Central Highlands - East
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Central Highlands - East's population was around 7,627 as of November 2025. This reflected an increase of 471 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 7,156 people. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 7,588 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 81 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population resulted in a density ratio of 0.40 persons per square kilometer. Central Highlands - East's growth of 6.6% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area's growth of 6.2%, indicating it was a growth leader in the region. Natural growth contributed approximately 83.9% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopted 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 were used, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. These state projections did not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applied proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023, based on 2022 data. Population projections anticipated lower quartile growth for Australian non-metropolitan areas, with the area expected 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 8 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling 40 homes. As of FY-26, there have been 0 recorded approvals. On average, each home built between FY-21 and FY-25 attracts around 3.1 new residents per year. This demand significantly outpaces supply, typically exerting upward pressure on prices and increasing competition among buyers.

New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $425,000. In the current financial year, $6.9 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating the area's primarily residential nature. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Central Highlands - East records 11.0% less building activity per person and ranks among the 24th percentile nationally, resulting in relatively constrained buyer choice and supporting interest in existing dwellings. Recent periods have seen an increase in development activity.

The area's established nature is indicated by its being below the national average for development activity, suggesting potential planning limitations. New development consists of 86.0% standalone homes and 14.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers with an emphasis on detached housing. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 690 people, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment. Population forecasts indicate Central Highlands - East will gain 346 residents by 2041. Existing development levels appear aligned with future requirements, maintaining stable market conditions without significant price pressures.

Central Highlands - East has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 11thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 22 projects likely impacting the area. Notable projects 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.

Central Highlands - East shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Central Highlands - East has a diverse workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, particularly in manufacturing and industrial sectors. The unemployment rate was 8.9% as of June 2025.

Employment grew by an estimated 2.5% over the past year. As of June 2025, 4,223 residents are employed with an unemployment rate of 5.0%, compared to Rest of Qld's 3.9%. Workforce participation is higher at 64.5%. Dominant employment sectors include mining, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and accommodation & food.

Mining has a significant presence, with an employment share 9.4 times the regional level. Conversely, health care & social assistance shows lower representation at 5.0% versus the regional average of 16.1%. The worker-to-resident ratio is substantial at 0.9. Over the past year, employment increased by 2.5%, while labour force grew by 4.7%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 2.0 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment rise by 1.8%, labour force grow by 2.0%, and unemployment increase by 0.2 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia (May 2025) suggest national growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Central Highlands - East's employment mix, local growth is estimated at approximately 4.2% over five years and 10.4% over ten years.

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

Central Highlands - East had a median taxpayer income of $70,211 and an average of $80,453 in the financial year 2022, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is notably high compared to the Rest of Qld's median income of $50,780 and average income of $64,844. As of September 2025, estimates suggest the median income would be approximately $80,034 and the average $91,708, based on a Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022. The 2021 Census indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Central Highlands - East cluster around the 73rd percentile nationally. Distribution data shows that 32.4% of residents (2,471 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket, which is consistent with broader regional trends at 31.7%. After housing costs, residents retain 93.0% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power in the region.

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

In Central Highlands - East, as per the latest Census evaluation, 91.9% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 8.1% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This is in comparison to Non-Metro Qld's 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, below Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,500. The median weekly rent was $150, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $250. Nationally, Central Highlands - East's mortgage repayments were significantly 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 constitute 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 comprise the remaining 28.9%, with lone person households at 26.3% and group households making up 2.6%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which aligns with the average for the Rest of Qld.

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%, substantially below the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 8.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.1%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 43.0% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (6.7%) and certificates (36.3%).

Educational participation is high at 35.4%, including 16.8% in primary education, 10.1% in secondary education, and 2.7% pursuing tertiary education. Central Highlands - East operates a network of 10 schools educating approximately 1,287 students. The area has varied educational conditions with balanced provision – 7 primary and 3 secondary schools serving distinct age groups. School places per 100 residents (16.9) fall below the regional average (33.0), indicating some students may attend schools in adjacent areas. Note: for schools showing 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to parent campus.

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 shows strong health performance in Central Highlands - East, particularly among younger cohorts with low prevalence of common conditions.

Private health cover rate is high at approximately 60% (4,560 people). Common medical conditions include asthma (8.2%) and mental health issues (6.6%), with 74.6% reporting no medical ailments, similar to Rest of Qld's 74.5%. The area has 7.3% seniors (552 people), lower than Rest of Qld's 10.7%. Senior health outcomes require more attention despite being above average.

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 showed lower cultural diversity, with 82.5% citizens, 91.1% born in Australia, and 95.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, at 53.8%, compared to 56.8% regionally. The top three ancestral groups were Australian (30.4%), English (24.3%), and Australian Aboriginal (17.0%), which was significantly higher than the regional average of 6.6%.

Notably, Maori representation was higher at 1.6%, Samoan remained at 0.2%, and German was lower at 3.7% compared to regional averages.

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

Central Highlands - East's median age is 32 years, which is lower than the Rest of Qld average of 41 years and substantially under the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to 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 2021 Census and the present day, the percentage of residents aged 25 to 34 has grown from 16.8% to 18.7%, while the percentage of residents aged 45 to 54 has 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 cohort 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.