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Suburb profile ·Western Downs LGA · QLD ·4405

Dalby QLD 4405

Dalby is in Western Downs LGA, QLD, postcode 4405, with population 12,758.

The read

Livability-led

The page has enough signal to be useful, but the story is mixed rather than decisive. Use compare mode to pressure-test it against stronger nearby options, then use the calculator if it still makes the shortlist.

$500/wk
Rising
+11.1% YoY
Jun 2021 → Mar 2026 · 20 periods
Queensland RTA · suburb grain · Mar 2026
$500
$270
Jun 2021Mar 2026
Why it fits

School coverage gives the page a stronger family/livability signal.

Median house
No local house series
Median rent
$500/wk
Rent context available
11.1%YoY D10 vs AU
Gross yield
Need rent + price
Population
12,758
13K local footprint
D10 vs AU
Schools
5
Matched school context
D10 vs AU
Drive to city
3h 32m
257.2 km to Brisbane CBD · free-flow
Solar
3,112
152 added 12mo · 25MW

Price history

No price history available

Price series isn't recorded for this suburb. Census housing data is shown instead.

Median mortgage · mth$1,300
Median rent · wk$260

Trend & investor depth

Rent stabilityvolatile — rents vary ±9.5% around trend

Indicative cashflow is interest-only and excludes tax — use the calculator for a full projection. Turnover divides recorded sales by an estimated household count (population over average household size).

Investor profile

Who invests in Dalby

Owner-occupied 64%Rented 36%
Investor activityATO
Negatively geared4.5%
402 of 953 landlords
Avg rental loss$4,897/yr
Landlords (rental income)953
Reported capital gains743
The read

Mixed owner-renter market

63% of homes here are owner-occupied and 35% rented, with 5% of landlords negatively geared.

Why it fits

A balanced 63% owner-occupier / 35% renter mix.

ABS Census 2021 tenure (G37), ATO postcode rental statistics, and QuickProperty's investor-exposure index. Owner-occupied = owned outright + with a mortgage.

Affordability

34%
median weekly rent as a share of gross household income (the 30% rule)
Stretched

Owners with a mortgage repay a median of $1,300/mo, while renters pay about $2,167/mo — renting runs $867/mo higher on these medians.

Household income · yr
$76K
Median rent · wk
$500
Owner mortgage · mo
$1,300

Household income

$76K household · yr-4.5% vs QLD suburb median
Personal
$39K
Family
$95K
Household
$76K
Household income distribution (ABS Census 2021 · weekly)
Under $300
139
$300-649
639
$650-999
615
$1,000-1,499
745
$1,500-1,999
534
$2,000-2,999
881
$3,000-3,999
364
$4,000+
256

At the median asking rent, about 56% of households here would spend more than 30% of income on rent (rent stress line: $1,667/wk income).

Housing stock and tenure

Tenure (4,548 households)3.1% social housing
Owned outright
29%
Owned with mortgage
34%
Rented
35%
Dwelling structure11.3% of dwellings unoccupied on census night
Separate house
91%
Townhouse / semi
8%
Flat / apartment
0%

Getting to work: 85% drive, 1% public transport, 5% walk or cycle, 5% worked from home (2021 Census, taken during COVID-era work-from-home arrangements).

Schools

Total5
Avg ICSEA966
Students3,182
Catholic1
Government3
Independent1
  • Dalby State SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 942
  • Dalby South State SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 910
  • Dalby State High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 946
  • Our Lady of the Southern Cross CollegeCombined · Catholic · ICSEA 1021
  • Dalby Christian CollegeCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1009

Livability

84/ 100 livability index

Top 16% most liveable of 4,565Australian suburbs.

Peer distributionstronger than 84% of Australian suburbs
WeakerTypicalStronger
Everyday access89
Public transport0
Schools & hospitals92

Bar = this suburb's percentile · tick = typical (median) peer

Suburb-level access-density index (not an address-level walk-time score), normalised within Australian suburbs. Method based on the Urban Liveability Index (Higgs et al. 2019) and Walk Score — three equal-weighted domains combined with an imbalance penalty.

Crime Year ending May 2026
6,244
6,244 per 100k
D7 vs AU

Crime

Rate · per 100k6,244
Total incidents6,244· Year ending May 2026
  • Assault1,08321%
  • Break And Enter64412%
  • Drug Offences3,12660%
  • Fraud3336%

Development screen

Could a secondary dwelling be worth investigating?

secondary dwelling / granny flat screening context Medium broad constraint context

Policy position

Official source access limited

The official state policy page could not be reliably re-verified automatically in the latest review. Treat this screen as preliminary and confirm the current planning and building requirements with the state source and local council.

Rental use: State rental-law changes allow secondary dwellings to be rented more broadly, but implementation depends on an approved lawful dwelling and local planning/building requirements.

Open official policy source

Separate houses

80.9%

Suburb share of occupied private dwellings recorded as separate houses.

Near the state median

State median 79.3% · 838 valid suburbs

Residential-zone context

Not staged

A comparable planning-zone layer is not staged for this state.

Rental households

35.0%

Demand context only; it does not establish permission to rent a secondary dwelling.

5.3 pp above the state median

State median 29.7% · 838 valid suburbs

Mapped hazards

bushfire present

The staged suburb layer indicates a broad-area constraint that needs address-level checking. No broad-area layer staged for this suburb.

Approval pathway

Four checks, each with a different evidence threshold.

This is an investigation sequence, not a guarantee that every step applies or that approval will be granted.

  1. 01 Verify current source

    State policy position

    The current secondary dwelling / granny flat position needs direct confirmation before relying on this screen.

  2. 02 Property dependent

    Planning pathway

    Confirm zoning, lot controls, overlays, setbacks, site coverage and whether planning approval is required.

  3. 03 Design dependent

    Building approval

    Confirm the building approval route after the design, site classifications, services and construction requirements are known.

  4. 04 Check separately

    Intended use

    Confirm long-term rental, short-stay or family-use rules separately from permission to construct the dwelling.

Property due diligence

Turn the suburb screen into a property checklist.

Every check starts unconfirmed. Progress stays in this browser and suburb evidence never clears an address-level requirement.

0evidence acquired
0evidence missing
0reviews due
0consultant questions

Active record: Dalby unnamed property

0/14checked
0issues found

Site controls

Lot area and dimensions

Confirm title dimensions, usable site area and any minimum lot threshold.

Status for Lot area and dimensions
Evidence packMissing

Metadata only. QuickProperty does not store or upload the underlying document.

Setbacks and site coverage

Test setbacks, private open space, landscaping and maximum site coverage against a concept plan.

Status for Setbacks and site coverage
Evidence packMissing

Metadata only. QuickProperty does not store or upload the underlying document.

Slope and ground conditions

Check survey levels, soil classification, retaining needs and likely earthworks.

Status for Slope and ground conditions
Evidence packMissing

Metadata only. QuickProperty does not store or upload the underlying document.

Title and planning

Zoning and overlays

Obtain current property-level zoning, overlays and applicable planning controls.

Status for Zoning and overlays
Evidence packMissing

Metadata only. QuickProperty does not store or upload the underlying document.

Title, easements and covenants

Review the title for easements, covenants, restrictions and common property.

Status for Title, easements and covenants
Evidence packMissing

Metadata only. QuickProperty does not store or upload the underlying document.

Services and access

Sewer and stormwater

Locate assets and connection points, then confirm capacity, clearances and discharge requirements.

Status for Sewer and stormwater
Evidence packMissing

Metadata only. QuickProperty does not store or upload the underlying document.

Power, water and metering

Confirm service routes, upgrade needs and whether separate metering is permitted or practical.

Status for Power, water and metering
Evidence packMissing

Metadata only. QuickProperty does not store or upload the underlying document.

Vehicle access and parking

Test driveway width, gradients, turning, parking and emergency access requirements.

Status for Vehicle access and parking
Evidence packMissing

Metadata only. QuickProperty does not store or upload the underlying document.

Construction constraints

Bushfire exposure

Order an address-level bushfire assessment and determine any BAL construction response.

Status for Bushfire exposure
Evidence packMissing

Metadata only. QuickProperty does not store or upload the underlying document.

Flood and overland flow

Obtain property flood information and check floor levels, flow paths and drainage constraints.

Status for Flood and overland flow
Evidence packMissing

Metadata only. QuickProperty does not store or upload the underlying document.

Wind, corrosion and termite

Confirm site classifications that affect structural design, materials and durability.

Status for Wind, corrosion and termite
Evidence packMissing

Metadata only. QuickProperty does not store or upload the underlying document.

Approval and use

Planning approval pathway

Confirm exemption, complying pathway or permit requirements with the responsible authority.

Status for Planning approval pathway
Evidence packMissing

Metadata only. QuickProperty does not store or upload the underlying document.

Building approval and consultants

Identify required survey, design, engineering, energy, certification and inspection evidence.

Status for Building approval and consultants
Evidence packMissing

Metadata only. QuickProperty does not store or upload the underlying document.

Rental and intended use

Confirm occupation, rental, short-stay and family-use rules plus insurance and tax implications.

Status for Rental and intended use
Evidence packMissing

Metadata only. QuickProperty does not store or upload the underlying document.

Dalby, QLD 4405 · Local browser record

Investigation aid only. Confirm current planning, building, title, service and hazard requirements with qualified professionals and responsible authorities.

Building due diligence

Construction requirements can change by location.

The National Construction Code is the baseline. Local hazards and site classifications can change the required structure, materials, fixings, insulation and detailing.

Known here

SUBURB CONTEXT

Bushfire-prone land

Low broad-area context

About 8.1% of the suburb intersects mapped bushfire-prone land.

May affect: External construction · Roof and wall systems · Openings, screens and decks

Check the property

ADDRESS + DESIGN

NCC climate zone

Check the property

Confirm the NCC climate zone used for the building design and energy provisions.

May affect: Insulation and glazing · Condensation control · Roof-space ventilation

Wind class and BAL

Site assessment required

A suburb layer cannot determine the site wind classification or Bushfire Attack Level.

May affect: Structure and tie-downs · Cladding and fixings · Openings and bushfire detailing

Corrosion and termite exposure

Check the property

Confirm marine or corrosive exposure and the applicable termite-management requirements.

May affect: Fasteners and connectors · Roofing and coatings · Termite management

This screen identifies investigation triggers, not building quality or property compliance. Confirm the address, design and current jurisdiction rules with the council, building surveyor or certifier, designer and engineer.

NCC 2022 Housing Provisions: how to use · NCC 2022 Volume Two and Housing Provisions

Bushfire exposure

Low exposure ~8.1%
~8.1% of the suburb is Bush Fire Prone Land

Estimated exposure to NSW RFS Bush Fire Prone Land (CC BY), point-sampled across the suburb. This shows how much of the suburb sits within the official hazard layer — it is not a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating or a property-level assessment. Obtain a BAL assessment (AS 3959) for an individual property.

Population outlook

17,416 people · 202217,622 by 2032 (+1.2%)

ABS population projection (2022 base) for the Wambo SA2 statistical area — the finest official projection grain available; suburb-level projections do not exist.

Full data detail Census · ATO · ABS · state datasets
Dalby QLD — Property Data and Demographics

Dalby is a well-established suburb in Queensland within the Western Downs local government area (postcode 4405). The area has roughly 12,758 residents and a mix of young professionals and families, with a median age of 35. Households earn a median income of $76K per year, with an average household size of 2.6 people. Recent annual estimates show population movement staying broadly stable across the broader catchment, with population growth running at +0.6% year-on-year at the LGA level. QLD employment has moved +1.5% year-on-year in the official ABS Labour Force trend series, which provides the broader jobs backdrop for this suburb. QLD also had 35 Commonwealth-backed major projects under construction, 16 underway, and 30 in planning as at 2025-09-01, which is useful as a broader delivery backdrop rather than a suburb-specific project count. The most common occupations are technicians & trades, professionals, labourers. Employment in the area leans toward retail trade and healthcare. The top ancestries reported are Australian, English, Irish.

The current median weekly rent is $500. The median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,300.

Dalby is served by 5 schools, including 2 primary, 1 secondary, 2 combined. The average ICSEA score is 966, which is around the national average of 1,000. Healthcare facilities include 1 public hospital. The crime rate in the Western Downs LGA is moderate at 6,244 incidents per 100,000 population.

On the investment side, Population growth of +0.6% year-on-year points to stable demand fundamentals. Building approvals have changed +0% year-on-year, indicating steady development activity.

Market & money
Investment signalsHeuristics
Pop. Growth+0.6%· Stable
Development+0%· Steady
InvestmentQLD
Mortgage · mth$1,300
Rent · wk(Census)$260
Market rent · wk(Q1 2026)$500
Population growth · Western Downs LGAABS ERP
Population (2025)35,452
5-year growth+0.6% CAGR
YoY change+0.6%
20012025
Development · Western Downs LGAABS Approvals
Approvals (2026)56
Houses 89%Units 11%
YoY change+0%
Employment · Western Downs LGASALM
Unemployment (Dec-25)4.5%
YoY change+1.7pp
Dec-10Dec-25
Property investors · Postcode 4405ATO
Negatively geared4.5%
402 of filers
Avg rental loss$4,897/yr
Landlords (rental income)953
Reported capital gains743
People & prosperity
DemographicsCensus 21
Population12,758
Median age35
Household size2.6
HH income · wk$1,462
Personal income · wk$753
Persons / bedroom0.8
SEIFA indexABS
Advantage (IRSAD)3/10
Education (IEO)2/10
Economic (IER)3/10
Disadvantage (IRSD)2/10
Income momentumCensus 16→21
HH income · wk$1,318 → $1,462
Change+10.9%
vs QLD median-7.1 pp
Median rent+4%
softeningvs QLD 2016–21
Area & amenity
Local amenitiesOSM
Supermarkets4
Pharmacies2
GP / clinics0
Fuel stations10
Cafes & dining20
aldi1
coles1
woolworths1
Hospitals · Western Downs LGAAIHW
Public5
Private0
Chinchilla Hospitalpublic
Dalby Hospitalpublic · in suburb
Jandowae Hospitalpublic
Miles Hospitalpublic
Tara Hospitalpublic
Aged care · Western Downs LGAGEN
Facilities8
Residential places302
Southern Cross Care Chinchilla - Illoura Village81 places
Karingal Nursing Home80 places · in suburb
Ningana48 places · in suburb
Southern Cross Care Tara - Tarcoola30 places
Taralga Retirement Village Hostel22 places
Southern Cross Care Miles - Carinya20 places
+2 more in Western Downs LGA
Childcare · Western Downs LGAACECQA
Services30
Approved places1,265
Exceeding NQS3
Grow Early Education Dalby104 places · in suburb
Dalby State School OSHC80 places · in suburb
Kids Club Dalby80 places · in suburb
Milestones Early Learning Dalby80 places · in suburb
Our Lady of the Southern Cross Outside School Hours Care, Dalby80 places · in suburb
Busy Bees at Chinchilla75 places
+24 more in Western Downs LGA
Shortlist workspace

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Current status
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Sources & freshness
Strong evidence

Dalby carries enough direct local evidence for a first-pass decision.

QuickProperty mixes release files, Census baselines, and matched local services on this page. Read the status panel before treating every metric as equally fresh.

PRICE POSTURE
Prices come from release-based suburb series.

QVAS residential dwelling sales aggregated to SA2 and mapped to suburb pages

RENT POSTURE
Rent is using a state market dataset when available.

Use current rent as a starting signal, not as a fixed underwriting truth.

SERVICE POSTURE
Service coverage is matched locally, not inferred nationally.

Schools, transport, and hospitals are useful as presence signals, but they still have different source cadences.

Data status
Property prices
QGSO Housing Profiles · QVAS residential dwelling sales aggregated to SA2 and mapped to suburb pages
medium stability · automated · every update · quarterly
Missing
Market rent
Queensland RTA · Q1 2026 · State market dataset
medium stability · automated · every update · quarterly
Available
Crime
State crime dataset · Year ending May 2026 · Area-level release dataset
Available
Schools
ACARA 2025 · 5 schools matched
stable source · automated · every update · annual
Available
Hospitals
AIHW · 1 hospitals matched
medium stability · manual file · snapshot · mixed
Available
Transport
GTFS feeds · No matched local transport stops
medium stability · manual file · snapshot · mixed
Missing
Population growth
ABS ERP · 2025 · Annual estimate series
stable source · automated · every update · annual
Available
Building approvals
ABS Building Approvals · 2026 · Annual release series
stable source · automated · every update · monthly
Available
Available means a direct local dataset is linked. Verify means coverage exists but freshness or precision is weaker, such as ABS price fallback, Census rent fallback, or low-confidence hospital matching.

Dalby FAQ

Common questions
  1. What LGA is Dalby in?

    Dalby is in the Western Downs Local Government Area, QLD, postcode 4405. Council-level context for Western Downs LGA (suburb mix, population, rent, and price coverage) is available on the QuickProperty LGA page.

  2. What is the typical weekly rent in Dalby?

    The median weekly rent in Dalby is $500/wk, based on the current market rent dataset. The current rent signal is rent context available.

  3. What does the rent signal say about Dalby?

    Rent context available: Dalby has usable rent context. Use this as a suburb screening signal before comparing candidates or modelling a purchase; the matching rent ranking can provide broader market context.

  4. Is Dalby a good investment?

    QuickProperty's investment signals for Dalby show: Stable, Steady. These are computed from price, rent, income, and population data — not an opaque score.

  5. Where does QuickProperty get its data for Dalby?

    Property prices come from state Valuers General offices and ABS Data by Region. Demographics are from ABS Census 2021. School ICSEA scores are from ACARA. Crime statistics are from state police agencies. Transport data is sourced from GTFS feeds.

  6. How often is the Dalby data updated?

    Property prices update quarterly. RBA macro indicators update with each deploy. Demographics are from Census 2021. School ICSEA scores are from ACARA 2025.