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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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Sales Activity
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.
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Sales Detail
Population
Southern Downs - East is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends
Southern Downs - East's population is approximately 4,666 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 306 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 4,360. The increase is inferred from ABS data: an estimated resident population of 4,630 in June 2025 and an additional 209 validated new addresses post-Census. This results in a density ratio of 2.9 persons per square kilometer. Southern Downs - East's growth rate of 7.0% since the 2021 Census exceeds both SA4 region (5.0%) and SA3 area, indicating it as a growth leader. Interstate migration contributed approximately 88.7% to overall population gains.
AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for each SA2 area. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections from 2023 (based on 2021 data) are adopted, applying proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Future population dynamics anticipate lower quartile growth for national regional areas, with the area expected to increase by 78 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 0.9% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
Recent residential development output has been above average within Southern Downs - East when compared nationally
Southern Downs - East has recorded approximately 28 residential properties granted approval annually over the past five financial years, totalling 143 homes. In FY-26 so far, 29 approvals have been recorded. On average, 2.1 people per year moved to the area for each new home constructed between FY-21 and FY-25, reflecting robust demand that supports property values. New homes were built at an average expected construction cost of $280,000, which is below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers.
This financial year has seen $2.3 million in commercial approvals, indicating minimal commercial development activity. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Southern Downs - East records elevated construction levels, with 48.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period. This preserves reasonable buyer options while sustaining existing property demand.
Recent construction comprises 96.0% standalone homes and 4.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. The location has approximately 145 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Southern Downs - East is expected to grow by 42 residents through to 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Southern Downs - East
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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.
Infrastructure
Southern Downs - East has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally
Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 11 projects likely impacting the area. Key projects include Warwick Solar Farm, Warwick Industrial Estate Water Recycling Pipeline, Aleva Estate Residential Development, and Warwick Saleyards Redevelopment Project. The following list details those most relevant.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Inland Rail - Gowrie to Kagaru (G2K)
The 128km Gowrie to Kagaru (G2K) section is the most technically complex link of the Inland Rail, featuring the 6.2km Toowoomba Range tunnel. As of May 2026, the project is under intense assessment following the revised draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) public consultation held in late 2025. While the Australian Government has prioritized sections between Beveridge and Parkes for 2027 completion, G2K remains in the approvals phase with a project declaration lapse date currently set for July 1, 2026. The route is divided into three subsections: Gowrie to Helidon, Helidon to Calvert, and Calvert to Kagaru.
Inland Rail - Queensland Sections
The Queensland sections of Inland Rail comprise four sub-projects: NSW/Queensland Border to Gowrie (B2G), Gowrie to Helidon (G2H), Helidon to Calvert (H2C) and Calvert to Kagaru (C2K). Combined, they were planned to deliver around 350km of new and upgraded dual-gauge track linking the existing rail network at the NSW border, near Yelarbon, through Toowoomba and on to Kagaru south of Brisbane, including a 6.2km tunnel through the Toowoomba Range and a 985m tunnel through the Teviot Range. A proposed intermodal terminal at Ebenezer would form the northern double-stack endpoint. On 6 May 2026, the Australian Government announced that Inland Rail would be consolidated, with construction to be completed only between Beveridge in Victoria and Parkes in New South Wales by the end of 2027 after an independent cost review by ACIL Allen estimated the full Melbourne to Brisbane corridor would cost more than 45 billion dollars. Works north of Parkes, including all Queensland sections, will now focus on preservation of the rail corridor and protection of sites for future intermodal terminals at Gowrie and Ebenezer. Environmental approvals and selected land acquisitions are expected to continue. The Queensland Coordinator-General previously extended the coordinated project declaration lapse dates to November 2029 while revised EIS information for the Border to Gowrie and Gowrie to Helidon projects is finalised. Any future delivery of the Queensland sections is now subject to a separate Australian Government decision, with completion not expected before 2036 if reactivated.
Inland Rail - NSW/Queensland Border to Gowrie (B2G)
The Border to Gowrie (B2G) section of Inland Rail involves 217km of track, comprising 149km of new dual-gauge track and 68km of upgraded track. This segment links the NSW/QLD border to Gowrie Junction, passing through Yelarbon, Inglewood, and Millmerran. As of May 2026, the project is in the environmental approvals stage. The Queensland Coordinator-General recently extended the project declaration lapse date to 1 November 2029 to allow for additional environmental information and design refinements in response to 2025 community feedback. Major construction is anticipated to commence in 2029.
Toowoomba to Warwick Pipeline
Approximately 111 km underground raw water pipeline transferring water from Wivenhoe Dam via existing Toowoomba bulk water infrastructure (connecting near Mount Kynoch Water Treatment Plant) to a new 15 ML reservoir near Leslie Dam in Warwick. Provides permanent treated water supply to Cambooya, Greenmount, Nobby and Clifton; drought contingency supply to Warwick, Allora, Yangan and (by carting) Stanthorpe and Killarney. Procurement for head contractor underway (as of mid-2024), with construction planned to commence 2026 and completion targeted for 2027 (weather and conditions permitting). Queensland Government-funded project delivered by Seqwater.
Warwick Home & Co Retail Centre
A fully refurbished 2,522sqm large format retail centre completed in March 2025, anchored by national tenants Repco and Choice The Discount Store. The centre was transformed from a former Bunnings warehouse and features 41 on-grade car spaces. Stage Two development is underway with DA approval imminent for an additional 1,895sqm retail centre with 46 car parks, pre-committed to SNAP Fitness and other national retailers. Located on Warwick's main thoroughfare with excellent visibility and access via three street frontages.
Inland Rail - Kagaru to Acacia Ridge and Bromelton (K2ARB)
The Kagaru to Acacia Ridge and Bromelton (K2ARB) section of Inland Rail involves enhancements to approximately 49km of existing dual-gauge track between Brisbane and the NSW-QLD border for double-stacked freight trains. Works include track lowering, bridge modifications, and new/extended crossing loops at locations such as Larapinta, Greenbank, and Bromelton. This section remains in planning with no construction underway as of November 2025. Note: The original dedicated K2ARB alignment was discontinued following the 2023 Independent Review of Inland Rail; enhancements to the existing corridor are under consideration but not yet committed.
Warwick Solar Farm
Large-scale solar photovoltaic facility designed to generate clean renewable energy for the Queensland grid. The solar farm features thousands of solar panels across multiple hectares with battery storage capacity to provide consistent power supply. The project supports Queensland's renewable energy targets and provides local employment during construction and operation phases.
Warwick Saleyards Redevelopment Project
Major redevelopment of the historic Warwick Saleyards to create a modern livestock selling facility with improved animal welfare standards, enhanced facilities for buyers and sellers, and increased capacity. The project includes new covered selling areas, improved drainage, upgraded roads and enhanced biosecurity measures to maintain Warwick's position as a leading cattle selling centre.
Employment
Southern Downs - East ranks among the top 25% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance
Southern Downs - East had, as of December 2025, an unemployment rate of 2.7% and estimated employment growth of 5.1% over the past year. This region has a balanced workforce with diverse sector representation, similar to Regional Qld's workforce participation rate of 64.5%. In this area, 17.3% of residents worked from home, as per Census responses, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.
Leading employment industries among residents are agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. The area shows strong specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing (4.8 times the regional level), but limited presence in health care & social assistance (12.5% compared to 16.1% regionally). Employment opportunities locally appear limited, as indicated by Census working population vs resident population count. Over a 12-month period, employment increased by 5.1%, labour force by 6.2%, causing unemployment rate to rise by 1.0 percentage points.
By comparison, Regional Qld recorded employment growth of 0.7%, labour force growth of 1.0%, with unemployment rising 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 estimate future demand within Southern Downs - East based on local employment profile. Over five years, national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6%, and over ten years by 13.7%. Applying these projections to the area suggests local employment should increase by 5.4% over five years and 11.8% over ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis
The Southern Downs - East SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $43,406 and an average income of $51,023 in the financial year 2023, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is lower than national averages, contrasting with Regional Qld's median income of $53,146 and average income of $66,593. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% from financial year 2023 to March 2026, estimated incomes would be approximately $48,337 (median) and $56,819 (average). The 2021 Census showed household, family and personal incomes in Southern Downs - East falling between the 12th and 16th percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicated that 28.8% of the population (1,343 individuals) had incomes within the $1,500 - $2,999 range, similar to surrounding regions where 31.7% fell into this bracket. Housing costs were modest with 88.4% of income retained, but total disposable income ranked at just the 21st percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Southern Downs - East is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership
Southern Downs - East's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 99.0% houses and 1.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This contrasts with Regional Qld's 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Southern Downs - East stood at 51.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 33.8% and rented ones at 15.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,386, lower than Regional Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent figure was recorded as $240, compared to Regional Qld's $345. Nationally, Southern Downs - East's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Southern Downs - East has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size
Family households account for 74.4% of all households, including 25.4% couples with children, 39.6% couples without children, and 8.3% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 25.6%, consisting of 23.5% lone person households and 2.3% group households. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Regional Queensland average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Southern Downs - East faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally
The area's university qualification rate is 17.0%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common among residents with higher qualifications at 12.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.9%) and graduate diplomas (2.1%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 39.4% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (9.1%) and certificates (30.3%). Educational participation is high, with 25.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including primary (10.4%), secondary (9.2%), and tertiary (2.0%) levels.
Educational participation is notably high, with 25.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.4% in primary education, 9.2% in secondary education, and 2.0% pursuing tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is very low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
Southern Downs - East has five active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These stops are served by one route, offering a total of ten weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is limited in the area, with residents located an average of 8189 meters from their nearest stop. The majority of residents commute outward daily, primarily using cars (92%), while 6% walk to their destinations. On average, there are 1.9 vehicles per dwelling, higher than the regional norm. According to the 2021 Census, 17.3% of residents work from home, a figure possibly influenced by COVID-19 conditions.
The service frequency averages one trip per day across all routes, resulting in approximately two weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Health performance in Southern Downs - East is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts
Southern Downs - East faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Common health conditions are somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is extremely low at approximately 46% of the total population, which consists of around 2,151 people.
This compares to 52.5% in Regional Qld and a national average of 55.7%. The most common medical conditions are arthritis and asthma, impacting 10.6 and 7.7% of residents respectively. However, 64.8% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 67.6% in Regional Qld. Working-age residents show above average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 29.1% of residents aged 65 and over, which totals 1,357 people, higher than the 20.4% in Regional Qld. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, with national rankings even higher than those of the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
The latest Census data sees Southern Downs - East placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics
Southern Downs - East had a low cultural diversity, with 90.7% being citizens, 91.6% born in Australia, and 97.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, at 68.1%, compared to Regional Qld's 52.2%. Top ancestry groups were Australian (31.6%), English (31.4%), and Irish (11.6%).
Notably, Scottish (9.6%) and German (5.5%) were overrepresented, while Australian Aboriginal was underrepresented at 2.4%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Southern Downs - East ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide
Southern Downs - East has a median age of 51, which is higher than Regional Queensland's figure of 41 and Australia's national average of 38 years. The 65-74 age cohort is notably over-represented in Southern Downs - East at 17.7%, compared to the Regional Qld average, while the 25-34 year-olds are under-represented at 7.2%. This concentration of the 65-74 age group is well above the national average of 9.4%. Between 2021 and present, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 7.2% to 8.6% of the population. Conversely, the 5 to 14 age cohort has declined from 11.4% to 9.4%, and the 45 to 54 age group has dropped from 14.3% to 12.8%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections show significant shifts in Southern Downs - East's age structure. The 85+ age cohort is projected to increase markedly, expanding by 80 people (62%) from 129 to 210. Senior residents aged 65 and above will drive 67% of population growth, highlighting demographic aging trends. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 45-54 and 35-44 age cohorts.