Alpha

Population

Total Population: 559 people (for the locality of Alpha).

Percentage of Women: 50.5% (285 people).

Percentage of Men: 49.5% (279 people).

Average Age

Median Age in the Region: The median age for people in Alpha was 44 years. This is significantly higher than the median age for all of Queensland, which was 38 years in 2021, indicating an older population profile.

Income (Weekly Household)

The median weekly household income for Alpha was $1,547 AUD. Since specific top income bracket percentages are not provided by the Census for such small localities, the following figures are based on the closest publicly available standard brackets that include the highest proportion of households in this region, relative to the overall median.

$1,500 – $1,999 per week: This bracket is the single largest income group reported in the surrounding Barcaldine region (which includes Alpha), reflecting the median value.

$2,000 – $2,499 per week: A high-earning bracket that would account for a notable percentage of the working population, particularly those in mining or other skilled trades.

Less than $650 per week: This bracket is also one of the largest due to the high proportion of retired individuals (indicated by the high median age of 44).

Industry

Beef Production/Agriculture: Alpha is a key service town located within the Barcaldine Region, which is known as one of Queensland’s largest cattle-producing areas.

Mining: The region surrounding Alpha contains significant coal deposits, and the town serves as a support base for the mining, energy, and resources sector, which provides high-income employment for many residents.

Retail Trade / Accommodation and Food Services: As a service centre and a stopover location (dubbed the “Gateway to the West”), a substantial part of local employment is in small retail businesses, roadhouses, and motels that cater to locals, travellers, and the mining workforce.