Pialba

Population growth drivers in Pialba are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Pialba's population is estimated at around 4,444 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 293 people (7.1%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,151 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 4,444, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and an additional 115 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 897 persons per square kilometer, which is relatively in line with averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Pialba has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%, outpacing the SA4 region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration that contributed approximately 84.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and for years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections, released in 2023 and based on 2021 data, are adopted. It should be noted that these state projections do not provide age category splits; hence where utilised, AreaSearch is applying proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age cohort. Moving forward with demographic trends, a population increase just below the median of Australia's non-metropolitan areas is expected, with the suburb expected to increase by 199 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 4.5% in total over the 16 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Pialba when compared nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Pialba shows around 45 new homes approved annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, approximately 225 homes were approved, with another 63 approved so far in FY-26. On average, about 2 people moved to the area per dwelling built over these five years, indicating balanced supply and demand. However, this ratio increased to 4.9 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, suggesting growing popularity and potential supply constraints.

The average construction value of development projects is $370,000. This year, commercial approvals totaled $38.1 million, indicating strong local business investment. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Pialba has 17.0% less new development per person but ranks among the 73rd percentile nationally for areas assessed.

New building activity consists of 96.0% detached dwellings and 4.0% attached dwellings, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. Interestingly, developers are building more traditional houses than the current mix suggests, indicating strong demand for family homes despite density pressures. Pialba reflects a developing area with around 171 people per approval. Population forecasts indicate Pialba will gain 199 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

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

Twelve projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area. Key projects include Hervey Bay Community Hub, The Green Lifestyle Community, Liven Beach Road, Maryborough-Hervey Bay Road upgrade and Pialba-Burrum Heads Road intersection upgrade.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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AreaSearch analysis reveals Pialba recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Pialba has a diverse workforce with both white and blue collar jobs well represented. Essential services sectors are prominent in the area. According to AreaSearch data aggregation from statistical areas, Pialba had an unemployment rate of 5.7% as of December 2025.

The estimated employment growth over the past year was 5.9%. As of December 2025, there were 1,657 residents employed in Pialba, with an unemployment rate of 1.7% higher than Regional Qld's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation in Pialba was significantly lower at 45.4%, compared to Regional Qld's 64.5%. Census responses indicated that only 8.0% of residents worked from home, although Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

The key industries employing residents were health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food. Pialba showed strong specialization in health care & social assistance, with an employment share 1.7 times the regional level. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing had lower representation at 0.5% compared to Regional Qld's average of 4.5%. The ratio of workers to residents in Pialba was 0.7 as of the Census, indicating a higher than normal level of local employment opportunities. During the year to December 2025, employment levels increased by 5.9%, and labour force increased by 6.0%. Unemployment remained essentially unchanged. In contrast, Regional Qld experienced employment growth of 0.7% and labour force growth of 1.0%, with a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 offer insights into potential future demand within Pialba. These projections estimate that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. However, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Pialba's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.1% over five years and 14.8% over ten years. It is important to note that these extrapolations are for illustrative purposes only and do not take into account localised population projections.

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

Pialba suburb's median taxpayer income is $41,290 and average is $51,913, according to latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This is below national averages of $53,146 (median) and $66,593 (average) in Regional Qld. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since FY2023, estimated incomes as of March 2026 are approximately $45,981 (median) and $57,810 (average). Census 2021 data shows Pialba's household, family, and personal incomes fall between the 1st and 5th percentiles nationally. Income distribution in Pialba differs from regional trends, with 33.9% earning $400-$799 compared to 31.7% earning $1,500-$2,999 regionally. Economic pressures are evident, with 43.0% of households having modest weekly budgets below $800. Housing affordability is severe, with only 79.6% of income remaining, ranking at the 3rd percentile nationally.

Pialba displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Pialba, houses accounted for 64.0% of dwellings in the latest Census, with other dwelling types comprising 36.1%. This is compared to Regional Qld's figures of 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Pialba stood at 38.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 18.6% and rented dwellings at 43.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, lower than Regional Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent in Pialba was recorded at $310, compared to Regional Qld's $345. Nationally, Pialba's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 58.5% of all households, including 14.3% couples with children, 28.1% couples without children, and 15.0% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 41.5%, with lone person households at 36.9% and group households comprising 4.3%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Regional Queensland average of 2.5.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 16.4%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.9%) and graduate diplomas (1.4%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 39.7% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (9.4%) and certificates (30.3%).

Educational participation is high, with 25.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.7% in primary education, 7.6% in secondary education, and 2.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis indicates 22 active transport stops operating within Pialba, consisting of a mix of bus services. These stops are served by 8 individual routes, collectively facilitating 347 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 355 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 88%, with 6% walking. Vehicle ownership averages 0.9 per dwelling, below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, a relatively low 8.0% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 49 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 15 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Pialba faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. A variety of health conditions affect both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low, with approximately 48% of Pialba's total population (~2,123 people) having it, compared to 52.5% in Regional Qld and the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (12.6%) and mental health issues (11.1%). Conversely, 55.1% of residents report no medical ailments, lower than Regional Qld's 67.6%. Working-age individuals face notable health challenges due to high chronic condition rates. Pialba has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 31.3% (1,390 people), compared to Regional Qld's 20.4%. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges but generally align with national rankings for the general population.

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

Pialba's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 87.1% of its population being citizens, 79.8% born in Australia, and 93.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion in Pialba, comprising 51.9% of people. Judaism, however, was overrepresented at 0.2%, compared to 0.1% across Regional Qld.

The top three ancestry groups were English (31.8%), Australian (27.2%), and Irish (8.4%). Notable divergences included New Zealand's overrepresentation at 1.0% in Pialba versus 0.9% regionally, German at 5.1% versus 4.7%, and Welsh at 0.7% versus 0.5%.

Pialba ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Pialba's median age is 50 years, which is notably higher than Regional Queensland's median age of 41 and significantly exceeds the Australian median age of 38. The age profile reveals that those aged between 75 and 84 are particularly prominent, making up 12.4% of the population, compared to 9.6% for the 35 to 44 age group in Regional Queensland. This concentration of people aged 75 to 84 is well above the national average of 6.1%. According to data from the post-2021 Census, the percentage of the population aged between 75 and 84 has increased from 10.6% to 12.4%, while those aged 85 and over have risen from 2.7% to 3.9%. Conversely, the proportion of people aged between 65 and 74 has declined from 17.0% to 15.0%, and the percentage of children aged between 5 and 14 has dropped from 10.8% to 9.5%. Demographic modeling suggests that Pialba's age profile will undergo significant changes by 2041, with the number of people aged 85 and over projected to increase by 97 individuals (a rise of 56%) from 173 to 271. Residents aged 65 and over are expected to drive 64% of population growth, emphasizing demographic aging trends. Meanwhile, both the 55 to 64 age group and those aged between 5 and 14 are projected to decrease in number.