The first release of data from the 2021 Census reveals Bundaberg Region residents are earning and learning more and the population has grown to just under 100,000.
Released this week, the data shows the regional population now sits at 99,215.
However Bundaberg Regional Council Executive Director Strategic Projects and Economic Development Ben Artup said, when overnight visitors to the region were added, there was 100,544 people in the region at any given time.
“This represents a 6.8 per cent population increase since the 2016 Census, similar to the Wide Bay Burnett region, but lower than state and national population growth rates of 9.6 per cent and 8.6 per cent respectively,” Mr Artup said.
“The region’s population is also ageing faster than elsewhere, with the average person in Bundaberg getting two years older since 2016, while the average Queenslander aged just one year.
“The average Bundaberg resident is now 47, compared to 38 for Queensland.”
Other data released this week from the 2021 Census showed an increase in residents attending TAFE up to 1.5 per cent, however no change in the rate of residents attending university which remains at two per cent.
Bundaberg’s median household income also grew from $970 to $1,157 between the Census periods, compared to a state median of $1,675.
The 2021 Census also revealed for the first time the number of residents with past or current service in the Australian Defence Force.
“Interestingly, 4.5 per cent of Bundaberg residents have served in the Australian Defence Force, compared to 3.8 per cent for Queensland,” Mr Artup said.
“The 2021 Census also saw an increase in residents identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (ATSI).
“Five per cent of residents identified as ATSI, compared to four per cent in 2016.”
Bundaberg households owning their property outright increased from 36 per cent to 40 per cent, compared to 29 per cent across Queensland.
“These trends however could be partly explained by better data collection within the Census, given there was a significant fall in residents listing ‘other tenure types’ or ‘not stated’ as their household tenure.”
View the first release of 2021 Census data here.
We won’t be richer anymore that was with COVID stimulus money it’s very possible it went backwards to below 2016 levels now.