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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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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Toowoomba - East has an estimated 10,847 residents, up from 10,533 at the 2021 Census — a change of 314 people, or 3.0%. Growth has averaged 0.6% a year over five years. That puts 559 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to the analysis by AreaSearch, the population of Toowoomba - East stands at approximately 10,847 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 314 residents (3.0%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 10,533 individuals. This shift is calculated using the ABS estimated resident population of 10,831 from June 2025 alongside 26 validated new addresses registered after the Census. The population density is 558 persons per square kilometer, which offers ample space per resident and opportunities for subsequent development. Overseas migration was the primary driver of this growth, accounting for about 81.5% of the total population increase in recent times.
AreaSearch utilizes projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia published in 2024, using 2022 as the baseline. For locations without this coverage and for periods after 2032, projections from the Queensland State Government released in 2023 (using 2021 data) are applied. Because these state projections lack age-specific breakdowns, AreaSearch distributes growth across age brackets using proportional weightings derived from the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections (based on 2022 data). Demographic trends suggest growth will align with the lowest quartile of national regional locations, with the population projected to rise by 492 individuals by 2041 relative to the most recent annual ERP statistics, indicating a total expansion of 4.4% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
152 new dwellings have been approved in Toowoomba - East over the past five years, an average of 30 a year. That is 2.9 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 21 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 67% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 14, well below that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Toowoomba - East averages approximately 30 residential building approvals annually, accumulating to 152 dwellings over the last 5 financial years. In the current FY-26, 13 approvals have been logged. Over the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, an average of 2.2 new residents were added for each completed dwelling, pointing to solid demand that is likely to bolster property values. The average construction value for new homes stands at $591,000, showing that developers are focusing on upscale, premium projects. Additionally, commercial development approvals valued at $32.3 million have been documented in the current financial year, highlighting strong local business investment.
Toowoomba - East registers about half the rate of per capita building activity seen in the Rest of Qld, placing in the 43rd percentile of evaluated areas nationwide, which limits options for buyers and sustains interest in established properties. This rate is also below the national average, indicating a mature suburb and possible planning limitations. Residential construction consists of 67.0% standalone houses and 33.0% townhouses or apartments, with the rising share of multi-unit dwellings providing options across different budgets, from family homes to more affordable compact units. An estimated ratio of 492 people per residential approval reflects a quiet and low-intensity development climate. Long-term forecasts suggest Toowoomba - East will add 476 residents by 2041, based on the most recent quarterly estimates from AreaSearch. Looking at current construction trends, the supply of new housing is expected to easily accommodate this demand, creating favorable buyer conditions and potentially supporting population growth above current forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Toowoomba - 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.
AreaSearch tracks 9 current infrastructure and development projects inside Toowoomba - East, worth an estimated $116 million. A further 80 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $8.11 billion. 25 are already under construction and 24 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, education & training and sports & recreation. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Changes to local infrastructure, major developments, and council planning schemes are key drivers of regional growth. AreaSearch has identified a total of 34 projects likely to influence the local area. Notable projects include the Toowoomba Escarpment Mountain Bike Trails in Jubilee Park, Fairleigh Residences, the AusRocks Brookview Quarry, and the YWCA East Toowoomba Social and Affordable Housing, with key details provided below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Toowoomba Escarpment Mountain Bike Trails (Jubilee Park)
Development of new and upgraded mountain bike trails focused on Jubilee Park as part of the Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley Escarpment Mountain Bike Master Plan. Planning is currently underway for Stage 1. With 6.6 million in secured funding, the project aims to expand the existing 28 km of single track into a mountain bike centre of excellence ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.
Fairleigh Residences (The Kitchener)
Boutique luxury apartment development by FKG Group, constructed by wholly-owned subsidiary GFG Projects, featuring 18 exquisitely designed residences across 6 levels. The development offers sweeping views of the Mothers Memorial and Queens Park, with amenities including a private roof terrace, pool, gym, yoga room and entertainment area. Features 2-4 bedroom apartments with generous balconies and media rooms. Prices start from $1.75 million. Only 5 residences remaining as of mid-2025.
Rifle Range Road Reconfiguration
Development application RAL/2025/5915 for the reconfiguration of two lots into 51 residential lots on a 12.11 hectare former Defence rifle range site. The application remains under assessment by Toowoomba Regional Council following referral agency reviews, information requests and decision period extensions. Defence Housing Australia is the landowner, with the application managed by CPLK Property Pty Ltd and Property Projects Australia.
AusRocks Brookview Quarry
A $15 million quarry development by AusRocks Pty Ltd in East Toowoomba. This project will provide essential construction materials and aggregate supply to support the region's growing infrastructure and development needs.
YWCA East Toowoomba Social and Affordable Housing
A 16-unit social and affordable housing project aimed at providing dwellings in East Toowoomba, Queensland. Plans were lodged with the Queensland government for approval in May 2025.
Fairleigh Residences
A luxury boutique development featuring 18 executive residences spanning six levels, including a private roof terrace with pool, gym, yoga room, and entertainment area, offering sweeping views of Mothers Memorial and Queens Park in a tranquil setting.
Mater Dei Primary School Early Years Precinct
A $50 million Early Years Precinct proposed by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba for Mater Dei Primary School in East Toowoomba. The project is listed in the Toowoomba Development Status Report 2024 (Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise, in consultation with Toowoomba Regional Council) under proposed healthcare and education developments, with a construction cost of $50 million. Mater Dei Primary School is a Catholic co-educational school serving Prep to Year 6 students under the Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools.
Eastville Shopping Centre
Completed food and beverage focused retail precinct anchored by national fast food and casual dining tenants serving the East Toowoomba catchment. Recent relaunch promotes the EATSville dining hub with an expanded mix of dine in and takeaway options.
5,460 residents of Toowoomba - East are employed, from a labour force of 5,613. Unemployment sits at 2.7%, with participation at 64.2%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 7.1% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local workforce in Toowoomba - East is well-educated with strong representation in essential service industries, and the unemployment rate is low at 2.7%. Jobholders total 5,460 as of March 2026, with an unemployment rate that is 1.2% lower than the 3.9% recorded in Regional Qld, while labor force participation matches the Regional Qld level of 64.3%. Census data indicates that only 11.9% of residents worked from home, though this figure may reflect the influence of pandemic-related lockdown measures. The primary sectors employing local residents are health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade.
The local concentration of jobs in health care & social assistance is particularly pronounced, running at 1.4 times the regional average. In contrast, the construction industry is underrepresented, employing 7.4% of workers compared to the regional benchmark of 10.1%. Although local employment is available, the ratio of Census workers to the resident population suggests a significant portion of the workforce commutes to other areas for employment. According to analysis of SALM and ABS statistics by AreaSearch, the local workforce shrank by 6.8% and total employment dropped by 7.5% during the year leading up to March 2026, leading to a 0.7 percentage point increase in unemployment. Over the same timeframe, Regional Qld experienced a 0.1% rise in employment, a 0.3% increase in the labor force, and a 0.1 percentage point rise in unemployment. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia issued in May-25 offer additional context on future local demand. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to model future trends. Nationwide employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though individual industries vary. Applying these sector-specific rates to the local mix suggests Toowoomba - East's employment could grow by 7.1% over five years and 14.8% over ten years, representing a basic weighted projection that does not factor in localized population shifts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Toowoomba - East is $1,814 a week (about $94,000 a year), with median personal income at $915 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $66,669 a year against an average of $81,741. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Based on AreaSearch's compilation of postcode-level ATO statistics released for the 2023 financial year, taxpayers in the Toowoomba - East SA2 recorded a median income of $66,669 and an average income of $81,741. These figures are very high relative to national benchmarks, comparing to Regional Qld medians and averages of $53,146 and $66,593. Incorporating Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since the 2023 financial year yields updated estimates of approximately $74,243 for the median and $91,027 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census indicates that household, family, and individual incomes sit around the 61st percentile nationally.
Income distribution figures show that 29.2% of the local population (3,167 residents) earn in the $1,500 - 2,999 range, close to the regional share of 31.7%. Residents retain 86.9% of their income after paying for housing, pointing to robust spending capacity, and the area is situated in the 7th decile for the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Toowoomba - East had 4,025 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 77% detached houses and 5% apartments. 31% are owned with a mortgage, 35% rented and 35% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $315 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,798 a month. Rent absorbs 17.4% of household income here and mortgage repayments 22.9%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the latest Census, the housing mix in Toowoomba - East consisted of 76.8% separate houses and 23.2% other housing types like semi-detached properties and apartments, compared to 76.4% separate houses and 23.6% other options across Regional Qld. Home ownership rates matched regional figures at 34.5%, while the remaining properties were mortgaged (30.7%) or rented (34.8%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,798 was higher than the Regional Qld average of $1,655, whereas the median weekly rent was $315, compared to the regional figure of $345. Nationally, local mortgage commitments are below the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are much lower than the national benchmark of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Toowoomba - East counted 4,025 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.3 people each. 27% are couples with children, against 28% couples without children. 32% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of local households at 65.6%, which includes 27.1% couples with children, 28.0% couples without children, and 9.7% single parent households. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 34.4%, with single-person households at 31.9% and group shared households at 2.6%. The median household size is 2.3 individuals, slightly below the Regional Qld average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
37.7% of adults in Toowoomba - East hold a university qualification, including 23.8% with a bachelor degree and 9.5% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 77% of areas nationally. A further 19.5% hold a vocational qualification. 8 schools serve the area, with 4,690 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,068 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Rates of formal education in Toowoomba - East are well above regional averages, with 37.7% of residents aged 15 and over holding a university qualification, compared to 20.6% in Rest of Qld and 23.1% in the wider SA3 area. This educational profile leaves the suburb well-positioned for jobs in the knowledge economy. Bachelor degrees are the most common credential at 23.8%, followed by postgraduate degrees (9.5%) and graduate diplomas (4.4%). Vocational and technical training is also common, with 29.9% of residents aged 15 and over holding vocational qualifications, split between advanced diplomas (10.4%) and certificates (19.5%).
Student numbers are high in the area, with 33.5% of the population enrolled in an educational program. This student body is composed of 13.2% in high schools, 9.2% in primary schools, and 5.5% in higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Toowoomba - East reaches 47 stops on 5 routes, timetabled for about 280 services a week. The typical home sits about 420 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.3 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Analysis of transit options shows 47 active transport stops operating within Toowoomba - East, consisting of bus services. These stops are served by 5 distinct routes, offering a total of 280 weekly passenger trips. Accessibility is moderate, with residents living an average of 418 meters from the nearest stop. The area is primarily residential, and most workers commute out of the suburb, with private cars remaining the primary travel mode at 91% and walking at 6%. Car ownership averages 1.3 vehicles per household, which is below the regional average. A relatively low 11.9% of residents worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 rules.
Services run at an average of 40 trips per day across all routes, which translates to approximately 5 weekly trips for each transport stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
68.4% of residents in Toowoomba - East report no long-term health condition. 5.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 59.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.7 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Toowoomba - East records favorable health trends, based on analysis of mortality statistics and the occurrence of chronic conditions, with low rates of common health issues across all age brackets. The rate of private health insurance is high, covering roughly 60% of the population (6,497 residents), compared to 52.5% across Regional Qld. The most prevalent health issues recorded among residents were mental health conditions and arthritis, affecting 9.1% and 7.7% of the population. Meanwhile, 68.4% of residents reported having no long-term medical conditions, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Health indicators for working-age residents are typical.
Residents aged 65 and over make up 20.0% of the population (2,166 people), and health outcomes for seniors are above average, with national rankings aligning closely with the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Toowoomba - East is largely Australian-born, at 84.3% of residents, with 8.6% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (29.2%) and Australian (25.2%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Toowoomba - East has lower cultural diversity than average, with 84.3% of the population born in Australia, 89.2% holding citizenship, and 91.4% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 57.3% of residents. The most visible statistical difference is in the Other category, which represents 2.2% of the local population compared to 0.8% across Regional Qld. In terms of ancestral backgrounds, the three largest groups in Toowoomba - East are English at 29.2%, Australian at 25.2%, and Irish at 11.5%. Certain other ethnic backgrounds show higher representation than average, including Scottish at 10.2% (compared to 7.8% regionally), German at 6.6% (compared to 4.7%), and Welsh at 0.6% (compared to 0.5%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Toowoomba - East is 40. 25.2% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
With a median age of 40, Toowoomba - East is comparable to the Regional Qld average of 41 and slightly older than the national median of 38. The 15 - 24 age bracket is well represented at 14.0% compared to Regional Qld, while the 25 - 34 cohort is less common at 11.2%. Since the 2021 Census, the share of residents aged 25 to 34 grew from 10.4% to 11.2%, while those aged 45 to 54 shrank from 13.7% to 12.0%. Age models suggest significant shifts by 2041, led by a 21% increase in the 25 to 34 group, adding 253 people to reach 1,469 from 1,215, while declines are expected in the 55 to 64 and 5 to 14 brackets.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Toowoomba - East
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jul 2026 last month all 9 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Jul 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 26 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (10,533 at the 2021 Census → 10,847 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (317011457). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.