🔍

Brandon

QLD 4808 • Rest of QLD

1,088
Population (2021)
$78,208
Median Household Income
110.43 km²
Area
$200/wk
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalTropicalSugar Cane CountryQuiet

About Brandon

Brandon is a small rural town in the Shire of Burdekin, Queensland, located 6.4 kilometres west-northwest of Ayr and approximately 82 kilometres east-southeast of Townsville. The locality covers a large 110.5 square kilometre area of flat, low-lying agricultural land on the coastal plain of the Burdekin River delta. At the 2021 census, Brandon had a population of 1,088 residents, with the community closely tied to the region's sugar cane farming industry. The town was surveyed in 1882 and takes its name from an early Queensland official.

Brandon is a quiet agricultural community where life revolves around the cane farming cycle, with the Inkerman Sugar Mill in nearby Ayr being a major employer. The surrounding Burdekin delta is one of Australia's most productive sugar-producing regions, and the flat landscapes and irrigation channels define the local character. Residents access shopping, schools, and health services in nearby Ayr, while Townsville provides the nearest major city amenities. The area is popular with fishing and outdoor enthusiasts, with the Burdekin River and nearby coast offering excellent recreational opportunities.

Brandon falls under postcode 4808 and is governed by Burdekin Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Burdekin electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4808
Urban Area
Burdekin
LGA / Council
Burdekin
Federal Electorate
Dawson
State Electorate
Burdekin
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-19.54°, 147.36°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
110.43 km²
Elevation
10m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$200
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,149
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
46 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2.2%

3 state housing + 6 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Local school bus,Greyhound regional — Ayr / Townsville ~10 min to Ayr; ~1 hr 20 min to Townsville

Commute to Townsville CBD

Distance
82 km
By Train
N/A – no local rail service
By Bus
~1 hr 30 min via regional coach through Ayr
By Car (Peak)
~55–65 min via Bruce Highway
By Car (Off-Peak)
~50 min via Bruce Highway

🛣️ Brandon is primarily car-dependent; Ayr (6km) is the nearest service hub for groceries, medical, and schooling.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Brandon is a small rural town with minimal footpath infrastructure; a car is essential for all daily needs.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Burdekin Local Government Area, which contains Brandon. 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
1,094
Census 2021
1,088
▼ 0.5% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$34,320
Personal Income 2021
$39,624
▲ 15.5% 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
$39,624 / yr
$762/wk
Household
$78,208 / yr
$1504/wk
Family
$101,920 / yr
$1960/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 934
Born Overseas 55

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. Italy 13
  • 2. New Zealand 6
  • 3. Scotland 5
  • 4. South Africa 5
  • 5. Zimbabwe 4
  • 6. England 3
  • 7. Philippines 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 489
English 361
Italian 200
Scottish 128
Irish 113
Australian Aboriginal 66
German 42
Spanish 20
Dutch 10
Maltese 9

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

793
Both parents born in Australia
109
Both parents born overseas
104
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
65.5%
No Religion
24.4%
Buddhism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
63 (5.8%)
5-14 years
135 (12.4%)
15-19 years
52 (4.8%)
20-24 years
45 (4.1%)
25-34 years
104 (9.6%)
35-44 years
127 (11.7%)
45-54 years
138 (12.7%)
55-64 years
177 (16.3%)
65-74 years
150 (13.8%)
75-84 years
71 (6.5%)
85+ years
14 (1.3%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Brandon known for? +

Brandon is a small rural town in the Shire of Burdekin, Queensland, located 6.4 kilometres west-northwest of Ayr and approximately 82 kilometres east-southeast of Townsville. The locality covers a large 110.5 square kilometre area of flat, low-lying agricultural land on the coastal plain of the Burdekin River delta.

How far is Brandon from Brisbane CBD? +

Brandon is approximately 82 km from Townsville CBD. By car, the journey takes around ~50 min via Bruce Highway off-peak and ~55–65 min via Bruce Highway during peak hours.

Does Brandon have public transport? +

Brandon is served by bus routes connecting to Ayr / Townsville, though there is no direct rail service. A car is recommended for most journeys.

What is the population of Brandon? +

According to the 2021 Census, Brandon has a population of approximately 1,088 residents. It is a mid-sized suburb within the Burdekin (Shire).

Is Brandon a good place to live? +

Brandon suits those who value a quiet rural lifestyle with open spaces and natural surroundings. It is ideal for people seeking acreage, farming, or a secluded country retreat, with urban amenities accessible from nearby towns.

What is the postcode for Brandon? +

The postcode for Brandon, QLD is 4808.

What is the average income in Brandon? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Brandon is about $762 per week (around $39,600 per year). The median household income is $1,504 per week and the median family income is $1,960 per week.

What is the age profile of Brandon? +

The median age in Brandon is 46. The largest age group is 55–64 (177 residents, around 16%). Around 23% of residents are under 20 and about 22% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Brandon a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Brandon 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 Brandon? +

In Brandon, the median weekly rent is $200, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,149 (2021 Census).