Cotswold Hills

Cotswold Hills lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates, the Cotswold Hills statistical area (Lv2) had an estimated population of around 2,084 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 464 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,620 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 1,994 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024) and an additional 248 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 371 persons per square kilometer. The Cotswold Hills (SA2) experienced a growth rate of 28.6% since the 2021 census, exceeding the non-metro area's growth rate of 8.8%. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 78.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. Future population trends forecast a significant increase in the top quartile of regional areas across the nation, with the Cotswold Hills (SA2) expected to increase by 710 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of 21.0% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Cotswold Hills among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data shows Cotswold Hills has seen approximately 68 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 340 homes. As of FY-26, 38 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.8 people moved to the area per year for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating new supply is keeping pace with or exceeding demand. The average construction value of new homes is $408,000.

In FY-26, there have been $27.6 million in commercial approvals, suggesting balanced commercial development activity. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Cotswold Hills records 647.0% more building activity per person. Recent construction comprises 96.0% standalone homes and 4.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's low density nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. The location has approximately 34 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. Looking ahead, Cotswold Hills is expected to grow by 437 residents through to 2041, based on AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate.

At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Cotswold Hills has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified three projects potentially affecting this region: InterLinkSQ Terminal Precinct, Toowoomba Sports Precinct Masterplan, Toowoomba Fairways Country Club Retirement Village, and New Toowoomba Hospital. The following details those most relevant.

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

Cotswold Hills has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. Its unemployment rate was 1.9% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 5.1%.

As of September 2025, 1,100 residents are employed, while the unemployment rate is 2.2% below Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%, and workforce participation is at 68.5% compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. Manufacturing employment levels are notably high, at 1.6 times the regional average. In contrast, accommodation & food employs only 5.2% of local workers, below Rest of Qld's 8.3%.

The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, indicated by Census data comparing working population and resident population. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 5.1%, while labour force increased by 4.6%, causing a fall in unemployment rate of 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld experienced employment growth of 1.7% and labour force growth of 2.1%, with an increase in unemployment rate of 0.3 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1,210 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%, broadly in line with the national rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest a growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Cotswold Hills's employment mix, local employment is expected to increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.3% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 indicates that income in Cotswold Hills is aligned with national averages. The median income is $54,937 and the average income stands at $67,495. This contrasts with Rest of Qld's figures, which show a median income of $53,146 and an average income of $66,593. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Cotswold Hills would be approximately $60,381 (median) and $74,184 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals that incomes in Cotswold Hills cluster around the 73rd percentile nationally. Income analysis shows that 34.5% of individuals earn between $1,500 and $2,999 per week, with a total of 718 individuals in this earnings band. The district demonstrates affluence, with 32.4% earning over $3,000 per week. After housing costs, residents retain 89.5% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

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

In Cotswold Hills, as recorded in the latest Census, 96.5% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 3.5% comprising semi-detached properties, apartments and other types. This compares to Non-Metro Qld's figures of 81.4% houses and 18.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Cotswold Hills stood at 43.2%, with mortgaged dwellings accounting for 40.9% and rented properties making up 15.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,785, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,517. The median weekly rent figure in Cotswold Hills was $390, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $310. Nationally, Cotswold Hills' mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Cotswold Hills features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 86.7% of all households, including 34.7% couples with children, 43.5% couples without children, and 5.8% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 13.3%, with lone person households at 11.6% and group households comprising 1.8%. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

Cotswold Hills shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

The area's university qualification rate is 19.9%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both challenges and opportunities for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.0%) and graduate diplomas (2.2%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 39.3% of residents aged 15+ holding them.

Advanced diplomas account for 10.3% and certificates make up 29.0%. Educational participation is high, with 26.0% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.1% in primary, 7.9% in secondary, and 4.1% in tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

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

Health indicators suggest below-average outcomes in Cotswold Hills. Common health conditions are slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is fairly high at approximately 54% of the total population (~1,124 people), compared to 51.5% across Rest of Qld. The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and asthma, impacting 8.4 and 8.4% of residents respectively. 67.8% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 65.3% across Rest of Qld. As of 2016, the area has 19.6% of residents aged 65 and over (408 people). Health outcomes among seniors are above average, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

Cotswold Hills is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Cotswold Hills, assessed for cultural diversity, had 89.8% of its population born in Australia, with 93.6% being citizens and 94.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 71.9%, compared to 58.8% regionally. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (29.9%), English (29.7%), and German (9.5%).

Notably, Scottish ancestry was overrepresented at 8.5% versus 7.9% regionally, Filipino at 1.5% versus 0.8%, and Korean at 0.2% versus 0.2%.

Cotswold Hills's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age in Cotswold Hills is 42 years, close to Rest of Qld's average of 41 and well above the Australian median of 38. Compared to the Rest of Qld average, the 55-64 age cohort is notably over-represented at 15.4% locally, while the 35-44 age group is under-represented at 10.3%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the 25 to 34 age group has grown from 12.6% to 14.6%, the 5 to 14 cohort has declined from 11.9% to 10.6%, and the 45 to 54 group has dropped from 13.2% to 11.9%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes for Cotswold Hills, with the 25 to 34 age cohort projected to expand by 113 people (37%) from 304 to 418, and the 15 to 24 group displaying more modest growth at 0%, adding only 0 residents.