🔍

Charleville

QLD 4470 • Rest of QLD

2,992
Population (2021)
$68,900
Median Household Income
613.63 km²
Area
$178/wk
Median Rent
RuralOutbackHistoricHeritageService Centre

About Charleville

Charleville is a remote rural town in the Shire of Murweh, located approximately 745 kilometres west-northwest of Brisbane in outback Queensland. With a population of around 3,000, it serves as a key service centre for the surrounding pastoral district. The town was established in 1865 and sits on the traditional lands of the Bidjara people at an elevation of 294 metres.

The town is known for its Royal Flying Doctor Service visitor centre, the Cosmos Centre observatory, and the historic Hotel Corones. Charleville serves as a hub for the cattle and sheep grazing industries of western Queensland. Residents enjoy a close-knit community atmosphere with essential services including schools, a hospital, and sporting facilities. The town attracts visitors interested in outback heritage and stargazing.

Charleville falls under postcode 4470 and is governed by Murweh Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Warrego electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4470
Urban Area
Murweh
LGA / Council
Murweh
Federal Electorate
Maranoa
State Electorate
Warrego
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-26.39°, 146.28°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
613.63 km²
Elevation
303m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$178
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$867
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
42 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
5.1%

50 state housing + 9 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Westlander rail service — Brisbane (twice weekly) 16 hours
  • Bus Queensland — Regional coach services Varies

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
745 km
By Train
16 hours (Westlander, twice weekly)
By Bus
Limited regional coaches
By Car (Peak)
8-9 hours
By Car (Off-Peak)
8-9 hours

🛣️ Remote outback town; Charleville Airport has regular flights to Brisbane (~2 hours)

Walkability Car-Dependent

Town centre is walkable but most residents rely on cars for daily needs.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
597.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 53.2%
Motor vehicle theft
174.2 / 100k
2yr Down 23.2% 10yr Up 664.1%
Non-FV assault
2,538.5 / 100k
2yr Up 15.7% 10yr Up 185.5%
Robbery (unarmed)
49.8 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
174.2 / 100k
2yr Down 23.2% 10yr Down 55.1%
View all offence categories for Murweh →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,335
Census 2021
2,992
▼ 10.3% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$36,608
Personal Income 2021
$42,744
▲ 16.8% 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
$42,744 / yr
$822/wk
Household
$68,900 / yr
$1325/wk
Family
$94,276 / yr
$1813/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,296
Born Overseas 295

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. Vietnam 128
  • 2. New Zealand 43
  • 3. England 25
  • 4. Philippines 20
  • 5. Taiwan 7
  • 6. United States 7
  • 7. Netherlands 6
  • 8. Cambodia 5
  • 9. Fiji 5
  • 10. Scotland 5

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 1,246
English 919
Australian Aboriginal 383
Irish 331
Scottish 240
German 156
Vietnamese 109
Chinese 38
Filipino 35
Dutch 23

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,092
Both parents born in Australia
322
Both parents born overseas
162
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
56.4%
No Religion
27.3%
Buddhism
0.9%
Islam
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
165 (5.5%)
5-14 years
358 (12.0%)
15-19 years
152 (5.1%)
20-24 years
166 (5.5%)
25-34 years
434 (14.5%)
35-44 years
297 (9.9%)
45-54 years
349 (11.7%)
55-64 years
495 (16.5%)
65-74 years
341 (11.4%)
75-84 years
151 (5.0%)
85+ years
88 (2.9%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Charleville known for? +

Charleville is known for the Cosmos Centre astronomy observatory, the Royal Flying Doctor Service visitor centre, and the iconic Hotel Corones — a grand 1929 Queensland heritage hotel. It is the major service hub for south-west Queensland's pastoral country.

How far is Charleville from Brisbane? +

Charleville is approximately 745 kilometres west-north-west of Brisbane via the Warrego Highway, a drive of about 8–9 hours.

Does Charleville have public transport? +

Charleville is served by Queensland Rail's Spirit of the Outback train service to Brisbane, and long-distance coach services. The Royal Flying Doctor Service is a critical link for medical emergencies in the remote region.

What is the population of Charleville? +

The 2021 Census recorded approximately 2,992 residents in Charleville, making it the major urban centre for the Murweh Shire and a key hub for outback south-west Queensland.

Is Charleville a good place to live? +

Charleville offers an authentic outback lifestyle with a strong community spirit, reliable services, and a central role in Queensland's pastoral economy. It suits those drawn to the open landscapes of the Maranoa and Warrego country and outback heritage culture.

What is the postcode for Charleville? +

The postcode for Charleville is 4470, covering the Murweh Shire area of south-west Queensland.

What is the average income in Charleville? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Charleville is about $822 per week (around $42,700 per year). The median household income is $1,325 per week and the median family income is $1,813 per week.

What is the age profile of Charleville? +

The median age in Charleville is 42. The largest age group is 55–64 (495 residents, around 17%). Around 23% of residents are under 20 and about 19% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Charleville a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Charleville is part of the Murweh 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 Charleville? +

In Charleville, the median weekly rent is $178, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $867 (2021 Census).