Central Highlands - East

Central Highlands - East has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Central Highlands - East's population was approximately 7,627 as of November 2025. This figure reflects an increase of 471 people, a growth rate of 6.6%, since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 7,156. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 7,588 in June 2024 and an additional 81 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density of 0.40 persons per square kilometer. Central Highlands - East's growth rate exceeded that of the SA3 area (6.2%), making it a growth leader in the region. Natural growth contributed approximately 83.9% 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, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings from the ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023, based on 2022 data. Looking ahead, lower quartile growth is anticipated for Australian non-metropolitan areas. The population of Central Highlands - East is projected to increase by 387 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 4.5% over the 17 years.

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

Central Highlands - East has seen approximately eight dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling forty homes. As of FY26, zero approvals have been recorded. On average, 3.1 new residents per year are associated with each home built between FY21 and FY25. This indicates a significant demand outpacing supply, which typically influences prices upwards and intensifies competition among buyers.

New properties are constructed at an average value of $425,000. In the current financial year, $6.9 million in commercial approvals have been registered, reflecting the area's predominantly residential nature. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Central Highlands - East exhibits 11.0% less building activity per person and ranks among the 23rd percentile nationally, resulting in relatively limited buyer choice. This supports interest in existing dwellings.

However, development activity has increased recently. The area's established nature is also indicated by its being below the national average for development activity, potentially suggesting planning limitations. New developments primarily consist of standalone homes (86.0%) and townhouses or apartments (14.0%), preserving the area's low-density character and appealing to space-seeking buyers. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 690 people, reflecting a quiet, low-activity development environment. Population forecasts suggest Central Highlands - East will gain 346 residents by 2041. Current development levels appear aligned with future requirements, maintaining stable market conditions without significant price pressures.

Central Highlands - East has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 45thth percentile nationally

Local infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 22 projects likely impacting the region. Notable ones include 'Bringing Blackwater Back into the Planning Scheme', 'Blackwater Multipurpose Health Service Renewal', 'Blackwater Solar Farm', and 'Dingo Solar Farm'. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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.

The labour market performance in Central Highlands - East lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Central Highlands - East has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, prominent manufacturing and industrial sectors, and an unemployment rate of 8.7%. As of September 2025, there are 4,167 employed residents, with an unemployment rate 4.6% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%.

Workforce participation is high at 64.5%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Employment is concentrated in mining (9.4 times the regional average), agriculture, forestry & fishing, and accommodation & food. Health care & social assistance has lower representation at 5.0% versus the regional average of 16.1%. The worker-to-resident ratio is substantial at 0.9.

In the year to September 2025, labour force increased by 1.1%, while employment declined by 1.1%, raising unemployment by 2.0 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of Qld's employment rise of 1.7% and unemployment increase of 0.3%. As of 25-Nov-25, Queensland employment contracted by 0.01%, with a state unemployment rate of 4.2%. National forecasts project total employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Central Highlands - East's industry mix suggests local employment should increase by 4.2% over five years and 10.4% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for the financial year 2022 shows Central Highlands - East SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $70,211 and an average of $80,453. This was one of the highest in Australia, compared to Rest of Qld's median of $50,780 and average of $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates for September 2025 would be approximately $80,034 (median) and $91,708 (average). According to census data, household, family, and personal incomes in Central Highlands - East cluster around the 72nd percentile nationally. The earnings profile shows that 32.4% of residents (2,471 people) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket, which aligns with the region's dominant cohort. After housing costs, residents retain 93.0% of their income, indicating strong purchasing power.

Central Highlands - East is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

The latest Census evaluated that in Central Highlands - East, 91.9% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 8.1% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types of dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 86.6% houses and 13.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Central Highlands - East stood at 16.5%, with mortgaged properties at 20.4% and rented dwellings at 63.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,083, significantly lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,500. The median weekly rent in Central Highlands - East was recorded at $150, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $250. Nationally, Central Highlands - East's mortgage repayments were notably lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Central Highlands - East has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households comprise 71.1% of all households, including 30.4% couples with children, 23.9% couples without children, and 15.3% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 28.9%, with lone person households at 26.3% and group households comprising 2.6%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which matches the average for the Rest of Queensland.

Central Highlands - East faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 11.0%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common among qualifications, at 8.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.1%). Vocational credentials are held by 43.0% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 6.7% and certificates at 36.3%. Educational participation is high, with 35.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 16.8% in primary education, 10.1% in secondary education, and 2.7% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Central Highlands - East's residents are extremely healthy with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Central Highlands - East, with younger cohorts seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions.

The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 60% of the total population (4560 people). The most common medical conditions in the area are asthma and mental health issues, impacting 8.2 and 6.6% of residents respectively, while 74.6% declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 74.5% across Rest of Qld. The area has 7.3% of residents aged 65 and over (552 people), which is lower than the 10.7% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, requiring more attention than the broader population.

Central Highlands - East is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Central Highlands-East had a lower cultural diversity, with 82.5% citizens, 91.1% born in Australia, and 95.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion, at 53.8%, compared to 56.8% regionally. Top ancestry groups were Australian (30.4%), English (24.3%), and Australian Aboriginal (17.0%), higher than regional averages of 69.9% and 6.6%.

Maori representation was notably higher at 1.6%, Samoan similar at 0.2%, German lower at 3.7% compared to regional figures of 1.4%, 0.2%, and 4.7% respectively.

Central Highlands - East hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Central Highlands - East has a median age of 32 years, which is considerably lower than the Rest of Qld average of 41 years and substantially under the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Central Highlands - East has a higher concentration of residents aged 25-34 (18.7%) but fewer residents aged 65-74 (4.7%). Between the 2016 and 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 25 to 34 grew from 16.8% to 18.7%, while the proportion of residents aged 45 to 54 declined from 13.7% to 12.3%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Central Highlands - East's age profile will evolve significantly. The 25 to 34 age group is projected to grow by 20%, adding 292 residents to reach a total of 1,720. In contrast, both the 45 to 54 and 55 to 64 age groups are projected to see reduced numbers.