North Toowoomba - Harlaxton

Population growth drivers in North Toowoomba - Harlaxton are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

North Toowoomba - Harlaxton's population is approximately 6,643 as of Nov 2025. This figure represents an increase of 217 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,426. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 6,607 in June 2024 and an additional 16 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 644 persons per square kilometer. Overseas migration contributed approximately 65.3% to recent population gains in the area.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections lack age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Future population projections indicate an above median growth for non-metropolitan areas nationally. The area is expected to grow by 1,268 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of 18.6% over the 17 years based on latest annual ERP population numbers.

Residential development activity is lower than average in North Toowoomba - Harlaxton according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

North Toowoomba - Harlaxton averaged approximately 15 new dwelling approvals per year. Between Financial Years 2021 and 2025, 77 homes were approved, with an additional 35 approved in Financial Year 2026. This results in an average of 3.5 new residents arriving per dwelling constructed over the past five financial years.

The demand significantly exceeds new supply, typically leading to price growth and increased buyer competition. New properties are constructed at an average value of $287,000, below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers. This year, $12.1 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating balanced commercial development activity. Compared to the Rest of Qld, North Toowoomba - Harlaxton has significantly less development activity, 58.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new homes usually strengthens demand and prices for existing properties.

Nationally, this activity is also lower, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints. New building activity shows 69.0% detached dwellings and 31.0% townhouses or apartments, expanding medium-density options across various price brackets. The estimated population per dwelling approval in the area is 654 people, indicating a quiet, low activity development environment. By 2041, North Toowoomba - Harlaxton is expected to grow by 1,232 residents. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

North Toowoomba - Harlaxton has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 28 projects likely to affect the region. Notable initiatives include Habitat Mt Kynoch, The Willows, Harlaxton (formerly Northgate Vista Estate), New Toowoomba Hospital, and North Street Warehouse Development. The following list details those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

North Toowoomba - Harlaxton has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

North Toowoomba - Harlaxton has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate in the area was 5.2% as of September 2021, with an estimated employment growth of 5.6% over the past year.

As of September 2025, 3,202 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 6.3%, which is 1.1% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation in North Toowoomba - Harlaxton is somewhat below standard at 56.7%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Leading employment industries among residents include health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. The area has a particularly notable concentration in health care & social assistance, with employment levels at 1.3 times the regional average.

Mining has limited presence in North Toowoomba - Harlaxton with 0.9% employment compared to 3.6% regionally. During the year to September 2025, employment levels increased by 5.6%, and labour force increased by 3.8%, resulting in a decrease of unemployment by 1.6 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment rise by 1.7%, with the labour force growing by 2.1% and unemployment rising by 0.3 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 shows Queensland employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1,210 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%, broadly in line with the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these industry-specific projections to North Toowoomba - Harlaxton's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 14.1% over ten years.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

The North Toowoomba - Harlaxton SA2's median income among taxpayers in financial year 2022 was $46,868. The average income stood at $57,589 during the same period. These figures are lower than those for Rest of Qld, which were $50,780 and $64,844 respectively. Based on a Wage Price Index growth rate of 13.99% since financial year 2022, estimated median income as of September 2025 would be approximately $53,425, while the average is projected to reach $65,646. According to the 2021 Census, household incomes in North Toowoomba - Harlaxton fall between the 15th and 23rd percentiles nationally. The data shows that 29.2% of locals (1,939 people) have incomes ranging from $1,500 to $2,999. This is similar to the surrounding region where 31.7% occupy this income range. Housing affordability pressures are severe in North Toowoomba - Harlaxton, with only 82.3% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 14th percentile nationally.

North Toowoomba - Harlaxton is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In North Toowoomba - Harlaxton, as per the latest Census, 79.4% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 20.5% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This is compared to Non-Metro Qld's 81.4% houses and 18.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in North Toowoomba - Harlaxton stood at 24.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 29.7% and rented ones at 46.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,301, below Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,517. The median weekly rent was $280, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $310. Nationally, North Toowoomba - Harlaxton's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

North Toowoomba - Harlaxton features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 61.1% of all households, including 21.4% couples with children, 23.4% couples without children, and 14.7% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 38.9%, with lone person households at 34.5% and group households making up 4.5%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

Educational outcomes in North Toowoomba - Harlaxton fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

In North Toowoomba's Harlaxton area, as of 2016 data, 21.3% of residents aged 15+ held university degrees, compared to Australia's 30.4%. This indicates potential for educational development. Bachelor degrees were the most common (15.0%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.9%) and graduate diplomas (2.4%). Vocational credentials were prominent, with 36.9% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (9.6%) and certificates (27.3%).

Educational participation was high, with 32.4% of residents enrolled in formal education as of 2016. This included secondary education (10.7%), primary education (9.8%), and tertiary education (4.7%).

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

North Toowoomba - Harlaxton has 45 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by three different routes that together facilitate 316 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents located an average of 181 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 45 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately seven weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in North Toowoomba - Harlaxton is well below average with considerably higher than average prevalence of common health conditions and to an even higher degree among older age cohorts

North Toowoomba - Harlaxton faces significant health challenges, with a notably higher prevalence of common health conditions compared to averages, particularly among older age groups. Approximately 48% (~3,208 people) have private health cover, lower than Rest of Qld's 51.0% and the national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues affect 11.8% of residents, while asthma impacts 8.7%.

Conversely, 63.9% report no medical ailments, compared to 65.3% in Rest of Qld. The area has 16.1% (1,072 people) aged 65 and over, lower than Rest of Qld's 18.8%. Health outcomes for seniors require more attention than the broader population.

North Toowoomba - Harlaxton ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

North Toowoomba-Harlaxton had a cultural diversity index below the average, with 84.8% of its population being citizens, 84.2% born in Australia, and 89.9% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, making up 51.9% of the population in North Toowoomba-Harlaxton. The most significant overrepresentation was observed in the 'Other' category, which comprised 5.0% of the population compared to the regional average of 2.2%.

Regarding ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups were English at 28.2%, Australian at 27.6%, and Irish at 9.4%. Notable divergences included German, which was overrepresented at 6.8% compared to the regional average of 8.0%, Australian Aboriginal at 4.4% (regional average: 3.3%), and Scottish at 8.0% (regional average: 7.9%).

North Toowoomba - Harlaxton hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

The median age in North Toowoomba - Harlaxton is 34 years, which is notably under the Rest of Qld's average of 41 and substantially under Australia's median of 38. Relative to Rest of Qld, North Toowoomba - Harlaxton has a higher concentration of residents aged 25-34 (17.1%) but fewer residents aged 65-74 (8.6%). From the 2021 Census to present, the population aged 15 to 24 has grown from 14.8% to 16.1%, while the 35 to 44 age group increased from 11.1% to 12.3%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 age group declined from 13.4% to 10.9%, and the 45 to 54 age group dropped from 11.3% to 10.2%. By 2041, North Toowoomba - Harlaxton is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition, with the 25 to 34 age group growing by 41% (467 people), reaching 1,601 from 1,133. Meanwhile, the 15 to 24 age group is projected to contract by 19 residents.