Chart Color Schemes
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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Sales Activity
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Sales Detail
What it costs to rent in Malanda - Yungaburra
Median weekly rents, year-on-year movement and bond-lodgement activity for Malanda - Yungaburra (4886). Sourced from the NSW Rental Bond Board, DCJ Family & Community Services.
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| Dwelling | Bedrooms | Median $/wk | Active bonds | New bonds (Qtr) | YoY | Quality |
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SOURCE: NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ Family & Community Services), processed by AreaSearch. Imputed values are flagged. Latest publication:
Population
Malanda - Yungaburra has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends
As of May 2026, Malanda-Yungaburra's population is approximately 9,813. This figure represents a rise of 718 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 9,095. The increase was inferred from ABS estimated resident population data and validated new addresses between June 2025 and the Census date. The population density is around 7.8 persons per square kilometer. Malanda-Yungaburra's growth rate of 7.9% since the 2021 Census exceeds that of its SA3 area (7.3%) and SA4 region, positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Interstate migration contributed approximately 81.4% 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 released in 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted. However, these state projections lack age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data for each age cohort. By 2041, Malanda-Yungaburra's population is projected to increase by approximately 631 persons, reflecting a total increase of 5.3% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Malanda - Yungaburra among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide
Malanda - Yungaburra averaged approximately 61 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, with a total of 308 homes approved during this period. In the current financial year FY-26, 79 dwellings have been approved so far. On average, each dwelling built has resulted in an increase of 2.1 new residents per year over these five years, indicating strong demand which supports property values.
The average expected construction cost value for new homes is $356,000. This financial year has seen $4.7 million in commercial approvals registered, reflecting the area's predominantly residential nature. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Malanda - Yungaburra shows elevated construction activity, with 25.0% more dwelling approvals per person over the past five years.
Recent construction comprises 98.0% detached dwellings and 2.0% attached dwellings, maintaining the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. There are approximately 156 people per dwelling approval in the location, suggesting an expanding market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Malanda - Yungaburra is projected to add 518 residents by 2041. Given current development patterns, new housing supply should meet demand, offering favorable conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating further population growth beyond current projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Malanda - Yungaburra
Loading development applications…
| 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.
Infrastructure
Malanda - Yungaburra has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally
Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 16 projects likely affecting the area. Notable projects include Atherton Hospital Redevelopment, Atherton Large Format Retail Precinct, Priors Creek Development, and Vernon Apartments. The following list details those most relevant.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Atherton Hospital Redevelopment
The $86.4 million redevelopment of Atherton Hospital delivered modern healthcare infrastructure for the Tablelands region. Key components include a new four-storey Clinical Services Building housing a state-of-the-art emergency department, medical imaging, maternity services with birth suites, operating and endoscopy theatres, and a sterilising unit. The project also delivered a Community, Allied and Mental Health Building, a new helipad, and an engineering services building. A final $12.9 million stage involving the refurbishment of the existing South Ward was initiated in late 2025 to further boost oncology services and inpatient capacity.
Cairns Water Security Stage 1 Project
Cairns Water Security Stage 1 is a $472 million integrated drinking water supply project at Gordonvale. It includes a Mulgrave River intake, a new water treatment plant, 5 ML and 8 ML reservoirs, about 30 km of pipeline and Behana Creek intake flood protection works. John Holland is delivering the design and construction for Cairns Regional Council. Construction is well advanced, with more than 25 km of pipeline installed by early 2026, major intake, reservoir and treatment plant works underway, and major construction targeted for mid-2026 with commissioning to follow.
Mount Peter Priority Development Area
Declared in July 2025, the 2,650-hectare Mount Peter PDA is the primary long-term growth corridor for Cairns, designed to accommodate 18,500 homes and 42,500 residents by 2050. As of April 2026, Cairns Regional Council is actively seeking 450 million AUD through the Residential Activation Fund (RAF) to fast-track critical trunk infrastructure, including water mains, wastewater pump stations, and transport upgrades for Precinct 1. While the permanent Development Scheme is being finalized for late 2026, 'Precinct 1 - Residential North' is currently open for accelerated development applications to provide immediate housing relief.
Atherton Large Format Retail Precinct
A major retail development spanning 16,400sqm designed to revitalize the Tablelands economy. The precinct features a new Bunnings Warehouse as the anchor tenant, alongside a Harvey Norman and other national large-format retailers. The project includes specialized showrooms, hardware supplies, and garden centers with over 400 parking spaces. It is situated adjacent to the John Cole Toyota dealership and is expected to create over 160 permanent jobs while significantly reducing retail leakage to Cairns.
Priors Creek Development
The Priors Creek Development transforms a disused rail corridor into a family-oriented mixed-use leisure area with an urban plaza for markets, a 1000-person amphitheatre, nature-based playground, shared paths, Indigenous culture showcase, public art, and commercial opportunities including short-stay accommodation and units to boost economic activity and community engagement.
Kaban Green Power Hub
157 MW wind farm with 28 turbines located near Ravenshoe in the Atherton Tablelands, Far North Queensland. Generates approximately 460,000 MWh annually, powering around 95,900 homes. Developed, owned and operated by Neoen with a long-term PPA with CleanCo. Includes associated transmission upgrades. Approval exists for a future 100 MW battery storage system (not yet constructed). No solar component.
Mareeba Solar Farm
A 72MW ground-mounted solar photovoltaic farm spanning 110 hectares with 196,000 solar modules, expected to generate 147GWh annually, power 18,723 households, and offset 121,171 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. The project was approved by Mareeba Shire Council and is being developed by ACE Power in partnership with Osaka Gas Energy Oceania.
Draft Far North Queensland Regional Plan 2025
Queensland Government review of the Far North Queensland Regional Plan 2009, now advanced to the Draft Far North Queensland Regional Plan 2025. Public consultation ran from 12 November 2025 to 5 January 2026 and submissions are being reviewed before finalisation. The plan provides a statutory regional growth framework for housing, jobs, biodiversity, liveable communities and coordinated infrastructure across Far North Queensland, including a target range of 34,455 to 48,485 new homes by 2046 and a supporting draft FNQ Infrastructure Plan 2025.
Employment
Despite maintaining a low unemployment rate of 3.8%, Malanda - Yungaburra has experienced recent job losses, resulting in a below average employment performance ranking when compared nationally
Malanda-Yungaburra has an unemployment rate of 3.8% as of December 2025, with 4,497 residents employed. This is 0.2% lower than Regional Qld's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation in the area is at 58.2%, compared to Regional Qld's 64.5%.
According to Census responses, 17.1% of residents work from home. Leading employment industries are agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Agriculture, forestry & fishing is particularly notable, with employment levels at 3.3 times the regional average. However, health care & social assistance is under-represented, at 13.5% compared to Regional Qld's 16.1%.
Over the 12 months to December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 1.2%, employment declined by 2.9%, and unemployment rose by 1.7 percentage points. In contrast, Regional Qld saw employment rise by 0.7% and a 1.0% growth in the labour force, with unemployment rising by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Malanda-Yungaburra's employment should increase by 5.8% over five years and 12.4% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data
The median taxpayer income in Malanda - Yungaburra SA2 was $43,169 and the average was $54,252 according to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023. This is lower than national averages; Regional Qld had a median income of $53,146 and an average of $66,593. By March 2026, estimated incomes would be approximately $48,073 (median) and $60,415 (average), based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Malanda - Yungaburra ranked between the 19th and 21st percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. Income analysis showed that 27.4% of residents (2,688 people) earned within the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket, reflecting a pattern seen in the surrounding region where 31.7% occupied this range. Despite modest housing costs allowing for 88.7% income retention, total disposable income ranked at just the 26th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 4th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Malanda - Yungaburra is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership
The dwelling structure in Malanda - Yungaburra, as per the latest Census, consisted of 95.1% houses and 4.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Regional Qld's 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Malanda - Yungaburra stood at 51.1%, with the rest either mortgaged (28.0%) or rented (20.9%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,430, below Regional Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent figure was $260, compared to Regional Qld's $345. Nationally, Malanda - Yungaburra's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Malanda - Yungaburra has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size
Family households constitute 72.2% of all households, including 24.3% couples with children, 38.1% couples without children, and 9.4% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 27.8%, with lone person households at 25.2% and group households comprising 2.6%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Regional Queensland average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Educational outcomes in Malanda - Yungaburra fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment
Educational qualifications in the Malanda-Yungaburra trail region show that 21.4% of residents aged 15 and above have university degrees, compared to Australia's 30.4%. This indicates potential for educational development. Bachelor degrees are most common at 14.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.2%) and graduate diplomas (2.6%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 41.9% of residents aged 15 and above holding them - advanced diplomas account for 11.5% and certificates for 30.4%.
Educational participation is high, with 27.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.6% in primary education, 10.1% in secondary education, and 2.2% pursuing tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
No public transport data available for this catchment area.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Malanda - Yungaburra's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts
Health data for Malanda - Yungaburra shows positive outcomes, aligning with national benchmarks. Common health conditions are seen across both young and old age groups. Private health cover is low at 47% (approx.
4,592 people), compared to Regional Qld's 52.5% and the national average of 55.7%. The most common conditions are arthritis (9.6%) and mental health issues (7%). About 67% of residents report no medical ailments, similar to Regional Qld's 67.6%. Working-age population health outcomes are typical. The area has a higher proportion of seniors at 28.9% (approx. 2,833 people), compared to Regional Qld's 20.4%. Senior health outcomes rank high nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
Malanda - Yungaburra is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics
Malanda-Yungaburra showed lower cultural diversity with 87.9% citizens, 84.8% born in Australia, and 95.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion at 51.3%, compared to 52.2% regionally. Top ancestry groups were English (30.0%), Australian (28.9%), and Irish (9.8%).
Notably, German (5.1%) and Scottish (8.4%) were more represented than the regional averages of 4.7% and 7.8%, respectively.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Malanda - Yungaburra ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide
The median age in Malanda - Yungaburra is 51, which is higher than the Regional Queensland figure of 41 and Australia's national average of 38 years. The 65-74 age cohort is notably over-represented in Malanda - Yungaburra at 16.6%, compared to the Regional Queensland average, while those aged 25-34 are under-represented at 6.4%. This concentration of the 65-74 age group is well above the national figure of 9.4%. Between 2021 and present, the 75-84 age group has grown from 8.2% to 9.6% of the population, while the 55-64 cohort has declined from 17.2% to 16.2%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Malanda - Yungaburra's age structure. The 85+ age cohort is projected to increase by 189 people (74%), from 258 to 448. Senior residents aged 65 and above will drive 55% of population growth, highlighting demographic aging trends. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 55-64 and 15-24 age cohorts.