Central Highlands - East

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

Central Highlands - East's population was around 7,640 as of Feb 2026. This reflected an increase of 484 people, a 6.8% rise since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 7,156. The change was inferred from ABS' estimated resident population of 7,586 in June 2024 and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This resulted in a density ratio of 0.40 persons per square kilometer. Central Highlands - East's growth exceeded the SA3 area average of 5.9%, making it a growth leader in the region. Natural growth contributed approximately 83.9% of overall population gains recently.

AreaSearch uses 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 from 2023, based on 2021 data, are adopted. These state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023, based on 2022 data. Looking ahead, lower quartile growth is anticipated for Australian non-metropolitan areas. Central Highlands - East's population is projected to increase by 387 persons to 2041, reflecting a 4.4% total rise 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. No approvals have been recorded so far in FY26. On average, 3.1 new residents per year have moved into these newly built homes between FY21 and FY25. This demand significantly outpaces supply, putting upward pressure on prices and increasing competition among buyers.

The average construction cost of new properties is $425,000. In this financial year, $6.9 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating the area's primarily residential nature. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Central Highlands - East records 11.0% less building activity per person and ranks among the 23rd percentile nationally, resulting in relatively constrained buyer choice and supporting interest in existing dwellings. However, development activity has picked up recently.

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. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 690 people, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment. Population forecasts indicate Central Highlands - East will gain 333 residents by 2041. Existing development levels seem 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 41stth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 22 projects likely impacting the region. Notable initiatives 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 white and blue collar jobs, prominent manufacturing and industrial sectors, and an unemployment rate of 8.7% as of September 2025. The area has 4,167 residents in work, with an unemployment rate 4.6% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation is high at 78.1%, compared to Rest of Qld's 65.7%.

According to Census responses, only 10.3% of residents work from home. 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%, compared to the regional average of 16.1%. The worker-to-resident ratio is substantial at 0.9.

Over a 12-month period ending in September 2025, labour force increased by 1.1% while employment declined by 1.1%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 2.0 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of Qld where employment rose by 1.7%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, released in May-25, project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Central Highlands - East's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for the financial year 2023 shows Central Highlands - East SA2 had a median income of $76,774 and an average of $85,311 among taxpayers. This is one of the highest in Australia, with Rest of Qld having a median of $53,146 and an average of $66,593. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $84,382 (median) and $93,765 (average). Census data indicates household, family, and personal incomes in Central Highlands - East cluster around the 72nd percentile nationally. The earnings profile shows that 32.4% of residents (2,475 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket. After housing costs, residents retain 93.0% of their income.

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

The dwelling structure in Central Highlands - East, as per the latest Census, consisted of 91.9% houses and 8.1% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This is compared to Non-Metro Qld's structure of 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Central Highlands - East stood at 16.5%, with the rest being mortgaged (20.4%) or rented (63.1%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,083, below Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,655 and Australia's national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent figure in Central Highlands - East was recorded at $150, substantially lower than Non-Metro Qld's $345 and the national average of $375.

Central Highlands - East has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average 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 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, larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

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 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% currently enrolled in formal education.

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

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

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

Central Highlands - East faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment 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 exceptionally high at approximately 62% of the total population (4,736 people), compared to 52.5% across Rest of Qld and a national average of 55.7%.

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 67.6% across Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among the working-age population are broadly typical. The area has 7.5% of residents aged 65 and over (576 people), which is lower than the 20.4% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, with national rankings even higher than the general 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 below average cultural diversity, with 82.5% citizens, 91.1% born in Australia, and 95.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion, comprising 53.8%, compared to 52.2% regionally. Top ancestry groups were Australian (30.4%), English (24.3%), and Australian Aboriginal (17.0%).

Notably, Maori representation was higher at 1.6% versus regional 0.8%. Samoan representation was similar at 0.2%, while German was lower at 3.7% compared to regional 4.7%.

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 and substantially under the Australian median of 38. Compared to Rest of Qld, Central Highlands - East has a higher concentration of 25-34 year-olds at 19.2%, but fewer 65-74 year-olds at 4.9%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the 25-34 age group has grown from 16.8% to 19.2% of the population. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort has declined from 13.7% to 11.8%, and the 5-14 age group has dropped from 16.0% to 14.6%. Demographic modeling suggests that Central Highlands - East's age profile will significantly evolve by 2041. The 25-34 cohort is projected to grow strongly at 17%, adding 251 residents to reach 1,720. In contrast, both the 45-54 and 55-64 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.