Ooralea

Ooralea 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's validation of new addresses, the estimated population of the suburb of Ooralea was around 3,957 as of Feb 2026. This reflected an increase of 266 people (7.2%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,691 people. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 3,832 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional two validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equated to a density ratio of 719 persons per square kilometer, which was relatively in line with averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's 7.2% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area's growth rate of 7.1%, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration, contributing approximately 59.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopted ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data were adopted. However, these state projections did not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applied proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data for each age cohort. Looking ahead, a significant population increase in the top quartile of Australia's non-metropolitan areas was forecast, with the suburb expected to increase by 1,323 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 35.9% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Ooralea recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers from statistical area data indicates Ooralea averaged approximately 9 new dwelling approvals per year. Over the past five financial years, between FY-21 and FY-25, around 45 homes were approved, with another 3 approved so far in FY-26.

This averages to about 12.8 people moving to the area for each dwelling built over these years. Supply is lagging demand, leading to heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures. New properties are constructed at an average value of $478,000, moderately above regional levels, indicating quality construction emphasis. Compared to Rest of Qld, Ooralea records about 67% of the building activity per person, placing it among the 30th percentile nationally, offering limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing homes.

This reflects the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. All new constructions have been detached dwellings, preserving low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated count is 535 people in the area per dwelling approval. Population forecasts indicate Ooralea will gain approximately 1,422 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Ooralea has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified five projects that may impact this area. Notable projects include Mackay Technology Park, The Gardens at Ooralea, Ooralea Local Plan, and Mackay Aquatic and Recreation Complex (Mackay ARC). Relevant details are listed below.

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 Ooralea performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Ooralea has a skilled workforce with strong representation in manufacturing and industrial sectors. Its unemployment rate is 1.6%, with an estimated employment growth of 4.3% over the past year (AreaSearch data). As of September 2025, there are 2,333 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.5% below Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%.

Workforce participation in Ooralea is high at 76.3%, compared to Rest of Qld's 65.7%. According to Census responses, only 3.9% of residents work from home. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, mining, and retail trade. Mining particularly has notable concentration with employment levels at 3.8 times the regional average.

Construction, however, has limited presence at 6.0%, compared to the regional average of 10.1%. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 4.3% while labour force increased by 4.7%, causing unemployment rate to rise by 0.4 percentage points. By comparison, Rest of Qld recorded employment growth of 1.7%, labour force growth of 2.1%, with unemployment rising 0.3 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia (May-25) suggest national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but local projections based on Ooralea's employment mix estimate growth rates of 5.9% over five years and 12.8% over ten years.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows Ooralea had a median taxpayer income of $69,100 and an average of $86,401. Nationally, these figures are high compared to the Rest of Qld's median of $53,146 and average of $66,593. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $75,948 (median) and $94,963 (average), based on a 9.91% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023. Census data indicates Ooralea's household, family, and personal incomes rank between the 78th and 80th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows 36.6% of residents (1,448 individuals) earn within the $1,500 - 2,999 range, similar to the surrounding region at 31.7%. Notably, 33.2% earn above $3,000 weekly. After housing costs, residents retain 87.0% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

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

Ooralea's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 92.5% houses and 7.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This contrasted with Non-Metro Qld's figures of 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Ooralea stood at 31.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 42.2% and rented ones at 26.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,820, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent in Ooralea was recorded at $440, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $345. Nationally, Ooralea's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially higher than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 77.7% of all households, including 37.4% couples with children, 29.6% couples without children, and 9.7% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 22.3%, with lone person households at 17.3% and group households making up 4.2%. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

Ooralea shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

The area's university qualification rate is 19.2%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 14.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.7%) and graduate diplomas (2.1%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 41.0% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (7.3%) and certificates (33.7%). Educational participation is high, with 31.7% currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes primary education (11.8%), secondary education (7.8%), and tertiary education (6.2%).

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

Ooralea has seven active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These stops are served by a mix of buses running on one route in total, which collectively facilitate 130 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents generally located 389 meters away from the nearest transport stop. As predominantly residential, most Ooralea residents commute outward, primarily using cars (95%). On average, there are 1.8 vehicles per dwelling in the area, exceeding the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, only 3.9% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

The service frequency averages 18 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 18 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Ooralea is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Ooralea exhibits superior health outcomes based on AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both younger and older age groups show low incidence of common health conditions. Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 61% of the total population (2,431 people), compared to 52.5% across Rest of Qld and 55.7% nationally.

The most prevalent medical conditions are mental health issues and asthma, affecting 6.8% and 6.7% of residents respectively. A significant majority, 74.8%, report no medical ailments, compared to 67.6% across Rest of Qld. Working-age residents display notably healthy profiles with low chronic condition prevalence. The area has 15.4% of residents aged 65 and over (609 people), lower than the 20.4% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, aligning broadly with national rankings for the general population.

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

Ooralea's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 88.1% of its population being Australian citizens, 85.7% born in Australia, and 88.9% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Ooralea, comprising 61.0% of people, compared to 52.2% across the rest of Queensland. The top three ancestry groups are Australian (28.9%), English (26.6%), and Irish (7.9%).

Notably, Maltese (3.1%) Filipino (2.2%) and Maori (0.8%) ethnic groups have higher representation in Ooralea compared to regional averages of 0.4%, 0.9% and 0.8% respectively.

Ooralea's population is younger than the national pattern

The median age in Ooralea is 35 years, which is lower than the Rest of Qld average of 41 years and under the national average of 38 years. The 35-44 age cohort is over-represented in Ooralea at 16.3%, compared to the Rest of Qld average. Meanwhile, the 65-74 year-olds are under-represented at 8.3%. According to data from the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age group has increased from 3.7% to 5.0% of Ooralea's population. Conversely, the 5 to 14 age cohort has decreased from 13.6% to 12.0%. Population forecasts for the year 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Ooralea, with the 25 to 34 age group expected to grow by 46%, adding 269 people and reaching a total of 859 from the current 589.