Bundaberg South

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

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for Bundaberg South, its population is estimated at around 3,638 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 144 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,494. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 3,625 following examination of ABS's latest ERP data release in June 2024 and an additional 16 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population results in a density ratio of 1,609 persons per square kilometer, above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed approximately 87.0% 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 and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 are adopted. These state projections do not provide age category splits; hence where utilised, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings based on ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 using 2022 data for each age cohort. Considering projected demographic shifts, a population increase just below the median of Australia's non-metropolitan areas is expected. Bundaberg South is projected to increase by 246 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 6.7% in total over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Bundaberg South according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Bundaberg South has seen around 6 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 32 homes between FY-17 and FY-21. So far in FY-22, 2 approvals have been recorded. On average, 3.3 people moved to the area for each dwelling built during this period.

Supply is substantially lagging demand, which typically leads to heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures. New properties are constructed at an average value of $506,000, aligning with broader regional development trends. In FY-22, Bundaberg South has recorded $11.4 million in commercial development approvals, indicating moderate levels of commercial development activity compared to previous years. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Bundaberg South records markedly lower building activity, 72.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new homes typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. New building activity in Bundaberg South shows a skew towards compact living, with 38.0% standalone homes and 62.0% medium to high-density housing. This shift offers affordable entry pathways, attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers.

It also reflects decreasing availability of developable sites and changing lifestyles. At around 554 people per approval, Bundaberg South shows a mature, established area with an expected population growth of 245 residents through to 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Construction is maintaining a reasonable pace with projected growth, although buyers could encounter growing competition as population increases.

Bundaberg South has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 32ndth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified ten projects potentially impacting this region. Notable projects include Oasis Estate at Burnett Heads, New Bundaberg Hospital, Bundaberg Civic and Cultural Precinct, and Bundaberg East Levee. The following list details those likely most relevant.

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.

The labour market performance in Bundaberg South lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Bundaberg South has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs. The unemployment rate was 11.0% in the past year.

Employment growth was estimated at 4.3%. As of June 2025, 1,685 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 7.1%, above Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation is lower at 52.4% compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Leading industries include health care & social assistance, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and retail trade.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing has notable concentration with employment levels at 3.5 times the regional average. Construction employs only 6.1%, below Rest of Qld's 10.1%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited as indicated by Census data. Over June 2024 to June 2025, employment increased by 4.3% while labour force rose by 6.9%, causing unemployment rate to rise by 2.3 percentage points. Rest of Qld had employment growth of 1.8% and labour force growth of 2.0%, with a 0.2 percentage point rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 suggest potential future demand within Bundaberg South. National employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates differ between industries. Applying these projections to Bundaberg South's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.0% over five years and 13.1% over ten years.

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

Bundaberg South's median income among taxpayers was $43,989 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $54,357 during the same period. For comparison, Rest of Qld's median and average incomes were $50,780 and $64,844 respectively. By September 2025, estimates suggest Bundaberg South's median income will be approximately $50,143 and average income around $61,962, based on a Wage Price Index growth of 13.99%. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Bundaberg South fall between the 2nd and 11th percentiles nationally. The $800 - 1,499 earnings band captures 29.2% of the community (1,062 individuals), differing from surrounding regions where the $1,500 - 2,999 band dominates at 31.7%. A significant proportion, 40.5%, earns less than $800 per week, indicating constrained household budgets. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 79.9% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 3rd percentile nationally.

Bundaberg South displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Dwelling structure in Bundaberg South, as evaluated at the latest Census in 2016, consisted of 58.8% houses and 41.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro Qld's 84.6% houses and 15.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bundaberg South was at 21.4%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (17.8%) or rented (60.8%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,083, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $250. Nationally, Bundaberg South's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863 as of 2021, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375 in the same year.

Bundaberg South features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 55.3 percent of all households, including 14.7 percent couples with children, 20.8 percent couples without children, and 17.1 percent single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 44.7 percent, with lone person households at 39.5 percent and group households comprising 5.3 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.4.

Bundaberg South faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 14.1%, substantially lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 10.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.4%) and graduate diplomas (1.1%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 37.3% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas (8.0%) and certificates (29.3%). Educational participation is high at 27.7%, including 10.3% in primary education, 8.0% in secondary education, and 3.4% pursuing tertiary education.

Bundaberg South has three schools with a combined enrollment of 2,071 students. The area's ICSEA score is 958, indicating typical Australian school conditions with balanced educational opportunities. Education provision is balanced with two primary and one secondary school serving distinct age groups. As an education hub, the area has 56.9 school places per 100 residents, significantly higher than the regional average of 13.9, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

The transport analysis indicates eight active stops in Bundaberg South, with a mix of bus services. Seven routes serve these stops, offering 244 weekly passenger trips collectively. The accessibility rating is good, with residents typically located 278 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 34 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 30 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Bundaberg South is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data indicates significant health challenges in Bundaberg South, affecting both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low, at approximately 49% (around 1,773 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

Mental health issues are most prevalent, impacting 11.8% of residents, followed by arthritis at 9.9%. About 61.4% of residents report no medical ailments, slightly higher than the Rest of Qld's 59.1%. The area has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, at 15.3% (around 556 people), compared to Rest of Qld's 26.3%. Senior health outcomes face similar challenges as the general population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Bundaberg South was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Bundaberg South's cultural diversity is notable, with 19.6% of its population born overseas and 13.2% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Bundaberg South, accounting for 45.6% of people. Hinduism stands out as overrepresented, comprising 2.7% compared to 0.5% across Rest of Qld.

The top three ancestry groups are English (28.7%), Australian (27.4%), and Other (8.2%). Notably, German ethnicity is overrepresented at 5.3% in Bundaberg South versus the regional average of 6.4%, Korean at 0.8% versus 0.2%, and Australian Aboriginal at 5.5% versus 3.4%.

Bundaberg South's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Bundaberg South has a median age of 36, which is lower than the Rest of Qld figure of 41 years, and marginally lower than Australia's median age of 38 years. The 25-34 cohort in Bundaberg South is notably over-represented at 18.8%, compared to the Rest of Qld average. Conversely, the 65-74 year-olds are under-represented at 8.3%. Between 2021 and present, the 25-34 age group has grown from 16.1% to 18.8% of the population, while the 65-74 cohort has declined from 9.6% to 8.3%. Demographic modeling suggests that Bundaberg South's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to expand by 172 people (25%) from 683 to 856. Conversely, both the 55-64 and 5-14 age groups are projected to see reduced numbers.