Rest of Queensland

Combined, the population and Darling Downs - Maranoa and Queensland - Outback SA4 in 2021 was 211,700. Forecast to grow by 11,555, the population is set to reach 223,255

• The number of dwellings in both SA4s is forecast to grow from 101,669 in 2021 to 110,747 in 2046, an additional 9,078 dwellings.
• Darling Downs - Maranoa SA4 is forecast to the larger proportion of population growth, accounting for 9,726 persons or 0.5% of Queensland's total population growth to 2046. This growth is concentrated in Warwick SA2 (2,494 persons) and Crows Nest - Rosalie SA2 (1,525 persons), accounting for 25.6% and 15.7% of the SA4's growth respectively.
• Queensland - Outback SA4 is forecast grow 1,829 persons in the 25-year forecast period to 2046, concentrated in Cape York SA2 (947 persons) and Tablelands SA2 (831 persons), accounting for 9.7% and 8.5% respectively. Eight SA2s are forecast to decline in population, with Mount Isa SA2 set to experience the sharpest decline of -864 persons.
• Of the two regions, Darling Downs - Maranoa and Queensland - Outback, dwelling growth is concentrated mostly in Warwick SA2 (1,182 dwellings) and Cape York SA2 (858), accounting for 12.2% and 8.8% of their respective region's growth.
• Although these regions are forecast to experience less growth in comparison to other Queensland SA4s, relative to the region, significant growth becomes evident once broken down into smaller geographies, emphasising the importance of understanding the nuances of your place.

Read on below for charts, maps and tables sharing the forecast results at SA2 geography. 

Darling Downs - Maranoa SA4 and Queensland - Outback SA4, making up the 'rest of Queensland' region, is made up of 37 SA2s, spanning across the Queensland-New South Wales border, up the Queensland-Northern Territory border, along the Cape York Penninsula, reaching the Sandy Cape, and then South East reaching Warwick, due west of Coolangatta.

The Darling Downs region has boasted a strong agricultural industry since colonial inception, serviced conveniently by Warwick, the administrative service centre of the region. Warwick SA2 is expected to grow significantly throughout the forecast period, relative to historical growth. Whereas Mount Isa SA2, the economic hub of the Queensland - Outback SA4, is forecast to decline throughout the forecast period, with the majority of growth occurring within the Cape York SA2. 

We set the context for our local area forecasts with a presentation of our state- and regional-level forecasts for Queensland.

Access the presentation slides (including our forecast data for each region), and a short recap or the full webinar presentation on-demand. Learn what's driving change and how much growth will go to each region of the state over the 25 years to 2046.

The population forecast for Queensland

The following forecast information presents the numbers for the Darling Downs - Maranoa & Queensland - Outback SA4 regions

Learn more about the different options to access these forecasts for Local Government Areas (LGAs), suburbs, custom catchments or the entire state or nation here.