Toowoomba - Central
Statistical Area - sa2

An assessment of population growth drivers in Toowoomba - Central reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Toowoomba - Central's population was approximately 14,380 as of August 2025. This figure reflects an increase of 393 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 13,987. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 14,369 in June 2024 and an additional 27 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 1,510 persons per square kilometer, above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed approximately 81.3% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are used. Note that these state projections do not provide age category splits; thus, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data for each age cohort. Future population trends suggest lower quartile growth for locations outside capital cities, with the area expected to expand by 618 persons to 2041, recording a total gain of 4.2% over 17 years.

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

Toowoomba - Central has seen approximately 45 new homes approved annually. Development approval data, produced by the ABS on a financial year basis, shows 226 homes over the past five years from FY-20 to FY-25, with six approvals in FY-26 so far. On average, 1.8 new residents per year per dwelling have been constructed during this period. This indicates a balance between supply and demand, maintaining stable market dynamics.

The average construction value of new properties is $380,000, reflecting more affordable housing options compared to regional norms. In FY-26, commercial approvals totalled $80.5 million, indicating high local commercial activity. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Toowoomba - Central has significantly less development activity, 73.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established properties. This activity is also below the national average, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. New building activity shows 37.0% detached houses and 63.0% attached dwellings, indicating a shift towards compact living which offers affordable entry pathways, attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. This represents a notable change from the existing housing stock, currently 70.0% houses, suggesting decreasing availability of developable sites and changing lifestyles.

With approximately 969 people per dwelling approval, Toowoomba - Central reflects a highly mature market. Future projections show an addition of 607 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Toowoomba - Central has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 31stth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 51 projects likely affecting the region. Notable initiatives include Toowoomba Railway Parklands Priority Development Area, Toowoomba to Warwick Pipeline, Retirement Village (86 Units) - Single Storey, and Mater Dei Primary School Early Years Precinct. The following list details those most relevant.

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

AreaSearch analysis indicates Toowoomba - Central maintains employment conditions that align with national benchmarks

Toowoomba Central has a skilled workforce with key sectors well represented. Its unemployment rate was 4.3% as of June 2021, showing an estimated employment growth of 15.3% over the past year.

As of June 2025, 7865 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.3%, slightly higher than Rest of Qld's 3.9%. Workforce participation is similar to Rest of Qld at 59.1%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade, with health care being particularly strong at 1.4 times the regional level. Mining employs only 0.9% of local workers compared to Rest of Qld's 3.6%.

The area functions as an employment hub with 1.5 jobs per resident. Over June 2024 to June 2025, employment increased by 15.3%, labour force grew by 13.0%, and unemployment fell by 1.9 percentage points, contrasting with Rest of Qld's trends. State-level data from Sep-25 shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.23%, with an unemployment rate of 4.2% compared to the national rate of 4.5%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts suggest national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, varying by industry sectors. Applying these projections to Toowoomba Central's employment mix indicates local growth of approximately 6.9% over five years and 14.5% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Toowoomba - Central's median income among taxpayers was $51,743 and average income stood at $63,578 in financial year 2022, according to the latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. These figures compare to Rest of Qld's median income of $50,780 and average income of $64,844 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $57,802 (median) and $71,023 (average) as of March 2025. According to the 2021 Census figures, household, family, and personal incomes in Toowoomba - Central rank modestly, between the 23rd and 38th percentiles. Income analysis shows that the largest segment comprises 32.6% earning $1,500-$2,999 weekly (4,687 residents), consistent with broader trends across the metropolitan region showing 31.7% in the same category. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.1% of income remaining, ranking at the 23rd percentile.

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

Dwelling structure in Toowoomba - Central, as evaluated at the latest Census held on 28 August 2016, comprised 70.4% houses and 29.6% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This is compared to Non-Metro Qld's dwelling structure of 81.4% houses and 18.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Toowoomba - Central stood at 25.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 28.0% and rented dwellings at 46.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,400, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,517 recorded in June 2021. Weekly rent figures for Toowoomba - Central were recorded at $295 in March 2022, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $310 and the national average of $375 as of July 2022. Nationally, Toowoomba - Central's median mortgage repayments are significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863.

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

Family households constitute 58.5% of all households, including 20.4% couples with children, 23.7% couples without children, and 12.8% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 41.5%, with lone person households at 37.1% and group households comprising 4.5%. The median household size is 2.2 people, smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

Educational attainment in Toowoomba - Central aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 26.7% among residents aged 15+, surpassing the Rest of Qld average of 20.6%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 18.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.4%) and graduate diplomas (3.1%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 35.6% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 9.9% and certificates at 25.7%.

Educational participation is high, with 30.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.3% in primary, 8.2% in secondary, and 5.6% in tertiary education. There are nine schools operating within Toowoomba - Central, educating approximately 3,720 students. Toowoomba - Central has typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 997) with balanced educational opportunities. The area's six primary and three secondary schools serve distinct age groups. Functioning as an education hub, the area has 25.9 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 17.2, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

Transport analysis indicates 110 active public transport stops operating within Toowoomba Central. These stops are served by a mix of buses along eight individual routes, collectively providing 939 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 189 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 134 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately eight weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Toowoomba - Central is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data shows significant issues in Toowoomba - Central.

Both younger and older age groups have high prevalence of common health conditions. Private health cover is at approximately 51% (7,362 people), slightly below the average SA2 area rate. Mental health issues affect 11.2% of residents, while arthritis impacts 9.0%. 64.2% report no medical ailments, compared to 65.3% in Rest of Qld. 16.8% are aged 65 and over (2,412 people), lower than the 18.8% in Rest of Qld. Senior health outcomes present challenges broadly similar to those of the general population.

In terms of cultural diversity, Toowoomba - Central records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Toowoomba-Central's cultural diversity aligns with the broader region: 84.2% are citizens, 81.5% were born in Australia, and 87.1% speak English only at home. Christianity dominates Toowoomba-Central at 53.4%. The population shows an overrepresentation of 'Other' religions (3.8%, compared to 2.2% regionally).

Top ancestral groups are English (27.3%), Australian (25.0%), and Irish (10.3%). Notable differences exist for German (7.4% vs regional 8.0%), Scottish (8.6% vs 7.9%), and Australian Aboriginal (3.1% vs 3.3%) groups.

Toowoomba - Central's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Toowoomba - Central has a median age of 36, which is lower than the Rest of Qld figure of 41 years, and marginally lower than Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of Qld average, individuals aged 25-34 are notably over-represented in Toowoomba - Central, making up 19.1% of its population, while those aged 65-74 are under-represented at 8.7%. Between 2021 and the present day, the proportion of individuals aged 25 to 34 has grown from 15.8% to 19.1%, while the proportion of those aged 45 to 54 has declined from 12.4% to 11.0%. Additionally, the proportion of individuals aged 65 to 74 has dropped from 9.7% to 8.7%. Demographic modeling suggests that by the year 2041, Toowoomba - Central's age profile will evolve significantly. The number of individuals in the 25 to 34 age cohort is projected to expand by 626 people, increasing from 2,740 to 3,367. Conversely, both the 5 to 14 and 65 to 74 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.