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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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Kawana has an estimated 4,702 residents, up from 4,434 at the 2021 Census — a change of 268 people, or 6.0%. Growth has averaged 0.7% a year over five years. Interstate and internal migration accounts for 66.0% of that increase. That puts 642 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 assessments of ABS demographic reports for the broader region and new locations confirmed by AreaSearch after the Census, the suburb of Kawana has an estimated residency of approximately 4,702 as of May 2026. This represents an expansion of 268 individuals (6.0%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 4,434 residents. The modification is calculated from a local population of 4,607, estimated by AreaSearch using the June 2025 ABS ERP publication, alongside 7 validated new addresses established post-census. Such a population count translates to a density of 642 persons per square kilometer, offering ample room per resident and capacity for prospective expansion.
The post-census growth of 6.0% in the suburb of Kawana is within 1.0 percentage points of the wider SA3 region (7.0%), indicating competitive local growth dynamics. Demographic expansion was heavily supported by arrivals from other states, which accounted for approximately 66.0% of the overall population rise, though other components such as natural increase and international arrivals also made positive contributions. AreaSearch incorporates regional projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia published in 2024, using 2022 as their starting point. In instances where specific SA2 areas lack coverage, or for periods past 2032, Queensland State Government projections published in 2023 utilizing 2021 data are substituted. Since these state-level figures do not detail age cohorts, AreaSearch distributes growth weights across age segments using the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections configured from 2022 data. Anticipated trends indicate that the suburb of Kawana will experience significant demographic expansion, placing it in the top quartile of regional locations nationwide, with projections suggesting an increase of 1,754 individuals by 2041, which translates to a total expansion of 35.3% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential building activity in Kawana is very quiet, averaging 2 dwelling approvals annually, amounting to 12 dwellings over the five-year period. These modest figures reflect the rural nature of the locality, where building activity is generally prompted by specific local residential requirements rather than broader market forces. Due to the small sample size, individual building projects can have a major effect on year-on-year trends and comparative data. Building approvals in Kawana are substantially below the levels observed across Rest of Qld, while also tracking well under nationwide benchmarks. Additionally, all recent construction approvals have been for detached dwellings, reinforcing the rural character of the locality where larger blocks and open space are standard.
The metric of 917 people for each building approval highlights a quiet development environment with limited construction activity. Demographic projections indicate that Kawana will add 1,659 residents by 2041, based on the most recent quarterly estimates from AreaSearch. With current rates of construction, the local housing supply may struggle to keep pace with this influx, which could intensify competition among purchasers and help drive price growth.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Kawana
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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 2 current infrastructure and development projects inside Kawana, worth an estimated $60 million. A further 52 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $4.65 billion. 17 are already under construction and 12 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, sports & recreation and transport & logistics. 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 strongly affected by updates to regional infrastructure, construction projects, and planning changes. AreaSearch has tracked a total of 13 projects expected to influence the local area. Principal developments include the Former Bunnings Site Redevelopment, Large Format Retail Development Moores Creek Road, Mildura Rise Estate, and the Rockhampton Large Format Retail Centre featuring Anaconda as anchor tenant, with specific details of the most significant projects provided below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Former Bunnings Site Redevelopment
Multi-staged mixed-use redevelopment of the former Bunnings Warehouse site (2.66 ha) at 452-488 Yaamba Road, Norman Gardens. The project features a full-line Coles supermarket, Liquorland, specialty retail stores, outdoor dining, showroom space, and twelve four-bedroom townhouses accessed via Potts Street. The existing 8000 sqm warehouse will be demolished. The development is expected to create approximately 100 jobs during operation.
Rockhampton Large Format Retail Centre (Anaconda anchor)
A large format retail development on the corner of Yaamba Road (Bruce Highway) and Moores Creek Road in Park Avenue, anchored by a 2,500 square metre Anaconda showroom. Following an approved change application in March 2025, the project now comprises six showroom tenancies plus advertising signage, with the previously proposed shopping centre, smaller shops and 24-hour service station components removed. The site provides 258 car parking spaces and is owned by the Spotlight Retail Group through SPG Developments.The development brings additional outdoor, lifestyle and homewares retail to the northern Rockhampton retail strip on the Bruce Highway.
Anaconda Large Format Retail Development Rockhampton
Spotlight Group large format retail development beside the existing Spotlight store near Moores Creek Road and Yaamba Road. The current approved scheme includes a 2500 sqm stand-alone Anaconda anchor store, additional large format retail tenancies, loading areas, signage, landscaping, bicycle parking and more than 230 car spaces. Rockhampton Regional Council approved amended plans in 2025, tenders were called in mid-2025, and Paynters was reported as the builder with construction expected to commence in early 2026.
Capricorn Square Neighbourhood Centre
Capricorn Square is a development-approved neighbourhood essential service centre on a 16,381 square metre corner site at Nagle Drive and Norman Road. Plans cover 3,123 square metres of specialty retail across four low-set buildings, with approvals for food and liquor, health, fitness and medical tenancies and a drive-thru convenience fuel and food enterprise. A separately titled 3,620 square metre lot holds approval for a 1,014 square metre early learning centre catering for 130 children across seven classrooms.The combined site provides 169 retail car spaces and 33 childcare car spaces, with frontage to Norman Road carrying around 11,500 to 15,000 vehicles per day. The two lots were offered at public auction in February 2024 by Next Commercial and have since transacted, with construction yet to commence as of the latest checks.
The Gardens Estate Norman Gardens
A residential housing development in Norman Gardens featuring modern family homes and community facilities. The development includes landscaped parklands, walking trails, and sustainable design principles.
North Rockhampton Sewage Treatment Plant UV Disinfection
A $13 million project, with $9.75 million from the Residential Activation Fund, to provide critical infrastructure to support new residential developments and unlock housing supply in the region.
Rockhampton Ring Road
The Rockhampton Ring Road is a 17.4 km Bruce Highway bypass connecting the Capricorn Highway at Fairy Bower with the Rockhampton-Yeppoon Road at Parkhurst. The approximately AUD 1.98 billion project includes 18 bridges, including a new 435 m Fitzroy River crossing, flood immunity to the Q100 standard, improved freight efficiency, and removal of through heavy vehicle traffic from the Rockhampton CBD. Main construction commenced in 2025 and major bridge works are progressing, including a temporary Fitzroy River work platform and river exclusion zone through mid-2028.
Norman Gardens Play Space Development
A new ninja-themed community play space and recreation facility featuring dynamic play areas with obstacles and climbing structures for various age groups, shaded picnic areas, and a hard half court active play area with sandpit elements.
2,236 residents of Kawana are employed, from a labour force of 2,351. Unemployment sits at 4.9%, with participation at 61.6%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.3% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Kawana has a diverse labor force encompassing both professional and manual occupations, with a solid representation of essential service workers and an unemployment rate of 4.9%, derived from aggregated local statistical data. In March 2026, the employed resident population stood at 2,236, with an unemployment rate 1.0% higher than the Regional Qld benchmark of 3.9%, and participation rates trailing the regional average at 61.6% compared to 64.3%. Census data indicates that a low 2.9% of residents operated from home, though this figure reflects the influence of pandemic restrictions. Local jobs are heavily weighted toward healthcare & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training.
In contrast, agricultural, forestry & fishing sectors are underrepresented at 0.3%, compared to the regional figure of 4.5%. The comparison between local workplace data and resident workers suggests a limited local employment market. According to AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics aggregated across broader zones, the labor force shrank by 6.4% and total employment fell by 3.0% during the 12 months leading to March 2026, resulting in a 3.4 percentage point reduction in the unemployment rate. By comparison, Regional Qld recorded a minor rise in employment of 0.1% and labor force growth of 0.3%, with a 0.1 percentage point increase in unemployment. National forecasts released by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 offer additional perspective on potential employment trends in Kawana. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce structure to model future opportunities. While national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trends vary widely by industry. Applying these sectoral projections to the current workforce mix in Kawana suggests local employment could grow by 6.3% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, though this is a simple weighted projection and does not incorporate local population forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Kawana is $1,327 a week (about $69,000 a year), with median personal income at $722 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $47,921 a year against an average of $56,874. 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
Based on the latest postcode data from the ATO for the 2023 financial year, personal incomes in the suburb of Kawana trail national benchmarks, with a recorded median of $47,921 and an average of $56,874. This is lower than the Regional Qld averages of $53,146 (median) and $66,593 (average). Applying the 11.36% Wage Price Index increase since the 2023 financial year, current estimates point to a median of $53,365 and an average of $63,335 as of March 2026. The 2021 Census data indicates that household, family, and individual incomes are modest in Kawana, falling within the 22nd to 32nd percentiles.
Looking at specific brackets, the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly income range accounts for 31.1% of the population (representing 1,462 residents), which is very close to the metropolitan average of 31.7%. Residents retain 85.0% of their income after meeting housing costs, placing the area in the 23rd percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Kawana had 1,604 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 86% detached houses and 2% apartments. 34% are owned with a mortgage, 39% rented and 28% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $255 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,300 a month. Rent absorbs 19.2% of household income here and mortgage repayments 22.6%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
The housing stock in Kawana at the time of the latest Census consisted of 85.9% standalone houses and 14.1% alternative options like semi-detached properties, units, or other dwelling types, compared to Regional Qld where standalone houses accounted for 76.4% and other formats made up 23.6%. Home ownership rates in Kawana lagged behind Regional Qld at 27.6%, with remaining households divided between properties with a mortgage (33.6%) and rental properties (38.8%). The median monthly mortgage payment was $1,300, which is lower than the Regional Qld average, while the median weekly rent was $255, compared to Regional Qld figures of $1,655 and $345.
On a national level, mortgage commitments in Kawana are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are also well below the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Kawana counted 1,604 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 1,701 today, averaging 2.5 people each. 25% are couples with children, against 24% couples without children. 30% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.9 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families represent the majority of households at 67.0%, comprising 24.8% couples raising children, 23.8% couples without children, and 17.0% single parent units. Non-family households account for the remaining 33.0%, consisting of lone occupant households at 29.5% and shared households at 3.7%. The median occupancy is 2.5 residents per household, which is consistent with the Regional Qld average.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
15.7% of adults in Kawana hold a university qualification, including 11.7% with a bachelor degree and 2.7% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 87% of areas nationally. A further 32.2% hold a vocational qualification. 4 schools serve the area, with 2,065 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 924 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
The region presents low levels of higher education, with university attainment rates (15.7%) sitting well below the national benchmark of 30.4%. This represents an area of focus for educational programs. Among university graduates, bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.7%, with postgraduate credentials at 2.7% and graduate diplomas at 1.3%. Practical and vocational qualifications are common, with 39.7% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (7.5%) and certificates (32.2%). Enrolment rates are high, with 30.5% of the population participating in formal study. This comprises 10.9% of residents attending primary school, 9.9% in high school, and 4.8% enrolled in tertiary courses.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Kawana means driving: households keep an average of 1.2 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
59.6% of residents in Kawana report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 94% of areas nationally. 11.0% need daily assistance with core activities, and 49.7% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 8.0 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Considerable health challenges are present in Kawana, as shown by AreaSearch analysis of mortality statistics and the prevalence of chronic illnesses across multiple age groups, while the rate of private health insurance is low, covering approximately 50% of the population (representing ~2,338 residents). This compares to a coverage rate of 52.5% across Regional Qld and a national average of 55.7%. Mental health conditions and arthritis represent the most common diagnoses, affecting 10.6% and 9.6% of the population respectively, while 59.6% of residents reported having no long-term medical conditions, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld.
Chronic health issues are prevalent among working-age residents, and the population includes 20.9% of residents aged 65 and over (equivalent to 982 individuals). Health metrics for seniors indicate some difficulties, with national performance comparisons generally aligned with the broader local population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Kawana is largely Australian-born, at 87.8% of residents, with 8.0% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (31.6%) and English (28.0%). 6.9% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Kawana shows limited cultural diversity, with citizens making up 87.1% of the population, 87.8% of residents born in Australia, and 92.0% using only English at home. The predominant religious affiliation is Christianity, which is shared by 54.0% of residents, compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld. Regarding ancestral backgrounds, the top three declared groups in Kawana are Australian at 31.6% of the population (well above the regional average of 26.5%), English at 28.0%, and Scottish at 7.1%. There are also notable differences in other ethnic communities, with Australian Aboriginal residents making up 6.9% of the Kawana population (compared to 3.9% across the region), German ancestry at 4.6% (compared to 4.7% regionally), and Filipino ancestry at 2.0% (compared to 0.9% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Kawana is 38. 26.2% 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 median age of 38 years in Kawana is slightly below the Regional Qld average of 41 and matches the Australian average of 38 years. The 35 - 44 cohort is strongly represented at 14.5% compared to Regional Qld, while the 55 - 64 cohort is less common at 10.3%. Post-2021 Census statistics show the 35 to 44 age bracket grew from 13.2% to 14.5% of the population, and the 65 to 74 cohort rose from 9.7% to 11.0%. Meanwhile, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 13.5% to 11.3%.
Projections for 2041 suggest notable demographic shifts in Kawana, led by the 25 to 34 group which is expected to grow by 51% (an increase of 314 people) to reach 935 from 620, while the 15 to 24 cohort is forecast for minimal growth of 10% (an increase of 60 people).
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Kawana
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 | May 2026 3 months ago all 2 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 May 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 — 7 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (4,434 at the 2021 Census → 4,702 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 (SAL31493). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.