Kawungan

Population growth drivers in Kawungan are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of February 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Kawungan is around 6,032. This figure reflects a growth of 572 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,460. AreaSearch's estimate of the resident population as of June 2024 was 5,826, following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS and validation of an additional 317 new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of approximately 1,065 persons per square kilometer. Kawungan's population growth rate of 10.5% since the 2021 census exceeded both the Rest of Qld (9.1%) and the national average. Interstate migration contributed around 67.0% of overall population gains during recent periods in the suburb.

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 released in 2023 based on 2021 data are used. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings aligned with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age cohort are applied where necessary. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the suburb of Kawungan is expected to experience a population increase just below the median of Australia's non-metropolitan areas by 2041. This projection reflects an expansion of 552 persons over the next 17 years, marking a total increase of approximately 3.5%.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Kawungan among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Kawungan had approximately 83 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 416 homes. As of FY-26, 49 approvals have been recorded. The average annual population increase per dwelling built in Kawungan between FY-21 and FY-25 was 0.6 people.

New construction is meeting or exceeding demand, offering buyers more options and potentially supporting population growth that could exceed current expectations. The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings is $416,000. In FY-26, $3.0 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating the area's residential character. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Kawungan has seen slightly more development, with 14.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period.

This level is also above the national average, reflecting strong developer confidence in the area. New development consists of 85.0% standalone homes and 15.0% attached dwellings, preserving Kawungan's suburban nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. With around 43 people per dwelling approval, Kawungan shows characteristics of a growth area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Kawungan is projected to gain 208 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections.

Kawungan has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 12 projects likely to affect the area. Notable projects include Marina Square Development, HBC Build Australia Mixed-Use Development, Wondunna Mixed-Use Development (MCU22/0103), and Pinnacle Hervey Bay Estate. The following list details those most relevant.

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 labour market in Kawungan demonstrates typical performance when compared to similar areas across Australia

Kawungan's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs. Essential services sectors are well represented with an unemployment rate of 4.1%, and employment grew by 9.9% in the past year, according to AreaSearch data aggregation. As of September 2025, there were 2,461 employed residents, aligning with Rest of Qld's unemployment rate of 4.1%.

However, workforce participation was lower at 50.9%, compared to Rest of Qld's 65.7%. Census data showed that only 6.0% worked from home, potentially impacted by Covid-19 lockdowns. Dominant employment sectors were health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training, with a strong specialization in healthcare at 1.5 times the regional level. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing had lower representation at 1.0%.

Limited local employment opportunities were suggested by Census data comparing working population to resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 9.9% and labour force grew by the same rate, keeping unemployment relatively stable. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment growth of 1.7%, labour force growth of 2.1%, and a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across sectors. Applying these projections to Kawungan's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.5% over ten years.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 30, 2023 shows median assessed income in Kawungan suburb is $42,929. Average income stands at $53,973. This contrasts with Rest of Qld's figures: median income of $53,146 and average income of $66,593. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year ending June 30, 2023, current estimates would be approximately $47,183 (median) and $59,322 (average) as of September 2025. From the Census conducted on August 10, 2021, household, family and personal incomes in Kawungan all fall between the 6th and 9th percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate that 30.1% of residents (1,815 people) earn within $800 - 1,499 bracket, differing from metropolitan region where $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 31.7%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Kawungan, with only 84.5% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 12th percentile nationally.

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

In Kawungan, as per the latest Census evaluation, 84.4% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 15.6% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This compares to Non-Metro Qld's figures of 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kawungan stood at 46.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 29.5% and rented ones at 24.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,408, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent in Kawungan was $340, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $345. Nationally, Kawungan's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Kawungan has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 70.9% of all households, including 22.7% couples with children, 35.5% couples without children, and 12.3% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 29.1%, with lone person households at 26.4% and group households comprising 2.7%. The median household size is 2.4 people, smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 13.4%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common (9.7%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.9%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 41.4% of residents aged 15 and above holding such qualifications.

Advanced diplomas account for 10.8%, while certificates make up 30.6%. Educational participation is high, with 25.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.4% in primary education, 8.1% in secondary education, and 2.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Kawungan has six operational public transport stops, all serving buses. These stops are covered by one route in total, offering 30 weekly passenger trips combined. Transport accessibility is moderate, with residents typically located 477 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to Kawungan's residential nature. Cars remain the dominant mode of transport at 96%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.3 per dwelling, lower than the regional average.

As of the 2021 Census, only 6% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages four trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately five weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Kawungan is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Kawungan faces significant health challenges, as assessed by AreaSearch's analysis of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Multiple health conditions affect both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 49% of Kawungan's total population (around 2,930 people), compared to 52.5% in the rest of Queensland and a national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 13.1% and 9.0% of residents respectively. Conversely, 55.7% of Kawungan residents report no medical ailments, compared to 67.6% in the rest of Queensland. Working-age residents face notable health challenges due to high chronic condition rates. Kawungan has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 32.3% (1,948 people), compared to 20.4% in the rest of Queensland. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges but align with national rankings for the general population.

Kawungan ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Kawungan's cultural diversity was below average, with 82.7% of its population born in Australia, 90.7% being citizens, and 94.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Kawungan, comprising 53.1% of the population. Judaism was slightly overrepresented compared to the rest of Queensland, with 0.1% of Kawungan's population identifying as such.

The top three ancestry groups were English (33.9%), Australian (27.7%), and Scottish (8.5%). Notably, German ancestry was overrepresented at 5.4%, Maori at 0.6%, and Australian Aboriginal at 3.1%.

Kawungan ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Kawungan's median age is 50 years, which is significantly older than Rest of Qld's median age of 41 and higher than the Australian median of 38. The age profile shows that those aged 75-84 are particularly prominent at 11.3%, while the 5-14 age group is smaller at 9.4% compared to Rest of Qld. This concentration of 75-84 year-olds is well above the national average of 6.1%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 15-24 age group has grown from 9.4% to 10.6%, while the 25-34 cohort increased from 8.4% to 9.6%. Conversely, the 5-14 age group has declined from 11.6% to 9.4%. Demographic modeling suggests that Kawungan's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 85+ age cohort is projected to expand considerably, increasing by 215 people (58%) from 367 to 583. Senior residents aged 65 and above will drive 62% of population growth, underscoring demographic aging trends. Meanwhile, both the 55-64 and 5-14 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.