Wide Bay

At A Glance

Wide Bay, Queensland, encompassing five local government areas, covers 48,400 sq km and has nearly 307,745 residents. Primarily agricultural, it’s also a tourism hotspot, with Hervey Bay as a Fraser Island gateway. Radio services include Rebel 106.7 FM and Breeze 102.5 FM. Tourism is growing, highlighted by the ex-HMAS Tobruk dive site, generating over $1 million annually and supporting 20 jobs. Ecotourism, especially glamping, is popular. Agriculture, worth $1.5 billion, contributes 12% to Queensland’s production, with cattle, mandarins, and sugarcane as key products.

Transmission Coverage

Population

Total Population: The total usual resident population for Wide Bay was 307,745 people.
 
Percentage of Women: 50.7%
 
Percentage of Men: 49.3%

Average Age

Median Age in the Region: The median age for people in Wide Bay was 49 years. This is substantially higher than the Queensland median age of 38, indicating an older population profile due to its popularity as a retirement destination.

Income (Weekly Household)

The median weekly household income for Wide Bay was $1,096 AUD, which is significantly lower than the Queensland median of $1,675, largely due to the high proportion of retirees.

The three largest household income brackets by percentage are concentrated at the lower end:
$650 – $799: 10.4%
 
$400 – $499: 9.4%
 
$800 – $999: 8.9%

Industry

Health Care and Social Assistance: 18.1% of employed residents. The single largest employer, driven by the substantial need for aged care and medical services for the older population.
 
Retail Trade: 10.5% of employed residents. Serving the community as a major regional commercial centre.
 
Education and Training: 8.7% of employed residents. The third largest sector, covering schools, TAFE, and university facilities serving the entire region.

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