Babinda
Statistical Area - sa2

Babinda has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Babinda's population, as of November 2025, is approximately 4810. This figure represents an increase of 242 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 4568. The increase was inferred from the estimated resident population of 4719 in June 2024 and an additional 90 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 7.2 persons per square kilometer. Babinda's growth rate of 5.3% since the 2021 census exceeded that of its SA3 area at 5.2%. Interstate migration contributed approximately 65.1% to overall population gains during recent periods, although all factors including overseas migration and natural growth were positive.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort released in 2023 using a base year of 2022. Future population projections indicate an increase just below the median of Australia's non-metropolitan areas, with Babinda expected to expand by 394 persons to 2041 based on the latest numbers, representing a total increase of 6.3% over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Babinda when compared nationally

Babinda has seen approximately 14 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling 72 homes. As of FY-26, 4 approvals have been recorded so far. On average, 3.5 people moved to the area each year for every dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating high demand outstripping new supply. New dwellings were developed at an average expected construction cost of $287,000 during this period, which is below regional levels.

In FY-26, there have been $933,000 in commercial approvals, suggesting a predominantly residential focus. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Babinda shows around 75% of the construction activity per person and ranks among the 54th percentile nationally. This lower-than-average activity reflects the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. Recent building activity consists solely of detached houses, maintaining the area's low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers with approximately 304 people per dwelling approval.

Babinda is expected to grow by around 303 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should meet demand comfortably, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Babinda has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 48thth percentile nationally

Five projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to impact the area significantly. These include Ella Bay Integrated Resort and Residential Community, Bruce Highway Cairns Southern Access Corridor Stage 3 from Edmonton to Gordonvale, Mount Peter Priority Development Area, and Cairns South State Development Area.

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Despite maintaining a low unemployment rate of 3.5%, Babinda has experienced recent job losses, resulting in a below average employment performance ranking when compared nationally

Babinda has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. Manufacturing and industrial sectors are prominent.

As of June 2025, the unemployment rate is 3.5%. In Babinda, 2,452 residents are employed, which is 0.4% lower than Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation in Babinda is 57.1%, slightly below Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Employment is concentrated in agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and education & training.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing has a particularly high concentration with employment levels at 3.9 times the regional average. Conversely, accommodation & food shows lower representation at 4.7% compared to the regional average of 8.3%. Over the year to June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 1.5%, and employment fell by 2.7%, leading to a rise in unemployment by 1.1 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment grow by 1.8% and labour force expand by 2.0%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Babinda's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.4% over five years and 12.0% over ten years.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released on 1 July 2022 for financial year 2022, Babinda had a median income among taxpayers of $43,723. The average level stood at $52,858. This was lower than the national average and compared to levels of $50,780 in Rest of Qld respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $49,840 (median) and $60,253 (average) as of September 2025. From the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census data released on 29 June 2021, household incomes in Babinda fell between the 22nd and 23rd percentiles nationally. Income analysis revealed that 30.9% of Babinda's population (1,486 individuals) had income within the $1,500 - $2,999 range, similar to the region where 31.7% occupied this bracket. Housing costs were modest with 88.2% of income retained after housing expenses. However, total disposable income ranked at just the 28th percentile nationally.

Babinda is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Dwelling structure in Babinda, as evaluated at the 2016 Census, comprised 96.0% houses and 4.1% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 87.1% houses and 12.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Babinda was 45.6%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (32.8%) or rented (21.6%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Babinda was $1,367, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $240. Nationally, Babinda's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863 as of 2016, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Babinda has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 72.2% of all households, including 27.1% couples with children, 35.2% couples without children, and 8.8% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 27.8%, with lone person households at 26.1% and group households making up 1.7% of the total. The median household size is 2.4 people, aligning with the average in the Rest of Queensland.

Babinda faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 14.4%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 10.9%, followed by graduate diplomas (2.0%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.5%). Trade and technical skills are prevalent, with 43.9% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (8.9%) and certificates (35.0%).

Educational participation is high at 28.9%, including secondary education (11.3%), primary education (11.1%), and tertiary education (2.3%). Babinda has a network of 7 schools educating approximately 425 students, comprising 6 primary and 1 K-12 school. School places per 100 residents is 8.8, below the regional average of 14.9, with some students likely attending schools in nearby areas.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health outcomes in Babinda are marginally below the national average with common health conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts

Babinda's health indicators show below-average results, with common health conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is very low at approximately 47% of the total population (~2,246 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (9.4%) and mental health issues (7.0%). 69.3% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 68.1% across Rest of Qld. Babinda has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 26.2%, or 1,259 people, compared to the Rest of Qld's 23.6%. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

Babinda ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Babinda's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 86.9% of its population being citizens born in Australia speaking English only at home by the year 2016. The dominant religion in Babinda was Christianity, accounting for 57.5% of people, compared to 59.2% across Rest of Qld as per the Australian Bureau of Statistics' 2016 Census data. The top three ancestry groups were English (26.1%), Australian (24.8%), and Irish (9.2%).

Notably, Italian ethnicity was overrepresented in Babinda at 9.2%, compared to 7.5% regionally, while Maltese remained at 1.1%. However, the representation of Australian Aboriginals was lower than regional averages, at 4.4% versus 11.3%.

Babinda hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Babinda's median age is 47 years, which is notably higher than Rest of Qld's 41 years and also considerably older than the national norm of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of Qld average, Babinda has a notably over-represented 65-74 cohort (15.8% locally), while the 25-34 year-olds are under-represented (8.1%). This concentration in the 65-74 age group is well above the national figure of 9.4%. Since 2021, Babinda has seen growth in its 75 to 84 age group from 6.2% to 8.0%, and an increase in the 65 to 74 cohort from 14.7% to 15.8%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort has declined from 12.5% to 11.2%, and the 45 to 54 group has dropped from 13.7% to 12.6%. Demographic modeling suggests Babinda's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041, with the 75 to 84 age cohort projected to expand notably, increasing by 176 people (46%) from 386 to 563. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are expected to account for 62% of total population growth, reflecting Babinda's aging demographic profile. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 55 to 64 and 5 to 14 cohorts.