🔍

Boonah

QLD 4310 • Greater Brisbane

2,557
Population (2021)
$54,080
Median Household Income
11.11 km²
Area
$300/wk
Median Rent
RuralFamily-FriendlyHistoricRetireesAffordable

About Boonah

Boonah is a charming rural town and locality in the Scenic Rim Region of South-East Queensland, located approximately 80 kilometres south-west of Brisbane. Nestled in the Fassifern Valley and surrounded by the McPherson Range, Main Range, and iconic peaks such as Mount French, the town had a population of 2,557 at the 2021 Census. Boonah serves as the administrative and commercial hub for the wider Fassifern Valley, supporting outlying villages including Kalbar, Harrisville, and Aratula.

Boonah offers a relaxed country lifestyle with a surprisingly active community scene. Weekend markets, local arts, a hospital, cafes, and a golf course contribute to a well-rounded quality of life, while the stunning Scenic Rim landscape draws bushwalkers, cyclists, and nature lovers throughout the year. The town attracts young families, retirees, and tree-changers from Brisbane who appreciate the affordable housing, fresh air, and tight-knit community — all within a comfortable drive of the city.

Boonah falls under postcode 4310 and is governed by Scenic Rim Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Scenic Rim electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4310
Urban Area
Beaudesert - Boonah
LGA / Council
Scenic Rim
Federal Electorate
Wright
State Electorate
Scenic Rim
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-27.99°, 152.68°
Statistical Area
Greater Brisbane
Area
11.11 km²
Elevation
114m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$300
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,261
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
50 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • TransLink regional services — Ipswich / Brisbane 90-120 min to Ipswich

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
82 km
By Train
No direct train; drive to Ipswich then train (~1 hr to Brisbane)
By Car (Peak)
90-110 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
75-90 min

🛣️ Via Cunningham Highway through Ipswich; scenic alternate via Mt Lindesay Highway

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Town centre is walkable with supermarkets, cafes, and services; outer areas require a vehicle

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
320.2 / 100k
2yr Up 15.0% 10yr Down 48.3%
Motor vehicle theft
179.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 31.2%
Non-FV assault
523 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 168.0%
Robbery (unarmed)
6.4 / 100k
2yr Down 27.6% 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
277.5 / 100k
2yr Up 29.5% 10yr Stable
View all offence categories for Scenic Rim →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,484
Census 2021
2,557
▲ 2.9% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$25,428
Personal Income 2021
$29,120
▲ 14.5% 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
$29,120 / yr
$560/wk
Household
$54,080 / yr
$1040/wk
Family
$69,836 / yr
$1343/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,076
Born Overseas 315

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 85
  • 2. South Korea 50
  • 3. New Zealand 42
  • 4. Indonesia 17
  • 5. Philippines 15
  • 6. Japan 9
  • 7. Scotland 9
  • 8. Netherlands 7
  • 9. Germany 6
  • 10. India 6

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,100
Australian 974
German 390
Irish 289
Scottish 259
Australian Aboriginal 58
Korean 56
Italian 45
Dutch 38
Polish 22

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,779
Both parents born in Australia
371
Both parents born overseas
246
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
53.1%
No Religion
37.7%
Buddhism
0.7%
Hinduism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
111 (4.3%)
5-14 years
277 (10.8%)
15-19 years
167 (6.5%)
20-24 years
82 (3.2%)
25-34 years
255 (10.0%)
35-44 years
241 (9.4%)
45-54 years
261 (10.2%)
55-64 years
340 (13.3%)
65-74 years
381 (14.9%)
75-84 years
262 (10.2%)
85+ years
175 (6.8%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Boonah QLD located? +

Boonah is a rural town in the Scenic Rim Region, approximately 80 km south-west of Brisbane, situated in the Fassifern Valley and surrounded by ranges and national parks.

What is the population of Boonah QLD? +

The locality of Boonah had a population of 2,557 people at the 2021 Census, making it the main town of the Fassifern Valley area.

What schools are in Boonah QLD? +

Boonah has several schools including Boonah State School (P-6), Boonah State High School, and All Saints' School (Catholic primary). There are also small state schools in surrounding villages.

Is Boonah a good place to live? +

Boonah is popular with families, retirees, and Brisbane tree-changers for its affordable housing, scenic Scenic Rim surroundings, active community, and access to parks, markets, and local services.

How far is Boonah from Brisbane? +

Boonah is approximately 82 km from Brisbane CBD, making it about a 90-minute drive via the Cunningham Highway through Ipswich.

What is the average income in Boonah? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Boonah is about $560 per week (around $29,100 per year). The median household income is $1,040 per week and the median family income is $1,343 per week.

What is the age profile of Boonah? +

The median age in Boonah is 50. The largest age group is 65–74 (381 residents, around 15%). Around 22% of residents are under 20 and about 32% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Boonah a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Boonah is part of the Scenic Rim 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.

What is the population of Boonah? +

Boonah had a population of 2,557 at the 2021 Census, up 2.9% from 2,484 in 2016.

How much is rent in Boonah? +

In Boonah, the median weekly rent is $300, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,261 (2021 Census).