Dalby (Qld)

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Based on demographic assessments of ABS regional updates and fresh address validations from Districts since the Census, Dalby's populace is calculated at approximately 13,467 as of May 2026. This indicates a rise of 709 residents (5.6%) from the 2021 Census, which documented a population of 12,758 individuals. The variation is derived from a local headcount of 13,358, calculated by Districts using the ABS's recent June 2025 ERP release alongside 130 validated new addresses added post-Census. Such occupancy yields a density of 41 persons per square kilometer, ensuring a spacious layout. The suburb of Dalby outpaced both the SA4 region (5.0%) and the SA3 area with its 5.6% growth rate, establishing itself as a local frontrunner. Natural expansion drove the demographic gains, accounting for roughly 65.0% of the overall growth in recent times.

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Dalby has a well-apportioned labor market split between white-collar and blue-collar occupations. Districts data indicates a local unemployment rate of 4.1% and job growth of 0.8% over the preceding year. As of March 2026, there are 6,856 employed residents, with local unemployment tracking 0.1% higher than the Regional Qld rate of 3.9%. Labor force participation is typical at 68.0% compared to 64.3% in Regional Qld. According to Census records, a minor 5.4% of the workforce worked from home, though this figure reflects the influence of pandemic lockdowns.

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Aggregated tax data from the ATO for the 2023 financial year shows that taxpayers in the suburb of Dalby recorded a median income of $49,950 and an average income of $58,074. These figures sit below the national benchmarks and compare to median and average levels of $53,146 and $66,593 across Regional Qld. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since the 2023 financial year, local incomes are estimated at approximately $55,624 for the median and $64,671 for the average as of March 2026. According to the Census, household, family, and individual incomes are modest, placing between the 33rd and 39th percentiles. The largest income bracket contains 33.9% of the population (4,565 residents) earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly, matching regional patterns where 31.7% fall into this range. On average, households retain of their income after meeting housing costs.

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Census data reveals that standalone houses comprise 91.3% of dwellings in the suburb of Dalby, with other formats like townhouses and apartments making up 8.7%. This compares to a split of 76.4% houses and 23.6% other options across Regional Qld. Home ownership rates in the suburb of Dalby lag the wider region at 29.3%, with mortgaged properties accounting for 34.9% and rentals representing 35.8%. The local median monthly mortgage payment of $1,300 is well below the regional average of $1,655, while the median weekly rent of $260 sits below the Regional Qld average of $345. On a national level, housing costs are highly affordable, with local mortgages below the Australian average of $1,863 and rents well below the national figure of $375.

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Families make up 71.3% of local households, consisting of couples with children at 29.4%, couples without children at 27.2%, and single-parent homes at 13.4%. Non-family households comprise the remaining 28.7%, with single-person households at 25.7% and group housing at 3.1%. The median household size of 2.6 residents exceeds the Regional Qld average of 2.5.

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Academic attainment represents a distinct local focus, with university graduation rates at 13.7% sitting lower than the national average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher education credential at 10.7%, followed by graduate diplomas at 1.7% and postgraduate degrees at 1.3%. Vocational and technical qualifications are highly common, with 40.7% of residents aged 15+ holding a trade qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas at 8.4% and certificates at 32.3%.

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Public health records indicate notable challenges in the suburb of Dalby, according to mortality and illness data analyzed by Districts. Health issues are prevalent across both younger and older demographics, while the rate of private medical insurance is low, covering approximately 50% of the population (~6,763 people) compared to 52.5% in Regional Qld and a national average of 55.7%.

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Cultural diversity measures show standard regional profiles, with citizens accounting for 89.6% of the population, 91.4% of residents born in Australia, and 94.9% speaking only English at home. The predominant religious affiliation is Christianity, representing 65.5% of the local population compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld.

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The median age of 35 years in the suburb of Dalby is younger than the Regional Qld average of 41 and the national average of 38. The 5 - 14 youth group is highly represented at 14.6% of the local population, while the 65 - 74 group is less common at 8.9%. Post-2021 Census adjustments show the 75 to 84 cohort expanded from 4.8% to 5.8%, while the 45 to 54 cohort decreased from 12.7% to 11.1%, and the 5 to 14 group fell from 16.1% to 14.6%. Projections for 2041 point to demographic shifts, led by a expansion in the to cohort (adding people to reach from ), while both the to and to brackets are projected to decline.

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Dalby currently has an estimated 929 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 549 children aged 0-2 and 366 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 12% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 5% by 2041 (to approximately 980 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 1,516. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 12.9 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the top 20% of areas assessed nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.