Pioneer (Qld)

Pioneer is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

As of November 2025, the estimated population of the suburb of Pioneer (Qld) is around 2,348 people. This reflects an increase from the 2021 Census figure of 2,346 people, indicating a growth of 2 individuals since then. AreaSearch's analysis of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and subsequent address validation supports this estimate. The population density ratio is approximately 1,713 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Pioneer's growth rate of 0.1% since the census places it within 2.5 percentage points of the SA3 area's growth rate of 2.6%. This suggests competitive growth fundamentals for the suburb.

Natural growth contributed approximately 65.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. 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 from 2023, based on 2021 data, are used. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023, based on 2022 data. Looking ahead, population projections indicate a decline of 117 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts are expected to grow, led by the 25 to 34 age group with an anticipated increase of 54 people.

The level of residential development activity in Pioneer is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Development activity data is being compiled for this area.

Pioneer has substantially lower development levels than the Rest of Qld. The development pattern in Pioneer is also well below national averages.

Population projections show stability or decline, which should lead to reduced housing demand pressures, benefiting potential buyers.

Pioneer has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 25thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects that could influence the area: Mount Isa Mines' Black Star Open Cut Project, Mount Isa Police Accommodation and Justice System Resourcing, Mount Isa Future Ready Economy Plan, and Essential Pipeline Works - City Low and high Systems. The following list details those most likely to be 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 assessment indicates Pioneer faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Pioneer has an employment mix that includes both white and blue collar jobs, with manufacturing and industrial sectors prominent. Its unemployment rate is 10.1%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of June 2025, Pioneer has 939 residents employed, while its unemployment rate is 6.1% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation in Pioneer is lower at 55.5%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key industries employing residents are mining, health care & social assistance, and accommodation & food. Mining is particularly dominant, with an employment share 8.1 times the regional level.

Conversely, construction is under-represented, with only 3.9% of Pioneer's workforce compared to Rest of Qld's 10.1%. The area appears to have limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the Census working population vs resident population count. Between June 2024 and June 2025, Pioneer's labour force decreased by 1.1% and employment decreased by 3.5%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate of 2.2 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment growth of 1.8% and labour force growth of 2.0%, with unemployment rising by only 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 suggest potential future demand within Pioneer. These projections estimate that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Pioneer's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 5.3% over five years and 12.3% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localized population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Pioneer's median income among taxpayers was $45,966 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $52,727 during the same period. For comparison, Rest of Qld's median and average incomes were $50,780 and $64,844 respectively. Based on a Wage Price Index growth rate of 13.99% since financial year 2022, estimated median and average incomes for Pioneer as of September 2025 would be approximately $52,397 and $60,104 respectively. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Pioneer ranked modestly, between the 37th and 45th percentiles. The largest income bracket comprised 35.9% of residents earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (842 residents), aligning with broader trends across regional levels showing 31.7% in the same category. Housing costs were manageable with 87.1% retained, but disposable income was below average at the 49th percentile.

Pioneer is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

The dwelling structure in Pioneer, as per the latest Census evaluation, comprised 79.1% houses and 20.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 77.3% houses and 22.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Pioneer stood at 14.5%, with the rest of dwellings either mortgaged (25.4%) or rented (60.1%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,500, aligning with Non-Metro Qld's average, while the median weekly rent figure was $210, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $1,500 and $220 respectively. Nationally, Pioneer's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, with rents substantially below the national figure of $375.

Pioneer has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 73.2% of all households, including 27.7% couples with children, 16.3% couples without children, and 27.2% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 26.8%, with lone person households at 25.2% and group households comprising 2.1%. The median household size is 2.9 people, larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.6.

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

The area's university qualification rate is significantly lower than the Australian average at 10.0%, compared to the national average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common, with a rate of 7.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 1.9% and graduate diplomas at 0.9%. Vocational credentials are prominent among residents aged 15 and above, with 37.6% holding such skills, including advanced diplomas (6.4%) and certificates (31.2%). Educational participation is high, with 34.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes primary education at 17.7%, secondary education at 10.0%, and tertiary education at 1.6%. The Pioneer area has four schools with a combined enrollment of 361 students, serving varied educational conditions (ICSEA: 908). These schools include one primary, one secondary, and two K-12 institutions.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Pioneer's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Health outcomes data shows excellent results across Pioneer, particularly for younger cohorts who have a very low prevalence of common health conditions. Approximately 48% (~1,129 people) of the total population has private health cover, compared to 57.6% across the rest of Queensland and a national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions are diabetes (5.8%) and asthma (5.7%), while 77.8% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 76.2% in the rest of Queensland.

Only 6.2% (145 people) of residents are aged 65 and over, lower than the 10.0% in the rest of Queensland. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than those of the broader population.

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

Pioneer's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 83.5% of its population being citizens born in Australia who speak English only at home: 87.0% were Australian-born and 90.7% spoke English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 47.4% of Pioneer's population. The most significant overrepresentation was seen in the 'Other' category, which constituted 0.7% of Pioneer's population compared to 1.6% across rest of Queensland.

In terms of ancestry, Australian Aboriginal was the largest group at 33.6%, substantially higher than the regional average of 20.0%. Other significant groups were Australian at 22.1% and English at 17.4%. Notable divergences included Maori at 1.8% (vs 1.3%), Filipino at 2.8% (vs 2.0%), and Sri Lankan at 0.4% (vs 0.1%).

Pioneer hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Pioneer's median age is 27 years, which is notably lower than the Rest of Qld average of 41 and significantly below the Australian median of 38. Compared to Rest of Qld, Pioneer has a higher concentration of residents aged 0-4 (11.5%), but fewer residents aged 65-74 (4%). The 0-4 concentration is well above the national average of 5.7%. Between 2021 and present, the 0 to 4 age group has increased from 10.5% to 11.5%, while the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 10.5% to 9.1% and the 5 to 14 group has dropped from 18.8% to 17.6%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Pioneer's age profile will evolve significantly. The 25 to 34 age cohort is projected to grow steadily, increasing by 40 people (10%) from 399 to 440. Conversely, the 45 to 54 and 55 to 64 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.