🔍

Cherbourg

QLD 4605 • Rest of QLD

1,194
Population (2021)
$41,236
Median Household Income
31.60 km²
Area
$100/wk
Median Rent
Aboriginal CommunityHistoricRuralCultural HeritageSouth Burnett

About Cherbourg

Cherbourg is a small Aboriginal community located in the South Burnett region of Queensland, approximately 250 kilometres northwest of Brisbane. With a population of 1,194 (2021 Census), it is home to the Aboriginal Shire of Cherbourg, where 96.4% of residents identify as Indigenous Australians. The community sits on Wakka Wakka Country at an elevation of 352 metres, just 6 kilometres from the town of Murgon. Cherbourg has a complex history as a former government reserve where Aboriginal people from across Queensland were forcibly relocated.

Today, Cherbourg is a proud and resilient community with its own local council, health services, schools, and cultural facilities. The Cherbourg Historical Precinct preserves the community history and hosts cultural events. The Ration Shed Museum is a significant heritage site that tells the story of Aboriginal people who lived under government control. Community life centres around sport, family, and cultural connection, with rugby league being particularly popular. Basic services are available locally, with Murgon providing additional shopping and medical facilities.

Cherbourg falls under postcode 4605 and is governed by Cherbourg Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Nanango electorate.

📰 Featured In

📰 Queensland Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4605
Urban Area
Cherbourg
LGA / Council
Cherbourg
Federal Electorate
Wide Bay
State Electorate
Nanango
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-26.29°, 151.93°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
31.60 km²
Elevation
352m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$100
Avg Household Size
3.4 people
Median Age
23 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
101.3%

275 state housing + 36 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Local service — Murgon 10-15 min

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
250 km
By Train
N/A (no rail)
By Bus
N/A (no direct service)
By Car (Peak)
3-3.5 hours
By Car (Off-Peak)
3 hours

🛣️ Remote community; nearest regional centre is Murgon (6 km). No rail or long-distance bus services.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Small community is somewhat walkable within the town centre, but car needed for travel to Murgon and beyond

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
2,770.8 / 100k
2yr Down 27.1% 10yr Up 49.3%
Motor vehicle theft
846.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 56.4%
Non-FV assault
9,928.8 / 100k
2yr Down 18.6% 10yr Up 23.4%
Robbery (unarmed)
77 / 100k
2yr Down 51.4% 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
153.9 / 100k
2yr Down 75.7% 10yr Down 66.8%
View all offence categories for Cherbourg →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,269
Census 2021
1,194
▼ 5.9% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$16,380
Personal Income 2021
$19,500
▲ 19.0% 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
$19,500 / yr
$375/wk
Household
$41,236 / yr
$793/wk
Family
$41,756 / yr
$803/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian Aboriginal 1,145
Australian 15
English 11
Scottish 5
Irish 4

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,145
Both parents born in Australia
6
Both parents born overseas
7
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
48.6%
No Religion
45.6%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
114 (9.5%)
5-14 years
305 (25.5%)
15-19 years
115 (9.6%)
20-24 years
91 (7.6%)
25-34 years
161 (13.5%)
35-44 years
126 (10.6%)
45-54 years
120 (10.1%)
55-64 years
106 (8.9%)
65-74 years
33 (2.8%)
75-84 years
16 (1.3%)
85+ years
5 (0.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cherbourg known for? +

Cherbourg is one of Queensland's most historically significant Aboriginal communities, established under the Aboriginal Protection Act. Today it is known for the Cherbourg Historical Precinct, which preserves the community's history and is an important cultural heritage site in the South Burnett.

How far is Cherbourg from Brisbane? +

Cherbourg is approximately 250 kilometres north-west of Brisbane, about a three-hour drive via the D'Aguilar Highway.

Does Cherbourg have public transport? +

Cherbourg is served by bus connections to Kingaroy and surrounding South Burnett towns. Queensland Rail's Spirit of the Burnett service once operated nearby, but a private vehicle is the practical option for most travel.

What is the population of Cherbourg? +

The 2021 Census recorded 1,194 residents in Cherbourg, administered by the Cherbourg Shire Council and home to a proud Wakka Wakka and other First Nations community.

Is Cherbourg a good place to live? +

Cherbourg is home to a resilient and culturally rich Aboriginal community with its own governance, schools, and health services. For those with connections to Country and community, it offers a strong sense of identity and belonging in the South Burnett.

What is the postcode for Cherbourg? +

The postcode for Cherbourg is 4605, in the South Burnett Region of Queensland, adjacent to Murgon.

What is the average income in Cherbourg? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Cherbourg is about $375 per week (around $19,500 per year). The median household income is $793 per week and the median family income is $803 per week.

What is the age profile of Cherbourg? +

The median age in Cherbourg is 23. The largest age group is 5–14 (305 residents, around 26%). Around 45% of residents are under 20 and about 5% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Cherbourg a safe area? +

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

In Cherbourg, the median weekly rent is $100 (2021 Census).