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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 4,703 residents, up from 4,434 at the 2021 Census — a change of 269 people, or 6.1%. Growth has averaged 0.7% a year over five years. Interstate and internal migration accounts for 66.0% of that increase. That puts 643 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
As of Aug 2026, the suburb of Kawana has an estimated resident count of approximately 4,703, established through AreaSearch's evaluation of ABS regional updates alongside newly confirmed post-Census addresses. Compared to the 2021 Census tally of 4,434 people, this represents an addition of 269 people (6.1%). This updated total builds upon the ABS Estimated Resident Population (ERP) release from June 2025 showing 4,607 residents, coupled with 9 validated new addresses registered following the Census. With a density of 642 persons per square kilometer, the locality offers generous living space and room for ongoing growth.
Expanding by 6.1% since the Census, the suburb of Kawana sits within 1.4 percentage points of the wider SA3 area (7.5%), underlining healthy demographic momentum. Net interstate arrivals served as the leading catalyst, accounting for roughly 66.0% of recent population additions, while natural increase and overseas migration also made positive additions. For demographic modelling, AreaSearch incorporates ABS and Geoscience Australia SA2 projections published in 2024 using 2022 as a baseline. For locations outside this dataset and for timelines extending beyond post-2032, Queensland State Government SA2 projections from 2023 (benchmarked to 2021) are applied. Because these state figures omit age distributions, AreaSearch distributes age cohorts based on proportional weightings from the ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 using 2022 data. Looking forward, the suburb of Kawana is projected to experience strong expansion placing it in the highest quartile among Australian regional localities, with aggregated SA2-level figures anticipating a rise of 1,755 persons by 2041, translating to an overall growth rate of 35.3% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential building approvals in Kawana remain limited, averaging 2 dwelling approvals annually and reaching a cumulative total of 10 across the past five years. This subdued pace reflects the area's rural character, wherein building activity responds to localized housing requirements rather than broad market demand. Because annual approval counts are so small, solitary projects can create substantial swings in yearly growth metrics and comparative performance. Building volumes in Kawana are substantially quieter than those recorded across Rest of Qld and remain well below nationwide benchmarks. Furthermore, modern construction has centered solely on detached dwellings, reinforcing the district's low-density rural setting.
With roughly 241 people per approval, the district demonstrates a very low-density profile. Projections derived from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate suggest Kawana will add 1,659 residents by 2041. Should dwelling approvals remain at current levels, housing construction could lag population expansion, potentially tightening buyer competition and driving upward pressure on property values.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Kawana
Loading development applications…
| 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 infrastructure investment, capital projects, and planning frameworks serve as fundamental drivers of community performance. AreaSearch has identified 13 major projects with potential local impacts. Prominent initiatives include Former Bunnings Site Redevelopment, Large Format Retail Development Moores Creek Road, Mildura Rise Estate, and Rockhampton Large Format Retail Centre (Anaconda anchor), with the key undertakings itemised below.
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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.
2,259 residents of Kawana are employed, from a labour force of 2,379. Unemployment sits at 5.0%, with participation at 62.5%. 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 maintains an even distribution of white and blue-collar occupations, supported by a healthy presence across essential service industries and a 5.0% unemployment rate according to aggregated statistical figures. As of March 2026, employed residents stand at 2,259. The local jobless rate sits 1.1% above Regional Qld's 3.9%, whereas labour market participation closely aligns with the regional benchmark of 64.2%. Census figures indicated that just 2.9% of local workers performed their duties remotely, though Covid-19 lockdown restrictions formed part of this operating environment. The primary employment sectors for local workers comprise health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training.
Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 0.3% of Kawana's workforce, falling well below the 4.5% observed across Regional Qld. Comparisons between resident workers and local employment figures suggest that on-site job opportunities within the immediate area remain relatively scarce. According to AreaSearch's compilation of broader ABS and SALM figures, the past 12-month period recorded a 6.3% contraction in the labour pool alongside a 2.8% decline in employment, leading to a 3.4 percentage points drop in unemployment. In contrast, Regional Qld saw employment rise by 0.1% and the labour force expand by 0.3%, alongside a 0.1 percentage point increase. Looking forward, Jobs and Skills Australia projections released in Mar-26 provide indicators of medium-term demand. Nationwide employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with performance varying notably across individual industries. Aligning these sectoral projections with Kawana's current industry composition indicates local employment expansion of 6.3% over five years and 13.5% over ten years (representing an illustrative weighting model that excludes localized demographic projections).
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
Taxpayer income in the suburb of Kawana trails national benchmarks based on financial year 2023 ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch. Taxpayers recorded a median income of $47,921 and an average income of $56,874, compared with $53,146 and $66,593 across Regional Qld. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023 yields updated estimates of roughly $53,365 (median) and $63,335 (average) as of March 2026. Data from Census 2021 places household, family, and personal earnings within the 22nd to 32nd percentiles nationally. A substantial share of local earners (31.1%, or 1,462 people) falls in the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, closely tracking the metropolitan distribution of 31.7%.
Residual income after covering accommodation stands at 85.0%, positioning the locality at the 23rd percentile across the country.
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
According to the latest Census, the housing landscape in Kawana is composed of 85.9% separate houses and 14.1% alternate dwelling forms (such as semi-detached homes, units, and other structures), compared to Regional Qld's split of 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Outright property ownership stands at 27.6%, trailing regional figures, while remaining residences are occupied under a mortgage (33.6%) or rented (38.8%). Typical monthly mortgage commitments of $1,300 and median weekly rent payments of $255 are notably lower than Regional Qld averages of $1,655 and $345. On a broader scale, Kawana remains substantially more affordable than the Australian median monthly mortgage of $1,863 and weekly rental rate 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
Family units constitute the predominant living arrangement, representing 67.0% of local households. This group consists of couples with children (24.8%), couples without children (23.8%), and single parent families (17.0%). Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 33.0%, divided between lone person households at 29.5% and group homes at 3.7%. The typical household size sits at 2.5 people, identical to the Regional Qld benchmark.
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
Higher education qualifications in the locality sit below nationwide standards, with university completion recorded at 15.7% relative to the 30.4% Australian figure. Among degree holders, bachelor qualifications comprise 11.7%, postgraduate awards account for 2.7%, and graduate diplomas represent 1.3%. Vocational training represents a strong pillar of the workforce, with 39.7% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (7.5%) and certificates (32.2%). Formal study engagement is substantial, with 30.5% of the local population actively enrolled in an educational course. Primary school pupils account for 10.9%, secondary school attendees represent 9.9%, and 4.8% are enrolled in tertiary studies.
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
Health assessments by AreaSearch highlight notable long-term wellness challenges in Kawana across multiple age groups, evidenced by chronic illness rates and mortality statistics. Uptake of private health insurance is relatively low, covering approximately 50% of the population (~2,339 people), compared to 52.5% in Regional Qld and 55.7% across Australia. Mental health conditions and arthritis represent the two most common diagnoses, affecting 10.6% and 9.6% of residents respectively, while 59.6% reported having no diagnosed health conditions (compared with 67.6% across Regional Qld). Chronic conditions are prominent among working-age individuals. Residents aged 65 and over total 945 people (20.1% of the population), with health indicators in this senior cohort aligning broadly with national patterns.
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
Cultural diversity in Kawana sits below broader averages, with Australian citizens comprising 87.1% of residents, 87.8% born in Australia, and 92.0% communicating solely in English at home. Christianity is the primary faith, practiced by 54.0% of the community, compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld. In terms of parental heritage, the most common backgrounds reported in Kawana are Australian (31.6%, exceeding the 26.5% regional mark), English (28.0%), and Scottish (7.1%). Other cultural groups show notable patterns, including Australian Aboriginal representation at 6.9% (versus 3.9% regionally), German heritage at 4.6% (compared to 4.7%), and Filipino background at 2.0% (compared to 0.9%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Kawana is 38. 26.3% 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 age distribution in Kawana mirrors Regional Qld benchmarks, with variance across the four main age brackets not exceeding 2.5 percentage points. As at August 2026, the estimated median age is 38, matching the 2021 Census level and sitting 3 years younger than the regional baseline of 41 from that Census. The 25 - 44 age cohort is projected to see the largest absolute expansion by 2041, increasing by 517 (41%) to 1,782. Meanwhile, the retiree and senior group (65+) is anticipated to experience the highest proportional increase, expanding 54% to reach 1,453.
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 Oct 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) | Aug 2026 2 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| 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 Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 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 7 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) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 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 — 9 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (4,434 at the 2021 Census → 4,703 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 Aug 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.