South Gladstone

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

As of May 2026, the estimated population of South Gladstone is around 3,791, indicating a growth of 315 people since the 2021 Census. This increase represents a 9.1% rise from the previous figure of 3,476 residents. The latest ABS data release in June 2025 and additional validated new addresses have been used to estimate this population. South Gladstone's growth rate exceeds that of its SA4 region at 9.1% compared to 7.4%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 61.0% of the overall population gains, with other factors such as natural growth and interstate migration also playing positive roles. AreaSearch uses 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 adopted. Age category splits are applied proportionally in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 using 2022 data. Future population trends project an above median growth for regional areas nationally, with South Gladstone expected to expand by 477 persons to reach a total of around 4,268 residents by 2041, reflecting a 12.6% increase over the 16-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in South Gladstone according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

South Gladstone had 10 dwelling approvals over five years ending in 2021. This results in an average of two new dwellings approved annually, indicating minimal construction activity typical of rural areas with modest housing needs and limited demand-driven development. The small sample size may significantly influence annual growth statistics.

In comparison, Rest of Qld shows more construction activity than South Gladstone, which is also below national patterns. Recent development in South Gladstone has been exclusively medium to high-density housing, marking a shift from the current 64.0% houses. This trend may be due to diminishing developable land availability and evolving lifestyle preferences or affordability needs. As of approximately 2021, South Gladstone had around 1226 people per dwelling approval, suggesting an established market. By 2041, the population is forecasted to increase by 477 residents (AreaSearch quarterly estimate as of 2021). At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to keep pace with population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Population forecasts indicate South Gladstone will gain 477 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

South Gladstone has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Five projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area. Key projects include the Hughes Road Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), Toowoomba to Gladstone Inland Rail Extension, Port of Gladstone Gatcombe and Golding Cutting Channel Duplication Project, and Harvey Road Sports and Events Precinct.

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AreaSearch assessment indicates South Gladstone faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

South Gladstone has a skilled workforce with strong representation in manufacturing and industrial sectors. The unemployment rate was 9.4% as of December 2021, based on AreaSearch aggregation of statistical area data. As of December 2025, 1,792 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 5.4% above Regional Qld's rate of 4.0%.

Workforce participation in South Gladstone is on par with Regional Qld's 64.5%. According to Census responses, only 4.3% of residents work from home. The dominant employment sectors are manufacturing, health care & social assistance, and construction. Manufacturing shows particularly strong specialization with an employment share of 2.3 times the regional level.

Conversely, health care & social assistance has lower representation at 11.2% compared to Regional Qld's average of 16.1%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census working population vs resident population data. Over the 12 months to December 2025, employment increased by 0.3%, while labour force decreased by 3.7%, resulting in a 3.6 percentage point decrease in unemployment. In comparison, 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 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across industry sectors. Applying these projections to South Gladstone's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.5% over five years and 12.1% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that South Gladstone has an income below the national average. The median income is $53,195 and the average income is $65,756. In comparison, Regional Qld has a median income of $53,146 and an average income of $66,593. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, the current estimates for South Gladstone are approximately $59,238 (median) and $73,226 (average) as of March 2026. Census data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in South Gladstone fall between the 19th and 30th percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals that the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket dominates with 25.8% of residents (978 people), which is consistent with broader trends across the metropolitan region showing 31.7% in the same category. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.4% of income remaining, ranking at the 19th percentile.

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

South Gladstone's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 64.5% houses and 35.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Regional Qld's 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in South Gladstone stood at 22.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 28.3% and rented ones at 49.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,430, below Regional Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent in South Gladstone was $240, compared to Regional Qld's $345. Nationally, South Gladstone's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 59.0% of all households, including 22.5% couples with children, 21.9% couples without children, and 13.7% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 41.0%, with lone person households at 36.6% and group households making up 4.3% of the total. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Regional Queensland average of 2.5 people.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 17.0%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.0%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 43.1% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas at 7.9% and certificates at 35.2%.

Educational participation is high, with 28.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 10.4% in primary, 9.8% in secondary, and 3.0% in tertiary education.

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

South Gladstone has 14 operational public transport stops serving a mix of bus routes. These routes collectively facilitate 100 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is considered good, with residents typically residing 257 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to the area's residential nature. Cars remain the primary mode of transportation, used by 90% of residents. Vehicle ownership averages 1.2 per dwelling, below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, only 4.3% of residents work from home, a figure potentially influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency across all routes averages 14 trips per day, equating to approximately 7 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in South Gladstone is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

South Gladstone faces significant health challenges, according to AreaSearch's assessment.

Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high, affecting both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is more prevalent than average at approximately 53% of the total population (~2,019 people). Mental health issues and asthma are the most common conditions, impacting 11.0 and 8.6% of residents respectively. However, 65.5% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. The working-age population has notably high chronic condition rates. There are 14.7% of residents aged 65 and over (557 people), lower than the 20.4% in Regional Qld. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges, with national rankings higher than the general population.

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

South Gladstone was found to have cultural diversity below average, with 85.0% of its population being citizens born in Australia speaking English only at home. Christianity is the main religion, comprising 47.7%. The most overrepresented group is Other, at 0.8%, compared to Regional Qld's 0.8%.

Top ancestry groups are English (29.2%), Australian (29.1%), and Scottish (7.3%). Notably, Filipino representation is higher at 3.5% vs regional 0.9%, Australian Aboriginal at 5.0% vs 3.9%, and Maori at 0.9% vs 0.8%.

South Gladstone's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age in South Gladstone as of 2021 was 38 years, which is slightly below Regional Queensland's average of 41 but aligns with Australia's median age of 38. The 25-34 age group constituted 14.2% of the population, higher than Regional Qld's percentage, while the 65-74 cohort made up 8.4%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 25-34 age group increased from 12.6% to 14.2%, the 45-54 cohort decreased from 14.6% to 12.7%, and the 15-24 group fell from 13.2% to 12.0%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic shifts in South Gladstone. The 25-34 age group is projected to grow by 31%, adding 166 people and reaching a total of 705 from the current 538. Conversely, the 15-24 cohort is expected to decline by 27 people.