🔍

Esk

QLD 4312 • Greater Brisbane

1,641
Population (2021)
$47,320
Median Household Income
59.64 km²
Area
$260/wk
Median Rent
RuralRetirementAffordableCountry TownScenic

About Esk

Esk is a small rural town in the Somerset Region of South East Queensland, situated in the Brisbane Valley approximately 100 kilometres northwest of Brisbane. With a population of around 1,640 and a notably high median age of 58, it is a popular tree-change and retirement destination. The community is predominantly Australian-born with English and Scottish heritage. Esk has served as a rural service centre since the 1840s and retains a strong country-town character.

Nestled in rolling green hills at an elevation of 133 metres, Esk offers a peaceful rural lifestyle with a charming main street featuring local shops, pubs, and cafes. The town is known for the annual Esk Coal and Country Festival and its proximity to Lake Wivenhoe and Somerset Dam, popular spots for camping, fishing, and water sports. Local amenities include a primary and secondary school, medical centre, and sporting grounds. The surrounding countryside supports cattle grazing and small-scale farming. Retirees and families seeking affordable country living are drawn to the area.

Esk falls under postcode 4312 and is governed by Somerset Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Nanango electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4312
Urban Area
Esk - Kilcoy
LGA / Council
Somerset
Federal Electorate
Blair
State Electorate
Nanango
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-27.26°, 152.42°
Statistical Area
Greater Brisbane
Area
59.64 km²
Elevation
133m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$260
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,181
Avg Household Size
2.1 people
Median Age
58 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Ipswich
60 km
N/A (drive required)

Bus Services

  • TransLink 534 — Esk to Ipswich via Fernvale 1 hour 20 mins

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
100 km
By Bus
2+ hours (limited services)
By Car (Peak)
1 hour 30 mins
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hour 15 mins

🛣️ Rural town with very limited public transport; most residents rely on private vehicles. Warrego Highway and Brisbane Valley Highway provide road access.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Small town centre is walkable for basic errands but most services and employment require driving

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
282.4 / 100k
2yr Down 32.6% 10yr Down 43.6%
Motor vehicle theft
226.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 67.7%
Non-FV assault
973.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 163.3%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr Down 100.0% 10yr Down 100.0%
Steal from vehicle
267.5 / 100k
2yr Down 28.4% 10yr Up 31.9%
View all offence categories for Somerset →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,698
Census 2021
1,641
▼ 3.4% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$22,880
Personal Income 2021
$24,908
▲ 8.9% 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
$24,908 / yr
$479/wk
Household
$47,320 / yr
$910/wk
Family
$60,476 / yr
$1163/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,259
Born Overseas 283

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 98
  • 2. New Zealand 59
  • 3. Germany 17
  • 4. Scotland 15
  • 5. Philippines 13
  • 6. Netherlands 10
  • 7. India 8
  • 8. Malaysia 8
  • 9. South Africa 7
  • 10. Thailand 7

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 736
Australian 665
Scottish 197
Irish 181
German 157
Australian Aboriginal 60
Dutch 26
Filipino 17
New Zealander 15
Italian 14

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,048
Both parents born in Australia
310
Both parents born overseas
189
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
50.9%
No Religion
38.8%
Buddhism
1.1%
Islam
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
42 (2.6%)
5-14 years
130 (7.9%)
15-19 years
71 (4.3%)
20-24 years
47 (2.9%)
25-34 years
100 (6.1%)
35-44 years
130 (7.9%)
45-54 years
198 (12.1%)
55-64 years
307 (18.7%)
65-74 years
379 (23.1%)
75-84 years
194 (11.8%)
85+ years
38 (2.3%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Esk known for? +

Esk is known for the annual Esk Rodeo (one of Queensland's largest), its charming main street with local shops and pubs, and its proximity to Lake Wivenhoe and Lake Somerset. The town sits in rolling green hills and is popular for nature-based tourism.

How far is Esk from Brisbane? +

Esk is approximately 100 kilometres north-west of Brisbane, a drive of about 1.5 hours via the D'Aguilar Highway through Kilcoy.

Does Esk have public transport? +

Esk has limited public transport, with occasional bus connections to Ipswich and Brisbane. Most residents rely on private vehicles for daily travel.

What is the population of Esk? +

The 2021 Census recorded approximately 1,641 residents in Esk, the administrative centre of Queensland's Somerset Regional Council.

Is Esk a good place to live? +

Esk is a wonderful choice for those seeking affordable country living within driving distance of Brisbane. Its country town character, lake recreation, and community events like the rodeo make it an appealing lifestyle destination for retirees and families.

What is the postcode for Esk? +

The postcode for Esk is 4312, covering the Esk area in Queensland's Somerset Region.

What is the average income in Esk? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Esk is about $479 per week (around $24,900 per year). The median household income is $910 per week and the median family income is $1,163 per week.

What is the age profile of Esk? +

The median age in Esk is 58. The largest age group is 65–74 (379 residents, around 23%). Around 15% of residents are under 20 and about 37% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Esk a safe area? +

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

In Esk, the median weekly rent is $260, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,181 (2021 Census).