Cambooya
At 2,260 residents spread across 118.64 square kilometres, Cambooya is one of Queensland's more sparsely settled rural townships, recording a population density of just 19 people per km2. What stands out is the age profile: the median age of 31 is nine years below the national figure, placing it firmly among Australia's younger communities. Despite that youth skew, household income sits at the 51.3rd percentile nationally, making it a genuinely mid-range earner suburb, not the low-income rural pocket the low density might imply. The suburb scores decile 9 on the IER (economic resources) index, higher than most urban centres, because detached homeownership dominates at 92.4% of dwellings and 63.7% of households are owned or being purchased.
Population
2,260
Median Age
31.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,574/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
3
Median House
$373K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The median house price of $373,000 is substantially lower than both the QLD state median and the national figure, giving first buyers and upsizers meaningful room to enter the market. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,381, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 20.3%, well below the 30% stress threshold, meaning housing costs remain manageable relative to local incomes. Separate houses dominate the stock at 92.4%, so buyers are buying land and structure rather than strata titles. The bedroom profile reflects family-scale homes: 44.7% have three bedrooms and 42.1% have four or more, which is higher than the national average for four-plus bedroom homes. Outright owners at 22.4% and mortgage holders at 41.3% together represent 63.7% of households, indicating an established ownership culture rather than a transient rental market.
For Buyers
The median house price of $373,000 is substantially lower than both the QLD state median and the national figure, giving first buyers and upsizers meaningful room to enter the market. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,381, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 20.3%, well below the 30% stress threshold, meaning housing costs remain manageable relative to local incomes. Separate houses dominate the stock at 92.4%, so buyers are buying land and structure rather than strata titles. The bedroom profile reflects family-scale homes: 44.7% have three bedrooms and 42.1% have four or more, which is higher than the national average for four-plus bedroom homes. Outright owners at 22.4% and mortgage holders at 41.3% together represent 63.7% of households, indicating an established ownership culture rather than a transient rental market.
For Investors
The rental market in Cambooya shows some softness: the vacancy rate of 9.2% is elevated compared to the national rental average, suggesting limited competition for tenancies. Weekly rent averages $290, and the rent-to-income ratio is 18.4%, below the 30% stress level, so tenants can sustain that rent without difficulty. The renter share stands at 36.2%, providing a reasonable tenant pool for a rural locality. Net internal migration averages 125 people per year, the primary growth driver, and population has climbed 38.5% over the past decade. Only 3 development applications were lodged in the past 12 months, meaning supply additions are minimal, which could support rents as population grows. Forecast models project the broader SA2 population reaching around 9,489 by 2028, a trajectory that may tighten vacancy over time.
Development Activity
Total DAs
12
Last 12 Months
3
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
0.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Cambooya iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Cambooya State School
Prep-6 · 159 students
Demographics
The median age of 31 sits nine years below the national figure, among the lowest for established rural Queensland suburbs. The overseas-born share at 6.4% is 15.2 percentage points below the national average, indicating a predominantly locally-born population. Ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic: English (880 residents), Irish (256), Scottish (237) and German (180) are the top four recorded groups. University qualifications reach 18.6% of residents, which is 11.5 percentage points below the national rate, consistent with a trade and agriculture-oriented workforce. Average household size of 2.6 is marginally above the national figure of 2.5, reflecting the prevalence of couple-with-children families, who make up 49.7% of all family units across the broader area.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
92.4%
Houses
7.2%
Townhouse
0.4%
Apartment
Tenure
The stock is overwhelmingly detached: 92.4% of dwellings are separate houses, compared to the national figure where apartments and semi-detached homes form a much larger share. Semi-detached properties account for 7.2%, while apartments sit at just 0.4%. The bedroom split leans large, with 44.7% of homes at three bedrooms and 42.1% at four or more, making Cambooya well suited to family buyers. Tenure splits 22.4% outright ownership, 41.3% mortgage, and 36.2% renting. The median house price of $373,000 is well below the national median, and the vacancy rate of 9.2% is higher than average nationally, pointing to a softer rental market rather than tight supply. Mortgage stress is low at a 20.3% mortgage-to-income ratio.
Mortgage / mo
$1,381
Rent / wk
$290
HH Size
2.6
Personal Income / wk
$839
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.2%
Unoccupied
82
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.3%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
25.8%
Couples, no children
1,786
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the largest employer at 17.9% of the local workforce (123 workers), followed by Education at 12.5% (86 workers) and Construction at 11.1% (76 workers). Agriculture, at 7.7%, reflects the rural land character of the 118.64 km2 suburb. The unemployment rate is 3.3%, below the national average, with a full-time employment rate of 67.5%. By occupation, Community/Personal services (146), Labourers (146) and Professionals (141) are the three largest groups, a spread that reflects both the trade-and-care economy and the presence of qualified health and education workers. SEIFA decile rankings show a split: IRSD decile 7 (less disadvantaged than most) but IEO decile 5 (education and occupation at the national median), which makes sense given the below-average university qualification rate alongside stable employment.
Unemployment
1.9%
Labour Force
5,021
Unemployed
93
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
67.5%
Part-time
29.2%
Participation
61.3%
Employed
1,012
Occupations
Top Industries
University
18.6%
Postgraduate
3.2%
Born Overseas
6.4%
Dwellings
804
Transport to Work
Car dependence is near-total: 92.2% of residents drive to work, compared to the national figure where public transport takes a meaningful share. Public transport use is just 0.7%, consistent with a rural township lacking rail or frequent bus services. Walking and cycling account for 2.4% of commutes. The suburb scores decile 7 on IRSAD, placing it in the upper half of advantage nationally, and decile 9 on IER, reflecting the high rate of home ownership and economic resources relative to peers. No schools are recorded inside the Cambooya suburb boundary in this dataset, so families access education in nearby centres. Volunteering reaches 13.0% of residents, and 5.8% (120 people) require daily assistance, both in line with a community of this age and rural character.
Drive
92.2%
Public Transport
0.7%
Walk / Cycle
2.4%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+2.28%/yr
(+203 people/yr)
EstablishedCambooya has grown 38.5% over the past decade, a rate that places it well above typical established-suburb growth. Annual population growth is running at 2.28%, adding around 203 people per year to the broader SA2 area. Internal migration is the primary driver at an average net gain of 125 people annually, suggesting lifestyle and affordability attraction from larger Queensland centres. Overseas migration adds a further 14 people per year on average. The gentrification score of 33 places the suburb in the early signs stage, supported by signals including 52% population growth since 2011 and the sustained internal migration inflow. Rent has grown 24% over the measured period, while real incomes grew 13%, meaning rental affordability has tightened slightly, though the rent-to-income ratio of 18.4% still sits comfortably below stress levels.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+14
Net Internal / yr
+125
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +52% since 2011, Net internal migration +125/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Cambooya compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambooya a good suburb to live in?
Cambooya suits families and rural lifestyle seekers well. It scores decile 9 on the IER (economic resources) index, higher than most urban suburbs, and the median age of 31 is 9 years below the national average, giving it an unusually young community feel for a rural town. Housing costs are low, with a mortgage-to-income ratio of just 20.3%.
What is the median house price in Cambooya?
The median house price in Cambooya is estimated at $373,000, well below the Queensland and national medians. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,381, and weekly rent is around $290. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 20.3% is comfortably below the 30% stress threshold.
What schools are in Cambooya?
No schools are recorded inside the Cambooya suburb boundary in this dataset. Families typically access schools in nearby Toowoomba or other Darling Downs centres. Despite this, 18.6% of local residents hold university qualifications, consistent with a range of educational backgrounds in the community.
Is Cambooya safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Cambooya in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores decile 7 on IRSAD (relative socio-economic advantage), placing it in the upper half nationally, and the unemployment rate of 3.3% is below the national average, both consistent with a low-disadvantage community.
Is Cambooya good for property investment?
Cambooya has grown 38.5% in population over the past decade, with net internal migration adding 125 people per year. The vacancy rate of 9.2% is elevated compared to national averages, so rental demand is softer right now, but rent grew 24% over the measured period. At a $373,000 median and $290 weekly rent, gross yields are higher than most capital city suburbs.
How is Cambooya's population changing?
Cambooya's broader area is growing at 2.28% per year, adding about 203 people annually. The SA2 population reached 8,905 in 2025 and is forecast to approach 9,489 by 2028 under medium projections. Internal migration is the main driver at 125 net arrivals per year, reflecting affordability-driven movement from larger Queensland centres.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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