Pialba

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

The population of the Pialba statistical area (Lv2), as estimated by AreaSearch, was around 4,569 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 418 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,151 people in Pialba (SA2). The recent resident population estimate of 4,522 by AreaSearch, following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and validation of additional 118 new addresses since the Census date, suggests a population density ratio of 923 persons per square kilometer. This growth rate of 10.1% since the 2021 census exceeded the non-metro area average of 8.8%, indicating Pialba's status as a growth leader in the region. Interstate migration contributed approximately 84.0% 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 released in 2023 based on 2021 data are used. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings aligned with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data for each age cohort where necessary. Looking ahead, demographic trends suggest a population increase just below the median of Australia's non-metropolitan areas by 2041. According to aggregated SA2-level projections, Pialba (SA2) is expected to increase by 342 persons over this period, reflecting an overall increase of 6.9%.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers for Pialba shows around 45 new homes approved annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25, approximately 226 homes were approved, with a further 41 approved in FY-26 to date. On average, each dwelling adds about 2.1 new residents per year over the past five financial years, indicating strong demand that supports property values.

The average construction cost value of new homes is $370,000. In FY-26, there have been $38.1 million in commercial approvals, reflecting 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 when measured by areas assessed.

The majority of new building activity consists of detached dwellings (96.0%), preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. Notably, developers are constructing more traditional houses than the current mix suggests (64.0% at Census), indicating continued strong demand for family homes despite density pressures. Pialba reflects a developing area with around 168 people per approval. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Pialba is projected to gain 315 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing favorable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond current 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's performance. 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 balanced workforce across white and blue collar jobs, with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 7.9% in September 2025, compared to the Rest of Qld's 4.1%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 8.1%, based on AreaSearch data aggregation. As of September 2025, 1,756 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate 3.8% higher than the regional average. Workforce participation in Pialba lagged significantly at 41.6%. Key industries of employment among residents were health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food.

Health care & social assistance showed particularly strong specialization, with an employment share 1.7 times the regional level. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing had lower representation at 0.5% versus the regional average of 4.5%. The ratio of workers to residents was 0.7, indicating a level of local employment opportunities above the norm. Employment levels increased by 8.1% and labour force increased by 9.3% in Pialba during the year to September 2025, resulting in an unemployment rise of 1.0 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. State-level data to 25-Nov shows QLD employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1,210 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%. 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. 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, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

The suburb of Pialba had a median taxpayer income of $41,290 and an average income of $51,913 in the financial year 2023, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is lower than the national average, with Rest of Qld's median income being $53,146 and average income $66,593. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $45,382 (median) and $57,058 (average), based on a 9.91% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023. Census 2021 income data shows Pialba's household, family, and personal incomes all fall within the 1st to 5th percentiles nationally. In Pialba, 33.9% of individuals (1,548 people) earn between $400 and $799, unlike 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 severe, with only 79.6% of income remaining, ranking at the 3rd percentile nationally.

Pialba displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Pialba's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 64.0% houses and 36.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 83.9% houses and 16.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Pialba was at 38.1%, with the rest being mortgaged (18.6%) or rented (43.3%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,430. The median weekly rent in Pialba was $310, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $335. Nationally, Pialba's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,300 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 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%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.3.

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%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.9%) and graduate diplomas (1.4%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 39.7% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas (9.4%) and certificates (30.3%). Educational participation is high, with 25.0% currently enrolled in formal education: 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 operating, 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 deemed good, with residents typically residing 355 meters away from the nearest stop.

The average service frequency across all routes is 49 trips per day, resulting in 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 with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Private health cover is low at approximately 48% of the total population, around 2,183 people, compared to the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 12.6% of residents) and mental health issues (11.1%). About 55.1% of residents report being free from medical ailments, slightly lower than the Rest of Qld's 56.7%. Pialba has 29.3% of its population aged 65 and over, totaling 1,338 people, which is lower than the Rest of Qld's 31.0%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Pialba are better than those of 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. The dominant religion in Pialba was Christianity, comprising 51.9% of the population. Notably, Judaism was overrepresented, making up 0.2% compared to the regional average of 0.1%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (31.8%), Australian (27.2%), and Irish (8.4%). There were also notable divergences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: New Zealand was overrepresented at 1.0% compared to the regional average of 0.7%, German at 5.1% versus 5.3%, and Welsh at 0.7% against a regional average of 0.5%.

Pialba ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Pialba's median age is 50 years, which is significantly older than Rest of Qld's 41 and the Australian median of 38. The age profile shows that those aged 65-74 are particularly prominent at 15.1%, while the 35-44 group is smaller at 9.3% compared to Rest of Qld. This concentration of 65-74 year-olds is well above the national average of 9.4%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 15-24 age group has grown from 9.7% to 10.6%, while the 65-74 cohort has declined from 17.0% to 15.1%. Demographic modeling suggests Pialba's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041, with the 25-34 age cohort projected to grow steadily, expanding by 109 people (22%) from 493 to 603. Senior residents aged 65 and above are expected to drive 50% of population growth, underscoring demographic aging trends. Meanwhile, both the 45-54 and 5-14 age groups will see reduced numbers.