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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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Glenella has an estimated 4,612 residents, up from 4,545 at the 2021 Census — a change of 67 people, or 1.5%. That puts 414 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 demographic evaluations from the ABS for the surrounding region, combined with fresh address verifications by AreaSearch following the Census, the suburb of Glenella has an estimated population of 4,612 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 67 residents (1.5%) since the 2021 Census, when the headcount stood at 4,545 people. The adjustment is calculated from a resident base of 4,571, calculated by AreaSearch using the ABS release of June 2025 ERP records and an additional 2 validated new addresses recorded after the Census date. With this population level, the local density stands at 414 persons per square kilometer, offering ample room per resident and capacity for prospective development.
Growth in the suburb of Glenella was chiefly propelled by arrivals from overseas, accounting for approximately 39.0% of the total demographic expansion, though natural increase and interstate relocations also registered positive figures. Projections developed by the ABS and Geoscience Australia are utilized by AreaSearch for individual SA2 sectors, published in 2024 using 2022 as the baseline. For SA2 territories lacking this coverage, and for the period following 2032, projections from the Queensland State Government released in 2023 and based on 2021 records are applied. These state-level forecasts do not segment by age brackets; consequently, AreaSearch distributes growth using proportional ratios sourced from the ABS Greater Capital Region forecasts (published in 2023, utilizing 2022 benchmarks) for each age group. Based on these anticipated demographic trends, the suburb of Glenella is set to experience growth exceeding the median for non-metropolitan Australian localities, with a projected rise of 809 residents by 2041 under consolidated SA2-level modeling, which translates to a total increase of 16.6% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Construction approvals in Glenella remain sparse, typically averaging under one approval annually, with a total of two permits issued across a five-year timeframe. These modest building volumes align with the country character of the locality, where new residential work is generally prompted by immediate local housing requirements rather than broader real estate trends. Given these small numbers, annual variations and comparative growth rates can shift dramatically depending on specific single projects. As expected, building volumes in Glenella are significantly below the averages observed across the Rest of Qld. These building levels are also lower than the national benchmark.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Glenella
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 7 current infrastructure and development projects inside Glenella, worth an estimated $63 million. A further 42 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $2.49 billion. 22 are already under construction and 19 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and sports & recreation. 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 performance is heavily shaped by developments in regional infrastructure, major works, and municipal planning strategies. In total, 12 initiatives have been cataloged by AreaSearch as having a potential impact on the locality. Key initiatives include the Mackay Port Access Bruce Highway to Mackay Slade Point Road Stage 1, the Magpies Sporting Club Redevelopment, the Mackay Educational Precinct, and the Mackay Ring Road - Stage Two, with the detailed list below focusing on those of greatest significance.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Magpies Sporting Club Redevelopment
Three-stage redevelopment of Magpies Sporting Club including a new eastern reception with porte cochere, expanded cafe and Players Lounge, refurbished restaurant, larger childrens play area, rebuilt administration facilities, and a significantly expanded sports bar with outdoor deck, landscaping and accessibility improvements. The new 100-plus space car park has opened and main building construction is progressing with Woollam Constructions. Recent project updates report structural works advancing and staged internal renovations continuing toward completion in 2027.
Residential Subdivision at 20-32 Cinnamon Drive
Preliminary approval for a 54-lot residential subdivision. The development offers a tranquil lifestyle surrounded by quiet farming lands in a central, convenient location.
Residential Subdivision at Lot 900 Lindwall Street
Change Application for a 30-lot residential subdivision including 30 urban residential lots and 1 drainage lot.
Mackay Ring Road - Stage Two
Stage Two of the Mackay Ring Road will connect the Bruce Highway at Bald Hill Road, Glenella, north-west of Mackay to Harbour Road near the Port of Mackay via an 8.2-kilometre corridor south of the rail line. The project involves building a connection between Mackay Ring Road and Bald Hill Road, including a bridge over the Port Rail line, intersection upgrades at Bruce Highway/Bald Hill Road, duplication of the Bruce Highway between Mackay Ring Road and Mackay Northern Access, and duplication of Bruce Highway overpasses.This connects to the future Mackay Port Access project and aligns with benefits for mines and agricultural industries to the Port of Mackay. Construction started in November 2022 with completion due in early 2025.
Mackay Port Access Bruce Highway to Mackay Slade Point Road Stage 1
A proposed 9.5km, 2-lane arterial access road extending from the Bruce Highway at Glenella to Mackay-Slade Point Road (Harbour Road). Parallel to the Erakala-Mackay Harbour rail line, the route will provide a direct heavy vehicle freight link from the Port of Mackay to the Mackay Ring Road and the Bowen Basin coal fields, while bypassing urban congestion in North Mackay. Planning assessments include an interchange at Bald Hill, connections at Schapers Road, Valley Street, and Mackay-Slade Point Road, underpasses at local intersections, and bridges over Jane and Goosepond Creeks.
Mackay Base Hospital Expansion
A major expansion of Mackay Base Hospital under the Queensland Government Hospital Rescue Plan. The project will deliver 128 additional beds, a new clinical services building, expanded women's health units, and child and adolescent units. Current active works include a temporary 80-space parking facility and the recommissioning of the on-site helipad to improve time-critical patient transfers. A new masterplan for the site is expected to be finalized by mid-2026.
Glenella Connection Road water main augmentation
Augmentation of the water main along Glenella Connection Road.
Mackay Educational Precinct
Consolidated education hub in Mackay bringing together state education services with TAFE and university pathways. The initiative focuses on industry-aligned training and higher education in mining, agriculture and marine sciences, delivered through precinct-style collaboration between Queensland Department of Education, TAFE Queensland and CQUniversity.
2,664 residents of Glenella are employed, from a labour force of 2,696. Unemployment sits at 1.2%, with participation at 72.5%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.1% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 3,608, about 78% 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
Glenella possesses a highly capable labor force, with solid representation in production and industrial fields, a jobless rate of only 1.2%, and an estimated employment expansion of 4.2% over the preceding year, according to localized statistical aggregates from AreaSearch. In March 2026, working residents numbered 2,664, representing an unemployment rate 2.7% lower than the Regional Qld average of 3.9%, while labor force participation is exceptionally high at 72.5% compared to the regional benchmark of 64.3%. Census data indicates that a modest 6.0% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure may have been influenced by pandemic-related restrictions.
The primary employment sectors for local workers are health care & social assistance, mining, and retail trade. The community is heavily focused on mining, which has a concentration level 3.3 times higher than the regional average. In contrast, agriculture, forestry & fishing represents a minor portion of local work at 1.3% compared to the 4.5% seen regionally. The comparison between the local job-holding population and resident numbers suggests that local employment openings within the immediate vicinity are relatively sparse. According to AreaSearch's evaluation of SALM and ABS statistics compiled from regional datasets, the 12-month timeframe witnessed a 4.2% growth in jobs alongside a 4.7% rise in the active labor force, pushing the unemployment rate up by 0.4 percentage points. By comparison, Regional Qld experienced a 0.1% rise in jobs, a 0.3% increase in the labor force, and a 0.1 percentage point uptick in unemployment. National employment projections from May-25 compiled by Jobs and Skills Australia provide further context regarding potential hiring trends in Glenella. These five-year and ten-year forecasts have been correlated with local employment sectors to project potential trends. Globally, national employment is projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but trajectories vary widely by sector. Projecting these industry trends onto the local workforce mix suggests that local employment could rise by 6.1% over five years and 13.1% over ten years, based on a basic weighted extrapolation that does not incorporate specific local population forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Glenella is $2,535 a week (about $132,000 a year), with median personal income at $981 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $62,449 a year against an average of $78,127. 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 most recent postcode ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch for the 2023 tax year, the median income for taxpayers in Glenella is $62,449, while the average stands at $78,127. This represents a very high financial profile compared to the Regional Qld median of $53,146 and average of $66,593. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates point to approximately $69,543 for the median and $87,002 for the average as of March 2026. Based on 2021 Census records, household, family, and individual earnings in the area are positioned strongly, placing in the 77th to 91st percentiles across the country.
In terms of earnings distribution, the largest group comprises 31.8% of residents (1,466 people) earning in the $1,500 - 2,999 range, which closely tracks the regional figure of 31.7% in the same band. Household prosperity is evident with 41.5% of households earning weekly incomes above $3,000, which supports local retail activity. Once housing expenses are paid, households retain 88.2% of their income, showing substantial disposable income, and the area's SEIFA socio-economic index ranks it in the 6th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Glenella had 1,468 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 95% detached houses and 2% apartments. 46% are owned with a mortgage, 21% rented and 33% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $450 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,904 a month. Rent absorbs 17.8% of household income here and mortgage repayments 17.3%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential architecture in Glenella at the time of the latest Census consisted of 95.4% separate houses and 4.7% alternative housing options like townhouses, apartments, or other structures, whereas Regional Qld recorded 76.4% separate houses and 23.6% alternative housing types. The rate of home ownership was consistent with the wider region at 32.5%, with the remaining properties being held under a mortgage (46.3%) or occupied by tenants (21.2%). Homeowners with a mortgage faced a median monthly payment of $1,904, which is notably higher than the Regional Qld average of $1,655, while renters paid a median weekly rate of $450, compared to the regional figure of $345.
Nationally, mortgage costs in the area exceed the Australian average of $1,863, and typical rent levels are considerably higher than the country-wide median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Glenella counted 1,468 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.9 people each. 43% are couples with children, more than in 86% of areas nationally, against 31% couples without children. 13% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the vast majority of local households at 84.3%, consisting of couples with children at 43.4%, childless couples at 30.6%, and single parents at 9.3%. The remaining 15.7% are non-family households, which include single person households at 13.2% and group houses at 2.5%. The typical household size of 2.9 individuals is larger than the Regional Qld average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
21.6% of adults in Glenella hold a university qualification, including 15.7% with a bachelor degree and 3.9% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 29.6% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 225 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 971 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Academic credentials in Glenella sit below national levels, with 21.6% of residents aged 15 and over having completed a university degree, compared to 30.4% across Australia. This difference suggests scope for further educational advancement and training. Bachelor degrees make up the largest share at 15.7%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 3.9% and graduate diplomas at 2.0%. Practical and vocational training is highly represented, with 39.2% of residents aged 15 and over holding a trade credential, split between advanced diplomas at 9.6% and certificate qualifications at 29.6%. Enrolment in study is quite high, with 30.9% of the local population actively participating in academic programs.
This comprises 11.6% of residents in high school, 10.9% in primary school, and 3.2% enrolled in higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Glenella 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 options include seven active stops located within the area, offering a combination of bus connections. These locations are served by one unique route, which provides 59 weekly passenger journeys. Transport links are rated as favorable, with residents generally living 376 meters from the nearest stop. Due to the residential character of the neighborhood, the majority of workers travel out of the area for employment, with private vehicles remaining the primary choice for 95% of commuters. Households own an average of 1.9 vehicles, exceeding the regional standard. A modest 6.0% of the workforce worked from home, based on 2021 Census records which may have been impacted by pandemic conditions.
Transit frequency averages eight daily journeys across the available routes, which translates to roughly eight passenger trips per week at each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
72.2% of residents in Glenella report no long-term health condition. 4.9% need daily assistance with core activities, and 58.2% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.4 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Medical indicators suggest favorable conditions for local residents, with AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality indices and chronic conditions showing results that align closely with national averages. The occurrence of typical medical issues is standard across both younger and older residents, and the proportion of residents with private health insurance is exceptionally high at approximately 58% of the population (~2,682 people), compared to 52.5% across Regional Qld. The most prevalent health issues reported locally are asthma and arthritis, which affect 6.9% and 6.6% of the population, respectively. Meanwhile, 72.2% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld.
Health outcomes for residents under the age of 65 are better than average. Residents aged 65 and older make up 14.3% of the population (659 people), which is lower than the Regional Qld proportion of 20.4%, with national health comparisons matching the broader public.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Glenella is largely Australian-born, at 81.7% of residents, with 11.1% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (27.2%) and Australian (26.3%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
The local population displays levels of cultural diversity that are comparable to regional averages, with citizens making up 87.9% of the population, 81.7% of residents born in Australia, and 88.9% using only English at home. The predominant religious affiliation is Christianity, chosen by 61.5% of the local population, compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld. When looking at ancestral backgrounds, the three most common heritages reported are English at 27.2%, Australian at 26.3%, and Scottish at 7.8%. There are also notable concentrations of specific backgrounds: Maltese ancestry is highly represented at 2.8% (compared to 0.4% regionally), South Australian heritage is at 1.3% (compared to 0.5% regionally), and German ancestry stands at 4.9% (compared to 4.7% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Glenella is 39. 24.3% 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 39 years is slightly below the Regional Qld average of 41, though it is nearly identical to the national average of 38. The age distribution shows a high concentration of residents aged 45 to 54 years (15.6%), while the 65 to 74 year age group is relatively small at 7.1% compared to the regional profile. Since 2021, the cohort aged 15 to 24 has expanded from 12.9% to 14.6%, and the group aged 75 to 84 grew from 3.8% to 4.9%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort decreased from 15.3% to 13.4%, and the 45 to 54 bracket fell from 16.7% to 15.6%.
Looking forward to 2041, demographic projections indicate notable changes in the age profile of the suburb of Glenella, with the 35 to 44 cohort expected to grow by 146 people (21%) from 701 to 848, while the 15 to 24 age bracket is projected to decrease by 26 residents.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Glenella
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 | Jul 2026 last month all 7 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 Jul 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 — 2 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (4,545 at the 2021 Census → 4,612 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 (SAL31159). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.