East Toowoomba (Qld)

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Based on demographic assessments of ABS regional updates and fresh home addresses confirmed by Districts post-Census, the population of East Toowoomba is calculated to be approximately 6,110 as of May 2026. This indicates an expansion of 157 residents, or 2.6%, relative to the 2021 Census, which recorded 5,953 citizens. The adjustment is derived from the resident count of 6,102 estimated by Districts using the June 2025 ABS ERP publication, alongside 10 newly verified residential addresses since the Census date. This population level yields a density of 1,490 individuals per square kilometer, exceeding the typical figure for national spots monitored by Districts. Inward overseas migration drove the growth, accounting for roughly 76.0% of the net gains in recent times.

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A highly qualified labor force characterizes East Toowoomba, showing strong representation in key service industries and a low unemployment rate of 3.3%, according to aggregated regional statistics. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 2,993, while the jobless rate was 0.6% below the Regional Qld benchmark of 3.9%. Participation in the workforce matched the Regional Qld average of 64.3%. Census data indicates that only 11.4% of the working population operated from home, though this may have been influenced by pandemic-related restrictions.

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Based on aggregated ATO postcode statistics for the 2023 financial year, taxpayers in the suburb of East Toowoomba recorded a median income of $58,359 and an average of $71,708. These figures exceed the respective Regional Qld markers of $53,146 and $66,593, as well as national averages. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index rise of 11.36% since the 2023 financial year, estimates for March 2026 stand at roughly $64,989 for the median and $79,854 for the average. The 2021 Census placed individual weekly incomes in the 57th percentile ($838 weekly) and household incomes in the 41st percentile. The weekly household income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 is the most common, accounting for 28.4% of residents (1,735 people), which compares to 31.7% for the wider region. After housing outlays, 85.3% of earnings are retained for other uses, placing the suburb in the 6th decile of the SEIFA income index.

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According to the latest Census, housing types in East Toowoomba consisted of 66.3% separate houses and 33.6% other options including townhouses and apartments, compared to 76.4% houses and 23.6% alternative structures across Regional Qld. Home ownership rates in the suburb trailed the regional average slightly at 30.6%, with the remaining properties occupied under a mortgage (26.1%) or rented (43.3%). The median monthly home loan payment was $1,733, exceeding the Regional Qld average of $1,655, while weekly median rent was $300, below the regional figure of $345. On a national level, mortgage costs in the suburb are below the Australian median of $1,863, and rent costs sit well under the national average of $375.

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Families make up 59.6% of all local households, consisting of couples with children at 24.6%, couples without children at 23.7%, and single parent households at 10.4%. Single-person households account for 37.2% and group houses represent 3.3%, making up the remaining 40.4% of non-family households. The median household size is 2.2 residents, which is smaller than the Regional Qld average of 2.5.

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Rates of qualification in East Toowoomba are considerably higher than broader regional averages, with 35.6% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 20.6% in the Rest of Qld and 23.1% in the local SA3. This educational profile positions the suburb well for professional opportunities. Bachelor-level degrees represent 22.5% of qualifications, followed by postgraduate degrees at 9.3% and graduate diplomas at 3.8%. Vocational education is also common, with 30.6% of residents aged 15+ holding practical qualifications, split between advanced diplomas at 10.8% and certificates at 19.8%.

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There are 22 public transport stops within East Toowoomba, operating bus services across 3 routes that provide 196 weekly passenger trips. The average distance to the nearest stop is 420 meters, representing moderate accessibility. Commuting is predominantly outbound, with private cars accounting for 87% of trips and walking representing 9%. Average vehicle ownership is 1.2 per household, which is below the regional average. Census data from 2021 shows that 11.4% of residents worked from home, potentially reflecting pandemic conditions.

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Health indicators are generally positive for the local population. Mortality rates and chronic conditions are in line with national averages across all age categories, while the proportion of residents with private health insurance is high at approximately 56% (~3,398 people), compared to 52.5% across Regional Qld.

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The population of East Toowoomba shows lower levels of cultural diversity than average, with citizens accounting for 88.3%, Australian-born residents at 84.2%, and monolingual English speakers at 90.4%. Christianity is the largest religious group, representing 57.2% of residents. The most significant statistical variation is in the Other category, which represents 2.5% of the population compared to 0.8% across Regional Qld.

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The median age of 37 years in East Toowoomba is lower than the Regional Qld average of 41 and close to the national median of 38. The suburb has a high proportion of children aged 5 - 14 years at 15.4%, while residents aged 75 - 84 years are underrepresented at 5.9%. Since the 2021 Census, the 25 to 34 age bracket has expanded from 10.9% to 11.6% of the population, while the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 13.2% to 11.6%. Projections to 2041 suggest a shifting age profile, with the 25 to 34 bracket expected to grow by 21%, adding 148 residents to reach 857, while the 55 to 64 and 5 to 14 brackets are projected to shrink.

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East Toowoomba currently has an estimated 323 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 191 children aged 0-2 and 127 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 5% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 13% by 2041 (to approximately 365 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 683. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been moderate, with approximately 8.9 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area within the middle tier nationally.