🔍

Howard

QLD 4659 • Rest of QLD

1,394
Population (2021)
$23,712
Median Income
45.85 km²
Area
$248/wk
Median Rent
RuralQuietAffordableEstablishedAgricultural

About Howard

Howard is a small country town and rural locality in Queensland's Fraser Coast region, situated approximately 20 kilometres north of Maryborough and around 270 kilometres north of Brisbane within the Fraser Coast Regional Council area. With a population of 1,394 spread across a large area of 45.85 square kilometres, the town has a distinctly rural and sparsely settled character. A median age of 56 and median household income of $854 per week reflect an older, lower-income community with a high proportion of retirees and long-term residents; the town also has a notable Aboriginal community representing around 5% of the population.

Howard's compact town centre offers basic services including local shops and a primary school, with the broader range of retail, medical, and education facilities available in nearby Maryborough or Hervey Bay. The town is served by Queensland Rail's North Coast Line, providing passenger services towards Brisbane and Rockhampton — a practical connection for a community at this distance from a major city. Howard's affordability, wide open spaces, and relaxed country pace of life make it an option for those seeking an inexpensive rural lifestyle within the scenic Fraser Coast region.

Howard falls under postcode 4659 and is governed by Fraser Coast Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Maryborough electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4659
Urban Area
Fraser Coast
LGA / Council
Fraser Coast
Federal Electorate
Hinkler
State Electorate
Maryborough
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-25.34°, 152.55°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
45.85 km²
Elevation
15m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Howard
0.5 km
6 min

Bus Services

  • TransLink/Fraser Coast regional bus connections — Maryborough and Hervey Bay 25-40 min to Maryborough

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
270 km
By Train
Queensland Rail North Coast Line to Brisbane Central (~4-5 hrs on the Tilt Train / Spirit of Queensland)
By Car (Peak)
3h 00min - 3h 30min
By Car (Off-Peak)
2h 45min - 3h 00min

🛣️ Bruce Highway is the main road route south; Maryborough (20km) is the main regional service hub; Hervey Bay (35km) for coast and airport

Walkability Car-Dependent

Howard's town centre provides basic walkable amenities but most errands — shopping, medical, education — require driving to Maryborough or Hervey Bay

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$248
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,062
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
56 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
5.2%

15 state housing + 17 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,359
Census 2021
1,394
▲ 2.6% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$22,724
Income 2021
$23,712
▲ 4.3% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,135
Born Overseas 192

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 69
  • 2. New Zealand 41
  • 3. Scotland 11
  • 4. China 6
  • 5. France 6
  • 6. Netherlands 6
  • 7. Germany 5
  • 8. Malaysia 4
  • 9. Philippines 4
  • 10. United States 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 625
Australian 590
Irish 169
Scottish 168
German 99
Australian Aboriginal 70
Italian 26
Dutch 14
Filipino 14
Chinese 10

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

973
Both parents born in Australia
211
Both parents born overseas
132
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
46.9%
No Religion
44.2%
Buddhism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
55 (3.9%)
5-14 years
128 (9.2%)
15-19 years
69 (4.9%)
20-24 years
59 (4.2%)
25-34 years
84 (6.0%)
35-44 years
99 (7.1%)
45-54 years
170 (12.2%)
55-64 years
243 (17.4%)
65-74 years
289 (20.7%)
75-84 years
145 (10.4%)
85+ years
52 (3.7%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Howard known for? +

Howard is a small, quiet country town known for its rural character and affordability within Queensland's Fraser Coast region. It serves as a modest service town between Maryborough and the Wide Bay sugarcane districts, with a close-knit community and access to the North Coast railway line.

How far is Howard from Brisbane? +

Howard is approximately 270 kilometres north of Brisbane, typically a 2 hour 45 minute to 3 hour 30 minute drive via the Bruce Highway. Queensland Rail services on the North Coast Line take around 4-5 hours to Brisbane Central.

Does Howard have public transport? +

Yes. Howard has a Queensland Rail station on the North Coast Main Line, with services running to Brisbane and Rockhampton. Regional bus connections link the town to Maryborough and Hervey Bay, though services are infrequent and a car is recommended for everyday travel.

What is the population of Howard? +

Howard had a population of 1,394 at the 2021 Census, slightly up from 1,359 in 2016. The population has a notably high median age of 56, indicating a large proportion of older residents and retirees. Around 5% of residents identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

Is Howard a good place to live? +

Howard suits those seeking affordable rural living with a quiet, community-oriented lifestyle. It offers very low housing costs by Queensland standards, a railway connection for longer trips, and proximity to the Fraser Coast's natural attractions — though residents should expect to travel to Maryborough or Hervey Bay for most services and shopping.

What is the postcode for Howard? +

The postcode for Howard, Queensland is 4659.