Council (LGA) · Area profile
Central Highlands
59,835 km²
Much higher incomes than most similar areas define the Central Highlands, where a strong mining and farming presence drives local wealth. This is a young community, with a typical resident aged just 34 and a high proportion of children. While the population has shrunk slightly since 2011, the area remains a hub for families, with many large homes and a workforce that is more likely to be employed full-time than the national average.
Household incomes here are high, yet Central Highlands's schools draw a notably less advantaged community.
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The area is noticeably younger than the state and national figures, with 23.3% of people being children under 15. First Nations people make up 5.9% of the population, a figure that has risen since 2011.
Most residents were born in Australia, and those with overseas roots are far fewer than in the rest of the state. English, Irish, and Scottish are the most common ancestries after Australian.
English is the main language for 82.7% of people, and the proportion of people using another language at home is far below the national figure. Very few residents speak little or no English.
Nearly half of the population identifies as Christian, though the number of people with no religion has risen 16 points since 2011 to 36.2%.
University qualifications are far below the national average at 11.3%. However, more people have completed Year 12 than in most similar areas, and the region has a high number of schools.
Typical weekly family income is $2,443, which is a little above the national figure. This is a wealthy area, with 26.4% of households earning $3,000 or more a week.
Residents are generally healthier than those in most other areas, with a much lower rate of long-term health conditions and fewer people needing help with daily activities.
More people here provide unpaid childcare than in most other areas. While 18.4% of the community volunteers, this is down 5.5 points from 2011.
First Nations households earn much more than the national average, though the unemployment rate is a little higher. The median age for First Nations people is just 21 years.
Families tend to be larger here, with 2.6 people per home. Couples with children make up 61.7% of households.
Rental properties are far more common than the national average, though 80.7% of homes have three or more bedrooms. Most people live in separate houses, and typical weekly rent is well below the national figure at $250.
The community is heavily reliant on cars, with 3.5% of homes having no vehicle, which is much lower than most areas. Public transport use is low, and there are no public transport stops recorded.
The population is quite mobile, with 43.8% of people moving in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals are well above the national average.
Mining and agriculture are the primary industries, and the area has a very high full-time employment rate of 67.9%. Unemployment is much lower than the national figure at 3.3%.
The region has a high level of access to money and resources, ranking larger than 80% of similar areas. However, it ranks lower for education and job skills.
The area experiences very high temperatures compared to the national average. Annual rainfall is 522mm, which is well above the Queensland average.
Recorded offences are much higher than in most areas, with drug offences and theft being the most common. The crime rate has risen by 76.9% over five years.
The area is mostly car-dependent, with a walkability score far below the state average. Very few homes are within a short walk of public transport or groceries.