Bowen, QLD: suburb profile

The population of Bowen QLD is 11,205 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Bowen is $710 per week ($36,920 per year). Median rent in Bowen is $270 per week ($1,170 per month). Bowen has a median age of 42 years, older than the national median of 38. Bowen has a population density of 6.2 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Bowen is New Zealand. The most common religion is No religion (37.1% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Mandarin. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Bowen is $1,500.

There were 1,816 recorded offences in Bowen in 2025-26, a rate of 162 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (471 offences).

Population
11,205
Census 2021
Median income
$710/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$270/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
42years
Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from Queensland Police Service (data.qld.gov.au), 2025-26.

Bowen vs the typical QLD suburb

The median personal income in Bowen is $710 a week, 5% below the typical QLD suburb ($747). That ranks 898th of 1,527 QLD suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $270 a week, $50 less than the typical QLD suburb. Rent takes 20.1% of the median household income here, against 20.4% in the typical QLD suburb. The median resident is 42, the same age as in the typical QLD suburb.

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureBowenTypical QLDDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$710/wk$747/wk −5%$766/wk
Household income$1,343/wk$1,593/wk −16%$1,637/wk
Rent$270/wk$320/wk −16%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,500/mo$1,625/mo −8%$1,733/mo
Median age4242 0 yrs42
Rent share of household income20.1%20.4% −0.3 pts20.3%
Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au
Bar chart of median income, rent and mortgage repayment in Bowen, the typical QLD suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Bowen Population

11,205 residents at the 2021 Census.

Bowen Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$710/wk
$36,920 per year
Ranked 5,302 of 14,663
Median Rent
$270/wk
$1,170 per month
Ranked 5,664 of 14,663
Median Age
42years
4 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$1,500/mo
Avg household size: 2.4 · 0.8 per bedroom

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.

Bowen Rent Prices & Affordability

20% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: affordable.

Household income $1,343/wk
Median rent $270/wk
Rent to income 20.1%

Rent is under 25% of household income, generally considered affordable.

Median rent in Bowen against your income

About $5,820 a month
Median rent $270/wk
Left after rent $1,073/wk
Rent share 20.1%

Bowen Map

Bowen, Queensland Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Bowen, Queensland: 20.1323°S, 148.0563°E

Bowen Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents

People in Bowen

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 50.9% (5,699) Female 49.1% (5,507)

Population Density

6.2
people per km²
11,205 people · 1796.3 km²

Households

2.4
Avg household size
0.8
Persons per bedroom
$1,780
Family income/wk

Age Distribution

0-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85+
Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

New Zealand
2.4%
England
2.1%
Philippines
1.1%
Taiwan
0.6%
Germany
0.5%
Vietnam
0.4%
South Korea
0.4%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Mandarin
1.0%
Vietnamese
0.6%
Korean
0.4%
French
0.3%
Tagalog
0.3%
Australian Indigenous Languages
0.3%
Filipino
0.3%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL

Ancestry

Australian
37.9%
English
35.1%
Irish
9.7%
Scottish
9.7%
Australian Aboriginal
9.2%
German
5.2%
Italian
2.4%
Filipino
1.6%
Chinese
1.2%
Dutch
1.0%
New Zealander
0.8%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Religion

No religion
37.1%
Catholic
18.3%
Anglican
13.6%
Not stated
12.0%
Uniting Church
6.1%
Christian (other)
2.5%
Presbyterian and Reformed
1.9%
Pentecostal
1.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

10.6%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
43.6% 3,998
Separated
3.6% 331
Divorced
10.6% 968
Widowed
5.9% 543
Never married
36.3% 3,323

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
40.8%
Couple: no children
34.0%
Couple: no children under 15
10.5%
One parent: children under 15
10.0%
One parent: no children under 15
4.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
29.3%
2 persons
37.0%
3 persons
12.7%
4 persons
11.4%
5 persons
6.3%
6+ persons
3.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Bowen

Housing Tenure

Of the 4,046 occupied private dwellings in Bowen at the 2021 Census, 37.5% were rented, 33.1% owned outright and 24.9% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.9% 76 dwellings
Owned outright
33.1% 1,341 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
24.9% 1,008 dwellings
Rented
37.5% 1,518 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
2.5% 102 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Dwelling Types

Separate house
86.4%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
9.8%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
3.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
6.4%
2 bedrooms
20.1%
3 bedrooms
41.5%
4 bedrooms
27.7%
5 bedrooms
3.5%
6+ bedrooms
0.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
4.5%
$300-$449/mo
2.8%
$450-$599/mo
1.9%
$600-$799/mo
5.4%
$800-$999/mo
8.8%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
22.0%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
20.8%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
20.8%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
8.0%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
5.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
6.0%
1 vehicle
35.2%
2 vehicles
38.6%
3 vehicles
13.5%
4+ vehicles
6.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Work, income and education in Bowen

Employment

Employed full-time
39.7% 3,105 people
Employed part-time
18.5% 1,449 people
Unemployed
3.2% 249 people
Not in labour force
38.6% 3,022 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Occupation

Technicians & Trade Workers
18.9%
Professionals
16.6%
Community & Personal Service
14.2%
Labourers
13.5%
Managers
11.4%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
11.2%
Clerical & Administrative
9.9%
Sales Workers
4.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
2.4%
$1-$149/wk
1.0%
$150-$299/wk
1.9%
$300-$399/wk
3.2%
$400-$499/wk
8.1%
$500-$649/wk
6.9%
$650-$799/wk
8.4%
$800-$999/wk
7.7%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
7.4%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.9%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.0%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.5%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
11.0%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
7.1%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
5.7%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
3.4%
$4,000+/wk
7.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
9.9%
$1-$149/wk
4.3%
$150-$299/wk
6.7%
$300-$399/wk
5.5%
$400-$499/wk
4.4%
$500-$649/wk
4.2%
$650-$799/wk
11.7%
$800-$999/wk
12.5%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
11.4%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.2%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.5%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
4.5%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
7.8%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
2.5%
$3,500+/wk
1.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
71.0%
Did not go to work
10.3%
Car (passenger)
9.5%
Walked only
4.1%
Bus
2.4%
Truck
0.9%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.7%
Other
0.5%
Bicycle
0.5%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
46.5%
Year 10 or equivalent
35.8%
Year 11 or equivalent
10.0%
Year 9 or equivalent
7.8%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Qualifications

Certificate III/IV
56.5%
Bachelor Degree
18.2%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
15.9%
Certificate I/II
3.6%
Postgraduate Degree
3.3%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
2.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Field of Study

Engineering
26.9%
Management & Commerce
15.9%
Society & Culture
12.1%
Health
11.0%
Education
9.8%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
8.5%
Architecture & Building
7.5%
Agriculture & Environment
4.2%
Natural & Physical Sciences
1.8%
Creative Arts
1.5%
Information Technology
1.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
37.8%
Secondary: Government
32.3%
Vocational Education
8.9%
Primary: Catholic
7.5%
Pre-school
7.5%
Secondary: Catholic
2.9%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
2.0%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
1.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
82.7%
Has need for assistance
6.9%
Need for assistance not stated
10.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
931
Arthritis
445
Asthma
390
Diabetes
317
Heart disease
306
Lung condition
279
Cancer
182
Kidney disease
138
Stroke
135
Dementia
40

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
11.7% 949
Did not provide
88.3% 7,171

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
14.0% 1,138
Not a volunteer
86.0% 6,996

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.0% 3
Current ADF: Reserves
0.1% 5
Previously served
4.0% 327
Never served
95.9% 7,850

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
29.2%
1 child
11.3%
2 children
27.3%
3 children
20.4%
4 children
8.8%
5+ children
2.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
28
1951: 1960
67
1961: 1970
147
1971: 1980
158
1981: 1990
157
1991: 2000
150
2001: 2010
206
2011: 2015
160
2016
28
2017
59
2018
74
2019
186
2020
62
2021
85

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Population Mobility

19.8%
moved in the last year
44.5%
moved in the last 5 years
4.8%
unemployment rate (Census)
56.1%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
7,950
Moved: same area (SA2)
819
Moved from QLD
771
Moved from overseas
127
Moved from NSW
86
Moved from VIC
67
Moved from SA
24
Moved from WA
16
Moved from TAS
10
Moved from NT
9
Moved from ACT
3

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
18.9%
5: 14 hours
26.4%
15: 29 hours
11.5%
30+ hours
9.8%
Did not do domestic work
33.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
78.2%
Step family: no other children
11.9%
Blended family: no other children
6.4%
Other couple: children only
1.7%
Intact family: other children present
1.5%
Step family: other children present
0.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Bowen Crime Statistics

1,816 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Theft
471
Assault
310
Drug Offences
212
Traffic
197
Break & Enter
183
Domestic Violence
141
Property Damage
114
Sexual Offences
92
Weapons
46
Fraud
42
Robbery
8

Total offences by year

2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

Source: Queensland Police Service (data.qld.gov.au).

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Hughenden
Income: $770/wk Rent: $160/wk $110/wk less rent
Charleville
Income: $822/wk Rent: $178/wk $92/wk less rent
Garbutt
Income: $643/wk Rent: $220/wk $50/wk less rent
Rockhampton City
Income: $635/wk Rent: $250/wk $20/wk less rent
Proserpine
Income: $668/wk Rent: $260/wk $10/wk less rent
Collinsville (Qld)
Income: $638/wk Rent: $200/wk $70/wk less rent
Charters Towers City
Income: $601/wk Rent: $220/wk $50/wk less rent
Innisfail
Income: $572/wk Rent: $230/wk $40/wk less rent

Compare Bowen

Frequently Asked Questions About Bowen

What is the population of Bowen QLD?

The population of Bowen QLD is 11,205 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 6.2 people per km². Bowen is ranked #514 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Bowen?

The median personal income in Bowen QLD is $710 per week, or $36,920 per year. The median household income is $1,343 per week. Family income is $1,780 per week. Bowen is ranked #5,302 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Bowen?

Median rent in Bowen QLD is $270 per week ($1,170 per month). Rent represents 20.1% of household income, which is considered affordable. Bowen ranks #5,664 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Bowen?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Bowen QLD is $1,500. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Bowen?

The median age in Bowen QLD is 42 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Bowen a good suburb to live in?

Bowen is a suburb in Queensland with a population of 11,205. The median income is $710/wk, which is below the typical QLD suburb ($747/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (20.1% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Explore More

Australian Average Salary Australian House Prices Brisbane Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 30342. All dollar figures in AUD.