Maryborough (Qld)

Maryborough has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Maryborough's population is estimated at approximately 15,771 as of May 2026. Between the 2021 Census and this estimate, there has been an increase of around 484 people, representing a growth rate of about 3.2%. This increase is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 15,741, based on their analysis of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2025), combined with an additional 28 validated new addresses since the Census date. The resulting population density is about 595 persons per square kilometer. Interstate migration has been a significant driver of this growth, contributing approximately 82.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch's projections for Maryborough are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for each SA2 area. For areas not covered by this data and years beyond 2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections from 2023, using 2021 data as the base, are adopted. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023, based on 2022 data. Looking ahead, Maryborough's population is projected to increase by around 827 persons by 2041, reflecting a total increase of approximately 5.0% over the 16-year period, which aligns with Australia's regional areas' median growth rate.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Maryborough according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Maryborough has seen approximately 20 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling around 100 dwellings. As of FY-26, 23 approvals have been recorded. On average, 3.4 people move to the area each year for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25. This supply lagging demand suggests heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures, with new dwellings being developed at an average cost of $431,000.

In this financial year, $56.2 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating robust local business investment. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Maryborough shows substantially reduced construction activity, which is 80.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings, although there has been recent intensification in construction activity. This activity remains under the national average, suggesting the area's established nature and potential planning limitations. New development consists of 86.0% detached houses and 14.0% attached dwellings, maintaining Maryborough's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes.

The estimated population per dwelling approval is 583 people, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment. Population forecasts indicate Maryborough will gain 797 residents by 2041, and development appears to be keeping pace with projected growth, although buyers may face increasing competition as the population expands.

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

Eleven projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area, with key ones being Mary Harbour Development, Energy Storage Industries (ESI) Battery Manufacturing Facility, Homes for Queenslanders - Maryborough Social Housing, and Maryborough Manufactured Home Park Development.

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 drivers in Maryborough are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Maryborough has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, notable in essential services. Its unemployment rate is 9.4%, with an estimated employment growth of 7.5% over the past year (AreaSearch data). As of December 2025, 6,162 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 5.4%, higher than Regional Qld's 4.0%.

Workforce participation is lower at 50.6% compared to Regional Qld's 64.5%. Home-based workers make up a low 5.4% of the population (Census data). Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training, with healthcare showing strong specialization at 1.3 times the regional level. Conversely, construction has lower representation at 6.8%.

Limited local job opportunities are indicated by Census working population vs resident population counts. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 7.5% while labour force grew by 8.1%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Regional Qld saw employment grow by 0.7%, labour force by 1.0%, and unemployment by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's May-25 national employment forecasts project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across sectors. Applying these projections to Maryborough's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

The suburb of Maryborough had a median income among taxpayers of $40,935 and an average income of $47,260 in the financial year 2023, according to ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. These figures are lower than those for Regional Qld, which were $53,146 and $66,593 respectively. By March 2026, estimates suggest Maryborough's median income will be approximately $45,585 and average income $52,629, based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.36%. The 2021 Census revealed that incomes in Maryborough fall between the 1st and 3rd percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. In Maryborough, 34.1% of individuals earned between $400 - $799 weekly, compared to 31.7% in the surrounding region earning between $1,500 - $2,999 weekly. A significant portion of the community, 43.1%, falls into sub-$800 weekly brackets. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Maryborough, with only 84.1% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 3rd percentile nationally.

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

Maryborough's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 85.0% houses and 15.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Regional Qld's 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Maryborough was at 39.5%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (25.1%) or rented (35.4%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Maryborough was $1,008, lower than Regional Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent figure in Maryborough was recorded at $250, compared to Regional Qld's $345. Nationally, Maryborough's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Maryborough features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 59.5% of all households, including 16.3% couples with children, 26.4% couples without children, and 15.6% single parent families. Non-family households account for 40.5%, with lone person households at 36.7% and group households comprising 3.9%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Regional Queensland average of 2.5.

Maryborough faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 9.9%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 7.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.4%) and graduate diplomas (1.3%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 41.1% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (8.8%) and certificates (32.3%).

A substantial 24.8% of the population is actively pursuing formal education, including 9.6% in primary education, 8.7% in secondary education, and 1.9% in tertiary education.

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

Maryborough has 108 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by seven different routes that together facilitate 527 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is considered excellent, with residents living an average of 199 meters from the nearest stop. As a predominantly residential area, most commuters travel outward. Cars remain the primary mode of transport for 90% of residents, while walking accounts for 6%. On average, there are 1.1 vehicles per dwelling, which is below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, only 5.4% of residents work from home, a figure that might be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 75 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately four weekly trips per stop. The map provided displays the 100 closest stops to the location's centerpoint.

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

Maryborough faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. A variety of health conditions impact both younger and older age groups. The rate of private health cover is extremely low at approximately 46% of the total population (~7,243 people), compared to 52.5% in Regional Qld and the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (13.2%) and mental health issues (12.4%), while 50.8% of residents report having no medical ailments, compared to 67.6% in Regional Qld. Working-age individuals face notable health challenges due to higher chronic condition rates. The area has a larger senior population, with 29.3% of residents aged 65 and over (4,620 people), compared to 20.4% in Regional Qld. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, generally aligning with national rankings for the overall population.

The latest Census data sees Maryborough placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Maryborough's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 90.8% of its population being citizens born in Australia who speak English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 51.3% of Maryborough's population compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld. The top three ancestry groups were English (32.7%), Australian (31.1%), and Irish (8.1%).

Notably, German ancestry was overrepresented at 6.4%, while Australian Aboriginal was at 4.1%. Scottish ancestry was also slightly higher at 8.1% compared to the regional average of 7.8%.

Maryborough hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Maryborough's median age at 49 years significantly exceeds both Regional Queensland's average of 41 and Australia's national average of 38 years. The age profile shows a prominent group of 65-74 year-olds, comprising 14.8%, which is higher than the regional average of 10.2% and the national average of 9.4%. Meanwhile, the 25-34 age group constitutes only 9.8%, lower than Regional Queensland's 11.6%. Between 2021 and the present, the 75 to 84 age group has increased from 9.4% to 10.2%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 age cohort has decreased from 11.3% to 10.5%. By 2041, Maryborough's population is expected to see notable shifts. The 85+ group is projected to grow by 52%, reaching 1,033 people from the current 678. This growth will contribute significantly to the overall increase in the 65 and above age group, which is projected to comprise 61% of total population growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 5 to 14 and 55 to 64 age cohorts.