Nikenbah

Nikenbah lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validation, as of Nov 2025, Nikenbah's estimated population is around 2,150. This reflects a growth of 916 people since the 2021 Census, which reported 1,234 residents. The increase was inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 2,122 residents based on June 2024 ABS ERP data and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 91 persons per square kilometer. Nikenbah's growth rate of 74.2% exceeded both non-metro areas (8.8%) and national averages, marking it as a regional growth leader. Interstate migration contributed approximately 93.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses 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 adopted, applying proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 with a base year of 2022. Future population trends forecast a significant increase for the top quartile of national non-metropolitan areas by 2041, with Nikenbah expected to expand by 562 persons, reflecting a decline of 6.8% in total over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Nikenbah shows around 152 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling approximately 763 homes. So far in FY-26, 94 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.3 people per year have moved to the area for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating that new supply is meeting or exceeding demand. The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings is $434,000.

In FY-26, there have been $4.0 million in commercial approvals, suggesting limited commercial development focus compared to residential. Nikenbah records 817.0% more development activity per person than the Rest of Qld, indicating strong developer confidence in the location. New building activity comprises 94.0% detached dwellings and 6.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's traditional low density character. With around 8 people per dwelling approval, Nikenbah exhibits growth area characteristics. Population projections suggest stability or decline, which should reduce housing demand pressures and benefit potential buyers in the area.

With population projections showing stability or decline, Nikenbah should see reduced housing demand pressures, benefiting potential buyers.

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

Infrastructure changes significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 14 projects that could affect this region. Notable ones are Marina Square Development, Wondunna Mixed-Use Development (MCU22/0103), Pinnacle Hervey Bay Estate, and Fraser Coast Sports and Recreation Precinct. 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.

AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Nikenbah performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Nikenbah has a skilled workforce with an unemployment rate of 1.9% as of September 2025. This is based on AreaSearch aggregation of statistical area data.

The estimated employment growth over the past year was 12.2%. In comparison, Rest of Qld had an unemployment rate of 4.1% and a workforce participation rate of 59.1%, while Nikenbah's was 55.2%. Leading industries among residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training. Health care & social assistance is particularly strong with an employment share 1.6 times the regional level.

Manufacturing is under-represented at 3.3% compared to Rest of Qld's 5.6%. Employment opportunities appear limited locally based on Census working population vs resident population data. In the year to September 2025, employment levels increased by 12.2% and labour force by 12.1%, keeping unemployment rate relatively stable at 2.1%. Meanwhile, Rest of Qld saw employment growth of 1.7% and labour force growth of 2.1%, with a rise in unemployment rate by 0.3 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1,210 jobs) with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia suggest growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Nikenbah's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.5% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows Nikenbah's median income among taxpayers is $57,760. The average income in the suburb is $72,619. Both figures are above the national average. Rest of Qld has a median income of $53,146 and an average of $66,593. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes for Nikenbah as of September 2025 are approximately $63,484 (median) and $79,816 (average). Census data indicates household, family, and personal incomes in Nikenbah rank modestly, between the 37th and 45th percentiles. Income distribution shows that 33.3% of individuals in Nikenbah earn between $1,500 and $2,999 (715 individuals), which is similar to the broader area at 31.7%. After accounting for housing costs, 85.4% of income remains for other expenses. The suburb's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

Nikenbah is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Nikenbah's dwellings were entirely houses at the latest Census, unlike Non-Metro Qld which had 83.9% houses and 16.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Nikenbah was 39.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 38.2% and rented ones at 22.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,747, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,430. Median weekly rent in Nikenbah was $390, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $335. Nationally, Nikenbah's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were higher than the national figure of $375.

Nikenbah features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 88.2% of all households, including 33.3% couples with children, 44.2% couples without children, and 8.5% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 11.8%, with lone person households at 10.9% and group households comprising 1.9%. The median household size is 2.8 people, which is larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.3.

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

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates of 22.6%, exceeding the SA4 region average of 13.3%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 15.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.1%) and graduate diplomas (3.5%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 40.2% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (13.5%) and certificates (26.7%).

Educational participation is high, with 27.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.0% in primary education, 7.9% in secondary education, and 2.0% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Nikenbah has three active public transport stops, all of which operate buses. These stops are served by one route collectively offering 73 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is limited, with residents typically located 1253 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 10 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 24 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Nikenbah is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Nikenbah faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is very high at approximately 56% of the total population (~1,203 people), compared to 47.8% across the rest of Queensland.

The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 11.4% and 8.4% of residents respectively, while 66.4% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 56.7% across the rest of Queensland. The area has 21.8% of residents aged 65 and over (468 people), which is lower than the 31.0% in the rest of Queensland. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

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

Nikenbah had a cultural diversity level below average, with 81.0% of its population born in Australia, 93.0% being citizens, and 92.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion in Nikenbah, making up 52.2% of people, compared to 52.7% across Rest of Qld. The top three ancestry groups were English (31.0%), Australian (29.1%), and Irish (8.2%).

Notably, South African (0.9%) was overrepresented in Nikenbah versus regionally (0.3%), as were Russian (0.4% vs 0.2%) and Dutch (1.6% vs 1.3%).

Nikenbah's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age in Nikenbah is 39 years, which is lower than Rest of Qld's average of 41 but close to the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 65-74 make up 14.8% of the population, a higher proportion than in Rest of Qld and well above the national average of 9.4%. The 45-54 age group makes up 9.4%, which is smaller compared to Rest of Qld. Between 2021 and present, the 15-24 age group has grown from 8.6% to 10.3% while the 5-14 cohort has declined from 14.7% to 11.8%. By 2041, demographic projections show significant shifts in Nikenbah's age structure. The 85+ age group is projected to grow by 29 people (153%) from 19 to 49. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 90% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Conversely, the 0-4 and 35-44 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.