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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Walkerston has an estimated 3,744 residents, up from 3,615 at the 2021 Census — a change of 129 people, or 3.6%. Growth has averaged 0.8% a year over five years. That puts 270 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to AreaSearch's evaluation of broader regional ABS demographic releases and newly validated local addresses since the Census, the suburb of Walkerston has a population of approximately 3,744 as of Aug 2026. This indicates an expansion of 129 people (3.6%) above the 3,615 people counted during the 2021 Census. Such growth is determined from an estimated resident population of 3,707 identified by AreaSearch following the ABS June 2025 ERP release, combined with 20 validated new addresses added post-Census. With a resultant density of 269 persons per square kilometer, the locality offers ample living space alongside room for potential future development.
Natural increase served as the principal demographic engine, accounting for roughly 89.0% of all recent population gains in the suburb of Walkerston. For demographic forecasting, AreaSearch uses 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2-level figures establishing 2022 as the base year. Where SA2 coverage is absent, or for timeframes beyond 2032, 2023 Queensland State Government SA2 projections based on 2021 numbers are incorporated. Because these state figures omit age breakdowns, AreaSearch allocates cohort distributions using proportional weightings from the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections (derived from 2022 data). Demographic trajectories point to expansion trailing slightly under the regional national median, with the suburb of Walkerston projected to gain 271 persons by 2041 under aggregated SA2 models, marking a 6.2% overall increase over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
20 new dwellings have been approved in Walkerston over the past five years, an average of 4 a year. That is 1.4 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 6, running ahead of that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
AreaSearch's evaluation of ABS building approval records apportioned from statistical areas indicates that Walkerston has averaged approximately 4 dwellings approved annually for development, accumulating to an estimated 20 homes across the past 5 financial years. Within FY-25 to date, 6 approvals have been logged. Over the past 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25), an average of 5.8 people arrived locally per home constructed, illustrating that residential supply lags significantly behind incoming demand. This shortfall typically elevates buyer competition and creates upward pricing pressure, while newly built homes carry an average construction cost of $732,000—exceeding regional benchmarks and signaling a focus on premium residential builds.
Residential planning volumes in Walkerston sit 59.0% below regional average per person compared to Rest of Qld. This subdued rate of new building usually underpins pricing and interest across established dwellings. Activity also trails national benchmarks, highlighting a mature market that may be subject to development limitations. Furthermore, recent building activity has consisted entirely of detached dwellings, preserving the community's established low-density footprint and supplying spacious family dwellings. A ratio of 741 people per approved dwelling highlights an environment characterized by quiet, low-volume residential construction. Projections from the most recent AreaSearch quarterly release indicate Walkerston will add 234 residents by 2041. While construction volumes are currently aligned with forecasted population additions, prospective purchasers could face intensified competition as the local community expands.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Walkerston
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 3 current infrastructure and development projects inside Walkerston, worth an estimated $6 million. A further 48 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $17.3 billion. 18 are already under construction and 17 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and sports & recreation. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Regional trajectory and community performance are heavily shaped by planning frameworks, local infrastructure developments, and major civil works. AreaSearch has pinpointed 3 projects positioned to influence the area. Leading initiatives comprise the Walkerston Bypass, Alsatia Park Upgrade, Walkerston Service Station and Retail Development, and Glenrowan Estate, with key details provided below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Walkerston Service Station and Retail Development
Approved redevelopment comprising a new service station, fast food outlet and retail tenancies on the corner of Dutton Street and Dane Street. The project requires demolition of three existing houses and the former service station and includes 30 on-site parking spaces. Following the June 2024 development approval, an Operational Works application for Stage 1 and Stage 2 civil works, roadworks, stormwater drainage and landscaping was lodged in late 2024, indicating the project is progressing toward construction, although no confirmed construction commencement has been publicly announced.
Glenrowan Estate
A community-focused residential estate in Walkerston, Queensland, offering 180 new homes. It features expansive open green spaces, a park, and a playground. The estate is designed for families, offering relaxed living close to city conveniences on a total area of 21.90 hectares.
Alsatia Park Upgrade
Major upgrades to Alsatia Park, which is now open to the community. The project included new play equipment, a youth hang-out space (with a ping pong table featuring custom local artwork), an upgraded skatepark (with an inlaid bronze memorial plaque), new public amenities (including accessible toilets), basketball facilities, picnic shelters, barbecue area, footpaths, and drainage improvements. The design incorporated extensive community feedback, notably separating the younger children's playground from the skatepark. The project was jointly funded by the Australian Government's Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program ($700,000) and Mackay Regional Council.
Mackay Aquatic and Recreation Complex (Mackay ARC)
Completed multi-sport precinct on CQUniversity's Ooralea campus featuring a FINA-approved 50m pool, covered 25m pool, learn-to-swim pool, synthetic athletics track and multi-use spaces. The $23.9m project was co-funded by Mackay Regional Council and the Australian Government with land provided by CQUniversity.
Mackay Educational Precinct
Consolidated education hub in Mackay bringing together state education services with TAFE and university pathways. The initiative focuses on industry-aligned training and higher education in mining, agriculture and marine sciences, delivered through precinct-style collaboration between Queensland Department of Education, TAFE Queensland and CQUniversity.
Mackay Technology Park
Queensland Government led technology and industrial precinct within the Mackay State Development Area supporting biomanufacturing, renewable energy, sustainable aviation fuel and advanced manufacturing. The Mackay SDA was declared in February 2024 and its Development Scheme was approved in September 2024. Infrastructure planning to activate the precinct is underway, with opportunities centred on the Racecourse Mill and Rosella precincts.
Residential Subdivision at 20-32 Cinnamon Drive
Approved multi-lot residential subdivision delivering 54 residential lots across multiple stages off Cinnamon Drive in Glenella. The development involves civil earthworks, internal road network creation, and municipal utility connections to expand low-density suburban housing adjoining existing residential areas.
The Gardens at Ooralea
The Gardens at Ooralea is Mackay's newest premier residential estate in the heart of Ooralea, featuring large premium blocks from 590mý to 880mý. The development includes multiple stages with a total of approximately 62 lots (Stage 1 released and Stage 2 comprising 29 residential lots). Civil and operational works are underway following development approvals.
2,117 residents of Walkerston are employed, from a labour force of 2,159. Unemployment sits at 1.9%, with participation at 74.0%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.3% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,694, about 72% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Walkerston maintains an evenly split workforce across blue- and white-collar occupations, underpinned by prominent industrial and manufacturing employment, a jobless rate of merely 1.9%, and an estimated 4.8% annual expansion in local employment according to AreaSearch aggregated data. By March 2026, 2,117 residents were employed. The local unemployment level sits 2.0% under the 3.9% recorded across Regional Qld, while labor participation is exceptionally strong at 74.0% compared to 64.2% across Regional Qld. Census records show that only 4.6% of workers operated from home, though this figure was likely influenced by Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.
Locally resident workers are predominantly engaged across mining, retail trade, and health care & social assistance. Mining represents a key economic specialization, capturing an employment share 4.5 times the regional level. Conversely, health care & social assistance accounts for 11.0% of the workforce, falling short of the 16.1% regional standard. A comparison between Census resident workers and local operational jobs suggests an area with constrained local employment opportunities. AreaSearch's compilation of ABS and SALM statistical data shows that in the twelve months to March 2026, resident employment expanded by 4.8% alongside a 5.6% rise in the total labor force, resulting in a 0.8 percentage point uptick in the unemployment rate. By comparison, Regional Qld registered employment growth of 0.1% and a labor supply increase of 0.3%, corresponding to a 0.1 percentage point rise. Broader national labor projections from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide context on future industry demand for Walkerston, having been cross-referenced with local industry allocations across five- and ten-year horizons. Across Australia, total employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with notable variations across individual sectors. Projecting these industry-level expectations onto Walkerston's specific workforce distribution indicates potential local job expansion of 5.3% over five years and 11.9% over ten years (representing a baseline proportional extrapolation for modeling purposes that excludes local population adjustments).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Walkerston is $2,142 a week (about $111,000 a year), with median personal income at $929 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $63,718 a year against an average of $77,889. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
ATO postcode statistics compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicate that taxpayers in the suburb of Walkerston earn a median income of $63,718 and an average income of $77,889. These earnings rank substantially above national standards, as well as the Regional Qld median of $53,146 and average of $66,593. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, updated estimates reach roughly $70,956 (median) and $86,737 (average) by March 2026. According to Census records, local household, personal, and family earnings align near the 72nd percentile across Australia.
In terms of distribution, 35.8% of individuals (1,340 individuals) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket, which closely tracks the regional proportion of 31.7%. Households preserve 87.5% of their income once housing commitments are met, demonstrating substantial discretionary capacity, while the locality's SEIFA income position sits within the 4th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Walkerston had 1,217 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 92% detached houses and 0% apartments. 46% are owned with a mortgage, 24% rented and 31% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $360 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,733 a month. Rent absorbs 16.8% of household income here and mortgage repayments 18.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census findings indicate that standalone houses accounted for 92.1% of residential stock in Walkerston, with remaining properties comprising 7.8% other dwellings including apartments and semi-detached structures, compared to 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings across Regional Qld. Fully owned properties represented 30.8% of the local market, trailing the wider regional rate, while mortgaged homes comprised 45.5% and rental properties made up 23.6%. Monthly mortgage repayments averaged a median of $1,733, exceeding the Regional Qld benchmark of $1,655, while weekly median rents stood at $360 compared to $345 regionally. Relative to national figures, Walkerston sits below the Australian median mortgage repayment of $1,863 and the national median weekly rent of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Walkerston counted 1,217 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.7 people each. 37% are couples with children, against 31% couples without children. 18% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.9 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the vast majority of local households at 78.6%, consisting of couples with children (37.2%), couples without children (31.3%), and single parent families (9.9%). The remaining 21.4% consists of non-family living arrangements, primarily lone person households (17.9%) alongside group households (3.5%). The typical local household accommodates a median of 2.7 people, outpacing the 2.5 person benchmark recorded across Regional Qld.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
9.5% of adults in Walkerston hold a university qualification, including 7.5% with a bachelor degree and 1.0% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 75% of areas nationally. A further 39.9% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 656 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 979 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Higher education qualifications in the locality remain limited, with 9.5% holding a university degree compared to the Australian average of 30.4%, highlighting a distinct scope for targeted learning programs. Bachelor degrees form the largest segment at 7.5%, alongside postgraduate qualifications at 1.0% and graduate diplomas at 1.0%. Conversely, technical and trade credentials are widespread, with 47.5% of persons aged 15+ possessing vocational qualifications, consisting of certificates (39.9%) and advanced diplomas (7.6%). Student engagement across the locality is substantial, with 31.3% of the community undertaking formal studies. This cohort includes 12.8% attending primary school, 9.8% in secondary education, and 3.0% enrolled in tertiary courses.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Walkerston means driving: households keep an average of 1.8 vehicles, and scheduled services reach only a handful of stops. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transit infrastructure within Walkerston includes 12 operational stops accommodating bus services. These locations are connected by 1 individual routes that generate 20 weekly passenger trips in total. Accessibility across the network is favorable, placing residents an average of 327 meters from their nearest transit stop. Given the area's predominantly residential profile, outward commuting is standard, with private cars representing 95% of journeys. Vehicle availability averages 1.8 per dwelling, exceeding the regional standard, while 4.6% of residents worked from home during the 2021 Census under potential COVID-19 influences. Transit service across the network averages 2 trips per day over all routes, providing roughly 1 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
70.6% of residents in Walkerston report no long-term health condition. 3.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 58.1% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.6 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health assessments by AreaSearch based on chronic disease incidence and mortality data indicate below-average health outcomes in Walkerston, with elevated rates of common conditions across both younger and older cohorts. Meanwhile, private health insurance coverage is notably robust, held by approximately 58% of the population (~2,173 people), exceeding the 52.5% rate found across Regional Qld. Asthma and mental health conditions are the most prevalent ailments locally, reported by 7.8 and 7.2% of residents respectively, whereas 70.6% of residents indicated no long-term medical conditions compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. General health profiles among working-age individuals align closely with standard benchmarks.
Residents aged 65 and over account for 16.6% of the population (621 people), below the Regional Qld share of 20.3%, with national health comparisons mirroring the broader community.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Walkerston is largely Australian-born, at 93.2% of residents, with 1.9% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (30.6%) and English (29.3%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity measures in Walkerston track below national averages, with Australian citizens representing 87.9% of the population, 93.2% born in Australia, and 98.1% speaking English exclusively at home. Christianity forms the dominant faith, practiced by 60.5% of local residents in contrast to 52.2% across Regional Qld. Regarding ancestral background based on parental birthplaces, the three most common heritages in Walkerston are Australian at 30.6%, English at 29.3%, and Scottish at 9.1%. Specific ethnic backgrounds display noticeable variations from wider trends, notably Maltese residents who make up 4.3% locally (against 0.4% regionally), German ancestry at 5.5% (against 4.7%), and Maori background at 0.7% (against 0.8%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Walkerston is 35, younger than 76% of areas nationally. 25.6% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The age profile in Walkerston leans heavily toward youth. Updated August 2026 modeling shows children and young adults (0 - 24) comprise 33.7% of the community, exceeding the 29.6% share across Regional Qld, while seniors aged 65+ account for 16.6% against a regional level of 20.4%. As of August 2026, the estimated median age remains at 35, matching the 2021 Census and sitting 6 years below the Regional Qld median of 41 recorded in that Census. The most noticeable demographic transition since the Census occurred among the 65+ cohort, increasing from 13.0% to an estimated 16.6%.
Looking toward 2041, senior age groups will account for most population additions, gaining 115 residents (19%) to reach 737.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Walkerston
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 2 months ago all 3 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 20 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (3,615 at the 2021 Census → 3,744 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL32959). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.