Torquay (Qld)

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

Torquay's population is estimated at around 7,013 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 480 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,533 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 6,743 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 83 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,619 persons per square kilometer, which is above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Torquay's growth rate of 7.3% since census positions it within 1.8 percentage points of the Rest of Qld (9.1%). Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 64.0% 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 and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted. These state projections do not provide age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data are applied where utilised. Future population dynamics anticipate a median increase for non-metropolitan areas, with the suburb expected to grow by 539 persons to 2041 reflecting an overall increase of 4.5% over the 17 years.

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

Torquay has seen approximately 39 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling about 195 homes. As of FY-26, there have been 25 approvals recorded. On average, each dwelling constructed between FY-21 and FY-25 accommodated around 1.6 new residents per year, with this number dropping to 1.1 over the past two years. The average construction value for these dwellings was approximately $420,000. In FY-26, there have been $7.3 million in commercial approvals.

Compared to the rest of Queensland, Torquay's building activity is significantly lower, at 56.0% below the regional average per person. The majority of new developments consist of detached houses (81.0%) and attached dwellings (19.0%), contributing to the area's suburban character with a focus on family homes. Currently, there are approximately 118 people per dwelling approval in Torquay. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the location is projected to add 316 residents by 2041.

Given current development patterns, new housing supply should meet demand, potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

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

Area infrastructure changes significantly influence local performance. AreaSearch identified eight projects likely impacting the area. Key projects are Marina Square Development, Sheraton Hervey Bay Resort, Torquay Beachfront Tourist Park Redevelopment, and 47 Freshwater Street Apartment Development. The following list details 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.

Employment drivers in Torquay are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Torquay has a balanced workforce comprising white and blue collar jobs with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 8.1% as of September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 8.3% over the past year (AreaSearch). As of this date, 2,685 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 4.1% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%.

Workforce participation lagged at 49.0%, compared to Rest of Qld's 65.7%. Census data showed that only 6.0% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Key industries for employment among residents were health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade, with a particularly strong specialization in health care & social assistance (1.7 times the regional level). Agriculture, forestry & fishing employed just 1.0% of local workers, below Rest of Qld's 4.5%.

Employment opportunities locally appeared limited, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 8.3% and labour force grew by 9.0%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.6 percentage points (AreaSearch). This contrasted with Rest of Qld where employment rose by 1.7%, the labour force grew by 2.1%, and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggested that national employment would expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Torquay's employment mix indicated local employment should increase by 7.2% over five years and 14.9% over ten years, though these are simple weighting extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localised population projections.

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

Torquay's median income among taxpayers was $40,431 in financial year 2023, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest ATO data. The suburb's average income stood at $50,833 during this period. This compares with figures for Rest of Qld of $53,146 and $66,593 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $44,438 (median) and $55,871 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes in Torquay all fall between the 1st and 4th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows 34.4% of the population (2,412 individuals) fall within the $400 - $799 income range, contrasting with the region where the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket leads at 31.7%. The prevalence of lower-income residents (44.4% under $800/week) indicates constrained household budgets across much of Torquay. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 81.1% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 3rd percentile nationally.

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

Torquay's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 69.6% houses and 30.4% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and others. This compares to Non-Metro Qld's structure of 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Torquay's home ownership rate was higher at 42.3%, with the rest being mortgaged (18.4%) or rented (39.3%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Torquay was $1,299, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,655. Weekly rent median stood at $300 compared to Non-Metro Qld's $345. Nationally, Torquay's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 59.4% of all households, including 14.1% couples with children, 31.1% couples without children, and 13.1% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 40.6%, with lone person households at 36.7% and group households comprising 3.8%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 14.3%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 10.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.5%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 41.2% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.0%) and certificates (31.2%). A total of 23.8% of the population is engaged in formal education, with 8.6% in primary, 7.9% in secondary, and 2.7% in tertiary education.

A substantial 23.8% of the population actively pursues formal education. This includes 8.6% in primary education, 7.9% in secondary education, and 2.7% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Torquay has 45 active public transport stops, all serving buses. These stops are covered by four routes that together offer 181 weekly passenger trips. The average distance to the nearest stop for residents is 191 meters, indicating excellent accessibility. Most commuting in this primarily residential area is outward-bound. Car use dominates at 92%, with 4% walking. On average, there's one vehicle per dwelling, below the regional norm.

Only 6% of residents work from home (2021 Census data). Service frequency averages 25 trips daily across all routes, translating to about four weekly trips per stop.

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

Torquay faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. A variety of health conditions affect both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low, with approximately 47% of Torquay's total population (~3,320 people) having it, compared to 52.5% in the rest of Queensland and a national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (14.0%) and mental health issues (10.8%), while 53.0% of residents claim to have no medical ailments, compared to 67.6% in the rest of Queensland. Working-age residents face notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. Torquay has a higher proportion of seniors, with 34.9% of its population aged 65 and over (2,447 people), compared to 20.4% in the rest of Queensland. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly aligning with national rankings for the general population.

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

Torquay, as per data collected, exhibited lower than average cultural diversity. Its population composition was predominantly citizens at 86.9%, with 80.6% born in Australia, and 95.2% reporting English as their sole home language. Christianity was the prevalent religion, accounting for 51.9% of Torquay's population.

Notably, Judaism, though small at 0.1%, was proportionally equal to the regional average. Ancestry-wise, the top groups were English (33.6%), Australian (27.2%), and Irish (8.8%). Some ethnic groups showed notable differences: German was overrepresented at 5.5% compared to 4.7% regionally; Scottish also exceeded the regional average at 8.6% versus 7.8%; however, Australian Aboriginal representation was slightly lower at 3.8% compared to 3.9%.

Torquay ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Torquay has a median age of 55, which is considerably higher than the Rest of Qld figure of 41 and substantially exceeds the national norm of 38. Relative to Rest of Qld, Torquay has a higher concentration of 75-84 residents at 13.5%, but fewer 5-14 year-olds at 7.4%. This 75-84 concentration is well above the national figure of 6.1%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 8.6% to 9.8%, while the 25 to 34 cohort increased from 8.2% to 9.3%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 9.4% to 7.4%, and the 65 to 74 group dropped from 18.6% to 17.4%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections reveal significant shifts in Torquay's age structure. The 85+ group is projected to grow by 64%, reaching 459 people from 280. Those aged 65 and above will comprise 58% of this growth. Conversely, both the 55 to 64 and 5 to 14 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.