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Carstairs

QLD 4806 • Queensland

91
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
36.01 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralAffordable
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About Carstairs

Carstairs is a small rural locality in the Burdekin region of North Queensland, situated approximately 30 kilometres south of Ayr on the coastal plains near the Burdekin River delta. The locality falls within the Burdekin Shire, one of Australia's most productive agricultural districts, dominated by extensive sugarcane farms that define the flat, tropical landscape. With a population of around 91 residents, Carstairs is a quiet farming community characteristic of the rural hinterland between Ayr and Bowen.

Life in Carstairs centres on the cane-farming calendar, with the annual crushing season bringing activity and seasonal workers to the broader district. Residents rely on Ayr for schooling, shopping, and medical services, with the Ayr CBD roughly 30 minutes by car. The Burdekin region's proximity to the Whitsundays and Townsville (approximately 90 kilometres north) adds lifestyle appeal for outdoor enthusiasts. The area offers affordable rural land and a warm tropical climate year-round, attracting those drawn to a quieter agricultural lifestyle in North Queensland.

Carstairs falls under postcode 4806 and is governed by the Burdekin Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Dawson, while state elections fall under the Burdekin electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4806
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Burdekin
Federal Electorate
Dawson
State Electorate
Burdekin
Type
Locality
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-19.86°, 147.42°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
36.01 km²
Population Density
3 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 4806

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4806, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$45,741
Median 2023–24
$57,821
▲ 26.4% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$69,517

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4806; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Commute to Townsville CBD

Distance
90 km
By Train
No local train; limited coach services via Ayr
By Car (Peak)
1–1.25 hr via Bruce Highway
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr

🛣️ Car essential; Bruce Highway (Hwy 1) accessible via Ayr

Walkability Car-Dependent

Rural cane-farming locality; no footpaths or public transport; vehicle required for all errands

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
91
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Burdekin Local Government Area, which contains Carstairs. 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Carstairs QLD? +

Carstairs is a rural locality in the Burdekin Shire of North Queensland, approximately 30 kilometres south of Ayr, postcode 4806.

What industry drives Carstairs? +

The area around Carstairs is dominated by sugarcane farming. The Burdekin Shire is one of Australia's largest sugarcane-producing regions, and agriculture underpins the local economy.

How far is Carstairs from Townsville? +

Carstairs is approximately 90 kilometres south of Townsville, roughly a 1-hour drive via the Bruce Highway.

Is Carstairs a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Carstairs 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.

What is the population of Carstairs? +

Carstairs had a population of 91 at the 2021 Census.