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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Balonne has an estimated 4,354 residents, up from 4,320 at the 2021 Census. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
As of Aug 2026, AreaSearch estimates the population of Balonne at roughly 4,354 individuals. Compared to the 2021 Census tally of 4,320 people, this represents a gain of 34 people (0.8%). This metric is derived from the ABS estimated resident population of 4,350 recorded as of June 2025 alongside 11 validated new addresses identified post-Census. With a density ratio measuring 0.10 persons per square kilometer, residents enjoy substantial physical space. The local growth rate of 0.8% since census is within 2.7 percentage points of the broader SA3 area (3.5%), highlighting solid comparative momentum.
Natural growth served as the primary demographic driver, generating approximately 72.0% of all recent population additions. For each SA2 boundary, AreaSearch utilises ABS/Geoscience Australia projections published in 2024 using 2022 as a baseline. Whenever SA2 regions lack this coverage, or across periods beyond 2032, Queensland State Government SA2 projections issued in 2023 (utilising 2021 data) are integrated instead. Because these state forecasts omit age breakdowns, AreaSearch allocates proportional cohort weightings aligned with the ABS Greater Capital Region series (issued in 2023, based on 2022 data). Demographic trajectories under this framework point toward an overall shrinkage, anticipating a reduction of 469 persons by 2041. Even so, particular demographics are set to expand, most prominently the 25 to 34 age group with an expected rise of 54 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
25 new dwellings have been approved in Balonne over the past five years, an average of 5 a year. That is 1.2 approvals per 1,000 residents. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential building approvals in Balonne have tracked at roughly 5 new homes annually, totalling 25 homes across the last 5 financial years (spanning FY-22 to FY-26). Given the contracting headcount across recent years, construction volume has remained proportionate, offering favourable conditions for purchasers, while newly approved residences show an average construction value of $511,000, aligning with regional standards. Concurrently, $2.5 million in commercial approvals was logged during the current financial year, underscoring a subdued commercial building environment. Per capita residential building volumes in Balonne run at approximately 75% of the Rest of Qld level, placing the locality in the 23rd percentile nationally; while this tightens supply for buyers and underpins established home values, local building momentum has picked up recently.
This below-average national standing mirrors an established urban footprint alongside potential planning limitations. Furthermore, all recent building permits comprise standalone detached homes, preserving low residential density and catering to buyers seeking expansive land. An estimated ratio of 677 people per dwelling approval underlines this subdued, low-volume development setting. Because demographic projections point toward stability or decline, reduced pressure on the housing stock in Balonne is likely to present beneficial opportunities for prospective buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Balonne
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks one current infrastructure or development project inside Balonne, worth an estimated $2 million. A further 47 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $30.9 billion. 14 are already under construction and 13 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans energy, transport & logistics and residential development. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Infrastructure upgrades, major planning undertakings, and capital programs play a major role in regional performance. AreaSearch has pinpointed 1 primary development likely to influence the area. Key works include Ampol Residual Land Portfolio - 104 Victoria Street, St George, Arrow Energy Surat Gas Project, Queensland Southern Rez, and Queensland New South Wales Interconnector, with the primary initiatives detailed below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Ampol Residual Land Portfolio - 104 Victoria Street, St George
Vacant 3,041 sqm former Ampol service station site in St George town centre, offered as part of a 13-site national Ampol Residual Land Portfolio. The site has undergone comprehensive remediation including removal of underground fuel infrastructure and is considered development-ready. Zoned for commercial use, the site is marketed by Cushman and Wakefield via Expressions of Interest (closing 25 June 2025) for redevelopment across retail, mixed-use, commercial or other uses. Agents are Daniel Cullinane and Patrick Birchley of Cushman and Wakefield Investment Sales.
Gunsynd Solar Farm
The Gunsynd Solar Farm is a renewable energy project comprising of a 111MW DC / 94 MW AC solar field, located approximately 15km from the beautiful community of Goondiwindi, in the Darling Downs region of Queensland. Once operational, Gunsynd Solar is poised to contribute to Queensland's increasingly renewable energy landscape. With a capacity to produce up to 250 gigawatt hours annually, the project will abate approximately 150,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions, contributing substantially to the region's sustainability efforts.
Maranoa Pump Track Community Infrastructure
Modern pump track facility for BMX and mountain bike riders featuring beginner and advanced circuits, landscaping, seating areas, and community gathering spaces
Goondiwindi Hydrogen
The Goondiwindi Regional Council, in partnership with The Hydrogen Collective (H2C), is developing a renewable hydrogen production facility at the Goondiwindi wastewater treatment plant. The facility uses a 2.5 MW solar array and wastewater to produce green hydrogen via alkaline electrolysis for local agricultural and industrial customers, with oxygen byproduct enhancing wastewater treatment efficiency. Stage 1 includes a 2 MW electrolyser producing approximately 300 tonnes of hydrogen per annum, with longer-term potential for up to 50 MW of capacity producing 8,000 tonnes per annum.First production during commissioning occurred in mid-December 2025, with full operations expected in Q1 2026.
Community Housing Limited Roma Social Housing
A social housing project by Community Housing Limited (CHL) aimed at providing affordable rental accommodation for vulnerable community members in Roma. The development includes various housing types to address the local shortage of public and social housing, integrated with community facilities.
Goondiwindi CBD Streetscape Project
The rejuvenation of the main street will enable us to further showcase our town, our region and what we represent - which is Regional Australia at its best.
Denise Spencer Aquatic Centre Redevelopment
Redevelopment of Roma's Denise Spencer Aquatic Centre into an inclusive regional aquatic facility. The project includes demolition of the existing pools, an 8-lane 50-metre outdoor pool with grandstand seating, a 25-metre indoor program and lap pool, a 10-metre four-flume waterslide tower, zero-depth splash pad, toddler pool, water play area, new entry building with kiosk and multipurpose room, accessible amenities, indoor changerooms, shaded areas, swim club facilities and supporting plant. Construction commenced in April 2025 and the centre is on track to open for the 2026 summer school holidays.
Roma Hospital Redevelopment
New $116.6 million state-of-the-art hospital featuring 22 beds, two birthing suites, two operating theatres, increased outpatient capacity, and world-class health facilities serving south west Queensland
2,393 residents of Balonne are employed, from a labour force of 2,530. Unemployment sits at 5.4%, with participation at 72.6%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.0% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Balonne maintains an even distribution of blue-collar and white-collar roles across multiple sectors, registering an unemployment rate of 5.4% alongside steady labour conditions over the preceding year. There were 2,393 employed residents recorded as of March 2026; the jobless rate sits 1.5% above the 3.9% recorded for Regional Qld, whereas workforce participation reaches a high 72.6% against 64.2% regionally. According to Census findings, 15.1% of workers carried out their duties from home, though pandemic-era restrictions may have influenced this figure. Key industries supporting local workers include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, as well as education & training.
The workforce displays heavy reliance on agriculture, forestry & fishing, where participation is 8.0 times the regional norm. Conversely, health care & social assistance appears relatively small, engaging 11.9% of local workers compared to 16.1% across Regional Qld. Although local jobs exist, comparing working residents to local resident figures indicates that a notable portion commutes beyond the area for work. According to AreaSearch examination of ABS and SALM records, the prior 12-month timeframe saw no change in employment alongside a 2.3% expansion in the labour force, which lifted unemployment by 2.1 percentage points. By comparison, Regional Qld saw employment rise by 0.1%, the workforce grow by 0.3%, and the jobless rate tick up by 0.1 percentage points. National forecasts released by Jobs and Skills Australia in Mar-26 provide additional context on potential workforce requirements in Balonne over five- and ten-year spans when mapped to the local industry base. Across the nation, employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though individual sectors vary widely. Applying these industry trajectories across Balonne suggests local employment could lift by 5.0% over five years and 11.3% over ten years (noting this relies on simple weighted extrapolations rather than localised population models).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Balonne is $1,358 a week (about $71,000 a year), with median personal income at $780 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $52,506 a year against an average of $61,642. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
ATO taxpayer records aggregated by AreaSearch at postcode level for financial year 2023 show the Balonne SA2 recorded a median individual income of $52,506 and an average of $61,642. These figures sit below the nationwide baseline and compare with $53,146 (median) and $66,593 (average) throughout Regional Qld. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, updated estimates reach approximately $58,471 for median income and $68,645 for average income as of March 2026. From 2021 Census benchmarks, individual earnings sit at the 44th percentile ($780 weekly) and household earnings place at the 24th percentile.
A concentration of 30.7% of residents (1,336 people) earn within the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, tracking closely with the 31.7% regional proportion. Shelter expenses remain sustainable with 89.6% of income retained, although disposable earnings rank modestly at the 32nd percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Balonne had 1,588 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 88% detached houses and 1% apartments. 24% are owned with a mortgage, 38% rented and 38% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $200 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,169 a month. Rent absorbs 14.7% of household income here and mortgage repayments 19.9%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the most recent Census, the housing landscape in Balonne was made up of 88.0% standalone houses and 12.0% other dwellings (incorporating units, attached properties, and alternative formats), compared to 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings across Regional Qld. Outright home ownership reached a prominent 38.0%, outpacing the broader region, while 24.2% of homes had an active mortgage and 37.8% were tenant-occupied. Monthly mortgage repayments averaged a median of $1,169 locally versus $1,655 in Regional Qld, while weekly rental payments stood at a median of $200 compared to $345 regionally.
Relative to national figures, Balonne sits well under the Australian median monthly mortgage of $1,863 and the weekly rent benchmark of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Balonne counted 1,588 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.4 people each. 27% are couples with children, against 28% couples without children. 30% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.1 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the vast majority of local living arrangements at 67.3%, consisting of 27.4% couples with children, 27.7% couples without children, and 10.5% single parent households. The remaining 32.7% comprises non-family residences, where single-person households account for 30.4% and group living situations make up 2.4%. With an average of 2.4 people per home, the median household size sits slightly below the Regional Qld figure of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
16.1% of adults in Balonne hold a university qualification, including 12.7% with a bachelor degree and 1.6% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 95% of areas nationally. A further 26.0% hold a vocational qualification. 7 schools serve the area, with 585 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 898 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Tertiary attainment poses a challenge locally, with 16.1% holding higher education qualifications compared to the 30.4% Australian standard, highlighting scope for focused educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees constitute 12.7%, followed by graduate diplomas at 1.8% and postgraduate degrees at 1.6%. In contrast, vocational and technical pathways are well established, with 34.4% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of 8.4% with advanced diplomas and 26.0% with certificates. Study engagement across the locality is strong, with 28.5% of the community actively undertaking formal learning. Within this cohort, 12.8% attend primary school, 8.2% are enrolled in secondary education, and 2.7% are engaged in tertiary courses.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Balonne means driving: households keep an average of 1.6 vehicles, and scheduled services reach only a handful of stops. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Transit data indicates 7 operating passenger stops within Balonne utilizing bus networks. These facilities connect to 2 separate transit routes, delivering a combined total of 20 weekly passenger trips. Overall transport availability is low, with residents situated an average distance of 94072 meters from the nearest pickup location. The area functions largely as a residential hub where commuting outward is standard; vehicle transport is the main travel mode at 86%, while 11% walk. Households maintain an average of 1.6 vehicles. Approximately 15.1% of employees worked from home based on the 2021 Census, which may incorporate COVID-19 related patterns.
Transit schedules provide an average of 2 trips per day across all available routes, translating to roughly 2 weekly trips at each active stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
69.1% of residents in Balonne report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 75% of areas nationally. 4.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 49.8% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.8 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
AreaSearch evaluations of mortality statistics and chronic illnesses indicate notable health challenges in Balonne across both younger and older residents, accompanied by a comparatively low private health insurance uptake of approximately 50% (~2,168 people). This compares to coverage rates of 52.5% in Regional Qld and 55.7% across Australia. Asthma and arthritis represent the most prevalent long-term conditions locally, affecting 9.1 and 9.0% of the population respectively, while 69.1% reported no diagnosed medical issues compared with 67.6% across Regional Qld. Working-age cohorts experience chronic conditions at above-average rates. Seniors aged 65 and over account for 18.1% of the populace (786 people), trailing the 20.3% regional benchmark, with health incidence indicators exceeding general population rankings nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Balonne is largely Australian-born, at 93.0% of residents, with 4.0% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (34.0%) and English (26.0%). 14.4% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity metrics in Balonne sit below broader averages, with 87.3% holding citizenship, 93.0% born in Australia, and 96.0% speaking exclusively English in domestic settings. Christianity is the predominant religious faith, claimed by 68.5% of residents, which exceeds the 52.2% recorded for Regional Qld. Regarding ancestral background, the primary lineages reported locally are Australian at 34.0% (surpassing the regional benchmark of 26.5%), English at 26.0%, and Australian Aboriginal at 14.4% (markedly higher than the 3.9% regional rate). Other heritages present distinct variations, including German at 3.9% (against 4.7% regionally), Samoan at 0.1% (versus 0.2%), and South Australian at 0.3% (compared to 0.5%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Balonne is 40. 25.3% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Balonne's demographic age spread aligns closely with Regional Qld, with the largest divergence across the four broad cohorts reaching only 2.3 percentage points. As at August 2026, the estimated median age is 40, matching the 2021 Census result and sitting 1 year below the 41 recorded regionally at that time. Across specific cohorts, mature adults and early retirees (45 - 64) contracted from 27.8% at Census to an estimated 25.2%. Moving toward 2041, young to middle-aged adults (25 - 44) will see the strongest expansion, adding 35 (3%) to reach 1,149, whereas cohorts spanning youth and older working ages are projected to decline.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Balonne
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jun 2026 3 months ago all 1 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Jun 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 11 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (4,320 at the 2021 Census → 4,354 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (307011171). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.