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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
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Miles has an estimated 1,971 residents, up from 1,874 at the 2021 Census — a change of 97 people, or 5.2%. Growth has averaged 1.1% a year over five years. Natural increase accounts for 60.0% 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
As of Aug 2026, the population in the suburb of Miles is estimated at approximately 1,971, drawing upon new addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census alongside ABS broader population updates. Compared to the 2021 Census tally of 1,874 people, this represents an addition of 97 people (5.2%). Following review of the latest ERP figures from the ABS (June 2025) and incorporating 75 validated new addresses since the Census date, AreaSearch estimated an underlying resident population of 1,967. This community size results in a density of 4.6 persons per square kilometer, ensuring considerable personal space for residents.
Expanding by 5.2% since the 2021 census, the suburb of Miles outpaced the SA3 area (3.5%) and the wider SA4 region, positioning it as a leading growth locality. Natural growth served as the primary contributor, accounting for roughly 60.0% of overall population gains in recent times, with interstate migration and overseas migration also delivering positive additions. SA2 area projections from ABS/Geoscience Australia, published in 2024 using 2022 as the base year, have been adopted by AreaSearch for local forecasting. For localities outside this coverage or covering timeframes post-2032, Queensland State Government SA2 projections released in 2023 with 2021 as the base are applied. Because these state figures omit age cohort breakdowns, AreaSearch allocates proportional cohort weighting derived from ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Demographic trends point toward lower quartile growth relative to national regional benchmarks, with aggregated SA2-level modeling forecasting an increase of 62 persons to 2041 for the suburb of Miles, amounting to a 2.9% overall gain across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential building activity across Miles remains minimal, averaging 2 approvals annually (totalling 12 dwellings over the five-year period). Modest demand and local infrastructure thresholds naturally constrain construction, generating low building volumes typical of rural settings. Due to the small sample size, single construction projects can create notable fluctuations in annual growth rates and comparative metrics. Building volumes in Miles track substantially lower than the Rest of Qld and remain well below national averages. Detached houses constitute 75.0% of new residential development, while townhouses or apartments make up 25.0%, emphasizing standalone homes suited to rural living and generous allotments.
The presence of 653 people per dwelling approval underscores a subdued, low-volume residential construction environment. Long-term population modeling projects that Miles will add 58 residents through to 2041 based on the latest quarterly calculations from AreaSearch. Current rates of residential development appear sufficient to accommodate this anticipated intake, supporting a balanced property market without significant cost escalation.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Miles
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks one current infrastructure or development project inside Miles, worth an estimated $1.8 billion. A further 42 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $7.64 billion. 9 are already under construction and 18 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
Regional outcomes are heavily shaped by strategic planning initiatives, key infrastructure works, and major capital investments. AreaSearch has identified 1 major project positioned to influence the locality. Significant regional undertakings include the Arrow Energy Surat Gas Project North, Arrow Energy Surat Gas Project, Arrow Energy Surat Pipeline Project, and Nathan Dam and Pipelines Project, with details on the most relevant schemes provided below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Arrow Energy Surat Gas Project North
Arrow Energy's Surat Gas Project North is the northern expansion of its 27-year Surat Gas Project near Miles. The development includes up to 450 coal seam gas wells over two stages, a field compression station, a 26 to 27 km infrastructure corridor, gas and water gathering pipelines, road and intersection upgrades, and a hybrid power station with gas generation, solar and battery storage. First gas was delivered in late 2025 and the project is scaling toward about 130 TJ/day at peak capacity, with field compression station, accommodation and hybrid power works continuing.
Chinchilla Weir Revitalisation
Revitalisation of the Chinchilla Weir under Western Downs Regional Council's COVID-19 Recovery Package. Works completed 3 July 2021 improved amenities and the natural landscape including day use upgrades, landscaping, fire pits, shelters, BBQs, bin enclosures, vehicle barriers, camp kitchen, interpretation signage, and upgrades to overnight camping areas.
Chinchilla Cultural Precinct Revitalisation
Revitalisation of the Chinchilla Cultural Precinct to create a modern, vibrant and welcoming community hub for residents and visitors to enjoy, home to the Customer Contact Centre, Library, Cinema, Cultural Centre and Lapunyah Art Gallery. The project includes a central lawn area for community events, revitalized library with multimedia and reading areas, art gallery with new layout and workshops, street arbours, communal workshop, landscaping, amphitheatre, and enhanced lighting.
Southern Cross Care Chinchilla - Illoura Village Redevelopment
A new, state-of-the-art residential aged care home that opened in February 2025, replacing the previous 40-year-old building. The $36 million facility provides 81 private rooms with ensuites, replacing the previous facility that accommodated 66 residents. The project is part of a broader vision for a 'Chinchilla Wellness Hub' which includes an 'Age Well' community centre and an education and training hub in partnership with Southern Queensland Rural Health. The redevelopment also includes staff housing and aims to provide comprehensive aged care expansion for the Western Downs region.
Warrego Highway Chinchilla Heavy Vehicle Route Strategy
A $1 million planning project to investigate the need for a future heavy vehicle route for Chinchilla, identifying a potential bypass or alternative route to improve safety, local amenity, and flood immunity as part of the Warrego Highway Upgrade Program.
Chinchilla Aquatic Precinct
Council-led replacement of the ageing Chinchilla Aquatic and Fitness Centre with a modern aquatic precinct at 35-41 Villiers Street. The new precinct will feature an eight-lane 50-metre pool, a 25-metre indoor lap pool, and a dedicated learn-to-swim and toddler pool. The plan also features flexible spaces for aquatic support areas, allied health and rehabilitation gym areas, cafe/kiosk, amenities, change areas, outdoor recreation areas, and administration spaces.
Chinchilla Christian College Extensions
Multi-stage expansion and refurbishment of Chinchilla Christian College including Stage 3 and Stage 4 extensions to the main school building, new general learning areas, technologies building, library hub, staff facilities, toilet amenities and refurbishment of the multipurpose court. The expanded facilities support enrolment growth from Kindergarten to Year 12 across the Western Downs region.
New Tara Hospital
Part of the Queensland Government's Building Rural and Remote Health Program, the new Tara Hospital replaces a 60-year-old facility. The modern development includes a 12-bed inpatient unit, an expanded emergency department, palliative care, and adult mental health services. It features single inpatient rooms and enhanced digital connectivity to improve healthcare delivery for the Tara community.
957 residents of Miles are employed, from a labour force of 1,013. Unemployment sits at 5.5%, with participation at 63.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.5% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,555, about 79% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
According to statistical area aggregations by AreaSearch, the local workforce in Miles shows an even distribution between blue-collar and white-collar roles, supported by solid manufacturing and industrial activity, an unemployment rate of 5.5%, and steady conditions over the past year. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 957, the unemployment rate sat 1.6% higher than the 3.9% recorded across Regional Qld, and participation levels closely tracked the regional benchmark of 64.2%. Census figures indicated that 7.3% of workers operated from home, though pandemic lockdown circumstances during the period should be recognized.
The primary employment sectors for local residents include retail trade, construction, and health care & social assistance. Specialization is particularly pronounced in agriculture, forestry & fishing, which commands a workforce share 2.0 times the broader regional benchmark. Conversely, health care & social assistance represents only 11.0% of local employment compared to 16.1% across Regional Qld. A comparison of the Census working population against resident workforce numbers indicates relatively constrained local job availability. Aggregated ABS and SALM data compiled by AreaSearch indicates that over the 12 months to March 2026, local employment expanded by 0.2% while the labour force grew by 1.7%, driving an unemployment increase of 1.5 percentage points. In comparison, Regional Qld saw employment rise by 0.1%, the labour force expand by 0.3%, and unemployment tick up by 0.1 percentage points. Future workforce requirements can be evaluated using national industry projections from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 across five and ten-year horizons. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with performance varying by industry. Aligning these sector projections with the local industry distribution suggests employment in Miles could rise by 5.5% over five years and 11.9% over ten years, based on illustrative weighting calculations that exclude localized demographic adjustments.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Miles is $1,263 a week (about $66,000 a year), with median personal income at $716 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $43,638 a year against an average of $47,610. 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
ATO records aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicate that taxpayer income in the suburb of Miles sits below national benchmarks. Taxpayers recorded a median income of $43,638 and an average income of $47,610, compared with $53,146 and $66,593 across Regional Qld. Factoring in an 11.36% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, March 2026 estimates indicate a median of $48,595 and an average of $53,018. Census 2021 data places local personal, family, and household earnings between the 17th and 31st percentiles nationally. Around 28.9% of residents (569 individuals) earn between $1,500 - 2,999, mirroring the wider regional proportion of 31.7%.
Despite affordable living where residents retain 88.5% of their income, total disposable income falls in the 22nd percentile across Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Miles had 690 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 81% detached houses and 2% apartments. 20% are owned with a mortgage, 50% rented and 31% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $200 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,020 a month. Rent absorbs 15.8% of household income here and mortgage repayments 18.6%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the latest Census, separate houses made up 80.7% of the residential stock in Miles, while apartments, semi-detached properties, and 'other' dwellings comprised 19.2%, compared to 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings in Regional Qld. Outright home ownership reached 30.7%, trailing the regional benchmark, while 19.6% of homes carried a mortgage and 49.8% were rented. The median monthly mortgage repayment stood at $1,020 and median weekly rent was $200, positioned well below the respective Regional Qld figures of $1,655 and $345. On a national scale, local mortgage repayments sit considerably below the Australian median of $1,863, with rents tracking markedly under the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Miles counted 690 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 726 today, averaging 2.3 people each. 23% are couples with children, fewer than in 79% of areas nationally, against 27% couples without children. 34% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.0 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the primary living arrangement, representing 63.5% of households and comprising couples without children (26.6%), couples with children (22.5%), and single parent families (12.1%). Non-family residences make up the remaining 36.5%, consisting of lone person households (34.1%) and group households (3.0%). The median household size stands at 2.3 people, slightly below the 2.5 person average across Regional Qld.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
14.4% of adults in Miles hold a university qualification, including 13.1% with a bachelor degree and 0.7% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 86% of areas nationally. A further 33.4% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 352 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 911 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
Tertiary attainment in the area is comparatively low, with 14.4% of residents holding a university qualification against the national benchmark of 30.4%, highlighting a clear focus area for educational development. Attainment is led by bachelor degrees at 13.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (0.7%) and graduate diplomas (0.6%). In contrast, technical and vocational pathways are prominent, with 42.8% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, comprising certificates (33.4%) and advanced diplomas (9.4%). Formal study engagement is substantial, with 33.4% of the population participating in education. This proportion includes 13.5% in primary schooling, 10.3% in secondary education, and 2.4% enrolled in tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Miles means driving: households keep an average of 1.3 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
62.4% of residents in Miles report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 93% of areas nationally. 6.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 46.1% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 7.8 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Mortality and chronic disease data evaluated by AreaSearch indicate meaningful health challenges across both younger and older cohorts in Miles. Approximately 46% of the population (~908 people) holds private health insurance, a level considerably below the 52.5% recorded across Regional Qld and the national benchmark of 55.7%. Asthma and mental health issues represent the most prevalent health conditions locally, diagnosed in 10.0 and 9.5% of residents respectively, while 62.4% of the population reported no long-term medical conditions compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Chronic conditions are elevated within the working-age demographic.
Residents aged 65 and over account for 22.8% of the local population (449 people), exceeding the regional proportion of 20.3%, with senior health metrics generally aligning with broader national patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Miles is largely Australian-born, at 88.5% of residents, with 6.5% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (34.1%) and English (27.5%). 6.8% 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
Cultural diversity in Miles is relatively limited compared to broader standards, with Australian citizens making up 81.9% of residents, 88.5% born in Australia, and 93.5% speaking exclusively English at home. Christianity is the dominant religious faith, adhered to by 63.6% of the local population compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld. Based on parental country of birth, the leading reported ancestries in Miles are Australian at 34.1% (surpassing the regional figure of 26.5%), English at 27.5%, and Scottish at 7.3%. Specific cultural groups also exhibit distinct representation, including Australian Aboriginal heritage at 6.8% (against 3.9% regionally), Welsh ancestry at 0.8% (compared to 0.5%), and South Australian background at 0.8% (compared to 0.5%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Miles is 38. 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 age distribution in Miles closely tracks Regional Qld benchmarks, with the maximum variation across the four main age brackets measuring 2.4 percentage points. As at August 2026, the estimated median age is 38, unchanged from the 2021 Census and 3 years below the regional median of 41 recorded at that time. Retiree and senior age groups (65+) have increased their share from 19.3% at the Census to an estimated 22.8%. Long-term projections indicate that elderly and retiree demographics will absorb the majority of population expansion by 2041, increasing by 69 residents (15%) to 518, while children, young adults, middle aged residents, and younger retirees are expected to see contractions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Miles
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 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) | Aug 2026 2 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago 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 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| 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 Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 months ago all 1 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 May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 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) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 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 — 75 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (1,874 at the 2021 Census → 1,971 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 (SAL31833). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.