Chart Color Schemes
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.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Far Central West has an estimated 2,227 residents, up from 2,156 at the 2021 Census — a change of 71 people, or 3.3%. Growth has averaged 0.6% a year over five years. 128 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to the analysis by AreaSearch, the population of Far Central West stands at approximately 2,227 as of May 2026. This indicates an expansion of 71 individuals (3.3%) relative to the 2,156 residents recorded in the 2021 Census. This population shift is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 2,227 alongside 128 validated new addresses registered since the Census. Based on these numbers, the population density is 0.00 residents per square kilometer, which represents a very low-density environment with substantial space per individual. The 3.3% rate of growth since the 2021 census outpaced the broader SA3 region (2.7%), establishing the district as a local growth leader.
The primary driver of this demographic expansion was natural increase, which accounted for roughly 61.4% of the population rise during recent timeframes. Projections for each SA2 district utilize ABS/Geoscience Australia models published in 2024, with 2022 serving as the baseline. For areas where this data is unavailable, or for periods after 2032, projections from the Queensland State Government released in 2023 (utilizing 2021 data) are substituted. Because these state-level projections lack age breakdown details, AreaSearch allocates growth weightings across age groups based on the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections (using 2022 baseline data). Looking at these forecasted demographic patterns, the overall population is expected to shrink over the coming years, falling by 369 individuals by 2041 under this approach. Conversely, expansion is projected within particular age segments, most notably the 85 and over cohort, which is expected to rise by 25 residents. Further details are available in the age-specific analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
45 new dwellings have been approved in Far Central West over the past five years, an average of 9 a year. That is 4.1 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 3, well below 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
Approximately 9 residential building approvals have been granted annually in Far Central West, translating to 45 new homes over the past 5 financial years. During the current FY-26 period, 3 approvals have been logged. With an average addition of 1.4 new occupants per built home per year over the 5 financial years spanning FY-21 to FY-25, demand and supply appear closely aligned, yielding stable market conditions, though this figure eased to 0.8 residents per home over the past 2 financial years to indicate a better balance. Newly built properties show an average construction cost of $366,000.
Additionally, commercial development approvals have reached $3.7 million this financial year, highlighting that the locality remains predominantly residential. Building activity per capita in Far Central West is 92.0% higher than in the Rest of Qld, which should offer purchasers a broad range of options. Recent building approvals consist of 88.0% standalone houses and 12.0% semi-detached or multi-unit dwellings, reinforcing the established low-density profile of the community with an emphasis on spacious family residences. The region has a ratio of about 155 people for each approved dwelling, which points to a low-density property market. Given that the local population is projected to stabilize or decrease, the real estate sector in Far Central West should experience less pressure on housing stock, which could open up favorable options for prospective buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Far Central West
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 7 current infrastructure and development projects inside Far Central West, worth an estimated $158 million. A further 70 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $309.1 billion. 19 are already under construction and 15 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 projects, major planning decisions, and regional developments are major drivers of regional performance. AreaSearch has tracked 29 projects that are expected to influence this locality. Some of the major developments include the Residential Activation Fund - Central Queensland Allocation, the Teal Street Affordable Housing Project, the Longreach Recreational Precinct, and the Longreach Solar Farm, with details on the most significant initiatives provided in the list below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Outback Way - Queensland Corridor
Program of sealing, widening and planning works on the Queensland section of the 2720 km Outback Way corridor, focused on roads forming the route between Winton and Boulia. Current Australian Government material identifies the Queensland corridor package as upgrade and widening of priority sections of the Kennedy Developmental Road and planning for future upgrades, with benefits including improved road safety, productivity, freight reliability, tourism access and better connectivity for remote communities.
Windorah Aerodrome Terminal Upgrades
Disability access and inclusion upgrades to the aerodrome terminal.
Windorah Gas Project (ATP 927)
A basin-centred gas play within the Cooper Basin. The project has a 2C contingent gas resource of 330 billion cubic feet.
Construction of new Water Treatment Plant at Windorah
Construction of a new water treatment plant.
New Windorah Solar Farm
Replacement of the old, decommissioned solar farm with a new one using fixed ground-mounted solar panels and a containerised battery. Part of the Queensland's $28 million decarbonisation project.
Windorah Primary Health Centre Replacement Project
The $12.4 million Windorah Primary Health Centre Replacement Project delivered a modern, 19-module prefabricated facility to the remote Barcoo region. Completed in February 2023, the centre includes four telehealth-enabled consultation rooms, an emergency treatment area, a pharmacy, and an ambulance bay. The nurse-led facility also features self-contained staff accommodation to support workforce retention and provides 24/7 emergency activation via Triple Zero.
Diamantina Developmental Road (Quilpie - Windorah) safety improvements
Safety and reliability on the Diamantina Developmental Road between Quilpie to Windorah will be improved through a package of targeted upgrades. These will be delivered in sections about 2km north-east of Windorah. Works include rehabilitation, widening and strengthening priority sections of pavement and upgrading aged drainage structures.
Residential Activation Fund - Central Queensland Allocation
The Residential Activation Fund is a 2 billion dollar program aimed at accelerating housing supply by funding critical trunk infrastructure such as water supply, sewerage, stormwater, and transport. At least 1 billion dollars is specifically earmarked for regional areas outside South East Queensland. Round 2 of the fund opened in early 2026, with funding announcements for successful projects expected from July 2026. The program targets construction-ready projects to fast-track the delivery of new homes.
1,356 residents of Far Central West are employed, from a labour force of 1,374. Unemployment sits at 1.3%, with participation at 75.1%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 4.5% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. 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 local labor market in Far Central West exhibits a balanced mix of white-collar and blue-collar occupations, with a strong presence of essential service industries and a very low unemployment rate of 1.3%. As of March 2026, there are 1,356 employed residents, with an unemployment rate that sits 2.6% below the Regional Qld level of 3.9%, and the labor force participation rate is exceptionally high at 75.1% compared to 64.3% in Regional Qld. Census data indicates that a moderate 18.3% of workers operated from home, though this figure may reflect the influence of Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.
The primary employment sectors for local residents are agriculture, forestry & fishing, public administration & safety, and construction. The district exhibits a strong concentration in agriculture, forestry & fishing, where the employment proportion is 7.4 times that of the broader region. On the other hand, health care & social assistance is underrepresented, accounting for 5.0% of local jobs compared to the regional benchmark of 16.1%. The Census recorded a ratio of 0.6 workers per resident, pointing to local employment availability that exceeds typical levels. AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics shows that over the 12-month span, the total labor force contracted by 0.9% and overall employment fell by 0.9%, while the level of unemployment remained steady. In contrast, Regional Qld experienced a 0.1% rise in employment, a 0.3% increase in the labor force, and a 0.1 percentage point rise in unemployment. National employment projections released in May-25 by Jobs and Skills Australia provide additional context for prospective demand in Far Central West. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to model future growth. While total employment nationwide is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the rates of change vary widely across different sectors. Applying these industry projections to the employment profile of Far Central West indicates that local jobs would grow by 4.5% over five years and 10.1% over ten years, noting that this is a basic weighted extrapolation for comparison and does not incorporate local population forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Far Central West is $1,442 a week (about $75,000 a year), with median personal income at $947 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $57,065 a year against an average of $62,600. 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
According to the most recent postcode ATO data released for the 2023 financial year, taxpayers in the Far Central West SA2 recorded a median income of $57,065 and an average income of $62,600. These figures are below the national benchmarks, and compare with a median of $53,146 and an average of $66,593 across Regional Qld. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates point to a median of approximately $63,548 and an average of $69,711 as of March 2026. The 2021 Census placed weekly personal income at the 73rd percentile ($947 weekly), whereas household income sat at the 32nd percentile.
The local income distribution shows that the largest category is weekly earnings of $1,500 - 2,999, representing 31.4% of taxpayers (699 residents), which is very close to the metropolitan average of 31.7% for this bracket. Mortgage and rent obligations are manageable, with residents keeping 93.6% of their earnings, although disposable income is relatively low at the 42nd percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Far Central West had 775 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 89% detached houses and 3% apartments. 18% are owned with a mortgage, 40% rented and 42% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $140 a week and the median mortgage repayment $884 a month. Rent absorbs 9.7% of household income here and mortgage repayments 14.1%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
The mix of housing types in Far Central West at the time of the latest Census was made up of 89.3% standalone houses and 10.7% other housing types (including semi-detached properties, apartments, and alternative dwellings), compared to Regional Qld where standalone houses accounted for 76.4% and other options made up 23.6%. The rate of outright home ownership in Far Central West was high at 41.9%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (17.8%) or rented (40.3%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $884 was well below the Regional Qld average, while the median weekly rent was $140, compared to regional figures of $1,655 and $345 respectively.
On a national level, mortgage costs in Far Central West are far lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rent prices are significantly below the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Far Central West counted 775 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.2 people each. 21% are couples with children, fewer than in 83% of areas nationally, against 29% couples without children. 37% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.9 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 60.0%, consisting of couples with children at 21.3%, couples without children at 29.1%, and single parents with children at 8.4%. Non-family households account for the remaining 40.0%, with single-person households representing 37.0% and group housing making up 2.7% of the total. The median household size is 2.2 residents, which is lower than the Regional Qld average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
14.9% of adults in Far Central West hold a university qualification, including 11.0% with a bachelor degree and 2.9% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 93% of areas nationally. A further 30.8% hold a vocational qualification. 9 schools serve the area, with 211 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 877 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 educational challenges, with the proportion of residents holding university degrees (14.9%) falling well short of the national level of 30.4%. This highlights both an area of need and a potential target for educational investment. Bachelor degrees are the most common tertiary qualification at 11.0%, with postgraduate degrees at 2.9% and graduate diplomas at 1.0%. Vocational and technical qualifications are widespread, with 39.6% of residents aged 15+ possessing vocational credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (8.8%) and certificates (30.8%). Enrolment rates are high in the community, with 29.6% of the population currently participating in formal study.
This student cohort comprises 16.4% in primary schools, 5.2% in secondary schools, and 1.7% enrolled in higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Far Central West means driving: households keep an average of 1.4 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
71.1% of residents in Far Central West report no long-term health condition. 2.9% need daily assistance with core activities, and 50.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.3 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health profiles for Far Central West point to below-average overall outcomes based on mortality statistics and the occurrence of chronic conditions, with common health concerns showing slightly higher prevalence rates across both younger and older cohorts, and private health insurance membership recorded at a low level of approximately 50% of the population (~1,122 people). This compares to a rate of 52.5% in Regional Qld and a national average of 55.7%. Asthma and arthritis were identified as the most prevalent health issues locally, affecting 8.6% and 6.9% of the population respectively, while 71.1% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld.
Working-age individuals experience higher than average rates of chronic health issues. Residents aged 65 and over make up 19.5% of the local population (433 people). Seniors in the area experience strong health outcomes, ranking higher nationally than the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Far Central West is largely Australian-born, at 93.3% of residents, with 3.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (32.1%) and English (31.2%). 9.6% 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
Far Central West displays lower levels of cultural diversity, with citizens making up 83.4% of the population, 93.3% born in Australia, and 96.6% using only English in their households. Christianity is the predominant religious affiliation, representing 61.5% of the community, compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld. Regarding parental country of birth, the three largest ancestral backgrounds in Far Central West are Australian at 32.1% (well above the regional average of 26.5%), English at 31.2%, and Australian Aboriginal at 9.6% (significantly higher than the regional average of 3.9%). Other ethnic groups show some distinct differences, with German ancestry at 4.2% of the population (compared to 4.7% across the region), Samoan ancestry at 0.2% (matching the regional 0.2%), and Irish ancestry at 9.0% (compared to 8.2% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Far Central West is 41. 23.2% 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 residents in Far Central West is 41 years, which matches the Regional Qld median and is slightly older than the Australian average of 38 years. Relative to Regional Qld, there is a higher proportion of residents in the 55 - 64 age bracket (15.4%) and a smaller share of 15 - 24 year-olds (9.3%). Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 cohort expanded from 5.5% to 7.0% of the total population, while the 45 to 54 group decreased from 13.4% to 11.2% and the 15 to 24 group fell from 11.1% to 9.3%.
Projections for 2041 indicate notable transformations in the local age structure, with the 85+ cohort expected to rise by 73% (21 people) to reach 50 residents, up from 28. The collective 65+ age categories are projected to represent 100% of the total population growth, reflecting an aging population, whereas the 25 to 34 and 0 to 4 age groups are expected to experience declines.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Far Central 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 | May 2026 3 months ago all 7 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 May 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 — 128 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (2,156 at the 2021 Census → 2,227 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 (315031410). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.