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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Bushland Beach has an estimated 7,418 residents, up from 6,641 at the 2021 Census — a change of 777 people, or 11.7%. Growth has averaged 1.5% a year over five years, faster than 77% of areas nationally. 111 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Natural increase accounts for 47.0% of that increase. That puts 841 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census the suburb of Bushland Beach has an estimated population of 7,418 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 777 people (11.7%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 6,641 residents. This trend is derived from the resident figure of 7,226 calculated by AreaSearch using the June 2025 ERP release from the ABS alongside 111 validated new addresses since the Census. The suburb's density stands at 841 persons per square kilometer, matching typical averages.
The 11.7% increase since the 2021 census outpaced the broader SA4 region (7.1%) and the SA3 area, positioning the suburb of Bushland Beach as a regional leader in expansion. Natural increase was the primary contributor, accounting for roughly 47.0% of the overall population gains, although interstate and overseas migration also registered positive inflows. Projections from ABS and Geoscience Australia released in 2024 with a 2022 baseline are utilized for each SA2 area. For locations without this coverage or for projections past 2032, Queensland State Government data released in 2023 based on 2021 numbers is used. Since state-level figures omit age cohorts, AreaSearch applies age weightings using ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 (based on 2022 data). Demographic models indicate the suburb of Bushland Beach will experience substantial growth, ranking in the top 10 percent of non-metropolitan locations, with an expected increase of 3,738 persons by 2041, representing a total rise of 47.8% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
141 new dwellings have been approved in Bushland Beach over the past five years, an average of 28 a year. That places the area in the 68th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 4 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 28 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 86% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 30, broadly in line with that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Analysis of ABS building approvals indicates that Bushland Beach averages approximately 28 dwelling approvals annually. There were 141 residential approvals over the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, and 28 have been registered during FY-26. With an average of 3.6 new residents arriving for every completed dwelling between FY-21 and FY-25, demand exceeds supply, driving buyer competition and upward pressure on pricing. Approved residential builds carry an average estimated construction cost of $405,000. Additionally, commercial approvals worth $302,000 have been logged this financial year, underscoring the residential focus of the area.
Compared to Rest of Qld, development activity per resident in Bushland Beach aligns closely with regional trends to maintain market stability. Residential approvals consist of 86.0% detached houses and 14.0% medium and high-density housing, preserving a low-density profile popular with buyers seeking space. An average of approximately 240 people per approval indicates a market in transition. Long-term demographic forecasts show Bushland Beach is on track to add 3,546 residents by 2041 relative to the most recent quarterly estimate from AreaSearch. The current rate of construction suggests supply might not keep pace with this influx, potentially intensifing buyer competition and supporting upward price movements.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Bushland Beach
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 3 current infrastructure and development projects inside Bushland Beach, worth an estimated $14 million. A further 35 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $4.54 billion. 16 are already under construction and 8 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and transport & logistics. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure projects, major planning, and development works are key factors in regional performance. A total of 5 projects have been identified by AreaSearch as having a potential impact on the local area. Key projects include the Bushland Beach Master Planned Development, the Peggy Banfield Park Redevelopment, the Bushland Beach Channel Naturalisation, and the Northern Beaches Trunk Road Infrastructure Package.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Bushland Beach Master Planned Development
Master planned beachside residential community in Townsville's Northern Beaches by Swanland Group. Current releases are selling, with coastal lots near Halifax Bay and access to beaches, shopping, schools and sports facilities.
Peggy Banfield Park Redevelopment
Completed staged expansion of a district-level sports park in Townsville's Northern Beaches area, including upgraded rugby league fields, inclusive playground, fitness circuit, oval, and Townsville's largest dog park.
Bushland Beach Channel Naturalisation
Transformation of an 800-metre concrete stormwater drain into a naturalised waterway with ponds, rocky creek bed, and 97,000 native plants from 75 species to improve water quality, biodiversity, and community aesthetics while benefiting the Great Barrier Reef.
Sanctum Master Planned Community
Sanctum is a large-scale master-planned residential community in Townsville's Northern Beaches growth corridor, approximately 25 minutes north of the Townsville CBD and Airport. Delivered by Maidment Group across a 700 hectare site, the project will accommodate up to 4800 families over a 20-25 year development period. The community features the 28 hectare Sanctum Central Park with 3km of landscaped waterways, walking and cycling paths, playgrounds, a dog park, BBQ areas and exercise equipment, all within 200m of every home.Land releases are ongoing, with the Hydrangea Release still selling and a new Evodia Release of premium homesites over 1000sqm underway. The estate benefits from fibre optic connectivity to every home and proximity to the Townsville Ring Road, Townsville University Hospital, James Cook University and Lavarack Barracks.
Lincoln Lifestyle Northern Beaches
Townsville's first premium over-50s land lease community offering 350 modern, low-maintenance homes and resort-style amenities including a residents' clubhouse with library, theatre, dining room, kitchen, bar, lounge areas, outdoor BBQ, gymnasium, swimming pool, bowling green, pickleball courts, walking paths, and future additions like sports pavilion, community garden, RV storage, additional pools, and wellness studio. Designed for independent living in a gated community.
North Shore Masterplanned Community
North Shore is a 1,000-hectare masterplanned community in Townsville's northern growth corridor at Burdell, acquired by Oreana from Stockland in February 2025. The project will deliver approximately 5,600 homes, with over 2,600 lots already delivered along with schools, a medical super clinic, and more than 40 percent dedicated open space. Oreana has accelerated lot production toward 250-300 lots per year and lodged plans with Townsville City Council for a major new 65,000 sqm town centre expansion, including a full-line supermarket and discount department store.A new display village opened in 2026, and Ingenia Communities has also acquired a 13.3-hectare site within North Shore for a new over-50s land lease community. Forecast completion is 2040.
Northern Beaches Trunk Road Infrastructure Package
Provides an additional access from Northern Beaches to Bruce Highway through Svensson Road, significantly improving traffic flow and alleviating congestion on Mount Low Parkway. This project will unlock 2,600 new homes.
Lincoln Lifestyle Northern Beaches
Townsville's first premium over-50s land lease community. The estate will feature 350 modern homes, each designed to maximise comfort and convenience while being easy to maintain.
3,705 residents of Bushland Beach are employed, from a labour force of 3,804. Unemployment sits at 2.6%, with participation at 66.8%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.3% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 5,676, about 77% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
A highly qualified workforce characterizes Bushland Beach, with strong representation in essential services. The unemployment rate is low at 2.6% as of March 2026, which is 1.3% lower than the Regional Qld level of 3.9%. Total employment stands at 3,705 residents. Labor force participation is solid at 66.8% compared to 64.3% in Regional Qld. Census records indicate that a minor 6.8% of the workforce worked from home, though this figure was influenced by pandemic lockdowns. The primary employment sectors for local workers are health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and construction.
Public administration & safety is highly represented, employing a share of the workforce that is 2.3 times the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 0.5% of employment compared to the regional benchmark of 4.5%. Comparing the resident workforce count to local job availability indicates that the suburb is predominantly residential with limited local employment options. Based on aggregate analysis of SALM and ABS figures, the local labor force contracted by 3.2% and total employment fell by 3.6% over the 12 months to March 2026, leading to a rise of 0.3 percentage points in the unemployment rate. In contrast, Regional Qld experienced a 0.1% increase in employment, a 0.3% expansion of its labor force, and a 0.1 percentage point rise in unemployment. National employment forecasts from May-25 compiled by Jobs and Skills Australia provide further context. These national projections forecast overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though individual sector growth rates vary. Applying these sector-specific forecasts to the local occupational structure indicates that employment for local residents would grow by 6.3% over five years and 13.2% over ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Bushland Beach is $2,283 a week (about $119,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,002 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $61,262 a year against an average of $67,875. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
According to the latest ATO postcode statistics released for financial year 2023, taxpayers in the suburb of Bushland Beach earn a median income of $61,262 and an average income of $67,875. These figures align closely with national benchmarks, compared to a median of $53,146 and an average of $66,593 across Regional Qld. Adjusted for the Wage Price Index increase of 11.36% since financial year 2023, estimated earnings as of March 2026 would be approximately $68,221 for the median and $75,586 for the average. Census data places household, family, and personal incomes in the 78th to 82nd national percentiles.
The largest income group comprises 44.5% of residents (3,301 people) earning in the $1,500 - 2,999 range, compared to 31.7% in the wider region. Housing costs consume 13.5% of income, while strong earnings place local households in the 84th percentile for disposable income, and the area ranks in the 6th decile on the SEIFA index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Bushland Beach had 2,132 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 99% detached houses and 0% apartments. 51% are owned with a mortgage, 27% rented and 22% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $380 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,733 a month. Rent absorbs 16.6% of household income here and mortgage repayments 17.5%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, housing types in Bushland Beach consist of 98.5% standalone houses and 1.4% other dwellings (including semi-detached properties, apartments, and alternative structures), compared to 76.4% houses and 23.6% other options in Regional Qld. The home ownership rate of 21.8% lags behind the regional average of Regional Qld, with the remaining residences being mortgaged (51.3%) or occupied by renters (26.9%). Monthly mortgage costs average $1,733, exceeding the Regional Qld average of $1,655, while weekly rents stand at $380, compared to $345 regionally. Locally, mortgage repayments are lower than the national average of $1,863, while weekly rent exceeds the Australian average of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Bushland Beach counted 2,132 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 2,381 today, averaging 2.9 people each. 44% are couples with children, more than in 87% of areas nationally, against 31% couples without children. 11% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family households represent the vast majority of local homes at 86.3%, comprising couples with children at 44.0%, couples without children at 31.1%, and single-parent homes at 11.0%. Non-family households account for the remaining 13.7%, consisting of single-person households at 11.4% and group living situations at 2.1%. The average household size stands at 2.9 people, exceeding the Regional Qld average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
18.6% of adults in Bushland Beach hold a university qualification, including 12.8% with a bachelor degree and 3.3% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 98% of areas nationally. A further 33.3% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Tertiary educational attainment in the area is low, with university graduation rates at 18.6% compared to the national benchmark of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees account for 12.8% of qualifications, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 3.3% and graduate diplomas at 2.5%. Vocational and technical skills are highly prevalent, with 44.5% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications, consisting of 11.2% with advanced diplomas and 33.3% with certificates. Enrollment rates in education are strong, with 34.6% of the population presently undertaking formal study. This student cohort comprises 13.7% in primary school, 10.2% in secondary school, and 4.5% in tertiary programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Bushland Beach means driving: households keep an average of 1.9 vehicles, and scheduled services reach only a handful of stops. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport services in the suburb include 15 active stops serviced by a mix of buses. There is 1 individual route operating across these stops, generating 84 passenger trips weekly. The closest transit stop is located an average of 377 meters away, which represents good accessibility. Private vehicles remain the primary means of transport, with 95% of residents commuting by car. The average household has 1.9 vehicles, exceeding regional standards. Working from home was recorded for a low 6.8% of the workforce at the 2021 Census, which was likely affected by pandemic restrictions.
Transit service frequency averages 12 daily trips across the local network, representing roughly 5 weekly services for each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
71.6% of residents in Bushland Beach report no long-term health condition. 4.6% need daily assistance with core activities, and 54.1% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.3 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Evaluations of mortality statistics and chronic disease rates by AreaSearch suggest below-average health outcomes, with minor chronic conditions slightly elevated across both younger and older demographics. The level of private health insurance coverage is high, with approximately 54% of the population (~4,013 people) holding a policy. Mental health conditions and asthma are the most common medical diagnoses, affecting 8.6 and 7.8% of the population, respectively. However, 71.6% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Health indicators for working-age residents are standard, and overall national health rankings are typical.
Residents aged 65 and over constitute 11.0% of the population (815 people), which is below the Regional Qld average of 20.4%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Bushland Beach is largely Australian-born, at 88.4% of residents, with 3.1% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (30.5%) and Australian (30.0%). 3.8% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity measures are low, with citizens making up 90.2% of the population, 88.4% born in Australia, and 96.9% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religious affiliation, representing 48.8% of the population, compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld. The most common ancestries reported in the area are English at 30.5%, Australian at 30.0%, and Irish at 8.6%. Other specific heritage groups show minor differences from regional trends: German ancestry stands at 4.3% (compared to 4.7% regionally), New Zealand heritage is at 0.8% (compared to 0.9% regionally), and Australian Aboriginal ancestry is recorded at 3.8% (compared to 3.9% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Bushland Beach is 36, younger than 76% of areas nationally. That is 1 year older than at the 2021 Census. 25.8% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The local median age of 36 is lower than the Regional Qld figure of 41 and slightly below the national median of 38. The 45 - 54 demographic represents 15.4% of the local population, making it over-represented compared to the region, while the 65 - 74 cohort is under-represented at 7.1%. Since 2021, the 75 to 84 bracket has increased from 2.6% to 3.4% of the population, whereas the 5 to 14 group has shrunk from 17.2% to 15.2%. Projections to 2041 indicate that the age profile will change, with the 45 to 54 cohort expected to grow by 661 people (58%) to reach 1,804, up from 1,142.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Bushland Beach
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 this month all 3 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 111 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (6,641 at the 2021 Census → 7,418 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL30460). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.