Balonne

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

Balonne's population, as of February 2026, is approximately 4,375 people. This figure represents an increase of 55 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,320 people. The growth was inferred from the estimated resident population of 4,356 in June 2024 and an additional 17 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 0.10 persons per square kilometer. Balonne's 1.3% growth since the census is within 2.5 percentage points of the SA3 area (3.8%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Natural growth contributed approximately 70.9% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits; therefore, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with the 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, notably the 25-34 age group, projected to expand 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 seen approximately four dwellings granted development approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, 22 homes were approved, with another four approved in FY26 so far. Despite a declining population, housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with good buyer choice.

New properties are constructed at an average expected construction cost value of $350,000, aligning with broader regional development trends. This financial year, there have been $2.5 million in commercial approvals, indicating the area's primarily residential nature. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Balonne shows around 63% of the construction activity per person. Nationally, it ranks among the 12th percentile of areas assessed, suggesting more limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing homes.

This activity is also below the national average, indicating the area's established nature and potentially pointing to planning limitations. Recent building activity consists solely of detached dwellings, preserving Balonne's low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 1522 people, reflecting its quiet, low-activity development environment. With the population expected to remain stable or decline, Balonne should see reduced pressure on housing, potentially creating opportunities for buyers.

Balonne has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. One major project has been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the region: Ampol Residual Land Portfolio - 104 Victoria Street, St George. Other key projects include Arrow Energy Surat Gas Project in Queensland, Southern Reef in Queensland, and the Queensland New South Wales Interconnector. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

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

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Employment conditions in Balonne remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Balonne has a diverse workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, representing various sectors. Its unemployment rate is 5.1%, with an estimated employment growth of 3.1% over the past year as of September 2025. In this period, 2430 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 1.0% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%.

Workforce participation in Balonne is high at 73.0%, compared to Rest of Qld's 65.7%. According to Census responses, 15.1% of residents work from home. Key industries include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Agriculture, forestry & fishing is particularly strong, with an employment share 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%. Some residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 3.1%, labour force grew by 6.7%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 3.3 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of Qld saw employment grow by 1.7%, labour force expand by 2.1%, and unemployment rise by 0.3 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, valid for five and ten-year periods starting May-25, indicate national employment growth rates of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Balonne's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.0% over five years and 11.3% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localized population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows Balonne SA2's median income among taxpayers is $52,506 and average is $61,642. This is below the national average. Rest of Qld has a median of $53,146 and average of $66,593. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $57,709 (median) and $67,751 (average). Census data indicates personal income ranks at the 44th percentile ($780 weekly), while household income is at the 24th percentile. Income distribution shows 30.7% of the population earns within the $1,500 - 2,999 range. Housing costs allow for retention of 89.6%, but disposable income ranks below average at the 32nd 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), compared to Non-Metro Qld's 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Balonne stood 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 $1,655. The median weekly rent in Balonne was $200, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $345. Nationally, Balonne's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,169 versus the Australian 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 constitute 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 account for the remaining 32.7%, with lone person households at 30.4% and group households comprising 2.4%. 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 Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common, at 12.7%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.8%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.6%). Vocational credentials are prevalent among residents aged 15+, with 34.4% holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (8.4%) and certificates (26.0%). Educational participation is high, with 28.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 12.8% in primary, 8.2% in secondary, and 2.7% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 28.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.8% in primary education, 8.2% in secondary education, and 2.7% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Balonne has seven active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by two different routes that together offer 28 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these transport services is limited, with residents typically living 94072 meters away from the nearest stop. Most residents in this primarily residential area commute outside Balonne. Cars remain the dominant mode of transportation at 86%, while 11% of residents walk. On average, there are 1.6 vehicles per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, 15.1% of residents work from home, which may be partly due to COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages four trips per day across all routes, resulting in approximately four 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, as assessed by AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Common health conditions are somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is relatively low at approximately 50% of the total population (~2,178 people), compared to 52.5% across Rest of Qld and 55.7% nationally.

The most common medical conditions are asthma and arthritis, impacting 9.1 and 9.0% of residents respectively, while 69.1% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.6% across Rest of Qld. Working-age residents show an above-average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 17.8% of residents aged 65 and over (780 people), which is lower than the 20.4% in Rest of Qld, with national rankings even higher than the general population.

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 population shows low cultural diversity: 87.3% are citizens, 93.0% were born in Australia, and 96.0% speak English only at home. Christianity is the dominant religion with 68.5%, compared to 52.2% regionally. Ancestry reveals Australian (34.0%) and English (26.0%) are the top groups, significantly higher than regional averages of 26.5% and 17.9% respectively.

Australian Aboriginal ancestry is also higher at 14.4%. Some ethnic groups show notable differences: German (3.9%, vs regional 4.7%), Samoan (0.1%, vs regional 0.2%) and South African (0.3%, vs regional 0.5%).

Balonne's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Balonne is 39 years, which is lower than Rest of Qld's average of 41 but close to the national average of 38. The age profile shows that those aged 25-34 make up 15.7% of the population, while those aged 75-84 constitute only 5.5%. Between 2021 and present, the proportion of 25 to 34-year-olds has increased from 12.8% to 15.7%, while the 45 to 54 age group has decreased from 13.8% to 11.0%, and those aged 5 to 14 have dropped from 13.1% to 11.6%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate that the number of people aged 85+ will increase by 37 individuals (a rise of 46%), reaching 121. The combined age groups of 65+ are projected to account for 51% of total population growth, reflecting Balonne's aging demographic trend. Conversely, those aged 35 to 44 and 65 to 74 are expected to experience population declines.