🔍

Paterson

QLD 4570 • Queensland

157
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
28.76 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalQuietBushland
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About Paterson

Paterson is a rural locality in the Fraser Coast Region of Queensland, covering approximately 29 square kilometres of grazing country and native vegetation in the Wide Bay hinterland. Located about 42 kilometres north of Gympie and 46 kilometres south-south-west of Maryborough, the locality is bounded to the north by the Gundiah State Forest and named after its historic railway station, which was in turn named after an early local resident. With a 2021 Census population of 157, Paterson is a small, quiet rural community with a predominantly agricultural character.

Land use in Paterson is predominantly grazing on native vegetation, with some plantation forestry and cropping contributing to its agricultural identity, while the adjoining Gundiah State Forest adds a significant bushland element to the landscape. The Paterson railway station sits on the North Coast Line connecting Brisbane with Cairns, though local services are infrequent. Gympie is the nearest centre for shopping, schools, and healthcare, and the broader Mary Valley provides scenic surroundings for those who appreciate the quiet rhythms of rural Queensland.

Paterson falls under postcode 4570 and is governed by the Fraser Coast Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Longman, while state elections fall under the Nanango electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4570
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Fraser Coast
Federal Electorate
Longman
State Electorate
Nanango
Type
Locality
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-26.15°, 152.62°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
28.76 km²
Population Density
5 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 4570

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4570, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$38,494
Median 2023–24
$48,143
▲ 25.1% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$58,221

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4570; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Paterson
1 km
~12 min

Bus Services

  • No scheduled bus service — N/A N/A

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
221 km
By Train
Paterson station is on the North Coast Line, but services are infrequent; journey to Brisbane takes approximately 3-4 hours with connections
By Car (Peak)
Approx. 2 hr 30 min to Brisbane
By Car (Off-Peak)
Approx. 2 hr 15 min to Brisbane

🛣️ Gympie (~42km south) is the nearest service town. The Bruce Highway is accessible via local roads and provides the main route south to Brisbane or north to Maryborough.

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A dispersed rural locality with no local shops; all services are accessed by car via Gympie or Maryborough

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
157
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
481 / 100k
2yr Down 53.5% 10yr Down 34.0%
Motor vehicle theft
244.5 / 100k
2yr Down 26.2% 10yr Up 144.4%
Non-FV assault
932 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 100.3%
Robbery (unarmed)
15.4 / 100k
2yr Down 21.1% 10yr Up 58.4%
Steal from vehicle
432.4 / 100k
2yr Down 32.4% 10yr Up 20.3%
View all offence categories for Fraser Coast →

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

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Paterson known for? +

Paterson is a quiet rural locality in Queensland's Fraser Coast Region, known for its grazing properties, Gundiah State Forest, and its historic railway station on the North Coast Line. The locality takes its name from an early local resident after whom the station was named.

How far is Paterson from Gympie? +

Paterson is approximately 42 kilometres north of Gympie by road, typically around 30-40 minutes by car. Maryborough is about 46 kilometres to the north-north-east, and Brisbane is approximately 221 kilometres to the south.

Does Paterson have public transport? +

Paterson has a railway station on the Queensland Rail North Coast Line (Brisbane–Cairns), though services are limited and infrequent. There is no local bus service. A private vehicle is the most practical means of transport for day-to-day needs.

What is the population of Paterson? +

According to the 2021 Census, Paterson has a population of 157 residents across approximately 29 square kilometres of rural land in the Fraser Coast Region of Queensland.

Is Paterson a good place to live? +

Paterson suits those who value a quiet rural lifestyle with space and nature on their doorstep. The Gundiah State Forest provides bushland recreation nearby, while Gympie is close enough for services and community activities. It's best suited to those comfortable with limited local infrastructure.

What is the postcode for Paterson? +

The postcode for Paterson is 4570, shared with Gympie and surrounding localities in the Wide Bay–Burnett region of Queensland.

Is Paterson a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Paterson is part of the Fraser Coast 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.