Tablelands · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
Nearly 3,000 businesses operate across Tablelands, marking it as a significant commercial hub for the region. While the local economy shows steady growth, the area generally has fewer financial and educational resources than most other parts of the country.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is Tablelands — lower than 71% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
The typical resident has a lower level of advantage than about 70% of other areas, with an overall score of 926. This is reflected in both job skills and access to money, which both rank lower than about 60% of similar places.
3
Lower than 71% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the 10% most advantaged. IRSAD summarises both advantage and disadvantage, so a high score reflects relatively many high-income, well-educated households and few low-income, low-skill ones.
4
Lower than 64% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the least disadvantaged. IRSD focuses on disadvantage alone (low income, low education, unemployment, unskilled occupations), so a higher decile means relatively less disadvantage.
4
Lower than 64% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Economic Resources, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for economic resources in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IER reflects the income, housing costs, dwelling size and assets of households, so a higher decile means relatively greater economic resources.
4
Lower than 64% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Education and Occupation, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for education and occupation in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IEO reflects residents' qualifications and the skill level of their jobs, so a higher decile means a more highly educated and skilled workforce.
926
Lower than 71% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a raw index score (standardised so the Australian average is about 1000). Higher scores indicate relatively greater advantage; lower scores greater disadvantage.
Annual population estimates and change since the census.
The population grew by 5.3% since 2021, which is higher than most areas, though this is well below the Queensland rate of 8.7%. The total population now stands at 27,902.
27,902
Higher than 62% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
5.3%
Higher than 65% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
There are 2,930 businesses in the area, which is more than about 66% of similar places. Recent activity remains steady, with 134 new dwellings approved.
2,930
Higher than 63% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
134
Higher than 63% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Tablelands [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA36820/tablelands/topic/economy-advantage
