Wide Bay

The population of Wide Bay SA4 in 2021 was 310,728. Forecast to grow by 72,449, the population is set to reach 383,117 persons by 2046, accounting for 3.5% of Queensland's population growth over the forecast period.

• The number of dwellings in Wide Bay SA4 is forecast to grow from 145,030 in 2021 to 186,851 in 2046, an additional 41,820 dwellings.
• Booral - River Heads SA2 (9,376), Bargara - Burnett Heads SA2 (8,515), and Urangan - Wondunna SA2 (6,558) are forecast to contribute the largest share of population growth combined, accounting for 33.8% of Wide Bay's SA4's total population growth to 2046, or 12.9%, 11.8% and 9.1% respectively.
• The majority of the region's dwelling growth is attributed also to Bargara - Burnett Heads SA2 (4,849), Booral - River Heads SA2 (4,121), and Urangan - Wondunna SA2 (3,765), with a combined contribution of 30.5% or 11.6%, 9.9%, and 9% respectively.
• No SA2s are forecast to decline in population over the forecast period, with the smallest growth forecast in Monto - Eidsvold SA2 (128 persons).

Read on below for charts, maps and tables sharing the forecast results at SA2 geography. 

The Wide Bay SA4 is made up of 35 SA2s, situated 170km North of Brisbane, directly above Noosa of the Sunshine Coast SA4 region. The region's larger surface area is characteristic of its widely dispersed population across several major population centres. With a growing economy primarily geared towards Healthcare, retail, and agriculture, Wide Bay SA4 is forecast to experience significant and consistent growth throughout the 25-year forecast period.

The region's most significant population centre is Bundaberg, a historic agricultural hub situated just off the Burnett River in the most northern section of the SA4. As Bundaberg SA2 continues to grow, so does its economy, shifting away from agriculture and manufacturing and into services and retail as its leading provider. Heading South on the Bruce Highway leads to Maryborough, the region's second largest population centre, situated in the Fraser Coast area. Forecast to experience significant population growth over the forecast period, Maryborough SA2 and its surrounds continue to evolve into a prominent Queensland regional centre. Directly South on the same highway lies Gympie, a third historic town within the Wide Bay SA4 region, situated on the Mary River. Known for its gold and Macadamia trees, the city sits directly above the Noosa Hinterland and has also expanded its economy into health care and other services sectors.

In terms of transport, the region benefits from a passenger train linking Brisbane to Gympie. Beyond that, a regional bus connects the other major population centres, with rural areas relying on private transportation.

We set the context for our local area forecasts with a presentation of our state- and regional-level forecasts for Queensland.

Access the presentation slides (including our forecast data for each region), and a short recap or the full webinar presentation on-demand. Learn what's driving change and how much growth will go to each region of the state over the 25 years to 2046.

The population forecast for Queensland