Calliope (Qld)

Population growth drivers in Calliope are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Analysis of ABS population updates and AreaSearch validation indicates that as of Nov 2025, Calliope's estimated population is around 5,500. This reflects a growth of 237 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,263. The increase is inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 5,472 in Jun 2024, based on latest ERP data release by ABS and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 30 persons per square kilometer. Calliope's growth rate of 4.5% since census is within 2.2 percentage points of its SA4 region's growth rate of 6.7%. Primary driver for population growth was natural growth, contributing approximately 59.0% of overall gains.

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 from 2023 based on 2021 data are used, applying proportional growth weightings for age cohorts following ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Future trends project an above median population growth nationally, with Calliope expected to increase by 1,232 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 22.4% over the 17 years.

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

Calliope has received approximately 5 dwelling approvals annually based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers. Over the past 5 financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, around 25 homes were approved, with an additional 2 approved in FY-26 so far. This results in an average of approximately 6.6 new residents per year for every home built during this period.

The demand for housing significantly outpaces supply, which typically leads to upward pressure on prices and increased competition among buyers. New homes are being constructed at an average expected cost of $444,000. In FY-26, there have been $1.8 million in commercial approvals, indicating minimal commercial development activity compared to residential. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Calliope records markedly lower building activity, with 72.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established homes.

Nationally, this is also below average, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. Recent development in Calliope has been entirely comprised of detached dwellings, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 1092 people, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment. Looking ahead, Calliope is expected to grow by 1,232 residents through to 2041 according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Calliope has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. Two projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to influence this region: Hughes Road Battery Energy Storage System, Calliope Residential Growth Area, Gladstone Project, and Port Of Gladstone Land And Sea Access Upgrade. The following details those projected to have the most relevance.

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

Calliope's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs. The construction sector stands out with a 4.5% unemployment rate and stable employment over the past year, according to AreaSearch data.

As of September 2025, 2,754 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation is high at 65.2%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key industries include manufacturing, construction, and retail trade. Manufacturing employs 2.4 times the regional average.

Health care & social assistance employs only 9.6% locally, below Rest of Qld's 16.1%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities. In the past year, employment increased by 0.4%, labour force by 1.2%, raising unemployment by 0.8 percentage points. Statewide, Queensland lost 1,210 jobs in November 2025, with a 4.2% unemployment rate. National forecasts project total employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Calliope's industry mix suggests local employment could increase by 5.3% in five years and 11.6% in ten years.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ending June 2023, the suburb of Calliope had a median income among taxpayers of $59,706 and an average income of $73,299. This is higher than the national averages of $53,146 and $66,593 for Rest of Qld respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year ending June 2023, current estimates would be approximately $65,623 (median) and $80,563 (average) as of September 2025. Census data from 2021 shows that incomes in Calliope cluster around the 53rd percentile nationally for households, families, and individuals. In terms of income distribution, the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket dominates with 34.8% of residents (1,913 people), reflecting patterns seen in the surrounding region where 31.7% similarly occupy this range. After accounting for housing expenses, 85.5% of income remains for other expenses.

Calliope is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Calliope's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 94.6% houses and 5.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 85.7% houses and 14.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Calliope stood at 23.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 45.5% and rented ones at 30.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,600. Weekly rent in Calliope was $300, compared to $275 in Non-Metro Qld. Nationally, Calliope's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,733 than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Calliope features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 81.3% of all households, including 40.6% couples with children, 27.6% couples without children, and 12.2% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 18.7%, with lone person households at 16.6% and group households comprising 2.3%. The median household size is 2.9 people, which is larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 9.5%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This indicates both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 7.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.1%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 46.0% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (7.5%) and certificates (38.5%).

Educational participation is high at 33.4%, comprising 15.3% in primary education, 9.7% in secondary education, and 2.4% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

The level of general health in Calliope is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Calliope demonstrates above-average health outcomes with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions.

The rate of private health cover is very high at approximately 56% of the total population (~3,093 people). The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and asthma, impacting 8.3 and 8.1% of residents respectively, while 72.1% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 69.4% across Rest of Qld. As of 2021, the area has 12.0% of residents aged 65 and over (660 people), which is lower than the 15.2% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, performing even better than the general population in health metrics.

The latest Census data sees Calliope placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Calliope's population was found to be predominantly culturally homogeneous, with 90.8% of its residents being citizens, 91.4% born in Australia, and 97.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion in Calliope, accounting for 46.4% of the population, compared to 47.5% across the rest of Queensland. The top three ancestry groups in Calliope were Australian (35.7%), English (29.7%), and Scottish (7.8%).

Notably, certain ethnic groups had differing representations: German was overrepresented at 4.8% (versus 5.1% regionally), Australian Aboriginal was also overrepresented at 4.8% (versus 4.3%), and Maori representation was equal to the regional average at 0.8%.

Calliope hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Calliope's median age is 32 years, which is considerably lower than the Rest of Qld average of 41 and substantially under the Australian median of 38. Relative to Rest of Qld, Calliope has a higher concentration of 5-14 residents at 18.6%, but fewer 75-84 year-olds at 3.6%. This 5-14 concentration is well above the national average of 12.2%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 10.5% to 11.5% of the population. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort has declined from 19.7% to 18.6%. Demographic modeling suggests Calliope's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 25 to 34 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 37%, adding 282 residents to reach 1,047. Meanwhile, the 15 to 24 cohort grows by a modest 6% (38 people).