Council (LGA) · Area profile
Gympie
6,884 km²
Spanning a vast 6,884 square kilometres of the Queensland countryside, Gympie is a regional centre with a population of 53,242. It is a notably older community where the typical resident is 48, and over a quarter of the population are seniors. This ageing trend is reflected in the local economy, which sees lower typical incomes and a high number of people needing help with daily activities. Despite these challenges, the area has grown by 16% since 2011, welcoming new residents into a landscape dominated by detached houses.
The area's schools rate above its broader socio-economic standing.
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Gympie is far older than the state and national average, with 25.3% of people aged 65 and over. In contrast, children under 15 make up only 16.6% of the population, a figure that has fallen since 2011.
The community is predominantly Australian-born, and those born overseas make up 11.6% of the population, which is far below the national figure of 27.7%. English and Australian are the most common ancestries.
English is the primary language for 90.6% of residents. Only 2.8% of people use another language at home, a rate far below the national average of 22.3%.
A growing number of residents identify as having no religion, now accounting for 43.8% of the population. This is a significant increase of 20 percentage points since 2011.
Educational qualifications are lower than in most areas, with only 10.3% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. Year 12 completion is also far below the national figure at 38.9%.
Typical incomes are much lower than the state and national averages, with a typical weekly household income of $1,115. Only 8.6% of households earn $3,000 or more per week.
Health challenges are common here, as 35.8% of people have a long-term health condition. This is well above the national figure, and 9.7% of residents need help with daily activities.
Unpaid care is a significant part of local life, with 14.4% of people providing unpaid care. This is higher than most areas, though volunteering has fallen since 2011.
There are 2,331 First Nations people in the area, with a typical age of 23. Personal income for this group is a little below the national figure at $466 per week.
Families with one parent are more common here than in most areas, at 16.3%. About 27.3% of residents live alone, and the typical home holds 2.4 people.
Detached houses are the norm for 91.2% of residents. Home ownership is strong, with 42.1% of homes owned outright, which is far above the national average of 31.0%.
The area is heavily car-dependent, with 65.5% of people driving to work and only 0.6% using public transport. Most homes have at least one vehicle.
While 40.7% of the population moved in the last five years, recent arrivals from overseas have fallen to 5.7%, which is well below the national average.
Fewer adults are working or looking for work compared to most areas, at 48.7%. The unemployment rate is 5.9%, and health care is the most common industry.
The area is rated as having low overall advantage compared to other regions, with a score of 2 out of 10. However, the population has continued to grow by 8.6% since 2021.
Gympie is wetter than much of Queensland, with an average annual rainfall of 877mm. Summer temperatures are typically high, with an average maximum of 27.6 degrees.
Recorded offences are higher than in most areas, particularly theft and drug offences. The crime rate has seen a significant increase of 32.1% over the last five years.
The area is mostly car-dependent, with a walkability score of 2.5. Only 27.6% of homes are within a 15-minute walk of groceries, far below the state average.