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
Moranbah has an estimated 9,947 residents, up from 9,425 at the 2021 Census — a change of 522 people, or 5.5%. Growth has averaged 0.8% a year over five years. Natural increase accounts for 62.2% 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 research conducted by AreaSearch, the resident count of Moranbah stands at approximately 9,947 as of Aug 2026. Compared to the 2021 Census tally of 9,425 people, this represents an expansion of 522 people (5.5%). This adjustment is derived from ABS figures showing an estimated resident population of 9,928 as of June 2025 alongside 57 validated new addresses identified post-Census. With these numbers, the local density reaches 3.3 persons per square kilometer, ensuring considerable room per resident. Moranbah's 5.5% post-Census increase sits within 2.2 percentage points of the wider SA3 area (7.7%), demonstrating sound growth momentum.
The primary catalyst for demographic expansion has been natural increase, which generated roughly 62.2% of recent overall population gains. Projections compiled by the ABS and Geoscience Australia, issued in 2024 using 2022 as a base year, are utilised by AreaSearch for SA2 areas. Where this coverage is absent, as well as for intervals after 2032, AreaSearch incorporates Queensland State Government SA2 projections published in 2023 from 2021 baseline figures. Because these state forecasts lack age group breakdowns, proportional distribution weights derived from the ABS Greater Capital Region series (released in 2023 from 2022 data) are applied across respective cohorts. Based on these projected trends, population gains are tracking just below the regional Australian median, with Moranbah expected to add 607 persons to 2041 relative to latest annual ERP statistics, representing an overall expansion of 5.9% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential building approvals in Moranbah are minimal, averaging 3 dwelling approvals annually and totalling 19 approvals over five years. This constrained pipeline aligns with the rural character of the locality, where construction tends to be stimulated by direct local requirements rather than broad market activity. Given the modest volume of approvals, annual rates and comparisons can shift sharply due to single projects. Building activity in Moranbah tracks substantially lower than in Rest of Qld, while also trailing national benchmarks by a wide margin. Recent building activity consists of 25.0% detached houses and 75.0% attached dwellings.
This shift toward medium-density formats creates accessible options for first-home buyers, downsizers, and investors. It diverges noticeably from the current housing stock (currently 82.0% houses), pointing to tighter supplies of developable land while catering to changing housing affordability needs and lifestyle choices. Long-term forecasts anticipate Moranbah gaining 588 residents by 2041 relative to the latest quarterly estimate from AreaSearch. Should building rates stay at current levels, the addition of new dwellings could fall behind population expansion, potentially intensifying competition among purchasers and underpinning firmer price growth.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Moranbah
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 Moranbah, worth an estimated $282 million. A further 84 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $37.8 billion. 29 are already under construction and 31 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans energy, transport & logistics and residential development. 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 and social outcomes are heavily shaped by strategic planning initiatives, key infrastructure works, and major capital investments. AreaSearch has pinpointed 15 projects in total that are anticipated to influence the district. Prominent developments include Isaac Resources Excellence Precinct, Moranbah Mixed Use Development, Moranbah North Waste Coal Mine Gas Power Project Expansion, and Moranbah Affordable Housing Project, with further details on critical works outlined below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Isaac Resources Excellence Precinct
A jointly funded innovation, research and training precinct in Moranbah focused on resources, critical minerals, mine rehabilitation, renewable energy, workforce development and industry collaboration. Construction is continuing with staged works scheduled through mid-2027, alongside industry partnerships and tenant planning.
Moranbah Mixed Use Development
DA approved staged mixed-use development in Moranbah comprising 132 mixed zoned lots, including a 96-apartment complex and a 96-room hotel. Civil works for power, water, roads, and infrastructure completed, with millions invested. Positioned to support mining expansion with new housing demands from upcoming Winchester South Project Coal mine.
Isaac Regional Local Government Infrastructure Plan
Draft infrastructure plan covering transport, water supply, parks and sewerage networks across the Isaac region including St Lawrence. Focuses on high-level infrastructure essential for future development over the next 10 to 15 years in urban and rural sectors.
Moranbah North Waste Coal Mine Gas Power Project Expansion
The project involved an 18 MW expansion of the existing Moranbah North Waste Coal Mine Gas Power Station, increasing its total capacity to 63 MW. It captures and combusts waste coal mine gas to generate electricity for the national grid, providing approximately 400 GWh annually and avoiding around 313,000 tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions per year.
Moranbah Community Centre Revitalisation
Major upgrade of 50-year-old community centre to address growing corporate and community needs. Funded by Resources Community Infrastructure Fund and Isaac Regional Council.
Moranbah Resource Recovery Centre Expansion
Expansion and improvement of Moranbah's waste facility including a new refuse transfer station, a 30,000 m2 engineered and lined landfill cell, and stormwater and leachate ponds to improve environmental performance and regional capacity.
Moranbah Affordable Housing Project
A 16-unit affordable housing complex in Moranbah, including five units designed to Liveable Housing Australia's gold standards for tenants supported by the National Disability Insurance Scheme, providing safe and secure homes for the community.
Moranbah Town Square Development Project
Community infrastructure project removing old fountain structure and creating new creative garden setting with benches, shade structures, water features and improved lighting.
6,596 residents of Moranbah are employed, from a labour force of 6,678. Unemployment sits at 1.2%, with participation at 87.1%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 4.2% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 11,150, about 112% of the resident population, so the area draws in more workers than it sends out. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Moranbah possesses a highly capable labour pool with substantial representation across manufacturing and industrial sectors, an unemployment rate of only 1.2%, and an estimated annual employment rise of 4.7%. As of March 2026, employed residents total 6,596, while the local jobless rate sits 2.7% under the 3.9% recorded for Regional Qld. Labour force participation is exceptionally strong at 87.1% versus 64.2% across Regional Qld. According to Census records, working from home was limited to 3.9% of local workers, though the context of Covid-19 restrictions must be noted. Mining, accommodation & food, along with education & training represent the primary fields of employment for residents.
The concentration in mining is particularly pronounced, registering at 11.8 times the regional benchmark. Conversely, health care & social assistance accounts for only 4.2% of the local workforce, trailing the Regional Qld figure of 16.1%. A Census-recorded ratio of 0.9 workers per resident indicates strong local job generation. Evaluations by AreaSearch using ABS and SALM data indicate that during the 12 months to March 2026, employment expanded by 4.7% while the labour pool expanded by 5.4%, resulting in a 0.6 percentage points rise in the unemployment rate. Over the same timeframe, Regional Qld saw employment rise by 0.1%, labour supply grow by 0.3%, and unemployment edge up by 0.1 percentage points. National employment outlooks from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide additional context regarding future labour demand in Moranbah. When mapped across local industry structures, these five and ten-year national outlooks (projecting broad expansions of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years) suggest Moranbah's workforce could grow by 4.2% over five years and 10.5% over ten years, noting this extrapolation applies sector weightings without accounting for local population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Moranbah is $3,079 a week (about $160,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,553 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $93,441 a year against an average of $105,814. 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 records for financial year 2023 analysed by AreaSearch position Moranbah SA2 incomes within the country's upper percentile, recording a median income of $93,441 and an average income of $105,814. These results far exceed Regional Qld, where the median is $53,146 and the average is $66,593. Accounting for an 11.36% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, updated estimates reach roughly $104,056 (median) and $117,834 (average) as of March 2026. In the 2021 Census, personal, family, and household earnings all placed between the 97th and 98th percentiles nationwide.
The largest bracket includes 3,292 residents (33.1%) earning between $1,500 - 2,999 weekly, aligning with the 31.7% observed across the wider region. High earnings underpin the area's financial standing, with 51.8% of households generating weekly incomes above $3,000 to bolster retail capacity. Residents keep 95.5% of income after paying for housing, highlighting strong disposable income, while the SEIFA income metric ranks the locality in the 5th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Moranbah had 2,634 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 82% detached houses and 1% apartments. 20% are owned with a mortgage, 71% rented and 9% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $111 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,300 a month. Rent absorbs 3.6% of household income here and mortgage repayments 9.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census records indicate Moranbah's residential stock was made up of 81.9% houses and 18.1% other dwellings (apartments, semi-detached, and other types), compared to 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings across Regional Qld. Outright home ownership in Moranbah stood lower than the broader region at 8.8%, with 19.8% of homes carrying a mortgage and 71.3% being rented. Median monthly mortgage costs in the locality sat well beneath the Regional Qld benchmark at $1,300, while median weekly rent was $111, compared to $1,655 and $345 across Regional Qld. Relative to Australian averages, Moranbah's mortgage payments are substantially lower than the $1,863 national median, and local rents sit far below the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Moranbah counted 2,634 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 2,780 today, averaging 2.8 people each. 42% are couples with children, more than in 84% of areas nationally, against 22% couples without children. 22% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.6 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up 75.5% of all local households, divided between couples with children at 42.4%, couples without children at 22.2%, and single parent families at 9.8%. The remaining 24.5% consists of non-family living arrangements, encompassing lone person households at 21.5% and group households at 3.1%. The average household size stands at 2.8 people, higher than the 2.5 person average recorded for Regional Qld.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
18.0% of adults in Moranbah hold a university qualification, including 13.3% with a bachelor degree and 2.8% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 42.7% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 1,939 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 958 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
Attainment of higher education presents a challenge in the area, with 18.0% holding tertiary qualifications against the Australian average of 30.4%, highlighting scope for targeted learning programs. Bachelor degrees form the largest share of higher qualifications at 13.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.8%) and graduate diplomas (1.9%). Conversely, vocational qualifications are widespread, with 51.4% of residents aged 15+ holding technical credentials, comprising certificates (42.7%) and advanced diplomas (8.7%). Current participation in education is strong, with 42.9% of the population engaged in formal study. This cohort includes 19.6% attending primary education, 11.1% in secondary education, and 3.4% enrolled in tertiary education programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Moranbah means driving: households keep an average of 1.8 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
78.8% of residents in Moranbah report no long-term health condition. 1.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 73.1% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.2 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 in Moranbah are favourable based on AreaSearch metrics for mortality and chronic illnesses, with low condition rates across both younger and older cohorts, alongside an exceptionally high private health insurance rate of approximately 73% of the total population (7,271 people). This compares to 52.5% in Regional Qld and a national average of 55.7%. Asthma and mental health issues represent the most common diagnosed conditions locally, affecting 8.6 and 6.8% of residents, respectively, while 78.8% reported no chronic medical conditions at all, outperforming the 67.6% rate across Regional Qld.
Working-age cohorts display strong general health with minimal chronic disease. Seniors aged 65 and over comprise 3.7% of the community (372 people), below the 20.3% share across Regional Qld, and register health ratings that surpass broader national averages.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Moranbah is largely Australian-born, at 85.4% of residents, with 7.9% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (30.2%) and English (28.7%). 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 in Moranbah tracks below national norms, with Australian citizens making up 74.8% of the population, 85.4% born in Australia, and 92.1% using only English at home. Christianity is the predominant faith, accounting for 45.5% of the local population. The most visible higher concentration among other affiliations is in Other, which represents 0.7% of residents compared to 0.8% across Regional Qld. Looking at ancestral backgrounds (based on parental birthplace), the primary ancestries in Moranbah are Australian at 30.2%, English at 28.7%, and Irish at 7.3%. Several other backgrounds show distinctive local concentrations, including Filipino at 2.3% (vs 0.9%), Maori at 1.7% (vs 0.8% regionally), and New Zealand at 1.1% (vs 0.9%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Moranbah is 31, younger than 95% of areas nationally. 32.3% 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
Moranbah exhibits a pronounced demographic focus on family creation. Adults aged 25 - 44 represent 39.5% of the population as at August 2026, compared to 25.5% in Regional Qld, while residents aged 65+ comprise 3.7%, well under the regional proportion of 20.4%. AreaSearch calculates the median age at 31 as at August 2026, remaining at the level recorded in the 2021 Census, which sits 10 years below the Regional Qld median of 41 and below the national median of 38 from that Census. The share of children and young adults (0 - 24) has decreased from 36.8% at Census time to an estimated 34.1%.
By 2041, the 25 - 44 age group is projected to see the largest absolute increase, adding 479 (12%) to reach 4,407 residents, whereas older cohorts (65+) will record the fastest relative expansion, rising 32% to 492 residents, alongside an expected contraction in the 0 - 24 cohort.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Moranbah
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 | Aug 2026 2 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 Aug 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 — 57 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (9,425 at the 2021 Census → 9,947 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 (312011341). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.