Charters Towers

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

Charters Towers' population, as of February 2026, is approximately 8,195. This figure represents an increase of 155 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 8,040. The growth was inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 8,159 in June 2024 and an additional 18 validated new addresses post-census. This results in a density ratio of 195 persons per square kilometer. Charters Towers' 1.9% growth since the census is comparable to its SA3 area's 3.8%, indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population growth during recent periods.

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 and released in 2023. These state projections do not provide 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. Projected demographic shifts indicate an overall population decline of 35 persons by 2041, with the 25 to 34 age group expected 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 averaged approximately 14 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 74 homes. As of FY-26, 5 approvals have been recorded. Between FY-21 and FY-25, an average of 0.4 people moved to the area per dwelling built. This suggests that new supply is meeting or exceeding demand, providing ample buyer choice and capacity 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 FY-26, $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 than the Rest of Qld and ranks at the 27th percentile nationally, offering more 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 comprises 69.0% detached houses and 31.0% attached dwellings, expanding medium-density options and creating a mix of opportunities across price brackets.

This departure from existing housing patterns (currently 86.0% houses) suggests diminishing developable land availability and responds to evolving lifestyle preferences and affordability needs. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 668 people, reflecting the area's quiet development environment. Population projections indicate stability or decline, which should reduce housing demand pressures, benefiting potential buyers.

Charters Towers has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects likely to affect this region: Renew Charters Towers, Grand Secret Estate, Queensland Inland Freight Route (Mungindi to Charters Towers), and Goldtower Central. These are the key projects with potential relevance to the area.

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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 8.8% with a balanced white and blue collar workforce in September 2025. There were 3,329 residents employed while the unemployment rate was 4.7% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation stood at 55.1%, significantly lower than Rest of Qld's 65.7%.

According to Census responses, only 4.9% of residents worked from home. Leading employment industries were education & training, health care & social assistance, and mining. Education & training had a 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%.

Over the year to September 2025, labour force levels increased by 0.1% while employment declined by 1.5%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.5 percentage points. This contrasted with Rest of Qld where employment rose by 1.7% and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 projected 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 employment should increase by 5.9% over five years and 12.9% over ten years, though this was a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and did not account for localised population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Charters Towers SA2 had median taxpayer income of $54,308 and average income of $64,471 in financial year 2023. This was lower than national averages, with Rest of Qld having median income of $53,146 and average income of $66,593. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $59,690 (median) and $70,860 (average), based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91%. According to 2021 Census figures, Charters Towers' household, family, and personal incomes fell between the 18th and 19th percentiles nationally. Income analysis showed that 29.4% of residents (2,409 people) earned $1,500 - 2,999, similar to surrounding regions at 31.7%. Despite modest housing costs with 88.1% income retained, total disposable income ranked at 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 structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 86.1% houses and 13.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Charters Towers was higher at 35.7%, with the rest being mortgaged (27.5%) or rented (36.8%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,127, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent figure in Charters Towers was $220, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $345. Nationally, Charters Towers' mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,127 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 lower-than-average 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%, with lone person households at 32.7% and group households comprising 3.3%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

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

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, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment.

Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are notable across both younger and older age cohorts. Approximately 51% (~4,195 people) of the total population has private health cover, which is relatively low. The most common medical conditions are arthritis (8.9%) and asthma (8.6%). Conversely, 64.5% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 67.6% in the rest of Queensland. Working-age residents have a higher prevalence of chronic health conditions than average. The area has 21.9% (1,797 people) of residents aged 65 and over, higher than the state's average of 20.4%. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with 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 cultural diversity index below the average. Its population was predominantly Australian citizens (83.9%), born in Australia (91.9%), and speaking English only at home (96.5%). Christianity was the majority religion, practiced by 57.1% of residents, compared to 52.2% across the rest of Queensland.

In terms of ancestry, Australians were the largest group (33.3%, regional average: 26.5%), followed by English (29.0%) and Irish (8.2%). Notably, Australian Aboriginals were overrepresented at 8.0% (regional average: 3.9%), as were Germans at 3.6% (vs regional 4.7%) and French at 0.4% (vs regional 0.5%).

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 makes up 15.6% of Charters Towers' population, higher than Rest of Qld, while the 35-44 cohort represents 10.5%, which is less prevalent compared to Rest of Qld. According to the 2021 Census, the 15-24 age group grew from 13.4% to 15.6%, and the 25-34 cohort increased from 10.2% to 11.4%. Conversely, the 5-14 cohort declined from 15.8% to 13.5%, and the 45-54 group dropped from 12.2% to 10.2%. Demographic modeling indicates that Charters Towers' age profile will change significantly by 2041. The 25-34 age group is projected to grow by 24%, adding 222 people, reaching 1,159 from 936. Meanwhile, population declines are forecast for the 65-74 and 45-54 cohorts.