🔍

Ayr

QLD 4807 • Rest of QLD

8,603
Population (2021)
$64,792
Median Household Income
28.47 km²
Area
$230/wk
Median Rent
Regional HubAgriculturalFamily-FriendlyTropicalService Town

About Ayr

Ayr is a substantial regional town in the Burdekin Shire of North Queensland, about 88 km south-east of Townsville. The 2021 Census records a population of 8,603, with the town serving as the administrative and service hub for a major sugarcane-growing district. Its flat tropical setting near the Burdekin River delta supports agriculture, logistics and food-processing industries. Ayr has a practical regional character with established civic, retail and education infrastructure.

Daily life in Ayr is centred on schools, medical services, local retail and community facilities, with strong links to nearby Home Hill and surrounding farming areas. The town also has rail infrastructure and long-distance service connections, though most local travel is by car and bus. Recreational life includes sports clubs, river and coastal access, and a year-round warm climate. Ayr attracts families, agricultural workers and regional service professionals seeking a well-serviced country town.

Ayr falls under postcode 4807 and is governed by Burdekin Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Burdekin electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4807
Urban Area
Ayr
LGA / Council
Burdekin
Federal Electorate
Dawson
State Electorate
Burdekin
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-19.56°, 147.41°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
28.47 km²
Elevation
14m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$230
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,213
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
44 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
3.7%

90 state housing + 37 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Ayr Station
1.2 km
15 min
Home Hill Station
14 km
Not walkable
Townsville Station
90 km
Not walkable

Bus Services

  • Regional coach/bus services — Townsville 1 hr 20 min-1 hr 50 min
  • Local district routes — Home Hill and Burdekin communities 15-40 min
  • School and worker services — Local cane districts 20-50 min

Commute to Townsville CBD

Distance
88 km
By Train
Limited practicality for daily commuting
By Bus
1 hr 20 min-1 hr 50 min
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 10 min-1 hr 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr-1 hr 20 min

🛣️ Ayr functions as its own regional centre; long-distance commuting to Townsville is possible but not typical daily travel.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

The town centre is reasonably walkable for basic errands, though a car is important for broader regional travel.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Edward Street Ayr 4807 QLD
  • Woolworths
    Cnr Queen & Parker Street Ayr 4807 QLD

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Burdekin Local Government Area, which contains Ayr. Rates are per 100,000 residents for calendar year 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
540.5 / 100k
2yr Down 48.6% 10yr Down 13.3%
Motor vehicle theft
270.3 / 100k
2yr Down 22.0% 10yr Up 46.3%
Non-FV assault
1,161.5 / 100k
2yr Down 15.9% 10yr Up 145.4%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr Down 100.0% 10yr Down 100.0%
Steal from vehicle
172.5 / 100k
2yr Down 47.6% 10yr Down 62.2%
View all offence categories for Burdekin →

Source: Queensland Police Service via data.qld.gov.au

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
8,738
Census 2021
8,603
▼ 1.5% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$31,356
Personal Income 2021
$36,452
▲ 16.3% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$36,452 / yr
$701/wk
Household
$64,792 / yr
$1246/wk
Family
$90,272 / yr
$1736/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 6,851
Born Overseas 920

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. Italy 150
  • 2. England 107
  • 3. New Zealand 76
  • 4. Philippines 49
  • 5. South Africa 43
  • 6. India 41
  • 7. Germany 22
  • 8. Papua New Guinea 22
  • 9. Ireland 20
  • 10. Scotland 18

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 3,050
English 2,917
Italian 1,385
Scottish 882
Irish 861
Australian Aboriginal 607
German 462
Spanish 134
Greek 87
Chinese 63

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

5,732
Both parents born in Australia
1,317
Both parents born overseas
712
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
64.8%
No Religion
23.0%
Buddhism
0.5%
Hinduism
0.3%
Islam
0.2%
Sikhism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
413 (4.8%)
5-14 years
978 (11.4%)
15-19 years
466 (5.4%)
20-24 years
525 (6.1%)
25-34 years
1,068 (12.4%)
35-44 years
872 (10.1%)
45-54 years
1,060 (12.3%)
55-64 years
1,150 (13.4%)
65-74 years
1,085 (12.6%)
75-84 years
704 (8.2%)
85+ years
280 (3.3%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ayr known for? +

Ayr is a substantial regional town in the Burdekin Shire of North Queensland, about 88 km south-east of Townsville. The 2021 Census records a population of 8,603, with the town serving as the administrative and service hub for a major sugarcane-growing district.

How far is Ayr from Brisbane CBD? +

Ayr is approximately 88 km from Townsville CBD. By car, the journey takes around 1 hr-1 hr 20 min off-peak and 1 hr 10 min-1 hr 30 min during peak hours.

Does Ayr have public transport? +

Ayr is served by Ayr Station (1.2 km away) on the North Coast Line (long-distance services). Bus services also connect to Townsville. The commute to Brisbane CBD takes approximately 1 hr-1 hr 20 min by car.

What is the population of Ayr? +

According to the 2021 Census, Ayr has a population of approximately 8,603 residents. It is a well-established suburb within the Burdekin (Shire).

Is Ayr a good place to live? +

Ayr offers a comfortable suburban lifestyle with access to local amenities and services. It suits a range of residents from families to retirees, depending on personal preferences for pace of life and proximity to urban centres.

What is the postcode for Ayr? +

The postcode for Ayr, QLD is 4807.

What is the average income in Ayr? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Ayr is about $701 per week (around $36,500 per year). The median household income is $1,246 per week and the median family income is $1,736 per week.

What is the age profile of Ayr? +

The median age in Ayr is 44. The largest age group is 55–64 (1,150 residents, around 13%). Around 22% of residents are under 20 and about 24% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Ayr a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Ayr is part of the Burdekin LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Ayr? +

In Ayr, the median weekly rent is $230, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,213 (2021 Census).