Median house price
—
No data available
QLD · Scenic Rim Council
Kalbar, 4309
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,348
Growth (1 yr)
+1.4%
Growth (5 yr)
+6.0%
Median age
41
Median income
$1,275/wk
Employment rate
54.6%
Languages at home
3.1%non-English
Most common: Vietnamese, Korean
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- High desirability
- Education hub
- Café precinct
- Heritage area
- National parks
Suburb profile
As a regional hub in Scenic Rim Council, Kalbar combines local convenience with the appeal of a smaller community that feels genuinely its own. A strong local centre anchors daily routines, while the surrounding region adds variety for weekends away. Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with a strong presence of young families throughout.
There are enough cafés and casual dining options to keep weekends interesting without the inner-city crush. Local parks and tree cover add a welcome outdoor dimension to suburban life. Purchase and rent costs sit on the more affordable side of the local range.
An emerging neighbourhood feel is building here, with new households gradually reshaping local life.
The overall desirability read is around average, pulled by softer community and employment, plus growth momentum compared with similar regional towns, though transport and access remain brighter spots.
At a glance
Kalbar snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
—
No data available
Population (ERP)
1,348
+1.4% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
6.4%
Census unoccupied dwellings
Livability profile
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#26
among Country & regional · Emerging
Safety
17th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
58th
percentile in QLD
Advantage (IRSAD)
3/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
54th
percentile among schools with ICSEA
Population growth
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Housing mix
Dwelling types from the 2021 Census
Risks & flags
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Living here
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
- Desirability score
- 54.1/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 26% of Queensland's suburbs
- National rank
- 1664th in Australia
- State rank
- 382nd in QLD
- Peer rank
- #26 among Country & regional · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #107 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 74%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Population
Estimated resident population
1,348(June 2025)
+1.4% annual · +6.0% over 5 years · 58th percentile in QLD
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.4%
- 5-year growth
- +6.0%
- Change in 1 year
- +18
- Change in 5 years
- +76
- Growth rank in QLD
- 58th percentile
ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.
Methodology
Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.
The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~1,450), extrapolated at +1.3% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,246
- Median age
- 41
- Median household income / week
- $1,275
- Dwelling vacancy
- 6.4%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 30 of 467
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,363
- Employment rate
- 54.6%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 436 / 0 / 0 (+ 4 other)
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
- Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries
Community & culture
No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
Reported offences are running lower than the same point last year.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2026 to Aug 2026)
- 34
- Against the person
- 6
- Against property
- 15
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 25.2
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 208 residents
- State safety percentile
- 16.5th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate, partial year)
- +8.1%
Most common offence types
- Traffic And Related Offences29
- Other Theft (Excl. Unlawful Entry)26
- Unlawful Entry6
- Good Order Offences6
- Drug Offences6
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- QPS Online Crime Map — Queensland Police Service · Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 → Jan 2026 to Aug 2026; Jan 2026 to Aug 2026 · Updated · Calendar-year aggregates
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 1,016
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 54th
School list
- Kalbar State SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1016 · 54th percentile · LBOTE 5% · 274 students · Top SEA quarter 13% · 1.2 km awayView on My School →
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Amenities
27 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 cafes · 1 pubs · 1 supermarkets · 1 pharmacies · 1 bakeries · 1 places of worship · 1 post offices
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Walkability proxy
- 46/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0.8
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 2.41
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.61
Food & drink(3)
- Kalbar Country BakehouseBakery
- Lovett at KalbarCafe
- Royal HotelPub
Shopping(3)
- The Butcher CoButcher
- SparSupermarket
Community(2)
- Fassifern Community Mens ShedCommunity centre
- Kalbar State SchoolSchool
Health & services(2)
- Kalbar Medical CentreClinic
- Kalbar PharmacyPharmacy
Sport & outdoors(2)
- Park
- Sports field
Other(15)
- Bendigo Community Bank KalbarBank
- Kalbar ShowgroundsCamp Site
George Street
- Wiss CottageGuest House
99 George Street
- Pretty & PamperedHairdresser
- Mitre 10Hardware
30 Perdon Street, Kalbar
- Country Soul CollectiveHouseware
- The EmporiumHouseware
- 107 GeorgeMotel
107 George Street
- Parking (2)
- Fassifern Christian ChurchPlace of worship
William Street, Kalbar
- Police StationPolice
- Kalbar LPOPost office
72 George Street, Kalbar
- Public toilets
- Kalbar ShowgroundsSanitary Dump Station
- Shelter
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Parks & reserves
1 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Engelsburg Memorial ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 3
- Parks (OSM)
- 2
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Places of worship
1 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Fassifern Christian Church
William Street, Kalbar
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 2
- Nearest hospital
- Boonah Hospital (9.4 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- Not in suburb
- Kalbar Medical CentreClinic
- Kalbar PharmacyPharmacy
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 30
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 22.3
Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.
For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.
Data sources & freshness
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
Weather
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 28° / 18°
- Rainfall
- 493 mm · ~62 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 25° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 343 mm · ~43 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 20° / 7°
- Rainfall
- 144 mm · ~18 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 25° / 12°
- Rainfall
- 249 mm · ~31 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated
Future & Planning
Planning & development
Development applications from QLD coordinated projects (lodged 2020–2026).
1 planning-related records
Other· 1 proposal
- Scenic Rim Agricultural Industrial PrecinctThe project proposes to establish an integrated agricultural industrial processing precinct, with a renewable energy power facility, converting waste to energy, on approximately 40 hectares (ha) of land.Completed IAR project
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- QLD coordinated projects — Queensland Department of State Development · 2020–2026 · Updated · State projects (not council DAs)
Heritage
2 heritage places
- Wiss Brothers Store & Dwelling (former)State heritage place
- Wiss House (former)State heritage place
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via Queensland Bushfire Prone Area mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated
Politics & representation
- Federal electorate
- Wright
- Member of Parliament
- Scott BUCHHOLZ (Liberal National Party of Queensland)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 140,286
- Turnout (2025)
- 88.8%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +2.9 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 58.0%Labor 42.0%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 18.9 km away).
Coalition 72.1%Labor 27.9%
14.1 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +2.3 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- KalbarLabor 28.1% · Coalition 72.0% TPP (2025)1.5 km away
- AratulaLabor 25.2% · Coalition 74.8% TPP (2025)8.2 km away
- RoadvaleLabor 21.7% · Coalition 78.3% TPP (2025)9.5 km away
- BoonahLabor 34.8% · Coalition 65.2% TPP (2025)10.1 km away
- Warrill ViewLabor 26.1% · Coalition 74.0% TPP (2025)12.7 km away
Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.
Data sources & freshness
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 3/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 3/10
ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?
IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.
IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.
A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
More in Scenic Rim Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Queensland.