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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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Maryborough Surrounds - South has an estimated 11,194 residents, up from 9,548 at the 2021 Census — a change of 1,646 people, or 17.2%. Growth has averaged 3.8% a year over five years, faster than 88% of areas nationally. 306 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Interstate and internal migration accounts for 91.0% of that increase. 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 the analysis by AreaSearch, the population of Maryborough Surrounds - South stands at approximately 11,194 in May 2026. This represents a growth of 1,646 individuals (17.2%) relative to the 2021 Census, which counted 9,548 residents. This shift is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 11,170 alongside 306 validated new addresses recorded since the Census. The region maintains a density of 2.9 persons per square kilometer, indicating low-density living with plenty of space. The local growth rate of 17.2% since the 2021 Census outpaced the broader SA3 region (9.0%) and the Rest of Qld, positioning it as a primary growth corridor.
Most of this population gain was generated by interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 91.0% of the overall growth, though other components like overseas migration and natural increase also registered positive gains. Projections for individual SA2 areas utilize data from the ABS and Geoscience Australia published in 2024, using 2022 as a baseline. For locations without these figures, or for periods extending past 2032, projections from the Queensland State Government released in 2023 and based on 2021 records are applied instead. Because the state-level projections lack breakdowns by age, AreaSearch distributes growth across age brackets proportionally in line with the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections, which use 2022 data. Based on these anticipated demographic transitions, population growth is projected to land slightly under the median for regional Australia, with the community expected to expand by 1,216 individuals by 2041 relative to the most recent annual ERP statistics, representing a total increase of 10.7% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
446 new dwellings have been approved in Maryborough Surrounds - South over the past five years, an average of 89 a year. That places the area in the 92nd percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 8 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 64 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 100% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 65, 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
Maryborough Surrounds - South has averaged about 89 residential building approvals annually, which amounts to 446 dwellings over the previous 5 financial years. In the current FY-26 period, 60 approvals have been documented so far. An average of 4.2 new residents arrived for every finished dwelling between FY-21 and FY-25, showing that demand is outpacing supply, a trend that generally drives up property values and intensifies buyer competition. Concurrently, newly constructed homes average a value of $217,000, which sits below the regional benchmark and points to relatively affordable local buying opportunities.
Additionally, commercial building approvals have reached $14.4 million during the current financial year, representing steady commercial development. Compared with the Rest of Qld, building approvals in Maryborough Surrounds - South are slightly elevated, running 38.0% above the regional average per capita over the last 5 years, which helps maintain purchasing options while supporting property values, even though construction momentum has slowed recently. All new residential builds have consisted of standalone houses, preserving a low-density built environment oriented around family properties. The area registers roughly 162 individuals for every approved dwelling, indicating a growing local market. Long-term forecasts suggest Maryborough Surrounds - South will add 1,192 residents by 2041, looking at the most recent quarterly estimate from AreaSearch. Considering current building trends, the supply of new housing should comfortably accommodate this increase, supporting favorable conditions for purchasers and potentially allowing population gains to exceed current expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Maryborough Surrounds - South
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 9 current infrastructure and development projects inside Maryborough Surrounds - South, worth an estimated $12.3 billion. A further 131 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $155.2 billion. 49 are already under construction and 81 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans transport & logistics, residential development 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 performance is heavily shaped by developments in regional infrastructure, major construction projects, and planning changes. AreaSearch has identified 23 projects likely to impact the community. Key developments include the Bruce Highway - Tiaro Bypass, the Tiaro Bulls and Barrels Community Event, the Mungar Road Upgrade, and the Glenwood Playground, with the main projects of local significance detailed below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Tiaro Bypass (Bruce Highway Upgrade)
Construction of a new four-lane bypass on the Bruce Highway at Tiaro to improve flood immunity, safety, and efficiency between Gympie and Maryborough.
Tiaro Bulls and Barrels Community Event
A community 'Bulls and Barrels' event supported by a grant from the Fraser Coast Regional Council.
Bruce Highway - Tiaro Bypass
A new 9km, four-lane bypass of the town of Tiaro to improve safety, flood immunity, and traffic efficiency on the Bruce Highway. The project includes two grade-separated interchanges and interchanges north and south of Tiaro, detaching and rejoining the existing highway near Bauple Drive and Wilsons Road.
Mungar Road Upgrade
Widening a 1.74km section of Mungar Road between Glenbar Road and Thiess Road from a single lane to a two-lane sealed section to improve safety and rideability.
Forest Wind Farm
A proposed 1,200 MW wind farm of up to 226 turbines sited within the state-owned Tuan-Toolara exotic pine plantation between Gympie and Maryborough in the Wide Bay region. The project would generate enough clean energy for roughly 500,000 Queensland homes and avoid around 2.62 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions a year. Forest Wind was enabled by the Forest Wind Farm Development Act 2020 and obtained state development approval, but its future was thrown into serious doubt in September 2025 when the Queensland LNP government announced the repeal of that Act, citing community concerns and the earlier exit of co-developer Tilt Renewables in August 2024.The proponent disputes the basis for the decision and maintains it is still seeking a path forward, while the federal EPBC environmental assessment remains incomplete.
Glenwood Playground
Council delivered a new all-abilities playground and recreation space at Glenwood Community Space with junior and senior play areas, a multi-use sports half court, shaded seating, concrete paths and landscaping.
Glenwood Ambulance Station
Development of a business case for a new ambulance station in Glenwood to support emergency response capability in the Gympie/Wide Bay-Burnett region, as part of the Queensland Government 2025-26 Budget.
Munna Creek Solar Farm
A 120MWAC photovoltaic solar farm covering 460 hectares, capable of powering over 41,000 homes, with connection to the Ergon 132kV overhead power line network.
4,464 residents of Maryborough Surrounds - South are employed, from a labour force of 4,719. Unemployment sits at 5.4%, with participation at 48.4%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.7% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth, so in an area growing as fast as this one it understates the likely rise in local jobs. The working-day population is estimated at 9,620, about 86% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. 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 workforce is evenly distributed between blue-collar and white-collar occupations, with strong contributions from the industrial and manufacturing sectors. The unemployment rate sits at 5.4%, and the area experienced an estimated employment expansion of 8.2% over the previous year. As of March 2026, employed residents numbered 4,464. The unemployment rate is 1.5% higher than the Regional Qld benchmark of 3.9%, and participation in the labor force is low at 48.4% compared to 64.3% in Regional Qld. Census data indicates a moderate 14.1% of the workforce worked from home, though this figure was likely influenced by pandemic containment measures.
The primary employment sectors for local residents are health care & social assistance, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and construction. There is a high concentration of jobs in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with its share of employment reaching 2.8 times the regional benchmark. Conversely, accommodation & food service is underrepresented, employing only 5.5% of the local workforce compared to 8.3% across Regional Qld. Comparing the number of working residents to local job numbers indicates that local employment opportunities are somewhat limited. Based on AreaSearch's evaluation of SALM and ABS statistics, the year ending March 2026 saw employment expand by 8.2% and the labor force grow by 5.4%, which drove the unemployment rate down by 2.4 percentage points. Over the identical timeframe, Regional Qld experienced employment growth of 0.1%, labor force growth of 0.3%, and a 0.1 percentage point rise in unemployment. National forecasts released by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 offer additional context regarding future demand within Maryborough Surrounds - South. These five and ten-year projections have been aligned with the local industry mix to model growth. Although national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trends vary widely by sector. Applying these national sector trends to the local industry profile suggests employment in Maryborough Surrounds - South could grow by 5.7% over five years and 12.4% over ten years, though this is a basic weighted calculation for illustration and excludes local population changes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Maryborough Surrounds - South is $959 a week (about $50,000 a year), with median personal income at $471 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $44,599 a year against an average of $52,278. 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 postcode-level ATO records compiled by AreaSearch for the 2023 financial year, taxpayers in the Maryborough Surrounds - South SA2 recorded a median income of $44,599 and an average income of $52,278. These figures sit below the national average and are lower than the Regional Qld median of $53,146 and average of $66,593. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates would be approximately $49,665 for the median and $58,217 for the average as of March 2026. According to the Census, household, family, and individual incomes in Maryborough Surrounds - South are in the 2nd and 2nd percentiles nationwide.
The local income distribution shows that the $400 - 799 weekly income bracket is the most common, accounting for 31.7% of the population (3,548 residents), whereas metropolitan areas see the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket lead at 31.7%. Household economic indicators point to widespread financial strain, with 41.7% of households living on modest weekly budgets of less than $800. Although housing expenses are relatively low, allowing residents to retain 88.2% of their income, total disposable income falls in the 5th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Maryborough Surrounds - South had 3,777 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 98% detached houses and 0% apartments. 32% are owned with a mortgage, 11% rented and 57% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $250 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,170 a month. Rent absorbs 26.1% of household income here and mortgage repayments 28.2%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
The housing stock in Maryborough Surrounds - South at the time of the last Census was dominated by separate houses at 97.9%, with other housing types (including apartments, townhouses, and alternative structures) making up 2.1%. This contrasts with Regional Qld, where separate houses made up 76.4% and other options accounted for 23.6%. Home ownership in Maryborough Surrounds - South is high at 57.3%, with the remaining properties occupied by households with a mortgage (32.2%) or renting (10.5%). The median monthly mortgage payment in the area was $1,170, and the median weekly rent was $250, both below the Regional Qld averages of $1,655 and $345 respectively.
On a national scale, mortgage repayments in Maryborough Surrounds - South are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are below the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Maryborough Surrounds - South counted 3,777 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 4,428 today, averaging 2.2 people each. 19% are couples with children, fewer than in 89% of areas nationally, against 41% couples without children. 27% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.1 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up 69.3% of local households, consisting of couples with children at 19.2%, couples without children at 40.8%, and single parents at 8.6%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 30.7%, with lone-person households representing 26.8% and group homes representing 4.0%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is slightly smaller than the Regional Qld average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
10.2% of adults in Maryborough Surrounds - South hold a university qualification, including 7.6% with a bachelor degree and 1.4% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 94% of areas nationally. A further 36.3% hold a vocational qualification. 7 schools serve the area, with 295 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 928 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
Educational attainment levels present some obstacles, as university graduation rates (10.2%) sit far below the national benchmark of 30.4%. This represents both a key challenge and a potential focus area for local educational programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher education qualification at 7.6%, with postgraduate degrees at 1.4% and graduate diplomas at 1.2%. Technical and vocational qualifications are highly prevalent, with 46.0% of residents aged 15+ holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas (9.7%) and certificates (36.3%). A significant portion of the population, 23.7%, is currently enrolled in study.
This includes 9.2% of residents in primary education, 7.6% in high school, and 2.4% in tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Maryborough Surrounds - South means driving: households keep an average of 1.7 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
54.3% of residents in Maryborough Surrounds - South report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 83% of areas nationally. 10.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 45.8% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.0 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
An analysis of mortality rates and chronic health conditions by AreaSearch indicates notable health challenges in Maryborough Surrounds - South, with common health conditions visible across both younger and older cohorts. The rate of private health insurance coverage is low at approximately 46% of the population (about 5,126 individuals), compared to 52.5% in Regional Qld and a national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent health conditions recorded locally were arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 14.6% and 10.5% of the population respectively. Meanwhile, 54.3% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 67.6% in Regional Qld.
Chronic condition rates are elevated among the working-age population. The area is home to a high proportion of older residents, with 32.9% of the population aged 65 and over (3,682 individuals), compared to 20.4% in Regional Qld. Health outcomes for this senior cohort are generally consistent with national averages for the same age group.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Maryborough Surrounds - South is largely Australian-born, at 86.2% of residents, with 2.2% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (34.2%) and Australian (30.2%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Maryborough Surrounds - South has a lower level of cultural diversity than average, with citizens making up 87.9% of the population, 86.2% of residents born in Australia, and 97.8% speaking only English at home. The predominant religious affiliation is Christianity, followed by 52.6% of the community, which is similar to the 52.2% recorded across Regional Qld. The three largest ancestry groups represented in Maryborough Surrounds - South are English (34.2%), Australian (30.2%), and Scottish (8.5%). There are also notable differences in the representation of other backgrounds: German background is overrepresented at 6.7% of the population compared to 4.7% regionally, while Indigenous Australians represent 2.7% (compared to 3.9% regionally) and New Zealand ancestry stands at 0.6% (compared to 0.9%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Maryborough Surrounds - South is 54, older than 96% of areas nationally. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 15.7% 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 54 years in Maryborough Surrounds - South is higher than the Regional Qld average of 41 and the national average of 38. The 65 - 74 age group is particularly large, representing 21.6% of the local population compared to the regional average, while the 25 - 34 bracket is smaller at 7.2%. The concentration of residents aged 65 - 74 is also higher than the national figure of 9.4%. Since 2021, the 75 to 84 age group has increased its share of the population from 7.2% to 9.7%, and the 15 to 24 cohort rose from 7.4% to 8.5%.
In contrast, the 55 to 64 bracket fell from 21.1% to 18.0%, and the 45 to 54 group decreased from 13.4% to 11.7%. By 2041, demographic forecasts project major changes, with the 75 to 84 cohort expected to grow by 33%, adding 356 residents to reach a total of 1,442. Older residents aged 65+ are expected to account for 59% of total population growth, reflecting a broader aging trend, while both the 55 to 64 and 15 to 24 cohorts are projected to shrink.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Maryborough Surrounds - South
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 this month all 9 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 306 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (9,548 at the 2021 Census → 11,194 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 (319051525). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.