🔍

Imbil

QLD 4570 • Rest of QLD

1,071
Population (2021)
$59,332
Median Household Income
196.87 km²
Area
$300/wk
Median Rent
HinterlandHistoricMary ValleyTourismAffordable

About Imbil

Imbil is a small historic town in the Gympie Region of South East Queensland, located 40 kilometres south of Gympie and 160 kilometres north of Brisbane. With a population of 1,071 at the 2021 census and a median age of 49, it covers 196.9 square kilometres at 158 metres elevation in the scenic Mary Valley. Established in 1868, the town is the gateway to the Imbil State Forest and Borumba Dam, and sits along the historic Mary Valley railway line.

Imbil offers a tranquil hinterland lifestyle in the beautiful Mary Valley, surrounded by lush dairy country, state forests, and Borumba Dam — a popular destination for bass fishing and camping. The town features the historic Railway Hotel, a general store, and the Mary Valley Rattler heritage railway experience. It attracts retirees, tree-changers, and nature enthusiasts drawn to the affordable rural properties, mild subtropical climate, and proximity to both the Sunshine Coast and Gympie.

Imbil falls under postcode 4570 and is governed by Gympie Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Gympie electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4570
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Gympie
Federal Electorate
Wide Bay
State Electorate
Gympie
Type
Rural
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-26.50°, 152.64°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
196.87 km²
Elevation
158m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$300
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,325
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
49 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Gympie North Station
40 km
N/A

Commute to Gympie

Distance
40 km
By Train
N/A — drive to Gympie for rail
By Bus
N/A — no regular bus
By Car (Peak)
35 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
30 min

🛣️ Gympie has trains to Brisbane (2.5 hours). Sunshine Coast is about 1 hour east. Brisbane is 2 hours.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Small town with a general store and hotel. Most services require driving to Gympie or Kenilworth.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
565 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 51.2%
Motor vehicle theft
340.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 116.8%
Non-FV assault
646.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 47.3%
Robbery (unarmed)
8.5 / 100k
2yr Down 56.6% 10yr Up 328.2%
Steal from vehicle
406.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 74.9%
View all offence categories for Gympie →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
924
Census 2021
1,071
▲ 15.9% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$23,816
Personal Income 2021
$28,080
▲ 17.9% 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
$28,080 / yr
$540/wk
Household
$59,332 / yr
$1141/wk
Family
$68,900 / yr
$1325/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 813
Born Overseas 145

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 46
  • 2. New Zealand 36
  • 3. Germany 8
  • 4. South Africa 8
  • 5. Italy 6
  • 6. Philippines 6
  • 7. Wales 5
  • 8. Netherlands 3
  • 9. Scotland 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 457
Australian 410
Scottish 146
Irish 116
German 66
Australian Aboriginal 37
Dutch 19
Italian 18
New Zealander 15
South African 13

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

680
Both parents born in Australia
167
Both parents born overseas
118
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
48.1%
Christianity
39.3%
Buddhism
1.0%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
58 (5.4%)
5-14 years
121 (11.3%)
15-19 years
57 (5.3%)
20-24 years
32 (3.0%)
25-34 years
72 (6.7%)
35-44 years
125 (11.7%)
45-54 years
139 (13.0%)
55-64 years
217 (20.3%)
65-74 years
175 (16.3%)
75-84 years
67 (6.3%)
85+ years
8 (0.7%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Imbil known for? +

Imbil is known for Borumba Dam, a popular destination for bass fishing, camping, and water recreation, and for its connection to the Mary Valley Rattler heritage steam railway. The historic town sits in the beautiful Mary Valley and attracts visitors and tree-changers seeking a tranquil hinterland lifestyle.

How far is Imbil from Brisbane? +

Imbil is approximately 160 kilometres north of Brisbane, about a 2-hour drive via the Bruce Highway and Mary Valley Road. Gympie (40 km north) is the nearest major town.

Does Imbil have public transport? +

Imbil has limited bus services, with Gympie (40 km) providing the main transport hub including Queensland Rail trains to Brisbane (approximately 2.5 hours). A car is the most practical way to get around for daily needs.

What is the population of Imbil? +

According to the 2021 Census, Imbil has a population of approximately 1,071 residents with a median age of 49, reflecting its appeal to retirees and established families in the hinterland.

Is Imbil a good place to live? +

Imbil offers a peaceful, affordable rural lifestyle in the scenic Mary Valley, well-suited to retirees, nature enthusiasts, and tree-changers. Borumba Dam, state forests, and proximity to the Sunshine Coast make it an attractive base, though residents rely on Gympie for most shopping and services.

What is the postcode for Imbil? +

The postcode for Imbil, QLD is 4570.

What is the average income in Imbil? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Imbil is about $540 per week (around $28,100 per year). The median household income is $1,141 per week and the median family income is $1,325 per week.

What is the age profile of Imbil? +

The median age in Imbil is 49. The largest age group is 55–64 (217 residents, around 20%). Around 22% of residents are under 20 and about 23% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Imbil a safe area? +

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

In Imbil, the median weekly rent is $300, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,325 (2021 Census).