River Heads

River Heads lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

As of November 2025, the population of River Heads is estimated to be around 2,653. This reflects an increase of 609 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,044. The latest resident population estimate by AreaSearch, based on examination of the ABS ERP data release from June 2024, is 2,374. This includes an additional 19 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio is 189 persons per square kilometer. River Heads' growth rate of 29.8% since the 2021 Census exceeds both the non-metro area's 8.8% and the national average, marking it as a regional growth leader.

Interstate migration contributed approximately 92.0% 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. These state projections do not provide age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) are applied for each age cohort. Future population trends forecast a significant increase in the top quartile of Australia's regional areas by 2041, with River Heads expected to expand by 1,061 persons, reflecting an overall increase of 40.9% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions River Heads among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers for River Heads shows approximately 22 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 110 homes. In Financial Year 26, 28 approvals have been recorded to date. Over these five years (FY-21 to FY-25), an average of 7.8 new residents arrived per year for each dwelling constructed, indicating demand significantly exceeds supply. New dwellings are developed at an average cost of $434,000, which is below regional levels, suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers.

This financial year has seen $80,000 in commercial approvals, reflecting the area's residential nature. Recent construction comprises 93.0% standalone homes and 7.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining River Heads' traditional low-density character with a focus on family homes.

With around 58 people per dwelling approval, River Heads exhibits characteristics of a growth area. Population forecasts indicate an increase of 1,086 residents by 2041 (based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing buyer competition and supporting stronger price growth.

River Heads has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 27thth percentile nationally

No changes can significantly affect a region's performance like alterations to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified zero projects that are expected to impact this area. Notable projects include Hervey Bay Airport Redevelopment, Queensland Train Manufacturing Program, Forest Wind Farm, and Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program - Wide Bay Burnett. The following list outlines those projects most likely to be relevant.

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River Heads shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

River Heads has a balanced workforce comprising white and blue collar jobs, with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 6.2% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 5.6%.

As of June 2025, 1,152 residents are employed, while the unemployment rate is 2.3% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation stands at 48.6%, significantly lower than Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key employment industries include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. Health care & social assistance is particularly strong, with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing employs just 0.9% of local workers, below Rest of Qld's 4.5%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by Census data. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 5.6%, while the labour force grew by 7.6%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate of 1.8 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment rise by 1.8%, labour force grow by 2.0%, and unemployment increase by 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to River Heads' employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 indicates River Heads' median income among taxpayers is $42,383 and average is $53,287. This is lower than the national average, with Rest of Qld having a median of $50,780 and average of $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $48,312 (median) and $60,742 (average). Census 2021 income data shows River Heads' household, family and personal incomes fall between the 6th and 16th percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals that 30.6% of River Heads residents earn between $1,500 - $2,999 (811 individuals), similar to the broader area's pattern at 31.7%. After housing costs, 86.4% of income remains, ranking at the 19th percentile nationally.

River Heads is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

River Heads' dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 98.7% houses and 1.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Non-Metro Qld had no recorded houses or other dwellings at that time. Home ownership in River Heads stood at 49.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 35.1% and rented ones at 15.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,400, matching Non-Metro Qld's average. Weekly rent median was $350 in River Heads, compared to Non-Metro Qld's figures of $0 for both metrics nationally, River Heads' mortgage repayments were lower at $1,400 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were also lower at $350 compared to the national figure of $375.

River Heads features high concentrations of family households, with a median household size of 2.4 people

Family households account for 78.6% of all households, including 20.1% composed of couples with children, 48.1% consisting of couples without children, and 9.5% made up of single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 21.4%, with lone person households at 19.1% and group households comprising 3.2%. The median household size is 2.4 people.

The educational profile of River Heads exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 13.2%, 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 8.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.8%) and graduate diplomas (2.4%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 47.3% of residents aged 15+ holding them – advanced diplomas account for 9.9% and certificates for 37.4%.

School and university attendance comprises 19.7% of the community, including 7.3% in primary education, 6.8% in secondary education, and 2.1% pursuing tertiary education. Educational facilities seem to be located outside the immediate catchment boundaries, requiring families to access schools in neighboring areas.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

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

River Heads faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Approximately 48% (~1,281 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (12.8%) and mental health issues (12.2%), while 54.1% report having no medical ailments. This compares to 0% in Rest of Qld. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 27.4% (726 people) of the population. Health outcomes among seniors show some challenges, though they perform better than the general population in health metrics.

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

River Heads, surveyed between June 2016 and July 2017, showed low cultural diversity with 81.4% of its population born in Australia and 90.8% being citizens. English was spoken exclusively at home by 96.5%. Christianity dominated religious beliefs at 51.6%, compared to None% across the rest of Queensland.

Ancestry-wise, the top groups were English (33.8%), Australian (26.8%), and Scottish (8.8%). Notably, Dutch (1.9%) was overrepresented in River Heads compared to None% regionally, as were New Zealanders at 1.0%, and Germans at 4.8%.

River Heads ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

River Heads's median age is 53 years, which is significantly higher than the Rest of Qld average of 41 and considerably older than the Australian median of 38. The 65 - 74 cohort is notably over-represented in River Heads at 20.0%, compared to the Rest of Qld average, while the 5 - 14 year-olds are under-represented at 7.2%. This 65 - 74 concentration is well above the national average of 9.4%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 25 to 34 age group has grown from 7.7% to 9.5%, and the 15 to 24 cohort increased from 8.5% to 10.2%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort has declined from 9.5% to 7.2%, and the 55 to 64 group dropped from 22.1% to 20.0%. By 2041, River Heads is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition, with the 65 to 74 group growing by 46% (246 people), reaching 777 from 530.