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

As of November 2025, the estimated population of Nikenbah is around 2,498, reflecting an increase of 1,264 people since the 2021 Census. This growth represents a 102.4% increase from the previous population count of 1,234. The latest estimate is based on AreaSearch's validation of new addresses and examination of the ABS ERP data release from June 2024, which estimated the resident population at 2,283. This level of population results in a density ratio of 106 persons per square kilometer. Nikenbah's growth rate exceeded both the non-metro area average (8.8%) and the national average since the 2021 Census. Interstate migration contributed approximately 93.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving this growth.

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, based on 2021 data and released in 2023. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings using ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Future population trends indicate a significant increase in the top quartile of national non-metropolitan areas, with Nikenbah expected to expand by 442 persons to 2041, reflecting an overall decline of 24.6% over the 17-year period.

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 155 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years from FY-21 to FY-25. This totals an estimated 775 homes. In FY-26, 89 approvals have been recorded so far. The average population growth per dwelling built in Nikenbah is 0.3 people per year over these five years, indicating that new supply meets or exceeds demand.

The average construction cost of new dwellings is $434,000, which is below regional norms, offering more affordable housing options. This financial year, $5.4 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, reflecting Nikenbah's primarily residential nature. Compared to Rest of Qld, Nikenbah records 832.0% more construction activity per person. New building activity consists of 95.0% detached dwellings and 5.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes. With around 9 people per dwelling approval, Nikenbah shows characteristics of a growth area.

Given stable or declining population forecasts, Nikenbah may experience less housing pressure, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

Nikenbah has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 26thth percentile nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 14 projects likely impacting the area. Key projects are Marina Square Development, Pinnacle Hervey Bay Estate, Fraser Coast Sports and Recreation Precinct, and Wondunna Mixed-Use Development (MCU22/0103). 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.

Employment conditions in Nikenbah demonstrate exceptional strength compared to most Australian markets

Nikenbah has a skilled workforce with key services sectors well represented. Its unemployment rate was 2.5% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 8.0%.

As of June 2025705 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.4%, below Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation was 55.2% compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Leading employment industries were health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training. Health care & social assistance had an employment share of 1.6 times the regional level, while manufacturing was under-represented at 3.3%, compared to Rest of Qld's 5.6%.

Employment opportunities locally appeared limited based on Census working population vs resident population comparison. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 8.0% and labour force by 8.2%, raising the unemployment rate by 0.2 percentage points in Nikenbah. In contrast, Rest of Qld had employment growth of 1.8% and labour force growth of 2.0%, with a similar rise in unemployment rate. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project national employment expansion by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying growth rates between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Nikenbah's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.5% over ten years.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Nikenbah's median income among taxpayers is $57,760. The average income in Nikenbah during this period was $72,619. Both figures are above national averages. Rest of Qld had a median income of $50,780 and an average of $64,844 in the same year. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes for Nikenbah as of September 2025 would be approximately $65,841 (median) and $82,778 (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 earn between $1,500 - $2,999, with this band representing 831 individuals. This aligns with the broader area where this cohort also represents 31.7%. After housing costs, 85.4% of income remains for other expenses. Nikenbah'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 dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted entirely of houses with no other dwellings. This contrasts with Non-Metro Qld where 83.9% were houses and 16.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Nikenbah stood at 39.2%, with mortgaged properties 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 at $1,863 and rents higher at $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 at 22.6% of residents aged 15+, surpassing 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%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 40.2% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 13.5% and certificates at 26.7%.

Educational participation is high at 27.2%, including primary education (11.0%), secondary education (7.9%), and tertiary education (2.0%). Schools in the area include Bayside Christian College Hervey Bay - Nikenbah Campus and Carinity Education - Glendyne, serving a total of 132 students. The area's ICSEA score is 883, indicating varied educational conditions. There is one secondary school and one K-12 school in the area. Local school capacity is limited at 5.3 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 14.0, leading many families to travel for schooling. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

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

Nikenbah has three operational public transport stops, all of which serve buses. One route services these stops, offering a total of 73 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is limited, with residents situated an average of 1253 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 10 trips per day across all routes, amounting to roughly 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 (~1,398 people), compared to 47.7% across Rest of Qld.

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 Rest of Qld. The area has 21.7% of residents aged 65 and over (542 people), which is lower than the 31.0% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, performing even 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's population showed low cultural diversity, with 81.0% born in Australia, 93.0% being citizens, and 92.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, accounting for 52.2%, slightly lower than Rest of Qld's 52.7%. The top three ancestry groups were English (31.0%), Australian (29.1%), and Irish (8.2%).

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

Nikenbah's population is slightly older than the national pattern

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 are prominent, comprising 14.7% of the population, while the 45-54 group is smaller at 9.4%. This concentration of 65-74 year-olds is higher than the national average of 9.4%. Between 2021 and present, the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 8.6% to 10.3%, while the 5 to 14 cohort has declined from 14.7% to 11.8%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Nikenbah's age structure. The 85+ age group is projected to grow by 22 people (100%) from 22 to 45. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for all total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Conversely, the 75 to 84 and 0 to 4 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.