Scarness

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

Population estimates for the suburb of Scarness are around 3,783 as of May 2026. This represents an increase of 137 people from the 2021 Census figure of 3,646. The latest resident population estimate by AreaSearch is 3,779, based on ERP data released by the ABS in June 2025 and validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2,056 persons per square kilometer. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 64.0% of overall gains.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are used, applying proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data where necessary. Population projections indicate a median increase outside capital cities by 2041, with the suburb expected to expand by 228 persons, reflecting an overall increase of 5.9%.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Scarness recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

AreaSearch analysis indicates Scarness has seen approximately 11 new homes approved annually. Between FY21-FY25, around 59 homes were approved, with an additional 17 approved in FY26 to date. On average, each new home attracts about 1.4 new residents per year over the past five financial years (FY21-FY25), though this has decreased to 0.7 people per dwelling over the last two years. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $420,000.

This year, Scarness has seen $1.5 million in commercial approvals, reflecting its residential nature. Compared to the rest of Queensland and nationally, Scarness has significantly less development activity (75.0% below regional average per person). The scarcity of new homes typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties, though recent periods show an increase in development activity. New building activity comprises 92.0% detached dwellings and 8.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving Scarness's suburban nature with a preference for detached housing. Notably, developers are constructing more detached housing than the current pattern implies (66.0% at Census), indicating strong demand for family homes despite densification trends.

Scarness reflects a low-density area with around 174 people per approval. Looking ahead, Scarness is projected to grow by approximately 224 residents by 2041, suggesting that current development rates should comfortably meet demand and provide good conditions for buyers while potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections.

Scarness has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified nine projects that could impact this region. Notable ones are HBC Build Australia Mixed-Use Development, Marina Square Development, Hervey Bay Community Hub, and The Green Lifestyle Community. The following list details those likely to be 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 Scarness recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Scarness has a balanced workforce encompassing white and blue collar jobs. Key sectors include essential services, with an unemployment rate of 7.1% as of AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data for the past year. Employment growth was estimated at 7.8% during this period.

As of December 2025, 1,537 residents are employed, while the unemployment rate is 3.1% higher than Regional Qld's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation in Scarness is significantly lower at 49.4%, compared to Regional Qld's 64.5%. According to Census responses, only 9.0% of residents work from home. Leading employment industries among residents are health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade.

Notably, health care & social assistance has an employment level 1.6 times the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence with 1.3% employment compared to 4.5% regionally. Over the 12 months to December 2025, employment increased by 7.8%, while labour force also grew by 7.8%, keeping unemployment broadly flat. In contrast, Regional Qld saw employment grow by 0.7%, labour force expand by 1.0%, and unemployment rise by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 offer insights into potential future demand within Scarness. Applying these projections to Scarness's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.6% over ten years, assuming no changes in population projections.

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

The suburb of Scarness had a median taxpayer income of $42,617 and an average income of $53,581 in the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023. This is below the national average, contrasting with Regional Qld's median income of $53,146 and average income of $66,593. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since the financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $47,458 (median) and $59,668 (average) as of March 2026. Census data reveals that household, family and personal incomes in Scarness all fall between the 1st and 6th percentiles nationally. Income analysis shows that the predominant cohort spans 34.1% of locals (1,290 people) with incomes in the $400 - $799 category, differing from the region where the $1,500 - $2,999 category predominates at 31.7%. With 43.7% earning under $800 per week, Scarness faces significant income constraints affecting local spending patterns. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 79.5% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 3rd percentile.

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

Scarness's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 66.1% houses and 33.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Regional Qld's 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Scarness stood at 35.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 21.6% and rented ones at 43.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,244, below Regional Qld's average of $1,655. Median weekly rent in Scarness was $300, compared to Regional Qld's $345. Nationally, Scarness's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Scarness features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 57.4% of all households, including 13.6% couples with children, 29.0% couples without children, and 14.0% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 42.6%, with lone person households at 37.5% and group households comprising 4.8% of the total. The median household size is 2.0 people, which is smaller than the Regional Queensland average of 2.5 people.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 15.9%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.5%) and graduate diplomas (2.2%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 39.7% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.1%) and certificates (29.6%). A total of 24.1% of the population is actively engaged in formal education, comprising 8.6% in secondary education, 8.4% in primary education, and 2.4% pursuing tertiary education.

A substantial 24.1% of the population actively pursues formal education. This includes 8.6% in secondary education, 8.4% in primary education, and 2.4% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Scarness has 15 active public transport stops, all serving buses. These stops are covered by five different routes, offering a total of 211 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents located an average of 185 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward daily due to Scarness being primarily residential. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 91%, while walking accounts for 5%. On average, there are 0.9 vehicles per dwelling, which is below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, only 9% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Across all routes, service frequency averages 30 trips per day, resulting in approximately 14 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Scarness is well below average with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Health data indicates significant health challenges in Scarness. AreaSearch's assessment found marked impacts of various health conditions on both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover was low at approximately 48% of the total population (~1,832 people), compared to Regional Qld's 52.5% and the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions were arthritis (12.5%) and mental health issues (11.9%), while 53.8% reported no medical ailments, lower than Regional Qld's 67.6%. Working-age residents face notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. Scarness has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 30.7% (1,161 people), compared to Regional Qld's 20.4%. Health outcomes among seniors are broadly in line with national rankings.

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

Scarness had a below-average cultural diversity level, with 86.6% citizens, 80.5% born in Australia, and 94.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 51.1%. The 'Other' category showed overrepresentation at 1.2%, compared to Regional Qld's 0.8%.

Top ancestry groups were English (32.6%), Australian (27.7%), and Irish (8.5%). Notably, German was overrepresented at 5.3% versus regional 4.7%, New Zealand was equally represented at 0.9%, and Maori was slightly underrepresented at 0.7% compared to regional 0.8%.

Scarness ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Scarness has a median age of 51, which is higher than Regional Queensland's figure of 41 and Australia's average of 38 years. The 65-74 age group is notably over-represented in Scarness at 16.6%, compared to the regional Queensland average of 9.4%. Conversely, the 5-14 year-olds are under-represented at 8.5%. Between 2021 and the present, the 15-24 age group has increased from 9.2% to 11.1%, while the 35-44 cohort has risen from 9.9% to 11.2%. During this period, the 5-14 age group has declined from 10.1% to 8.5%, and the 65-74 group has decreased from 17.7% to 16.6%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Scarness's age structure. The 85+ cohort is projected to increase by 73 people (59%), from 124 to 198. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 55-64 and 5-14 age cohorts.