Carpentaria

Carpentaria has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Carpentaria's population is approximately 5,284 as of May 2026. This figure reflects an increase of 363 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,921. The change is inferred from ABS estimated resident population data for June 2025 and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio is 0.00 persons per square kilometer. Carpentaria's growth rate of 7.4% since the 2021 census exceeds that of its SA3 area (1.9%) and SA4 region, making it a growth leader in the region. Natural growth contributed approximately 91.4% of overall population gains during recent periods.

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 are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings using ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 with a base year of 2022. Future population dynamics anticipate lower quartile growth outside capital cities, with Carpentaria expected to increase by 26 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an overall increase of 0.5% over the 16 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Carpentaria recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Carpentaria averaged approximately 12 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, with a total of 60 homes approved during this period and one additional approval in FY-26. Each year, an average of 2.3 new residents were gained for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating strong demand that supports property values. The average expected construction cost value of new homes was $535,000, suggesting developers are focusing on the premium market with high-end developments.

In the current financial year, $1.6 million in commercial approvals have been registered, predominantly reflecting residential focus. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Carpentaria has 108.0% more construction activity per person, offering buyers ample choice. However, this level is lower than nationally, indicating market maturity and possible development constraints. New building activity comprises 73.0% detached houses and 27.0% attached dwellings, preserving the area's low density nature with a preference for detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated population count per dwelling approval in Carpentaria is 1371 people, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment.

According to AreaSearch quarterly estimates, Carpentaria is projected to gain 26 residents by 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favorable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Carpentaria has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence local performance. One major project identified by AreaSearch may impact this area: Mount Isa-Townsville Rail Corridor Upgrade. Key projects include CopperString 2032 - Northern Queensland SuperGrid, CopperString 2032, and CopperString. The following details those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Employment conditions in Carpentaria face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Carpentaria has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. Essential services sectors are well represented, and the unemployment rate is 16.7%. As of December 2025, 1,626 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 12.6% higher than Regional Qld's rate of 4.0%.

Workforce participation in Carpentaria lags behind Regional Qld at 48.9%, compared to 64.5%. According to Census data, only 9.6% of residents work from home. The leading employment industries among residents are agriculture, forestry & fishing, public administration & safety, and education & training. Agriculture, forestry & fishing has a notable concentration with employment levels at 4.0 times the regional average.

Health care & social assistance has limited presence at 10.7%, compared to Regional Qld's 16.1%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Over the year to December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 2.1% and employment declined by 1.0%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.9 percentage points. In contrast, Regional Qld saw employment grow by 0.7%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Carpentaria's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.3% over five years and 11.6% over ten years.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that Carpentaria SA2 has an income below the national average. The median income is $46,254 and the average income is $55,889. In contrast, Regional Qld has a median income of $53,146 and an average income of $66,593. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Carpentaria SA2 would be approximately $51,508 (median) and $62,238 (average) as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census, household income ranks at the 18th percentile ($1,279 weekly), while personal income sits at the 2nd percentile. The earnings profile indicates that the largest segment comprises 28.2% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (1,490 residents). This is consistent with broader trends across the region showing 31.7% in the same category. Housing costs are modest, with 91.7% of income retained. However, total disposable income ranks at just the 28th percentile nationally.

Carpentaria is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Dwelling structure in Carpentaria, as per the latest Census, consisted of 72.8% houses and 27.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Regional Qld's 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Carpentaria was at 19.9%, with the rest being mortgaged (5.7%) or rented (74.4%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,042, below Regional Qld's average of $1,655. Median weekly rent was recorded at $125, compared to Regional Qld's $345. Nationally, Carpentaria's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Carpentaria has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 70.7% of all households, including 28.1% couples with children, 21.7% couples without children, and 17.7% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 29.3%, with lone person households at 26.2% and group households comprising 3.1%. The median household size is 3.0 people, which is larger than the Regional Queensland average of 2.5 people.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 11.1%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 7.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.7%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Vocational credentials are held by 30.3% of residents aged 15+, including advanced diplomas (5.4%) and certificates (24.9%). Educational participation is high, with 29.4% currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 17.1% in primary education, 6.4% in secondary education, and 1.9% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health performance in Carpentaria is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Carpentaria faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were found to be somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover was very low at approximately 48% of the total population, which is around 2,509 people.

This compares to 52.5% in Regional Qld and 55.7% nationally. Diabetes and asthma were found to be the most common medical conditions, impacting 6.0 and 4.7% of residents respectively. However, 79.7% declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.6% in Regional Qld. Working-age residents were notably healthy with low chronic condition prevalence. The area has 10.8% of residents aged 65 and over, which is around 568 people, lower than the 20.4% in Regional Qld. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, with national rankings even higher than the general population.

Carpentaria is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Carpentaria's cultural diversity was found to be below average. As of a specific date, 89.1% of its population were citizens, 94.9% were born in Australia, and 88.7% spoke English only at home. Christianity was the main religion, comprising 43.2% of people in Carpentaria.

The category 'Other' was overrepresented, making up 7.0%, compared to the Regional Qld average of 0.8%. In terms of ancestry, Australian Aboriginal was the top group, comprising 54.7%, substantially higher than the regional average of 3.9%. Australian and English groups were notably underrepresented at 16.7% and 12.0% respectively, compared to regional averages of 26.5% and 29.6%. Notably, Samoan was overrepresented in Carpentaria at 0.1%, versus the regional average of 0.2%.

Carpentaria hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Carpentaria's median age is 30 years, which is considerably lower than the Regional Queensland average of 41 years and Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Regional Queensland, Carpentaria has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (17.7%) but fewer residents aged 75-84 (2.8%). Between the 2021 Census and the present day, the proportion of residents aged 25-34 has increased from 15.3% to 17.7%, while those aged 65-74 have risen from 5.9% to 7.6%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 15-24 has declined from 16.3% to 14.3%, and those aged 5-14 have decreased from 16.4% to 15.0%. Population forecasts for Carpentaria in 2041 indicate significant demographic changes, with the strongest projected growth occurring in the 25-34 age group (10%), adding 96 residents to reach a total of 1,032. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 55-64 and 15-24 age cohorts.