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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Central Highlands - West has an estimated 7,750 residents, up from 7,616 at the 2021 Census — a change of 134 people, or 1.8%. 208 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Central Highlands - West has a population of approximately 7,750 as of May 2026, according to analysis by AreaSearch. This represents a growth of 134 residents (1.8%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 7,616 individuals. The estimate is calculated utilizing the ABS June 2025 estimated resident population of 7,684 along with 208 validated new addresses registered after the Census. This population size results in a density of 0.20 persons per square kilometer, indicating residents enjoy significant space. Natural increase was the primary contributor to population growth, accounting for about 71.5% of the total population gains in recent times.
Projections from ABS/Geoscience Australia, published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline, are used by AreaSearch for each SA2. For areas not detailed in this dataset, and for the years after 2032, projections from the Queensland State Government released in 2023 and based on 2021 data are utilized. Because these state projections lack age-specific breakdowns, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings aligned with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (published in 2023, referencing 2022 data) for each age group. Future population trends point to a contraction, with the region expected to lose 450 residents by 2041 under this framework. Conversely, expansion is predicted in certain age bands, particularly the 25 to 34 demographic, which is expected to rise by 189 individuals. Refer to the age section for further information.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
50 new dwellings have been approved in Central Highlands - West over the past five years, an average of 10 a year. That is 1.3 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 9, broadly in line with that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
An average of approximately 10 new residential approvals have been granted each year in Central Highlands - West, resulting in 50 homes over the preceding 5 financial years. Thus far in FY-26, 9 approvals have been logged. As the population contracted during the prior period, the residential supply has remained sufficient for demand, yielding a balanced market with ample opportunities for buyers, while new builds carry an average value of $351,000. Additionally, commercial approvals worth $6.7 million have been registered in the current financial year, highlighting the mostly residential character of the region.
Compared to the Rest of Qld, Central Highlands - West displays equivalent levels of development per capita, reinforcing market equilibrium in line with regional trends, even though construction activity has moderated recently. This volume also sits below the national average, pointing to the mature state of the market and hinting at potential planning constraints. Furthermore, all recent residential construction has consisted of detached houses, preserving the classic low-density environment with a focus on family properties suitable for those desiring space. The estimated ratio of 1247 individuals in the region for each residential approval highlights a calm, low-intensity construction setting. Because the population is projected to stabilize or decrease, Central Highlands - West is likely to experience less pressure on residential supply, which could create favorable conditions for buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Central Highlands - West
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 9 current infrastructure and development projects inside Central Highlands - West, worth an estimated $4.12 billion. A further 82 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $38.2 billion. 25 are already under construction and 23 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans energy, transport & logistics and communities, precincts & urban renewal. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure updates, major projects, and planning changes have a significant impact on local performance. AreaSearch has tracked 26 projects that are expected to influence the region. Notable projects include the Codenwarra Road Mixed-Use Development Site, the Emerald Regional Botanic Gardens Upgrade, the Gregory-Capricorn Highway Intersection Upgrade, and the 91 Gray Street Apartment Development, with the subsequent list outlining the most relevant items.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Capricorn Highway Widening (Winton Creek to Agricultural College)
Safety upgrade to widen and rehabilitate about 2.5-2.6 km of the Capricorn Highway east of Emerald between Winton Creek and the Emerald Agricultural College. Scope included pavement widening and strengthening, wide centre line treatment, drainage works, sealing and line marking to improve safety and heavy vehicle operations. Funding reported at about $5m across the Australian and Queensland Governments, with delivery by Queensland TMR via contractor Decmil. Indicative completion: 2022.
Valeria Coal Project
The Valeria Coal Project was a proposed $1.5 billion greenfield open-cut mine designed to extract up to 20 million tonnes of thermal and metallurgical coal annually over a 35-year period. In December 2022, Glencore officially withdrew the project from the Queensland Government's 'Coordinated Project' assessment process and placed it under review. The decision was driven by increased global economic uncertainty, a commitment to a managed decline of thermal coal assets to reach net-zero by 2050, and changes to Queensland's coal royalty tax structure.The project remains inactive as of early 2026.
Codenwarra Road Mixed-Use Development Site
Approved major shopping centre and mixed-use development situated opposite Central Highlands Marketplace on an 11.45 hectare site. To be developed by Development Directive Pty Ltd, the proposed centre will feature a supermarket, 8 individual retail outlets, and 268 car parking spaces. The Central Highlands Regional Council approved a rebate for a change in land use in April 2026 to facilitate the development.
91 Gray Street Apartment Development
Small-scale residential apartment development featuring 11 modern residential units across 2 floors in Emerald's Central Highlands region. The project represents a modest urban infill development providing additional housing options in this regional Queensland mining and agricultural service center.
Emerald Regional Botanic Gardens Redevelopment
A 7 million AUD redevelopment of the 42-hectare Emerald Regional Botanic Gardens. The project features the construction of a new permanent, flood-resilient footbridge over the Nogoa River and extensive pathway upgrades to improve safety, connectivity, and accessibility for the community.
Gregory-Capricorn Highway Intersection Upgrade
Intersection upgrade at the junction of Gregory and Capricorn Highways in Emerald, involving widening approaches, installing traffic signals, and improving turning lanes. The upgrade enhances safety and reduces congestion at this critical junction serving both local and through traffic. The project also included pedestrian infrastructure improvements.
Nogoa Rise Estate Residential Development
Multi-stage residential estate development by Central Highlands Regional Council featuring fully serviced residential lots in Emerald's sought-after Nogoa Rise area. The development has expanded to Stages 5 and 6, offering quality residential opportunities in the growing Central Highlands region.
Emerald Hospital Emergency Department Upgrade
A complete refurbishment and upgrade of the Emergency Department at Emerald Hospital that officially opened in April 2024. The upgrade improves patient flow and provides better access to care closer to home. Features include improved privacy, additional clinical consultation spaces, resuscitation bays, better treatment spaces for mental health crisis patients, and a safer treatment environment.
4,265 residents of Central Highlands - West are employed, from a labour force of 4,378. Unemployment sits at 2.6%, with participation at 71.8%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 4.2% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 8,493, about 110% of the resident population, so the area draws in more workers than it sends out. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The workforce in Central Highlands - West is balanced between professional and manual roles, featuring strong representation in manufacturing and industrial sectors, alongside an unemployment rate of only 2.6%. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 4,265, while the unemployment rate was 1.3% below the 3.9% recorded in Regional Qld, and the participation rate was exceptionally high (71.8% compared to 64.3% in Regional Qld). Census records show a moderate 22.0% of the workforce operated from home, though this may have been influenced by Covid-19 restrictions. Resident employment is heavily weighted toward agriculture, forestry & fishing, mining, and construction.
The region exhibits a strong concentration in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with its share of employment reaching 6.8 times the regional rate. In contrast, health care & social assistance is underrepresented at 5.5% compared to the regional figure of 16.1%. The ratio of 0.8 workers per resident at the time of the Census indicates a higher-than-average availability of local jobs. AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics shows that in the year ending March 2026, the local workforce shrank by 5.0% and total employment fell by 3.9%, which led to a 1.1 percentage point reduction in the unemployment rate. In comparison, Regional Qld experienced a 0.1% increase in employment, a 0.3% expansion of the labor force, and a 0.1 percentage point rise in unemployment. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia published in May-25 provide context for future labor demand in Central Highlands - West. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential growth. Although nationwide employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trends vary across different industries. Applying these sector-specific forecasts to the employment profile of Central Highlands - West suggests local jobs could grow by 4.2% over five years and 10.1% over ten years (note that this is a basic weighted extrapolation for demonstration purposes and does not incorporate local population projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Central Highlands - West is $1,620 a week (about $84,000 a year), with median personal income at $882 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $61,033 a year against an average of $71,802. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Aggregated postcode ATO data from AreaSearch for the 2023 financial year indicates a median taxpayer income of $61,033 and an average of $71,802 in the Central Highlands - West SA2. This exceeds the national average, and compares to a median of $53,146 and an average of $66,593 in Regional Qld. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates would stand at roughly $67,966 (median) and $79,959 (average) as of March 2026. According to the Census, individual income is positioned at the 64th percentile ($882 weekly), whereas household income is at the 42nd percentile.
The statistics show that 27.5% of the population (2,131 individuals) falls within the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly bracket, which aligns with the regional benchmark of 31.7% in this tier. Once housing expenditures are deducted, residents keep 93.3% of their income, demonstrating high purchasing capacity, and the area ranks in the 4th decile of the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Central Highlands - West had 2,559 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 93% detached houses and 1% apartments. 24% are owned with a mortgage, 30% rented and 46% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $120 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,300 a month. Rent absorbs 7.4% of household income here and mortgage repayments 18.5%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the most recent Census, the housing mix in Central Highlands - West consisted of 93.4% houses and 6.6% other housing types (semi-detached, apartments, and alternative structures), compared to 76.4% houses and 23.6% other housing types in Regional Qld. Furthermore, the rate of outright home ownership in Central Highlands - West was significantly higher than in Regional Qld at 45.5%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (24.2%) or rented (30.3%). The median monthly mortgage payment in the region was well below the Regional Qld average at $1,300, while the median weekly rent stood at $120, compared to $1,655 and $345 in Regional Qld.
Nationally, mortgage costs in Central Highlands - West are far below the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are much lower than the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Central Highlands - West counted 2,559 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.5 people each. 30% are couples with children, against 31% couples without children. 29% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.1 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of households at 68.5%, consisting of couples with children at 30.0%, couples without children at 31.3%, and single parent households at 6.6%. The remaining 31.5% consists of non-family households, with lone person households representing 29.2% and group households accounting for 2.3%. The median household size of 2.5 residents is identical to the Regional Qld average.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
13.0% of adults in Central Highlands - West hold a university qualification, including 10.4% with a bachelor degree and 1.1% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 75% of areas nationally. A further 34.3% hold a vocational qualification. 13 schools serve the area, with 767 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 971 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
The region presents low rates of higher education, with university qualification rates (13.0%) sitting far below the Australian average of 30.4%. This highlights a clear gap and a potential focus area for targeted educational strategies. Bachelor degrees represent 10.4%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.5%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.1%). Technical and vocational skills are prominent, with 43.4% of residents aged 15+ holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas (9.1%) and certificates (34.3%). The level of educational enrollment is quite high, with 32.5% of the population presently undertaking formal study. This comprises 15.5% in primary schools, 9.4% in secondary schools, and 2.2% in tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Central Highlands - West means driving: households keep an average of 1.8 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
72.1% of residents in Central Highlands - West report no long-term health condition. 3.8% need daily assistance with core activities, and 54.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.8 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Based on AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality data and the occurrence of chronic illnesses, Central Highlands - West shows favorable health outcomes, with low rates of common health issues in both youth and senior groups, and a high rate of private health insurance coverage at roughly 55% of the population (~4,254 people). This compares to 52.5% in Regional Qld. The most prevalent medical issues reported in the region were arthritis and asthma, affecting 7.6% and 7.1% of community members respectively, while 72.1% of residents reported no chronic health conditions, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld.
Health outcomes for the working-age cohort are generally average. The population aged 65 and over represents 18.8% of the total (1,459 people), which is lower than the 20.4% recorded in Regional Qld. Health indicators for seniors are especially positive, with national comparisons surpassing those of the wider local population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Central Highlands - West is largely Australian-born, at 90.1% of residents, with 3.7% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (34.9%) and English (31.1%). 3.0% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Central Highlands - West shows lower levels of cultural diversity, with citizens making up 81.7% of the population, 90.1% born in Australia, and 96.3% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 63.7% of the population in Central Highlands - West, compared to 52.2% in Regional Qld. In terms of ancestral backgrounds (parents' country of birth), the three largest ancestries in Central Highlands - West are Australian at 34.9% of the population, which is considerably higher than the regional average of 26.5%, English at 31.1%, and Irish at 8.8%.
There are also notable differences in other ethnic representations, with German overrepresented at 5.4% of Central Highlands - West (compared to 4.7% regionally), Maltese at 0.5% (compared to 0.4%), and Australian Aboriginal at 3.0% (compared to 3.9%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Central Highlands - West is 39. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 23.9% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The median age of 39 in Central Highlands - West is slightly below the Regional Qld average of 41, but very close to the Australian average of 38. The age distribution shows a high concentration of 25 - 34 year-olds (14.6%), whereas the 15 - 24 cohort is smaller (9.3%) than in Regional Qld. Since 2021, the median age has fallen by 1.0 years from 40 to 39, showing a shift toward a younger demographic. Notable changes include the 25 to 34 age group increasing from 12.1% to 14.6% of the population, and the 75 to 84 bracket rising from 5.1% to 6.2%.
Conversely, the 55 to 64 demographic fell from 15.4% to 12.7%, while the 45 to 54 group declined from 12.9% to 10.2%. Population projections for 2041 point to significant changes in the age structure of Central Highlands - West. Leading these changes, the 25 to 34 cohort will increase by 9% (101 people), growing from 1,134 to 1,236. Older residents (65+) will account for 52% of population growth, highlighting the aging trend. In contrast, population declines are forecast for the 35 to 44 and 45 to 54 brackets.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Central Highlands - West
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 this month all 9 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 208 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (7,616 at the 2021 Census → 7,750 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (308011191). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.