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 around 12,677 as of November 2025. This reflects an increase of 852 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 11,825 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 12,602 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 168 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 26 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Mareeba has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%, outpacing the SA3 area. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 46.4% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted. These state projections do not provide age category splits, hence proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort are applied where utilised. Moving forward, an above median population growth of Australia's regional areas is projected, with Mareeba expected to grow by 2,430 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a gain of 18.6% in total over the 17 years.

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, 37 approvals have been recorded. Each year, an average of 2.2 new residents is gained per dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, reflecting strong demand that supports property values. The average construction cost value for new homes is $279,000, which is below the regional average, indicating more affordable housing options for buyers.

In this financial year, there have been $16.0 million in commercial approvals, demonstrating moderate levels of commercial development compared to the rest of Queensland. Over the past five years, Mareeba has seen slightly more development than the regional average per person, preserving 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 with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space.

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, which may lead to growing competition among buyers as the population increases.

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

Area infrastructure changes significantly influence local performance. AreaSearch identified nine projects potentially impacting the area. Key projects are Mareeba Retail Centre, Haren Street Residential Aged Care Facility, Mareeba CBD Project Blueprint, and Homes for Queenslanders - Mareeba Social Housing. Below details projects likely most relevant.

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

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

Mareeba has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs, prominent essential services sectors, and an unemployment rate of 7.7% as of September 2025. The employment rate is 3.6% higher than the Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%, indicating room for improvement.

Workforce participation is lower at 54.6%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key industries employing residents are agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Agriculture, forestry & fishing stands out with employment levels at 3.8 times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance has lower representation at 13.5% versus the regional average of 16.1%.

Some residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. In the 12 months prior, Mareeba's labour force decreased by 1.5%, and employment declined by 4.3%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 2.7 percentage points. Meanwhile, Rest of Qld saw employment growth of 1.7% and labour force growth of 2.1%, with unemployment rising by 0.3 percentage points. State-wide, Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1,210 jobs) as of 25-Nov, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Mareeba's employment mix suggests local employment could grow by 5.5% over five years and 12.0% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Mareeba SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $45,578 and an average of $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, estimated incomes for Mareeba as of September 2025 would be approximately $51,954 (median) and $60,411 (average). The 2021 Census data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Mareeba fall between the 19th and 26th percentiles nationally. Income brackets show that 29.3% of Mareeba's population, equating to 3,714 individuals, have incomes within the $1,500 - $2,999 range, reflecting a pattern seen in the broader area where 31.7% occupy this income range. After housing costs, 85.4% of income remains, ranking at the 21st percentile nationally.

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

Dwelling structure in Mareeba, as evaluated at the latest Census held on 28 August 2016, comprised 89.3% houses and 10.6% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This compares to Non-Metro Qld's dwelling structure of 91.0% houses and 9.0% other dwellings during the same period. Home ownership in Mareeba was recorded at 40.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 27.9% and rented dwellings at 32.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Mareeba as of this date was $1,495, while the median weekly rent figure stood at $285. Comparatively, Non-Metro Qld's median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,430 and median weekly rent was $270 during this period. Nationally, Mareeba's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863 as of 2016, while rents in Mareeba were substantially below the national figure of $375 recorded at that time.

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

Family households constitute 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 comprise the remaining 30.5%, with lone person households at 26.8% and group households making up 3.6%. 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 prevalent, with 38.9% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.0%) and certificates (28.9%). Educational participation is high, with 28.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 12.0% in primary, 9.8% in secondary, and 2.1% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably 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. Private health cover is very low, at approximately 47% of Mareeba's total population (~5,920 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (8.5%) and mental health issues (6.6%). About 69.3% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.5% in Rest of Qld. Mareeba has 21.9% of residents aged 65 and over (2,773 people), lower than the 25.1% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors 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's cultural diversity is notable, with 19.0% of its population born overseas and 14.6% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Mareeba, comprising 58.6%, compared to 52.6% across the rest of Queensland. The top three ancestry groups are Australian (24.6%), English (23.3%), and Italian (10.7%).

Some ethnic groups have higher representation than average: Australian Aboriginal at 8.8% in Mareeba versus 6.6% regionally, Spanish at 0.6% compared to 0.3%, and Croatian at 0.8% against 0.4%.

Mareeba's population is slightly older than the national pattern

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