🔍

Tara

QLD 4421 • Rest of QLD

1,980
Population (2021)
$45,084
Median Household Income
1291.93 km²
Area
$180/wk
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalRemoteAffordableQuiet

About Tara

Tara is a rural service town in Queensland's Western Downs region, situated approximately 370 kilometres west of Brisbane within the Western Downs Regional Council area. With a population of 1,980 and an elevation of 308 metres, the town serves the surrounding broad-acre farming district across a vast area of nearly 1,292 square kilometres. The median household income of $867 per week and a median age of 48 point to a mature, established community built around the rhythms of agricultural life.

The Western Downs district around Tara is known for cotton, grain, and grazing, and the town functions as an essential hub for surrounding farming families and station workers. Residents have access to schools, a medical centre, local shops, and the community facilities expected of a regional Queensland service town. For those drawn to wide open spaces, an affordable cost of living, and the camaraderie of outback Queensland, Tara offers an authentic rural lifestyle well away from the pressures of city life.

Tara falls under postcode 4421 and is governed by Western Downs Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Warrego electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4421
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Western Downs
Federal Electorate
Maranoa
State Electorate
Warrego
Type
Rural
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-27.25°, 150.45°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
1291.93 km²
Elevation
308m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$180
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$758
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
48 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • TransLink regional coach — Dalby / Brisbane (limited frequency) ~4 hours to Brisbane

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
370 km
By Train
No direct train service
By Car (Peak)
3.5-4 hours
By Car (Off-Peak)
3.5 hours

🛣️ Warrego Highway is the main route east to Dalby and on to Brisbane

Walkability Car-Dependent

Most errands require a car; the compact main street is the only walkable precinct

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Western Downs Local Government Area, which contains Tara. 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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,297
Census 2021
1,980
▼ 13.8% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$22,828
Personal Income 2021
$24,908
▲ 9.1% 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
$24,908 / yr
$479/wk
Household
$45,084 / yr
$867/wk
Family
$56,368 / yr
$1084/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,579
Born Overseas 182

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 47
  • 2. New Zealand 41
  • 3. Philippines 20
  • 4. Germany 9
  • 5. Fiji 7
  • 6. South Africa 7
  • 7. Malaysia 4
  • 8. Scotland 4
  • 9. Wales 4
  • 10. India 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 841
English 776
Scottish 202
Irish 199
Australian Aboriginal 180
German 126
Italian 26
Dutch 21
New Zealander 21
Filipino 20

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,347
Both parents born in Australia
242
Both parents born overseas
154
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
46.2%
No Religion
39.5%
Buddhism
0.5%
Sikhism
0.4%
Islam
0.2%
Hinduism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
97 (4.9%)
5-14 years
249 (12.6%)
15-19 years
80 (4.0%)
20-24 years
107 (5.4%)
25-34 years
193 (9.7%)
35-44 years
190 (9.6%)
45-54 years
263 (13.3%)
55-64 years
338 (17.1%)
65-74 years
305 (15.4%)
75-84 years
125 (6.3%)
85+ years
29 (1.5%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tara known for? +

Tara is known as a service centre for the Western Downs agricultural district, particularly the cotton and grain farming that dominates the surrounding region. It hosts essential community infrastructure for a large rural catchment area.

How far is Tara from Brisbane? +

Tara is approximately 370 kilometres west of Brisbane, a drive of around 3.5 to 4 hours via the Warrego Highway through Dalby.

Does Tara have public transport? +

Tara is served by limited TransLink regional coach services connecting it to Dalby and Brisbane. There is no passenger rail service; a car is essential for most residents.

What is the population of Tara? +

According to the 2021 Census, Tara has a population of 1,980, reflecting its role as a compact rural service town for the broader Western Downs district.

Is Tara a good place to live? +

Tara suits those seeking an affordable, quiet rural lifestyle with a genuine outback character. It offers essential services and a strong community spirit, though residents should be prepared for the distances involved in accessing larger centres.

What is the postcode for Tara? +

The postcode for Tara, Queensland is 4421.

What is the average income in Tara? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Tara is about $479 per week (around $24,900 per year). The median household income is $867 per week and the median family income is $1,084 per week.

What is the age profile of Tara? +

The median age in Tara is 48. The largest age group is 55–64 (338 residents, around 17%). Around 22% of residents are under 20 and about 23% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Tara a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Tara 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.

How much is rent in Tara? +

In Tara, the median weekly rent is $180, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $758 (2021 Census).