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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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Kirkwood has an estimated 2,634 residents, up from 2,513 at the 2021 Census — a change of 121 people, or 4.8%. Growth has averaged 0.8% a year over five years. That puts 311 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
According to ABS population updates for the wider region and new addresses verified by AreaSearch since the Census, Kirkwood's population is estimated at around 2,634 as of May 2026. This indicates a growth of 121 people (4.8%) from the 2021 Census, which counted 2,513 people. This change is calculated from a resident population of 2,626, estimated by AreaSearch using the latest ABS ERP release (June 2025) and an additional 1 validated new address since the Census. This population size results in a density of 311 persons per square kilometer, offering ample space per resident and opportunity for future expansion.
Throughout the last decade, Kirkwood has shown steady growth with a 2.7% compound annual growth rate, exceeding the SA3 average. Growth was mostly fueled by natural increase, which accounted for approximately 41.0% of population gains recently, though interstate and overseas migration also contributed positively. AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline. For SA2 areas without this data, and for periods after 2032, Queensland Government SA2 projections from 2023 (based on 2021 data) are used. Because these state projections lack age-specific breakdowns, AreaSearch scales growth weights using the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (published in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age group. Looking ahead, a substantial rise in population is anticipated for the country's top-performing regional areas, with this specific location projected to grow by 565 persons by 2041 under aggregated SA2-level forecasts, representing a 21.1% gain over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Kirkwood exhibits very little home building, with fewer than one new dwelling approved per year (3 dwellings over the five-year period). This minimal construction activity reflects the rural character of the locality, where building is generally prompted by specific local housing requirements rather than broad market dynamics. The tiny sample size means individual building projects can greatly skew annual statistics and relative comparisons. Kirkwood experiences far less construction activity than the Rest of Qld. The level of building is also significantly below national averages. Additionally, recent construction has consisted entirely of standalone houses, prioritizing family residences designed for residents desiring a rural lifestyle and open space.
The ratio of 2628 people in the locality for every single building approval highlights this quiet, low-development setting.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Kirkwood
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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 16 current infrastructure and development projects close to Kirkwood, worth an estimated $13.4 billion. 6 are already under construction and 7 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans communities, precincts & urban renewal, communities and energy. 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 updates, major construction projects, and zoning initiatives have a significant effect on regional performance. A single project has been identified by AreaSearch as having a likely impact on this locality. Significant projects include the Clinton Industrial Estate, the Calliope Residential Growth Area, the Gladstone Project, and the Santos GLNG Project, with the most relevant listed 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
Clinton Industrial Estate
Economic Development Queensland is constructing the Byelle Precinct at Clinton Industrial Estate, delivering 27 fully serviced medium-impact industrial lots ranging from about 4,000 sqm to 10,000 sqm. Civil works including roads, kerbing, services, lighting and landscaping are progressing, with land release expected in late 2026. The precinct is intended to support manufacturing, freight, logistics and advanced industry close to the Port of Gladstone.
West Gladstone Social Homes
Construction of 13 new social homes in West Gladstone designed for single people, couples, young people, people with disability, and seniors. Six homes are being built to Platinum and Gold level accessibility standards as per Social Housing Design Guidelines. The development replaces two older social homes, maximizing land use to deliver more homes for people in need. Part of the Queensland Government's Homes for Queenslanders plan to deliver one million more homes, including 53,500 social homes.
Brookview Estate
Brookview Estate is a resort style master planned residential community in Glen Eden, Gladstone. Originally developed by Latitude Development Group as a gated community title estate, the project was planned for around 250 freehold home sites with staged land releases around a private residents club featuring pools, gym, function room, barbecue areas, playgrounds, landscaped parklands, walkways and cycleways. The original developer entered external administration and the balance of the estate land and recreation centre were sold to new owners from 2017 onward, but the subdivision, roads and lifestyle facilities are now in place and the area has matured into an established suburban neighbourhood with most lots built out and only infill housing occurring on remaining vacant sites.
Hughes Road Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
A proposed 200MW/800MWh lithium-ion battery energy storage system designed to enhance grid stability and support renewable energy integration. The project is located near the existing Wurdong Substation. Construction is anticipated to commence in early 2028, with operations expected to commence in 2029.
Gladstone Project
Powerlink Queensland's Gladstone Project is a critical multi-stage transmission network reinforcement program to ensure electricity reliability and security as the Gladstone Power Station prepares for anticipated closure. The project supports industrial decarbonisation and the integration of renewables in the Central Queensland area. Stage 1 involves the Calvale to Calliope River 275kV transmission line and substation expansions. Stage 2 includes the Bouldercombe to Larcom Creek line and the proposed new Gladstone West Substation. The Final Assessment Report was submitted in June 2025, with Stage 1 main construction works expected to commence in mid-2026 pending formal approvals.
Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal (WICET)
Privately funded coal export terminal at Golding Point within the Port of Gladstone. Stage 1 delivers 27 Mtpa capacity via rail receival, a 5.6 km covered overland conveyor to stockyards, and an offshore wharf ~2 km from shore with a single berth and shiploader. Terminal aligns with Queensland Ports Strategy and can expand on the existing site when demand supports it. Owned by Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal Pty Ltd (industry consortium).
HPA First Project Stage 2
Stage 2 of the HPA First Project is a full-scale commercial refinery producing over 10,000 tonnes per annum of high-purity alumina and related products. Utilizing a proprietary solvent extraction purification process operating on 100 percent renewable energy, construction is actively progressing with the installation of large-scale extraction tanks and mechanical piping.
Riverstone Rise
Gladstone first truly masterplanned community spanning 496 hectares along the Boyne River. The development includes 2,900 homes for over 7,500 residents, educational facilities including a primary school and childcare centre, retail and commercial town centre precinct, medical centre, and community facilities. It features 26 percent dedicated open space with 182 hectares of reserves, parks, and walking trails integrated with 4.2 kilometres of Boyne River frontage. Construction is active with the Corimba and Lilyvale Stage 4A releases progressing through 2026.
1,420 residents of Kirkwood are employed, from a labour force of 1,456. Unemployment sits at 2.5%, with participation at 77.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.4% 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
Kirkwood possesses a qualified workforce, with manufacturing and industrial sectors highly prominent, and an unemployment rate of just 2.5%, based on AreaSearch's compiled statistical area data. As of March 2026, 1,420 residents are employed, which is 1.4% lower than the Regional Qld unemployment rate of 3.9%, while labor force participation is exceptionally high at 77.7% compared to 64.3% in Regional Qld. Census data indicates that a low 4.9% of residents worked from home, though this may have been affected by COVID-19 restrictions. The primary employment sectors for local residents are manufacturing, retail trade, and construction.
The locality displays a high concentration of jobs in manufacturing, with its employment share reaching 2.6 times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance employs only 10.4% of local workers, which is below the 16.1% average in Regional Qld. Although there are local employment opportunities, a large proportion of residents travel outside the suburb for work, based on the ratio of Census workers to the local population. Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data for the broader region, the 12-month period recorded a decrease of 5.9% in the labor force and a 4.7% drop in employment, causing the unemployment rate to contract by 1.2 percentage points. In contrast, Regional Qld saw employment rise by 0.1%, the labor force expand by 0.3%, and unemployment increase by 0.1 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 provide further context for future demand in Kirkwood. These five and ten-year projections are matched to the local workforce profile to estimate growth. While national employment is projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trends vary widely by sector. Applying these sectoral projections to the local industry mix suggests employment in Kirkwood should rise by 5.4% over five years and 11.9% over ten years (this is a basic weighted projection for illustration and excludes local population dynamics).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Kirkwood is $2,313 a week (about $120,000 a year), with median personal income at $990 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $73,965 a year against an average of $91,431. 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
According to the latest postcode-level ATO statistics for the 2023 financial year, taxpayer incomes in the suburb of Kirkwood are exceptionally high by national standards, with a median of $73,965 and an average of $91,431. These figures compare to Regional Qld's median of $53,146 and average of $66,593. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates point to a median income of about $82,367 and an average of $101,818 as of March 2026. The 2021 Census reports that household, family, and individual incomes in Kirkwood rank between the 77th and 83rd percentiles nationally.
The weekly income band of $1,500 - 2,999 is the most common, accounting for 40.6% of residents (1,069 people), compared to 31.7% across the wider metropolitan region. A substantial 31.8% of residents earn more than $3,000 per week, indicating affluent pockets that support local business. Housing costs consume 14.9% of income, while high earnings place residents in the 84th percentile for disposable income, and the local SEIFA income rank is in the 5th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Kirkwood had 799 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 98% detached houses and 0% apartments. 43% are owned with a mortgage, 48% rented and 9% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $350 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,777 a month, a total housing cost higher than 80% of areas nationally. Rent absorbs 15.1% of household income here and mortgage repayments 17.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential property types in Kirkwood at the latest Census consisted of 97.5% standalone houses and 2.5% alternative dwellings (townhouses, apartments, or other shelter types), compared to Regional Qld's mix of 76.4% houses and 23.6% other properties. Home ownership in Kirkwood stood at 8.9%, which is lower than Regional Qld, with the remaining homes being mortgaged (43.4%) or rented (47.7%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,777 was higher than the Regional Qld average of $1,655, while the median weekly rent was $350 compared to Regional Qld's $345. Nationally, Kirkwood's mortgage costs are below the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are lower than the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Kirkwood counted 799 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 3.1 people each. 47% are couples with children, more than in 91% of areas nationally, against 24% couples without children. 13% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the vast majority of households at 84.5%, consisting of couples with children at 46.5%, couples without children at 23.9%, and single-parent households at 13.9%. Non-family households account for the remaining 15.5%, with single-person homes at 12.5% and group share households at 3.2%. The median household occupancy of 3.1 people is larger than the Regional Qld average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
18.4% of adults in Kirkwood hold a university qualification, including 13.7% with a bachelor degree and 2.4% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 87% of areas nationally. A further 34.2% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The locality presents educational disparities, with university graduation rates at 18.4%, which is significantly lower than the national benchmark of 30.4%. This highlights both a deficit and an opportunity for focused educational programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.7%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.4% and graduate diplomas at 2.3%. Vocational and technical skills are highly represented, with 42.9% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (8.7%) and certificates (34.2%). School and study participation is high, with 36.2% of residents enrolled in an educational institution.
This comprises 15.0% in primary school, 11.0% in high school, and 3.9% undertaking higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Kirkwood means driving: households keep an average of 1.7 vehicles, and scheduled services reach only a handful of stops. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transit analysis indicates there are 2 transit stops in Kirkwood, consisting of bus services. These stops are served by 2 distinct routes, which provide a total of 150 passenger trips per week. Transport accessibility is moderate, with residents living an average of 493 meters from the nearest stop. Because Kirkwood is predominantly residential, most working residents travel outside the suburb, with private cars remaining the primary travel mode at 96%. Households own an average of 1.7 vehicles, which is higher than the regional average. A low 4.9% of residents worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic conditions.
Transit service frequency averages 21 trips per day across all routes, which translates to roughly 75 weekly trips at each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
76.5% of residents in Kirkwood report no long-term health condition. 4.0% need daily assistance with core activities, and 63.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.0 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators demonstrate positive outcomes for Kirkwood residents, with mortality rates and illness prevalence matching national averages, showing low rates of common health conditions across young and old demographics. Additionally, private health insurance uptake is exceptionally high, covering approximately 63% of the population (1,670 people), compared to 52.5% in Regional Qld and a national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent health issues in the locality were mental health conditions and asthma, affecting 9.1 and 7.7% of residents, respectively, while 76.5% of the population reported no chronic health conditions, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld.
Residents under the age of 65 experience better-than-average health outcomes. The suburb has 4.9% of its population aged 65 and over (129 people), which is lower than the 20.4% average for Regional Qld. Health status among senior citizens is particularly strong, ranking higher than the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Kirkwood is largely Australian-born, at 77.9% of residents, with 14.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (29.5%) and English (25.0%). 4.7% 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
Kirkwood exhibits a higher level of cultural diversity than average, with 22.1% of residents born outside Australia and 14.4% using a non-English language at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, representing 42.0% of the community. Hinduism shows the most significant relative concentration at 3.4% of the population, compared to 0.8% across Regional Qld. In terms of parent birthplace, the largest ancestral groups in Kirkwood are Australian at 29.5%, English at 25.0%, and Other at 7.2%. There are also distinct concentrations of other backgrounds: South Australian ancestry accounts for 2.2% of Kirkwood (compared to 0.5% regionally), Maori ancestry represents 1.7% (compared to 0.8%), and Filipino ancestry makes up 3.4% (compared to 0.9%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Kirkwood is 28, younger than 99% of areas nationally. 33.6% 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
With a median age of 28 years, Kirkwood's population is considerably younger than the Regional Qld average of 41 and the national average of 38 years. Compared to Regional Qld, Kirkwood features a larger proportion of residents aged 25 - 34 (19.0%) but fewer residents aged 65 - 74 (3.7%). Post-2021 Census data shows the 15 to 24 age bracket has increased from 13.0% to 14.6% of the population, while the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 20.0% to 18.2%. Demographic projections indicate the age structure will change by 2041, with the 25 to 34 age group projected to grow the most by 41% (adding 207 residents to reach 708), while the 85+ cohort will remain unchanged at 0%, adding no new residents.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Kirkwood
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, 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 — 1 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (2,513 at the 2021 Census → 2,634 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 (SAL31556). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.