Toowoomba · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
A 6.3% population boost since 2021 has helped Toowoomba grow into one of the largest hubs in the region. This expansion is matched by a strong business sector and a typical resident who has better access to education and money than those in about 60% of similar areas.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is Toowoomba — higher than 57% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
Education and job skills are a highlight here, scoring higher than about 70% of similar areas. Overall, the area's advantage score of 959 is slightly below the national figure, though it remains higher than about 55% of other areas at this level.
6
Higher than 57% 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.
6
Higher than 57% 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.
6
Higher than 57% 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.
7
Higher 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.
959
Higher than 55% 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 has climbed to 186,276 people, making it one of the largest areas of its type. This growth of 6.3% is higher than most areas, although it sits a little below the Queensland rate of 8.7%.
186,276
Higher than 87% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
6.3%
Higher than 72% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
With 17,994 businesses, Toowoomba is among the largest business hubs at this level. This commercial strength is mirrored in the building sector, where 890 approved dwellings is a figure larger than about 90% of similar areas.
17,994
Higher than 86% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
890
Higher than 86% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Toowoomba [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA36910/toowoomba/topic/economy-advantage
