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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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Herberton has an estimated 5,772 residents, up from 5,522 at the 2021 Census — a change of 250 people, or 4.5%. Growth has averaged 0.5% a year over five years. 104 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
According to research from AreaSearch, the resident count in Herberton stands at roughly 5,772 as of Aug 2026. Compared to the 2021 Census tally of 5,522 people, this represents an addition of 250 people (4.5%). This adjustment is based on ABS estimated resident population numbers of 5,730 as of June 2025 alongside 104 validated new addresses recorded following the Census date. With a density of 0.60 persons per square kilometer, the locality offers considerable room for its inhabitants. Net interstate migration served as the core contributor to local expansion, accounting for roughly 66.7% of total recent population additions.
Projections developed by ABS/Geoscience Australia from 2024 (using 2022 as the base year) are utilised by AreaSearch for SA2 boundaries. For locations outside this scope or projecting past 2032, models published by the Queensland State Government in 2023 (utilising 2021 figures) are implemented instead. Because state projections lack age-specific breakdowns, AreaSearch weights cohort trajectories using the ABS Greater Capital Region forecasts released in 2023 (derived from 2022 baseline figures). Under this combined outlook, demographic trends suggest an overarching decline, with the population projected to contract by 6 persons by 2041. Conversely, select age segments are set to grow, most prominently the 75 to 84 cohort, which is forecast to increase by 102 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
57 new dwellings have been approved in Herberton over the past five years, an average of 11 a year. That is 2.0 approvals per 1,000 residents. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential building approvals in Herberton have run at an annual rate of roughly 11 new homes, reaching a cumulative total of 57 dwellings approved across the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26). Alongside an influx averaging 2.4 new residents per year for each dwelling over the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26) to help underpin housing demand, construction costs remain accessible at an average of $251,000 per dwelling, trailing wider regional benchmarks. Additionally, commercial development has seen $6.6 million approved during the ongoing financial year, underscoring the dominant residential focus of local building activity.
Building activity across Herberton remains modest when measured against Rest of Qld, trailing the regional per-capita rate by 60.0%. This subdued delivery of new stock tends to bolster demand and pricing for existing residences. Output also tracks below nationwide averages, pointing to established local conditions and prospective planning constraints. Detached houses constitute 92.0% of recent approvals while 8.0% are attached dwellings, preserving low-density neighbourhoods tailored for buyers seeking spacious surrounds. The presence of 669 people in the area per dwelling approval highlights the subdued pace of local construction. With demographic forecasts pointing toward flat or slightly shrinking resident numbers, diminished demand pressures across Herberton could create advantageous purchasing conditions for prospective homeowners.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Herberton
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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 3 current infrastructure and development projects inside Herberton, worth an estimated $370 million. A further 45 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $7.13 billion. 18 are already under construction and 19 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and energy. 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 investment, strategic planning frameworks, and major developments exert substantial influence over regional economic trajectory. AreaSearch has highlighted 4 projects expected to affect the district. Prominent initiatives comprise the Kaban Green Power Hub, Chalumbin Wind Farm, Draft Far North Queensland Regional Plan 2025, and North Queensland Super Hub.
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
Kaban Green Power Hub
157 MW wind farm with 28 turbines located near Ravenshoe in the Atherton Tablelands, Far North Queensland. Generates approximately 460,000 MWh annually, powering around 95,900 homes. Developed, owned and operated by Neoen with a long-term PPA with CleanCo. Includes associated transmission upgrades. Approval exists for a future 100 MW battery storage system (not yet constructed). No solar component.
Chalumbin Wind Farm
The Chalumbin Wind Farm, planned for northern Queensland, near Ravenshoe and Innisfail, aims to feature 94 turbines and generate 600 megawatts within Queensland's Northern REZ. The project was later renamed to Wooroora Station Wind Farm, downsized to 42 turbines, and the proposal was withdrawn in April 2024 following indications from the Environment Minister that it would be rejected due to impacts on biodiversity.
Priors Creek Parklands
Priors Creek Parklands is a major Atherton CBD precinct revitalisation led by Tablelands Regional Council. The project is transforming a former rail corridor into a family-focused parklands and mixed-use destination with an open-air amphitheatre and main stage, nature walk trail, public amenities, fitness and leisure areas, shared paths, event spaces, and future opportunities for commercial development, hotel accommodation, retail, and food and beverage uses. Main parkland works are mostly complete, with surrounding road, parking, traffic flow, and staged opening works continuing ahead of the official opening events on 10-11 July 2026.
Vernon Apartments
A three-storey mixed-use development providing 27 affordable rental units (12 one-bedroom and 15 two-bedroom) with ground-floor commercial premises for potential food outlets, offices, shops, or healthcare services, complementing the adjacent Priors Creek Development.
Atherton Hospital Redevelopment
The $86.4 million redevelopment of Atherton Hospital delivered modern healthcare infrastructure for the Tablelands region. Key components include a new four-storey Clinical Services Building housing a state-of-the-art emergency department, medical imaging, maternity services with birth suites, operating and endoscopy theatres, and a sterilising unit. The project also delivered a Community, Allied and Mental Health Building, a new helipad, and an engineering services building. A final $12.9 million stage involving the refurbishment of the existing South Ward was initiated in late 2025 to further boost oncology services and inpatient capacity.
Atherton Large Format Retail Precinct
A major retail development spanning 16,400sqm designed to revitalize the Tablelands economy. The precinct features a new Bunnings Warehouse as the anchor tenant, alongside a Harvey Norman and other national large-format retailers. The project includes specialized showrooms, hardware supplies, and garden centers with over 400 parking spaces. It is situated adjacent to the John Cole Toyota dealership and is expected to create over 160 permanent jobs while significantly reducing retail leakage to Cairns.
North Queensland Super Hub
The North Queensland Super Hub is a proposed 10-gigawatt renewable energy precinct in Northern Queensland, developed by Windlab and Fortescue Future Industries, starting with 1,800 megawatts from Prairie Wind Farm and Wongalee project. It includes the Prairie (up to 928MW) and Wongalee (up to 1.4GW) wind projects, as well as other early-stage projects, aiming to reduce carbon emissions by over 22 million tonnes annually.
Tolga Main Street Shopping Centre
A small-scale neighbourhood shopping centre proposed by Tom Hedley's HEDZ Constructions Pty Ltd, comprising two single-storey buildings with four retail tenancies delivered across two stages. Stage 1 will see three tenancies built at the front of the site, with a fourth tenancy at the rear forming Stage 2. The development includes 12 on-site car parking spaces. As the site sits within 100 metres of the Kennedy Highway, the Department of Transport and Main Roads is providing assessment input on the impact at the highway intersection with Main Street.The application is being assessed by Tablelands Regional Council.
2,044 residents of Herberton are employed, from a labour force of 2,321. Unemployment sits at 11.9%, with participation at 47.9%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.5% 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 labour market in Herberton exhibits a blend of blue-collar and white-collar roles, supported by notable manufacturing and industrial activity, while experiencing an unemployment rate of 11.9%. As of March 2026, employed residents total 2,044, though the jobless rate sits 8.0% above the 3.9% recorded across Regional Qld, and the participation rate of 47.9% substantially trails the Regional Qld figure of 64.2%. Census figures indicate that 13.8% of workers performed their duties from home, though pandemic-related conditions during that period should be noted. Key sectors employing local workers comprise agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and construction.
Representation in agriculture, forestry & fishing is especially pronounced, tracking at 3.8 times the regional benchmark. Conversely, accommodation & food accounts for a smaller workforce share at 5.4%, compared with 8.3% regionally. Comparing resident workers against local place-of-work Census counts suggests relatively limited employment capacity within the immediate district. Synthesising ABS and SALM metrics, AreaSearch figures indicate that over a 12-month period the local labour force shrank by 1.9% and total employment dropped by 6.9%, driving an increase in the unemployment rate of 4.7 percentage points. By contrast, Regional Qld experienced 0.1% employment growth, a 0.3% rise in its workforce, and an increase of 0.1 percentage points in unemployment. National outlooks from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide further context when weighted against the local industry profile. While Australian employment overall is projected to increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, industry performance varies, translating to an estimated local expansion of 5.5% over five years and 12.1% over ten years based purely on local industry composition.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Herberton is $900 a week (about $47,000 a year), with median personal income at $483 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $39,745 a year against an average of $49,628. 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
ATO postcode taxation statistics from financial year 2023 compiled by AreaSearch indicate that taxpayers in the Herberton SA2 earned a median income of $39,745 and an average income of $49,628, below the Regional Qld equivalents of $53,146 and $66,593 as well as national figures. Factoring in an 11.36% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, local earnings are estimated at roughly $44,260 (median) and $55,266 (average) as of March 2026. Across household, family, and individual measures, Census records position local earnings within the 1st to 2nd percentiles nationwide.
The largest income cohort encompasses 32.2% of residents (1,858 people) earning between $400 - 799 weekly, contrasting with Regional Qld where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket is largest at 31.7%. Overall, 44.7% earn beneath $800 weekly. Despite manageable housing outlays where households keep 87.1% of income, total disposable earnings place in the 4th percentile across Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Herberton had 2,078 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 96% detached houses and 1% apartments. 27% are owned with a mortgage, 21% rented and 52% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $230 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,083 a month. Rent absorbs 25.6% of household income here and mortgage repayments 27.8%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census statistics reveal that Herberton's housing stock is predominantly composed of separate houses at 96.2%, with 3.8% categorized as alternative dwellings such as apartments, semi-detached properties, and other structures, compared with 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings throughout Regional Qld. Fully owned homes account for 51.7% of tenures, significantly outpacing the broader region, alongside 27.2% under a mortgage and 21.1% rented. Median housing costs remain comparatively affordable, featuring monthly mortgage commitments of $1,083 and weekly rental payments of $230, which sit well below the Regional Qld benchmarks of $1,655 and $345, as well as nationwide medians of $1,863 for mortgages and $375 for rent.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Herberton counted 2,078 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.2 people each. 18% are couples with children, fewer than in 92% of areas nationally, against 32% couples without children. 32% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.0 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up 63.8% of all households in the community, with couples without children representing 32.1%, couples with children accounting for 17.5%, and single parent families comprising 12.5%. Non-family living arrangements constitute the other 36.2%, led by lone person dwellings at 32.2% alongside group arrangements at 3.9%. The area records an average household size of 2.2 people, which tracks below the Regional Qld benchmark of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
13.0% of adults in Herberton hold a university qualification, including 9.1% with a bachelor degree and 1.9% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 89% of areas nationally. A further 34.2% hold a vocational qualification. 9 schools serve the area, with 840 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 866 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
Tertiary attainment levels in the area show that 13.0% of residents hold university credentials, trailing the nationwide rate of 30.4%. Among tertiary-educated locals, bachelor degrees represent 9.1%, followed by graduate diplomas at 2.0% and postgraduate degrees at 1.9%. Vocational qualifications form a significant component of local training, with 43.8% of individuals aged 15+ possessing technical certifications, consisting of 9.6% with advanced diplomas and 34.2% holding certificate-level awards. A significant 31.3% of the local population is enrolled in formal study programs. This student cohort includes 13.0% attending secondary schools, 12.1% in primary education, and 1.6% engaged in tertiary courses.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Herberton means driving: households keep an average of 1.5 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
64.3% of residents in Herberton report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 77% of areas nationally. 8.1% need daily assistance with core activities, and 46.0% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 7.5 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators compiled by AreaSearch highlight notable health considerations for Herberton across multiple age groups in terms of condition incidence and mortality. Private health insurance uptake is comparatively low, covering approximately 46% of the population (~2,655 people), which falls behind both the Regional Qld rate of 52.5% and the nationwide level of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions represent the most prevalent diagnoses among residents, reported by 10.1 and 7.6% of the population, respectively, while 64.3% report having no long-term medical conditions compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Chronic ailments are elevated among the working-age cohort.
Meanwhile, residents aged 65 and over comprise 29.8% of the community (1,721 people), exceeding the Regional Qld share of 20.3%, with local seniors recording favorable health outcomes and comparatively strong national health standings.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Herberton is largely Australian-born, at 87.2% of residents, with 4.6% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (29.0%) and Australian (26.8%). 9.1% 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
Cultural and linguistic indicators show Herberton maintains a relatively homogeneous profile, with Australian citizens making up 84.5% of residents, 87.2% born in Australia, and 95.4% speaking only English in the home. Christianity represents the primary religious affiliation, accounting for 48.5% of the populace. In terms of minority groups, the Other category accounts for 0.8% locally, aligning with the 0.8% recorded throughout Regional Qld. Regarding reported parent ancestry, the three most common backgrounds among residents are English at 29.0%, Australian at 26.8%, and Irish at 9.4%. Divergences from regional norms are also evident, with Australian Aboriginal ancestry recorded at 9.1% (compared with 3.9% regionally), Scottish heritage at 8.7% (against 7.8%), and German ancestry at 4.4% (versus 4.7%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Herberton is 52, older than 94% of areas nationally. 17.8% 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
Herberton displays an older demographic composition than its surrounding region. Residents aged 65+ account for 29.8% of the populace as at August 2026, relative to 20.4% across Regional Qld, whereas young to middle-aged adults aged 25 - 44 represent 16.0% compared to 25.5% regionally. The estimated median age reaches 52 as at August 2026, matching the 2021 Census figure, which stood 11 years higher than the Regional Qld benchmark of 41 and above the Australian median of 38 at that Census. The 45 - 64 age bracket has decreased from 32.5% at the Census to an estimated 28.3%.
Looking ahead to 2041, the 65+ cohort is projected to see the largest increase, adding 224 residents (13%) to total 1,945, while youth, younger adult, and 45 - 64 cohorts are anticipated to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Herberton
8 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 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 8 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| 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 Oct 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 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) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 3 sections | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2025 about a year ago all 3 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 2025. | ||
| 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 — 104 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (5,522 at the 2021 Census → 5,772 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 Aug 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 (306051167). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.