Tara

Tara has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Tara's population was approximately 4,223 as of November 2025, reflecting a growth of 372 people since the 2021 Census. The population in 2021 was recorded as 3,851. This increase is inferred from an estimated resident population of 4,000 in June 2024 and an additional 279 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio is 0.30 persons per square kilometer. Tara's growth rate of 9.7% since the 2021 census exceeded that of the SA3 area (5.2%) and the SA4 region, indicating it as a growth leader in the region. Natural growth contributed approximately 47.5% of overall population gains during recent periods, with other factors such as overseas migration and interstate migration also being positive contributors.

AreaSearch adopts 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 used, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 and based on 2022 data. Projections indicate a decline in overall population over this period, with the area's population expected to decrease by 250 persons by 2041. However, growth is anticipated in specific age cohorts, notably the 75 to 84 age group, projected to increase by 60 people.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Tara, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Tara has received approximately 4 dwelling approvals annually. Over the past 5 financial years, from FY21 to FY25, 22 homes were approved, with a further 7 approved in FY26 up to now. The average number of new residents per year arriving for each new home over these years is around 0.4.

This suggests that new supply is meeting or exceeding demand, providing ample buyer choice and capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts. The average construction cost value of new homes is $198,000, which is below the regional average, indicating more affordable housing options. In FY26, $4.3 million in commercial approvals have been registered, suggesting limited focus on commercial development. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Tara records about three-quarters the building activity per person.

Nationally, it ranks at the 34th percentile of areas assessed, indicating more limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing dwellings. However, building activity has accelerated in recent years. Recent activity consists entirely of detached houses, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 470, reflecting a quiet, low activity development environment. Given stable or declining population forecasts, Tara may experience less housing pressure, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

Tara has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 18 projects that may impact the area. Key projects include New Tara Hospital, Origin Energy Darling Downs Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), Western Downs Green Power Hub, and Sixteen Mile Solar Farm. 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.

Employment conditions in Tara face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Tara's workforce comprises diverse sectors with equal white and blue-collar jobs, having an unemployment rate of 12.3% as of September 2025. There are 1,593 employed residents, with an unemployment rate 8.3% higher than Rest of Qld's 4.1%.

Workforce participation is lower at 46.6%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key industries include agriculture, forestry & fishing, education & training, and health care & social assistance. Tara specializes in agriculture, forestry & fishing with a share 9.2 times the regional level, but has fewer jobs in health care & social assistance at 7.6% compared to Rest of Qld's 16.1%. Local employment opportunities appear limited based on Census data analysis.

Between September 2024 and September 2025, Tara's labour force increased by 6.6%, while employment declined by 0.9%, raising unemployment by 6.6 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment growth of 1.7% and labour force growth of 2.1%, with a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment. Statewide, Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1,210 jobs) as of 25-Nov, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. National forecasts project total employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Tara's industry mix suggests local employment should increase by 4.6% over five years and 10.5% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

The median taxpayer income in Tara SA2 according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year ending June 30, 2022 is $39,433. The average income was $44,751 during this period. This figure is below the national average of $68,883. In contrast, Rest of Qld had a median income of $50,780 and an average income of $64,844 in the same year. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year ending June 30, 2022, current estimates would be approximately $44,950 for median income and $51,012 for average income as of September 2025. Census data reveals that household, family and personal incomes in Tara all fall between the 2nd and 3rd percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows that 30.9% of residents earn between $400 - $799 weekly (1,304 residents), unlike trends in the surrounding region where 31.7% fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 range. This concentration highlights economic challenges faced by a significant portion of the community. Housing costs are modest with 91.9% of income retained, but total disposable income ranks at just the 6th percentile nationally.

Tara is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Tara, as per the latest Census evaluation, 94.1% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 5.9% being other types such as semi-detached properties, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This is compared to Non-Metro Qld's figures of 90.3% houses and 9.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Tara stood at 57.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 20.0% and rented ones at 22.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $790, significantly lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,300. Weekly rent in Tara was recorded at $180, substantially below Non-Metro Qld's figure of $230 and the national average of $375. Nationally, Tara's median monthly mortgage repayment is significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863.

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

Family households constitute 62.3% of all households, including 21.8% couples with children, 28.8% couples without children, and 10.3% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 37.7%, with lone person households at 32.7% and group households accounting for 4.9%. The median household size is 2.3 people, smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

Tara faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area has university qualification rates of 10.6%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This discrepancy offers both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 8.3%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.3%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.0%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 40.5% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (9.2%) and certificates (31.3%).

Educational participation is high, with 28.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 13.8% in primary education, 8.8% in secondary education, and 1.8% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health performance in Tara is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Tara faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Private health cover stands at approximately 49% (~2,073 people), lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (11.8%) and mental health issues (9.9%). Conversely, 58.2% report no medical ailments, compared to 67.6% in Rest of Qld. Tara has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 21.8% (~919 people), exceeding the Rest of Qld's 18.2%. Health outcomes among seniors largely align with those of the general population.

The latest Census data sees Tara placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Tara's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 85.5% of its population being citizens, 90.7% born in Australia, and 96.6% speaking English only at home. The dominant religion in Tara is Christianity, which accounts for 59.5% of the population. This compares to 64.6% across the Rest of Qld.

Regarding ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three groups represented in Tara are Australian (32.5%), English (30.8%), and Scottish (8.4%). Notably, certain ethnic groups have different representations: German is overrepresented at 5.9% in Tara compared to 5.3% regionally, Australian Aboriginal is underrepresented at 5.6% versus 6.7%, and Hungarian is slightly higher than the regional average at 0.3%.

Tara hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Tara's median age is 47 years, which is notably higher than Rest of Qld's median age of 41 years, and significantly older than the national norm of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of Qld average, Tara has an over-representation of the 55-64 cohort at 17.2%, while the 35-44 year-olds are under-represented at 10.4%. This concentration in the 55-64 age group is well above the national average of 11.2%. Between 2021 and present, the 25 to 34 age group has grown from 9.2% to 10.4%, while the 75 to 84 cohort increased from 5.9% to 7.0%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 15.2% to 13.2%, and the 5 to 14 group dropped from 12.2% to 10.8%. Demographic modeling suggests that Tara's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 75 to 84 age cohort is projected to expand by 35 people (12%), growing from 293 to 329. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are expected to account for 88% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 0 to 4 and 65 to 74 cohorts.