Urban Centre · Area profile
Tara
5 km²
A high proportion of people needing help with daily activities—11.7%—sets Tara apart from most similar areas. This small community of 728 people is noticeably older than the national figure, with many residents living alone or in one-parent families. While it has grown since 2011, the area faces significant challenges with lower typical incomes and a higher unemployment rate than the state average. Despite this, the town is highly walkable, with most homes within a short stroll of parks, schools, and health services.
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 9.8% of the population, which is well above the national figure and has risen sharply since 2011. The typical resident is 41, making the area noticeably older than Queensland and Australia.
People born overseas make up only 5.9% of the community, a figure far below the national average. Most residents have Australian or English ancestry.
English is the primary language for 85% of residents. Only 3% of people use another language at home, which is far below the national figure.
About 46.3% of the community identify as Christian. Those reporting no religion make up 37.8%, a figure that has risen by 17 percentage points since 2011.
Qualifications are lower than in most areas, with only 9.4% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. Just over a third of residents have completed Year 12, which is far below the national average.
Incomes are much lower than in most areas, with the typical household earning $929 a week. Only 5.3% of households earn $3,000 or more weekly, far below the Queensland average.
Health challenges are prominent here, as 38.7% of people have a long-term health condition. Mental health conditions affect 14.1% of the population, which is among the highest for its level.
About 16.7% of residents are volunteers, which is a little above the national figure. However, the proportion of people caring for children unpaid has fallen since 2011.
Household structures are unusual for the area, with 39.4% of people living alone and 26.7% in one-parent families. Both figures are far above the state and national averages.
Renters make up 47.5% of households, far above the national figure, though the typical weekly rent of $180 is much lower than the national average. Most people live in separate houses.
Cars are the main way to get around, and no one uses public transport to commute. About 7.9% of homes have no motor vehicle, which is higher than most similar areas.
The area has seen a shift in its population, with recent arrivals from overseas rising to 18.6% since 2011. About 40.5% of residents moved here in the last five years.
Fewer people are working or looking for work compared to the state average, and the unemployment rate of 10.9% is well above the national figure.
The town is very convenient for pedestrians, with over 93% of homes within a 15-minute walk of groceries, schools, and health services.