Ingham
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Ingham's population was around 4,544 as of November 2025, reflecting an increase of 89 people from its 2021 Census figure of 4,455. This growth represents a 2.0% rise since the census date and is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 4,507 in June 2024, along with validation of 30 new addresses since then. This results in a density ratio of 109 persons per square kilometer. Ingham's growth rate of 2.0% is within 1.6 percentage points of its SA3 area (3.6%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Interstate migration contributed approximately 77.3% of overall population gains 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 by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, which were released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings using ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort. Population projections indicate a decline of 321 persons by 2041, with the area's population expected to contract over this period. However, specific age cohorts are anticipated to grow, notably the 65 to 74 age group, which is projected to increase by 51 people.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Ingham, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Ingham has recorded approximately 6 residential properties granted approval each year over the past five financial years, totalling 33 homes. As of FY-26, 1 approval has been recorded. On average, 1 person per year moved to the area for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating balanced supply and demand with stable market conditions. This ratio eased to -0.3 people per dwelling over the past two financial years due to better supply availability. New homes are being constructed at an average expected cost of $293,000, which is below regional levels, offering more affordable housing options for buyers.

In FY-26, $9.2 million in commercial approvals have been registered, reflecting steady commercial investment activity. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Ingham shows approximately 75% of construction activity per person and ranks among the 33rd percentile nationally, resulting in relatively constrained buyer choice and supporting interest in existing properties. Recent construction consists of 40.0% standalone homes and 60.0% medium to high-density housing, a shift from the current housing mix of 86.0% houses. This change reflects reduced availability of development sites and addresses shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements. The estimated population per dwelling approval in Ingham is 2389 people, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment. With a stable or declining population expected, Ingham should see reduced housing pressure, potentially creating buying opportunities.

With population expected to remain stable or decline, Ingham should see reduced pressure on housing, potentially creating opportunities for buyers.

Ingham has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 28thth percentile nationally

The performance of an area is significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of 8 projects that are expected to impact the area. Notable projects include the North Queensland Bio-Energy Facility (Ingham), Moduline Ingham Expansion - Factory and Showroom, Atlantic North Ingham, and Residential Activation Fund - Hinchinbrook Housing. The following list details those projects likely to be most relevant.

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

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Employment conditions in Ingham face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Ingham's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs, with prominent essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 10.1% as of June 2025.

In that month, 1,807 residents were employed while the unemployment rate stood at 6.2%, surpassing Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation in Ingham was lower at 49.5%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key employment industries include health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and retail trade. Manufacturing is particularly specialized, with an employment share 2.2 times the regional level.

Conversely, construction has a limited presence, employing 5.2% of residents compared to the regional average of 10.1%. The worker-to-resident ratio was 0.7 at the Census, indicating local employment opportunities above the norm. Between June 2024 and June 2025, Ingham's labour force decreased by 2.2%, with employment declining by 5.1%, leading to a 2.8 percentage point increase in unemployment. This contrasts with Rest of Qld, where employment grew by 1.8% and unemployment rose by only 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Ingham's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.4% over five years and 12.2% over ten years, though these are simple weighted extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

Ingham's median income among taxpayers in financial year 2022 was $47,011. The average income stood at $55,615 during the same period. These figures are lower compared to Rest of Qld's median and average incomes of $50,780 and $64,844 respectively. Based on a 13.99% growth in wages since financial year 2022, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $53,588 (median) and $63,396 (average). Census data shows that household, family, and personal incomes in Ingham fall between the 4th and 13th percentiles nationally. The income bracket of $400 - 799 dominates with 29.2% of residents, while across the region, the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 31.7%. Despite modest housing costs allowing for 88.1% income retention, total disposable income ranks at just the 8th percentile nationally.

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

Ingham's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 86.5% houses and 13.6% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 89.5% houses and 10.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Ingham was 45.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 19.8% and rented ones at 34.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,083, below Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,213. Weekly rent median was $210 compared to Non-Metro Qld's $202. Nationally, Ingham's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,083 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Ingham features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 60.9% of all households, including 18.5% couples with children, 30.0% couples without children, and 11.5% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 39.1%, with lone person households at 36.7% and group households comprising 2.4%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.3.

Ingham faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area faces educational challenges with university qualification rates at 9.7%, significantly below Australia's average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 7.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.2%) and graduate diplomas (0.8%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 40.1% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas at 6.9% and certificates at 33.2%.

Educational participation is high, with 26.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes primary education at 9.8%, secondary education at 9.3%, and tertiary education at 2.1%. Ingham's five schools have a combined enrollment of 1,380 students, serving typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 957) with balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes two primary, two secondary, and one K-12 school. School capacity exceeds residential needs at 30.4 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 21.1, indicating the area serves as an educational center for the broader region.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

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

Ingham faces significant health challenges, with common conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low, at approximately 48% (around 2,162 people), compared to 49.9% in the rest of Queensland and a national average of 55.3%. The most frequent medical issues are arthritis (11.3%) and mental health problems (8.3%), while 60.9% report no medical ailments, compared to 66.2% in the rest of Queensland.

Ingham has 27.4% seniors aged 65 and over (1,246 people), higher than the 24.3% in the rest of Queensland. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges but perform better than the general population in health metrics.

Ingham is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Ingham's population showed low cultural diversity, with 89.6% being citizens, 89.6% born in Australia, and 92.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 74.6%, compared to 70.7% across Rest of Qld. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (24.2%), English (23.8%), and Italian (21.1%), with Italians being more represented than the regional average of 11.3%.

Other ethnicities showed variations: Spanish was higher at 0.9% in Ingham versus 0.6% regionally, Australian Aboriginal was lower at 6.2% compared to 8.1%, and Filipino was slightly higher at 1.2% against the regional average of 0.6%.

Ingham hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Ingham's median age is 48, which is higher than Rest of Qld's figure of 41 and significantly above the national norm of 38. The 75-84 age group constitutes 10.1% of Ingham's population compared to Rest of Qld, while the 35-44 cohort makes up 9.0%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 25 to 34 age group has increased from 10.1% to 11.7%, and the 45 to 54 cohort has decreased from 11.7% to 10.4%. By 2041, Ingham's age composition is expected to shift notably. The 65 to 74 group is projected to grow by 6 people, reaching 609 from 575, with those aged 65 and above comprising 75% of the projected growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 75 to 84 and 5 to 14 age groups.