Gooburrum

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

As of November 2025, the estimated population of the Gooburrum statistical area (Lv2) is around 1,698. This figure represents an increase of 180 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,518. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and validation of 51 new addresses since the Census date. This level of population results in a density ratio of 61 persons per square kilometer. The Gooburrum (SA2) experienced an 11.9% growth rate since the 2021 census, exceeding both the SA3 area's 8.7% and the non-metro area's growth rates. Interstate migration contributed approximately 64.0% of overall population gains during recent periods in the Gooburrum (SA2).

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. These state projections do not provide age category splits; hence AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Future population dynamics anticipate lower quartile growth of locations outside capital cities, with the Gooburrum (SA2) expected to grow by 35 persons to 2041, reflecting a decline of 3.2% over the 17 years.

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

Gooburrum has recorded approximately 13 residential properties granted approval each year. Between FY-21 and FY-25, around 69 homes were approved, with a further 2 approved in FY-26. On average, 1.3 people moved to the area for each dwelling built over these five years. However, this figure has increased to 9.7 people per dwelling over the past two financial years.

New homes are being constructed at an average value of $579,000, indicating a focus on premium properties. In FY-26, $1.9 million in commercial approvals have been registered. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Gooburrum's construction activity is 40.0% higher per person over the past five years.

All new constructions have been detached dwellings, maintaining the area's low density nature. There are estimated to be 532 people in the area per dwelling approval. Given stable or declining population forecasts, housing pressure may remain relatively low, benefiting buyers.

Gooburrum has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified nine projects likely influencing the region. Notable ones are Brookfield Estate, Bundaberg Solar Farm, Belle Eden Estate Extensions, and Edenbrook Estate, as detailed below.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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.

The exceptional employment performance in Gooburrum places it among Australia's strongest labour markets

Gooburrum's workforce is skilled with prominent representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 2.0% as of the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 10.2%.

As of September 2025884 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.1%, below Rest of Qld's 4.1%. Workforce participation is similar to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key industries for employment among residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and agriculture, forestry & fishing. The area specializes in health care & social assistance with an employment share of 1.4 times the regional level, while accommodation & food shows lower representation at 5.1% versus the regional average of 8.3%.

There are substantial local employment opportunities indicated by a ratio of 0.8 workers per resident as at the Census. In the past year, employment increased by 10.2% alongside labour force growth of 10.4%, keeping unemployment flat. In contrast, Rest of Qld experienced employment growth of 1.7% and labour force growth of 2.1%, with a rise in unemployment of 0.3 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01%, with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project national employment expansion by 6.6% over five years and 14.1% over ten years. Applying these projections to Gooburrum's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 14.1% over ten years.

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows Gooburrum's median income among taxpayers is $51,149, with an average of $63,204. This is below the national average and compares to Rest of Qld's median of $53,146 and average of $66,593. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Gooburrum would be approximately $56,218 (median) and $69,468 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals household income ranks at the 46th percentile ($1,684 weekly), while personal income sits at the 27th percentile. Income distribution shows that the $1,500 - $2,999 earnings band captures 30.9% of Gooburrum's community (524 individuals). This aligns with the broader area where this cohort likewise represents 31.7%. After housing costs, residents retain 91.3% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Gooburrum is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Gooburrum, as per the most recent Census evaluation, all dwellings were houses with none being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This contrasts with Non-Metro Qld's 84.6% houses and 15.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Gooburrum stood at 53.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 38.1% and rented ones at 8.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,400, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,300. The median weekly rent in Gooburrum was $300, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $285. Nationally, Gooburrum's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,400 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were lower at $300 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 84.4% of all households, including 32.6% couples with children, 41.7% couples without children, and 8.1% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 15.6%, with lone person households at 13.2% and group households comprising 2.5%. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.4.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 18.2%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 14.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.9%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 39.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 9.2% and certificates at 30.6%.

A total of 23.8% of the population is actively pursuing formal education, including 10.0% in secondary education, 7.5% in primary education, and 2.5% in tertiary education.

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

Gooburrum has one active public transport stop operating within its boundaries. This stop is served by a mix of buses along one individual route, offering a total of 12 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as limited, with residents typically located at an average distance of 2021 meters from the nearest transport stop.

Service frequency averages one trip per day across all routes, resulting in approximately 12 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Gooburrum faces significant health challenges, as indicated by its health data. Both younger and older age groups show high prevalence of common health conditions.

Private health cover is more prevalent here than the average SA2 area, at approximately 52% (~887 people), compared to 48.4% across Rest of Qld. The most common medical conditions are arthritis (12.7%) and mental health issues (9.7%). About 58.8% of residents report having no medical ailments, similar to the 59.1% in Rest of Qld. Gooburrum has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 24.7% (419 people), compared to 26.3% in Rest of Qld. Senior health outcomes present challenges comparable to those of the general population.

Gooburrum is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Gooburrum, as per the census conducted on 9 August 2016, showed lower cultural diversity with 89.5% of its population born in Australia and 93.5% being citizens. English was spoken at home by 96.3%. Christianity was the predominant religion, practiced by 62.5%, compared to 54.0% across the rest of Queensland.

The top three ancestry groups were English (29.7%), Australian (29.0%), and Scottish (9.0%). Notably, German ancestry was higher at 8.4% in Gooburrum compared to 6.4% regionally, Hungarian at 0.5% versus 0.2%, and Maltese at 1.1% versus 0.4%.

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

Gooburrum's median age at 49 years is significantly higher than Queensland's average of 41 and exceeds the national average of 38 by a substantial margin. The age profile shows that those aged 55-64 are particularly prominent, making up 16.5% of the population, while those aged 35-44 constitute only 8.7%, which is smaller than the Rest of Queensland's percentage. This concentration of people aged 55-64 is well above the national average of 11.2%. Between 2021 and the present day, the population of those aged 15 to 24 has grown from 11.0% to 12.4%, while the group aged 25 to 34 increased from 10.2% to 11.3%. Conversely, the cohort aged 45 to 54 has declined from 15.7% to 13.8%, and those aged 5 to 14 have dropped from 11.2% to 9.6%. By the year 2041, Gooburrum's age composition is expected to undergo notable shifts. Notably, the group aged 35 to 44 will grow by 15 people, reaching a total of 170 from its current figure of 147. The aging population trend is evident, with those aged 65 and above contributing to half of the projected growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the groups aged 5 to 14 and 45 to 54.