🔍

Macalister

QLD 4406 • Queensland

156
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
325.89 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalHistoricQuiet
Advertisement

About Macalister

Macalister is a small rural town and locality in Queensland's Western Downs Region, situated on the Darling Downs approximately 34 kilometres north-north-west of Dalby and 243 kilometres west-north-west of Brisbane. With a population of 156 spread across a vast locality of more than 325 square kilometres, Macalister is firmly agricultural in character, surrounded by the broad plains and productive grazing lands that define this part of south-east Queensland. The Warrego Highway passes directly through the town, linking it to Dalby to the south-east and the outback communities beyond to the north-west.

Named in honour of former Queensland Premier Arthur Macalister, the town carries a modest historical footprint that includes the Reedeemer Lutheran Church — a marker of the German heritage that shaped many Darling Downs communities in the 19th century. The locality functions primarily as a quiet service node for the surrounding farms and pastoral properties, with Dalby providing the nearest hospital, supermarkets, schools, and a wider range of commercial services. Life here revolves around the land, with grain cropping and cattle grazing defining both the local economy and the unhurried pace of Western Downs community life.

Macalister falls under postcode 4406 and is governed by the Western Downs Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Maranoa, while state elections fall under the Warrego electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4406
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Western Downs
Federal Electorate
Maranoa
State Electorate
Warrego
Type
Locality
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-27.06°, 151.43°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
325.89 km²
Population Density
0 /km²
Elevation
0m

📣 Ad

💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 4406

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4406 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$46,345
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$75,479

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4406; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Limited regional services — Dalby 30-40 min

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
243 km
By Train
No direct train service
By Car (Peak)
2.5-3 hrs
By Car (Off-Peak)
2.5 hrs

🛣️ Warrego Highway connects to Dalby and Brisbane; car essential

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A car is essential for all daily needs; the town has minimal on-foot amenities

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
156
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
657.5 / 100k
2yr Down 30.7% 10yr Up 20.4%
Motor vehicle theft
401.8 / 100k
2yr Down 33.7% 10yr Up 135.9%
Non-FV assault
1,093.1 / 100k
2yr Down 23.7% 10yr Up 96.9%
Robbery (unarmed)
8.4 / 100k
2yr Down 41.0% 10yr Down 42.6%
Steal from vehicle
663.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 35.2%
View all offence categories for Western Downs →

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

📣 Ad

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Macalister known for? +

Macalister is known as a quiet rural township on the Darling Downs in Queensland's Western Downs Region, named after former Premier Arthur Macalister and defined by its agricultural surroundings of grain cropping and cattle grazing.

How far is Macalister from Brisbane? +

Macalister is approximately 243 kilometres west-north-west of Brisbane, a drive of around 2.5 to 3 hours via the Warrego Highway through Dalby.

Does Macalister have public transport? +

There is no rail service to Macalister. Limited regional bus connections serve the route to Dalby, but a car is the primary means of transport for residents.

What is the population of Macalister? +

According to the 2021 Census, Macalister had a population of 156 people, spread across a locality of more than 325 square kilometres of Darling Downs farmland.

Is Macalister a good place to live? +

Macalister suits those seeking a genuinely rural lifestyle on the Darling Downs, with Dalby about 34 kilometres away for everyday services and a peaceful, community-focused environment for those connected to the land.

What is the postcode for Macalister? +

The postcode for Macalister is 4406.

Is Macalister a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Macalister is part of the Western Downs 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.