Chart Color Schemes
This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
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.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Centenary Heights has an estimated 6,293 residents, up from 6,152 at the 2021 Census — a change of 141 people, or 2.3%. That puts 2,030 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
Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census the suburb of Centenary Heights's population is estimated at around 6,293 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 141 people (2.3%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,152 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 6,292, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2025) and an additional 14 validated new addresses since the Census date.
This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2,030 persons per square kilometer, which is above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 81.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and for years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections, released in 2023 and based on 2021 data, are adopted. It should be noted that these state projections do not provide age category splits; hence where utilised, AreaSearch is applying proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age cohort. Looking at population projections moving forward, lower quartile growth of regional areas across the nation is anticipated, with the suburb of Centenary Heights expected to increase by 102 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting recording a gain of 1.6% in total over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential building activity remains very quiet in Centenary Heights, with a yearly average of 3 building approvals, summing to 19 approvals over a five-year span. This minimal construction volume matches the rural character of the locality, where building works generally respond to specific local accommodation needs rather than broader market dynamics. It is worth noting that due to the modest sample size, solitary housing schemes can heavily skew yearly growth trends and relative benchmarks. The volume of construction in Centenary Heights is naturally far below the levels observed across the Rest of Qld.
Similarly, these building volumes sit below national averages. Newly approved residential buildings are split evenly, consisting of 50.0% standalone houses and 50.0% semi-detached options. This emphasis on medium-density layouts offers more economical purchase thresholds, catering well to downsizers, real estate investors, and those purchasing their first home. This pattern marks a clear departure from the current housing mix, where houses comprise 77.0% of the market, pointing to a shrinking pool of buildable land while mirroring evolving lifestyles and a demand for more varied, budget-friendly choices. Registering approximately 12575 residents for every single approved dwelling, Centenary Heights displays the traits of a highly established property market. Demographic projections indicate Centenary Heights will welcome 101 new residents up to 2041, starting from the most recent AreaSearch quarterly estimation. Residential construction is keeping a reasonable pace with this anticipated expansion, though home buyers might experience heightened competition as the local population grows.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Centenary Heights
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 4 current infrastructure and development projects inside Centenary Heights, worth an estimated $17 million. A further 56 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $2.28 billion. 10 are already under construction and 12 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, education & training and communities. 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
Few elements have as much influence on a suburb's performance as local infrastructure upgrades, major capital projects, and urban planning schemes. AreaSearch has identified a total of 9 key projects that are expected to influence the local area. Significant schemes include a single-storey Retirement Village with 86 Units, the Ruthven Street Social and Affordable Housing Development, the Mater Dei Primary School Early Years Precinct, and Parque Toowoomba, with details of the most significant projects listed 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
Retirement Village (86 Units) - Single Storey
86-unit single-storey retirement village providing aged care accommodation and community facilities for seniors in the Toowoomba region.
East Creek Linear Corridor Masterplan
Upgrade of three parks along the East Creek linear corridor including Lake Annand Park, Emmerson Park, and Toowoomba Waterbird Habitat to improve recreational spaces and community facilities.
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.
Parque Toowoomba
Development of 11 three-bedroom townhouses designed to address rental market demand in Centenary Heights, Toowoomba, featuring high-quality finishes, European appliances, Caesar stone bench tops, and proximity to Thoms Park.
Emmerson Park District Park Upgrade
Upgrade of Emmerson Park from a local to a district level recreation park, including installation of toilet amenities building, pathways, playground, BBQ area with shelters and seating, and landscaping.
Kearney West Estate
A master-planned residential estate comprising 350 lots across 8 stages in Kearneys Spring, Toowoomba. Stages 1-4 are fully sold with civil construction complete. Stage 5 (34 lots, 540-977m2) is approved but on hold pending Ergon Energy lowering high-voltage underground cables to allow construction of a new roundabout at West Street, Handley Street and Cadel Evans Drive. Remaining stages 6-8 are yet to be released. All lots feature levelled building pads, reticulated sewerage, underground power, NBN connectivity, landscaped detention basins, and pedestrian links to Carly Hibberd Park.
Bernoth Centre & Inspire South Central
A $10 million mixed-use development featuring retail showrooms, 25 apartments, office/medical centre and caf'/restaurant facilities in a 5-storey building. Located in the heart of South Toowoomba.
Mission Australia Toowoomba Social and Affordable Housing
A $150 million development delivering 185 social and affordable housing units across four apartment buildings of five to six storeys in Newtown, Toowoomba. Comprising 89 social housing dwellings and 96 affordable housing dwellings, the project is led by Mission Australia Housing with financing from Palisade Investment Partners and support from the Queensland Government under its Securing Our Foundations Housing Plan. Construction commenced April 2025 with completion expected mid-2027.
3,068 residents of Centenary Heights are employed, from a labour force of 3,232. Unemployment sits at 5.1%, with participation at 62.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 7.0% 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
Centenary Heights is home to a qualified workforce, featuring strong representation in essential services fields, alongside an unemployment rate of 5.1% according to aggregated statistical district data compiled by AreaSearch. In March 2026, there were 3,068 employed locals, representing an unemployment rate 1.2% higher than the Regional Qld benchmark of 3.9%, while labor force participation was quite close to the Regional Qld level of 64.3%. Census details show that a minor 6.9% of the working population operated from home, though the influence of Covid-19 restrictions should be kept in mind.
The principal sectors employing local residents are health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. The community displays a marked concentration in health care & social assistance, where the employment proportion is 1.5 times that of the wider region. In contrast, the resource sector is scarcely represented, accounting for a mere 1.1% of the workforce in Centenary Heights compared to 3.6% in Regional Qld. Although there are jobs available within the immediate locality, comparison of Census employment metrics suggests a significant portion of the working population travels to other areas for their jobs. An examination of SALM and ABS data by AreaSearch, compiled from broader statistical boundaries, shows that the labor pool shrank by 6.6% during the 12-month period, while employment numbers fell by 8.3%, lifting the jobless rate by 1.7 percentage points. This divergence is clear when compared to Regional Qld, where employment numbers climbed by 0.1%, the overall labor pool expanded by 0.3%, and the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage points. Potential future requirements in Centenary Heights can be analyzed using the national employment forecasts published by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential growth trends. Although national employment is predicted to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the pace of expansion varies widely by sector. Projecting these industry-level forecasts onto the employment distribution of Centenary Heights indicates local jobs could grow by 7.0% over five years and 14.6% over ten years, though this serves as a basic weighted projection for illustration and does not incorporate local demographic forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Centenary Heights is $1,432 a week (about $74,000 a year), with median personal income at $751 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $52,300 a year against an average of $64,262. 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
Taxpayer data from the ATO for financial year 2023, compiled by AreaSearch, shows that income levels in Centenary Heights sit below the national average. Local taxpayers record a median income of $52,300 and an average income of $64,262, which contrasts with the respective Regional Qld markers of $53,146 and $66,593. Accounting for a Wage Price Index rise of 11.36% since financial year 2023, estimated figures would reach roughly $58,241 for the median and $71,562 for the average as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census reveals that household, family, and personal earnings in Centenary Heights are all positioned moderately, falling between the 31st and 38th percentiles.
The data shows that 36.4% of the population, representing 2,290 individuals, earn in the $1,500 - 2,999 brackets, which is comparable to the wider district where 31.7% of people sit in this same range. Housing costs place a heavy burden on residents, leaving only 84.4% of income remaining, a figure that sits at the 31st percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Centenary Heights had 2,563 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 77% detached houses and 3% apartments. 31% are owned with a mortgage, 38% rented and 31% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $320 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,408 a month. Rent absorbs 22.3% of household income here and mortgage repayments 22.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
The mix of housing in Centenary Heights at the time of the most recent Census consisted of 77.2% separate houses and 22.8% alternative dwellings like duplexes, flats, and other structures, compared to Regional Qld averages of 76.4% houses and 23.6% alternative dwellings. Home ownership in Centenary Heights trailed slightly behind the Regional Qld rate, sitting at 30.8%, with the remaining properties either under a mortgage (31.1%) or occupied by renters (38.1%). The median monthly cost for mortgaged properties was notably below the Regional Qld benchmark at $1,408, while the median weekly rental cost was recorded at $320, compared to regional figures of $1,655 and $345 respectively.
On a national scale, mortgage commitments in Centenary Heights are much lower than the Australian median of $1,863, and rents are also significantly below the national average of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Centenary Heights counted 2,563 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.3 people each. 24% are couples with children, fewer than in 75% of areas nationally, against 27% couples without children. 32% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of households at 64.7%, consisting of couples with children at 23.5%, couples without children at 26.5%, and single parent households at 13.2%. The remaining 35.3% of households are non-family arrangements, with single-person households representing 32.3% and group housing making up 3.3% of the total. The median household occupancy of 2.3 individuals is slightly below the Regional Qld average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
26.1% of adults in Centenary Heights hold a university qualification, including 17.9% with a bachelor degree and 4.9% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 25.7% hold a vocational qualification. 4 schools serve the area, with 2,475 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,015 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
The educational profile of the district is prominent within the region, as university graduation rates (26.1% of residents aged 15+) surpass the Rest of Qld average of 20.6%, highlighting a strong community focus on higher education. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 17.9%, followed by postgraduate degrees (4.9%) and graduate diplomas (3.3%). Vocational and practical skills are also heavily represented, with 35.9% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (10.2%) and certificates (25.7%). A high rate of educational involvement is evident, with 29.3% of the local population enrolled in some form of structured learning.
This group includes 9.4% attending primary schools, 8.6% in secondary education, and 5.2% enrolled in tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Centenary Heights reaches 33 stops on 2 routes, timetabled for about 130 services a week. The typical home sits about 210 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.2 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
Public transit data shows 33 operational transit stops located in Centenary Heights, consisting of a mix of bus facilities. These stops accommodate 2 distinct routes, which combine to offer 132 weekly passenger journeys. Transport options are rated as good, with residents living an average of 210 meters from the nearest stop. Due to the area's residential focus, the vast majority of workers commute outside the suburb, with private cars remaining the primary option at 94%. Households own an average of 1.2 vehicles, which is lower than the regional average. A relatively small 6.9% of residents worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 circumstances.
Public transport routes average 18 departures per day, which translates to roughly 4 weekly trips for each transit stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
65.6% of residents in Centenary Heights report no long-term health condition. 6.9% need daily assistance with core activities, and 52.7% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.6 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Centenary Heights presents notable medical vulnerabilities based on AreaSearch's evaluation of death rates and the frequency of long-term illnesses, with routine health issues appearing frequently among both younger and older demographics, while the share of residents with private health insurance is just ahead of the median SA2 region at roughly 53% of the population, representing about 3,314 people. Mental health conditions and arthritis were identified as the most frequent medical issues locally, affecting 9.3 and 8.8% of the population respectively, while 65.6% of residents reported having no ongoing medical concerns, compared to a rate of 67.6% across Regional Qld.
Residents of working age experience higher than average rates of long-term health issues. Seniors aged 65 and over make up 18.8% of the local community, representing 1,183 people, which is lower than the Regional Qld proportion of 20.4%. Health profiles for older residents show some difficulties, with national comparisons aligning closely with average population figures.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Centenary Heights is largely Australian-born, at 82.6% of residents, with 11.6% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (27.8%) and Australian (26.1%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Centenary Heights reflects regional averages in terms of ethnic background, with 82.6% of residents born in Australia, 88.8% holding citizenship, and 88.4% speaking only English at home. Christianity stands as the principal religious affiliation, accounting for 56.8% of the local population. However, the most distinct variation is in the Other category, which represents 1.7% of the community compared to 0.8% across Regional Qld. Looking at ancestral roots, the three largest groups in Centenary Heights are English at 27.8% of the population, Australian at 26.1%, and Irish at 10.3%. Notable variations exist in the proportions of other backgrounds: German heritage is particularly visible at 7.4% of Centenary Heights compared to 4.7% regionally, Scottish heritage stands at 9.3% compared to 7.8%, and Australian Aboriginal background represents 2.6% compared to 3.9% regionally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Centenary Heights is 36. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 28.8% 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
Centenary Heights, showing a median age of 36, is younger than the Regional Qld average of 41 and also slightly younger than the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to Regional Qld benchmarks, there is a pronounced concentration of residents in the 25 - 34 bracket, representing 17.0% of the local population, whereas the 55 - 64 bracket is smaller at 9.8%. Since the year 2021, the 25 to 34 age bracket expanded from 14.2% to 17.0% of the population, and the 35 to 44 age cohort rose from 12.3% to 13.7%.
In contrast, the 15 to 24 group fell from 13.4% to 11.8%, while the 45 to 54 group dropped from 12.1% to 10.8%. Demographic modeling indicates the age structure of Centenary Heights will shift by 2041. The 25 to 34 age range is forecast to grow by 140 people (13%) from 1,069 up to 1,210, while the 5 to 14 and 65 to 74 cohorts are expected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Centenary Heights
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 Suburb (SAL) 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 | Aug 2025 about a year ago all 4 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 Aug 2025. | ||
| 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 — 14 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (6,152 at the 2021 Census → 6,293 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 (SAL30574). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.