Toowoomba - East
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Toowoomba - East's population was approximately 10,812 as of November 2025, according to AreaSearch's analysis. This figure represents an increase of 279 people, a 2.6% rise from the 2021 Census which reported a population of 10,533. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 10,812 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 16 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 556 persons per square kilometer. Overseas migration contributed approximately 76.4% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary growth for the area.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. 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. These state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Considering projected demographic shifts, a population increase just below the median of Australian non-metropolitan areas is expected by 2041, with an increase of 561 persons and a total increase of 5.2% over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Toowoomba - East when compared nationally

Toowoomba - East has approved approximately 30 residential properties per year over the past five financial years, totalling 152 homes. As of FY-26, there have been 3 approvals recorded. On average, 3.5 people moved to the area annually for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating strong demand outpacing supply, which typically influences prices upwards and intensifies competition among buyers. The average new home construction cost was $591,000, suggesting developers targeted the premium market segment with higher-end properties.

This financial year has seen $32.3 million in commercial approvals, reflecting high local commercial activity. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Toowoomba - East records roughly half the building activity per person and ranks among the 43rd percentile nationally, resulting in relatively constrained buyer choice and supporting interest in existing dwellings. This indicates a mature area with possible planning constraints. New building activity comprises 67.0% standalone homes and 33.0% townhouses or apartments, offering options across different price points.

The estimated population per dwelling approval is 489 people, reflecting its quiet development environment. Population forecasts project Toowoomba - East to gain 561 residents by 2041. Assuming current development patterns continue, new housing supply should meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating further population growth beyond projections.

Toowoomba - East has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 27thth percentile nationally

"Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 34 projects likely impacting the region. Notable ones include Toowoomba Escarpment Mountain Bike Trails (Jubilee Park), Fairleigh Residences, AusRocks Brookview Quarry, and YWCA East Toowoomba Social and Affordable Housing.".

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.

The exceptional employment performance in Toowoomba - East places it among Australia's strongest labour markets

Toowoomba - East has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 2.0% as of June 2025, which is lower than the Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%.

The area experienced an estimated employment growth of 14.0% over the past year. As of June 2025, there were 5,967 residents employed with a workforce participation rate of 62.7%, slightly higher than Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key industries for employment among residents are health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. Notably, health care & social assistance has an employment concentration of 1.4 times the regional average.

Conversely, construction shows lower representation at 7.4% compared to the regional average of 10.1%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 14.0%, labour force grew by 13.0%, leading to a decrease in unemployment rate by 0.8 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld recorded an employment growth of 1.8% with a slight increase in unemployment rate. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project a 6.6% growth over five years and 13.7% over ten years nationally. Applying these projections to Toowoomba - East's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 7.1%% over five years and 14.8% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch aggregated ATO data shows Toowoomba - East had a median taxpayer income of $63,722 and an average of $78,297 in financial year 2022. Nationally, these figures are high compared to Rest of Qld's $50,780 and $64,844 respectively. By September 2025, estimates suggest median income will be approximately $72,637 and average $89,251, based on a 13.99% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Toowoomba - East cluster around the 61st percentile nationally. Income distribution shows 29.2% of residents (3,157 individuals) earn between $1,500 and $2,999, similar to regional patterns at 31.7%. After housing costs, residents retain 86.9% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

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

Dwelling structure in Toowoomba - East, as evaluated at the latest Census held in August 2016, comprised 76.8% houses and 23.2% 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 at the same time. The level of home ownership within Toowoomba - East was recorded at 34.5%, with mortgaged dwellings making up 30.7% and rented dwellings comprising 34.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area, as of June 2019, was $1,798, which is above Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,517. The median weekly rent figure for Toowoomba - East, also as of June 2019, was recorded at $315, compared to Non-Metro Qld's figure of $310. Nationally, Toowoomba - East's mortgage repayments are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are substantially below the national figure of $375 as of June 2019.

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

Family households comprise 65.6% of all households, including 27.1% couples with children, 28.0% couples without children, and 9.7% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 34.4%, consisting of 31.9% lone person households and 2.6% group households. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

Toowoomba - East shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Educational attainment in Toowoomba-East is significantly higher than broader benchmarks. As of 2016, 37.7% of residents aged 15 and above hold university qualifications, compared to 20.6% in the rest of Queensland and 23.1% in the SA3 area. This advantage positions the area well for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are most common at 23.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (9.5%) and graduate diplomas (4.4%).

Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 29.9% of residents aged 15 and above holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.4%) and certificates (19.5%). Educational participation is high, with 33.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education as of 2016. This includes 13.2% in secondary education, 9.2% in primary education, and 5.5% pursuing tertiary education. As of 2017, there are approximately 4,690 students educated across a robust network of eight schools within Toowoomba-East. The area has above-average socio-educational conditions with an ICSEA score of 1068. The educational mix includes two primary, one secondary, and five K-12 schools. As of 2017, the area functions as an education hub with 43.4 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 17.2, attracting students from surrounding communities. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

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

Transport analysis shows 46 active stops operating within Toowoomba - East. These are served by buses via five routes, offering 280 weekly passenger trips combined. Transport access is moderate, with residents located an average of 418 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 40 trips daily across all routes, equating to roughly six weekly trips per individual stop.

Health outcomes in Toowoomba - East are marginally below the national average with common health conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts

Toowoomba - East shows below-average health outcomes with common conditions more prevalent than average across younger and older age groups. Mental health issues affect 9.1% of residents, while arthritis impacts 7.7%.

68.4% report no medical ailments, compared to 65.3% in the rest of Queensland. Private health cover is exceptionally high at 59%, with 2,076 seniors aged 65 and over comprising 19.2% of the population. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, outperforming the general population in health metrics.

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

Toowoomba-East had a cultural diversity score below average, with 89.2% of its residents being Australian citizens and 84.3% born in Australia. The majority spoke English only at home, at 91.4%. Christianity was the predominant religion, practiced by 57.3% of the population.

However, there was an equal proportion of people identifying as Other compared to the rest of Queensland, at 2.2%. In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (29.2%), Australian (25.2%), and Irish (11.5%). Notably, Scottish ancestry was overrepresented in Toowoomba-East at 10.2%, compared to 7.9% regionally. Similarly, German ancestry was slightly overrepresented at 6.6% versus 8.0%, and Welsh ancestry was also higher than the regional average at 0.6% compared to 0.4%.

Toowoomba - East's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Toowoomba - East has a median age of 40, which is close to Rest of Qld's figure of 41 but exceeds the national norm of 38. The 15-24 age group makes up 15.1% of its population, higher than Rest of Qld, while the 25-34 cohort is less prevalent at 11.2%. According to the 2021 Census, the 15-24 age group has grown from 14.0% to 15.1%, and the 45-54 cohort has declined from 13.7% to 12.4%. Demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Toowoomba - East's age profile by 2041, with the 25-34 group projected to grow by 25% (306 people), reaching 1,519 from 1,212. Meanwhile, population declines are projected for the 55-64 and 45-54 cohorts.