Pomona (Qld)

An assessment of population growth drivers in Pomona reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Based on analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census, Pomona's population is estimated at around 3,167 as of November 2025. This reflects an increase of 236 people (8.1%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,931 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 3,153 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest Economic Regional Population (ERP) data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 19 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 59 persons per square kilometer. Pomona's 8.1% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area (7.7%), marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by interstate migration that contributed approximately 72.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including overseas migration and natural growth were positive factors.

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. Anticipating future population dynamics, a population increase just below the median of Australia's regional areas is expected, with the suburb expected to expand by 372 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting recording a gain of 11.0% in total over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Pomona recorded around 15 residential properties granted approval per year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 75 homes. So far in FY-26, two approvals have been recorded. This results in approximately 201 people per approval in Pomona. Between FY-21 and FY-25, an average of 3.5 new residents arrived per year per dwelling constructed.

Demand significantly outpaces supply, which typically puts upward pressure on prices and increases competition among buyers. New properties are constructed at an average value of $859,000, indicating developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties. In FY-26, $5.9 million in commercial approvals have been registered, demonstrating the area's primarily residential nature. Compared to Rest of Qld, Pomona has similar development levels per person, supporting market stability inline with regional patterns.

New building activity shows 82.0% standalone homes and 18.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's low density nature while suggesting diminishing developable land availability and responding to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. This marks a significant departure from existing housing patterns, which are currently 98.0% houses. Pomona is expected to grow by 348 residents through to 2041, with current development rates comfortably meeting demand and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Pomona has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Two projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to impact the area significantly: the Noosa Trail Network Upgrade (Wahpunga and Woondum Trails), commencing in late 2023, and the Lake Macdonald Dam Improvement Project, set for completion in mid-2024. Additionally, the Gympie Water Resilience and Augmentation Project (GWRAP) - Phase 1 is underway since early 2022.

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The employment environment in Pomona shows above-average strength when compared nationally

Pomona has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. Its unemployment rate is 2.5%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of June 2025, 1,495 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.4% below Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation in Pomona is 53.5%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key industries for employment among residents are health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. Pomona has a particular specialization in construction, with an employment share of 1.3 times the regional level.

In contrast, transport, postal & warehousing employs just 2.0% of local workers, below Rest of Qld's 4.3%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. Over the 12 months to June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 1.9%, combined with employment decreasing by 0.7%, causing unemployment to fall by 1.2 percentage points in Pomona. This contrasts with Rest of Qld, where employment rose by 1.8%, the labour force grew by 2.0%, and unemployment rose by 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 offer insight into potential future demand within Pomona. These projections suggest that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these industry-specific projections to Pomona's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.4% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes that does not take into account localised population projections.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

Pomona's median income among taxpayers was $41,837 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $56,881 during the same period. These figures are lower than those for Rest of Qld, which were $50,780 and $64,844 respectively. By September 2025, based on a Wage Price Index growth of 13.99%, Pomona's median income is estimated to be approximately $47,690, with the average being around $64,839. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Pomona fall between the 18th and 27th percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. The income analysis reveals that the majority of residents, 30.9% or 978 people, earn within the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket. This aligns with the regional trend where this cohort also represents 31.7%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Pomona, with only 83.9% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 27th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

Pomona's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 98.2% houses and 1.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 96.1% houses and 4.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Pomona was at 45.0%, with the rest being mortgaged (41.3%) or rented (13.7%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,800. The median weekly rent in Pomona was $420, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $415. Nationally, Pomona's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,733 against the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were higher at $420 compared to the national figure of $375.

Pomona features high concentrations of family households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 77.2% of all households, including 29.1% couples with children, 36.5% couples without children, and 10.6% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 22.8%, with lone person households at 19.4% and group households making up 3.5%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which aligns with the average for the Rest of Queensland.

Pomona performs slightly above the national average for education, showing competitive qualification levels and steady academic outcomes

Educational qualifications in Pomona trail regional benchmarks, with 22.3% of residents aged 15+ holding university degrees compared to 30.4% in Australia. Bachelor degrees lead at 15.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.7%) and graduate diplomas (2.9%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 44.4% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (13.0%) and certificates (31.4%). Educational participation is notably high, with 25.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 9.6% in primary education, 9.3% in secondary education, and 2.2% pursuing tertiary education. Pomona State School and Noosa District State High School - Pomona Campus serve the area, collectively enrolling 275 students as of 2021. The area demonstrates typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 1024) with balanced educational opportunities. Educational provision follows conventional lines, split between one primary and one secondary institution. School places per 100 residents (8.7) fall below the regional average (11.4), with some students likely attending schools in adjacent areas as of 2021. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to parent campus data from 2021.

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

Pomona has five active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by nine different routes that together facilitate 113 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is limited, with residents on average located 1673 meters from the nearest stop.

Across all routes, service frequency averages 16 trips per day, equating to roughly 22 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Pomona is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Pomona faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent among both younger and older age groups. Approximately 50% (~1,575 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (9.1%) and mental health issues (8.7%), while 68.8% report no medical ailments, slightly higher than the Rest of Qld's 68.1%. Pomona has a senior population of 24.3% (769 people), with seniors performing better than average in health metrics compared to the general population.

Pomona is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Pomona's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 82.4% of its population born in Australia, 91.0% being citizens, and 97.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion in Pomona, comprising 42.4% of people. Judaism, however, was not represented in Pomona's population, compared to 0.1% across Rest of Qld.

The top three ancestry groups were English (33.0%), Australian (29.3%), and Irish (11.3%). Notably, Welsh (0.8%) was overrepresented compared to the regional average of 0.7%, Scottish (9.0%) showed a slight underrepresentation compared to 9.4% regionally, and German (4.4%) was slightly underrepresented compared to 4.6%.

Pomona hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Pomona's median age in 2021 was 49 years, significantly higher than the Rest of Qld average of 41 and exceeding the national average of 38 years. The age profile showed that those aged 55-64 were particularly prominent at 16.9%, while the 25-34 group was smaller at 7.2% compared to the Rest of Qld. This concentration of 55-64 year-olds was well above the national average of 11.2%. Between 2021 and the present, the age group 15-24 has grown from 9.3% to 10.8%, while the 75-84 cohort increased from 6.7% to 7.8%. Conversely, the 55-64 group declined from 18.2% to 16.9%, and the 5-14 age group dropped from 12.2% to 11.0%. By 2041, Pomona is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. The 75-84 group is projected to grow by 28 people, reaching 316 from 247. Meanwhile, the 15-24 cohort is projected to decline by 19 people.