Charters Towers

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

Charters Towers' population was 8,040 as of the 2021 Census. By Nov 2025, it is projected to be around 8,161, an increase of 121 people (1.5%). This growth is inferred from ABS estimates and validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density is 195 persons per square kilometer. Charters Towers' 1.5% growth since the census compares favorably with its SA3 area's 3.6%. Overseas migration was the primary driver of recent population gains.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 using 2022 as the base year. 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. These state projections do not provide age category splits; thus, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort. By 2041, the overall population is projected to decline by 35 persons. However, specific age cohorts are expected to grow, notably the 25 to 34 age group, projected to increase by 304 people.

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, 5 approvals have been recorded. Between FY21 and FY25, an average of 0.4 people moved to the area for each dwelling built. This suggests that new supply is meeting or exceeding demand, providing ample buyer choices and allowing for population growth beyond current forecasts.

The average construction cost value of new properties is $271,000, which is below regional levels, indicating more affordable housing options 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. Nationally, it ranks at the 27th percentile among assessed areas, suggesting limited buyer choices and supporting demand for existing homes. This is below average nationally, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints.

New building activity in Charters Towers shows 69.0% detached houses and 31.0% attached dwellings, expanding medium-density options to cater to various price brackets. This marks a significant shift from the current housing pattern of 86.0% houses, suggesting diminishing developable land availability and responding to evolving lifestyle preferences and affordability needs. The estimated population per dwelling approval in Charters Towers is 668 people, indicating a quiet development environment. With stable or declining population projections, reduced housing demand pressures are expected, benefiting potential buyers.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects likely to impact the area: Renew Charters Towers, Grand Secret Estate, Queensland Inland Freight Route (Mungindi to Charters Towers), and Goldtower Central.

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

Charters Towers has a balanced workforce consisting of both white and blue collar jobs. Essential services sectors are well represented in the town, with an unemployment rate of 8.8%.

As of September 2025, there are 3,329 residents employed, while the unemployment rate is 4.7% higher than the Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%, indicating room for improvement. Workforce participation in Charters Towers lags behind the rest of Queensland, at 50.8% compared to 59.1%. The leading employment industries among residents are education & training, health care & social assistance, and mining. Notably, education & training has an employment concentration that is 1.9 times higher than the regional average.

Conversely, construction is under-represented in Charters Towers, with only 6.2% of its workforce compared to 10.1% in Rest of Qld. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as suggested by the difference between Census working population and resident population figures. Over the year to September 2025, labour force levels increased by 0.1%, but employment declined by 1.5%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.5 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of Qld, where employment rose by 1.7% and unemployment increased by only 0.3 percentage points. As of 25-Nov-25, Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1,210 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%, closely aligned with the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that while total employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates vary significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Charters Towers' employment mix indicates potential local employment increases of 5.9% over five years and 12.9% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Charters Towers SA2 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, with Rest of Qld's median being $50,780 and average being $64,844. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $60,304 (median) and $72,519 (average), based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022. According to the 2021 Census, Charters Towers' household, family, and personal incomes ranked between the 18th and 19th percentiles nationally. Income analysis showed that 29.4% of residents (2,399 people) fell into the $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket, reflecting patterns seen in the surrounding region where 31.7% occupied this range. Despite modest housing costs with 88.1% of income retained, total disposable income ranked at just 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 structure, as per the latest Census, comprised 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 was at 35.7%, with the rest either mortgaged (27.5%) or rented (36.8%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,127, below Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,213 and Australia's national figure of $1,863. Median weekly rent in Charters Towers was $220, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $202 and the national average 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%. 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 Australia's average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common, at 11.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.6%) and graduate diplomas (2.1%). Trade and technical skills are prevalent, with 36.1% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (7.3%) and certificates (28.8%).

Educational participation is high, with 35.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 16.9% in secondary education, 12.0% in primary education, and 2.0% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Health data shows significant health issues in Charters Towers, affecting both younger and older residents.

Private health insurance coverage is slightly lower than average at approximately 51% (~4,178 people). The most common conditions are arthritis (affecting 8.9%) and asthma (8.6%). A total of 64.5% report no medical ailments, compared to 66.2% in the rest of Queensland. There are 21.9% residents aged 65 and over (1,790 people), lower than the state average of 24.3%. Seniors' health outcomes present challenges broadly similar to those of 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 low cultural diversity index with 83.9% citizens, 91.9% born in Australia, and 96.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 57.1%, compared to 70.7% regionally. The top three ancestral groups were Australian (33.3%), English (29.0%), and Irish (8.2%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal representation was higher at 8.0% versus 8.1% regionally, while German was at 3.6% (versus 3.5%) and French at 0.4% (versus 0.3%).

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

Charters Towers has a median age of 40, which is close to Rest of Qld's figure of 41 but exceeds the national norm of 38. The 15-24 age group comprises 15.3%, compared to Rest of Qld, while the 35-44 cohort makes up 10.3%. According to the 2021 Census, the 15-24 age group grew from 13.4% to 15.3%, the 5-14 cohort declined from 15.8% to 14.0%, and the 45-54 group decreased from 12.2% to 10.9%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Charters Towers' age profile will change significantly. The 25-34 group is projected to grow by 30%, reaching 1,159 from 894. Meanwhile, population declines are forecast for the 65-74 and 55-64 cohorts.