🔍

Oakey

QLD 4401 • Rest of QLD

4,756
Population (2021)
$63,076
Median Household Income
126.81 km²
Area
$265/wk
Median Rent
RuralAffordableHistoricMilitary TownAgricultural

About Oakey

Oakey is a rural town in the Toowoomba Region of Queensland, situated on the Darling Downs 28 km northwest of Toowoomba and 155 km west of Brisbane. With a population of around 4,756, it is one of the larger towns on the western Downs, sitting at an elevation of 398 metres. The town has a median age of 40 and a significant Indigenous population (12.5%). Oakey is notable for being home to the Australian Army's Aviation Centre at Oakey Army Aviation Centre, which is a major local employer.

Oakey offers an affordable country lifestyle with a strong sense of community. The town features a main street with local shops, pubs, and services, and hosts the annual Oakey Show and various agricultural events. It is home to the Oakey Historical Museum, Bernborough Park racecourse, and the Army Aviation Heritage Centre. The surrounding rich black soil country supports extensive grain farming and cattle grazing. With a notable Brazilian community (100+ residents), Oakey has an increasingly multicultural character for a rural Queensland town.

Oakey falls under postcode 4401 and is governed by Toowoomba Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Condamine electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4401
Urban Area
Oakey
LGA / Council
Toowoomba
Federal Electorate
Groom
State Electorate
Condamine
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-27.45°, 151.71°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
126.81 km²
Elevation
398m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$265
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,238
Avg Household Size
2.5 people
Median Age
40 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2.8%

42 state housing + 6 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Toowoomba–Dalby Bus — Toowoomba CBD via Warrego Highway 30-40 mins

Commute to Toowoomba CBD

Distance
28 km
By Bus
30-40 mins
By Car (Peak)
25-30 mins via Warrego Highway
By Car (Off-Peak)
20-25 mins

🛣️ No passenger rail service. Brisbane is 155 km east (1.5-2 hrs drive via Warrego Highway and Toowoomba Bypass/Range crossing).

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Compact town centre with shops, post office, pub and services along Campbell Street; residential areas beyond require car

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Toowoomba Local Government Area, which contains Oakey. 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
4,705
Census 2021
4,756
▲ 1.1% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$30,732
Personal Income 2021
$33,852
▲ 10.2% 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
$33,852 / yr
$651/wk
Household
$63,076 / yr
$1213/wk
Family
$76,076 / yr
$1463/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 4,005
Born Overseas 440

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. Brazil 100
  • 2. Philippines 70
  • 3. England 63
  • 4. New Zealand 58
  • 5. Netherlands 12
  • 6. Scotland 12
  • 7. South Africa 10
  • 8. United States 10
  • 9. Germany 8
  • 10. Papua New Guinea 8

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 2,004
English 1,798
Australian Aboriginal 536
Irish 483
German 477
Scottish 390
Filipino 95
Italian 61
New Zealander 46
Dutch 44

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

3,540
Both parents born in Australia
556
Both parents born overseas
322
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
55.8%
No Religion
35.0%
Buddhism
0.2%
Islam
0.1%
Hinduism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
275 (5.8%)
5-14 years
683 (14.4%)
15-19 years
327 (6.9%)
20-24 years
302 (6.3%)
25-34 years
519 (10.9%)
35-44 years
531 (11.2%)
45-54 years
618 (13.0%)
55-64 years
574 (12.1%)
65-74 years
485 (10.2%)
75-84 years
315 (6.6%)
85+ years
121 (2.5%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Oakey known for? +

Oakey is known as the home of the Australian Army Aviation Centre (AAAC), one of the country's major military aviation training facilities. The town also hosts the Oakey Beef Week festival, celebrating the Darling Downs beef industry, and is known for its PFAS groundwater contamination issues from the RAAF base.

How far is Oakey from Toowoomba? +

Oakey is approximately 28 kilometres north-west of Toowoomba CBD, about a 25–30 minute drive via the Warrego Highway. Brisbane is approximately 155 km east, about a 1.5–2 hour drive.

Does Oakey have public transport? +

Oakey has limited bus services connecting to Toowoomba (30–40 minutes). There is no passenger rail service; a car is the most practical transport option for residents.

What is the population of Oakey? +

According to the 2021 Census, Oakey has a population of approximately 4,756 residents, a regional service town for the surrounding Darling Downs agricultural community.

Is Oakey a good place to live? +

Oakey offers affordable regional town living on the Darling Downs, popular with military families, agricultural workers, and those seeking a quieter lifestyle within easy reach of Toowoomba. The town has good schools, sporting facilities, and a strong community identity.

What is the postcode for Oakey? +

The postcode for Oakey, QLD is 4401.

What is the average income in Oakey? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Oakey is about $651 per week (around $33,900 per year). The median household income is $1,213 per week and the median family income is $1,463 per week.

What is the age profile of Oakey? +

The median age in Oakey is 40. The largest age group is 5–14 (683 residents, around 14%). Around 27% of residents are under 20 and about 19% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Oakey a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Oakey 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 Oakey? +

In Oakey, the median weekly rent is $265, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,238 (2021 Census).