Bundaberg West

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

The population of Bundaberg West is estimated at around 2,761 as of February 2026. This reflects an increase of 165 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,596 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 2,743 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 15 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,061 persons per square kilometer. Bundaberg West's growth rate of 6.4% since the census positions it within 2.7 percentage points of the Rest of Qld (9.1%). Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 87.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting 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 based on 2021 data are adopted. Moving forward with demographic trends, the suburb is expected to grow by around 200 persons to reach approximately 2,961 by 2041, reflecting an increase of 6.8% over the 17-year period.

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

Based on AreaSearch analysis using ABS building approval numbers from statistical area data, Bundaberg West averaged approximately five new dwelling approvals annually. Between financial years 2021 and 2025, around twenty-nine homes were approved, with six more in the current financial year 2026. Each year, an average of three new residents was gained per dwelling built over the past five financial years, indicating healthy demand which supports property values.

New homes are constructed at an average expected cost of $506,000, slightly above the regional average, suggesting a focus on quality developments. This financial year has seen approximately $7.6 million in commercial approvals, reflecting the area's residential character. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Bundaberg West records significantly lower building activity, 66.0% below the regional average per person, which typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing homes. Nationally, this is also lower, indicating market maturity and possible development constraints. New building activity comprises 33.0% standalone homes and 67.0% townhouses or apartments, offering affordable entry pathways and attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. With around 453 people per dwelling approval, Bundaberg West shows a developed market.

Future projections estimate Bundaberg West to add approximately 188 residents by 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Development is keeping pace with projected growth, though buyers may face increasing competition as the population expands.

Bundaberg West 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 five projects that may impact this region. Key projects include Bundaberg Civic and Cultural Precinct, South Beach Precinct, New Bundaberg Hospital, and St Vincent de Paul Social Housing Walkervale Bundaberg. The following list details those 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.

Bundaberg West shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Bundaberg West has a skilled workforce with notable representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 8.5% as of September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 10.4% over the past year. This is based on AreaSearch aggregation of statistical area data.

As of that date, 1,349 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 4.5% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation in Bundaberg West was somewhat below standard at 63.2%, compared to Rest of Qld's 65.7%. According to Census responses, only 6.2% of residents worked from home. The key industries of employment among residents were health care & social assistance, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and accommodation & food.

Health care & social assistance had particularly notable concentration with employment levels at 1.8 times the regional average. Conversely, construction showed lower representation at 5.4% compared to the regional average of 10.1%. There were 1.1 workers for every resident as at the Census, indicating that the area functions as an employment hub hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas. In the 12-month period ending September 2025, employment increased by 10.4% alongside labour force increasing by 10.7%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.3 percentage points. This compares to Rest of Qld where employment grew by 1.7%, labour force expanded by 2.1%, and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, released in May-25, suggest that national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these industry-specific projections to Bundaberg West's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 14.6% 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

Bundaberg West's median income among taxpayers in financial year 2023 was $45,023. The average income stood at $55,634 during the same period. For comparison, Rest of Qld's median and average incomes were $53,146 and $66,593 respectively. By September 2025, estimated median and average incomes in Bundaberg West would be approximately $49,485 and $61,147 based on a 9.91% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Bundaberg West fall between the 2nd and 13th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows that 31.2% of residents (861 people) earn within the $400 - $799 bracket, contrasting with regional levels where the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket leads at 31.7%. A significant portion of the community faces economic challenges, with 43.2% concentrated in sub-$800 weekly brackets. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 79.5% of income remaining, ranking at the 3rd percentile nationally.

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

The dwelling structure in Bundaberg West, as per the latest Census, consisted of 45.1% houses and 54.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This contrasted with Non-Metro Qld's figures of 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bundaberg West stood at 20.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 15.0% and rented ones at 64.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,181, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent in Bundaberg West was $245, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $345. Nationally, Bundaberg West's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,181 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 46.7% of all households, including 13.1% couples with children, 18.9% couples without children, and 13.2% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 53.3%, with lone person households at 47.3% and group households comprising 5.6%. The median household size is 2.0 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

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

Educational qualifications in Bundaberg West trail regional benchmarks, with 21.6% of residents aged 15+ holding university degrees compared to the national average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 16.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.5%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 35.2% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (7.1%) and certificates (28.1%). Educational participation is high, with 27.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 10.2% in primary education, 6.4% in secondary education, and 4.3% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Bundaberg West has 21 operational public transport stops, all serving buses. These are covered by three routes offering a total of 127 weekly passenger trips. Residents' average proximity to the nearest stop is 184 meters, indicating high accessibility. Predominantly residential, most commuters travel outward. Cars are used by 82% for these journeys, with walking at 11% and cycling at 2%. The vehicle ownership rate is 0.8 per dwelling, lower than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, only 6.2% of residents work from home, possibly due to COVID-19 conditions. Across all routes, there are an average of 18 daily trips, equating to about six weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Bundaberg West is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Bundaberg West faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Several health conditions affect both younger and older age groups, with a relatively low private health cover rate of approximately 49% (1,359 people), compared to 52.5% in the rest of Queensland and the national average of 55.7%. Mental health issues and arthritis are the most prevalent conditions, affecting 11.9% and 10.9% of residents respectively, while 59.9% reported being free from medical ailments, compared to 67.6% in the rest of Queensland.

The working-age population faces notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 19.8% (546 people) of residents aged 65 and over, with seniors facing some health outcome challenges, broadly in line with national rankings for the general population.

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

Bundaberg West had a higher than average cultural diversity, with 23.7% of its population born overseas and 15.6% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Bundaberg West, accounting for 46.5% of people. Buddhism was notably overrepresented, comprising 2.7% of the population compared to 1.1% across Rest of Qld.

The top three ancestry groups were English (29.0%), Australian (26.1%), and Other (7.4%). There were notable differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: German was overrepresented at 5.2%, Filipino at 2.4%, and Australian Aboriginal at 4.4%.

Bundaberg West's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age in Bundaberg West as of the 2021 Census is 38 years, slightly below Rest of Qld's average of 41 but in line with Australia's median age of 38. The 25-34 age group constitutes 18.8% of the population in Bundaberg West, higher than Rest of Qld, while the 5-14 cohort makes up 8.1%, lower than Rest of Qld. Between the 2016 and 2021 Census periods, Bundaberg West's median age decreased by 1 year to 38 from 39. The 25-34 age group grew from 15.5% to 18.8%, and the 15-24 cohort increased from 13.0% to 14.1%. Conversely, the 5-14 cohort declined from 10.1% to 8.1%, and the 65-74 group decreased from 11.5% to 10.0%. By 2041, Bundaberg West's population is projected to see significant shifts in age composition, with the 25-34 cohort expected to grow by 107 people (21%) from 519 to 627. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 55-64 and 5-14 cohorts.