Bundaberg East (Qld)

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Determined from ABS demographic statistics for the surrounding region and address registries verified by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Bundaberg East has a projected population of 3,027 in May 2026. This represents a rise of 188 residents (6.6%) compared to the 2021 Census, which documented 2,839 individuals. The adjustment is derived from a resident count of 2,914, calculated by Districts using the ABS demographic update from June 2025 alongside an extra 59 validated new addresses registered after the Census. This population level translates to a density of 669 persons per square kilometer, offering ample room per resident and capacity for prospective expansion. The 6.6% post-census growth rate in the suburb of Bundaberg East is within 2.5 percentage points of the broader SA3 region (9.1%), indicating competitive local growth dynamics. Population gains were chiefly generated by net overseas migration, which accounted for approximately 57% of the overall increase, though interstate migration and natural increase also served as positive contributors.

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The labor force in the suburb of Bundaberg East is evenly split between professional and manual roles, with a solid presence in essential services, an unemployment rate of just 3.5%, and an estimated annual job growth of 7.6% based on regional data compiled by Districts. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 1,534, with the local unemployment rate sitting 0.4% below the Regional Qld benchmark of 3.9%, while labor force participation aligns closely with the Regional Qld level of 64.3%. Census returns indicate that a minor 4.2% of residents worked from home, though this period was influenced by pandemic-related restrictions.

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Compiled postcode-level ATO data released for the 2023 financial year shows that taxpayers in the suburb of Bundaberg East recorded a median income of $45,245 and an average income of $55,908. These figures sit below the national average and compare to Regional Qld benchmarks of $53,146 (median) and $66,593 (average). Factoring in a Wage Price Index rise of 11.36% since the 2023 financial year, estimated incomes as of March 2026 would be around $50,385 for the median and $62,259 for the average. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual incomes in the suburb of Bundaberg East fell between the 6th and 13th percentiles nationwide. The largest income bracket contains 30.8% of local taxpayers (932 individuals) earning between $400 - differing from the wider region where the - bracket is largest at . Housing costs create severe financial pressure, leaving just of income remaining, which ranks in the th percentile nationally.

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Residential architecture in the suburb of Bundaberg East at the time of the latest Census consisted of 77.5% separate houses and 22.5% alternative dwellings (such as townhouses, flats, and other housing formats), compared to 76.4% separate houses and 23.6% alternative dwellings across Regional Qld. Home ownership rates in the suburb of Bundaberg East mirrored the Regional Qld average of 33.3%, with the remaining properties held under a mortgage (25.6%) or occupied by tenants (41.1%). The median monthly mortgage payment locally was $1,222, which is notably lower than the Regional Qld average of $1,655, while the median weekly rent was $285 compared to Regional Qld's average of $345. On a national level, mortgage costs in the suburb of Bundaberg East are far lower than the Australian median of $1,863, and rental costs are well below the national median of $375.

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Families comprise the majority of households at 63.3%, which is made up of couples with children (21.4%), couples without children (25.6%), and single-parent households (15.6%). Non-family households account for the remaining 36.7%, consisting of single-person households at 34.0% and group households at 2.9%. The median household occupancy of 2.3 individuals is slightly lower than the Regional Qld average of 2.5.

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The locality shows lower levels of higher education, with university graduation rates at 12.7%, well below the national average of 30.4%. This highlights a clear gap and a potential focus area for educational development. Among residents, bachelor degrees are held by 9.5%, followed by graduate diplomas at 1.8% and postgraduate qualifications at 1.4%. Vocational and technical qualifications are common, with 39.8% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (8.8%) and certificates (31.0%).

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Public transport services in the suburb of Bundaberg East include 8 active stops, which are serviced by a combination of buses. These stops accommodate 2 distinct routes that provide a total of 76 passenger trips weekly. Accessibility is rated favorably, with residents living an average of 377 meters from the nearest stop. The locality is primarily residential, resulting in most workers commuting outside the area, with private vehicles remaining the primary mode of travel at 93%. Average vehicle ownership is 1.2 per household, which is below the regional average. A low 4.2% of residents worked from home according to the 2021 Census, a figure that may reflect pandemic-era conditions.

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Health metrics indicate notable challenges in the suburb of Bundaberg East, based on Districts' evaluation of mortality data and the frequency of chronic illnesses across both younger and older demographics. The rate of private health insurance is low, with approximately 49% of the population (~1,494 individuals) holding coverage, compared to 52.5% in Regional Qld and a national average of 55.7%.

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The suburb of Bundaberg East has lower cultural diversity metrics compared to average, with citizenship at 88.1%, Australian-born residents at 86.8%, and 93.3% of the population speaking only English at home. The predominant religious affiliation is Christianity, representing 51.4% of residents in the suburb of Bundaberg East, compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld.

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The median age in the suburb of Bundaberg East is 42 years, which is close to the Regional Qld average of 41 and higher than the Australian median of 38. Compared to Regional Qld, the suburb of Bundaberg East has a higher share of residents in the 75 - 84 cohort (9.1% locally) and a lower share in the 35 - 44 cohort (10.9%). Since the 2021 Census, the 25 to 34 age bracket grew from 11.7% to 13.5% of the total population, and the 15 to 24 group rose from 11.9% to 13.1%, while the 5 to 14 cohort decreased from 13.1% to 11.7%. Population projections for suggest changing age demographics, with the to age bracket expected to grow by people () from to while the to and to groups are projected to contract.

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Bundaberg East currently has an estimated 148 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 94 children aged 0-2 and 62 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 8% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 24% by 2041 (to approximately 183 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 287. Birth rates in the area have averaged 9.7 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a moderate rate (within the middle tier nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.