Mount Isa
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Mount Isa's population, as per AreaSearch's analysis, stood at approximately 18,343 by August 2025. This figure represents an increase of 26 individuals since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 18,317. The growth is inferred from ABS estimated resident population data of 18,356 as of June 2024 and the addition of 19 validated new addresses post-census. This results in a density ratio of 267 persons per square kilometer, indicating ample space per person with potential for further development. Mount Isa's 0.1% growth since census places it within 2.4 percentage points of the SA3 area (2.5%), suggesting competitive growth fundamentals. Natural growth primarily drove population growth, contributing approximately 64.7% of overall 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 from 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted, applying proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 using 2022 data for each age cohort. Future population trends indicate an overall decline by 619 persons to 2041, but specific age cohorts like the 25 to 34 group are projected to grow by 446 individuals over this period.

The level of residential development activity in Mount Isa is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Mount Isa has received approximately 10 dwelling approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics provides development approval data on a financial year basis. Between FY-21 and FY-25, around 53 dwellings were approved, with no approvals recorded so far in FY-26. Despite population decline, the relative level of development activity has been adequate for buyers.

New dwellings are developed at an average cost of $672,000, slightly above the regional average, suggesting a focus on quality developments. This financial year, $17.4 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating balanced commercial development activity. Compared to the rest of Queensland and nationally, Mount Isa shows about half the construction activity per person and ranks among the 14th percentile of areas assessed, which limits buyer options but strengthens demand for established homes. Recent construction activity has intensified, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints. New building activity consists of 11.0% detached houses and 89.0% townhouses or apartments, promoting higher-density living and affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. This marks a significant shift from the current housing mix of 76.0% houses, likely due to reduced development site availability and changing lifestyle demands.

The area's estimated population per dwelling approval is 4898 people, indicating a quiet, low activity development environment. With population expected to remain stable or decline, Mount Isa may experience reduced pressure on housing, potentially creating opportunities for buyers.

Mount Isa has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 25thth percentile nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified five projects likely impacting the area. Notable projects include Mount Isa Mines' Black Star Open Cut Project, Essential Pipeline Works for City Low and High Systems, Mount Isa Future Ready Economy initiative, and Parks Improvement Program.

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

AreaSearch analysis indicates Mount Isa maintains employment conditions that align with national benchmarks

Mount Isa has a skilled workforce with strong representation in manufacturing and industrial sectors. The unemployment rate was 3.8% as of June 2025.

In that month, 10,531 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate similar to the Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation was higher at 68.5%, compared to the Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key industries for employment among residents are mining, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Mining is particularly strong with an employment share 8.8 times the regional level.

However, construction shows lower representation at 4.3% versus the regional average of 10.1%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data analysis. From June 2024 to June 2025, the labour force increased by 0.3%, but employment declined by 0.5%, raising the unemployment rate by 0.8 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment growth of 1.8% and labour force growth of 2.0%, with a smaller rise in unemployment. As of Sep-25, Queensland's employment had contracted by 0.23%, losing 8,070 jobs, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 4.5% with employment growth of 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment to expand by 6.6% over five years and 12.0% over ten years. Applying these projections to Mount Isa's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.1%% over five years and 12.0% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released on 2022-06-30 for financial year 2022, Mount Isa had a median income among taxpayers of $71,448 and an average level of $81,957. This places Mount Isa among the highest in Australia compared to Rest of Qld's levels of $50,780 and $64,844 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Mount Isa would be approximately $79,815 (median) and $91,554 (average) as of March 2025. Census 2021 income data shows household, family, and personal incomes in Mount Isa rank highly nationally, between the 80th and 89th percentiles. Income distribution data indicates that the $1,500 - $2,999 earnings band captures 35.4% of Mount Isa's community (6,493 individuals), which aligns with the broader area where this cohort represents 31.7%. Economic strength in Mount Isa is evident through 33.2% of households achieving high weekly earnings exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. After housing costs, residents retain 88.7% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

Mount Isa is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Mount Isa's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, comprised 75.6% houses and 24.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 77.3% houses and 22.7% other dwellings. Mount Isa's home ownership was at 17.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 32.8% and rented ones at 49.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Mount Isa was $1,546, higher than Non-Metro Qld's $1,500. The median weekly rent figure in Mount Isa was $275, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $220. Nationally, Mount Isa's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,863 and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Mount Isa features high concentrations of group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 67.9 percent of all households, including 30.6 percent couples with children, 22.9 percent couples without children, and 13.2 percent single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 32.1 percent, with lone person households at 28.1 percent and group households making up 3.9 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.6 people, which aligns with the average for the Rest of Qld.

Mount Isa 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 18.6%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common, at 13.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.0%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 40.9% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (7.6%) and certificates (33.3%).

Educational participation is high, with 33.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 13.7% in primary education, 9.5% in secondary education, and 3.2% pursuing tertiary education. There are 15 schools serving 3,670 students in the area, including 8 primary, 5 secondary, and 2 K-12 schools.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Mount Isa's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Mount Isa's health outcomes show low prevalence of common conditions among younger cohorts. Approximately 61% of Mount Isa's total population (11,152) has private health cover, higher than Rest of Qld's 57.6%. Nationally, this figure stands at 55.3%.

The most prevalent conditions are asthma and mental health issues, affecting 7.2% and 5.6% respectively. 76.3% of residents report being clear of medical ailments, compared to Rest of Qld's 76.2%. Mount Isa has 8.5% of its population aged 65 and over (1,557 people), lower than Rest of Qld's 10.0%.

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

Mount Isa's cultural diversity aligns with its wider region, with 80.9% being citizens, 81.8% born in Australia, and 89.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Mount Isa, making up 51.6%, compared to 52.2% across Rest of Qld. The top three ancestry groups are Australian (25.6%), English (21.8%), and Australian Aboriginal (14.6%), which is lower than the regional average of 20%.

Notably, Maori representation is higher in Mount Isa at 1.8% compared to 1.3% regionally, Filipino representation is also higher at 3.0% vs 2.0%, and Samoan representation is slightly higher at 0.5% vs 0.4%.

Mount Isa hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Mount Isa's median age is 31 years, which is younger than Rest of Qld's 41 and considerably younger than Australia's national average of 38 years. The 25-34 age group comprises 18.9% of Mount Isa's population compared to Rest of Qld, while the 65-74 cohort makes up 4.9%. Between 2021 and present, the 25-34 age group has increased from 17.9% to 18.9%, whereas the 45-54 cohort has decreased from 12.1% to 10.7%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic shifts in Mount Isa. The 25-34 age group is projected to increase by 356 people (10%), rising from 3,470 to 3,827. Conversely, population declines are forecast for the 45-54 and 5-14 age cohorts.