Southern Downs - East · Statistical Area 2 (SA2)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
A low overall advantage score of 3 makes Southern Downs - East a disadvantaged area compared to most similar places. While some residents have decent access to money and resources, the region struggles with low education and job skill levels. This lack of professional qualifications contributes to a typical advantage score of 942, which is below the national average.
All statistical area 2 (sa2) areas, 2021. The marker is Southern Downs - East — lower than 71% of areas.
| Southern Downs - East | 3 |
|---|---|
| 4371, QLD | 4 |
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
The area's overall advantage score is 3, which is smaller than about 70% of similar areas. This low standing is linked to a score of 3 for education and job skills, though access to money and resources is slightly better at 6.
3
Lower than 71% of statistical area 2 (sa2) 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 statistical area 2 (sa2) 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 statistical area 2 (sa2) 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.
3
Lower than 71% of statistical area 2 (sa2) 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.
942
Lower than 73% of statistical area 2 (sa2) 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 grown by 5.6% since 2021, which is around the middle for its level. However, this is well below the Queensland growth rate of 8.7%.
4,630
Lower than 82% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
5.6%
Higher than 59% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
There are 896 businesses in the area, a total that is larger than about 50% of similar areas.
896
Lower than 51% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Southern Downs - East [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/307031185/southern-downs-east/topic/economy-advantage
