Harristown vs Newtown

Newtown is the younger of the two, with a median age of 35 against 38 in Harristown. In both, most homes are detached houses and about half of households are people living alone. In Harristown, most households own their home. In Newtown, about half of households rent.

Which one suits you?

There is no overall winner — the suburb that suits a family with school-age kids is routinely the wrong one for someone commuting into the city. So each of these answers its own question, against a checklist you can see, using the same figures in the tables below.

Families with school-age kids

They split

one each way, out of the 6 things we measure here

  • Harristown carries lower crime risk (76/100 vs 86/100)
  • Newtown has more schools inside the suburb (8 vs 5)

Weighs schools, house stock, crime, parks, childcare, and who already lives there.

First-home buyers

Too close to call

Nothing among the 3 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Too close to call

Nothing among the 3 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs rent, rental stress, and how much is for rent.

Commuting to the city

Newtown

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is more walkable (85/100 vs 72/100)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

They split

one each way, out of the 5 things we measure here

  • Harristown has more residents already 65 and over (22% vs 17%)
  • Newtown has more GPs (3 vs 0)

Weighs smaller dwellings, who already lives there, GPs, walkability, and crime.

Investors

Harristown

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • returns a higher gross yield on units (8.7% vs 3.8%)

Weighs house yield, unit yield, and population growth.

Where they sit

Harristown and Newtown drawn to the same scale. Both outlines are shown together, so the map answers whether they share a border and how their areas compare.

Harristown Newtown
Hides rows where both suburbs match

Bars start at zero. Scores, risks and rankings are drawn against their full 0–100 range; other rows are drawn in proportion to the larger of the two.

Side by side, out of 100

Risks are inverted — shown as safety and low exposure — so a longer bar always means better.

Harristown Newtown
Walkability 72 / 85
Harristown — Walkability: 72/100 Newtown — Walkability: 85/100
Safety 24 / 14
Harristown — Safety: 24/100 Newtown — Safety: 14/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Harristown — Low fire risk: 100/100 Newtown — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

Harristown skews older (38 vs 35).

Harristown Newtown
Population 9,081 10,039
+11% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +6.1% +4.6%
Median age 38 35
Median household income $60,216/yr $62,400/yr
+4% vs other
Median weekly rent $295/wk
+2% vs other
 $289/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Harristown Newtown
0-4 6.4% / 6.2%
Harristown — 0-4: 6.4% Newtown — 0-4: 6.2%
5-14 12.1% / 12.5%
Harristown — 5-14: 12.1% Newtown — 5-14: 12.5%
15-19 6.1% / 6.9%
Harristown — 15-19: 6.1% Newtown — 15-19: 6.9%
20-24 7.6% / 8.0%
Harristown — 20-24: 7.6% Newtown — 20-24: 8.0%
25-34 14.5% / 16.0%
Harristown — 25-34: 14.5% Newtown — 25-34: 16.0%
35-44 11.3% / 11.5%
Harristown — 35-44: 11.3% Newtown — 35-44: 11.5%
45-54 9.6% / 11.0%
Harristown — 45-54: 9.6% Newtown — 45-54: 11.0%
55-64 9.9% / 11.4%
Harristown — 55-64: 9.9% Newtown — 55-64: 11.4%
65-74 9.4% / 9.3%
Harristown — 65-74: 9.4% Newtown — 65-74: 9.3%
75-84 8.2% / 5.3%
Harristown — 75-84: 8.2% Newtown — 75-84: 5.3%
85+ 4.8% / 2.0%
Harristown — 85+: 4.8% Newtown — 85+: 2.0%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (16.0%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Harristown 48.7% lone person
Harristown — Lone Person: 48.7% Harristown — Couple Families: 25.6% Harristown — One Parent Families: 18.9% Harristown — Group Household: 4.9% Harristown — Other Families: 1.9%
Newtown 49.2% lone person
Newtown — Lone Person: 49.2% Newtown — Couple Families: 23.0% Newtown — One Parent Families: 19.9% Newtown — Group Household: 6.3% Newtown — Other Families: 1.6%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Harristown 43.1% renting
Harristown — Owned Outright: 28.1% Harristown — Mortgage: 28.8% Harristown — Renting: 43.1%
Newtown 48.4% renting
Newtown — Owned Outright: 24.4% Newtown — Mortgage: 27.2% Newtown — Renting: 48.4%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

Highest non-school qualification, residents 15+, 2021 Census.

Harristown Newtown
Certificate III & IV 16.5% / 16.8%
Harristown — Certificate III & IV: 16.5% Newtown — Certificate III & IV: 16.8%
Bachelor Degree 8.5% / 8.6%
Harristown — Bachelor Degree: 8.5% Newtown — Bachelor Degree: 8.6%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 6.0% / 6.2%
Harristown — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 6.0% Newtown — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 6.2%
Postgraduate Degree 2.2% / 2.4%
Harristown — Postgraduate Degree: 2.2% Newtown — Postgraduate Degree: 2.4%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.5% / 1.6%
Harristown — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.5% Newtown — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.6%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (16.8%).

Where residents were born

Largest overseas birthplaces, as a share of all residents, 2021 Census. A dash means that country is not among the suburb's own eight largest.

Harristown Newtown
Iraq 3.3% / 3.9%
Harristown — Iraq: 3.3% Newtown — Iraq: 3.9%
England 1.5% / 1.6%
Harristown — England: 1.5% Newtown — England: 1.6%
New Zealand 1.4% / 1.5%
Harristown — New Zealand: 1.4% Newtown — New Zealand: 1.5%
Philippines 1.2% / 1.0%
Harristown — Philippines: 1.2% Newtown — Philippines: 1.0%
India 1.1% / 0.9%
Harristown — India: 1.1% Newtown — India: 0.9%
China — / 1.0%
Harristown — China: not among its largest Newtown — China: 1.0%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (3.9%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Harristown 69.9% houses
Harristown — Houses: 69.9% Harristown — Townhouses: 24.3% Harristown — Flats / Apartments: 5.8%
Newtown 70.9% houses
Newtown — Houses: 70.9% Newtown — Townhouses: 19.2% Newtown — Flats / Apartments: 9.9%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Harristown Newtown
Median house price $729,999 $698,000
Median unit price $530,000 $540,000
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 28 days
from 78 sales
 24 days
from 114 sales

Unit price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

Harristown Newtown
2 bed $540K / $515K
Harristown — 2 bed: $540K (12 sales) Newtown — 2 bed: $515K (48 sales)

12 vs 48 sales

3 bed $612K / $636K
Harristown — 3 bed: $612K (12 sales) Newtown — 3 bed: $636K (20 sales)

12 vs 20 sales

House price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

Harristown Newtown
2 bed $602K / $605K
Harristown — 2 bed: $602K (7 sales) Newtown — 2 bed: $605K (24 sales)

7 vs 24 sales

3 bed $710K / $696K
Harristown — 3 bed: $710K (97 sales) Newtown — 3 bed: $696K (155 sales)

97 vs 155 sales

4 bed $770K / $770K
Harristown — 4 bed: $770K (48 sales) Newtown — 4 bed: $770K (49 sales)

48 vs 49 sales

5 bed $838K / $920K
Harristown — 5 bed: $838K (7 sales) Newtown — 5 bed: $920K (11 sales)

7 vs 11 sales

Development activity

Harristown Newtown
New dwellings approved 1,513
across Toowoomba
same for both
Approvals change year on year -25%
same for both

Gross rental yield

Gross — before strata, rates, management, insurance and vacancy. From median advertised rents and median asking prices over the last 6 months. How we calculate.

Harristown Newtown
Houses 3.9%
$580/wk on $769K
 3.9%
$550/wk on $729K
Units 8.7%
$435/wk on $259K
 3.8%
$465/wk on $644K

Ranking within QLD

Harristown Newtown
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 25% of QLD Higher than 28% of QLD
Schools Higher than 90% of QLD Higher than 89% of QLD
Walkability Higher than 93% of QLD Higher than 97% of QLD
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 71% of QLD
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 74% of QLD Higher than 73% of QLD
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 49% of QLD Higher than 50% of QLD
Rental yield (units) Higher than 98% of QLD Higher than 23% of QLD

Liveability

Newtown is more walkable (85 vs 72).

Harristown Newtown
Grade B
same for both
Score 54/100 51/100
Socio-economic band high-need area
decile 1/10
same for both

Risk profile

Newtown carries more crime risk (86 vs 76).

Harristown Newtown
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime High
76/100
 High
86/100
Flood Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
 Moderate
50/100
Industrial facilities nearby 7
within 5 km
 9
within 5 km

Schools

Harristown Newtown
Inside the suburb 5 8
Rated above peers 3 4
Rated at peers 0 1
Rated below peers 1 0
Universities within 10 km 1
USQ (Toowoomba), 3.1 km
 1
USQ (Toowoomba), 1.8 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 1.4% 0.8%

Schools in Harristown

  • Concordia Lutheran College Independent · Combined above peers
  • Harristown State High School Government · Secondary above peers
  • St Anthony's School Catholic · Primary above peers
  • Harristown State School Government · Primary below peers
  • Concordia Lutheran College - Concordia Primary Campus Independent · Primary

Schools in Newtown

  • Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School Catholic · Primary above peers
  • St Mary's College Catholic · Combined above peers
  • St Ursula's College Catholic · Secondary above peers
  • The Glennie School Independent · Combined above peers
  • Newtown State School Government · Primary at peers
  • Queensland Pathways State College - Toowoomba Campus Government · Secondary

Amenities in the suburb

Harristown Newtown
Supermarkets 1 3
Cafes & restaurants 5 1
Parks & reserves 17 15
Childcare 10 9
GPs 0 3
Pharmacies 3 4
Banks & Bank@Post 0 9
Fuel stations 6 5
Waterways 0 1

Mobility

Harristown Newtown
Walkability score 72/100 85/100
Distance to Brisbane 128.6 km 128.5 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 104 min 103 min
Public transport score 74/100
Bus
same for both
Peak arrivals per hour 86.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
 113.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 0.6%
postcode 4350
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 41
postcode 4350
same for both

How people get to work

Method of travel on census day 2021 — which fell during COVID restrictions, so working from home is inflated and every travel mode understated.

Harristown Newtown
Car (driver) 82.2% / 79.4%
Harristown — Car (driver): 82.2% Newtown — Car (driver): 79.4%
Car (passenger) 8.1% / 8.4%
Harristown — Car (passenger): 8.1% Newtown — Car (passenger): 8.4%
Worked from Home 5.6% / 5.9%
Harristown — Worked from Home: 5.6% Newtown — Worked from Home: 5.9%
Walked Only 3.2% / 4.3%
Harristown — Walked Only: 3.2% Newtown — Walked Only: 4.3%
Bicycle 0.6% / 0.9%
Harristown — Bicycle: 0.6% Newtown — Bicycle: 0.9%
Bus 0.3% / 1.0%
Harristown — Bus: 0.3% Newtown — Bus: 1.0%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (82.2%).

Setting

Harristown Newtown
Elevation 662 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 634 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre

NBN connectivity

Harristown Newtown
Connectivity score 63/100 61/100
Most common technology Fibre to the node
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 32%
4,790 premises
 29%
5,375 premises

Climate

Harristown Newtown
Annual rainfall 643 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) —
same for both
Winter min (Jul) —
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Harristown Newtown
PM2.5 4.9 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 12.0 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ —
same for both

Council rates

Harristown Newtown
Average residential rate $1,618/yr
same for both
Council Toowoomba
same for both

Federal electorate

Harristown Newtown
Division Groom
same for both
Member Garth Hamilton
same for both
Party Liberal National Party of Queensland
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Harristown Newtown
Grant amount $30,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Harristown

Parks Regional Centre Townhouses

Newtown

Parks Regional Centre

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Harristown

Harristown vs Kearneys Spring Harristown vs Glenvale Harristown vs South Toowoomba Harristown vs Darling Heights Harristown vs Toowoomba City Harristown vs Drayton

Other comparisons with Newtown

Newtown vs Glenvale Newtown vs Wilsonton Newtown vs South Toowoomba Newtown vs North Toowoomba Newtown vs Rockville Newtown vs Harlaxton
Full data on Harristown Full data on Newtown
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Information shown is provided as-is from Australian government and commercial data sources.
Always verify with the relevant authority before making property decisions.
See Data Sources and How We Calculate for details.

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