Gladstone · Statistical Area 2 (SA2)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
A 9.7% population jump since 2021 marks a period of rapid expansion for Gladstone. This growth is much higher than most similar areas, though the city continues to face significant challenges with low access to money and job skills.
All statistical area 2 (sa2) areas, 2021. The marker is Gladstone — lower than 99% of areas.
| Gladstone | 1 |
|---|---|
| 4680, QLD | 3 |
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
The area faces deep disadvantage, with an overall advantage score of 875 that is among the smallest at its level. Access to money, resources, and education are all very low, ranking smaller than about 80% to 90% of similar areas.
1
Lower than 99% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the 10% most advantaged. IRSAD summarises both advantage and disadvantage, so a high score reflects relatively many high-income, well-educated households and few low-income, low-skill ones.
1
Lower than 99% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the least disadvantaged. IRSD focuses on disadvantage alone (low income, low education, unemployment, unskilled occupations), so a higher decile means relatively less disadvantage.
1
Lower than 99% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
ABS Index of Economic Resources, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for economic resources in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IER reflects the income, housing costs, dwelling size and assets of households, so a higher decile means relatively greater economic resources.
2
Lower than 86% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
ABS Index of Education and Occupation, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for education and occupation in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IEO reflects residents' qualifications and the skill level of their jobs, so a higher decile means a more highly educated and skilled workforce.
875
Lower than 92% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a raw index score (standardised so the Australian average is about 1000). Higher scores indicate relatively greater advantage; lower scores greater disadvantage.
Annual population estimates and change since the census.
Population growth is a standout feature here, rising by 9.7% since 2021. This is much higher than most similar areas and slightly above the Queensland figure of 8.7%.
6,839
Lower than 69% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
9.7%
Higher than 79% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
There are 746 businesses operating in the area, which is smaller than about 60% of similar locations.
746
Lower than 60% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Gladstone [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/308051534/gladstone/topic/economy-advantage
