Calliope (Qld)

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According to assessments of ABS population statistics for the surrounding region, alongside new addresses verified by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Calliope (Qld) has a projected population of approximately 5,543 in May 2026. This represents an expansion of 280 residents (5.3%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 5,263 individuals. The estimate is derived from a resident count of 5,494 calculated by Districts using the latest ABS ERP release (June 2025) plus 17 validated new addresses identified after the Census. This population level yields a density of 30 persons per square kilometer, indicating a spacious living environment. The 5.3% post-census growth rate in the suburb of Calliope (Qld) is within 2.1 percentage points of the broader SA4 region (7.4%), showing healthy expansion rates. Growth was chiefly underpinned by natural increase, which accounted for roughly 59.0% of recent population expansion, though net interstate and overseas migration also remained positive.

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Calliope has a balanced labor market containing both white-collar and blue-collar workers, with construction sector employment particularly well represented, and an unemployment rate of just 3.4% based on aggregated regional statistics. In March 2026, working residents numbered 2,647, and the local unemployment rate was 0.5% below the Regional Qld average of 3.9%. Labor force participation is normal, sitting at 68.2% compared to 64.3% in Regional Qld. Census data indicates that a low 4.8% of employed residents worked from home, though this figure may have been influenced by pandemic-related lockdowns.

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Based on aggregated ATO tax data from the financial year 2023 release, taxpayers in Calliope recorded a median income of $59,706 and an average income of $73,299. These figures exceed the Regional Qld medians of $53,146 and $66,593, respectively, and are higher than the national averages. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 11.36% since the financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of March 2026 would be approximately $66,489 (median) and $81,626 (average). According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes sit around the 53rd percentile nationally. The most common income range is $1,500 - 2,999, which accounts for 34.8% of residents (1,928 people), aligned with the regional trend of in this bracket. Residents retain of their income after housing costs.

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According to the latest Census, residential properties in Calliope consisted of 94.6% houses and 5.4% other dwelling types, such as apartments and townhouses, compared to 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings across Regional Qld. Home ownership rates were lower than the regional benchmark, sitting at 23.9%, with the remaining properties occupied by mortgage holders (45.5%) or tenants (30.6%). The median monthly mortgage payment was higher than the regional average at $1,733, while the median weekly rent was lower at $300, compared to Regional Qld levels of $1,655 and $345. Locally, mortgage repayments are lower than the national median of $1,863, and rents are considerably lower than the Australian average of $375.

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Families make up the vast majority of households at 81.3%, consisting of couples with children (40.6%), couples without children (27.6%), and single-parent homes (12.2%). Non-family households constitute the remaining 18.7%, with single-person households representing 16.6% and shared group houses making up 2.3%. The median household occupancy is 2.9 people, exceeding the Regional Qld average of 2.5.

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The region shows lower rates of higher education, with university qualifications held by 9.5% of residents compared to the national average of 30.4%. Within this group, bachelor degrees account for 7.2%, postgraduate qualifications make up 1.2%, and graduate diplomas represent 1.1%. Vocational qualifications are common, with 46.0% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (7.5%) and certificate-level qualifications (38.5%).

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Analysis of mortality rates and chronic health conditions suggests that health outcomes in Calliope are below average, with chronic illnesses slightly more common across all age brackets. However, private health insurance uptake is high, with approximately 56% of the population (~3,117 people) holding coverage, compared to 52.5% in Regional Qld.

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Cultural diversity is below the regional average, with citizens making up 90.8% of the population, 91.4% born in Australia, and 97.1% speaking only English at home. The predominant religion is Christianity, which is practiced by 46.4% of residents, compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld.

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The median age of 32 years is lower than the Regional Qld average of 41 and the national median of 38. Compared to Regional Qld, there is a higher proportion of children aged 5 - 14 (18.0% versus the national average of 12.0%) and fewer residents aged 75 - 84 (4.0%). Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 cohort has increased from 2.6% to 4.0%, while the 5 to 14 cohort decreased from 19.7% to 18.0%, and the 45 to 54 group declined from 11.9% to 10.8%. Demographic modeling projects significant changes by with the to age bracket expected to grow by (adding residents to reach ), while the to group is projected to contract by residents.

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Calliope currently has an estimated 515 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 225 children aged 0-2 and 150 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 9% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 26% by 2041 (to approximately 648 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 686. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been moderate, with approximately 10.0 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area within the middle tier nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.