Barcaldine - Blackall
Statistical Area - sa2

Barcaldine - Blackall has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Barcaldine - Blackall's population is around 4,984 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase of 235 people from the 2021 Census figure of 4,749 people. The change is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 4,987 in June 2024 and an additional 53 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level results in a density ratio of 0.10 persons per square kilometer. Barcaldine - Blackall's growth rate of 4.9% since the 2021 census exceeded both its SA3 area (3.3%) and SA4 region, making it a growth leader. Natural growth contributed approximately 48.5% to overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers being positive factors.

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, based on 2021 data and released in 2023. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings using ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). By 2041, the area's population is projected to decline by 56 persons overall. However, specific age cohorts are expected to grow, notably the 25 to 34 age group, which is projected to increase by 102 people.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Barcaldine - Blackall according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Barcaldine - Blackall has averaged approximately 10 new dwelling approvals annually. Development approval data is produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on a financial year basis, with 50 dwellings approved over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, and no approvals so far in FY-26. On average, 1.9 new residents per year have been added per dwelling constructed during these years. This has resulted in stable market conditions with supply and demand appearing well-balanced.

The average construction cost of new homes is $365,000, which is below regional levels, indicating more affordable housing choices for buyers. In this financial year alone, $22.4 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, demonstrating moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Barcaldine - Blackall has similar development levels per person, supporting market stability and aligning with regional patterns. However, these levels are below national averages, potentially reflecting the area's maturity or possible planning constraints.

Recent building activity consists entirely of detached dwellings, preserving the area's low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated population density is 492 people per dwelling approval, indicating a quiet, low-activity development environment. Population projections suggest stability or decline, which should reduce housing demand pressures in Barcaldine - Blackall, benefiting potential buyers.

Barcaldine - Blackall has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 41stth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 16 projects that may impact the area. Notable projects include the Queensland Inland Road Network Upgrade, Central Western Railway Line Maintenance Program, Ilfracombe Heritage Precinct Development, and Central Queensland Digital Infrastructure Program. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

The exceptional employment performance in Barcaldine - Blackall places it among Australia's strongest labour markets

Barcaldine - Blackall's workforce is balanced across white and blue collar jobs with diverse sector representation. Its unemployment rate was 1.4% in June 2025, below Rest of Qld's 3.9%.

Workforce participation was 62.5%, similar to the regional average of 59.1%. Major employment industries include agriculture, forestry & fishing, public administration & safety, and health care & social assistance. Agriculture, forestry & fishing is particularly strong with an employment share 7.4 times the regional level, while health care & social assistance has a limited presence at 10.4% compared to the regional 16.1%. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment remained stable (0.0%) while labour force increased by 0.4%, resulting in an unemployment rise of 0.4 percentage points.

In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment growth of 1.8% and a smaller unemployment increase of 0.2 percentage points. As of Sep-25, Queensland's employment contracted by 0.23% with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, compared to the national unemployment rate of 4.5%. National employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Barcaldine - Blackall's employment mix indicates potential local growth of approximately 5.1% 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 2022 shows that Barcaldine - Blackall has lower income compared to the national average. The median income is $50,026 and the average income stands at $60,498. In contrast, Rest of Qld's figures are a median income of $50,780 and an average income of $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Barcaldine - Blackall would be approximately $55,884 (median) and $67,582 (average) as of March 2025. Census data shows personal income ranks at the 51st percentile ($808 weekly), while household income sits at the 23rd percentile. Income distribution reveals that the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 29.5% of the community (1,470 individuals). This aligns with the broader area where this cohort likewise represents 31.7%. Housing costs are manageable with 92.9% retained. However, disposable income sits below average at the 35th percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

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

In Barcaldine - Blackall as recorded in the latest Census, 96.2% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 3.8% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This is compared to Non-Metro Qld's 92.7% houses and 7.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Barcaldine - Blackall stood at 48.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 22.3% and rented dwellings at 29.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $955, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $910 but significantly lower than the national average of $1,863 recorded in June 2021. The median weekly rent figure for Barcaldine - Blackall was $157, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $160 and the national figure of $375 as of June 2021.

Barcaldine - Blackall features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 65.1% of all households, consisting of 24.6% couples with children, 31.5% couples without children, and 8.4% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 34.9%, with lone person households at 32.7% and group households comprising 1.9% of the total. The median household size is 2.3 people, which aligns with the average for the Rest of Qld.

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

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 14.6%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.3%, followed by graduate diplomas at 1.9% and postgraduate qualifications at 1.4%. Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 37.6% of residents aged 15 and above holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas at 8.6% and certificates at 29.0%.

Educational participation is notably high at 27.1%, including 13.7% in primary education, 7.1% in secondary education, and 2.7% pursuing tertiary education. A robust network of 10 schools operates within Barcaldine - Blackall, educating approximately 608 students. The educational mix includes 4 primary schools, 1 secondary school, and 5 K-12 schools.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

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

Barcaldine-Blackall faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is relatively low at approximately 50% of the total population (~2492 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions in the area are asthma and arthritis, impacting 8.5 and 8.3% of residents respectively, while 67.5% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, similar to the 67.5% across Rest of Qld. As of August 2019, 22.1% of residents are aged 65 and over (1098 people), higher than the 20.1% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors are strong, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

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

Barcaldine-Blackall had a cultural diversity score below average, with 88.9% of its population being citizens, 94.6% born in Australia, and 98.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Barcaldine-Blackall, comprising 69.5%, compared to 66.5% across Rest of Qld. The top three ancestral groups were Australian (35.2%), English (31.7%), and Irish (8.7%).

Notably, German ancestry was overrepresented at 4.8% (vs regional 4.6%), while Australian Aboriginal was underrepresented at 4.6% (vs regional 8.2%) and Scottish was slightly higher at 8.0% (vs regional 7.6%).

Barcaldine - Blackall hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Barcaldine-Blackall has a median age of 45, which is higher than Rest of Qld's figure of 41 and above the national average of 38. The age profile shows that those aged 55-64 make up 15.0% of the population, while those aged 15-24 comprise only 9.9%. According to the 2021 Census, the 0-4 age group has grown from 5.5% to 6.5%, and the 25-34 cohort has increased from 11.3% to 12.3%. Conversely, the 45-54 age group has decreased from 12.9% to 11.2%. By 2041, demographic projections show significant shifts in Barcaldine-Blackall's age structure. Notably, the 25-34 group is expected to grow by 16%, reaching 710 people from 614. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 65-74 and 5-14 cohorts.