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
Longreach has an estimated 3,753 residents, up from 3,647 at the 2021 Census — a change of 106 people, or 2.9%. Growth has averaged 0.5% a year over five years. 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 conducted by AreaSearch, the resident population of Longreach is estimated at 3,753 as of Aug 2026. This indicates an addition of 106 people (2.9%) compared to the 3,647 people recorded during the 2021 Census. This adjustment draws upon an ABS estimated resident population count of 3,741 as of June 2025 alongside 72 validated new addresses identified post-Census. Consequently, population density settles at 0.10 persons per square kilometer, ensuring considerable room for residents. Expanding by 2.9% post-2021 census, Longreach outpaced the broader SA3 area (2.7%) to stand out as a regional growth frontrunner.
Net overseas migration served as the primary demographic driver, generating approximately 93.8% of net population additions across recent periods. Projections for SA2 regions utilise 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia datasets founded on a 2022 baseline. Where SA2 figures are absent or extend beyond 2032, models integrate Queensland State Government SA2 forecasts published in 2023 from 2021 data. Because state-level estimates omit cohort breakdowns, proportional distributions from the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (published 2023, using 2022 benchmarks) are factored in by age. Demographic modeling indicates a future downward trend, forecasting a loss of 190 persons across the locality by 2041 under these parameters. Conversely, selected age segments will expand, spearheaded by the 75 to 84 age group with an anticipated rise of 78 people. Further details can be found in the age segment.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
48 new dwellings have been approved in Longreach over the past five years, an average of 9 a year. That is 2.6 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 Longreach have averaged approximately 9 new homes annually, accumulating to 48 homes across the preceding 5 financial years. With an influx averaging 1.9 new residents per new home over those 5 financial years (from FY-22 through FY-26), residential development has matched community intake soundly to underpin market balance, though the ratio tapered to 0.3 people per dwelling across the last 2 financial years to indicate even stronger supply alignment. Average construction costs for newly approved dwellings stand at $424,000, coming in under regional averages to deliver accessible price points for buyers.
Furthermore, commercial building approvals have totaled $1.8 million during this financial year, highlighting a subdued pace of commercial construction. Relative to Rest of Qld, building activity in Longreach runs slightly elevated (16.0% above regional average per person across the 5 year period), preserving healthy market availability while sustaining current asset valuations. Yet, figures remain below nationwide benchmarks, indicating local market maturity alongside potential planning barriers. Recent building activity consists of 70.0% detached dwellings alongside 30.0% medium and high-density housing, delivering an expanding proportion of townhouses and units that span entry-level apartments to traditional family residences. This marks a notable structural shift from existing local stock (presently 90.0% houses), addressing evolving lifestyle choices, budget considerations, and a tighter supply of subdivisible land. With an estimated 455 people in the area per dwelling approval, the locality maintains an unhurried, low-volume development environment. With demographic forecasts pointing toward stable or shrinking numbers, Longreach is likely to see subdued housing demand pressures, fostering advantageous conditions for incoming purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Longreach
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 10 current infrastructure and development projects inside Longreach, worth an estimated $2.01 billion. A further 69 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $319.1 billion. 20 are already under construction and 18 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 economic momentum and regional performance are closely tied to planning initiatives, capital works, and civic infrastructure upgrades. AreaSearch has pinpointed 13 key projects positioned to influence the district, highlighted by the Teal Street Affordable Housing Project, Longreach Recreational Precinct, Longreach Water Security for Growth, and Longreach Solar Farm.
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
Teal Street Affordable Housing Project
A Queensland Government Housing Investment Fund project delivering six new affordable dwellings (two three-bedroom houses and four two-bedroom units) on Teal Street, Longreach, for low-income essential service workers. Managed by Longreach Regional Council and constructed by local contractor Neuendorf Constructions. Construction commenced in early 2025.
Longreach Recreational Precinct
A $2.25 million project funded by the Australian Government's Growing Regions Program. The project will include a new fenced dog park, a pump track, a half basketball court, a botanical walkway, and shaded playgrounds with all-abilities elements, complementing the existing skate park.
Longreach Water Security for Growth
An $18.6 million project to upgrade five weirs along the Thomson River to increase water storage capacity and security for Longreach. The project includes rebuilding and raising weir walls by one metre, installing fish passages, replacing ageing water mains, and installing smart water meters to improve efficiency. The upgrades will provide additional 900 megalitres of storage and reduce water loss by 245 megalitres per year. Critical infrastructure for drought resilience and regional water security serving Longreach and surrounding communities including Ilfracombe.Funded by $7 million Queensland Government, $5 million Federal Government (National Water Grid Fund), and $6.6 million Longreach Regional Council.
Longreach Solar Farm
A 17.4 MW solar photovoltaic project developed by Canadian Solar, which began commercial operation in May 2018. The project consists of 51,330 solar panels.
Longreach Hospital Upgrade
An AUD10 million upgrade of the Longreach Hospital, which included the redevelopment of half the hospital, a full mechanical services upgrade, and a new Aramac Primary Health Centre. The project was completed in 2019.
Central Queensland Digital Infrastructure Program
Queensland Government program delivering improved digital connectivity across Central and Western Queensland to support remote communities, businesses, education, telehealth and government services. The initiative forms part of the state's broader digital infrastructure strategy, with multiple regional connectivity projects progressing through construction and delivery alongside Commonwealth co-investment programs.
Central Western Railway Line Maintenance Program
Ongoing Queensland Rail maintenance, track renewal, drainage, bridge and asset improvement works along the Central Western railway corridor serving Ilfracombe and surrounding communities. The program supports freight, passenger and tourism services and continues as part of Queensland Rail's rolling network maintenance and possession program.
Ilfracombe Heritage Precinct Development
Enhancement of the Historic Precinct including Folk Museum, Oakhampton Cottage, Romani Hall and connections to Wellshot Centre. Tourism infrastructure development to showcase local heritage and the Great Machinery Mile attraction.
2,246 residents of Longreach are employed, from a labour force of 2,275. Unemployment sits at 1.3%, with participation at 74.6%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.9% 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
Longreach is supported by a capable local workforce featuring strong representation across essential community services and a low unemployment rate of 1.3%. As of March 2026, employed locals number 2,246 residents, with joblessness tracking 2.6% below the 3.9% recorded across Regional Qld. Concurrently, labour force participation remains high at 74.6% relative to the 64.2% benchmark for Regional Qld. Census data indicated that 12.8% of employed persons worked remotely from home, though broader Covid-19 restrictions during that period should be noted. Key sectors supporting local workers include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, alongside public administration & safety.
The region demonstrates pronounced employment concentration in agriculture, forestry & fishing, representing 3.5 times the regional level of representation. By comparison, mining employment remains limited at 0.7% against the regional baseline of 3.6%. While local enterprises supply employment, a comparison between Census worker numbers and the resident headcount suggests a substantial share of workers commute outside the area for employment. AreaSearch evaluated SALM and ABS figures to determine trends for the year to March 2026, revealing a 1.0% drop in both the labour force and employment levels, which resulted in a relatively stable unemployment rate. This pattern diverges from Regional Qld, where employment increased by 0.1%, the labour force expanded by 0.3%, and unemployment climbed by 0.1 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Mar-26 provide additional context regarding potential future demand in Longreach. These projections span five and ten-year periods and have been overlaid onto the local employment profile to estimate growth trajectories. Although national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, sector-specific growth rates vary considerably. Applying these industry-specific estimates to Longreach's employment composition indicates that local employment should rise by 5.9% over five years and 12.5% over ten years, with the caveat that this represents a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not incorporate localized population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Longreach is $1,561 a week (about $81,000 a year), with median personal income at $938 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $57,826 a year against an average of $64,336. 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 statistics for financial year 2023 synthesized by AreaSearch indicate that Longreach SA2 taxpayers recorded a median income of $57,826 and an average income of $64,336. These figures trail national standards and compare against $53,146 (median) and $66,593 (average) across Regional Qld. Accounting for an 11.36% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, modeled estimates reach approximately $64,395 for median earnings and $71,645 on average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census positioned local personal earnings in the 72nd percentile ($938 weekly), whereas household earnings placed in the 39th percentile.
Income distribution shows 34.7% of the population (1,302 individuals) earning between $1,500 - 2,999, mirroring metropolitan distributions where 31.7% fall into the same bracket. Accommodation expenses remain manageable with 90.9% of income retained, although disposable earnings track lower at the 47th percentile, and the SEIFA income index ranks the locality in the 4th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Longreach had 1,342 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 90% detached houses and 3% apartments. 26% are owned with a mortgage, 39% rented and 35% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $200 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,083 a month. Rent absorbs 12.8% of household income here and mortgage repayments 16.0%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, the housing landscape in Longreach consisted of 89.8% houses and 10.2% other dwellings (incorporating units, semi-detached properties, and alternative formats), contrasting with Regional Qld where houses represented 76.4% and other dwellings made up 23.6%. Outright home ownership stood at 35.2%, outpacing the regional figure, while remaining homes were under a mortgage (25.5%) or occupied by tenants (39.2%). The typical monthly mortgage cost was $1,083, substantially below the Regional Qld benchmark of $1,655, while weekly median rent sat at $200 compared to $345 regionally. Relative to broader national averages, Longreach mortgage repayments sit well below the Australian benchmark of $1,863, and local rental figures remain significantly beneath the national level of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Longreach counted 1,342 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.3 people each. 24% are couples with children, against 28% couples without children. 33% 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 constitute the majority of local living arrangements at 63.3% of households, comprising couples with children at 24.2%, couples without children at 28.3%, and single parent families at 10.0%. Non-family living arrangements account for the other 36.7%, encompassing single-person households at 32.9% and shared group households at 3.5%. The average household density sits at 2.3 people, which is below the 2.5 person average recorded across Regional Qld.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
19.5% of adults in Longreach hold a university qualification, including 14.3% with a bachelor degree and 2.6% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 31.5% hold a vocational qualification. 6 schools serve the area, with 724 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 935 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 poses a notable challenge locally, with higher education qualification rates at 19.5% sitting well beneath the nationwide standard of 30.4%, creating a focal point for targeted educational support. Bachelor qualifications account for 14.3%, postgraduate awards represent 2.6%, and graduate diplomas comprise 2.6%. Meanwhile, vocational and technical credentials show strong prevalence, with 42.9% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational qualifications, including 11.4% with advanced diplomas and 31.5% with certificates. Engagement in learning is strong across the community, with 32.0% of the local population actively participating in educational courses. This group includes 14.4% attending primary education, 8.3% enrolled in secondary education, and 3.6% engaged in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Longreach 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
68.8% of residents in Longreach report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 75% of areas nationally. 5.0% need daily assistance with core activities, and 51.2% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 8.5 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 assessments of mortality patterns and chronic condition prevalence, Longreach encounters noticeable healthcare challenges, with common medical issues presenting across younger and older demographics alike, while private health insurance adoption is relatively modest at approximately 51% of the total population (~1,921 people). Asthma and mental health conditions represent the leading reported ailments locally, affecting 7.4% and 7.6% of residents, respectively, whereas 68.8% of the community reported having no medical conditions, slightly above the 67.6% rate across Regional Qld. Health metrics across the working-age cohort align closely with typical benchmarks.
Residents aged 65 and over constitute 18.3% of the community (687 people), trailing the 20.3% share across Regional Qld, and senior health ratings rank favorably, tracking higher nationally than the wider community average.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Longreach is largely Australian-born, at 91.2% of residents, with 3.9% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (32.0%) and English (30.6%). 4.1% 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 diversity within Longreach tracks below broader benchmarks, with Australian citizens making up 83.1% of the populace, 91.2% born in Australia, and 96.1% speaking English exclusively at home. Christianity forms the dominant religious affiliation, representing 65.9% of local residents, compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld. Examining parental heritage, the three most widespread ancestries in Longreach are Australian at 32.0% (substantially exceeding the 26.5% regional standard), English at 30.6%, and Irish at 9.5%. Certain other ethnic backgrounds display distinct representation levels, including Maori at 1.0% (compared to 0.8% regionally), German at 4.8% (versus 4.7%), and Scottish ancestry at 8.7% (compared to 7.8% across the wider region).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Longreach is 40. 25.5% 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
Age distributions in Longreach align closely with Regional Qld, with the most pronounced difference across the four primary age brackets measuring 2.7 percentage points. As of August 2026, the median age is estimated at 40, matching the 2021 Census outcome and sitting 1 year below the 41 recorded regionally at that time. Among specific cohorts, residents aged 45 - 64 have decreased from 27.0% at the Census to an estimated 24.2%. Looking ahead to 2041, the 65+ cohort is projected to see the largest gains, increasing by 70 (10%) to reach 758 persons, whereas younger age groups, children, and the 45 to 64 brackets are projected to experience reductions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Longreach
9 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 9 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. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jul 2026 3 months ago all 10 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 Jul 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 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 — 72 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (3,647 at the 2021 Census → 3,753 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 (315031412). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.