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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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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Mareeba has an estimated 12,784 residents, up from 11,825 at the 2021 Census — a change of 959 people, or 8.1%. Growth has averaged 1.3% a year over five years. 213 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Overseas migration accounts for 56.0% of that increase. Density is about 27 people per square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Demographic assessments by AreaSearch indicate that Mareeba accommodates an estimated 12,784 residents as of Aug 2026. Relative to the 11,825 individuals recorded in the 2021 Census, this marks an expansion of 959 people (8.1%). Such growth is calculated utilizing the ABS June 2025 estimated resident population of 12,752 alongside 213 validated new addresses identified following the Census. With 26 persons per square kilometer, the locality maintains a low-density living environment with considerable personal space. Expanding by 8.1% since the 2021 census, Mareeba outperformed the broader SA3 area (7.6%) and the SA4 region to emerge as a prominent local growth hub.
Inward overseas migration served as the primary growth catalyst, generating roughly 56.0% of total demographic additions in recent times, supplemented by positive inflows from natural increase and interstate migration. SA2 geographic projections published by ABS/Geoscience Australia in 2024 (anchored to a 2022 baseline) form the foundation of AreaSearch's modeling. Where SA2 coverage is absent, as well as across horizons extending beyond 2032, Queensland State Government SA2 figures released in 2023 from 2021 data are substituted. Because state datasets omit age-specific breakdowns, AreaSearch applies cohort weightings aligned with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (published in 2023 with a 2022 base year). Over the longer term, demographic expansion is anticipated to track above national non-metropolitan medians, with the community projected to add 2,294 persons by 2041 relative to recent annual ERP baselines, representing a cumulative rise of 17.7% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
327 new dwellings have been approved in Mareeba over the past five years, an average of 65 a year. That places the area in the 73rd percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 5 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 66 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 85% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential building approvals in Mareeba have tracked at approximately 65 dwellings annually, totaling 327 homes sanctioned across the preceding 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26). With an intake averaging 2.4 new residents per year for each dwelling over the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26), underlying housing demand remains robust, while mean construction costs sit at $386,000—a figure lower than regional averages that highlights competitive entry-level pricing. Alongside residential activity, commercial approvals reached $16.0 million during the current financial year, signaling steady non-residential investment. Per capita building volumes in Mareeba align closely with benchmarks across Rest of Qld, underpinning overall market equilibrium.
Detached houses constitute 85.0% of recent construction activity while attached dwellings account for 15.0%, preserving the district's low-density profile and catering to household demand for standalone space. With roughly 192 people per approval, the local property landscape exhibits features typical of an evolving market. Projections based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate suggest Mareeba will take in an extra 2,262 residents leading up to 2041. While current residential construction tracks in step with expected demographic gains, sustained population expansion may intensify competition for available housing stock.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Mareeba
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 8 current infrastructure and development projects inside Mareeba, worth an estimated $263 million. A further 42 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $2.75 billion. 19 are already under construction and 24 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and energy. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Infrastructure investments and urban development initiatives significantly shape local economic performance, with AreaSearch tracking 10 key projects expected to influence the locality. Major initiatives include the Haren Street Residential Aged Care Facility, Mareeba Retail Centre, Mareeba CBD Project Blueprint, and Homes for Queenslanders - Mareeba Social Housing, with core developments detailed below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Haren Street Residential Aged Care Facility
The Haren Street Residential Aged Care Facility is an approved 120-bed single-level aged care development designed across a 2.89-hectare site in Mareeba, North Queensland. Proposed by Croft Developments Pty Ltd, the facility comprises four distinct 30-bed residential wings, specialized memory and dementia support units, nurse stations, dining hubs, and landscaped courtyards. The development application was approved by Mareeba Shire Council and stands shovel-ready.
Mareeba Central
Mareeba Central is an approved neighbourhood shopping centre planned for the former sawmill site at 232 Byrnes Street and Close Avenue, Mareeba. The approved development comprises a Woolworths supermarket, retail tenancies, a food and drink outlet and on-site parking. Council approved the original material change of use in March 2023 and considered a minor change application in August 2025 for updated plans, retail floor area changes, layout modifications and an increase to 253 car parking spaces.A September 2025 report said Council support for freeholding a 1128 sqm government land parcel may have removed the final tenure hurdle, with the developer aiming to start once documentation is resolved and targeting operation by April 2027.
Mareeba Solar Farm
A 72MW ground-mounted solar photovoltaic facility spanning 110 hectares on the Atherton Tablelands. The project utilizes approximately 196,000 solar modules to generate 147GWh of clean energy annually, enough to power over 18,000 homes. Developed by ACE Power in partnership with Osaka Gas Energy Oceania, it connects to the grid via the nearby Turkinje Substation.
Mareeba CBD Project Blueprint
A $2.14 million revitalisation initiative funded by the Australian Government's regional Precincts and Partnerships Program (rPPP) to develop construction-ready plans for Mareeba's CBD. The Masterplan was formally endorsed at the February 2026 Council meeting following extensive community engagement involving over 800 participants. Key priorities include upgrading stormwater infrastructure, improving lighting and pedestrian safety along Byrnes Street, enhancing accessibility, creating shaded green spaces, improving wayfinding, celebrating Mareeba's heritage through public art and signage, and revitalising key streets with outdoor dining and event spaces.Detailed design work will proceed through 2026 with Council to seek State and Federal construction funding upon completion.
Mareeba Research Facility Upgrades
Upgrade of fruit handling laboratories at Mareeba research facility, enabling scientists to provide research services to expanding and new horticultural industries. Part of Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries infrastructure program.
Homes for Queenslanders - Mareeba Social Housing
New social housing development providing affordable housing options for vulnerable Queenslanders. Part of Queensland Government's Homes for Queenslanders program targeting key regional centres with housing supply challenges.
Enviroplas Recycling Plant
A major recycling facility transforming 6,000 tonnes of agricultural, commercial, and consumer plastic waste annually into products like plastic bags and clips for the banana industry. The facility employs 45 people across three shifts and promotes a circular economy, supported by a $1.08 million grant from the Queensland Recycling Modernisation Fund. The operation processes various plastic types including PP bags, twine ropes, HDPE, and LDPE into pelletized forms.
Kennedy Highway Safety Upgrades (Mareeba to Atherton)
Safety upgrades delivered along approximately 21 km of the Kennedy Highway between Mareeba and Atherton. Works included wide centre line treatments, audio tactile line marking, shoulder widening, safety barriers and targeted intersection upgrades (turning lanes, bike lanes, improved lighting and line marking).
5,642 residents of Mareeba are employed, from a labour force of 6,156. Unemployment sits at 8.3%, with participation at 58.4%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.5% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Mareeba's labor market comprises a combination of white-collar and blue-collar occupations, underpinned by solid representation across core community services, alongside an unemployment rate of 8.3%. In March 2026, employed locals numbered 5,642, yet joblessness sits 4.4% higher than the 3.9% recorded across Regional Qld, and the local participation rate of 58.4% trails the 64.2% regional benchmark. Census data showed only 8.0% of workers working remotely from home, a metric influenced by prevailing Covid-19 restrictions at the time. Leading employment sectors across the district include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade.
Agricultural industries exhibit exceptional local concentration, employing personnel at 3.8 times the wider regional rate. Conversely, health care & social assistance accounts for 13.5% of local jobs, below the 16.1% benchmark across Regional Qld. Comparisons between local working-resident numbers and resident workforce counts suggest a significant portion of the population commutes outside the boundary for work. SALM and ABS data reviewed by AreaSearch shows that during the 12 months to March 2026, the local workforce contracted by 2.0% as overall employment fell by 5.6%, driving a 3.5 percentage points increase in unemployment. Over the same timeline in Regional Qld, employment grew by 0.1%, the workforce expanded by 0.3%, and the jobless rate climbed by 0.1 percentage points. Long-term labor expectations are contextualized by Jobs and Skills Australia projections from Mar-26. Nationally, employment is modeled to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with performance varying by industry. Applying these sector trajectories to Mareeba's specific industry distribution yields modeled local employment growth of 5.5% over five years and 12.0% over ten years (representing a standardized weighting framework for illustration rather than localized population forecasting).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Mareeba is $1,282 a week (about $67,000 a year), with median personal income at $689 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $46,075 a year against an average of $54,654. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Taxation records compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicate that taxpayer earnings across the Mareeba SA2 sit below nationwide averages. The median taxable income within the Mareeba SA2 reached $46,075 with a mean of $54,654, trailing Regional Qld benchmarks of $53,146 and $66,593. Incorporating cumulative Wage Price Index gains of 11.36% since financial year 2023, modeled figures for March 2026 sit at approximately $51,309 (median) and $60,863 (average). Census findings from 2021 place local family, household, and individual earnings between the 19th and 26th percentiles across Australia. The $1,500 - 2,999 weekly earnings bracket encompasses 29.3% of local residents (3,745 individuals), close to the 31.7% share recorded across the region.
Retained income following housing costs stands at 85.4%, positioning the area in the 21st percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Mareeba had 4,281 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 89% detached houses and 7% apartments. 28% are owned with a mortgage, 32% rented and 40% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $285 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,495 a month. Rent absorbs 22.2% of household income here and mortgage repayments 26.9%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the most recent Census, the local housing landscape in Mareeba consisted of 89.3% standalone houses and 10.6% other dwellings (including semi-detached properties, apartments, and alternative structures), compared to 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings throughout Regional Qld. Outright property ownership reached 40.1%, well above regional norms, while mortgaged properties accounted for 27.9% and rental accommodation made up 32.1%. Typical monthly mortgage payments were $1,495 against $1,655 across Regional Qld, and median weekly rent stood at $285 compared to $345 regionally. Relative to nationwide figures, Mareeba's mortgage expenses sit substantially below the Australian average of $1,863, with median rent tracking well below the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Mareeba counted 4,281 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 4,628 today, averaging 2.5 people each. 25% are couples with children, against 31% couples without children. 27% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.0 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the primary living arrangement locally at 69.5% of households, consisting of couples without children (30.6%), couples with children (24.7%), and single parent families (13.0%). Non-family residences represent the remaining 30.5%, comprising lone person households (26.8%) and group dwellings (3.6%). The average household size stands at 2.5 people, equaling the figure recorded across Regional Qld.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
15.2% of adults in Mareeba hold a university qualification, including 11.6% with a bachelor degree and 2.1% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 84% of areas nationally. A further 28.9% hold a vocational qualification. 5 schools serve the area, with 2,531 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 949 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Attainment of higher education qualifications in the district stands at 15.2%, trailing the nationwide level of 30.4% and highlighting scope for further training development. Bachelor degree holders constitute 11.6% of the population, with postgraduate qualifications at 2.1% and graduate diplomas accounting for 1.5%. Vocational training is widely held, with 38.9% of residents aged 15+ possessing trade or technical credentials, split between advanced diplomas (10.0%) and certificates (28.9%). Formal study participation is strong locally, with 28.7% of the community undertaking an educational course. Primary school attendees comprise 12.0% of residents, secondary students account for 9.8%, and 2.1% are engaged in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Mareeba means driving: households keep an average of 1.5 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
69.3% of residents in Mareeba report no long-term health condition. 6.3% need daily assistance with core activities, and 46.8% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.4 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators compiled by AreaSearch show outcomes below broader averages regarding chronic illness and mortality, with common ailments exhibiting a slightly higher prevalence across both younger and older cohorts. Private health insurance participation is low, encompassing roughly 47% of residents (~5,982 people), compared with 52.5% in Regional Qld and 55.7% across Australia. Arthritis and mental health conditions represent the leading reported diagnoses locally, affecting 8.5% and 6.6% of residents respectively, while 69.3% reported no long-term medical ailments compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Health metrics across the working-age cohort remain standard.
Residents aged 65 and over comprise 22.4% of the population (2,864 people), above the 20.3% regional level, with senior health indicators outperforming regional averages and ranking higher against national benchmarks than the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Mareeba is largely Australian-born, at 81.0% of residents, with 14.6% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (24.6%) and English (23.3%). 8.8% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Mareeba displays elevated cultural diversity, with overseas-born individuals representing 19.0% of the community and 14.6% using a language other than English in their households. Christianity is the predominant religious affiliation, practiced by 58.6% of residents compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld. Regarding ancestral background based on parental birthplace, the primary cohorts in Mareeba are Australian (24.6%), English (23.3%, vs 29.6% regionally), and Italian (10.7%, exceeding the regional share of 2.4%). Notable local representations are also evident among Australian Aboriginal residents at 8.8% (vs 3.9% regionally), Croatian ancestry at 0.8% (vs 0.2%), and Spanish at 0.6% (vs 0.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Mareeba is 41. 25.1% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The age distribution in Mareeba aligns closely with Regional Qld benchmarks, showing a maximum variance of 2.1 percentage points across broad age categories. The median age is estimated at 41, matching both the 2021 Census baseline and the Regional Qld figure from the same Census. The most noticeable shift since the Census occurred among residents aged 25 - 44, which increased from 24.0% to an estimated 25.5%. Projections indicate that individuals aged 65+ will account for the majority of additions by 2041, increasing by 953 residents (33%) to a total of 3,818.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Mareeba
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 last month all 8 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 213 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (11,825 at the 2021 Census → 12,784 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (306051170). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.