Chart Color Schemes
This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Charters Towers has an estimated 8,174 residents, up from 8,040 at the 2021 Census — a change of 134 people, or 1.7%. That puts 195 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Based on calculations by AreaSearch, the resident count for Charters Towers stands at approximately 8,174 as of May 2026. This indicates an expansion of 134 individuals (1.7%) relative to the 2021 Census, which registered 8,040 residents. This shift is deduced from the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 8,172 combined with 11 validated new addresses registered after the Census. The local population density reaches 195 persons per square kilometer, indicating low density and potential for future expansion. The post-census growth rate of 1.7% trails the wider SA3 region (3.4%) by 1.7 percentage points, showing moderate relative momentum.
Recent population gains were almost exclusively driven by arrivals from overseas. Projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 using 2022 as a base year are sourced from ABS/Geoscience Australia. For post-2032 periods or areas omitted from this dataset, projections from the Queensland State Government released in 2023 (using 2021 base data) are substituted. Because Queensland projections lack age cohort details, AreaSearch allocates growth across age categories by applying cohort distributions from the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections (based on 2022 data). Demographic modeling points to a general contraction in the local population, with a projected loss of 96 residents by 2041 under this framework. Conversely, specific segments are set to expand, particularly the 25 to 34 age bracket, which is forecast to grow by 247 individuals. See the age section for more details.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
74 new dwellings have been approved in Charters Towers over the past five years, an average of 14 a year. That is 1.8 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 19, running ahead of that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Charters Towers has recorded an annual average of approximately 14 new residential approvals, translating to 74 total dwellings over the preceding 5 financial years. In the current FY-26 period, 18 approvals have been logged. The ratio of population growth to new housing supply stood at 0.3 people per completed dwelling between FY-21 and FY-25, suggesting that construction is meeting or running ahead of local demand, maintaining buyer options and supporting population growth capacity. The average value for these newly approved residential builds is $271,000, which sits below regional averages and highlights affordable entry points.
Additionally, commercial development has seen $9.4 million in approvals registered during the current financial year. Per capita building approvals in Charters Towers are 14.0% lower than in the Rest of Qld, ranking the area in the 28th percentile of all localities assessed across Australia, which implies fewer options for buyers and support for established housing values. This lower-than-average national performance reflects the mature profile of the local market and potential planning barriers. Recent approval data comprises 69.0% detached houses and 31.0% attached dwellings, representing a shifting focus toward medium-density housing that offers diverse options, ranging from larger family homes to compact, lower-priced formats. This contrasts with the current housing landscape where houses represent 86.0% of stock, indicating a decline in raw land availability and a response to changing lifestyle and affordability requirements. The ratio of 669 residents for each new residential approval highlights the low-velocity building environment. Given that demographic projections suggest either stable or contracting population numbers, Charters Towers is likely to experience less pressure on housing demand, which should benefit prospective buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Charters Towers
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 5 current infrastructure and development projects inside Charters Towers. A further 58 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $150.2 billion. 27 are already under construction and 17 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and transport & logistics. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Development, planning changes, and major public works significantly shape local performance. AreaSearch has identified 4 key projects poised to influence the area. Principal initiatives include Renew Charters Towers, Grand Secret Estate, Queensland Inland Freight Route (Mungindi to Charters Towers), and Goldtower Central, with the major details of the most significant works listed below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Grand Secret Estate
Charters Towers' newest masterplanned residential development, comprising approximately 133 lots. Lot sizes range from 1500sqm to over 1ha, offering space for custom-built homes. Construction commenced in mid-2021, and it is located just 1km from the town centre.
Renew Charters Towers
A Regional Place Activation Program initiative to revitalise the Charters Towers CBD by temporarily activating vacant shopfronts on Gill and Mosman Streets. The program allowed eligible creatives, startups, social enterprises and community groups to trial rent-free premises on a 30-day rolling licence, with insurance support via Renew Australia. The program aimed to increase foot traffic, support local business growth and help property owners secure long-term tenants. The program has now officially closed after receiving multiple expressions of interest.
Queensland Inland Freight Route (Mungindi to Charters Towers)
Early works package underway as part of the overarching Inland Freight Route investment strategy, covering the segment from Charters Towers to Mungindi. This is a significant road infrastructure upgrade spanning nearly 1,200km, aiming to upgrade roads for better efficiency and safety, including widening and bridge enhancements, as an alternative to the Bruce Highway.
Goldtower Central
A thriving commercial, light industrial, and retail precinct located on the Flinders Highway bypass in Charters Towers. The development features various business accommodation options, including Poppet Head Plaza for retail, and the Goldtower Industrial Estate. It aims to be a key commercial hub for North West Queensland.
Charters Towers Regional Council Planning Scheme
The planning scheme for the Charters Towers region, guiding development and land use. It outlines the policy direction for development and ensures that growth is managed sustainably.
Big Rocks Weir project
Proposed weir project aiming to provide water security, located 26 km north of Charters Towers and 24 km upstream from Charters Towers Weir. Currently, the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is being prepared.
Flinders Highway (Townsville - Torrens Creek) Pavement Strengthening and Rehabilitation (Package 1)
The scope of works for this project includes undertaking approximately 8km of pavement strengthening and rehabilitation works, in order to remedy failing and deteriorating pavements, and to improve access condition, safety and asset resilience on the section of the Highway between Townsville and Torrens Creek.
Queensland National Land Transport Network Maintenance
Program of maintenance and rehabilitation works across Queensland's National Land Transport Network to reduce the significant backlog, improve safety, lift freight efficiency and strengthen network resilience. Focus includes pavement renewal, bridge and culvert repairs, drainage, and road safety treatments delivered under TMR's maintenance programs and QTRIP.
3,249 residents of Charters Towers are employed, from a labour force of 3,559. Unemployment sits at 8.7%, with participation at 53.6%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.9% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local economy is supported by a mix of blue-collar and white-collar occupations alongside a significant essential services presence, with the unemployment rate sitting at 8.7%. As of March 2026, 3,249 locals are employed. The unemployment rate is 4.8% higher than the Regional Qld benchmark of 3.9%, and the participation rate of 53.6% remains below the regional average of 64.3%. Census data indicates that a modest 4.9% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure was likely influenced by pandemic-related restrictions. The primary employment sectors for residents are education & training, health care & social assistance, and mining.
Education & training is particularly dominant, showing a concentration 1.9 times higher than the regional average. Conversely, construction is underrepresented, employing 6.2% of the local workforce compared to 10.1% across Regional Qld. The discrepancy between the local working population and resident workers suggests a scarcity of employment opportunities within the immediate area. AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics shows that in the 12 months leading to March 2026, the local labour force contracted by 1.9% and total employment fell by 3.0%, leading to a 1.0 percentage point rise in the unemployment rate. In contrast, Regional Qld experienced a 0.1% rise in employment, a 0.3% increase in the labour force, and a 0.1 percentage point uptick in unemployment. National employment projections published by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 provide a benchmark for future local demand. These five- and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential changes. Nationally, employment is expected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though individual sector growth rates vary. Weighting these national trends against the Charters Towers industry mix suggests local employment could rise by 5.9% over five years and 12.9% over ten years, representing a basic proportional extrapolation that does not incorporate local population forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Charters Towers is $1,282 a week (about $67,000 a year), with median personal income at $642 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $54,308 a year against an average of $64,471. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Postcode-level ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch for the 2023 financial year show a median taxpayer income of $54,308 and an average of $64,471 in the Charters Towers SA2. These figures are below national benchmarks, contrasting with a median of $53,146 and an average of $66,593 across Regional Qld. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates would be approximately $60,477 for the median and $71,795 for the average as of March 2026. Based on 2021 Census data, overall household, family, and personal incomes place in the 18th to 19th percentiles nationally.
The dominant household income bracket is $1,500 - 2,999, containing 29.4% of households (2,403 people), which aligns with the surrounding region where 31.7% of households fall into this range. Although housing costs are low, leaving residents with 88.1% of their income, total disposable income sits in the 24th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Charters Towers had 2,826 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 86% detached houses and 0% apartments. 28% are owned with a mortgage, 37% rented and 36% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $220 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,127 a month. Rent absorbs 17.2% of household income here and mortgage repayments 20.3%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the last Census, the housing stock in Charters Towers consisted of 86.1% separate houses and 13.9% other dwelling types (such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and alternative structures), compared to 76.4% houses and 23.6% other options in Regional Qld. Home ownership rates were higher than the regional average, with 35.7% of homes owned outright, while the remaining properties were mortgaged (27.5%) or rented (36.8%). The median monthly mortgage payment was $1,127 and the median weekly rent was $220, both below the Regional Qld averages of $1,655 and $345. Locally, mortgage repayments are significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rental costs are substantially below the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Charters Towers counted 2,826 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.3 people each. 20% are couples with children, fewer than in 87% of areas nationally, against 28% couples without children. 33% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.0 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of households at 63.9%, consisting of couples with children at 19.8%, couples without children at 28.3%, and single-parent households at 14.4%. The remaining 36.1% are non-family households, which include lone-person households at 32.7% and group homes at 3.3%. The median household size is 2.3 individuals, which is smaller than the Regional Qld average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
15.7% of adults in Charters Towers hold a university qualification, including 11.0% with a bachelor degree and 2.6% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 92% of areas nationally. A further 28.8% hold a vocational qualification. 9 schools serve the area, with 4,306 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 907 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational attainment levels show a lower proportion of university qualifications, with 15.7% of residents holding a tertiary degree compared to the national average of 30.4%. This gap highlights a focus area for future educational initiatives. Among tertiary qualifiers, bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.0%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.6% and graduate diplomas at 2.1%. Vocational and technical skills are highly prevalent, with 36.1% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas (7.3%) and certificates (28.8%). Enrolment rates are high, with 35.0% of the population participating in formal education.
This group is comprised of 16.9% in high school, 12.0% in primary school, and 2.0% in higher education or university.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Charters Towers means driving: households keep an average of 1.3 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
64.5% of residents in Charters Towers report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 84% of areas nationally. 7.3% need daily assistance with core activities, and 51.2% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 7.0 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health assessments indicate notable issues in Charters Towers, reflecting AreaSearch's analysis of local mortality statistics and chronic disease trends across different age groups, alongside a relatively low rate of private health insurance coverage at roughly 51% of the population (~4,185 people). Arthritis and asthma are the most prevalent chronic conditions, affecting 8.9% and 8.6% of residents, respectively. A total of 64.5% of the population reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. The working-age population exhibits above-average rates of chronic illnesses. Residents aged 65 and over make up 22.1% of the population (1,808 people), which is higher than the regional average of 20.4%.
Health challenges among older residents persist, with national rankings for this cohort generally matching those of the broader community.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Charters Towers is largely Australian-born, at 91.9% of residents, with 3.5% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (33.3%) and English (29.0%). 8.0% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Charters Towers displays lower cultural diversity indicators, with citizens making up 83.9% of the population, 91.9% of residents born in Australia, and 96.5% speaking only English at home. The predominant religion is Christianity, accounting for 57.1% of the community, compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld. Regarding parental birthplaces, the largest ancestry group is Australian at 33.3%, which exceeds the regional average of 26.5%, followed by English at 29.0% and Irish at 8.2%. Specific demographic differences show Australian Aboriginal ancestry is higher at 8.0% (compared to 3.9% regionally), while German ancestry is at 3.6% (compared to 4.7% regionally) and French ancestry is at 0.4% (compared to 0.5% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Charters Towers is 40. 26.2% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
With a median age of 40, Charters Towers is close to the Regional Qld average of 41 and slightly above the national median of 38. The 15 - 24 age bracket is well represented at 15.3% compared to Regional Qld, while the 35 - 44 cohort is less common at 10.4%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 15 to 24 grew from 13.4% to 15.3%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 15.8% to 13.6%, and the 45 to 54 group fell from 12.2% to 10.6%.
Demographic projections suggest the age distribution will shift by 2041, led by the 25 to 34 cohort, which is expected to grow by 24% (209 people) to reach 1,099 from 889. Meanwhile, declines are anticipated in the 65 to 74 and 45 to 54 age categories.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Charters Towers
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 5 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 11 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (8,040 at the 2021 Census → 8,174 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (318011462). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.