Charters Towers
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Charters Towers' population, as of August 2025, is approximately 8,153. This figure represents an increase of 113 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 8,040. The change can be inferred from the estimated resident population of 8,159 in June 2024 and an additional 11 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 194 persons per square kilometer. Charters Towers' growth rate of 1.4% since the census is within 2.3 percentage points of the SA3 area's growth rate of 3.7%. The primary driver of population growth was overseas migration.

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. 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 based on 2022 data. Projections indicate a decline in overall population by 35 persons by 2041. 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. Development approval data is provided by the ABS on a financial year basis, totalling 74 approvals across the past five financial years from FY21 to FY25, with an additional 3 approved in FY26 so far. Over these five years, an average of 0.4 people moved to the area for each dwelling built, indicating that supply has met or exceeded demand, offering more buyer choices and supporting potential population growth above projections. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost value of $264,000, which is below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers.

This financial year has seen $9.4 million in commercial approvals registered, demonstrating moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Charters Towers has 14.0% less new development per person and ranks among the 28th percentile nationally, offering limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing homes. This is indicative of a mature market with possible development constraints. New building activity comprises 69.0% detached houses and 31.0% attached dwellings, expanding medium-density options and creating opportunities across various price brackets, from traditional family housing to more affordable compact alternatives. This marks a significant shift from existing housing patterns, which are currently 86.0% houses, suggesting diminishing developable land availability and responding to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs.

The estimated population count of 668 people per dwelling approval reflects the area's quiet, low activity development environment. With stable or declining population projections, Charters Towers is expected to experience reduced housing demand pressures, benefiting potential buyers.

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

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects that could impact this region: Renew Charters Towers, Grand Secret Estate, Queensland Inland Freight Route (Mungindi to Charters Towers), and Goldtower Central.

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

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

Charters Towers has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs, prominent essential services sectors, and an unemployment rate of 8.7% as of June 2025. The town's employment rate is 4.8% higher than the Rest of Queensland's rate of 3.9%, indicating room for improvement.

Workforce participation in Charters Towers lags at 50.8%, compared to Rest of Queensland's 59.1%. Key industries employing residents are education & training, health care & social assistance, and mining. Notably, education & training is highly concentrated with employment levels at 1.9 times the regional average. Conversely, construction is under-represented, with only 6.2% of Charters Towers's workforce compared to 10.1% in Rest of Queensland.

Local employment opportunities appear limited, as shown by a decrease in labour force levels and employment over the year to June 2025, causing unemployment to rise by 1.9 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of Queensland where employment rose by 1.8%. State-level data to Sep-25 shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.23% while the state unemployment rate is 4.2%, slightly lower than the national rate of 4.5%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but local projections based on Charters Towers's industry mix suggest potential 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, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is slightly lower than the national average, with Rest of Qld's median income being $50,780 and average income being $64,844. By March 2025, current estimates suggest a median income of approximately $59,098 and an average of $71,069, based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year 2022. As per the 2021 Census, incomes in Charters Towers fall between the 18th and 19th percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. Income analysis shows that the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 29.4% of residents (2,396 people), a pattern also seen in the surrounding region where 31.7% occupy this range. Despite modest housing costs allowing for 88.1% income retention, total disposable income ranks 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 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 was at 35.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 27.5% and rented ones at 36.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,127, below Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,213. Weekly rent median was recorded at $220, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $202. Nationally, Charters Towers' mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian 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 make up the remaining 36.1%, consisting of 32.7% lone person households and 3.3% group households. The median household size is 2.3 people, which aligns with the average for the Rest of Queensland.

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%, comprising 16.9% in secondary education, 12.0% in primary education, and 2.0% in tertiary education.

There are nine schools operating in Charters Towers educating approximately 4,306 students. The educational mix includes four primary, two secondary, and three K-12 schools. The area functions as an education hub with 52.8 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 21.1, attracting students from surrounding communities. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments please refer to parent campus.

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 seen in its health data.

Both younger and older age groups have a high prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover is approximately 51% of the total population (~4,174 people), slightly lower than the average SA2 area's rate. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 8.9% of residents) and asthma (8.6%). A majority, 64.5%, report being completely 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% (1,788 people), compared to the Rest of Qld's 24.3%. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges 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 June 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 dominant religion, practiced by 57.1%, compared to 70.7% regionally as of June 2016. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (33.3%), English (29.0%), and Irish (8.2%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal people made up 8.0% of the population, slightly higher than the regional average of 8.1%. German ancestry was represented by 3.6%, compared to 3.5% regionally, and French ancestry by 0.4%, compared to 0.3%.

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 modestly exceeding the national norm of 38. The 15-24 age group is strongly represented at 15.3%, compared to Rest of Qld, while the 35-44 cohort is less prevalent at 10.3%. Post the 2021 Census, the 15-24 age group has grown from 13.4% to 15.3%. Conversely, the 5-14 cohort has declined from 15.8% to 14.0%, and the 45-54 group dropped from 12.2% to 10.9%. Demographic modeling suggests Charters Towers' age profile will significantly evolve by 2041. Leading this demographic shift, the 25-34 group is projected to grow by 30%, reaching 1,159 from 893. Meanwhile, population declines are forecast for the 65-74 and 55-64 cohorts.