Nambour

Nambour lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validation, Nambour's population was estimated at around 13,469 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 1,324 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 12,145. The change is inferred from AreaSearch estimating the resident population at 13,254 following examination of ABS's latest ERP data release in June 2024 and validating an additional 344 new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,241 persons per square kilometer, above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Nambour's growth rate of 10.9% since the 2021 census exceeded Rest of Qld (9.1%) and the national average, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 62.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year, and Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data for years post-2032. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data for each age cohort. Moving forward with demographic trends, a significant population increase in the top quartile of Australia's non-metropolitan areas is forecast, with the suburb expected to grow by 3,883 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 26.5% in total over the 17 years.

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

Between FY-21 and FY-25, Nambour had approximately 460 new homes approved, with around 30 more expected in FY-26. This totals about 92 new homes per year. Each dwelling constructed has led to an average of 3.2 new residents annually over the past five financial years.

The average construction cost value for new homes is $409,000. In FY-26, $23.7 million in commercial approvals have been registered. Nambour's development activity per person is comparable to the rest of Queensland, maintaining market equilibrium with surrounding areas.

Recent construction comprises 69.0% standalone homes and 31.0% medium and high-density housing. There are approximately 196 people per dwelling approval in Nambour, indicating growth area characteristics. By 2041, Nambour is projected to grow by 3,575 residents. Building activity is aligning with these growth projections, but heightened buyer competition may occur as the population increases.

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

The performance of an area can significantly be influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified 15 such projects that are expected to impact the area. Notable among these are the Nambour Waste Precinct Project, Howard Street Mixed-Use Development, Nambour Place Revitalisation Project, and The Grove Nambour Heights. The following list provides details on those projects considered 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 performance in Nambour lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Nambour's workforce is balanced across white and blue collar jobs, with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 6.5% as of AreaSearch data aggregation. As of September 2025, 6,206 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.4% higher than Rest of Qld's 4.1%.

Workforce participation was lower at 60.8%, compared to Rest of Qld's 65.7%. Census responses showed that only 9.2% of residents worked from home. Dominant employment sectors were health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. Health care & social assistance had particularly high concentration, with employment levels at 1.3 times the regional average.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing employed just 1.4% of local workers, below Rest of Qld's 4.5%. The area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census working population vs resident population comparison. In a 12-month period ending September 2025, labour force decreased by 2.6% and employment by 1.2%, causing unemployment rate to fall by 1.3 percentage points. Rest of Qld recorded employment growth of 1.7%, labour force growth of 2.1%, with unemployment rising 0.3 percentage points during the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggested that Nambour's employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.9% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation of industry-specific projections against local employment mix.

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

The median taxpayer income in Nambour is $44,954, with an average of $55,417, based on the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This is lower than the national average and contrasts with Rest of Qld's median income of $53,146 and average income of $66,593. By September 2025, estimates suggest the median income will be approximately $49,409 and the average will be around $60,909, accounting for a Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023. According to Census 2021 data, incomes in Nambour fall between the 15th and 17th percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. Income analysis shows that 30.4% of Nambour's community earns within the $1,500 - $2,999 band (4,094 individuals), which is similar to the broader area where 31.7% falls into this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Nambour, with only 78.2% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 11th percentile nationally.

Nambour displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Nambour's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 66.5% houses and 33.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Nambour was at 23.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 36.7% and rented dwellings at 39.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,560, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent in Nambour was $340, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $345. Nationally, Nambour's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,560 than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were also lower at $340 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households compose 63.0% of all households, including 23.4% couples with children, 22.7% couples without children, and 15.9% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 37.0%, with lone person households at 32.8% and group households comprising 4.1%. The median household size is 2.3 people, smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

Educational attainment in Nambour aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 16.6%, 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 12.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.6%) and graduate diplomas (1.9%). Vocational credentials are held by 43.4% of residents aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 11.8% and certificates at 31.6%.

Educational participation is high, with 27.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes primary education (10.0%), secondary education (7.8%), and tertiary education (3.8%).

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

Nambour has 51 active public transport stops, offering a mix of train and bus services. These are served by 50 unique routes, facilitating 1,754 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport access is deemed good, with residents on average 292 meters from their nearest stop. Most residents commute outwards, with cars being the primary mode at 92%. On average, there are 1.3 vehicles per dwelling, below the regional norm. According to the 2021 Census, only 9.2% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

Across all routes, service frequency averages 250 trips daily, equating to roughly 34 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Nambour faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Multiple health conditions impact both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is relatively low at approximately 49% of Nambour's total population (~6,621 people), compared to 52.5% across the rest of Queensland and the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are mental health issues (12.4%) and arthritis (10.1%). Approximately 60.0% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 67.6% in the rest of Queensland. Working-age individuals face notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. Nambour has 18.1% of residents aged 65 and over (2,437 people), lower than the 20.4% in the rest of Queensland. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings generally aligned with those of the broader population.

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

Nambour, as per the census data from 2016, had a lower than average cultural diversity. The population was predominantly Australian-born citizens with English spoken primarily at home: 87.7%, 82.0%, and 93.8% respectively. Christianity was the dominant religion in Nambour, accounting for 44.2% of its population.

Notably, the 'Other' religious category comprised only 0.7% compared to the regional average of 0.8%. In terms of ancestry, English (31.8%), Australian (27.2%), and Irish (9.0%) were the top three groups represented in Nambour's population. Some ethnic groups showed notable differences: New Zealanders at 1.0% compared to 0.9% regionally, Germans at 4.9% versus 4.7%, and Dutch at 1.5% against 1.1%.

Nambour's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Nambour as of 2021 is 39 years, which is lower than Rest of Qld's average of 41 but close to the national average of 38. The age profile shows that those aged 25-34 are particularly prominent, making up 15.6% of the population, while those aged 65-74 constitute a smaller proportion at 9.4%. Between 2016 and 2021, the percentage of the population aged 25-34 increased from 13.1% to 15.6%, while the percentage of those aged 15-24 rose from 11.3% to 12.5%. Conversely, the percentage of those aged 5-14 decreased from 12.7% to 11.2%, and the percentage of those aged 55-64 dropped from 12.2% to 10.9%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections indicate that Nambour's age structure will shift significantly. The number of people aged 25-34 is projected to increase by 901 (43%), from 2,101 to 3,003, while the 15-24 cohort is expected to grow by a modest 6%, adding 95 people.