Pialba

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

As of Feb 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Pialba is around 4,573. This reflects an increase from the 2021 Census figure of 4,151 people, marking a growth of 422 individuals (10.2%). The latest resident population estimate by AreaSearch, based on ERP data release from ABS in June 2024 and validated new addresses since the Census date, is 4,522. This results in a population density ratio of approximately 923 persons per square kilometer. Pialba's growth rate exceeded both the Rest of Qld (9.1%) and national averages, indicating it as a region with significant population increase. Interstate migration contributed around 84.0% of overall population gains during recent periods in this suburb.

AreaSearch projections for Pialba are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024, using 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections from 2023 (based on 2021 data) are adopted. Age category splits are applied proportionally in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023, based on 2022 data. By 2041, the suburb is expected to increase by approximately 6.7%, adding around 343 persons to its population, based on aggregated SA2-level projections.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Pialba shows approximately 45 new homes approved annually. From FY-21 to FY-25, around 226 homes were approved, with an additional 41 approved so far in FY-26. Each dwelling accommodates an average of 2.1 new residents per year over the past five financial years.

New homes are constructed at an average cost of $370,000. In FY-26, there have been $38.1 million in commercial approvals, indicating high local commercial activity. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Pialba has 18.0% less new development per person but ranks among the 74th percentile nationally.

The area's building activity consists of 96.0% detached dwellings and 4.0% attached dwellings, reflecting its low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. Notably, developers are constructing more traditional houses than suggested by current mix data (64.0% at Census), implying strong demand for family homes despite density pressures. Pialba's population growth is projected to add 306 residents by 2041, with current development rates comfortably meeting housing demand and potentially supporting further growth beyond current projections.

Pialba has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 12 projects likely to affect the region. Notable ones include Hervey Bay Community Hub, The Green Lifestyle Community, Liven Beach Road, Maryborough-Hervey Bay Road upgrade, and Pialba-Burrum Heads Road intersection improvement. Below is a list of 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 reveals Pialba recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Pialba has a diverse workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, prominent essential services sectors, an unemployment rate of 7.9%, and an estimated employment growth of 8.3% over the past year according to AreaSearch data aggregation. As of September 2025, there are 1,760 residents employed while the unemployment rate is 3.8% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation in Pialba lags at 49.3%, compared to Rest of Qld's 65.7%.

Census responses indicate that only 8.0% of residents work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts are not reflected in these figures. Key industries for employment among residents include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food services. Pialba shows strong specialization in health care & social assistance with an employment share 1.7 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing has lower representation at 0.5% compared to the regional average of 4.5%. The ratio of 0.7 workers per resident indicates a higher than average level of local employment opportunities.

Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 8.3% and labour force grew by 9.4%, resulting in an unemployment rate rise of 0.9 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld experienced employment growth of 1.7% and labour force growth of 2.1%, with a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Pialba's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.1% over five years and 14.8% over ten years, though these are simple weighted extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localized population projections.

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

The median taxpayer income in Pialba for financial year 2023 was $41,290. The average income was $51,913. This is lower than the national averages of $53,146 (median) and $66,593 (average). By September 2025, these figures are estimated to be approximately $45,382 (median) and $57,058 (average), based on a Wage Price Index growth of 9.91%. Census data from 2021 shows that incomes in Pialba fall within the 1st to 5th percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. In Pialba, 33.9% of residents earn between $400 and $799 annually, compared to regional trends where 31.7% earn between $1,500 and $2,999. Financial pressure is evident, with 43.0% of households having weekly budgets below $800. Housing affordability is a severe issue, with only 79.6% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 3rd percentile nationally.

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

In Pialba, as per the latest Census evaluation, 64.0% of dwellings were houses while 36.1% were other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This compares to Non-Metro Qld's figures of 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Pialba stood at 38.1%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (18.6%) or rented (43.3%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,655. Weekly rent in Pialba was recorded at $310, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $345. Nationally, Pialba's median monthly mortgage repayment of $1,300 is significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are 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 account for 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 constitute the remaining 41.5%, with lone person households at 36.9% and group households comprising 4.3% of the total. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld 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 the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 12.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.9%) and graduate diplomas (1.4%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 39.7% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.4%) and certificates (30.3%). Educational participation is high, with 25.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 9.7% in primary, 7.6% in secondary, and 2.9% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably 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

Pialba has 22 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 8 different routes that together facilitate 347 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is considered good, with residents typically living just 355 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents in this primarily residential area commute outwards, with cars being the dominant mode of transport at 88%, and walking used by 6%. On average, there are 0.9 vehicles per dwelling, which is below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, only 8% of residents work from home, a figure that may reflect COVID-19 conditions.

The service frequency averages 49 trips per day across all routes, equating to around 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. Various health conditions affect both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 48% of Pialba's total population (~2,184 people), compared to 52.5% in the rest of Queensland and a national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 12.6% of residents) and mental health issues (11.1%). 55.1% of Pialba residents report no medical ailments, compared to 67.6% in the rest of Queensland. Working-age residents face notable health challenges due to high chronic condition rates. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over (29.2%, or 1,335 people), compared to 20.4% in the rest of Queensland. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly inline with 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 predominant religion in Pialba, comprising 51.9% of people. Notably, Judaism was overrepresented in Pialba with 0.2%, compared to 0.1% across Rest of Qld.

The top three ancestry groups were English (31.8%), Australian (27.2%), and Irish (8.4%). There were also notable differences in the representation of New Zealand (1.0% vs regional 0.9%), German (5.1% vs 4.7%), and Welsh (0.7% vs 0.5%) ethnic groups.

Pialba ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Pialba's median age in 2021 was 49 years, significantly higher than the Rest of Qld average of 41 years and the national average of 38 years. The age profile showed that those aged 65-74 were particularly prominent at 15.0%, while the 35-44 group was smaller at 9.4% compared to the Rest of Qld. This concentration of 65-74 year-olds was higher than the national average of 9.5%. Between 2021 and present, the 15-24 age group has grown from 9.7% to 10.7%, while the 65-74 cohort has declined from 17.0% to 15.0% and the 5-14 group has dropped from 10.8% to 9.7%. By 2041, Pialba's age composition is expected to shift notably. The 25-34 group is projected to grow by 21%, reaching 608 people from 503. The aging population trend will see those aged 65 and above comprising 53% of the projected growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 55-64 and 5-14 age groups.