The town was originally named Aalberg by Danish settlers. However, by 1883, it had acquired the name Nikenbah, which is a corruption of Aboriginal words (Kabi language), nguruin meaning emu and ba meaning place.[2]
Nikenbah State School opened on 27 May 1913 and closed on 1963.[4]
Glendyne Education and Training Centre opened in Nikenbah in 2002 as a special assistance school for children who are unsuited to mainstream schooling. It is operated by Carinity (formerly Queensland Baptist Care).[4][5]
Demographics
In the 2016 census, the locality of Nikenbah had a population of 657 people.[6]
In the 2021 census, the locality of Nikenbah had a population of 1,234 people.[1]
There are no mainstream schools in Nikenbah. The nearest primary schools are Yarrilee State School in neighbouring Urraween to the north and Kawungan State School in neighbouring Kawungan to the north-east. The nearest secondary schools are Hervey Bay State High School in Pialba to the north and Urangan State High School in Urangan to the north-east.[10]