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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.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Dalrymple has an estimated 3,923 residents, up from 3,754 at the 2021 Census — a change of 169 people, or 4.5%. Growth has averaged 0.7% a year over five years. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to research conducted by AreaSearch, the resident population of Dalrymple stands at roughly 3,923 as of Aug 2026. This represents an expansion of 169 people (4.5%) relative to the 2021 Census, when 3,754 people were counted. This figure is derived from the ABS estimated resident population figure of 3,916 recorded as of June 2025 alongside 45 validated new addresses documented since the Census date. Given this population count, the local density is 0.10 persons per square kilometer, ensuring a spacious living setting. Outperforming the surrounding SA3 area (3.5%), Dalrymple's 4.5% growth since the 2021 census positions it at the forefront of regional demographic expansion.
The primary catalyst was natural increase, accounting for roughly 53.5% of overall additions in recent periods, supported by positive contributions from both overseas migration and interstate migration. Projections for each SA2 district utilise ABS/Geoscience Australia models published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline. Where areas lack coverage or extend post-2032, models incorporate Queensland State Government SA2 forecasts released in 2023 relying on 2021 inputs. Because state-level forecasts omit detailed age cohorts, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings aligned with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (published in 2023 using 2022 benchmarks) across age brackets. Under this framework, demographic expectations point toward a net contraction over the projection horizon, reducing the population by 40 persons by 2041. Nevertheless, specific age brackets will see gains, headed by persons aged 75 to 84, who are projected to increase by 88 people. Additional details are outlined in the age section.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
35 new dwellings have been approved in Dalrymple over the past five years, an average of 7 a year. That is 1.8 approvals per 1,000 residents. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential building approvals in Dalrymple have averaged roughly 7 new homes each year, accumulating to 35 homes over the past 5 financial years. With an average influx of 4.1 new residents per annum per completed dwelling over the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26), additions to housing stock fall well short of demand, creating tighter conditions among purchasers and upward pressure on valuations. Meanwhile, construction costs for new dwellings average $462,000, aligning with broader regional levels. Complementing this, commercial building approvals reached $7.3 million this financial year, underscoring that development remains predominantly oriented around residential needs.
On a per-capita basis, building volumes in Dalrymple trail Rest of Qld by 11.0%, placing the locality in the 32nd percentile nationwide, which constrains options for new buyers and bolsters demand across the established residential market. This pace also lags national benchmarks, reflecting an established market environment alongside potential building limitations. Furthermore, recent building activity has been exclusively focused on detached houses, preserving the neighbourhood's low-density profile and appealing to buyers prioritising spacious living. The presence of approximately 460 people in the area per dwelling approval highlights a subdued, low-volume construction pipeline. Because demographic projections indicate a stable or reducing headcount, pressure on the local housing pool is poised to ease, potentially unlocking favourable purchasing conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Dalrymple
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 10 current infrastructure and development projects inside Dalrymple, worth an estimated $139.4 billion. A further 56 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $150.6 billion. 28 are already under construction and 15 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
Local economic momentum is heavily shaped by major developments, civil projects, and strategic planning programs. AreaSearch has identified 151 projects positioned to influence the district. Prominent undertakings include the Queensland Inland Freight Route (Mungindi to Charters Towers), Renew Charters Towers, Grand Secret Estate, and Goldtower Central, with key priority initiatives detailed in the accompanying overview.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
1,938 residents of Dalrymple are employed, from a labour force of 1,994. Unemployment sits at 2.8%, with participation at 60.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 4.6% 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
Dalrymple supports a diverse labour market encompassing both blue-collar and white-collar roles, marked by substantial industrial and manufacturing representation alongside an unemployment rate of only 2.8%. There were 1,938 residents actively employed as of March 2026, while the local jobless rate sits 1.1% lower than the 3.9% recorded across Regional Qld. Workforce participation is relatively subdued at 60.7% versus 64.2% across Regional Qld. Census records also indicate that 23.6% of workers carried out their duties from home, though this metric reflects the backdrop of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions. Key fields of employment for local workers comprise agriculture, forestry & fishing, mining, alongside education & training.
The community shows an exceptionally heavy reliance on agriculture, forestry & fishing, employing personnel at 6.9 times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance accounts for merely 8.1% of jobs, falling short of the 16.1% registered across Regional Qld. Although employment options are present locally, comparisons between the Census working population and overall resident numbers indicate a considerable commuter contingent travelling outside the area. An examination of ABS and SALM figures indicates that over the 12-month period, the total workforce declined by 1.9% while overall employment also fell by 1.9%, keeping joblessness essentially unchanged. Over the corresponding timeframe, Regional Qld recorded a 0.1% increase in employment and a 0.3% rise in the labour pool, alongside an increase of 0.1 percentage point. Future workplace demand can be evaluated using Jobs and Skills Australia national projections issued in Mar-26. These five-year and ten-year models have been overlaid onto Dalrymple's existing industry profile. Across the nation, total employment is anticipated to grow by 6.6% across five years and 13.7% across ten years, with wide variance across individual sectors. Applying these specific trajectories to Dalrymple's local workforce distribution indicates employment increases of 4.6% over five years and 10.7% over ten years (note that this is an illustrative weighting model and excludes local population trends).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Dalrymple is $1,391 a week (about $72,000 a year), with median personal income at $720 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $54,587 a year against an average of $64,779. 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
ATO taxpayer records at the postcode tier for financial year 2023 published by AreaSearch show that the Dalrymple SA2 recorded a median individual income of $54,587 and an average of $64,779. These earnings sit beneath national averages, while comparing against Regional Qld's median of $53,146 and average of $66,593. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, updated estimates reach roughly $60,788 for the median and $72,138 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census placed household, family, and personal earnings in the 28th to 32nd percentiles.
In terms of earnings distribution, the largest cohort includes 29.8% of the local population (1,169 people) earning within the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, closely mirroring the wider regional level of 31.7%. Residents retain 88.7% of income after housing expenses, though disposable levels rank modestly at the 34th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Dalrymple had 1,255 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 95% detached houses and 0% apartments. 38% are owned with a mortgage, 12% rented and 50% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $200 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,517 a month. Rent absorbs 14.4% of household income here and mortgage repayments 25.2%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, residential dwellings in Dalrymple consisted of 94.7% houses and 5.3% other dwellings (incorporating apartments, semi-detached properties, and 'other' dwellings), contrasting with 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings across Regional Qld. Outright ownership was significantly higher than the regional benchmark, reaching 50.1%, while 38.2% of homes were mortgaged and 11.7% were rented. Typical monthly mortgage costs were lower than the Regional Qld benchmark at $1,517, and median weekly rental payments stood at $200, compared with Regional Qld figures of $1,655 and $345 respectively. Across Australia as a whole, local home repayments remain far below the national median of $1,863, with rents also notably lower than the $375 national standard.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Dalrymple counted 1,255 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.6 people each. 30% are couples with children, against 33% couples without children. 25% 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 constitute the vast majority of local living arrangements at 73.1%, comprising couples with children at 30.1%, couples without children at 33.1%, and single parent families at 8.3%. Non-family living situations represent the remaining 26.9%, consisting of single-occupant households (24.6%) and group households (2.0%). Average household occupancy sits at 2.6 people, exceeding the 2.5 average recorded across Regional Qld.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
10.2% of adults in Dalrymple hold a university qualification, including 8.0% with a bachelor degree and 1.2% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 96% of areas nationally. A further 36.5% hold a vocational qualification. 4 schools serve the area, with 55 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 886 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
Higher education qualifications present a local development opportunity, as tertiary attainment (10.2%) sits well below the 30.4% recorded across Australia. Bachelor degrees form the largest segment at 8.0%, accompanied by postgraduate qualifications (1.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.0%). Conversely, technical and trade expertise is well established, with 44.0% of individuals aged 15+ possessing vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (7.5%) and certificates (36.5%). Participation across educational institutions is substantial, with 32.4% of the population actively enrolled in study. This includes 15.0% attending primary education, 11.0% participating in secondary education, and 2.0% engaged in tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Dalrymple means driving: households keep an average of 2.0 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
70.6% of residents in Dalrymple report no long-term health condition. 4.2% need daily assistance with core activities, and 51.2% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.0 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
AreaSearch evaluations of chronic condition incidence and mortality show positive health metrics for Dalrymple, with low rates of widespread health conditions across both older and younger demographics, while private medical coverage remains relatively modest at roughly 51% of residents (~2,008 people). Arthritis and asthma represent the most widespread medical conditions locally, impacting 7.9 and 7.1% of the population respectively, whereas 70.6% of residents reported no chronic ailments, outpacing the 67.6% recorded across Regional Qld. Health metrics within the working-age group match broader standards. Seniors aged 65 and over comprise 24.5% of the population (959 people), surpassing the 20.3% observed in Regional Qld, and this cohort demonstrates particularly robust wellness benchmarks that align closely with nationwide averages.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Dalrymple is largely Australian-born, at 94.7% of residents, with 1.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (34.8%) and English (31.5%). 3.9% 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
Cultural diversity in Dalrymple is comparatively low, with Australian citizens making up 85.1% of residents, 94.7% born in Australia, and 98.6% speaking exclusively English at home. Christianity represents the primary faith, accounting for 65.4% of the local community, in comparison to 52.2% across Regional Qld. Regarding parental lineage and heritage, the leading backgrounds in Dalrymple are Australian at 34.8% (surpassing the 26.5% regional standard), English at 31.5%, and Irish at 10.3%. Other ancestries exhibit varied representation: German accounts for 4.3% locally (vs 4.7% regionally), Australian Aboriginal represents 3.9% (vs 3.9%), and Scottish stands at 8.1% (vs 7.8%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Dalrymple is 45, older than 78% of areas nationally. 20.1% 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
The age distribution in Dalrymple leans older when benchmarked against Regional Qld. Seniors and retirees (65+) make up 24.5% of the community as at August 2026, relative to 20.4% across Regional Qld, whereas young to middle aged adults (25 - 44) represent 19.7% compared with 25.5% regionally. The estimated median age is 45, matching the 2021 Census level and sitting 4 years above the Regional Qld figure of 41 from that same Census, while the Australian median at that Census was 38. Since the Census, the share of seniors and retirees has risen from 20.8% to an estimated 24.5%.
This shift is largely structural: residents aged 5 to 14 dropped from 13.5% to an estimated 10.7%, while the 15 to 24 band increased from 9.0% to 11.9%, indicating the aging in place of existing residents rather than inward migration. The 65+ cohort is projected to expand the most by 2041, rising by 96 (10%) to 1,056, while contractions are forecast for children, young adults, and young to middle aged adults.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Dalrymple
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 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) | Aug 2026 2 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| 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 Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 2 months ago all 10 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 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) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 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 — 45 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (3,754 at the 2021 Census → 3,923 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 Aug 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 (318011463). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.