Douglas

Population growth drivers in Douglas are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

Douglas's population is around 8,369 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 501 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 7,868 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 8,371 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 19 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 106 persons per square kilometer. Douglas's population growth of 6.4% since the census positions it within 0.5 percentage points of the SA4 region (6.9%). Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 80.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. These state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Demographic trends predict exceptional growth over the period from 2025 to 2041, with Douglas expected to expand by 5,964 persons, reflecting a gain of 71.3% in total over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Douglas according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Douglas has averaged approximately 8 new dwelling approvals each year over the past five financial years, totalling 40 homes. As of FY26, 0 approvals have been recorded. Over these five years, an average of 4.6 people moved to the area for each dwelling built. This significant demand-to-supply ratio typically leads to price growth and increased buyer competition.

New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $252,000, below the regional average, indicating more affordable housing options. In FY26, there have been $187.9 million in commercial approvals, suggesting robust local business investment. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Douglas shows substantially reduced construction activity, with 77.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established properties. When compared nationally, the area's development activity is also under the national average, indicating its established nature and suggesting potential planning limitations.

Recent building activity consists entirely of standalone homes, preserving Douglas' low density nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. Notably, developers are constructing more detached housing than the existing pattern implies (85.0% at Census), reflecting persistent strong demand for family homes despite densification trends. The estimated count of 1634 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment. Population forecasts indicate Douglas will gain 5,966 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Should current construction levels persist, housing supply could lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

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

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 38 projects likely to affect the region. Major initiatives include Townsville University Hospital Expansion, TropiQ - Townsville Tropical Intelligence and Health Precinct, Stage One: James Cook University Residential Development Program, Douglas Water Treatment Plant Clarifiers Upgrade. The following list details those expected to be most relevant.

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

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Employment performance in Douglas ranks among the strongest 15% of areas evaluated nationally

Douglas has an educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 2.2%, with an estimated employment growth of 0.6% over the past year as of September 2025.

In this month, 4859 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 1.9% lower than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation in Douglas is high at 67.0%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. The dominant employment sectors among residents include health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and education & training. Notably, health care & social assistance has employment levels at 1.7 times the regional average.

Conversely, construction is under-represented with only 3.7% of Douglas's workforce compared to 10.1% in Rest of Qld. The worker-to-resident ratio of 1.0 indicates substantial local employment opportunities. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 0.6%, while labour force increased by 0.6%, keeping the unemployment rate relatively stable. In comparison, Rest of Qld recorded employment growth of 1.7% and labour force growth of 2.1%, with unemployment rising by 0.3 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1210 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%, closely aligned with the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Douglas's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 7.2% over five years and 15.0% over ten years.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

The Douglas SA2 had an average national income level according to ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. The median income among taxpayers was $55,632 and the average income stood at $65,755. These figures compared to Rest of Qld's median of $50,780 and average of $64,844 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $63,415 (median) and $74,954 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data showed household income ranked at the 67th percentile ($2,025 weekly), while personal income sat at the 45th percentile. The earnings profile indicated that 39.0% of the population (3,263 individuals) fell within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, similar to the surrounding region where 31.7% occupied this bracket. After housing expenses, 85.2% of income remained for other expenses and the area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 7th decile.

Douglas is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

The dwelling structure in Douglas, as per the latest Census, consisted of 84.6% houses and 15.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 81.3% houses and 18.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Douglas was at 18.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 29.7% and rented ones at 52.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,633, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,517. The median weekly rent figure for Douglas was $360, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $305. Nationally, Douglas's median monthly mortgage repayment is lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and its median weekly rent is less than the national figure of $375.

Douglas features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 65.2% of all households, including 28.9% couples with children, 25.7% couples without children, and 8.7% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 34.8%, with lone person households at 21.5% and group households comprising 13.2%. The median household size is 2.6 people, larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

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

Douglas has a higher percentage of residents aged 15 and above with university qualifications than the broader SA4 region and Rest of Qld. Specifically, 35.4% of Douglas residents have university qualifications compared to 20.1% in the SA4 region and 20.6% in the Rest of Qld. The most common university qualification is a Bachelor degree, held by 24.4% of residents. Postgraduate qualifications are held by 7.9%, and graduate diplomas by 3.1%.

Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 25.7% of residents holding such qualifications. This includes advanced diplomas (8.2%) and certificates (17.5%). Educational participation is high in Douglas, with 47.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 28.5% in tertiary education, 7.5% in primary education, and 6.6% pursuing secondary education.

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

The transport analysis indicates that as of March 2021, there are 28 active transport stops operating within Douglas. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 5 individual routes providing service. Collectively, these routes facilitate 679 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of transport in the area is rated as good, with residents on average located 309 meters from their nearest transport stop. Service frequency across all routes averages 97 trips per day, which equates to approximately 24 weekly trips per individual stop.

Douglas's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Health outcomes data shows excellent results throughout Douglas, with younger age groups experiencing particularly low prevalence of common health conditions.

The rate of private health cover stands at approximately 52%, higher than the average SA2 area (~4,385 people). Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent medical conditions in the area, affecting 9.1% and 7.1% of residents respectively. A total of 74.5% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 67.8% across Rest of Qld. The area has 8.7% of residents aged 65 and over (724 people), lower than the 14.9% in Rest of Qld.

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

Douglas, surveyed in June-August 2016, had a higher proportion of overseas-born residents at 26.4%, compared to most local markets. In this area, 21.2% spoke a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, with 48.3%.

The category 'Other' showed significant overrepresentation in Douglas at 1.7%, compared to Rest of Qld's 0.7%. Ancestry wise, Australian (24.5%), English (23.9%) and Other (11.5%) were the top groups. Notably, Indian (5.3% vs 0.9%), Sri Lankan (0.6% vs 0.1%), and Italian (3.8% vs 3.6%) groups were overrepresented in Douglas compared to regional averages.

Douglas hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Douglas has a median age of 25, which is notably younger than the Rest of Qld figure of 41 and significantly below the Australian median of 38. Compared to Rest of Qld, Douglas has a higher proportion of residents aged 15-24 (33.2%), but fewer residents aged 55-64 (6.6%). This concentration of 15-24 year-olds is well above the national average of 12.5%. Between 2021 and now, Douglas's median age has decreased by 1.1 years from 26 to 25, suggesting a shift towards a younger demographic. Key changes include the growth of the 15-24 age group from 30.9% to 33.2%, and the increase of the 25-34 cohort from 16.4% to 18.6%. Conversely, the 5-14 age group has declined from 10.1% to 8.5%, and the 45-54 group has dropped from 10.0% to 8.6%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Douglas. The 25-34 cohort is projected to grow strongly at 116%, adding 1,796 residents to reach a total of 3,351.