Council (LGA) · Area profile
Maranoa
58,719 km²
A strong presence of First Nations people and a high proportion of children make Maranoa a distinct community in regional Queensland. It is a place where the typical resident is 38, and families tend to be larger than the national average. While the population has shrunk slightly since 2011, the area remains defined by a high rate of full-time employment and a strong tradition of volunteering. This is a car-dependent rural region where separate houses are the norm and the community is largely Australian-born.
Household incomes here are high, yet Maranoa's schools draw a notably less advantaged community.
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The area has a much higher proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people than most areas, rising to 9.7% in 2021. Children under 15 make up 21.2% of the population, which is a little above the national figure.
Most residents were born in Australia, and the area has a much lower percentage of overseas-born people than the rest of the state. English, Irish, and Scottish are the most common ancestries after Australian.
English is the dominant language, with only 4.0% of people using another language at home. This is far below the national figure of 22.3%, and very few residents speak little or no English.
Religious affiliation remains common, though the number of people reporting no religion rose by 16 points since 2011. At 29.5%, this figure is still well below the national average.
Many adults hold a certificate III or IV, but the rate of Year 12 completion is far below the national average at 43.1%. This has improved by 7.2 points since 2011.
Typical personal weekly income is $875, which is a little above the national figure. Weekly family incomes are also higher than in most similar areas, having risen by $598 since 2011.
The community is healthier than most, with a much lower percentage of people needing help with daily activities. Long-term health conditions affect 27.6% of people, which is about the same as across Australia.
Volunteering is very common here, with 22.8% of people helping out, a figure well above the national average. However, this has fallen by 3.6 points since 2011.
First Nations residents in Maranoa have a lower unemployment rate than the state average, at 8.7%. Their typical personal income of $655 is also a little above the national figure.
Homes here are typically larger than the national average, with 2.5 people per household. About 57.5% of families are couples with children, while 28.9% of people live alone.
The area is dominated by separate houses, which make up 92.7% of dwellings. Rent is far below the national figure at $220 a week, and 33% of homes are owned outright.
Cars are essential here, as there are no public transport stops or routes in the area. Most households have two or more vehicles, and 61.4% of workers commute by driving.
The number of recent arrivals from overseas fell sharply by 25 points since 2011 to 16.9%. About 36.1% of the population moved in the last five years, which is well below the national rate.
Full-time employment is much higher than in most areas, and the unemployment rate is very low at 2.5%. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing are the primary industries for nearly one in five workers.
The region has a general advantage score of 7, placing it above 70% of similar areas. It is home to 2,639 businesses.
The area experiences high temperatures, with an average maximum of 29.1 degrees. Annual rainfall is 467mm, which is a little above the Queensland average.
Recorded offences are higher than in most areas, driven largely by a drug offence rate that is much higher than the norm. Conversely, the robbery rate is much lower.
The region is mostly car-dependent, with a walkability score of 2.3. Only about a third of homes are within a 15-minute walk of groceries, health services, or schools.