Black River (Qld)

An assessment of population growth drivers in Black River reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, as of Feb 2026 the suburb of Black River (Qld) has an estimated population of around 1,682. This reflects an increase of 189 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 1,493 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 1,638 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 46 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 27 persons per square kilometer. Black River's growth rate of 12.7% since the 2021 census exceeded that of its SA4 region (7.1%) and SA3 area, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 68.0% 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, and Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data for areas not covered by this data and years post-2032. It should be noted that 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, an above median population growth of Australia's regional areas is projected, with the suburb expected to expand by 302 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections reflecting an increase of 15.3% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Black River recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Black River had around 7 new homes approved annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25, approximately 38 homes were approved, with 2 more in FY-26 to date. Each dwelling added an average of 3 new residents over the past five financial years.

New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $445,000. This year, $938,000 in commercial approvals have been registered, reflecting the area's residential nature. Compared to Rest of Qld, Black River has seen 19.0% more development per person over the past five years, supporting property values while maintaining buyer choice.

Recent building activity consists solely of standalone homes, preserving the area's low-density character and appealing to those seeking space. There are approximately 286 people per dwelling approval in Black River, indicating potential for growth. By 2041, AreaSearch projects a population increase of 258 residents. Building activity is aligning with these growth projections, though increased competition may arise as the population expands.

Black River has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

No changes have significantly impacted the area's performance more than local infrastructure adjustments, large-scale projects, and planning undertakings. AreaSearch has pinpointed zero projects predicted to affect the region. Notable initiatives encompass Sunshine State Solar Farm and Battery project, Bruce Highway upgrade program between Townsville and Ingham, Queensland National Land Transport Network Maintenance, and Flinders Highway pavement strengthening and rehabilitation (Package 1), with the following list outlining those most pertinent.

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

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AreaSearch assessment positions Black River ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Black River's workforce is balanced across white and blue collar jobs. The construction sector stands out with a 3.2% unemployment rate and stable employment over the past year, according to AreaSearch data aggregation. As of December 2025812 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.8% below Regional Qld's 4.0%.

Workforce participation is lower at 63.1%, compared to Regional Qld's 65.4%. Census data shows that 10.4% of residents work from home. Leading employment industries are construction, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Construction has a notable concentration with levels at 1.5 times the regional average.

Health care & social assistance has limited presence at 10.4%, compared to Regional Qld's 16.1%. The area may offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by Census data comparing working population to resident population. Over the past year, labour force increased by 0.2% while employment declined by 0.5%, raising unemployment by 0.7 percentage points. In contrast, Regional Qld saw employment grow by 0.7%, labour force expand by 1.0%, and unemployment rise by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 offer insights into potential future demand in Black River. These projections estimate national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Black River's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.7% over five years and 12.2% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localized population projections.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

The latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that Black River suburb has a median income of $66,811 and an average income of $75,488. This is higher than Regional Qld's median income of $53,146 and average income of $66,593. By September 2025, with a 9.91% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023, the estimated median income would be approximately $73,432 and the average income would be around $82,969. Census data indicates that incomes in Black River cluster around the 58th percentile nationally. The distribution shows that 38.7% of residents earn between $1,500 to $2,999 weekly, which is similar to the regional pattern where 31.7% fall within this range. After housing costs, residents retain 87.0% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

Black River is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Dwelling structure in Black River, as evaluated at the latest Census, consisted of 97.8% houses and 2.2% other dwellings. In comparison, Regional Qld had 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Black River was 33.1%, similar to Regional Qld's level. The remaining dwellings were either mortgaged (57.0%) or rented (9.9%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,625, below Regional Qld's average of $1,655 and the Australian average of $1,863. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $320, lower than Regional Qld's $345 and the national figure of $375.

Black River features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 80.0% of all households, including 34.2% couples with children, 33.2% couples without children, and 11.4% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 20.0%, with lone person households at 17.2% and group households comprising 2.9%. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Regional Queensland average of 2.5.

The educational profile of Black River exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 10.2%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 8.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.6%) and graduate diplomas (0.5%). Trade and technical skills are prevalent, with 48.7% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (9.6%) and certificates (39.1%).

Educational participation is high, with 30.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.6% in primary education, 7.4% in secondary education, and 2.9% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

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

Black River faces significant health challenges, based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high among both younger and older age cohorts, with common health conditions somewhat prevalent.

Private health cover is very high at approximately 57% of the total population (~960 people), compared to 52.5% across Regional Qld. The most common medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 8.6 and 8.5% of residents respectively. 67.2% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. The working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 16.9% of residents aged 65 and over (284 people), which is lower than the 20.4% in Regional Qld, but national rankings are even higher than the general population.

The latest Census data sees Black River placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Black River's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 89.9% of its population being citizens, 91.2% born in Australia, and 98.5% speaking English only at home. The dominant religion in Black River is Christianity, comprising 56.3% of the population, compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld. In terms of ancestry, the top three represented groups are Australian (32.2%), English (31.9%), and Irish (8.8%).

Notably, Samoan representation is higher at 0.4%, Australian Aboriginal at 4.1%, and German at 4.0% compared to regional averages.

Black River's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age in Black River is 41 years, matching Regional Queensland's average and being somewhat older than Australia's average of 38 years. Compared to Regional Queensland, Black River has a higher proportion of residents aged 55-64 at 14.8%, but fewer residents aged 85+ at 0.2%. Post the 2021 Census, the population aged 15-24 grew from 9.1% to 10.2%, while those aged 75-84 increased from 4.0% to 5.1%. Conversely, the 45-54 age group declined from 14.0% to 12.0%, and the 5-14 age group decreased from 14.2% to 13.0%. Looking forward to 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Black River's age structure. Notably, the 25-34 age group is projected to grow by 30%, increasing from 225 to 293 people. Meanwhile, the 15-24 age group is expected to remain unchanged at 0%.