Balonne
Statistical Area - sa2

Balonne has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Balonne's population is around 4,367 as of November 2025. This reflects an increase of 47 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,320 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 4,356 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 19 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 0.10 persons per square kilometer. Population growth was primarily driven by natural growth contributing approximately 70.9% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. These state projections do not provide age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings are applied in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Projections indicate a decline in overall population by 459 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts are expected to grow, led by the 25 to 34 age group projected to grow by 96 people.

The level of residential development activity in Balonne is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Balonne has averaged approximately four new dwelling approvals each year over the past five financial years, totalling 22 homes. As of FY-26, three approvals have been recorded so far. Despite a falling population during this period, development activity has been adequate relative to the population change, which could be considered positive for buyers. The average expected construction cost value of new homes is around $350,000, consistent with regional patterns.

This financial year has seen $2.5 million in commercial approvals registered, indicating Balonne's primarily residential nature. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Balonne shows approximately 63% of the construction activity per person. Nationally, it ranks among the 13th percentile of areas assessed, suggesting more limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing dwellings. This level of activity is also below the national average, indicating the area's established nature and potential planning limitations.

Recent building activity consists entirely of standalone homes, preserving Balonne's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated population per dwelling approval in the area is 1522 people. With population projections showing stability or decline, Balonne should see reduced housing demand pressures in the future, benefiting potential buyers.

Balonne has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 9thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified one major project likely impacting the area: Ampol Residual Land Portfolio - 104 Victoria Street, St George. Other key projects include Arrow Energy Surat Gas Project, Queensland Southern Rez, and Queensland New South Wales Interconnector.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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The labour market in Balonne demonstrates typical performance when compared to similar areas across Australia

Balonne has a balanced workforce comprising white and blue collar jobs across various sectors. Its unemployment rate was 4.3% as of June 2025.

The area experienced an estimated employment growth of 3.5% over the past year. As of June 2025, 2,422 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.7%, which is 0.4% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation was fairly standard at 63.6%. Key industries of employment among residents are agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and education & training.

Balonne shows strong specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing with an employment share of 8.0 times the regional level. However, health care & social assistance is under-represented at 11.9% compared to Rest of Qld's 16.1%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 3.5%, while labour force grew by 5.8%, causing unemployment to rise by 2.1 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of Qld where employment rose by 1.8%, labour force grew by 2.0%, and unemployment rose by 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest potential future demand within Balonne. These projections indicate national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Balonne's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.0% over five years and 11.3% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 2022 shows that median income in Balonne is $47,877 and average income stands at $57,591. This contrasts with Rest of Qld's figures where median income is $50,780 and average income is $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year ending June 2022, current estimates for Balonne would be approximately $54,575 (median) and $65,648 (average) as of September 2025. According to the Census conducted in August 2021, personal income ranks at the 45th percentile ($780 weekly), while household income sits at the 25th percentile. Income analysis reveals that the largest segment comprises 30.7% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (1,340 residents). Housing costs are manageable with 89.6% retained, but disposable income is below average at the 33rd percentile.

Balonne is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Balonne's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 88.0% houses and 12.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro Qld's 90.3% houses and 9.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Balonne was at 38.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 24.2% and rented ones at 37.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,169, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,300. The median weekly rent figure in Balonne was $200, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $230. Nationally, Balonne's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,169 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Balonne features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 67.3% of all households, including 27.4% couples with children, 27.7% couples without children, and 10.5% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 32.7%, with lone person households at 30.4% and group households comprising 2.4% of the total. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

Balonne faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 16.1%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 12.7%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.8%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.6%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 34.4% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 8.4% and certificates at 26.0%. Educational participation is high, with 28.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 12.8% in primary, 8.2% in secondary, and 2.7% in tertiary education. Seven schools operate within Balonne, educating approximately 585 students. The educational mix includes five primary, one secondary, and one K-12 school.

Transport servicing is very low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

The Balonne area has seven active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by two different routes that together offer 20 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these transports is limited, with residents typically located 94072 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 2 trips per day across all routes, which equates to about 2 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Balonne is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Balonne faces significant health challenges, with common health conditions prevalent among both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover is very low at approximately 48%, covering about 2109 people, compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions are asthma and arthritis, affecting 9.1% and 9.0% of residents respectively. About 69.1% of residents report no medical ailments, slightly higher than the Rest of Qld's figure of 67.6%. The area has 17.6%, or approximately 770 people, aged 65 and over, broadly aligning with Queensland's general population health profile.

The latest Census data sees Balonne placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Balonne's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 87.3% of its population being citizens, 93.0% born in Australia, and 96.0% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion in Balonne, comprising 68.5% of people, compared to 64.6% across Rest of Qld. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (34.0%), English (26.0%), and Australian Aboriginal (14.4%), which is higher than the regional average of 6.7%.

Notably, German representation was overrepresented at 3.9%, Samoan was present at 0.1% (vs 0.0% regionally), and South African remained at 0.3%.

Balonne's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Balonne's median age is 40, closely matching Rest of Qld's figure of 41 but slightly higher than the national norm of 38. The 25-34 age group comprises 15.2%, higher than Rest of Qld, while the 35-44 cohort makes up 11.0%. Post-2021 Census, the 25 to 34 age group grew from 12.8% to 15.2%, the 45 to 54 decreased from 13.8% to 11.6%, and the 5 to 14 group fell from 13.1% to 11.8%. By 2041, demographic modeling indicates significant changes in Balonne's age profile. The 25 to 34 group is projected to grow by 8% (56 people), reaching 719 from 662. Meanwhile, population declines are forecast for the 65 to 74 and 5 to 14 cohorts.