Bethania was founded by Germans during the 1860s and is home to many different nationalities. By 1866 a small township had developed. It is believed the name is derived from Bethany, the biblical village in Israel.[2][5]
The first railway bridge was destroyed by flood in 1887. A new concrete, steel and timber bridge lasted until 1972 when it was replaced by a pre-stressed concrete bridge.[5]
The suburb was affected badly by the 1974 Brisbane flood. Duck Island became part of the suburb when part of the river was silted up.[5] Sand and gravel has been mined from the alluvial deposits in recent years.
Bethania Lutheran Primary School opened on 27 January 1976.[7]
Demographics
In the 2011 census, Bethania had a population of 4,590 people, 53.3% female and 46.7% male.[8] The median age of the Bethania population was 41 years, 4 years above the national median of 37.[8] 68.7% of the people living in Bethania were born in Australia. The other top responses for country of birth were England 6.6%, New Zealand 6%, Scotland 1.4%, Philippines 0.9% and Germany 0.9%.[8] 86.9% of the people spoke only English at home; the next most common languages were 0.8% Spanish, 0.5% German, 0.5% Hindi, 0.4% Tagalog, 0.3% Samoan.[8]
In the 2016 census, Bethania had a population of 5,385 people, 53.5% female and 46.5% male. The median age of the Bethania population was 47 years, 9 years above the national median of 38. 66.7% of the people living in Bethania were born in Australia. The other top responses for country of birth were England 6.8%, New Zealand 6.3%, Scotland 1.4%, Philippines 1.3%, and China (excludes SARs and Taiwan) 1.2%. 86.9% of the people spoke only English at home; the next most common languages were 1.0% Mandarin, 0.9% Cantonese, 0.8% Spanish, 0.4% German, and 0.4% Samoan.[9]
In the 2021 census, Bethania had a population of 6,333 people, 55.3% female and 44.7% male. The median age of the Bethania population was 48 years, 10 years above the national median of 38. 65.5% of the people living in Bethania were born in Australia. The other top responses for country of birth were New Zealand 7.6%, England 6.0%, Philippines 1.0%, China (excludes SARs and Taiwan) 1.0%, and Scotland 0.9%. 82.1% of the people spoke only English at home; the next most common languages were 1.1% Mandarin, 0.6% Samoan, 0.6% Spanish, 0.5% Cantonese, and 0.5% Hindi.[1]
Bethania Lutheran Primary School is a private primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at 66 Glastonbury Drive (27°41′39″S153°09′28″E / 27.6943°S 153.1578°E / -27.6943; 153.1578 (Bethania Lutheran Primary School)).[10][11] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 287 students with 25 teachers (21 full-time equivalent) and 16 non-teaching staff (11 full-time equivalent).[12] In 2023, the school had an enrolment of 328 students with 21 teachers (18 full-time equivalent) and 25 non-teaching staff (17 full-time equivalent).[13]
Amenities
Palm Lake Christian Fellowship conduct their services at the Palm Lake Resort at 43 Goodooga Drive; it is part of the Wesleyan Methodist Church.[14]
