🔍

Gladstone Central

QLD 4680 • Rest of QLD

1,550
Population (2021)
$68,848
Median Household Income
3.08 km²
Area
$240/wk
Median Rent
CBDCoastalIndustrialPort CityEstablished

About Gladstone Central

Gladstone Central is the historic city centre and central business district of Gladstone, a major industrial port city on Queensland's central coast approximately 513 kilometres north of Brisbane, within the Gladstone Regional Council area. With a 2021 Census population of 1,550 across just 3.1 square kilometres, the suburb reflects the compact, mixed-use character of a working regional CBD. The median age of 39 and a high proportion of smaller households mirror the transient workforce drawn to Gladstone's significant resources and energy industries.

As the commercial heart of Gladstone, the suburb is home to the city's main retail precinct along Goondoon Street, government offices, cafes, restaurants, and the scenic Gladstone foreshore and harbour. Gladstone is renowned for its enormous multi-commodity port — one of the largest in Australia — handling coal, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and aluminium exports. The suburb is well-connected by rail to Brisbane and Rockhampton via Gladstone Railway Station, and the compact CBD layout makes many daily errands easily walkable for those living in the area.

Gladstone Central falls under postcode 4680 and is governed by Gladstone Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Gladstone electorate.

📰 Featured In

📰 Queensland Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4680
Urban Area
Gladstone - City
LGA / Council
Gladstone
Federal Electorate
Flynn
State Electorate
Gladstone
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-23.84°, 151.25°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
3.08 km²
Elevation
7m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$240
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,165
Avg Household Size
1.8 people
Median Age
39 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
10.2%

58 state housing + 14 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Gladstone
0.5 km
6 min

Bus Services

  • Gladstone regional bus network — Surrounding Gladstone suburbs 10-25 min

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
513 km
By Train
~6 hr to Brisbane Roma Street via Queensland Rail Tilt Train
By Car (Peak)
5.5-6.5 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
5-5.5 hr

🛣️ Rockhampton is 108km north (~1.5hr drive); Gladstone Airport connects to Brisbane (~1hr flight)

Walkability Very Walkable

Compact CBD layout means most shops, services, and the foreshore are easily accessible on foot from the centre

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
637.6 / 100k
2yr Down 10.5% 10yr Up 15.5%
Motor vehicle theft
232.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 109.1%
Non-FV assault
1,262.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 170.5%
Robbery (unarmed)
11.5 / 100k
2yr Down 40.7% 10yr Up 263.6%
Steal from vehicle
327.4 / 100k
2yr Down 20.1% 10yr Stable
View all offence categories for Gladstone →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,547
Census 2021
1,550
▲ 0.2% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$39,104
Personal Income 2021
$40,872
▲ 4.5% 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
$40,872 / yr
$786/wk
Household
$68,848 / yr
$1324/wk
Family
$98,852 / yr
$1901/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,008
Born Overseas 340

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. New Zealand 53
  • 2. India 49
  • 3. England 42
  • 4. Philippines 33
  • 5. South Africa 15
  • 6. Italy 13
  • 7. United States 12
  • 8. Indonesia 9
  • 9. Nepal 9
  • 10. Scotland 7

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 578
Australian 432
Irish 164
Scottish 113
German 85
Australian Aboriginal 83
Italian 54
Indian 48
Filipino 45
Chinese 40

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

806
Both parents born in Australia
394
Both parents born overseas
136
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
40.8%
Christianity
37.6%
Hinduism
3.1%
Buddhism
1.5%
Islam
1.2%
Sikhism
0.8%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
88 (5.7%)
5-14 years
116 (7.5%)
15-19 years
84 (5.4%)
20-24 years
134 (8.6%)
25-34 years
260 (16.8%)
35-44 years
212 (13.7%)
45-54 years
246 (15.9%)
55-64 years
225 (14.5%)
65-74 years
130 (8.4%)
75-84 years
40 (2.6%)
85+ years
19 (1.2%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Gladstone Central known for? +

Gladstone Central is the commercial and civic heart of Gladstone city, best known for its proximity to one of Australia's largest multi-commodity ports, which handles coal, LNG, and aluminium exports. The foreshore precinct and Goondoon Street shopping strip are key features of the suburb.

How far is Gladstone Central from Brisbane? +

Gladstone Central is approximately 513 kilometres north of Brisbane, making it roughly a 5.5–6.5 hour drive or a 6-hour Queensland Rail Tilt Train journey. Gladstone Airport offers regular 1-hour flights to Brisbane.

Does Gladstone Central have public transport? +

Yes. Gladstone Railway Station is within the suburb, providing rail services to Brisbane and Rockhampton via the Queensland Rail Tilt Train. Local bus services connect Gladstone Central to surrounding suburbs in the Gladstone region.

What is the population of Gladstone Central? +

According to the 2021 Census, Gladstone Central has a population of 1,550 residents living across 3.1 square kilometres, with a population density of around 500 people per square kilometre — typical for a regional CBD.

Is Gladstone Central a good place to live? +

Gladstone Central suits those who prefer inner-city living with walkable access to shops, services, and the foreshore. It is particularly popular with workers in Gladstone's large resources and energy sector. The area has above-average rental affordability compared to capital cities, with a median weekly rent of $240.

What is the postcode for Gladstone Central? +

The postcode for Gladstone Central is 4680.

What is the average income in Gladstone Central? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Gladstone Central is about $786 per week (around $40,900 per year). The median household income is $1,324 per week and the median family income is $1,901 per week.

What is the age profile of Gladstone Central? +

The median age in Gladstone Central is 39. The largest age group is 25–34 (260 residents, around 17%). Around 19% of residents are under 20 and about 12% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Gladstone Central a safe area? +

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

In Gladstone Central, the median weekly rent is $240, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,165 (2021 Census).