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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
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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Wambo has an estimated 17,992 residents, up from 17,015 at the 2021 Census — a change of 977 people, or 5.7%. Growth has averaged 0.5% a year over five years. 215 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Natural increase accounts for 53.1% of that increase. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. 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 findings from AreaSearch, the resident count in Wambo stands at approximately 17,992 as of Aug 2026. Relative to the 2021 Census tally of 17,015 people, this indicates an expansion of 977 people (5.7%). Such growth draws upon the ABS estimated resident population figure of 17,853 recorded in June 2025 alongside 215 validated new addresses identified following the Census. This population scale translates into a population density of 3.2 persons per square kilometer, ensuring a spacious living setting. Outperforming the wider SA4 region (5.0%) and the local SA3 area, Wambo's 5.7% expansion rate since the 2021 census positions it at the forefront of regional growth.
Natural increase served as the principal driver of this expansion, accounting for roughly 53.1% of recent net gains. Projections published by ABS/Geoscience Australia in 2024 (using 2022 as a base year) are utilized by AreaSearch across SA2 locations. In areas lacking this coverage or looking past 2032, Queensland State Government SA2 series released in 2023 (utilizing 2021 data) are substituted. Because state figures omit age-bracket breakdowns, AreaSearch incorporates age-cohort proportional growth weightings from the ABS Greater Capital Region data (issued in 2023 from 2022 data). Looking at forward demographic patterns, growth is projected to track within the lower quartile of regional Australia, with an increase of 405 persons anticipated by 2041 under latest annual ERP statistics, representing an overall expansion of 1.5% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
117 new dwellings have been approved in Wambo over the past five years, an average of 23 a year. That is 1.3 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 23 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 100% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential building approvals across Wambo have tracked at an annual rate of roughly 23 dwellings, totaling 117 homes approved over the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26). With approximately 4.1 new residents per year added per dwelling constructed over the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26), local demand materially exceeds incoming supply, applying upward momentum to property values and heightening competition among prospective purchasers. Meanwhile, average construction values for newly built homes sit at $500,000, aligning with broader regional patterns. Additionally, commercial development approvals reached $10.4 million this financial year, demonstrating ongoing commercial capital inflow.
Building volume in Wambo tracks substantially below regional benchmarks, sitting 54.0% below the per-capita rate seen across Rest of Qld. This limited pipeline of new residential construction tends to bolster pricing and buyer interest across existing dwellings. Construction volumes also fall behind nationwide rates, highlighting the locality's mature footprint and hinting at potential planning constraints. Furthermore, recent building permits comprise exclusively detached homes, preserving low-density surroundings that appeal to buyers seeking spacious properties. A ratio of 640 people per residential approval underscores a subdued, low-volume construction landscape. Demographic forecasts point to Wambo gaining 266 residents by 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Provided building proceeds at prevailing paces, residential supply should satisfactorily absorb future demand, establishing supportive purchasing conditions while creating room for growth above current expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Wambo
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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 11 current infrastructure and development projects inside Wambo, worth an estimated $4.57 billion. A further 86 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $27.9 billion. 40 are already under construction and 36 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans energy, residential development and health & medical. 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
Local economic momentum is heavily shaped by major infrastructure investments, planning frameworks, and capital projects. In total, AreaSearch has highlighted 21 projects poised to influence the district. Prominent developments include Within Energy Dalby Geothermal Project (EPG 2031), Dalby Cultural Centre, Dalby Water Supply Upgrade - Treatment Development, and Dalby Police Station Redevelopment, with the primary works outlined below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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
Dalby Water Supply Upgrade - Treatment Development
The Dalby Water Supply Upgrade Project is a multi-million-dollar initiative to secure long-term water reliability for Dalby. It addresses declining yields from alluvial aquifers and enhances flood resilience. Key components include new Great Artesian Basin bores, trunk pipelines, and an advanced potable water treatment facility with desalination (reverse osmosis) capabilities, providing an additional 2.2 megalitres per day. Current 2026 works include the construction of three 12-hectare evaporation ponds to manage brine concentrate and process waste.
Within Energy Dalby Geothermal Project (EPG 2031)
A geothermal exploration project targeting shallow geothermal resources from permeable formations in the Darling Downs region. The project is part of EPG 2031 and aims to develop commercial-scale renewable baseload power generation using binary power plant technology suitable for lower temperature geothermal resources.
Dalby Cultural Centre
New regional cultural centre within the Thomas Jack Park Precinct including a library, art gallery, 121-seat multipurpose cinema, visitor information centre and community gathering spaces. Following completion of design and tendering, construction commenced in 2026 as part of the wider Thomas Jack Park revitalisation.
ALDI Dalby Store
Construction of a new ALDI store in the innovative ALDI Fresh format, being the first of its kind in Queensland. The project involved demolition of five existing houses, removal of asbestos materials, and construction on challenging reactive soil conditions using suspended slab and bored pier foundation design. The store opened on August 1, 2018, featuring modern interior design, improved navigation, and enhanced product displays.
Mary's Place
Award-winning transformation of the former Commercial Hotel site into a vibrant public square honoring local icon Mary Barry. Features outdoor cinema screen, abstract replica of Mary's famous bar, colorful flowered arbours, spectacular lighting, seating areas, and spaces for markets and community events. Winner of 2025 Australian Urban Design Award and 2024 AILA Queensland Landscape Architecture Award.
Dalby Police Station Redevelopment
The upgraded Dalby Police Facility has been completed following a $19 million redevelopment, enhancing policing capabilities in the Dalby community. It accommodates 60 operational staff, including officers from the Western Downs Patrol Group, Criminal Investigation Branch, Child Protection and Investigation Unit, Highway Patrol, a state-of-the-art Scenes of Crime section with an investigative laboratory, training capacity, a major incident room, and upgraded watchhouse facilities. The facility also features a memorial honoring fallen police officers Constable Matthew Arnold and Constable Rachel McCrow.
Dalby Hybrid PV+BESS
A pioneering hybrid solar PV and battery storage project featuring a 2.45MW dc solar array with 2.54MW/5MWh BESS, representing one of Australia's first co-located PV and battery developments sharing the same grid connection point. The facility supplies clean electricity to over 1,680 households and avoids 3,553 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.
Jimbour East Solar Farm
The Jimbour East Solar Farm is a 200MW renewable energy project featuring approximately 500,000 solar panels. Under the 2025 Planning Act updates, the project is advancing through the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) and Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) phase with the Western Downs Regional Council to ensure local economic and workforce benefits.
9,250 residents of Wambo are employed, from a labour force of 9,622. Unemployment sits at 3.9%, with participation at 68.2%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.3% 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
A balanced distribution of white-collar and blue-collar occupations characterizes Wambo's workforce across multiple industries, accompanied by a low unemployment rate of 3.9% and an estimated 1.0% annual increase in employment. Employed persons numbered 9,250 as of March 2026, while the jobless rate matched the 3.9% registered across Regional Qld. Labor force participation remains standard at 68.2%, compared to 64.2% throughout Regional Qld. Census records indicate that merely 10.7% of workers operated from home, though pandemic-era restrictions during that period should be noted. Major sources of resident employment include agriculture, forestry & fishing, retail trade, alongside health care & social assistance.
The local economy exhibits substantial specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing, generating a workforce concentration 3.7 times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance accounts for a smaller footprint, employing 11.2% of Wambo workers versus 16.1% in Regional Qld. Although local roles exist, comparisons between resident worker totals and local employment counts indicate that a substantial share of workers commute out of the district. AreaSearch examination of ABS and SALM figures shows that over the twelve months to March 2026, local employment grew by 1.0% while the labor pool expanded by 2.3%, leading to an increase of 1.3 percentage points in unemployment. Over the same timeframe across Regional Qld, employment grew by 0.1%, the workforce rose by 0.3%, and the jobless rate edged up 0.1 percentage points. National outlooks from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide additional context on future labor demand in Wambo over five-year and ten-year horizons when aligned with local industry profiles. Nationwide employment is projected to expand 6.6% over five years and 13.7% across ten years, with trajectories varying widely across individual industries. Modeling these sector-level trends across Wambo's industry composition points to potential local job expansion of 5.3% over five years and 11.7% over ten years (representing an illustrative weighted extrapolation that excludes localized demographic projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Wambo is $1,410 a week (about $73,000 a year), with median personal income at $725 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $51,383 a year against an average of $60,020. 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
Postcode-level ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 place Wambo's median taxable income at $51,383 and the mean at $60,020. These figures trail national levels as well as Regional Qld, where median income reaches $53,146 and average income sits at $66,593. Incorporating 11.36% growth in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023 adjusts estimated earnings to roughly $57,220 (median) and $66,838 (mean) as of March 2026. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual earnings across Wambo ranked modestly, placing between the 29th and 33rd percentiles. The single largest income bracket captures 32.7% of the population (5,883 people) within the $1,500 - 2,999 range, closely aligning with the wider regional proportion of 31.7%.
Housing overheads remain contained with 87.0% of earnings retained, though overall disposable income ranks modestly at the 33rd percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Wambo had 6,064 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 93% detached houses and 0% apartments. 34% are owned with a mortgage, 33% rented and 34% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $250 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,300 a month. Rent absorbs 17.7% of household income here and mortgage repayments 21.3%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Single-family houses formed the bulk of Wambo's housing stock at the most recent Census, accounting for 92.7%, while 7.3% comprised alternative formats such as apartments, semi-detached dwellings, and other housing, compared to 76.4% separate houses and 23.6% other dwellings across Regional Qld. Outright home ownership stood at 33.5%, matching Regional Qld, with remaining residences held under a mortgage (33.6%) or occupied by tenants (32.9%). Monthly mortgage payments averaged a median of $1,300, well underneath the Regional Qld figure of $1,655, while median weekly rent stood at $250 against $345 regionally.
Relative to the Australian benchmarks of $1,863 for monthly mortgages and $375 for weekly rents, local housing expenditures remain notably lower.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Wambo counted 6,064 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 6,412 today, averaging 2.5 people each. 29% are couples with children, against 29% couples without children. 25% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.1 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the vast majority of local households at 71.8%, divided into couple families with children (29.4%), couples without children (28.9%), and single-parent households (12.3%). The remaining 28.2% consists of non-family arrangements, primarily lone-person occupancies at 25.4% and group dwellings at 2.8%. Median household occupancy sits at 2.5 people, equaling the Regional Qld benchmark.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
13.6% of adults in Wambo hold a university qualification, including 10.8% with a bachelor degree and 1.2% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 83% of areas nationally. A further 31.7% hold a vocational qualification. 11 schools serve the area, with 3,451 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 953 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
Attainment of higher education credentials represents an area of need, with university graduation rates of 13.6% falling well short of the nationwide benchmark of 30.4%, highlighting a target for educational engagement. Bachelor degrees constitute 10.8%, followed by graduate diplomas at 1.6% and postgraduate awards at 1.2%. Meanwhile, vocational and technical qualifications show strong presence, held by 40.2% of individuals aged 15+, divided between advanced diplomas (8.5%) and certificates (31.7%). Formal study engagement is substantial, encompassing 30.8% of the local population. By level, primary schooling accounts for 12.8%, secondary education represents 10.1%, and higher education enrollments encompass 2.3%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Wambo means driving: households keep an average of 1.6 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
64.2% of residents in Wambo report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 80% of areas nationally. 6.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 48.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.1 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Public health metrics compiled by AreaSearch highlight notable wellness challenges across Wambo regarding mortality rates and long-term health issues spanning both younger and older demographics, alongside a comparatively low rate of private health insurance coverage at roughly 49% of residents (~8,798 people). By comparison, coverage reaches 52.5% across Regional Qld and averages 55.7% throughout Australia. Asthma and mental health conditions rank as the most prevalent diagnoses locally, affecting 9.8 and 9.5% of the community respectively, while 64.2% reported being free of chronic illnesses compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Working-age residents face elevated incidences of ongoing health conditions.
Seniors aged 65 and over comprise 18.4% of the population (3,303 people), below the 20.3% observed across Regional Qld, with elderly health outcomes presenting particular challenges that align broadly with national age-group rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Wambo is largely Australian-born, at 91.9% of residents, with 4.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (32.5%) and English (29.5%). 5.7% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Measures of cultural diversity in Wambo sit below broader benchmarks, with Australian citizenship held by 89.3% of residents, 91.9% born in Australia, and 95.6% speaking only English at home. Christianity represents the primary religious affiliation, accounting for 66.5% of the population, compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld. Looking at ancestral background based on parental country of birth, the primary groups across Wambo are Australian at 32.5% (substantially exceeding the regional proportion of 26.5%), English at 29.5%, and Irish at 8.3%. Other distinct ancestral representations include German at 7.4% (compared to 4.7% regionally), Australian Aboriginal at 5.7% (against 3.9%), and Filipino at 1.7% (relative to 0.9%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Wambo is 37. 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
The demographic profile of Wambo trends younger than Regional Qld overall. AreaSearch estimates for August 2026 indicate that 34.2% of the population is aged between 0 - 24, whereas Regional Qld records 29.6%. The median age is estimated at 37 as at August 2026, matching the 2021 Census figure and sitting 4 years below the Regional Qld median of 41 at that time. Seniors and retirees (65+) increased their share since the Census from 16.9% to an estimated 18.4%. By 2041, the 65+ age group is projected to record the highest increase, adding 534 (16%) to reach 3,837, while youth, young adult, middle-aged, and early-retiree brackets are projected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Wambo
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 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) | Aug 2026 last month 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 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 Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 11 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 6 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 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago 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 — 215 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (17,015 at the 2021 Census → 17,992 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 Aug 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 (307021183). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.