Urraween

Population growth drivers in Urraween are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validation, the Urraween statistical area's population is estimated at around 8,466 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 515 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 7,951. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 8,374 in Jun 2024 and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This level equates to a density ratio of 1,134 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Urraween has shown resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 2.5%, outpacing its SA3 area. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 84.0% 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. It should be noted that these state projections do not provide age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings are applied based on ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 using 2022 data for each age cohort. Future population trends suggest a population increase just below the median of Australian non-metropolitan areas, with an expected increase to around 9,391 persons by 2041, reflecting a gain of approximately 14.1% in total over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data shows Urraween has experienced approximately 42 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling around 214 homes. As of FY-26, 49 approvals have been recorded. On average, each home built between FY-21 and FY-25 accommodates about 4.5 new residents annually. This significant demand exceeds supply, potentially driving price growth and increased buyer competition.

New properties are constructed at an average cost of $370,000. In FY-26, commercial approvals amount to $22.9 million, indicating moderate commercial development activity. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Urraween has notably lower building activity, with 60.0% fewer approvals per person. This scarcity can strengthen demand and prices for existing properties.

The area's new building activity comprises 94.0% detached dwellings and 6.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining its suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space. There are approximately 183 people per dwelling approval in the location, indicating a low-density market. AreaSearch projects Urraween will add around 1,197 residents by 2041. Current development appears well-aligned with future needs, suggesting steady market conditions without extreme price pressure.

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

Ten projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to impact the area significantly, influencing its performance more than any other factor. These projects include Maryborough-Hervey Bay Road and Pialba-Burrum Heads Road Intersection Upgrade, Hervey Bay Community Hub, Liven Beach Road, and The Green Lifestyle Community. The following list details those projects likely to be most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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

Urraween has a skilled workforce with well-represented essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 4.4% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 9.9%.

As of September 2025, 3,292 residents are employed, and the unemployment rate is 0.3% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation lags significantly at 39.1%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Leading employment industries include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training. The area specializes in health care & social assistance, with an employment share 1.9 times the regional level.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented at 0.5% compared to Rest of Qld's 4.5%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 9.9%, and the labour force grew by 10.4%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.4 percentage points in Urraween. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment rise by 1.7% and unemployment increase by 0.3 percentage points. State-level data from 25-Nov-25 shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01%, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts, released in May-25, project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years for Australia. Applying these projections to Urraween's employment mix suggests local employment should grow by 7.4% over five years and 15.4% over ten years.

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

AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ending June 2023 shows Urraween had median taxpayer income of $42,071 and average income of $52,894. These figures are lower than national averages of $53,146 (median) and $66,593 (average). Based on Wage Price Index growth from June 2023 to September 2025, estimated median income is approximately $46,240 and average is $58,136. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Urraween fall between the 5th and 6th percentiles nationally. The $400 - 799 earnings band includes 30.9% of residents (2,615 individuals), unlike metropolitan regions where the $1,500 - 2,999 category predominates at 31.7%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 84.1% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 7th percentile nationally.

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

In Urraween, as per the latest Census evaluation, 93.3% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 6.7% being other types such as semi-detached homes and apartments. This is compared to Non-Metro Qld's 83.9% houses and 16.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Urraween stood at 53.2%, with mortgaged properties at 23.8% and rented ones at 22.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,500, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,430. The median weekly rent figure for Urraween was $380, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $335. Nationally, Urraween's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,500 than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were higher at $380 than the national figure of $375.

Urraween has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 71.1% of all households, including 19.8% couples with children, 39.8% couples without children, and 10.9% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 28.9%, with lone person households at 26.0% and group households comprising 2.7% of the total. The median household size is 2.3 people, which aligns with the Rest of Qld average.

Educational outcomes in Urraween fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 17.1%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 38.5% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 9.9% and certificates at 28.6%. A total of 23.3% of the population is actively engaged in formal education, including 8.9% in primary, 6.6% in secondary, and 2.7% in tertiary education.

A substantial 23.3% of the population actively pursues formal education. This includes 8.9% in primary education, 6.6% 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

Transport analysis indicates 21 active stops operating within Urraween, offering bus services. These stops are served by 8 routes, facilitating 529 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport access is rated good, with residents typically located 381 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 75 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 25 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Urraween faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Private health cover is low at approximately 48%, covering around 4,077 people, compared to the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (14.3%) and mental health issues (9.0%). Meanwhile, 53.9% report no medical ailments, slightly lower than the Rest of Qld's 56.7%. Urraween has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 38.5%, with around 3,259 people, compared to the Rest of Qld's 31.0%. Health outcomes among seniors are broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

In terms of cultural diversity, Urraween records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Urraween, surveyed in 2016, had a higher than average linguistic diversity with 9.0% of its residents speaking a language other than English at home. Overseas-born population was also high at 24.1%. Christianity dominated religious beliefs in Urraween at 55.1%, slightly above the Rest of Qld's 52.7%.

In terms of ancestry, English (33.7%) and Australian (26.4%) were the dominant groups, followed by Scottish at 7.9%. Some ethnic groups showed notable differences: German was higher in Urraween at 5.5% compared to 5.3% regionally, New Zealanders were at 0.8%, slightly above the regional average of 0.7%, and Dutch residents were also marginally higher at 1.4%.

Urraween ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Urraween's median age is 55, which is considerably higher than Rest of Qld's figure of 41 and substantially exceeds the national norm of 38. Compared to Rest of Qld, Urraween has a higher concentration of 75-84 year-olds at 16.4%, but fewer 35-44 year-olds at 9.0%. This 75-84 concentration is well above the national figure of 6.0%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 7.9% to 8.7% of Urraween's population. Conversely, the 65 to 74 cohort has declined from 17.7% to 15.8%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Urraween's age structure. The 85+ group is projected to grow by 74%, reaching 930 people from the current figure of 533. This growth will be led by those aged 65 and above, comprising 61% of the projected population increase. Conversely, the 15 to 24 age group is expected to contract by 53 residents.