Granite Belt

The population is far older than the national figure, with a typical age of 47 and a senior population that is well above the state and national averages. This ageing trend has continued since 2011, while the proportion of children has fallen.

The community is overwhelmingly Australian-born, with only 9.9% of people born overseas, which is far below the national average. English, Australian, and Irish are the most common ancestries.

English is the primary language here, and the 4% of people who use another language at home is far below the national average of 22.3%.

Christianity remains the most common faith at 57.5%, though the proportion of people with no religion rose 16 points since 2011 to reach 31.4%.

Educational attainment is much lower than in most areas, with only 40.6% of residents completing Year 12. This is far below the national figure of 58.8%.

Typical incomes are among the lowest at this level, with a typical household earning $1,127 a week, which is well below the national figure of $1,746.

Health challenges are more common here than in most areas, with 34.2% of people living with a long-term health condition and a higher than average number of people needing help with daily activities.

Volunteering is very high at 19.3%, well above the national figure. More people provide unpaid care and do housework here than in most other similar areas.

First Nations people make up 5.3% of the population, which is a little above the national average. This group is noticeably younger than others, with a typical age of 21.

Homes tend to be smaller, with 2.3 people per household, and a higher than average 28.7% of people living alone.

The area is dominated by separate houses, with 91.9% of dwellings being detached. Home ownership is very high, as 41.9% of homes are owned outright, far above the national figure.

Car dependence is almost total, as 0.3% of people use public transport and there are no public transport stops or routes in the area.

The population is relatively stable, with a lower percentage of people moving in the last five years compared to the state and national averages.

Fewer adults are working or looking for work compared to most areas, with 52.9% in the labour force. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing are the most prominent industries.

The population has grown by 4.1% since 2021, though this is well below the Queensland growth rate of 8.7%.

The region is cooler than the state average, with a minimum temperature well below the Queensland figure, while annual rainfall is far above the state average.

The area is mostly car-dependent with a walkability score of 2.2, far below the state average. Only 32.3% of homes are within a 15-minute walk of groceries.