Burrum Heads

Burrum Heads lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

The population of the suburb of Burrum Heads is estimated to be around 2,871 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase from the 2021 Census figure of 2,538 people, indicating a growth of 333 individuals or approximately 13.1%. This change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 2,807 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024, along with an additional 180 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density is calculated as 64 persons per square kilometer. Burrum Heads' growth rate exceeded that of its SA3 area (9.1%) and the Rest of Qld during this period, marking it as a region of significant growth. Interstate migration contributed approximately 88.0% of overall population gains in recent periods.

For projections, AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia's data 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 based on 2021 data released in 2023 are used, applying proportional growth weightings from the ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort. Future population trends indicate an above median growth for Australian non-metropolitan areas, with the suburb of Burrum Heads expected to grow by 444 persons to 2041, reflecting a total gain of approximately 13.6% over the 17-year period.

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

Burrum Heads averaged approximately 61 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 309 homes. As of FY26, 28 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.5 new residents per year per dwelling were constructed between FY21 and FY25, indicating balanced supply and demand with stable market conditions. This figure has eased to 0.8 people per dwelling over the past two financial years. The average construction cost value of new homes is $401,000.

In FY26, commercial approvals worth $1.7 million have been registered, predominantly focusing on residential development. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Burrum Heads has 257.0% more construction activity per person, offering buyers greater choice and reflecting strong developer confidence in the location. New developments consist of 89.0% detached dwellings and 11.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers with an average of around 30 people per approval. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Burrum Heads is projected to add 391 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Future projections show Burrum Heads adding 391 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Burrum Heads has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

No changes can significantly affect a region's performance like alterations to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. A total of zero projects have been identified by AreaSearch that could potentially impact the area. Notable projects include the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program, Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program - Wide Bay Burnett, Forest Wind Farm, and Queensland Energy Roadmap 2025, with the following list outlining those likely to be most relevant.

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

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Employment conditions in Burrum Heads remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Burrum Heads has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. Essential services sectors are well represented in the area. The unemployment rate was 4.6% as of September 2025.

There was an estimated employment growth of 11.2% over the past year, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of September 2025, there were 960 residents employed in Burrum Heads, with an unemployment rate of 4.6%, which is 0.5% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation was lower at 38.5% compared to Rest of Qld's 65.7%. Only 13.4% of residents worked from home, based on Census responses.

Employment in Burrum Heads is concentrated in health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. The area has a notably high concentration in health care & social assistance, with employment levels at 1.3 times the regional average. However, agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence with only 2.1% of employment compared to the regional average of 4.5%. There appears to be limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 11.2%, while labour force grew by 11.0%, causing a decrease in unemployment rate by 0.2 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of Qld where employment rose by 1.7%, labour force grew by 2.1%, and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Burrum Heads' employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.9% over ten years, although this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only and does not account for localised population projections.

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 2023 shows Burrum Heads had a median income among taxpayers of $36,495 and an average of $45,472. These figures are lower than the national averages. Rest of Qld had a median of $53,146 and an average of $66,593 during the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% from financial year 2023 to September 2025, estimated incomes for Burrum Heads would be approximately $40,112 (median) and $49,978 (average). Census data reveals that household, family, and personal incomes in Burrum Heads all fall between the 0th and 1st percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows that 38.3% of residents (1,099 people) earn between $400 and $799 weekly, unlike the surrounding region where the $1,500 - $2,999 category predominates at 31.7%. This concentration of 49.8% in sub-$800 weekly brackets indicates economic challenges for a significant portion of the community. Despite modest housing costs with 88.0% of income retained, total disposable income ranks at just the 3rd percentile nationally.

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

Dwelling structure in Burrum Heads, as per the latest Census, consisted of 90.0% houses and 10.0% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Burrum Heads was 68.4%, with the rest being mortgaged (17.4%) or rented (14.2%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,348, below Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,655 and the national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent in Burrum Heads was $305, lower than Non-Metro Qld's $345 and the national figure of $375.

Burrum Heads has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 71.9% of all households, including 10.4% couples with children, 55.6% couples without children, and 4.6% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 28.1%, with lone person households at 26.1% and group households comprising 2.6%. The median household size is 2.0 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

Burrum Heads performs slightly above the national average for education, showing competitive qualification levels and steady academic outcomes

The area's university qualification rate is 10.2%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 7.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.5%) and graduate diplomas (1.4%). Trade and technical skills are prevalent, with 43.9% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (9.5%) and certificates (34.4%).

School and university attendance comprises 15.1% of the community, including 6.2% in primary education, 4.7% in secondary education, and 0.5% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Burrum Heads has 12 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by a single route, offering a total of 12 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is limited, with residents typically located 1428 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to its residential nature. Cars remain the dominant mode of transport at 94%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.3 per dwelling, below the regional average.

In 2021 Census data, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions, only 13.4% of residents work from home. The service frequency averages one trip per day across all routes, resulting in approximately one weekly trip per individual stop.

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

Burrum Heads 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. The rate of private health cover is extremely low at approximately 45% of the total population (~1,298 people), compared to 52.5% across Rest of Qld and the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 17.7 and 8.6% of residents respectively. However, 48.2% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.6% across Rest of Qld. The working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 48.2% of residents aged 65 and over (1,383 people), which is higher than the 20.4% in Rest of Qld. National rankings are broadly in line with the general population.

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

Burrum Heads, surveyed in the period from July 2016 to June 2018, had a population with 85.4% born in Australia, 90.9% being citizens, and 98.4% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 62.5%, compared to 52.2% across Rest of Qld during this period. The top three ancestry groups were English (36.3%), Australian (29.4%), and Irish (8.4%).

Notably, German ancestry was higher at 5.7% than the regional average of 4.7%, New Zealand at 1.0% compared to 0.9%, and Hungarian at 0.3% versus 0.2%.

Burrum Heads ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Burrum Heads's median age is 63 years, which is significantly older than Rest of Qld's 41 years and higher than the national average of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of Qld average, the 65 - 74 cohort is notably over-represented in Burrum Heads at 30.1%, while the 25 - 34 year-olds are under-represented at 4.4%. This 65 - 74 concentration is well above the national average of 9.5%. According to the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age group grew from 3.7% to 4.9%, while the 75 to 84 cohort increased from 13.8% to 15.0%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort declined from 23.6% to 22.2%, and the 5 to 14 group dropped from 5.9% to 4.7%. By 2041, demographic projections reveal significant shifts in Burrum Heads's age structure. The 75 to 84 age cohort is projected to expand by 126 people (29%), from 430 to 557. Senior residents aged 65 and above will drive 81% of population growth, underscoring demographic aging trends. Conversely, the 5 to 14 and 15 to 24 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.