🔍

Broughton

QLD 4820 • Queensland

714
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
282.23 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralOutbackAgriculturalCattle Country
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About Broughton

Broughton is a large rural locality in the Charters Towers Region of Queensland, situated approximately 6 kilometres south-east of the Charters Towers CBD and 140 kilometres south-west of Townsville. Covering an extensive area of around 282 square kilometres, the locality had a 2021 Census population of 714 residents distributed across a broad pastoral landscape of cattle stations and rural holdings. The median household income reflects the working rural economy characteristic of outback North Queensland.

Broughton is closely tied to the historic gold-mining town of Charters Towers, which provides residents with access to schools, hospitals, shops, and services, including the well-regarded All Souls' St Gabriel's School. The surrounding landscape is classic North Queensland cattle country — open eucalypt woodland and savanna stretching across the undulating ranges west of Townsville. Life in Broughton revolves around the land, with properties engaged in beef cattle farming, and the community benefits from the broader regional services available in Charters Towers.

Broughton falls under postcode 4820 and is governed by the Charters Towers Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Kennedy, while state elections fall under the Traeger electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4820
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Charters Towers
Federal Electorate
Kennedy
State Electorate
Traeger
Type
Locality
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-20.43°, 146.28°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
282.23 km²
Population Density
3 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 4820

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4820, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$48,656
Median 2023–24
$56,547
▲ 16.2% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$67,894

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4820; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Greyhound Australia / TransNorth regional coaches — Townsville, Brisbane Approx 2 hrs to Townsville

Commute to Charters Towers CBD

Distance
6 km
By Train
No rail service to Broughton; Charters Towers has limited freight rail only
By Car (Peak)
8-12 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
8-10 min

🛣️ Townsville is the nearest major city (140 km, approx 1.5-2 hrs drive via Flinders Hwy); Brisbane is 1,312 km

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Broughton is a dispersed rural locality with no local services; a car is essential for all daily needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
714
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
712.6 / 100k
2yr Down 38.9% 10yr Down 37.6%
Motor vehicle theft
265.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 14.5%
Non-FV assault
2,112.8 / 100k
2yr Down 13.4% 10yr Up 180.6%
Robbery (unarmed)
33.1 / 100k
2yr Up 298.1% 10yr Up 300.6%
Steal from vehicle
314.9 / 100k
2yr Up 22.0% 10yr Stable
View all offence categories for Charters Towers →

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

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Broughton known for? +

Broughton is known for its rural cattle country setting on the outskirts of the historic gold-mining city of Charters Towers in North Queensland, offering a quintessential outback lifestyle in a broad pastoral landscape.

How far is Broughton from Townsville? +

Broughton is approximately 140 kilometres south-west of Townsville, making it around a 1.5 to 2 hour drive via the Flinders Highway.

Does Broughton have public transport? +

There is no local public transport serving Broughton. Regional coach services such as Greyhound Australia connect Charters Towers (6 km away) to Townsville and Brisbane, but a private vehicle is essential within the locality.

What is the population of Broughton? +

According to the 2021 Census, Broughton has a population of 714 residents spread over a large rural area of approximately 282 square kilometres within the Charters Towers Region.

Is Broughton a good place to live? +

Broughton suits those who value a quiet outback rural lifestyle with access to the community, schools, and services of nearby Charters Towers. It is ideal for people involved in pastoral farming or those seeking a remote North Queensland lifestyle.

What is the postcode for Broughton? +

The postcode for Broughton is 4820, which it shares with Charters Towers and several surrounding rural localities in the region.

Is Broughton a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Broughton is part of the Charters Towers 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.