional Queensland's average of 41 years and the national norm of 38 years. The 65-74 age cohort is notably over-represented in Bargara at 18.9%, compared to Regional Queensland's average of 12.7% and the national average of 9.4%. Meanwhile, the 5-14 year-olds are under-represented at 7.9%. Since 2021, the 75-84 age group has grown from 12.9% to 14.5%, while the 5-14 cohort has declined from 10.1% to 7.9% and the 45-54 group has dropped from 11.7% to 10.3%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic changes for Bargara. The 85+ age cohort is projected to grow by 119%, adding 576 residents to reach 1,061. Senior residents aged 65 and above will drive 68% of population growth, underscoring demographic aging trends. Conversely, both the 5-14 and 15-24 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.