Ooralea (Qld)

Detail

Following assessment of ABS population revisions for the surrounding region alongside new addresses verified by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Ooralea has an estimated population of approximately 3,862 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 171 residents (4.6%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 3,691 people. This shift is calculated from a resident population of 3,849, projected by Districts using the latest ABS ERP release from June 2025 and 2 additional validated new addresses after the Census date. The population density stands at 702 persons per square kilometer, a figure that is largely consistent with average levels recorded across areas analyzed by Districts. Throughout the past ten years, the suburb of Ooralea has shown steady growth with a compound annual rate of 1.3%, ahead of the SA3 region. Population gains were primarily supported by interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 59.0% of the overall increase, though all sources including overseas arrivals and natural increase made positive contributions.

Detail

The suburb of Ooralea features a capable talent pool with strong representation in industrial and manufacturing fields, an unemployment rate of a mere 1.4%, and an estimated employment growth of 1.1% over the prior year, based on Districts calculations of regional data. By March 2026, 1,987 local residents were employed, and the unemployment rate was 2.5% below the 3.9% recorded in Regional Qld, while labor force participation matched the Regional Qld level of 64.3%. Census data indicates that a minor 3.9% of the workforce operated from home, though the influence of COVID-19 restrictions should be kept in mind.

Detail

Taxpayer data from the ATO compiled by Districts for the financial year 2023 places the suburb of Ooralea among the highest income tiers nationwide. The median income of local taxpayers is $69,100, while the average income reaches $86,401, compared to Regional Qld averages of $53,146 and $66,593 respectively. Accounting for Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, contemporary values are estimated at roughly $76,950 for the median and $96,216 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census confirms that household, family, and individual incomes are all elevated, placing between the 78th and 80th percentiles nationally. Income brackets show that 36.6% of residents (1,413 individuals) earn between $1,500 and which aligns with the regional figure of in this bracket. A notable earn more than weekly, pointing to affluent households that support local commerce. Once housing costs are met, residents keep of their earnings, indicating strong disposable income, and the area sits in the th decile on the SEIFA index for income.

Detail

At the time of the latest Census, the housing mix in the suburb of Ooralea was comprised of 92.5% detached houses and 7.5% alternative dwelling types like semi-detached properties, townhouses, and apartments, compared to 76.4% houses and 23.6% other options throughout Regional Qld. Rates of outright home ownership stood slightly below the regional benchmark at 31.6%, with the remaining properties being purchased with a mortgage (42.2%) or occupied by tenants (26.2%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,820 was higher than the Regional Qld average of $1,655, and the median weekly rent of $440 also exceeded the regional average of $345. On a national scale, mortgage payments are below the Australian median of $1,863, while local rental costs are notably higher than the national median of $375.

Detail

Families make up the vast majority of households at 77.7%, consisting of 37.4% couples with children, 29.6% couples without children, and 9.7% single parent households. The remaining 22.3% consists of non-family households, with lone person households representing 17.3% and group housing accounting for 4.2% of the total. The median size of local households is 2.7 residents, exceeding the Regional Qld average of 2.5.

Detail

Local statistics reveal educational obstacles, with the proportion of residents holding university degrees (19.2%) sitting well below the national rate of 30.4%. This gap highlights a clear opportunity for focused educational programs. Bachelor degrees represent the most common higher qualification at 14.4%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.7% and graduate diplomas at 2.1%. Practical and vocational qualifications are highly prevalent, with 41.0% of residents aged 15 and over possessing vocational certificates or diplomas, including 7.3% with advanced diplomas and 33.7% holding certificates.

Detail

Analysis of transit options indicates there are 7 active passenger stops operating within the suburb of Ooralea, comprising bus services. These locations are served by a single route, which provides 130 passenger trips per week. Transport links are rated as good, with residents living an average of 389 meters from their nearest transit stop. Given the residential nature of the area, most workers commute out of the suburb, and cars remain the primary transport choice for 95% of workers. Household vehicle ownership stands at an average of 1.8 cars per home, which is above the regional average. A low 3.9% of workers worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

Detail

The suburb of Ooralea displays favorable health statistics based on Districts assessments of mortality and chronic disease rates, with both younger and older demographics showing low rates of common illnesses, while private health insurance coverage is remarkably high at roughly 61% of the population (2,372 people). This compares to 52.5% in Regional Qld and a national average of 55.7%.

Detail

The suburb of Ooralea exhibits lower levels of multicultural diversity, with citizens making up 88.1% of the population, 85.7% of residents born in Australia, and 88.9% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, representing the faith of 61.0% of the population, compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld.

Detail

The median age of 35 in the suburb of Ooralea is notably below the Regional Qld average of 41 and slightly beneath the national median of 38. The 35 - 44 age bracket shows a strong concentration at 16.5% of the local population compared to Regional Qld, while the 55 - 64 cohort is underrepresented at 9.8%. Post-2021 Census records show the 75 to 84 cohort has expanded from 3.7% to 5.1% of the population, while the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 13.6% to 12.2%. Long-term forecasts to 2041 suggest notable changes, led by a 24% increase in the 35 to 44 age group, which will grow by people from to while both the to and to cohorts are projected to contract.

Detail

Ooralea currently has an estimated 262 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 152 children aged 0-2 and 101 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 3% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 32% by 2041 (to approximately 347 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 373. Birth rates in the area have averaged 13.3 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a high rate (among the top 20% of areas assessed nationally).