Cranbrook
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Cranbrook's population is approximately 6,082 as of August 2025. Between the 2021 Census and June 2024, it increased by 238 people to around 6,075, a growth rate of 4.1%. This increase can be attributed to an estimated 81.8% from overseas migration. The population density is approximately 1,810 persons per square kilometer. Cranbrook's growth rate of 4.1% since the Census compares favorably with its SA4 region's 6.9%. AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024, based on 2022 data.

For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections from 2023 are used, applying proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023. By 2041, the population is projected to decline by 389 persons, but the 25 to 34 age group is expected to grow by 132 people.

The level of residential development activity in Cranbrook is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Development activity data is being compiled for this area.

Cranbrook shows significantly less construction activity than Rest of Qld. Development levels are likewise under national averages.

Population is expected to remain stable or decline in Cranbrook, which should reduce pressure on housing, potentially creating opportunities for buyers.

Cranbrook has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 34thth percentile nationally

Area infrastructure changes significantly influence local performance. Eight projects identified by AreaSearch may impact the area. Key projects include Townsville University Hospital Expansion, Cranbrook Social Housing Development, Willows Shopping Centre Redevelopment, and TropiQ Health and Innovation Precinct. Below is a list detailing those likely to be most relevant.

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

The labour market performance in Cranbrook lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Cranbrook had an unemployment rate of 7.3% with essential services sectors well represented in its skilled workforce as of a certain date. As of June 2025, 2,789 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 3.4% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation was at par with Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Employment was concentrated in health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade, but agriculture, forestry & fishing had lower representation at 0.6% compared to the regional average of 4.5%. Labour force levels decreased by 2.0% over the 12 months to June 2025, with employment decreasing by 4.4%, resulting in a rise in unemployment rate by 2.3 percentage points.

In contrast, Rest of Qld experienced employment growth of 1.8% and labour force growth of 2.0%. State-level data to Sep-25 showed QLD employment contracted by 0.23% with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%, compared to national rates of 4.5% for unemployment and 0.26% for employment growth. Jobs and Skills Australia's projections from May 2025 forecast national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying growth rates across industry sectors. Applying these projections to Cranbrook's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.6%% over five years and 13.7% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2022, Cranbrook had a median income among taxpayers of $46,927. The average income stood at $55,470 in the same period. This was below the national average and compared to levels of $50,780 across Rest of Qld for median income and $64,844 for average income respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $52,422 for median income and $61,966 for average income as of March 2025. Census 2021 income data shows household, family and personal incomes all rank modestly in Cranbrook, between the 29th and 29th percentiles. The data shows that the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 31.2% of the community (1,897 individuals). This pattern is similar to the broader area where 31.7% occupy this range. After housing costs, 86.1% of income remains for other expenses.

Cranbrook is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Cranbrook, as per the latest Census evaluation, 81.5% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 18.6% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This is comparable to Non-Metro Qld's breakdown of 81.3% houses and 18.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Cranbrook stood at 34.6%, with mortgaged properties at 32.2% and rented ones at 33.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,517. The median weekly rent in Cranbrook was $293, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $305. Nationally, Cranbrook's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,863 and rents substantially below the national figure of $375.

Cranbrook features high concentrations of group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 66.9% of all households, including 24.4% couples with children, 26.0% couples without children, and 14.6% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 33.1%, with lone person households at 28.8% and group households comprising 4.8% of the total. The median household size is 2.5 people, which aligns with the average for the Rest of Qld.

Educational outcomes in Cranbrook fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

Cranbrook trail's educational qualifications benchmark against regional averages. 21.0% of residents aged 15+ have university degrees, compared to Australia's 30.4%. This gap suggests potential for educational development and skill enhancement. Bachelor degrees lead at 14.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.6%) and graduate diplomas (2.3%).

Vocational credentials are prominent, with 36.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas (9.5%) and certificates (26.9%). Educational participation is high, with 28.3% currently enrolled in formal education: primary (9.0%), secondary (8.2%), tertiary (6.4%). Cranbrook's three schools have a combined enrollment of 2,186 students, reflecting typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 982). The area functions as an education hub with 35.9 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 16.7, attracting students from surrounding communities.

Transport servicing is moderate compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

The analysis shows that Cranbrook has 24 operational public transport stops. All of these are bus stops. There are nine different bus routes serving these stops, together offering 1,012 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility to public transport is considered good in Cranbrook, with residents on average being 230 meters away from the nearest stop. On average, each route makes 144 trips per day, resulting in approximately 42 weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Cranbrook is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Cranbrook faces significant health challenges, as indicated by health data. Both younger and older age groups have a high prevalence of common health conditions. Private health cover is low at approximately 48% of the total population (around 2,895 people), compared to 53.3% in the rest of Queensland and 55.3% nationally.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 9.9% and 9.9% of residents respectively. About 62.8% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 67.8% in the rest of Queensland. Cranbrook has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 20.9% (1,273 people), compared to 14.9% in the rest of Queensland. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly aligning with the general population's health profile.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Cranbrook was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Cranbrook's population shows above-average cultural diversity, with 19.2% born overseas and 13.3% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Cranbrook, accounting for 57.6%, compared to 52.7% across the rest of Queensland. In terms of ancestry, Australians make up 25.3%, English 25.0%, and Other groups 9.0%.

Notably, Filipino representation is higher at 2.9% in Cranbrook than regionally (1.1%), Australian Aboriginal also shows a higher percentage at 6.3% compared to the regional average of 5.0%, and Samoan representation is slightly higher at 0.3%.

Cranbrook's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Cranbrook has a median age of 40, closely aligned with Rest of Qld's figure of 41 but slightly higher than Australia's national norm of 38. The 25-34 age group comprises 14.5% of Cranbrook's population, higher than the Rest of Qld figure. Conversely, the 5-14 cohort makes up 10.1%, lower than the state average. Post-2021 Census, the 25-34 age group increased from 13.0% to 14.5%, while the 45-54 cohort decreased from 12.4% to 10.3%. The 5-14 group also declined, from 11.8% to 10.1%. By 2041, demographic modeling indicates significant changes in Cranbrook's age profile. Notably, the 85+ cohort is projected to grow by 75%, reaching 268 people from a starting point of 153. The population aged 65 and above will comprise 60% of this growth. Meanwhile, the 75-84 and 35-44 age groups are expected to experience population declines.