Goondiwindi

Goondiwindi has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

According to the analysis by AreaSearch, the population of Goondiwindi stands at approximately 6,251 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 21 people (0.3%) from the 6,230 residents recorded during the 2021 Census. This population shift is calculated utilizing the ABS estimated resident population of 6,251 from June 2025 alongside 92 validated new addresses registered since the Census. Such population numbers translate to a density of 7.5 persons per square kilometer, offering residents a spacious living environment. The primary driver of this population growth was natural increase, which accounted for roughly 62.3% of the total population gains in recent times.

Projections from ABS/Geoscience Australia, published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline, are utilized by AreaSearch for each SA2 region. For locations lacking this coverage, or for periods after 2032, projections from the Queensland State Government released in 2023 (based on 2021 data) are used. Because the state-level figures do not provide breakdowns by age, AreaSearch distributes growth across age brackets using proportional weightings derived from the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections (using 2022 base data). Future demographic forecasts indicates a downward trend overall, with the population of the area projected to decrease by 148 persons by 2041 under this approach. Conversely, expansion is expected within particular age cohorts, most notably the 25 to 34 age bracket, which is forecast to grow by 159 people.

The level of residential development activity in Goondiwindi is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Goondiwindi averages approximately 12 residential building approvals annually, with a total of 64 dwellings approved over the last 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25) and 8 recorded so far in FY-26. Amid recent population declines, residential supply has kept pace with demand to maintain a balanced market offering buyers sufficient options, while newly built homes average a value of $282,000—a figure below the broader regional standard—demonstrating more economical housing alternatives. Additionally, commercial building approvals total $6.8 million for the current financial year, pointing to quiet activity in commercial sector development.

Relative to the Rest of Qld, Goondiwindi exhibits somewhat higher per-capita construction levels (25.0% higher than the regional average over the 5 year timeframe), which helps preserve options for buyers while supporting current housing demand, even though building pace has slowed lately. This rate is also below the national standard, indicating a mature market and hinting at prospective developmental constraints. The mix of new housing consists of 86.0% detached homes and 14.0% semi-detached properties or units, preserving the established low-density aesthetic of the area with an emphasis on family-oriented dwellings. The ratio of 868 people per residential approval highlights the low-intensity development climate.

Given that demographic projections point to stable or declining numbers, Goondiwindi is likely to experience less pressure on housing demand, which should benefit prospective purchasers.

Goondiwindi has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

The trajectory of any area is heavily shaped by developments in local infrastructure, major undertakings, and planning policy. A single project has been noted by AreaSearch as having a probable influence on the region. Prominent projects encompass Goondiwindi Hydrogen, the Yelarbon and Talwood water quality project, the Queensland Southern Rez, and the Queensland New South Wales Interconnector, with details provided below on the most significant initiatives.

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.

AreaSearch assessment positions Goondiwindi ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

The workforce in Goondiwindi is highly capable and distributed across multiple sectors, showing an unemployment rate of just 3.4% and an estimated annual job growth rate of 1.3%. As of March 2026, there are 3,476 employed residents, with the local unemployment rate sitting 0.6% below the Regional Qld level of 3.9%, and the participation rate is exceptionally high at 72.5% compared to 64.3% in Regional Qld. Census data indicates that a minor portion of the workforce (6.1%) performed their roles from home, though this figure may reflect the influence of pandemic restrictions.

The primary employment sectors for local residents consist of agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. The region exhibits a highly concentrated workforce in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with its share of employment reaching 3.6 times the regional average. In contrast, health care & social assistance has a smaller footprint, employing 11.8% of workers compared to 16.1% across the region. Although local positions are available, the ratio of the Census working population to local jobs suggests that a significant number of residents travel to external areas for employment.

AreaSearch's analysis of SALM and ABS statistics shows that over the 12-month span, employment expanded by 1.3% while the labor force grew by 2.4%, leading to a 1.0 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate. Over the same timeframe, Regional Qld saw employment rise by 0.1%, labor force rise by 0.3%, and the unemployment rate tick up by 0.1 percentage points. National employment projections published by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 provide context for local demand trends. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to Goondiwindi's job distribution to estimate future local patterns. Nationally, employment is projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though these growth trajectories vary widely by industry. Applying these trends to the local industry composition yields an estimated local employment increase of 5.7% over five years and 12.1% over ten years (this represents a direct weighted extrapolation for demonstration purposes and does not incorporate local population forecasts).

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

According to the latest postcode-level ATO data released for the 2023 financial year, taxpayers in the Goondiwindi SA2 record a median income of $54,024 and an average income of $63,061. These figures sit below national averages, and compare to a median of $53,146 and average of $66,593 in Regional Qld. Accounting for Wage Price Index inflation of 11.36% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates point to a median income of approximately $60,161 and an average of $70,225 as of March 2026. Census figures place individual income at the 60th percentile ($859 per week), whereas household earnings sit at the 43rd percentile. The largest income group comprises 36.1% of the local population (2,256 people) earning in the $1,500 - 2,999 range, which is comparable to the surrounding region where 31.7% of households fall into this bracket. Discretionary income remaining after housing costs stands at 86.5%, and the area ranks in the 4th decile on the SEIFA income index.

Goondiwindi is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

The distribution of residential structures in Goondiwindi at the time of the last Census showed 87.1% were separate houses and 13.0% belonged to alternative categories (semi-detached, apartments, or other structures), compared to 76.4% separate houses and 23.6% other options throughout Regional Qld. Home ownership rates in Goondiwindi lagged slightly behind the Regional Qld benchmark, standing at 31.3%, with remaining homes occupied under a mortgage (31.9%) or rented (36.8%). The median monthly cost for home loans was lower than the regional standard at $1,517, while the median weekly rental cost was $295, compared to regional benchmarks of $1,655 and $345. On a national scale, local mortgage commitments are notably lower than the Australian median of $1,863, and rent levels are well below the national median of $375.

Goondiwindi has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Families make up the majority of households at 69.9%, consisting of couples with children at 29.8%, couples without children at 28.2%, and single-parent households at 10.6%. The remaining 30.1% are non-family arrangements, with single-person households at 26.6% and group households at 3.7%. The median size of households in the area is 2.5 residents, which is identical to the Regional Qld average.

Educational outcomes in Goondiwindi fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The community experiences lower rates of higher education, with university attainment at 17.9% compared to the national average of 30.4%. This highlights a clear gap and a potential focus area for educational strategies. Bachelor degrees represent the largest share of qualifications at 14.3%, followed by postgraduate studies at 1.9% and graduate diplomas at 1.7%. Practical and vocational qualifications are common, with 38.2% of individuals aged 15 and over possessing a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas at 8.5% and certificates at 29.7%.

Enrolment in education is strong, with 30.8% of the local population currently engaged in study. This includes 13.5% attending primary schools, 9.1% enrolled in secondary schools, and 2.5% pursuing higher education.

Transport servicing is very low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Analysis of local transit options shows 6 active public transport stops in Goondiwindi, which are serviced by a combination of buses. These facilities are connected to 3 distinct routes, providing a combined 30 weekly passenger journeys. Accessibility to transit is characterized as low, with locals residing an average of 842 meters from their closest stop. Given the residential nature of the district, the vast majority of workers travel outward, with cars being the primary transport mode at 94% and walking accounting for 5%. Dwellings average 1.6 vehicles. A minor 6.1% of the workforce operated from home according to the 2021 Census, which could reflect pandemic-related adjustments.

The average frequency of transit services is 4 journeys per day across all active routes, which translates to roughly 5 passenger trips per week at each individual stop.

Health outcomes in Goondiwindi are marginally below the national average with common health conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts

An analysis of mortality and chronic illness rates suggests that health outcomes in Goondiwindi are below average, with common medical issues appearing at slightly elevated rates among both youth and older age cohorts, while the proportion of residents with private health insurance is low at roughly 50% of the population (~3,150 people). This is below the Regional Qld level of 52.5% and the national rate of 55.7%.

Asthma and arthritis are the most prevalent health issues locally, affecting 8.3% and 8.1% of citizens, respectively, while 69.5% of the population reported no chronic conditions, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Health outcomes for working-age residents are generally typical. Residents aged 65 and older represent 19.5% of the local population (1,217 people). Seniors exhibit above-average health profiles, with national standings surpassing those of the broader community.

The latest Census data sees Goondiwindi placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Cultural diversity in Goondiwindi is lower than average, with citizens making up 88.6% of the population, 93.1% of residents born in Australia, and 95.7% using only English at home. The predominant religious affiliation is Christianity, representing 68.9% of local residents, which compares to 52.2% across Regional Qld.

Regarding parental birthplace, the three largest ancestry lines in Goondiwindi are Australian at 33.4% of the population, which is higher than the regional benchmark of 26.5%, English at 29.6%, and Irish at 9.7%. There are also differences in other ethnic communities, with Australian Aboriginal representation higher at 5.9% of Goondiwindi (compared to 3.9% regionally), Germans at 4.4% (compared to 4.7%), and South Australians at 0.5% (compared to 0.5%).

Goondiwindi's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age of 38 years in Goondiwindi is slightly younger than the Regional Qld average of 41 and matches the Australian median of 38. The youngest cohort aged 0 - 4 is well represented at 7.5% compared to Regional Qld, while the 55 - 64 age bracket is less common at 10.7%. Since the 2021 Census, the 25 to 34 age bracket has risen from 12.5% to 13.6% of the population, and the 15 to 24 group has expanded from 11.5% to 12.6%. Conversely, the cohort aged 5 to 14 dropped from 14.7% to 13.1%, and the 55 to 64 group declined from 12.1% to 10.7%. Population projections to 2041 point to notable demographic shifts in Goondiwindi. The most significant shift is expected in the 25 to 34 cohort, which is projected to grow by 15% (126 people) to reach 976 from 849. On the other hand, the 0 to 4 and 45 to 54 brackets are anticipated to contract.