Urban Centre · Area profile
Goomeri
2 km²
A far older population than most similar areas defines Goomeri, where the typical resident is now 50. The community has shrunk by about 27% since 2011, with a sharp rise in seniors and people living alone. This shift is reflected in the housing, where more people now rent and homes are smaller. Despite these changes, the town remains a highly walkable hub where most residents can reach health services and groceries on foot.
Explore Goomeri by topic
The population is far older than the national figure, with seniors making up 27.9% of residents. There is a strong Indigenous presence, as 9.0% of people are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, a figure that rose 4.6 points since 2011.
English and Australian ancestries are most common. People born overseas make up 11.9% of the community, which is far below the national figure and has fallen since 2011.
English is the primary language for 86.6% of residents. Only 3.3% of people use another language at home, a figure far below the national average that has fallen since 2011.
About 44.7% of people report having no religion, which is well above the national figure. This sentiment has grown significantly, rising 19 points since 2011.
Education levels vary, with 13.8% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. However, the proportion of people who completed Year 12 is far below the national figure and fell 14 points since 2011.
Typical incomes are among the lowest for this level, with a typical household earning $796 a week. This is far below the national figure of $1,746, and typical household income fell $793 since 2011.
Health challenges are common here, as 11.1% of people need help with daily activities, which is well above the national figure. This rate rose 9.0 points since 2011.
Volunteering is more common here than in most similar areas, with 20.7% of people pitching in. Additionally, a higher proportion of residents served in the Defence Force compared to the state average.
Many residents live alone, accounting for 42.7% of homes, which is far above the national figure. One-parent families also make up 19.8% of the community, a figure that rose 13 points since 2011.
Rent is very affordable, with a typical weekly cost of $180. While 44.1% of homes are owned outright, the proportion of renters has risen 29 points since 2011 to reach 35.2%.
Cars are essential for travel, as no one in the area commutes by public transport. About 6.5% of homes have no motor vehicle, a figure that has risen since 2011.
About 40.2% of residents moved in the last five years, which is higher than most similar areas. There were no recent arrivals from overseas reported.
Job prospects are tough, with an unemployment rate of 14.0%, which is well above the national figure. Only 39.4% of adults are working or looking for work, a drop of 39 points since 2011.
The town is very walkable, with 94.2% of homes within a 15-minute walk of a 'city' walkshed. Most residents can easily walk to parks, schools, groceries, and health services.