Kawungan

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

As of May 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Kawungan is around 6,079. This figure reflects an increase of 619 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,460. The latest estimate by AreaSearch, following examination of the June 2025 ABS ERP data release and validation of new addresses, is 6,065 residents. This results in a density ratio of 1,074 persons per square kilometer. Kawungan's population growth of 11.3% since the 2021 Census exceeded both the Rest of Qld (9.2%) and the national average. Interstate migration contributed approximately 67.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

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. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age cohort. Considering projected demographic shifts, the suburb of Kawungan is expected to increase by just below the median of regional areas across the nation. By 2041, the area is projected to have a population of 6,623, reflecting an increase of 544 persons and 8.7% in total over the 16 years.

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

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data, Kawungan averaged around 79 new dwelling approvals each year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 398 homes. So far in FY-26, 76 approvals have been recorded. Over these five years, there was an average of 1.4 new residents per year per dwelling constructed. However, this has decreased to 0.8 people per dwelling over the past two financial years. New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $416,000.

There have also been $3.0 million in commercial approvals this financial year. Kawungan maintains similar construction rates per person compared to the rest of Queensland, reflecting strong developer confidence in the area. The new development consists of 84% detached dwellings and 16% attached dwellings. Kawungan has approximately 46 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market.

Future projections show Kawungan adding 530 residents by 2041, with current construction levels expected to adequately meet demand.

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

Twelve projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area, with key ones including Marina Square Development, HBC Build Australia Mixed-Use Development, Pinnacle Hervey Bay Estate, and Wondunna Mixed-Use Development (MCU22/0103). The following list details those likely to be 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.

Employment performance in Kawungan has been broadly consistent with national averages

Kawungan has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs. Its unemployment rate is 3.8%. Over the past year, estimated employment growth was 10.1%, as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of December 2025, there are 2,586 employed residents, with an unemployment rate of 0.2% lower than Regional Qld's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation in Kawungan is at 51.2%, compared to Regional Qld's 64.5%. According to Census responses, only 6.0% of residents work from home. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training.

Health care & social assistance has particularly notable concentration, with employment levels at 1.5 times the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 1.0%, compared to the regional average of 4.5%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Over a 12-month period, employment increased by 10.1% alongside labour force increasing by 10.0%, leaving unemployment broadly flat. This contrasts with Regional Qld where employment grew by 0.7%, labour force expanded by 1.0%, and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest further insight into potential future demand within Kawungan. These projections estimate national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific 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 aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023 shows Kawungan had a median taxpayer income of $42,929 and an average income of $53,973. This is lower than national averages of $53,146 (median) and $66,593 (average) for Regional Qld. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, current estimates suggest a median income of approximately $47,806 and an average income of $60,104 as of March 2026. The 2021 Census data indicates Kawungan's household, family, and personal incomes fall between the 6th and 9th percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals 30.1% of Kawungan residents (1,829 individuals) earn within the $800 - $1,499 range, contrasting with Regional Qld where the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket leads at 31.7%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Kawungan, with only 84.5% of income remaining, ranking at the 12th percentile nationally.

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

Dwelling structure in Kawungan, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 84.4% houses and 15.6% other dwellings. In comparison, Regional Qld had 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kawungan was 46.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 29.5% and rented ones at 24.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Kawungan was $1,408, below Regional Qld's average of $1,655. Median weekly rent in Kawungan was $340, compared to Regional Qld's $345. Nationally, Kawungan's mortgage repayments were 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 constitute 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 account for 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, which is smaller than the Regional Queensland 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 at 9.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.9%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Trade and technical skills are prevalent, with 41.4% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (10.8%) and certificates (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 active public transport stops, all offering bus services. These stops are served by one route collectively providing 30 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is moderate, with residents typically located 477 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward, primarily using cars at a rate of 96%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.3 per dwelling, below the regional average. Only 6% of residents work from home (2021 Census).

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 indicated by AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. A range of health conditions affect both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 49% of the total population (~2,953 people), compared to 52.5% in Regional Qld and the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (13.1%) and mental health issues (9.0%). Conversely, 55.7% of residents claim to be free from medical ailments, lower than the 67.6% in Regional Qld. Working-age individuals face notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. Kawungan has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over (33.2%, or 2,018 people) compared to Regional Qld's 20.4%. Senior health outcomes present some challenges, generally aligning with national rankings for the overall 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 found to be below average, with 82.7% of its population born in Australia, 90.7% being citizens, and 94.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the main religion in Kawungan, comprising 53.1% of people there. While Judaism makes up only 0.1% of Kawungan's population, it is similarly represented regionally at 0.1%.

The top three ancestry groups in Kawungan are English (33.9%), Australian (27.7%), and Scottish (8.5%). Notably, German ancestry is overrepresented in Kawungan at 5.4%, compared to 4.7% regionally. Maori ancestry is underrepresented at 0.6%, with a regional representation of 0.8%. Australian Aboriginal ancestry is also underrepresented in Kawungan at 3.1%, compared to 3.9% regionally.

Kawungan ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Kawungan's median age is 50 years, which is significantly older than Regional Queensland's median age of 41 and higher than the Australian median age of 38. The age profile shows that those aged 75-84 are particularly prominent, making up 11.8% of the population, while those aged 25-34 make up only 9.1%, which is smaller compared to Regional Queensland's percentage. This concentration of people aged 75-84 is well above the national average of 6.1%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 10.5% to 11.8% of the population, while the 5 to 14 cohort has declined from 11.6% to 9.7%. Demographic modeling suggests that Kawungan's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The number of people aged 85 and above is projected to increase considerably, expanding by 250 individuals (63%) from 395 to 646. Senior residents aged 65 and above will drive 60% of population growth, emphasizing demographic aging trends. Meanwhile, both the 55 to 64 and 5 to 14 age groups are expected to decrease in number.