Evans Head

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

The population of the suburb of Evans Head is estimated at around 3,093 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase from the 2,907 people reported in the 2021 Census, marking a growth of 186 people (6.4%). The latest estimate comes from AreaSearch following examination of the June 2025 ABS ERP data release and validation of 202 new addresses since the Census date. This population level equates to a density ratio of 139 persons per square kilometer, indicating significant space per person. Evans Head's growth rate of 6.4% since the 2021 census exceeded both the SA4 region (3.7%) and the Rest of NSW, positioning it as a regional growth leader. Interstate migration contributed approximately 69.0% to overall population gains during recent periods, with other factors such as overseas migration and natural growth also positively impacting population growth.

AreaSearch is using ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections for areas not covered by this data, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. According to population projections, an above median growth is expected for regional areas nationwide, with Evans Head projected to increase by 463 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 14.8% over the 16-year period.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Evans Head had approximately 8 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling around 40 homes. As of FY26, 6 approvals have been recorded. Between FY21 and FY25, an average of 2.8 people moved to the area per new home constructed. New homes are built at an average cost of $478,000, indicating focus on premium market developments.

In FY26, $3.0 million in commercial approvals have been registered. Compared to Rest of NSW, Evans Head has significantly less development activity, around 54.0% below the regional average per person. Recent construction comprises 86.0% detached dwellings and 14.0% townhouses or apartments. The estimated population growth by 2041 is 459 residents, potentially outpacing housing supply if current development rates continue.

Looking ahead, Evans Head is expected to grow by 459 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

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

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified one major project expected to affect this region. Notable projects include Woodburn Street Mixed-use Precinct at Evans Head (17 McDonald Place), Queensland Regional Road Network Safety Improvements, Pacific Highway Upgrade: Hexham To Brisbane, and Queensland New South Wales Interconnector. The following details those most relevant.

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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.

AreaSearch analysis indicates Evans Head maintains employment conditions that align with national benchmarks

Evans Head has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 3.3% as of December 2025. This rate is 0.7% below Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation in Evans Head was 48.7%, compared to Regional NSW's 60.5%. According to the Census, 13.7% of residents worked from home. The leading employment industries among residents were health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction. Education & training had an employment share of 1.6 times the regional level.

Public administration & safety showed lower representation at 4.3%, compared to the regional average of 7.5%. Over the 12 months to December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 0.4% and employment decreased by 0.3%, leaving unemployment broadly flat. Regional NSW recorded an employment decline of 1.2% and a labour force decline of 0.8%, with unemployment rising by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Evans Head's employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

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 Evans Head had a median taxpayer income of $42,940 and an average of $51,229. Both figures are below the national averages. Regional NSW's median was $52,390 and average was $65,215 in the same period. As of March 2026, estimated incomes would be approximately $47,371 (median) and $56,516 (average), based on a 10.32% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023. According to the 2021 Census, Evans Head's household, family, and personal incomes all fall between the 6th and 17th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows that 28.4% of residents earn between $800 and $1,499 annually (878 individuals), differing from regional trends where 29.9% earn between $1,500 and $2,999. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Evans Head, with only 82.2% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 7th percentile nationally.

Evans Head displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

The dwelling structure in Evans Head, as per the latest Census, consisted of 54.7% houses and 45.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. The home ownership level in Evans Head was higher than that of Regional NSW at 43.1%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (18.3%) or rented (38.6%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Evans Head was $1,642, lower than the Regional NSW average of $1,733. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $321, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Evans Head's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Evans Head features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 62.4% of all households, including 18.0% composed of couples with children, 32.8% consisting of couples without children, and 10.8% being single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 37.6%, with lone person households at 35.0% and group households comprising 2.8%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 19.7%, significantly lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 14.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.5%) and graduate diplomas (1.9%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 40.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.6%) and certificates (29.8%). Educational participation is high at 26.0%, with 10.1% in primary education, 7.9% in secondary education, and 2.7% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 26.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.1% in primary education, 7.9% in secondary education, and 2.7% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Evans Head has 78 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 15 different routes that together facilitate 224 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these stops is rated as excellent, with residents on average located just 102 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to the area's primarily residential nature. Cars remain the dominant mode of transport, used by 89% of residents, while walking and cycling account for 7% and 2% respectively. Vehicle ownership stands at an average of 1.2 per dwelling, lower than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 13.7% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 32 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately two weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Evans Head is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Evans Head faces significant health challenges according to AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 47% of the total population (~1,461 people), compared to 51.9% in Regional NSW and a national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (13.5%) and mental health issues (9.2%). Conversely, 58.3% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Working-age residents face notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 33.9%, or 1,048 people, compared to 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present additional challenges, ranking even higher than the general population nationally.

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

Evans Head, as per the 2016 Census, had a cultural diversity index below average. Its population was predominantly citizens (90.0%), born in Australia (92.5%), and spoke English only at home (97.2%). Christianity was the dominant religion, practiced by 57.1% of residents, slightly higher than Regional NSW's 55.9%.

The top three ancestry groups were Australian (31.5%), English (30.7%), and Irish (10.5%). Notably, Scottish ancestry was overrepresented at 9.6%, compared to the regional average of 8.0%. Hungarian ancestry was also higher than the regional average, at 0.3% versus 0.2%. Australian Aboriginal ancestry was present at 4.1%, slightly lower than Regional NSW's 4.6%.

Evans Head ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Evans Head is 52 years, significantly higher than Regional NSW's average of 43 and the national norm of 38. The 65-74 age cohort is notably over-represented in Evans Head at 18.6%, compared to Regional NSW's average, while those aged 15-24 are under-represented at 8.2%. This concentration of the 65-74 age group is well above the national average of 9.4%. Between 2021 and present, the 75-84 age group has increased from 8.4% to 10.5% of the population. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort has declined from 16.5% to 15.2%, and the 5-14 age group has dropped from 10.5% to 9.3%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Evans Head. The 75-84 age cohort is projected to grow by 37%, adding 119 residents to reach a total of 444. Meanwhile, numbers in the 15-24 age range are expected to fall by 15%.