Boyne Island

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

As of February 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Boyne Island is around 5,083. This figure reflects an increase of 248 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,835. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of the resident population at 5,047 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024, along with an additional 16 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population results in a density ratio of 110 persons per square kilometer. The suburb's growth rate of 5.1% since the census is within 1.7 percentage points of the SA4 region's growth rate of 6.8%. Natural growth contributed approximately 38.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including overseas migration and interstate migration being positive factors.

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 used. These state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Considering projected demographic shifts, a population increase just below Australia's regional areas median is expected for Boyne Island, with an anticipated increase of 595 persons to 2041, reflecting an overall increase of 11.6% over the 17-year period.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Boyne Island when compared nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, indicates Boyne Island has seen approximately 23 new homes approved annually. Over the past five financial years, between FY-21 and FY-25, around 119 homes were approved, with an additional 11 approved so far in FY-26.

This translates to an average of 1.9 people moving to the area per dwelling built over these years, suggesting a balanced supply and demand market that supports stable conditions. The average construction cost value for new dwellings is $469,000, slightly above the regional average, indicating a focus on quality developments. Comparatively, Boyne Island has seen 46.0% more development per person than the rest of Queensland over this five-year period. This balances buyer choice while supporting current property values. The new development consists of 43.0% standalone homes and 57.0% townhouses or apartments, demonstrating a trend towards denser development that caters to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers.

This shift reflects the reduced availability of development sites and addresses changing lifestyle demands and affordability requirements. Boyne Island currently has around 146 people per dwelling approval, indicating characteristics of a low density area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the population is forecasted to grow by 590 residents through to 2041. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating further population growth beyond current projections.

Boyne Island 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 four projects expected to impact the area: Boyne Tannum Aquatic Centre, Riverstone Rise, Tannum Sands Priority Development Area, and Hughes Road Battery Energy Storage System. The following list details these key projects in order of relevance.

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

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The employment environment in Boyne Island shows above-average strength when compared nationally

Boyne Island has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs. The construction sector is prominent. As of September 2025, the unemployment rate is 3.1%.

Employment growth over the past year is estimated at 1.0%. This rate is lower than Rest of Qld's 4.1% unemployment rate. Workforce participation in Boyne Island is higher at 74.0%, compared to Rest of Qld's 65.7%. According to Census responses, only 5.9% of residents work from home.

The key industries are manufacturing, construction, and health care & social assistance. Manufacturing has a strong representation with an employment share 3.5 times the regional level. Conversely, health care & social assistance shows lower representation at 12.1%. Employment opportunities locally appear limited based on Census data. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 1.0% while labour force grew by 1.5%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.4 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment grow by 1.7%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Boyne Island's employment should increase by 5.3% over five years and 11.9% over ten years.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows Boyne Island had a median income among taxpayers of $61,936 and an average of $76,562. Nationally, these figures are high, compared to the Rest of Qld's median of $53,146 and average of $66,593. As of September 2025, estimates based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023 would be approximately $68,074 (median) and $84,149 (average). Census data indicates household, family and personal incomes in Boyne Island are at the 56th percentile nationally. In income distribution, 33.9% of residents earn between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, similar to regional levels where 31.7% fall within this range. After housing costs, 85.9% of income remains for other expenses.

Boyne Island is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Boyne Island's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, comprised 87.9% houses and 12.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Non-Metro Qld had 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Boyne Island was at 26.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 40.4% and rented ones at 33.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,655. Median weekly rent in Boyne Island was $310, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $345. Nationally, Boyne Island's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,733 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially lower at $310 compared to the national figure of $375.

Boyne Island has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 73.5% of all households, including 31.3% couples with children, 29.8% couples without children, and 11.6% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 26.5%, with lone person households at 24.0% and group households making up 2.4%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which aligns with the average for the Rest of Qld.

Educational outcomes in Boyne Island fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 14.3%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 10.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.0%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 47.7% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.4%) and certificates (38.3%). Educational participation is high at 31.6%, comprising 13.5% in primary education, 9.2% in secondary education, and 3.0% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 31.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 13.5% in primary education, 9.2% in secondary education, and 3.0% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Boyne Island has 13 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by a single route that collectively facilitates 60 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport is limited, with residents typically living 613 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to Boyne Island being primarily residential. Cars remain the dominant mode of transportation at 93%. On average, there are 1.6 vehicles per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, only 5.9% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 8 trips per day across all routes, resulting in approximately 4 weekly trips per individual stop.

Boyne Island's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Health data shows Boyne Island residents have relatively positive health outcomes. AreaSearch's analysis found mortality rates and health conditions were broadly in line with national benchmarks.

Common health conditions were seen across both young and old age cohorts at a fairly standard level. The rate of private health cover was very high, at approximately 58% of the total population (~2,924 people), compared to 52.5% across Rest of Qld. Mental health issues impacted 7.9% of residents and arthritis affected 7.3%. A total of 72.4% declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.6% across Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among the working-age population were broadly typical. The area has 16.8% of residents aged 65 and over (853 people), lower than the 20.4% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors were above average, with national rankings even higher than the general population.

Boyne Island is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Boyne Island was found to have below average cultural diversity, with 88.3% of its population being Australian citizens, 86.1% born in Australia, and 96.4% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the main religion in Boyne Island, comprising 44.4% of its population. Judaism, however, is overrepresented at 0.1%, compared to the rest of Queensland's 0.1%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (31.6%), Australian (31.2%), and Scottish (8.0%). Notably, Maori (1.3% vs regional 0.8%), South African (0.8% vs 0.5%), and German (5.1% vs 4.7%) groups are overrepresented in Boyne Island compared to the rest of Queensland.

Boyne Island's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Boyne Island's median age is 37 years, which is significantly lower than the Rest of Qld average of 41 and essentially aligned with Australia's median age of 38. Compared to the Rest of Qld average, the 0-4 cohort is notably over-represented in Boyne Island at 7.7%, while the 75-84 year-olds are under-represented at 5.0%. Post the 2021 Census, the population aged 65 to 74 grew from 9.1% to 10.8%, and the 75 to 84 cohort increased from 3.7% to 5.0%. Conversely, the 5-14 cohort declined from 15.7% to 13.2%, and the 45 to 54 group dropped from 13.6% to 11.4%. Demographic modeling projects significant changes in Boyne Island's age profile by 2041. The 25-34 cohort is expected to grow strongly, adding 163 residents to reach 809, while the 15-24 group is projected to decrease by 64 residents.