Mareeba

Population growth drivers in Mareeba are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Mareeba's population was approximately 12,677 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 852 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 11,825. The increase is inferred from the estimated resident population of 12,602 in June 2024 and an additional 168 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density of 26 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Mareeba's population growth rate was 1.3% compound annually, outperforming its SA3 area. Overseas migration contributed approximately 46.4% to recent population gains, although all migration types were positive factors.

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. These state projections lack age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 using 2022 data for each age cohort. By 2041, Mareeba's population is projected to grow by 2,430 persons, reflecting an 18.6% increase over the 17-year period based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Mareeba among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Mareeba has averaged approximately 72 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 360 homes. As of FY-26, 36 approvals have been recorded. Each year, an average of 2.2 new residents per dwelling built has been gained between FY-21 and FY-25, reflecting strong demand that supports property values. The average construction cost value for new homes is $403,000, which is below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers.

In FY-26, there have been $16.0 million in commercial approvals, indicating moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Mareeba has slightly more development, with 12.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period, offering reasonable buyer options while sustaining existing property demand. Recent construction comprises 87.0% detached dwellings and 13.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's traditional low density character focused on family homes.

The location has approximately 180 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Mareeba is forecasted to gain 2,355 residents by 2041. Construction is currently maintaining a reasonable pace with projected growth, although buyers may face increasing competition as the population grows.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified nine projects likely to impact the area. Notable ones are Mareeba Retail Centre, Haren Street Residential Aged Care Facility, Mareeba CBD Project Blueprint, and Homes for Queenslanders - Mareeba Social Housing. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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.

Employment drivers in Mareeba are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Mareeba's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs with significant representation from essential services sectors. The unemployment rate in June 2025 was 6.1%.

As of this date, 5,833 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 2.2% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation was lower at 54.6%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key employment industries among residents included agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Notably, agriculture, forestry & fishing had an employment concentration 3.8 times the regional average.

Conversely, health care & social assistance showed lower representation at 13.5% compared to the regional average of 16.1%. Some residents commute for work opportunities outside Mareeba. In the 12 months prior, labour force decreased by 1.5%, and employment declined by 3.1%, leading to a 1.6 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. Meanwhile, Rest of Qld saw employment growth of 1.8% and labour force growth of 2.0%, with unemployment rising by 0.2 percentage points. State-level data from Nov-25 shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01%, losing 1,210 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%, closely aligned with the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Mareeba's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.5% over five years and 12.0% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not consider localized population projections.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

In AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2022, Mareeba SA2's median income among taxpayers is $45,578. The average income in the same period was $52,997. This is below the national average. In comparison, Rest of Qld had a median income of $50,780 and an average of $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Mareeba would be approximately $51,954 (median) and $60,411 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Mareeba all fall between the 19th and 26th percentiles nationally. In terms of income brackets, 29.3% of Mareeba's population (3,714 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 range, reflecting a pattern seen in the broader area where 31.7% similarly occupy this range. After housing costs, 85.4% of income remains, ranking at only the 21st percentile nationally.

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

Mareeba's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 89.3% houses and 10.6% other dwellings. This compares to Non-Metro Qld's 91.0% houses and 9.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Mareeba stood at 40.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 27.9% and rented ones at 32.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,495, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,430. The median weekly rent in Mareeba was $285, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $270. Nationally, Mareeba's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,495 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially lower at $285 compared to the national figure of $375.

Mareeba has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 69.5% of all households, including 24.7% couples with children, 30.6% couples without children, and 13.0% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 30.5%, with lone person households at 26.8% and group households comprising 3.6% of the total. The median household size is 2.5 people, larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.4.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 15.2%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.1%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Vocational credentials are held by 38.9% of residents aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 10.0% and certificates at 28.9%. Educational participation is high, with 28.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 12.0% in primary education, 9.8% in secondary education, and 2.1% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health outcomes in Mareeba are marginally below the national average with common health conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts

Mareeba's health indicators show below-average results with common health conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age groups. The area has a very low rate of private health cover at approximately 47% (around 5,920 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 8.5% and 6.6% of residents respectively. About 69.3% of residents claim to be completely clear of medical ailments, slightly higher than the Rest of Qld's 67.5%. Mareeba has 21.9% of residents aged 65 and over (around 2,773 people), which is lower than the Rest of Qld's 25.1%. Health outcomes among seniors in Mareeba are above average, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

In terms of cultural diversity, Mareeba records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Mareeba had a higher than average cultural diversity, with 19.0% of its population born overseas and 14.6% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Mareeba, comprising 58.6%, compared to 52.6% across the rest of Queensland. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (24.6%), English (23.3%), and Italian (10.7%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal representation was higher at 8.8% in Mareeba compared to 6.6% regionally, while Spanish was at 0.6% versus 0.3%, and Croatian at 0.8% versus 0.4%.

Mareeba's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Mareeba is 41 years, matching Rest of Qld's average and somewhat older than Australia's 38 years. Compared to Rest of Qld, Mareeba has a higher concentration of residents aged 75-84 (8.2%) but fewer residents aged 35-44 (11.7%). Post the 2021 Census, the age group 35 to 44 grew from 10.6% to 11.7%, while the 15 to 24 cohort increased from 10.7% to 11.8%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort declined from 12.5% to 11.4%. By 2041, demographic projections show significant shifts in Mareeba's age structure. Notably, the 25 to 34 group is projected to grow by 31%, reaching 2,272 from 1,730. Conversely, the 15 to 24 cohort is projected to decline by 132 people.