Burnett Heads

Population growth drivers in Burnett Heads are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of Nov 2025, Burnett Heads' estimated population is around 3,257, indicating a 12.0% increase from the 2021 Census figure of 2,908 people. This growth is inferred from AreaSearch's validation of new addresses and ABS ERP data released in June 2024, which estimated the resident population at 3,140. The suburb's population density stands at 202 persons per square kilometer. Burnett Heads' growth rate exceeded both the non-metro area (8.8%) and national averages, marking it as a regional growth leader. Interstate migration accounted for approximately 83.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch's projections for Burnett Heads are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for covered SA2 areas, and Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 using 2021 data for uncovered areas.

By 2041, Burnett Heads is projected to grow by 569 persons, reflecting an increase of 17.5% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Burnett Heads among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Burnett Heads recorded approximately 28 residential properties granted approval per year over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 143 homes. In Financial Year 26, up to this point, 11 approvals have been recorded. On average, 3.2 people moved to the area annually for each dwelling built between Financial Years 21 and 25.

Demand significantly exceeded new supply during this period. New properties were constructed at an average expected cost of $494,000, aligning with broader regional development trends.

This financial year has seen $8.6 million in commercial approvals, indicating limited commercial development focus. Building activity comprised 90% standalone homes and 10% medium to high-density housing, preserving the area's low density nature. Burnett Heads showed characteristics of a growth area with around 117 people per dwelling approval. Future projections estimate Burnett Heads will add 571 residents by 2041. Current construction levels should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Burnett Heads has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 27thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified three projects likely to impact the region: GemLife Lighthouse Bay Retirement Village - Burnett Heads, Bundaberg State Development Area, Gateway Marina, and Bundaberg Solar Farm. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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The labour market in Burnett Heads demonstrates typical performance when compared to similar areas across Australia

Burnett Heads has a balanced workforce comprising white and blue collar jobs, with prominent representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate is 3.8%, lower than the Rest of Qld's 3.9%.

Employment growth over the past year is estimated at 6.8% based on AreaSearch data aggregation. As of June 2025, 1,429 residents are employed with an unemployment rate of 0.1% below the regional average. Key employment sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Health care & social assistance is particularly strong, employing 1.3 times the regional level.

However, education & training employs only 6.9%, lower than Rest of Qld's 9.1%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data comparison. Over a 12-month period ending Sep-22, employment increased by 6.8% while labour force grew by 7.8%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.9 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment grow by 1.8%, labour force expand by 2.0%, and unemployment rise by 0.2 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project a 6.6% growth over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Burnett Heads' employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, assuming constant population projections for illustrative purposes.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that income in Burnett Heads is lower than average on a national basis. The median assessed income is $39,709 and the average income stands at $49,067. This contrasts with Rest of Qld's figures where the median income is $50,780 and the average income is $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Burnett Heads would be approximately $45,264 (median) and $55,931 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data shows that household, family and personal incomes in Burnett Heads all fall between the 5th and 6th percentiles nationally. The largest segment comprises 28.9% earning $400 - $799 weekly (941 residents), contrasting with the surrounding region where the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket leads at 31.7%. After housing costs, 85.7% of income remains, ranking at only the 7th percentile nationally.

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

The dwelling structure in Burnett Heads, as evaluated at the Census conducted on 28 August 2016, consisted of 94.1% houses and 5.9% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 0.0% houses and 0.0% other dwellings at the same time. The home ownership rate in Burnett Heads was 49.1%, with mortgaged dwellings making up 27.9% and rented dwellings comprising 23.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,300, aligning with Non-Metro Qld's average. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $290, while Non-Metro Qld had no data available for this period. Nationally, Burnett Heads' mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863 as of 2016, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375 during that year.

Burnett Heads features high concentrations of group households, with a median household size of 2.2 people

Family households constitute 68.4% of all households, including 17.0% couples with children, 39.0% couples without children, and 11.6% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 31.6%, with lone person households at 26.2% and group households making up 5.3%. The median household size is 2.2 people.

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

The area has university qualification rates at 12.5%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. This presents an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.3%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.7%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.5%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 42.3% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 9.8% and certificates at 32.5%.

A total of 20.8% of the population is actively pursuing education, including 8.0% in primary, 7.0% in secondary, and 2.4% in tertiary levels. Burnett Heads State School serves the local community with an enrollment of 90 students, operating under typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 982) offering balanced educational opportunities. It caters exclusively to primary education, with secondary options available nearby. The area has a low student-to-school-place ratio of 2.8 per 100 residents, indicating many local students attend schools outside Burnett Heads.

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

The analysis shows there are 14 active public transport stops in Burnett Heads. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with one route operating daily. This results in 32 weekly passenger trips across all stops.

The average distance from residents to the nearest stop is 305 meters. On average, buses run 4 times a day, equating to about 2 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Burnett Heads faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low, at approximately 47% of the total population (~1,519 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (13.7%) and mental health issues (9.9%). Notably, 54.9% of residents report having no medical ailments, while this figure is 0% in the rest of Queensland. Burnett Heads has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, at 34.1% (1,110 people). Despite these challenges, health outcomes among seniors are better than those of the general population.

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

Burnett Heads, surveyed in June 2016, showed low cultural diversity with 84.8% Australian-born residents, 90.5% citizens, and 96.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 52.4%. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Burnett Heads had no None% Christians.

The top three ancestry groups were English (33.8%), Australian (29.5%), and Scottish (8.9%). Notably, German (6.0%) and New Zealand (1.0%) ethnicities were overrepresented compared to regional averages of None%.

Burnett Heads ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Burnett Heads has a median age of 55, which is higher than the Rest of Qld figure of 41 and substantially exceeds the national norm of 38. Compared to Rest of Qld, Burnett Heads has a higher concentration of residents aged 65-74 (21.0%), but fewer residents aged 25-34 (7.2%). This 65-74 concentration is well above the national figure of 9.4%. From the 2021 Census to present, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 9.1% to 10.9% of the population. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort has declined from 9.7% to 7.8%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections reveal significant shifts in Burnett Heads's age structure. The 65 to 74 group is projected to grow by 22%, reaching 837 people from the current 683. The aging population dynamic is clear, with those aged 65 and above comprising 61% of the projected growth. Conversely, both the 5 to 14 and 15 to 24 age groups are projected to see reduced numbers.