Home › AUS › Rest of Qld › Toowoomba › South Toowoomba
Rest of Qld / Toowoomba
$497
Median rent / wk
Period ending Jun 2026
+3.9%
Rent growth / yr
Period ending Jun 2026
5,666
People
17 Jul 2026
+2.8%
Growth since 2021
Census
14
For sale now
indexed listings
Data sourcesABSDFFH Rental ReportACARARefreshed July 2026
ABS QuickStats SAL32601How we calculate this
How figures are calculatedFigures are extracted from the sources listed here at the observation date shown, and displayed unchanged. Rank bars use the profile's score out of 10 where one exists. Missing values are shown as unavailable — never estimated or back-filled.
Suburb (SAL) analysis
This analysis uses Suburb (SAL) boundaries, which can differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when they share the same name. SAL 32601.
5,666
People
est. as @ 17 Jul 2026
2021 Census | 5,512 people
3.7 km²
Land area
1,531.4 /km²
Density
6.9%
Unemployment
12 /yr
Resi approvals
The suburb of South Toowoomba is located 106 kilometers west from the Brisbane CBD. As of May 2026, the area has an estimated resident population (ERP) of 5,666 people, showing minimal change since the 2021 Census recorded a population of 5,512. The demographic profile is notable for an elevated 25 to 34yo cohort, a high proportion of children, and many young adults living in lone person and group households. The local housing market features a low median household size, an above-average renting population, and a strong semi-detached presence. Local employment is supported by a notable healthcare employment base and a strong service amenity offering. Known as the Garden City, the suburb of South Toowoomba is celebrated for its beautiful gardens, rich cultural heritage, and welcoming community atmosphere. The area features stunning parks, including the well-known Queens Park, alongside heritage-listed architecture reflecting its historical importance. The local art scene flourishes with galleries, studios, and street art, while events like the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers bring together residents and visitors. Though the suburb has experienced limited population growth patterns, it is among the country's most active areas for major infrastructure projects planned to fuel future demand.
Estimated residents are up from 5,512 at the 2021 Census — a change of 154 people, or 2.8%.
Districts View
Data to 17 Jul 2026Forecast demand
Official forecasts point to an additional 114 residents by 2041 — growth of 2.0% on the current estimated population.
Infrastructure pipeline
8 major projects are tracked in and around South Toowoomba, and infrastructure activity ranks in the 97th percentile nationally.
Employment outlook
Industry-weighted employment growth of 7.0% is forecast over the next five years based on the local industry mix.
Below-average resident incomes
South Toowoomba ranks in the 30th percentile nationally for income (score 3/10).
Lower household incomes can constrain rent growth and buyer depth, and increase sensitivity to interest-rate and cost-of-living pressure.
Weak local employment drivers
South Toowoomba ranks in the 15th percentile nationally for employment drivers (score 1.5/10).
Areas with limited local job creation rely more heavily on commuting access and broader regional employment conditions.
Weak housing market ranking
South Toowoomba ranks in the 19th percentile nationally for housing (score 1.9/10).
A low composite housing ranking suggests the local market has lagged comparable areas on the measures Districts tracks.
Elevated unemployment
Unemployment in South Toowoomba is 6.9%.
Higher unemployment increases tenancy risk and can weigh on rental demand and price growth.
Districts' reading of national rankings, Census change and the tracked project pipeline for South Toowoomba. Each line cites its evidence; this is interpretation, not advice. The Investment Report PDF is the long form of this thesis.
Sales activity
Data to 17 Jul 2026No market glance has been ingested for this suburb yet. Recorded sales below come from Districts property records where indexed.
Residential supply
Data to 17 Jul 2026Districts view
Residential development activity is lower than average in South Toowoomba according to Districts' national comparison of local real estate markets
Detail
Districts' evaluation of ABS building approvals assigned from statistical area datasets shows that the suburb of South Toowoomba averages around 12 dwelling approvals annually, totaling approximately 60 residential units over the preceding 5 financial years. Thus far in FY-26, 32 approvals have been documented. With an average of 1.1 new residents per year arriving per new home over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), supply and demand appear well-balanced, maintaining market stability, while new builds carry an average construction value of $380,000.
Compared to the Rest of Qld, the suburb of South Toowoomba exhibits far less building activity (62.0% below the regional per capita average). This relative lack of new supply generally supports demand and valuations for existing properties, even though construction has picked up of late. This volume also falls below the national average, highlighting the established status of the neighborhood and indicating potential planning constraints. Recent building approvals consist of 25.0% detached houses and 75.0% attached dwellings. This orientation toward higher-density options offers affordable entry points and attracts downsizers, investors, and first-time buyers. This is a clear departure from the current housing stock (which stands at 70.0% houses), signaling a dwindling supply of vacant land alongside shifting lifestyles and a demand for more varied, affordable housing. There are approximately 263 people per dwelling approval, pointing to a low density market.
Looking forward, the suburb of South Toowoomba is projected to add 114 residents by 2041 (starting from the most recent Districts quarterly estimate). Given ongoing construction rates, new housing supply is expected to easily accommodate this demand, creating favorable conditions for purchasers and potentially underpinning growth beyond current population forecasts.
Districts' assessment of the Toowoomba LGA register has identified 22 substantial development applications lodged in South Toowoomba over the past 5 years (3 in the last 12 months). Minor and ancillary works — single dwellings, outbuildings, signage and smaller residential developments — are excluded. Of these, 18 were approved (82%, or 95% of those decided), 1 was withdrawn (5%), while 3 are under assessment. Districts estimates that 1 of these developments has likely been constructed. The most common application types are commercial, multi-resi and retail.
22 applications in the profile extract.
Recent Development Approvals by Type
ABS / Districts
| Metrici | South Toowoomba | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Latest FY Approvals | 1 | 185,138 | 897 |
| Current FY-to-Date Approvals | 32 | 184,871 | 1,331 |
| –Detached House Approvals | 3/25.0% | 89,436/61.9% | 596/86.5% |
| –Attached/Other Approvals | 9/75.0% | 55,043/38.1% | 93/13.5% |
| Average Annual Approvals | 12 | 188,882 | 926 |
| Total 5-Year Approvals | 60 | 944,410 | 4,630 |
| Approvals per 1,000 People (2yr) | 3.8 | 6.5 | 4.8 |
| Approvals per 1,000 People (5yr) | 2.1 | 7.2 | 5.5 |
| Pop Growth per Approval (2yr) | 0.8 | 2.8 | 3 |
| Pop Growth per Approval (5yr) | 1.1 | 2.1 | 2.9 |
| Persons per Approval | 263 | 158 | 211 |
| Residential Value per Unit | 380 | 342 | 321 |
| Commercial Development Value | 0 | 105,080,908 | 504,374 |
| Development Drivers Ranking | 31 | 100 | 92 |
Project pipeline
Data to 17 Jul 2026Districts view
South Toowoomba has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally
Detail
Local performance is heavily shaped by updates to regional infrastructure, major works, and planning schemes. Districts has identified 19 projects expected to influence the neighborhood. Major developments include the Grants for Growth Infrastructure Plan, a single-story Retirement Village (86 Units), the Mater Dei Primary School Early Years Precinct, and the Ruthven Street Social and Affordable Housing Development, with key details provided below for those of highest relevance.
Health & Medical
Planning86-unit single-storey retirement village providing aged care accommodation and community facilities for seniors in the Toowoomba region.
Source 1 for Retirement Village (86 Units) - Single Storey (opens in new tab)Source 2 for Retirement Village (86 Units) - Single Storey (opens in new tab)
Residential Development
Under AssessmentDevelopment of 56 social and 4 affordable homes, made up of 47 one-bedroom and 13 two-bedroom units, on faith-based land owned by St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland, along with a family services hub and community services area. The project is part of the Society's 500 Homes program and will provide long-term supported housing for up to 80 residents transitioning out of homelessness. It is delivered in partnership with the Queensland Government and Vinnies Housing, which will manage tenancies on site.
Source 1 for Ruthven Street Social and Affordable Housing Development (opens in new tab)Source 2 for Ruthven Street Social and Affordable Housing Development (opens in new tab)
Communities
ConstructionBoutique luxury apartment development by FKG Group, constructed by wholly-owned subsidiary GFG Projects, featuring 18 exquisitely designed residences across 6 levels. The development offers sweeping views of the Mothers Memorial and Queens Park, with amenities including a private roof terrace, pool, gym, yoga room and entertainment area. Features 2-4 bedroom apartments with generous balconies and media rooms. Prices start from $1.75 million. Only 5 residences remaining as of mid-2025.
Source 1 for Fairleigh Residences (The Kitchener) (opens in new tab)Source 2 for Fairleigh Residences (The Kitchener) (opens in new tab)
Communities
ConstructionA $150 million development delivering 185 social and affordable housing units across four apartment buildings of five to six storeys in Newtown, Toowoomba. Comprising 89 social housing dwellings and 96 affordable housing dwellings, the project is led by Mission Australia Housing with financing from Palisade Investment Partners and support from the Queensland Government under its Securing Our Foundations Housing Plan. Construction commenced April 2025 with completion expected mid-2027.
Source 1 for Mission Australia Toowoomba Social and Affordable Housing (opens in new tab)Source 2 for Mission Australia Toowoomba Social and Affordable Housing (opens in new tab)
Arts & Culture
PlanningCouncil-led proposal to deliver a landmark art museum and cultural precinct in the Toowoomba CBD to replace or upgrade the existing Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery. A business case being developed by SMA Tourism is testing site options, costs, and governance models to attract touring exhibitions and better house the City collection.
Source 1 for Toowoomba Art Museum (proposed) (opens in new tab)Source 2 for Toowoomba Art Museum (proposed) (opens in new tab)
8 projects tracked around South Toowoomba (QLD), in the source's significance order. Stages and reference links are as published by the source.
On the market now
Data to 17 Jul 2026$649,000
Unit · 2 bed · 120m² land
Listed 26 Aug 2026
Price not recorded
Semi-Detached · 3 bed
Listed 15 July 2026
$559,000
Unit · 3 bed · 121m² land
Listed 7 Aug 2026
$599,000
Unit · 3 bed
Listed 22 July 2026
$749,000
Unit · 3 bed
Listed 23 June 2026
$899,000
Townhouse · 3 bed
Listed 17 June 2026
$799,000
House For Sale · 3 bed · 923m² land
Listed 13 July 2026
$699,000
House For Sale · 3 bed · 551m² land
Listed 21 July 2026
$700,000
House For Sale · 3 bed · 708m² land
Listed 28 July 2026
$849,000
House For Sale · 3 bed · 657m² land
Listed 29 July 2026
$849,000
House For Sale · 3 bed · 749m² land
Listed 11 Aug 2026
$915,000
House For Sale · 4 bed · 910m² land
Listed 25 Aug 2026
Price not recorded
House For Sale · 4 bed · 880m² land
Listed 26 Aug 2026
$649,000
House · 2 bed · 625m² land
Listed 19 May 2026
From indexed listing events. Districts records what the listing publishes — asks and attributes are the agent's, not a valuation.
Properties
Data to 17 Jul 2026Source: Districts property records · 42 in 2026 · 173 recorded sales in total
Other indexed properties in South Toowoomba with no sale record in Districts yet.
Nearby
Data to 17 Jul 2026| Suburb | Distance | People | Median | Growth | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Toowoomba | — | 5,666 | — | — | — |
| Centenary Heights | 1.5 km | 6,270 | — | — | — |
| Toowoomba City | 1.9 km | 2,473 | — | — | — |
| East Toowoomba | 2.0 km | 6,102 | — | — | — |
| Harristown | 2.3 km | 9,659 | — | — | — |
| Rangeville | 2.6 km | 8,885 | — | — | — |
| Kearneys Spring | 2.6 km | 10,801 | — | — | — |
| Newtown (Toowoomba - Qld) | 3.0 km | 10,724 | — | — | — |
| North Toowoomba | 3.2 km | 3,388 | — | — | — |
| Middle Ridge | 3.2 km | 8,163 | — | — | — |
| Darling Heights | 3.4 km | 5,664 | — | — | — |
| Mount Lofty | 3.8 km | 3,951 | — | — | — |
| Rockville | 4.7 km | 3,797 | — | — | — |
| Drayton | 4.8 km | 1,883 | — | — | — |
| Harlaxton | 4.9 km | 2,980 | — | — | — |
| Wilsonton | 5.0 km | 6,633 | — | — | — |
| Glenvale | 5.1 km | 9,050 | — | — | — |
| Wilsonton Heights | 5.5 km | 3,017 | — | — | — |
| Cranley | 6.8 km | 2,575 | — | — | — |
| Withcott | 7.2 km | 2,370 | — | — | — |
| Cotswold Hills | 8.2 km | 2,084 | — | — | — |
| Hodgson Vale | 8.9 km | 1,561 | — | — | — |
Market columns show — where a nearby suburb has not been ingested yet.
Above-average renting population
Strong semi-detached presence
Low median household size
Notable healthcare employment base
Elevated 25 to 34yo demographic
Strong service amenity offering
Population Growth
3.3
Density
6.1
Development Activity
3.1
Employment Drivers
1.5
Infrastructure Drivers
9.7
Education
5.0
Amenities
8.7
Transport & Access
Demographics
Data to 17 Jul 2026Districts view
An assessment of population growth drivers in South Toowoomba reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends
Detail
According to investigations of ABS population statistics for the broader region and recent address validations conducted by Districts since the Census, South Toowoomba has an estimated population of 5,666 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 154 individuals (2.8%) from the 2021 Census, which documented a population of 5,512 residents. The shift is calculated from a resident population of 5,665, which Districts estimated using the ABS release of June 2025 ERP figures alongside an additional 16 verified new addresses since the Census. This population level means a density ratio of 1,531 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the average across national locations tracked by Districts. Growth was primarily fueled by overseas migration, which accounted for approximately 81.0% of the total demographic gains during recent times.
Employment
Data to 17 Jul 2026Districts view
The labour market performance in South Toowoomba lags significantly behind most other regions nationally
Detail
The suburb of South Toowoomba has a skilled labor pool, with strong representation in essential services and an unemployment rate of 6.9%, derived from Districts' compilation of statistical area datasets. As of March 2026, 2,767 local citizens are employed, while the jobless rate is 3.0% higher than the Regional Qld rate of 3.9%, showing potential for improvement, and workforce participation matches Regional Qld's 64.3%. Census details indicate a low 6.9% of workers operated from home, though the influence of Covid-19 lockdowns should be kept in mind.
The primary employment sectors for residents are health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. The community displays a strong concentration in health care & social assistance, with an employment share 1.4 times the regional proportion. On the other hand, mining has a small footprint at compared to the regional average of . The ratio of workers for every resident at the time of the Census indicates a level of local jobs that exceeds typical benchmarks.
Income
Data to 17 Jul 20262021 CensusDistricts view
Income levels sit below national averages according to Districts assessment
Detail
The suburb of South Toowoomba's income level sits slightly below the national benchmark based on compiled ATO statistics from Districts for financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers in the suburb of South Toowoomba is $53,135 and the average income is $65,289, compared to Regional Qld averages of $53,146 and $66,593. Accounting for Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, contemporary estimates would stand at approximately $59,171 (median) and $72,706 (average) as of March 2026. According to Census data, individual income falls in the 41st percentile ($763 weekly), and household income is in the 24th percentile. The $1,500 - 2,999 household income bracket is the most common, accounting for 31.3% of households (1,773 people), which matches the wider region where this same bracket accounts for . Housing affordability pressures are high, with only of income remaining after housing costs, ranking in the rd percentile.
Housing stock
Data to 17 Jul 20262021 CensusDistricts view
South Toowoomba displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region
Detail
Dwelling options in the suburb of South Toowoomba at the time of the Census consisted of 69.6% houses and 30.4% other dwelling types (such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and alternative housing), compared to Regional Qld's breakdown of 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. The rate of home ownership in the suburb of South Toowoomba was lower than the Regional Qld average, standing at 22.1%, with the rest of the occupied dwellings being mortgaged (28.2%) or rented (49.7%). The median monthly mortgage payment was lower than the Regional Qld average at $1,405, and the median weekly rent was recorded at $290, compared to regional figures of $1,655 and $345 respectively. On a national level, mortgage costs in the suburb of South Toowoomba are significantly below the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are also well below the national figure of $375.
Households
Data to 17 Jul 20262021 CensusDistricts view
South Toowoomba features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size
Detail
Families make up the majority of households at 56.5%, consisting of 18.9% couples with children, 23.0% couples without children, and 13.1% single parents. Non-family households account for the remaining 43.5%, with single-person households representing 37.6% and group households comprising 5.6% of the total. The median household size of 2.1 residents is smaller than the Regional Qld average of 2.5.
Household Types (Census)
ABS / Districts
Education
Data to 17 Jul 20262021 CensusDistricts view
Educational attainment in South Toowoomba aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics
Detail
The educational makeup of the area is distinct within the region, with university graduation rates (26.8% of residents aged 15+) exceeding both the Rest of Qld average of 20.6% and the SA3 average of 23.1%, showing a strong local focus on tertiary education. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 18.4%, followed by postgraduate degrees (5.5%) and graduate diplomas (2.9%). Vocational and technical skills are also common, with 35.2% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (9.5%) and certificates (25.7%).
Amenities
Data to 17 Jul 2026Districts view
Amenity provision was found to be above the typical area assessed nationally by Districts, based on counts and proximity analysis
Supermarket
1.5km · score 65
Child Care
560m · score 81
GP
908m · score 90
Government Services
50km · score 57
Post Office
0km · score 0
Getting around
Data to 17 Jul 2026Districts view
Transport servicing is moderate compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
Detail
Public transport checks show 36 active transit stops operating inside the suburb of South Toowoomba, which are served by buses. These stops accommodate 6 separate routes, offering a total of 706 weekly trips. Transport access is rated as excellent, with residents living an average of 188 meters from their nearest stop. Being a mostly residential district, most commuters travel out of the area, with private cars being the main transport mode at 90%, and 6% of commuters walking. Car ownership stands at an average of 1.1 vehicles per household, which is below the regional average. A relatively low 6.9% of residents work from home, based on the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions.
Service frequency averages trips daily across all bus routes, which translates to roughly weekly trips for each transit stop.
Healthcare
Data to 17 Jul 2026Data to 2024Districts view
Health performance in South Toowoomba is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts
Detail
Health indicators show notable difficulties for the suburb of South Toowoomba, according to Districts' analysis of mortality data and the occurrence of chronic illnesses across both younger and older demographics, while the level of private health insurance coverage is slightly ahead of the average SA2 area at approximately 53% of the population (~3,006 people).
The most prevalent health concerns in the neighborhood are mental health conditions and arthritis, affecting 12.0 and 9.0% of the population. Meanwhile, 64.3% of residents reported having no long-term health conditions, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. The local working-age population experiences elevated rates of chronic illness. Seniors aged and over make up of the local population ( people), which is lower than the Regional Qld level of . Health outcomes among older residents present some difficulties, with national rankings generally matching those of the wider population.
Ancestry & language
Data to 17 Jul 20262021 CensusDistricts view
In terms of cultural diversity, South Toowoomba records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in Districts' assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics
Detail
The suburb of South Toowoomba aligns closely with the broader region's average for cultural diversity indicators, with 83.7% of the population holding citizenship, 81.4% born in Australia, and 86.7% speaking only English at home. The predominant religion is Christianity, accounting for 51.3% of the community. However, the most distinct variation is in the Other category, which represents 4.8% of the population compared to just 0.8% across Regional Qld.
Regarding ancestry (based on parents' country of birth), the three most common backgrounds in the suburb of South Toowoomba are English at 26.9%, Australian at 24.9%, and Irish at . There are also notable differences in other backgrounds: German ancestry is overrepresented at of the suburb of South Toowoomba (compared to regionally), Australian Aboriginal ancestry stands at (compared to ), and Maori ancestry is at (compared to ).
Age structure
Data to 17 Jul 20262021 CensusDistricts view
South Toowoomba's population is slightly younger than the national pattern
Detail
The median age of 35 years in the suburb of South Toowoomba is significantly below the Regional Qld average of 41 and slightly below the national median of 38. Compared to the Regional Qld average, the 25 - 34 cohort has a high concentration (19.9% locally), whereas the 65 - 74 bracket is underrepresented (7.5%). The local concentration of 25 - 34 year-olds is higher than the national average of 14.6%. Post-2021 Census data indicates the 25 to 34 age group grew from 17.6% to 19.9% of the population, and the 0 to 4 group rose from 5.8% to 7.5%. Conversely, the 15 to group dropped from to and the to cohort fell from to . Population projections for suggest major demographic shifts. The to group is expected to lead this change, growing by ( people) to reach from while the to and to demographics are projected to shrink.
Child care
Data to 17 Jul 2026Districts view
South Toowoomba was found to possess above average child care supply broadly for children under 5, with strong provision across all service types.
Detail
South Toowoomba currently has an estimated 424 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 231 children aged 0-2 and 155 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 33% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 13% by 2041 (to approximately 480 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 490. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 14.2 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.
4.7
Income
3.0
Age
3.0
Household Composition
1.1
Housing
1.9
Cultural Diversity
4.4
Health
1.0
Housing Cost
2.4
Rate Sensitivity
0.0
Districts implements ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 region, published in 2024 using 2022 as the baseline. For SA2 regions lacking this data, and for any years after 2032, projections from the Queensland State Government released in 2023 and based on 2021 statistics are utilized. These state-level projections omit age breakdowns; where they are applied, Districts distributes growth across age cohorts using weightings from the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections based on 2022 data. Future population patterns suggest growth matching the lower quartile of national regional locations, with the district projected to add 115 residents by 2041 based on compiled SA2 statistics, representing a total increase of 2.0% over the 16 years.
Annual Population Growth Rates (CAGR) by Period
ABS / Districts
| Metrici | South Toowoomba | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Latest Population Est. | 5,666 | 2,855,561 | 27,798,796 |
| Growth Since Census | 2.8% | 9.2% | 9.3% |
| Population 2021 Census | 5,512 | 2,615,036 | 25,422,788 |
| Natural Increase | 19.0% | 15.0% | 20.0% |
| Overseas Migration | 81.0% | 56.0% | 80.0% |
| Interstate Migration | 0.0% | 28.0% | 0.0% |
| Population Forecast Growth (2041) | 2.0% | 15.9% | 19.8% |
| Persons per Square Kilometer | 1,531 | 1 | 3 |
Districts analysis of SALM and ABS statistics aggregated from broader statistical regions indicates that during the year leading to March 2026, the local workforce contracted by 7.3% while employment dropped by 9.5%, leading to a 2.3 percentage point rise in the unemployment rate. In comparison, Regional Qld experienced a 0.1% increase in employment, a 0.3% expansion of the labor force, and a 0.1 percentage point rise in unemployment. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia published in May-25 offer additional perspective on future demand in the suburb of South Toowoomba. These five and ten-year projections have been aligned with the local industry profile to estimate employment trends. Although national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trends vary widely by industry. Applying these sectoral projections to the local employment structure indicates that local jobs should grow by 7.0% over five years and 14.5% over ten years (note that this is a basic weighted extrapolation for demonstration purposes and excludes local population projections).
Employment Change (Persons)
DEWR / ABS / Districts
| Metrici | South Toowoomba | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Employment | 2,767 | 14,651,372 | 86,186 |
| –Health Care & Social Assistance | 22.8% | 15.2% | 19.4% |
| –Education & Training | 11.3% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| –Retail Trade | 9.8% | 9.5% | 9.7% |
| Labour Force | 2,973 | 15,298,546 | 89,588 |
| Participation Rate | 64.1% | 67.2% | 62.4% |
| Working from Home | 6.9% | 23.9% | 8.2% |
| Unemployment | 6.9% | 4.2% | 3.8% |
| 1Yr Emp. Growth | -9.5% | 1.5% | -8.0% |
| 5Yr Emp. Growth Forecast | 7.0% | 6.5% | 6.5% |
| Employment Drivers Ranking | 15 | 100 | 39 |
Latest Annual Income Estimate
ATO / ABS / Districts
| Metrici | South Toowoomba | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Income Est. | 59,171 | 63,628 | 59,574 |
| Average Annual Income Est. | 72,706 | 81,777 | 72,217 |
| ATO Median Taxable Income | 53,135 | 57,137 | 53,497 |
| ATO Average Taxable Income | 65,289 | 73,435 | 64,850 |
| Median Household Income | 1,354 | 1,746 | 1,502 |
| –$0 to 399 | 186 (7.7%) | 638,312 (6.3%) | 3,750 (5.7%) |
| –$400 to 799 | 518 (21.5%) | 1,671,771 (16.5%) | 12,895 (19.6%) |
| –$800 to 1,499 | 634 (26.3%) | 2,158,104 (21.3%) | 16,185 (24.6%) |
| –$1,500 to 2,999 | 754 (31.3%) | 3,201,695 (31.6%) | 21,712 (33.0%) |
| –$3,000 to 3,999 | 190 (7.9%) | 1,114,514 (11.0%) | 6,053 (9.2%) |
| –$4,000+ | 130 (5.4%) | 1,357,681 (13.4%) | 5,198 (7.9%) |
| Median Family Income | 1,819 | 2,120 | 1,892 |
| –$0 to 399 | 46 (3.4%) | 236,192 (3.3%) | 1,232 (2.7%) |
| –$400 to 799 | 173 (12.7%) | 758,676 (10.6%) | 5,610 (12.3%) |
| –$800 to 1,499 | 331 (24.3%) | 1,474,408 (20.6%) | 10,993 (24.1%) |
| –$1,500 to 2,999 | 555 (40.7%) | 2,562,321 (35.8%) | 17,972 (39.4%) |
| –$3,000 to 3,999 | 157 (11.5%) | 973,396 (13.6%) | 5,474 (12.0%) |
| –$4,000+ | 101 (7.4%) | 1,145,171 (16.0%) | 4,379 (9.6%) |
| Median Personal Income | 763 | 805 | 758 |
| –$0 to 399 | 1,364 (24.1%) | 7,303,780 (26.3%) | 45,671 (25.8%) |
| –$400 to 799 | 1,585 (28.0%) | 6,526,191 (23.5%) | 46,911 (26.5%) |
| –$800 to 1,499 | 1,579 (27.9%) | 7,137,153 (25.7%) | 49,389 (27.9%) |
| –$1,500 to 2,999 | 1,002 (17.7%) | 5,359,808 (19.3%) | 29,917 (16.9%) |
| –$3,000 to 3,499 | 62 (1.1%) | 527,649 (1.9%) | 2,124 (1.2%) |
| –$3,500+ | 74 (1.3%) | 944,215 (3.4%) | 3,009 (1.7%) |
| –Low Income (<$800/wk) | 29.2% | 22.8% | 25.3% |
| –High Income (>$3,000/wk) | 13.3% | 24.4% | 17.1% |
| Largest Income Group | $1,500 - 2,999 | $1,500 - 2,999 | $1,500 - 2,999 |
| Household Disposable Income | 4,847 | 6,376 | 5,537 |
| SEIFA Score | 3.1 | 5.6 | 4.3 |
South Toowoomba at a glance
Source: ABS 2021 Census
Rents today
$497/wk
DFFH median rent
Period ending Jun 2026
+3.9%
DFFH rent movement, 1 yr
Rents are rising
The DFFH median weekly rent rose 3.9% year on year to $497/wk (Period ending Jun 2026).
The 2021 Census recorded a median rent of $290/wk — an older point-in-time figure, kept separate from current medians.
RTBA rental bond lodgements are not in this extract. Rents above are report medians, not bond data.
Housing Tenure (Census)
ABS / Districts
| Metrici | South Toowoomba | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Dwellings (Census) | 2,344 | 9,275,218 | 60,231 |
| –Owned Outright | 22.1% | 32.1% | 32.1% |
| –Owned with Mortgage | 28.2% | 36.2% | 34.0% |
| –Rented | 49.7% | 31.7% | 33.9% |
| –Detached Houses | 69.6% | 72.5% | 81.4% |
| –Semi-Detached | 25.1% | 12.6% | 14.1% |
| –Apartments | 5.3% | 14.3% | 4.2% |
| –Other Dwellings | 0.0% | 0.6% | 0.3% |
| –Median Monthly Mortgage | 1,405 | 1,863 | 1,517 |
| –Median Weekly Rent | 290 | 375 | 310 |
| –$0-149/wk | 9.2% | 7.3% | 6.3% |
| –$150-349/wk | 67.5% | 33.4% | 61.9% |
| –$350-649/wk | 22.8% | 50.9% | 31.1% |
| –$650-949/wk | 0.4% | 6.6% | 0.5% |
| –>$950/wk | 0.0% | 1.8% | 0.2% |
| –Aggregate Housing Cost | 1,020 | 1,189 | 971 |
| –Mortgage / Income | 23.9% | 24.6% | 23.3% |
| –Rent / Income | 21.4% | 21.5% | 20.6% |
| –Persons per Bedroom | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.7 |
| Metrici | South Toowoomba | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Household Est. | 2,412 | 10,142,077 | 65,793 |
| Median Household Size | 2.1 | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Total Households (Census) | 2,346 | 9,275,217 | 60,232 |
| –Lone Person Households | 37.6% | 25.6% | 27.1% |
| –Group Households | 5.6% | 3.9% | 3.5% |
| –Other Households | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| –Family Households | 56.5% | 70.5% | 69.4% |
| –Couple with Children | 18.9% | 31.4% | 27.9% |
| –Couple No Children | 23.0% | 26.8% | 28.7% |
| –One Parent Family | 13.1% | 11.1% | 11.7% |
| –Avg Children per Family | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.8 |
| Currently Married | 34.3% | 46.5% | 47.4% |
| Never Married | 43.3% | 36.5% | 34.6% |
Schooling and study participation is high, with 29.3% of residents enrolled in an educational institution. This is made up of 8.8% in primary school, 7.6% in high school, and 5.3% enrolled in tertiary studies.
Qualification Attainment by Type - Residents Aged 15+ (Census)
ABS / Districts
| Metrici | South Toowoomba | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| University Qualifications | 26.8% | 30.4% | 23.1% |
| –Bachelor Degree | 18.4% | 20.0% | 15.7% |
| –Postgraduate Degree | 5.5% | 7.6% | 4.8% |
| –Advanced Diploma | 9.5% | 10.8% | 10.1% |
| –Certificate | 25.7% | 22.0% | 26.8% |
| No Tertiary Qualifications | 38.0% | 36.8% | 40.1% |
| Number of Schools | 2 | 11,054 | 79 |
| Total School Attendance | 743 | 4,176,099 | 30,436 |
| ICSEA Score | 1,013 | 1,001 | 991 |
| Education Drivers Ranking | 50 | 100 | 45 |
Schools detail
| # | School name | Type | Places | ICSEA | Distance (km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Saviour's College | Secondary | 284 | 970 | 0.49 |
| 2 | St Saviour's Primary School | Primary | 459 | 1056 | 0.57 |
Showing 1 to 2 of 2 results
Parcel Locker
0km · score 0
Dentist
916m · score 84
Hospital
12km · score 92
Shopping Centre
1.3km · score 95
Banks
1.6km · score 82
Pharmacy
932m · score 93
Fitness Centre
1.1km · score 97
Schools
796m · score 87
Transport Servicing
GTFS / Districts
| Metrici | South Toowoomba | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport Stops | 36 | 171,981 | 609 |
| Routes | 6 | 12,966 | 9 |
| Weekly Trips | 706 | 1,140,068 | 1,302 |
| Avg Dist. Between Stops (m) | 103 | 235 | 133 |
| Avg Dist. to Local Pop. (m) | 188 | 7,586 | 1,006 |
| Population per Stop | 159 | 161 | 291 |
| Population per Trip | 8.1 | 24.3 | 136.1 |
| Population per Route | 952 | 2,136 | 19,692 |
| Public Transport Access Ranking | 47 | 100 | 22 |
| Vehicles per Dwelling | 1.1 | 1.4 | 1.5 |
| Work from Home | 6.9% | 23.9% | 8.2% |
| Single Mode Commute | 91.9% | 73.8% | 90.9% |
| Two Mode | 1.1% | 1.9% | 0.9% |
| Three+ Mode | 0.0% | 0.3% | 0.1% |
| –Car | 89.7% | 84.1% | 93.7% |
| –Train | 0.0% | 4.9% | 0.1% |
| –Bus | 0.6% | 3.6% | 0.8% |
| –Walk | 5.6% | 3.7% | 2.9% |
| –Cycle | 1.4% | 1.0% | 0.6% |
| –Ferry | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.0% |
| –Tram/Light Rail | 0.0% | 0.5% | 0.0% |
| –Other | 0.9% | 1.1% | 0.7% |
Private Health Insurance Coverage
ATO / Districts
| Metrici | South Toowoomba | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Health Cover Rate | 53.1% | 55.7% | 51.5% |
| Need for Assistance | 7.7% | 5.8% | 6.9% |
| Zero L/T Health Conditions | 64.3% | 69.8% | 65.3% |
| One Long Term Condition | 22.3% | 20.5% | 22.6% |
| Two Long Term Conditions | 8.4% | 6.4% | 7.8% |
| 3+ Long Term Conditions | 4.9% | 3.3% | 4.3% |
| –Arthritis | 9.0% | 7.7% | 9.1% |
| –Asthma | 9.0% | 7.4% | 8.5% |
| –Cancer | 2.4% | 2.6% | 2.9% |
| –Dementia / Alzheimers | 0.6% | 0.7% | 0.7% |
| –Diabetes | 4.5% | 4.3% | 4.4% |
| –Heart Disease | 3.4% | 3.6% | 4.1% |
| –Kidney Disease | 0.9% | 0.8% | 0.9% |
| –Lung Condition | 1.9% | 1.6% | 1.7% |
| –Mental Health Issue | 12.0% | 8.0% | 9.8% |
| –Stroke | 0.9% | 0.8% | 1.0% |
| –Other Condition | 8.0% | 7.3% | 7.7% |
Place of Birth (Census)
ABS / Districts
| Metrici | South Toowoomba | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Born Overseas | 18.6% | 29.3% | 16.1% |
| Born in Australia | 81.4% | 70.7% | 83.9% |
| Australian Citizens | 83.7% | 83.8% | 87.3% |
| Speak English Only | 86.7% | 76.4% | 89.1% |
| Speak Other Language | 13.3% | 23.6% | 10.9% |
| Indigenous Population | 3.6% | 2.2% | 3.3% |
| Largest Ethnic Group | English | English | English |
| Main Religion | Christianity | Christianity | Christianity |
| –Buddhism | 1.4% | 2.6% | 1.0% |
| –Christianity | 51.3% | 47.5% | 58.8% |
| –Hinduism | 1.9% | 2.9% | 1.6% |
| –Islam | 1.0% | 3.5% | 1.2% |
| –Judaism | 0.1% | 0.4% | 0.0% |
| –Other | 4.8% | 1.4% | 2.2% |
| –No Religion | 39.5% | 41.6% | 35.0% |
Age Distribution
ABS / Geoscience Australia / State Govts / Districts
| Metrici | South Toowoomba | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Age | 35 | 38 | 37 |
| Largest Age Group | 25 to 34 | 25 to 34 | 25 to 34 |
| Children (0-14) | 18.3% | 17.5% | 18.3% |
| Working Age (15-64) | 68.0% | 64.7% | 62.5% |
| Seniors (65+) | 13.8% | 17.8% | 19.2% |
| Age Distribution Variance | 25.0% | 16.0% | 14.0% |
| Dependency Ratio | 47.0% | 55.0% | 60.0% |
| Fastest Growing Age Group | 85+ | 85+ | 85+ |
South Toowoomba contains 3 Long Day Care centres (224 places), 1 preschool/kindergarten facility (50 places) and 1 OSHC facility (80 places). Combined service provision across long day care and preschool/kindergarten services, and the approximate 424 children in the cohort, sees a ratio of children per place of 1.4 - placing the area above the national average for supply per child. Looking at long day care specifically against the under-5 population, the ratio is 1.7 children per place. Further breakdowns by age, to help in identifying the most in-need services, show moderate LDC provision across the infant and toddler cohort (<3yo) with 224 places across 3 facilities serving 231 children while preschool supply is strong with 1 facility providing 50 places (3.1 children aged 3-4 per place compared to the Regional Qld average of 8.0). With projected population growth of 2.0% between now and 2041, and 13.2% in the under 5 age group in particular, 66 new places will be needed to maintain today's ratios. As well as this projected growth, other factors worth noting are lower than average employment performance.
In assessing child care markets local school supply is a particularly important factor, given school-run convenience, and enrolment vs child care place analysis can provide useful insight into capacity both for parents seeking child care options and child care operators assessing opportunities in an area. The catchment sees a level of school enrolment relative to population of 13.1 per 100 residents with 743 enrolments across primary and secondary institutions. This middle-of-the-road rate of school supply suggests most local students are residents within the immediate area. Additionally, the level of school places per child care place (LDC+PSK) is lower than average. Proximity analysis saw distances of local residents to their nearest child care centre being shorter than average.
7 school catchments intersect South Toowoomba (note; school catchment data provided for public schools only), in which a combined 7,178 children aged under 5 reside, served by 6,331 LDC and preschool places. The overall demand-to-supply ratio across these catchments is 1.1 children per place, with limited variance in this ratio.
Children per LDC Place by Geographic Level
ACECQA / ABS / GNAF / Geoscience Australia / State Govts / Districts