Port Douglas
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Port Douglas are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Port Douglas' population, as per AreaSearch's analysis, stood at approximately 6,030 by November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 448 individuals (8.0%) since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 5,582. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 6,024 as of June 2024 and an additional 459 validated new addresses since the Census date. This equates to a density ratio of 31 persons per square kilometer. Port Douglas' growth rate exceeded that of its SA3 area (6.5%) and SA4 region, positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 97.4% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are used, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Based on projected demographic shifts, a significant population increase is forecast for the top quartile of regional areas nationally. Port Douglas is expected to grow by 1,672 persons to 2041, recording a gain of 27.1% in total over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Port Douglas according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Port Douglas has seen approximately 20 new homes approved annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25103 homes were approved, with a further three approved in FY-26. On average, 4.2 new residents arrive per year for each dwelling constructed during this period.

This demand significantly outpaces supply, typically exerting upward pressure on prices and intensifying competition among buyers. The average construction value of new homes is $547,000, indicating that developers are targeting the premium market segment with higher-end properties. In FY-26, $3.3 million in commercial approvals have been registered, reflecting the area's primarily residential nature.

Compared to the Rest of Qld, Port Douglas has 13.0% less new development per person. Nationally, it ranks at the 22nd percentile for areas assessed, suggesting limited buyer options while strengthening demand for established dwellings. All new construction in the area consists of detached dwellings, maintaining its traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. This is notable as developers are constructing more detached housing than the existing pattern implies (55.0% at Census), reflecting strong persistent demand for family homes despite densification trends. The estimated population per dwelling approval in Port Douglas is 750, indicating its quiet, low activity development environment. Population forecasts project a gain of 1,637 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Port Douglas has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 3rdth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified a total of 21 projects likely to impact the area. Key projects include BeCHe Estate, New Port Estate (Stage 2), 71-85 Port Douglas Road Development Site (Fairmont Resort Refused), and Coral Biobank. 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.

Port Douglas ranks among the top 25% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance

Port Douglas has a highly educated workforce with tourism and hospitality sectors being prominent. Its unemployment rate is 1.6% as of June 2025.

There are 3,631 residents employed while the unemployment rate is 2.3% lower than Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation is similar to Rest of Qld at 59.1%. Key industries include accommodation & food, retail trade, and health care & social assistance. Port Douglas specializes in accommodation & food with an employment share of 4.1 times the regional level but has a lower proportion of health care & social assistance workers at 7.9% compared to Rest of Qld's 16.1%.

The worker-to-resident ratio is 0.6, indicating above-norm local employment opportunities. Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force decreased by 1.5% and employment by 1.8%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.3 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of Qld had employment growth of 1.8%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Port Douglas' employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.9% over five years and 12.3% over ten years.

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 that income in Port Douglas is lower than average on a national basis. The median income is $45,118 and the average income stands at $55,853. This contrasts with Rest of Qld's figures where the median income is $50,780 and the average income is $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $51,430 (median) and $63,667 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals that personal income ranks at the 54th percentile ($824 weekly), while household income sits at the 32nd percentile. The data shows that 34.5% of the population (2,080 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, reflecting patterns seen in metropolitan regions where 31.7% similarly occupy this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 82.7% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 30th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Port Douglas displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Dwelling structure in Port Douglas, as evaluated at the latest Census held on 28 August 2016, comprised 54.7% houses and 45.3% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This is compared to Non-Metro Qld's dwelling structure of 74.1% houses and 25.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Port Douglas stood at 31.9%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (31.6%) or rented (36.5%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,665, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $350. Nationally, Port Douglas's mortgage repayments are significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, as per ABS data from 2017-18, while rents are less than the national figure of $375 during the same period.

Port Douglas features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 64.3% of all households, including 19.1% couples with children, 37.9% couples without children, and 6.4% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 35.7%, with lone person households at 28.8% and group households making up 7.1%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.3.

Port Douglas performs slightly above the national average for education, showing competitive qualification levels and steady academic outcomes

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates at 27.3% of residents aged 15+, surpassing the Rest of Qld average of 20.6% and the SA3 area rate of 21.1%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 20.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.6%) and graduate diplomas (2.1%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 43.1% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 13.9% and certificates at 29.2%.

Educational participation is high, with 27.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 8.7% in primary, 7.7% in secondary, and 3.8% pursuing tertiary education. Port Douglas's three schools have a combined enrollment of 225 students, operating under typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 1015) with balanced educational opportunities. Educational provision is conventional, split between one primary and two secondary institutions. School capacity is limited locally at 3.7 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 11.5, leading many families to travel nearby for schooling. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Port Douglas's residents are extremely healthy with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Analysis shows Port Douglas had consistently good health performance with low prevalence of common conditions across all ages. Private health cover was found to be lower than the national average at approximately 48% (around 2,894 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions were arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 7.0% and 7.0% of residents respectively. A total of 73.6% reported no medical ailments, higher than the Rest of Qld's 71.7%. In Port Douglas, 21.1% of residents are aged 65 or above (1,272 people). Health outcomes among seniors were notably strong, outperforming the general population in health metrics.

Port Douglas was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Port Douglas had a higher cultural diversity compared to most local areas, with 14.0% speaking a language other than English at home and 34.2% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion in Port Douglas, comprising 39.3%. Judaism, however, showed an overrepresentation of 0.3%, compared to 0.2% regionally.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (31.1%), Australian (22.6%), and Irish (8.8%). There were notable differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Spanish was higher at 1.5% (vs regional 0.9%), French at 1.0% (vs 0.8%), and Hungarian at 0.4% (vs 0.3%).

Port Douglas hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Port Douglas has a median age of 44 years, which is slightly higher than the Rest of Qld average of 41 and considerably older than Australia's median age of 38. The age profile shows that individuals aged 25-34 are particularly prominent, making up 20.4% of the population, while those aged 5-14 make up a relatively smaller proportion at 6.9%. This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is well above the national average of 14.5%. Between 2021 and the present, the area has become younger, with the median age dropping from 45 to 44 years. During this period, the 25-34 age group grew from 17.3% to 20.4%, while the 45-54 cohort declined from 13.4% to 11.4% and the 55-64 group dropped from 16.2% to 14.9%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Port Douglas, with the 25-34 age cohort projected to grow by 41%, adding 505 residents to reach a total of 1,739. The 15-24 age group is expected to grow more modestly at 2%, adding only 7 residents.