Freshwater (Qld)

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

The population of Freshwater (Qld) was estimated at 2,142 people according to the 2021 Census. By November 2025, the population had risen to around 2,153, an increase of 11 people or approximately 0.5%. This change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 2,138 following examination of the latest ABS ERP data release in June 2024 and validation of seven new addresses since the Census date. The resulting population density was 1,362 persons per square kilometer, exceeding national averages assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed approximately 67% of overall population gains during recent periods.

For projections, AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia figures released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for each SA2 area. For areas not covered or years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections from 2023 based on 2021 data are used, applying proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Looking ahead, demographic trends suggest a population increase just below the median of regional areas nationally by 2041, with Freshwater (Qld) expected to grow by 95 persons, reflecting a gain of approximately 6.9% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Freshwater, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Freshwater has seen minimal residential development with an average of 3 dwelling approvals per year over the past five years (15 approvals in total). This low level of development is typical of rural areas, where housing needs are modest and construction activity is limited by local demand and infrastructure capacity. It should be noted that due to the small number of approvals, individual projects can significantly impact annual growth statistics.

Freshwater has shown less construction activity than the rest of Queensland, with development levels well below national averages. Recent building activity in Freshwater consists entirely of detached dwellings, aligning with rural living preferences for space and privacy. This favours new construction more than current patterns suggest (58.0% at Census), indicating ongoing robust demand for family homes despite increasing density pressures. With around 878 people per dwelling approval, Freshwater reflects a highly mature market.

Future projections estimate an addition of 148 residents by 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.

Freshwater has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 13thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified five projects potentially impacting the area. Notable ones are Bel Plas Estate, Cairns Western Arterial Road Duplication, Currunda Creek Development, and Larsen Place Estate. The following details projects likely most relevant.

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The labour market strength in Freshwater positions it well ahead of most Australian regions

Freshwater has an educated workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 2.1% as of June 2025, according to AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation.

In June 2025, 1,329 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate 1.9% lower than Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation was high at 73.5%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key employment industries included health care & social assistance, education & training, and public administration & safety. Freshwater had a particularly strong specialization in health care & social assistance, with an employment share 1.5 times the regional level.

However, agriculture, forestry & fishing had limited presence, at 0.7% compared to 4.5% regionally. The predominantly residential area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities, indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Over the 12 months to June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 1.9%, alongside a 2.4% employment decline, causing unemployment to rise by 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment grow by 1.8% and labour force expand by 2.0%, with unemployment rising by 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 provided insight into potential future demand within Freshwater. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, estimated national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these industry-specific projections to Freshwater's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 7.3% over five years and 15.1% over ten years.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Freshwater has high incomes. The median is $68,290 and the average is $84,932. This contrasts with Rest of Qld's median income of $50,780 and average income of $64,844. Using Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of September 2025 are approximately $77,844 (median) and $96,814 (average). Census data shows individual earnings at the 85th percentile nationally ($1,095 weekly), with household income at the 57th percentile. The $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 35.5% of Freshwater's community (764 individuals), similar to the broader area at 31.7%. After housing costs, residents retain 86.7% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

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

Dwelling structure in Freshwater, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 57.6% houses and 42.5% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 80.8% houses and 19.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Freshwater was 32.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 39.3% and rented ones at 28.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,625, below Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Freshwater was $350, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $390. Nationally, Freshwater's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,625 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less at $350 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 66.4% of all households, including 24.6% couples with children, 26.6% couples without children, and 15.0% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 33.6%, with lone person households at 29.9% and group households comprising 3.1%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

Freshwater shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Freshwater's educational attainment exceeds broader benchmarks. Among residents aged 15+, 38.3% hold university qualifications, compared to 20.6% in Rest of Qld and 21.1% in the SA4 region. Bachelor degrees are most common at 25.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.4%) and graduate diplomas (4.6%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 35.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 12.6% and certificates at 23.2%.

Educational participation is high, with 30.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.4% in primary education, 9.8% in secondary education, and 4.2% pursuing tertiary education. Freshwater State School serves the area, with an enrollment of 622 students as of a certain date. The school focuses exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in surrounding areas. The area functions as an education hub, with 28.9 school places per 100 residents - significantly above the regional average of 14.4. This attracts students from surrounding communities.

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

Freshwater has 11 active public transport stops. These are served by buses only. There is 1 route operating across all these stops, offering a total of 114 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility to transport in Freshwater is rated good, with residents on average being located 230 meters from the nearest stop. On average, there are 16 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 10 weekly trips per individual stop.

Freshwater's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Health outcomes data shows excellent results in Freshwater, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 61% of the total population (1,310 people), compared to 52.7% across the rest of Queensland and a national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues are the most common medical conditions in the area, impacting 8.0% of residents, followed by arthritis at 6.6%.

A total of 74.9% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 73.1% across the rest of Queensland. The area has 15.7% of residents aged 65 and over (338 people). Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

In terms of cultural diversity, Freshwater records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Freshwater's population was found to be roughly in line with the wider region's average regarding cultural diversity, with 78.7% of its residents born in Australia, 88.9% being citizens, and 90.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity was identified as the dominant religion in Freshwater, comprising 41.5% of the population. However, Judaism showed an overrepresentation in Freshwater compared to the rest of Queensland, with 0.2% of its population identifying as such, whereas regionally it stood at 0.2%.

The top three ancestry groups in Freshwater were English (29.7%), Australian (22.4%), and Irish (10.4%). Notably, Dutch ancestry was overrepresented at 1.8%, compared to the regional average of 1.5%, while German ancestry stood at 5.1% versus 4.3% regionally, and Scottish ancestry was recorded at 8.9% against 8.0% regionally.

Freshwater hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Freshwater is 42 years, close to Rest of Qld's average of 41 but higher than Australia's median age of 38. Compared to Rest of Qld, the 45-54 cohort is notably over-represented at 15.3% locally while the 65-74 year-olds are under-represented at 9.0%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the 25-34 age group has grown from 10.7% to 12.3%, and the 75-84 cohort increased from 4.0% to 5.5%. Conversely, the 5-14 cohort declined from 15.4% to 13.4%, and the 45-54 group dropped from 16.9% to 15.3%. Population forecasts for Freshwater in 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to expand by 71 people (27%) from 264 to 336, while the 5-14 and 55-64 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.