Charters Towers

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

Charters Towers' population is approximately 8,174 as of May 2026. This figure represents an increase of 134 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 8,040. The growth is inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 8,172 in June 2025 and an additional 11 validated new addresses post-Census. This results in a density ratio of 195 persons per square kilometer. Charters Towers' 1.7% growth since the Census compares favorably with its SA3 area's 3.4%, indicating strong fundamentals for population growth. Overseas migration was the primary driver of this growth.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 using 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by these data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. These state projections lack age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) are applied for each age cohort. By 2041, projections indicate an overall population decline of 96 persons. However, specific age cohorts like the 25 to 34 group are expected to grow by 247 people during this period.

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, 10 approvals have been recorded. Between FY21 and FY25, an average of 0.4 people moved to the area per dwelling built. New supply has kept pace with or exceeded demand, offering ample buyer choice and capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts.

The average construction value of new properties is $271,000, under regional levels, indicating 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 and ranks among the 27th percentile nationally, offering limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing homes. This is below average nationally, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. New building activity shows 69.0% detached houses and 31.0% attached dwellings, expanding medium-density options and creating a mix of opportunities across price brackets.

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 per dwelling approval is 668 people, reflecting the area's quiet development environment. Population projections indicate stability or decline, reducing housing demand pressures and benefiting potential buyers.

Charters Towers has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects that may impact the area. 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 to be most relevant.

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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 with white and blue collar jobs, well-represented essential services sectors, and an unemployment rate of 8.6%. As of December 2025, 3,290 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 4.5% higher than Regional Qld's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation in Charters Towers is lower at 54.1%, compared to Regional Qld's 64.5%.

Census data shows that only 4.9% of residents work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts may have influenced this figure. Key employment industries include education & training, health care & social assistance, and mining. Charters Towers has a notable concentration in education & training, with employment levels at 1.9 times the regional average. However, construction is under-represented, with only 6.2% of Charters Towers's workforce compared to 10.1% in Regional Qld.

Over the year to December 2025, labour force levels increased by 0.1%, but employment declined by 1.8%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 1.7 percentage points. In contrast, Regional Qld saw employment grow by 0.7% and unemployment rise by only 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Charters Towers's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.9% over five years and 12.9% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Charters Towers SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $54,308 and an average income of $64,471 in the financial year 2023, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is lower than the national average, with Regional Qld's median income being $53,146 and average income $66,593. As of March 2026, estimated incomes would be approximately $60,477 (median) and $71,795 (average), based on a Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since the financial year 2023. In Charters Towers, household, family, and personal incomes ranked between the 18th and 19th percentiles nationally in 2021 Census figures. Income analysis showed that 29.4% of residents (2,403 people) fell into the $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket, reflecting a pattern 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 above-average rates of outright home ownership

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 Regional Qld's 76.4% houses and 23.6% 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 Regional Qld's average of $1,655. Median weekly rent in Charters Towers was $220, compared to Regional Qld's $345. Nationally, Charters Towers' mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,127 versus 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 lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 63.9% of all households, including 19.8% that are couples with children, 28.3% that are couples without children, and 14.4% that are single parent families. Non-family households make up 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, smaller than the Regional Queensland average of 2.5 people.

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%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.6%) and graduate diplomas (2.1%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, 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 secondary education (16.9%), primary education (12.0%), and tertiary education (2.0%).

Educational participation is notably 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

Charters Towers faces significant health challenges, according to AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence.

Both younger and older age groups show notable prevalence of common health conditions. Approximately 51% (~4,185 people) of Charters Towers' population has private health cover, which is relatively low compared to other areas. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 8.9% of residents) and asthma (8.6%). However, 64.5% of residents claim to be completely free of medical ailments, compared to 67.6% in Regional Queensland. Working-age residents have a higher-than-average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 22.1% of residents aged 65 and over (1,808 people), which is higher than the 20.4% average for Regional Queensland. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings generally in line with the overall 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, assessed in terms of cultural diversity, showed a majority population: 83.9% were citizens, 91.9% were born in Australia, and 96.5% spoke English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 57.1% of the population, compared to 52.2% across Regional 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% in Charters Towers than regionally (3.9%), while German (3.6%) and French (0.4%) showed lower percentages compared to regional averages of 4.7% and 0.5%, respectively.

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

Charters Towers has a median age of 40, close to Regional Queensland's figure of 41 but slightly higher than the national norm of 38. The 15-24 age group comprises 15.3%, higher than Regional Queensland, while the 35-44 cohort is less prevalent at 10.4%. According to the 2021 Census, the 15-24 age group has increased from 13.4% to 15.3%, the 5-14 cohort has decreased from 15.8% to 13.6%, and the 45-54 group has dropped from 12.2% to 10.6%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Charters Towers' age profile will significantly change. The 25-34 group is projected to grow by 24%, reaching 1,099 from 889, leading the demographic shift. Population declines are expected for the 65-74 and 45-54 cohorts.