Thabeban

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

Thabeban's population is estimated at around 3060 as of May 2026, reflecting an increase of 89 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 2971. This change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 3053 following examination of ABS' latest ERP data release in June 2025 and an additional 17 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 405 persons per square kilometer, indicating significant space per person and potential room for further development. Overseas migration primarily drove population growth, contributing approximately 56% 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 released in 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted, applying proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort where necessary. Considering projected demographic shifts, the suburb of Thabeban is expected to increase by 189 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of approximately 6% in total over the 16 years.

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

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data, Thabeban has seen around 4 new homes approved annually. Approximately 22 homes were approved over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, and 29 have been approved so far in FY-26. On average, this translates to about 4 new residents per year for every home built during these five financial years.

This demand significantly outpaces supply, which typically puts upward pressure on prices and increases competition among buyers. The average construction value of new homes is $355,000. In FY-26, there have been $7.9 million in commercial approvals, indicating Thabeban's primarily residential nature. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Thabeban has significantly less development activity, 77.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established properties. New building activity in Thabeban shows 67.0% detached dwellings and 33.0% medium and high-density housing.

The growing mix of townhouses and apartments provides options across different price points, from family homes to more affordable compact living. This marks a significant shift from existing housing patterns, which are currently 87.0% houses. The estimated population count per dwelling approval in Thabeban is 864 people. Future projections suggest Thabeban will add 182 residents by 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Should current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag behind population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Thabeban has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified three projects that may affect this region. Notable projects are 432-434 Goodwood Road Land Lease Community Site, St Vincent de Paul Social Housing Walkervale Bundaberg, New Bundaberg Hospital, and Millbank Wastewater Treatment Plant - Inlet Works. The following list outlines those 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.

The employment landscape in Thabeban shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

Thabeban has a balanced workforce encompassing both white and blue collar jobs, with prominent representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 4.6% as of December 2025. Over the past year, there was an estimated employment growth of 9.9%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of December 2025, 1,437 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.6%, which is 0.6% higher than Regional Qld's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation in Thabeban was 61.1%, slightly below Regional Qld's 64.5%. Census responses indicated that only 2.9% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. The leading employment industries among residents were health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction.

Notably, agriculture, forestry & fishing had an employment concentration of 2.0 times the regional average. Conversely, accommodation & food services showed lower representation at 6.0% compared to the regional average of 8.3%. While local employment opportunities exist, many residents commute elsewhere for work, as indicated by the count of Census working population to local population. During the year to December 2025, employment levels increased by 9.9%, and labour force increased by 9.4%, resulting in a decrease in unemployment by 0.4 percentage points. In comparison, Regional Qld recorded employment growth of 0.7%, labour force growth of 1.0%, with unemployment rising by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment is expected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. However, applying these projections to Thabeban's employment mix indicates a simpler weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes, suggesting local employment should increase by 6.1% over five years and 13.1% over ten years.

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 2023 shows Thabeban's median income among taxpayers is $42,071, with an average of $51,986. Both figures are below the national averages. In Regional Queensland, the median income is $53,146 and the average is $66,593. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Thabeban would be approximately $46,850 (median) and $57,892 (average) as of March 2026. The 2021 Census data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Thabeban all fall between the 8th and 10th percentiles nationally. Income brackets show that 28.3% of Thabeban's population (865 individuals) have incomes ranging from $1,500 to $2,999. This pattern is similar to the broader area where 31.7% fall within this income range. After accounting for housing costs, 84.9% of income remains in Thabeban, ranking at the 13th percentile nationally.

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

In Thabeban, according to the latest Census, 87.3% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 12.7% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This compares to Regional Qld's 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Thabeban stood at 40.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 24.8% and rented ones at 34.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,257, lower than Regional Qld's average of $1,655. Median weekly rent in Thabeban was $298, compared to Regional Qld's $345. Nationally, Thabeban's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,257 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Thabeban features high concentrations of group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 71.4% of all households, including 23.2% couples with children, 31.0% couples without children, and 15.7% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 28.6%, with lone person households at 24.4% and group households comprising 4.2%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which matches the Regional Queensland average.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 9.3%, 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 most common at 7.7%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.0%) and postgraduate qualifications (0.6%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 40.5% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (7.3%) and certificates (33.2%).

Educational participation is high at 27.2%, comprising primary education (11.3%), secondary education (7.9%), and tertiary education (2.7%).

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

Thabeban has nine active public transport stops, all offering bus services. These stops are served by one route collectively providing 43 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated good with residents typically located 267 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward and predominantly use cars (96%). Vehicle ownership averages 1.3 per dwelling, below the regional average. Only 2.9% of residents work from home (2021 Census).

Service frequency averages six trips per day across all routes, resulting in approximately four weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Thabeban faces significant health challenges, as assessed by AreaSearch through mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Multiple health conditions affect both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 48% of Thabeban's total population (around 1,462 people), compared to 52.5% in Regional Qld and the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (11.3%) and mental health issues (10.0%). Conversely, 58.2% of residents report no medical ailments, lower than Regional Qld's 67.6%. Working-age adults face notable health challenges due to high chronic condition rates. Thabeban has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 22.9% (around 700 people), compared to Regional Qld's 20.4%. Senior health outcomes align with national rankings, mirroring the general population's trends.

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

Thabeban's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 89.6% of its population being citizens, 88.6% born in Australia, and 94.1% speaking English only at home. The predominant religion in Thabeban is Christianity, which accounts for 51.0% of the population, compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld. In terms of ancestry, the top three represented groups are Australian (32.0%), English (29.8%), and Irish (7.1%).

Notably, German ancestry is overrepresented at 6.5%, compared to 4.7% regionally, while Australian Aboriginal ancestry stands at 4.7% (vs 3.9%) and Korean ancestry is at 0.4% (vs 0.2%).

Thabeban's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Thabeban has a median age of 40, close to Regional Qld's figure of 41 but modestly exceeding the national norm of 38. The 65-74 age group is strongly represented at 13.2%, compared to Regional Qld, while the 45-54 cohort is less prevalent at 8.3%. Post the 2021 Census, the 25-34 age group has grown from 13.0% to 14.4% of Thabeban's population. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort declined from 13.8% to 12.4%, and the 5-14 group dropped from 14.2% to 13.1%. Demographic modeling indicates significant changes in Thabeban's age profile by 2041. Leading this shift, the 25-34 group is projected to grow by 23%, reaching 543 people from 440. Meanwhile, population declines are forecast for the 55-64 and 5-14 cohorts.