Winter Series E1: Population

THE FRASER COAST IS BIGGER, OLDER AND STILL GROWING

How much has the Fraser Coast changed over the past 25 years?
In 2001, the region had around 71,206 residents. By 2021, that had grown to 111,032, and the latest 2025 estimate places our population at approximately 122,924.

That is more than 50,000 additional residents since 2001.

But the bigger story is not only how many people live here. It is also who lives here.

Our median age is now 51, and more than 38% of residents were aged 60 or older at the 2021 Census.

In Episode 1 of the Fraser Coast Property Brief Winter Series, Glen Winney looks at what this population growth and ageing profile mean for housing, health services, infrastructure and the future of our region.

One number to remember: 122,924 residents.

Transcript

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Welcome to the Freza Coast Property Brief Winter Series. Over nine short episodes, we will be discussing beyond opinions, headlines, and understanding how the Freza Coast has changed roughly over the last quarter of a century. Each week I will take you through one subject, explain the numbers, and the most importantly discuss those figures, what they actually mean for people that work, live, and do business here. So week one, we're going into our population. So we are bigger, older, and still growing. Current population is around about 122,000. So when people talk about the Fraser Coast, they often describe it as a quite regional area, but the Fraser Coast numbers tell a much bigger story. The region has grown strongly and it's still growing fast in regional Queensland. The first thing to understand is that the population can be measured in several ways. Census figures count for people at the point of time, but the estimated residential population updated annually is the best and current measure of the population. So as far as historical comparison, I will use statistics and censors from 2001 to 2021 and bring the story forward right up to 2025. In 2001, the Fraser Coast had 71,206 usual residents here. By 2021 census, we're 111,032. That is an increase of 39,000 in 20 years growth and about 56%. The latest annual estimate puts the population at 122,924 as of the 30th of June 2025. So we'll be well past 123 now. The latest year alone, the region is at 2,573 residents, representing a growth of 2.14%. Regional Queensland grew by 1.42% over this same period. So this is not simply a story of steady long-term growth. Frasico is currently growing at a comparatively strong rate, but the population size is only half the story. The other half is the age. The 60 to 69-year age group increased by another 10,785. By comparison, the number of babies in preschools increased by only 34 people over the same 20-year period. That contrast is critical. We have gained tens of thousands of residents, but the age profile of the growth has not been evenly spread. We are becoming a larger region and an older region at the same time. What does that mean in practical terms? It means stronger demand for health services, aged care, accessible transport, smaller low maintenance housing, home support, medical specialists, community services. It also means fewer working age people supporting a larger retired population. Unless we can attract and retain younger workers and families, the property number suggests we would not simply keep building the same product in the same way. Growth creates demand for new houses, but an aging population creates demand for a different style of home. Single-level living, smaller lots, apartments with lifts, accessible design, and locations close to shops and health services. For business, the opportunity is significant. More residents create a larger customer base, and older residents bring demand for a wide range of services. But growth also puts the pressure on roads, hospitals, supply, and takeaway from public infrastructure. So to take away from this is the number one thing to remember is 122,924,000 residents. That is the latest population estimate on the Fraser Coast, but the deeper message is we are not only growing, we are aging. The region's future planning needs to respond to both trends at once. So thank you for our first short one on the population. I'll be back next week to talk about migration. So join us again on the Fraser Coast property brief for our winter series.