🔍

Drayton

QLD 4350 • Rest of QLD

1,813
Population (2021)
$70,824
Median Household Income
10.36 km²
Area
$290/wk
Median Rent
HistoricFamily-FriendlyStudent SuburbAffordableRegional

About Drayton

Drayton is a historic outer-southwestern suburb of Toowoomba, Queensland, located approximately 6 kilometres from the Toowoomba CBD and 131 kilometres west of Brisbane. Established as early as 1842, it was actually the original principal settlement on the Darling Downs before Toowoomba overtook it in the 1860s. Today, with a population of around 1,813 (2021 census), Drayton retains a mixed character of 19th-century heritage homes, mid-20th-century dwellings, and newer residential development largely catering to University of Southern Queensland students and young families.

Drayton offers a blend of historical charm and practical suburban living, with Drayton State School among the oldest primary schools in Queensland. The suburb borders a growing industrial and commercial corridor along ANZAC Avenue to the west. Residents benefit from easy access to Toowoomba's shopping, dining, and health facilities, and proximity to the University of Southern Queensland makes it popular with students and academic staff. Mount Peel in the suburb's north-west provides a scenic natural backdrop.

Drayton falls under postcode 4350 and is governed by Toowoomba Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Condamine electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4350
Urban Area
Toowoomba - Central
LGA / Council
Toowoomba
Federal Electorate
Groom
State Electorate
Condamine
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-27.60°, 151.91°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
10.36 km²
Elevation
621m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$290
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,400
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
36 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
3.3%

24 state housing + 0 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Drayton Station
0.8 km
10 min
Toowoomba Station
5.5 km
N/A (drive/bus)

Bus Services

  • 12, 14 — Toowoomba CBD 15-20 min
  • 41 — University of Southern Queensland 10 min

Commute to Toowoomba CBD

Distance
6 km
By Train
Limited — freight-only rail; not practical for commuting
By Bus
15-20 min (Translink routes 12/14)
By Car (Peak)
12 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
8 min

🛣️ Brisbane is 131 km away (~1.5 hr drive or ~2 hr via rail/coach)

Walkability Car Dependent

Suburban layout with limited footpaths. Local shops and bus stops within walking distance for some residents, but a car is recommended for most errands.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Woolworths
    48 Brisbane Street Drayton 4350 QLD

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
826.8 / 100k
2yr Down 33.3% 10yr Up 12.0%
Motor vehicle theft
288.8 / 100k
2yr Down 19.5% 10yr Up 68.7%
Non-FV assault
879.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 124.5%
Robbery (unarmed)
15 / 100k
2yr Down 31.9% 10yr Up 145.8%
Steal from vehicle
446 / 100k
2yr Down 14.1% 10yr Down 26.0%
View all offence categories for Toowoomba →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,710
Census 2021
1,813
▲ 6.0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$30,784
Personal Income 2021
$36,764
▲ 19.4% 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
$36,764 / yr
$707/wk
Household
$70,824 / yr
$1362/wk
Family
$86,268 / yr
$1659/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,486
Born Overseas 228

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. India 37
  • 2. England 21
  • 3. New Zealand 18
  • 4. Nepal 14
  • 5. Philippines 14
  • 6. Iraq 12
  • 7. Papua New Guinea 9
  • 8. Malaysia 8
  • 9. Sri Lanka 8
  • 10. Afghanistan 5

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 753
English 687
Irish 207
German 172
Scottish 169
Australian Aboriginal 136
Dutch 34
Indian 32
Italian 23
New Zealander 16

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,284
Both parents born in Australia
277
Both parents born overseas
145
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
55.3%
No Religion
31.7%
Islam
2.2%
Hinduism
2.0%
Buddhism
0.8%
Sikhism
0.8%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
89 (4.9%)
5-14 years
201 (11.1%)
15-19 years
144 (7.9%)
20-24 years
161 (8.9%)
25-34 years
266 (14.7%)
35-44 years
193 (10.6%)
45-54 years
206 (11.4%)
55-64 years
220 (12.1%)
65-74 years
219 (12.1%)
75-84 years
85 (4.7%)
85+ years
23 (1.3%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Drayton known for? +

Drayton is one of Queensland's oldest towns, predating Toowoomba's establishment in 1842. It is home to Drayton State School — one of the oldest primary schools in Queensland — and a blend of historic character and modern suburban development on the Darling Downs.

How far is Drayton from Toowoomba CBD? +

Drayton is approximately 6 kilometres south-west of Toowoomba CBD, a short drive of 10–12 minutes.

Does Drayton have public transport? +

Drayton is served by Toowoomba's local bus network connecting to the CBD and surrounding suburbs. The Toowoomba Second Range Crossing (Inland Rail) has also improved regional connectivity.

What is the population of Drayton? +

The 2021 Census recorded approximately 1,813 residents in Drayton, an established inner-suburban locality within the Toowoomba Regional Council area.

Is Drayton a good place to live? +

Drayton offers affordable suburban living with historical character close to Toowoomba's CBD. The suburb suits families who appreciate its heritage character, established amenities, and proximity to the Toowoomba's growing commercial and educational precinct.

What is the postcode for Drayton? +

The postcode for Drayton is 4350, shared with the Toowoomba CBD and surrounding suburbs on the Darling Downs.

What is the average income in Drayton? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Drayton is about $707 per week (around $36,800 per year). The median household income is $1,362 per week and the median family income is $1,659 per week.

What is the age profile of Drayton? +

The median age in Drayton is 36. The largest age group is 25–34 (266 residents, around 15%). Around 24% of residents are under 20 and about 18% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Drayton a safe area? +

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

In Drayton, the median weekly rent is $290, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,400 (2021 Census).