The area is the headwaters of the South Pine River. In the north and west of the locality the elevation rises to heights greater than 500 m above sea level along the D'Aguilar Range. Highvale is positioned at the base of Mount Nebo and Mount Glorious.
The land use is a mix of rural residential living and grazing on native vegetation. Most of the land on the steep slopes of the D'Aguilar Range is not used.[3]
History
The locality was originally called Highlands after a property called "The Highlands", developed as a model dairy farm. It was bought in 1919 by Queensland Government to develop as banana farms for a soldier settlement.[2][4] In 1924 the Postmaster-General's Department wanted to erect a telephone line to the area but objected to the name Highlands as there was already another place with that name and Highvale was chosen as the replacement.[5]
In 2015, the Samford Area Mens Shed opened at the entrance to the show grounds.[citation needed]
Demographics
In the 2011 census, Highvale recorded a population of 1,545 people, 50.2% female and 49.8% male.[8] The median age of the Highvale population was 40 years, 3 years above the national median of 37. 75.5% of people living in Highvale were born in Australia. The other top responses for country of birth were England 10.4%, New Zealand 3.4%, South Africa 1.2%, Germany 0.6%, Netherlands 0.5%. 93.4% of people spoke only English at home; the next most common languages were 0.6% Hungarian, 0.6% Italian, 0.4% German, 0.3% Japanese, 0.3% Thai.[8]
In the 2016 census, Highvale had a population of 1,766 people.[9]
In the 2021 census, Highvale had a population of 1,979 people.[1]
Education
There are no schools in Highvale. The nearest primary schools are Samford State School in Samford Village to the east and Mount Nebo State School in neighbouring Mount Nebo to the west. The nearest secondary school is Ferny Grove State High School at Ferny Grove to the south-east.[3]
Amenities
Highvale is home to an active horse riding community with local tracks and many horse-centric events occurring annually, including riding for the disabled.[citation needed]
Highvale has an active Baháʼí Faith community, which offers children's classes in the local village aimed at increasing youth involvement in the community as well as spiritual growth and self-awareness.[citation needed]
Events
The Samford Show is held annually in July at the Samford Show grounds.[11]
^"THE HIGHLANDS". The Brisbane Courier. No. 22, 660. Queensland, Australia. 13 September 1930. p. 9. Archived from the original on 18 February 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
^"SAMFORD". The Brisbane Courier. No. 20, 650. Queensland, Australia. 29 March 1924. p. 11. Archived from the original on 18 February 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
