Charters Towers
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Charters Towers' population is approximately 8,161 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 121 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 8,040. The growth was inferred from ABS estimates: 8,159 in June 2024 and an additional 15 validated new addresses post-Census. This results in a density ratio of 195 persons per square kilometer. Charters Towers' 1.5% growth since the Census is close to its SA3 area's 3.6%, indicating competitive fundamentals for growth. Overseas migration primarily drove this population increase.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, based on 2021 data but without age category splits. Projections indicate an overall population decline by 35 persons to 2041, but growth in specific age cohorts is expected, notably a 304-person increase in the 25 to 34 age group.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Charters Towers, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Charters Towers has averaged approximately 14 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 74 homes. As of FY26, 4 approvals have been recorded. The average population growth per dwelling built in the area between FY21 and FY25 is 0.4 people per year. This indicates that new supply has kept pace with or exceeded demand, providing ample buyer choice and creating capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts.

The average construction cost value of new properties is $271,000, which is below regional levels, offering more accessible housing choices for buyers. In FY26, $9.4 million in commercial approvals have been registered, demonstrating moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Charters Towers has 14.0% less new development per person, placing it among the 28th percentile of areas assessed nationally. This suggests more limited choices for buyers and supports demand for existing homes. The area's new building activity shows 69.0% detached houses and 31.0% attached dwellings, indicating an expanding range of medium-density options that create a mix of opportunities across price brackets.

This marks a significant shift from the current housing pattern, which is predominantly composed of detached houses (86.0%). The estimated population count per dwelling approval in Charters Towers is 668 people, reflecting its quiet and low activity development environment. With stable or declining population projections, the area should see reduced housing demand pressures, benefiting potential buyers.

Charters Towers has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 37thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects that may impact this region. Key projects are Renew Charters Towers, Grand Secret Estate, Queensland Inland Freight Route (Mungindi to Charters Towers), and Goldtower Central. The following details those likely most relevant.

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

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

Charters Towers had an unemployment rate of 8.7% with a balanced white and blue collar workforce in June 2025. There were 3,380 residents employed while the unemployment rate was 4.8% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation was significantly lower at 50.8%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Leading employment industries included education & training, health care & social assistance, and mining. Education & training had particularly notable concentration with employment levels at 1.9 times the regional average. However, construction was under-represented with only 6.2% of Charters Towers's workforce compared to Rest of Qld's 10.1%.

The area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data analysis. Over the 12 months to June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 1.9% alongside a 3.9% employment decline, causing unemployment rate to rise by 1.9 percentage points. This contrasted with Rest of Qld where employment rose by 1.8%, labour force grew by 2.0%, and unemployment rose by 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 estimated future demand within Charters Towers, projecting national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Charters Towers's employment mix suggested local growth of approximately 5.9% over five years and 12.9% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Charters Towers had a median taxpayer income of $52,903 and an average of $63,619 in financial year 2022. This was slightly lower than the national average. The Rest of Qld had a median income of $50,780 and an average of $64,844 during the same period. By September 2025, estimates suggest the median income would be approximately $60,304 and the average $72,519, based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Charters Towers fell between the 18th and 19th percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. Income analysis showed that 29.4% of residents (2,399 people) earned between $1,500 and $2,999 annually, reflecting a pattern seen in the surrounding region where 31.7% fell into this income bracket. Despite modest housing costs allowing for 88.1% income retention, total disposable income ranked at only the 24th percentile nationally.

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

Charters Towers' dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 86.1% houses and 13.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro Qld's 89.5% houses and 10.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Charters Towers stood at 35.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 27.5% and rented ones at 36.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,127, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,213, while the median weekly rent figure was $220, higher than Non-Metro Qld's $202. Nationally, Charters Towers' mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,127 compared to Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Charters Towers features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 63.9% of all households, including 19.8% couples with children, 28.3% couples without children, and 14.4% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 36.1%, with lone person households at 32.7% and group households comprising 3.3% of the total. The median household size is 2.3 people, which aligns with the average for the Rest of Qld.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 15.7%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.6%) and graduate diplomas (2.1%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 36.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (7.3%) and certificates (28.8%). Educational participation is high at 35.0%, with 16.9% in secondary education, 12.0% in primary education, and 2.0% pursuing tertiary education.

Charters Towers has a robust network of 9 schools educating approximately 4,306 students, including 4 primary, 2 secondary, and 3 K-12 schools. The area functions as an educational hub with 52.8 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 21.1, attracting students from surrounding communities.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health performance in Charters Towers is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Charters Towers faces significant health challenges, as indicated by health data showing high prevalence of common conditions across both younger and older age groups.

Private health cover is slightly lower than average at approximately 51% of the total population (~4,178 people). The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 8.9% of residents) and asthma (8.6%). A majority, 64.5%, report being free from medical ailments, compared to 66.2% in Rest of Qld. The area has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 21.9% (1,790 people), compared to the state average of 24.3%. Health outcomes among seniors show similar challenges to those seen in the general population.

The latest Census data sees Charters Towers placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Charters Towers, surveyed in 2016, had a population with 83.9% being Australian citizens, 91.9% born in Australia, and 96.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 57.1% of the population, compared to 70.7% across Rest of Qld. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (33.3%), English (29.0%), and Irish (8.2%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal representation was higher at 8.0%, German at 3.6%, and French at 0.4%.

Charters Towers's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Charters Towers has a median age of 40, close to Rest of Qld's figure of 41 but slightly exceeding the national norm of 38. The 15-24 age group is strongly represented at 15.3%, compared to Rest of Qld. However, the 35-44 cohort is less prevalent at 10.3%. According to the 2021 Census, the 15-24 age group has grown from 13.4% to 15.3% of the population. Conversely, the 5-14 cohort has declined from 15.8% to 14.0%, and the 45-54 group has dropped from 12.2% to 10.9%. Demographic modeling suggests Charters Towers's age profile will significantly evolve by 2041. Leading this shift, the 25-34 group is projected to grow by 30%, reaching 1,159 people from 894. Meanwhile, population declines are forecast for the 65-74 and 55-64 cohorts.