Barcaldine

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

The estimated population of the suburb of Barcaldine is around 1,615 as of Feb 2026. This figure represents an increase of 75 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,540. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimated resident population of 1,601 in Jun 2024 and 24 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of approximately 0.10 persons per square kilometer. Barcaldine's growth rate of 4.9% since the 2021 census exceeds that of its SA4 region at 4.3%, indicating it as a growth leader. Natural growth contributed about 48.0% to overall population gains, with overseas and interstate migration also positive factors.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 based on 2022 data. For areas not covered by this data or years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections from 2023 using 2021 data are adopted. These projections indicate a decline of 35 persons in the suburb's population by 2041. However, specific age cohorts like those aged 25 to 34 are projected to grow by 35 people over this period.

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

Barcaldine experienced limited development activity with an average of 3 approvals per year over the five-year period from 2015 to 2019, resulting in a total of 16 dwellings. This low level of development reflects the rural nature of the area, where housing needs are typically specific and locally driven rather than influenced by broader market demand. Notably, with such low approval numbers, yearly growth figures and relativities can vary significantly based on individual projects.

Compared to Rest of Qld and national averages, Barcaldine had significantly less construction activity during this period. All recent development in the area comprised standalone homes, which aligns with its rural character where larger properties are common. The estimated population per dwelling approval was 451 people, indicating a quiet and low activity development environment. Given that the population is expected to remain stable or decline, Barcaldine may see reduced pressure on housing, potentially creating opportunities for buyers in the future.

With population expected to remain stable or decline, Barcaldine should see reduced pressure on housing, potentially creating opportunities for buyers.

Barcaldine has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

AreaSearch has identified three projects that could significantly impact the area's performance. These key projects are: Queensland Inland Road Network Upgrade, Central Queensland Digital Infrastructure Program, Outback Way Sealing Project - Queensland Section, and Residential Activation Fund - Central Queensland Allocation. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

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Employment conditions in Barcaldine rank among the top 10% of areas assessed nationally

Barcaldine has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. Its unemployment rate was 1.0% as of December 2025, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. In that month, 873 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 3.0% below Regional Queensland's rate of 4.0%.

Workforce participation in Barcaldine was broadly similar to Regional Queensland's 65.4%. Census responses indicated that a low 13.1% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Dominant employment sectors among residents include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and public administration & safety. Barcaldine has particular employment specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with an employment share 3.4 times the regional level.

Conversely, retail trade is under-represented, with only 6.8% of Barcaldine's workforce compared to 10.0% in Regional Queensland. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Over the 12 months to December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 2.1% while employment declined by 2.0%, keeping the unemployment rate relatively stable in Barcaldine. This contrasts with Regional Queensland where employment rose by 0.7%, the labour force grew by 1.0%, and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 offer further insight into potential future demand within Barcaldine. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, suggest national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these industry-specific projections to Barcaldine's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.0% over five years and 12.7% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

In AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ending June 2023, Barcaldine suburb had median taxpayer income of $53,802 and average income of $65,065. These figures are below national averages of $53,146 (median) and $66,593 (average) in Regional Qld. By September 2025, estimated median income is approximately $59,134 and average income is $71,513, based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since June 2023. According to Australian Bureau of Statistics Census data from 2021, personal income in Barcaldine ranks at the 62nd percentile ($869 weekly), while household income is at the 35th percentile. Income analysis shows that 34.0% of locals (549 people) fall into the $1,500 - $2,999 income category, similar to the broader area where 31.7% occupy this bracket. Housing costs leave 91.3% of income disposable, but disposable income ranks below average at the 43rd percentile. The suburb's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

In Barcaldine, as per the latest Census, 95.8% of dwellings were houses while 4.2% comprised semi-detached units, apartments, and other types. Compared to Regional Queensland's figures of 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings, Barcaldine had a higher proportion of houses. Home ownership in Barcaldine stood at 44.6%, with mortgaged properties at 23.2% and rented ones at 32.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,213, lower than Regional Queensland's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent in Barcaldine was $200, significantly below Regional Queensland's figure of $345. Nationally, Barcaldine's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,213 compared to Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially lower at $200 versus the national average of $375.

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

Family households account for 63.7% of all households, including 21.5% couples with children, 30.8% couples without children, and 9.0% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 36.3%, with lone person households at 34.3% and group households comprising 2.6% of the total. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Regional Queensland average of 2.5.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 19.5%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 15.0%, followed by graduate diplomas (2.5%) and postgraduate qualifications (2.0%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 40.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 10.1% and certificates at 30.0%. Educational participation is high, with 30.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 14.3% in primary education, 8.8% in secondary education, and 3.1% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Barcaldine's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Barcaldine's health metrics closely align with national benchmarks, as assessed by AreaSearch through mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence.

Common health conditions are seen at a standard level across both young and old age cohorts in the area. Private health cover is held by approximately 53% of the total population (~855 people), slightly higher than the average SA2 area. The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma (affecting 8.8% of residents) and arthritis (8.2%), while 67.6% of residents report no medical ailments, similar to the Regional Qld figure of 67.6%. Health outcomes among working-age individuals in Barcaldine are generally typical. The area has 21.3% of residents aged 65 and over (343 people), with health outcomes for seniors ranking higher than those of the general population nationally.

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

Barcaldine has a cultural diversity index below the average, with 85.6% citizens, 93.6% born in Australia, and 97.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, accounting for 65.1%, compared to Regional Qld's 52.2%. The top three ancestry groups are Australian (34.1%), English (31.0%), and Irish (8.4%).

Notably, South Australian (0.9% vs regional 0.5%), Australian Aboriginal (6.9% vs regional 3.9%), and Russian (0.5% vs regional 0.2%) groups are overrepresented in Barcaldine.

Barcaldine hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

The median age in Barcaldine is 42 years, close to Regional Queensland's average of 41 but higher than Australia's median of 38. The cohort aged 55-64 is over-represented in Barcaldine at 13.7%, compared to the Regional Queensland average, while those aged 15-24 are under-represented at 10.1%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the population of those aged 35 to 44 has grown from 10.6% to 11.9%, and the cohort aged 0 to 4 has increased from 4.8% to 6.1%. Conversely, the population of those aged 45 to 54 has declined from 13.3% to 11.6%. By 2041, significant demographic changes are forecast for Barcaldine. The cohort aged 25 to 34 is projected to expand by 27 people (13%), from 211 to 239. Meanwhile, the cohorts aged 35 to 44 and 65 to 74 are expected to experience population declines.