Area profile · Rest of Qld
South Townsville - Railway Estate has an estimated 5,653 residents, up 6.7% since the 2021 Census, with 41 projects tracked in the area around South Townsville - Railway Estate.
Updated 14 Oct 2026.
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01Profile
The analysis, national rankings and who lives there.
Located 1,107 kilometres northwest from Brisbane CBD, the South Townsville - Railway Estate Statistical Area (Lv2) blends rich heritage charm with modern urban functionality. Celebrated for its historic architecture, traditional Queenslanders, and newer residences, the locality offers a relaxed atmosphere supported by scenic waterways, green spaces, and cycling paths. A strong community spirit thrives alongside local cafes, galleries, and markets. Demographically, AreaSearch estimates the population at around 5,653 as of Aug 2026, marking an increase of 357 people (6.7%) from the 5,296 residents recorded at the 2021 Census. This growth is drawn from an ABS Estimated Resident Population (ERP) of 5,618 as of June 2025 and 47 Validated New Addresses added since the Census.
The demographic structure exhibits a median age of 39, with households largely characterised by lone person households and group households, contributing to a low average household size.
Estimated resident population by year (ABS, not Census counts): 4,798 in 2001 and 5,618 in 2025. The dashed segment ends at the AreaSearch estimate for Aug 2026: 5,653 (ABS June 2025 base).
Share of residents in each age band (ABS age profile, scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate). Largest: 25 to 34, 17.6%.
Share of households in each weekly household income band (2021 Census). Largest: $1,500 - 2,999, 33%.
South Townsville - Railway Estate ranks in the 81st percentile nationally for infrastructure drivers and the 73rd for amenities.
Each bar and spoke is a national percentile; the dashed ring is the typical area. 99th = higher than 99 in every 100 neighbourhood-sized areas across Australia (ABS SA2 areas). Higher means more of the measure, not necessarily better. Orange marks the top three measures where a higher percentile is better; not Age, Housing or Housing Cost.
02Market and pipeline
Rents, sale prices and what is being built.
The median rent in South Townsville - Railway Estate is $502 a week, up 5.7% over 12 months to Jun 2026 and 22% below Regional Qld.
22% below Regional Qld on median weekly rent
Median weekly rent by year, lodged bonds. Houses (solid line): $324 in 2017, $580 in 2026; Units (dashed orange line): $279 in 2017, $485 in 2026. The latest is to Jun 2026.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $502 a week | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Change in median rent over 12 months | +5.7% | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Median rent, houses | $580 a week | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Change in median rent for houses over 12 months | +6.4% | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Median rent, units | $485 a week | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Change in median rent for units over 12 months | +5.4% | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Median rent, Townsville | $523 a week | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Change in median rent, Townsville, over 12 months | +7.5% | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Median rent, Regional Qld | $640 a week | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Change in median rent, Regional Qld, over 12 months | +6.9% | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Median rent, QLD | $632 a week | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Change in median rent, QLD, over 12 months | +7.3% | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 |
See the development applications we track, then draw your own catchment and map retailers, health, schools and more.
Status of the 11 tracked applications: 2 approved, 0 under assessment, 9 other (refused, withdrawn or no status).
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AreaSearch tracks 41 projects in and around South Townsville - Railway Estate, 14 of them under construction.
The $251 million Channel Upgrade is the first stage of the 30-year, $1.6 billion Port Expansion Project.
Weststate Private Hospital is a $60 million short-stay private hospital at 8 Wilson Street, West End, Townsville, developed by Centuria…
Port of Townsville channel upgrade, the first stage of a 30-year port expansion, which widened the shipping channel to take vessels up to…
A $65 million luxury waterfront apartment tower by Maidment Group, comprising 18 residences (15 three-bedroom apartments and 3 sky homes)…
A $1 billion master-planned expansion of the Townsville Breakwater precinct by Morris Group.
A development of 19 units with associated office and food and drink facilities in the neighbouring suburb of North Ward, approved by…
Townsville City Council is delivering roadworks on Francis Street between Henry Street and Leigh Street, West End.
A $40 million expansion of Mater Private Hospital Townsville consolidating all services onto the Pimlico campus.
Premium acreage estate in Townsville's Northern Beaches offering large blocks ranging from 2000sqm to over 4000sqm.
Large-scale commercial and residential redevelopment of the heritage North Rail Yards precinct.
Transformation of the Reef HQ Aquarium into a global destination of excellence in tropical coral reef education.
Development-approved 9-level mixed-use complex comprising 18 residential apartments (2, 3 and 4 bedroom units) and a ground floor food and…
Images marked AI impression are illustrative only and not photographs of the project; follow the project links for actual imagery. Original imagery? Contact us.
Estimated completion year of the 10 projects in and around the area that are not yet completed and have one: 2025 1, 2026 5, 2027 1, 2028 2, 2029 0, 2030 0, 2031 0, 2032 0, 2033 0, 2034 0, 2035 1. 16 have no completion year.
AreaSearch has tracked 11 substantial development applications lodged in and around South Townsville - Railway Estate over the past 5 years, 1 in the last 12 months. Coverage varies by council.
Applications per year (dashed: part year): 2021 (part year) 3, 2022 1, 2023 2, 2024 1, 2025 3, 2026 (to Oct) 1.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tracked applications | 11 | Tracked by AreaSearch, in and around the area, last 5 years | |
| Tracked, last 12 months | 1 | Tracked by AreaSearch, in and around the area | |
| ABS building approvals | 1.0 per 1,000 people | ABS building approvals | 10th percentile nationally |
| Average approvals a year | 5 | ABS building approvals | 11th percentile nationally |
| Applications approved | 2 | Tracked by AreaSearch, in and around the area, last 5 years |
Key infrastructure and planning changes likely to influence the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 include: The Hive - 10-15 The Strand Masterplan (Dev. Approval); Weststate Private Hospital (Construction); Defence Housing Australia - Townsville New Builds Volume Leasing Program (400+ Homes) (Construction); Marina Residences (Construction); and Townsville Breakwater Master-Planned Precinct (Planning). These projects represent significant developments that will shape the area's future infrastructure landscape.
Infrastructure development impacting the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 spans multiple sectors including Residential Development, Precincts & Urban Renewal, and Health & Medical, among others.
With an infrastructure score in the top 30%, the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 demonstrates above-average development activity compared to national benchmarks.
On AreaSearch's development drivers ranking, residential development activity is lower than average in South Townsville - Railway Estate compared with local real estate markets nationally.
Dwelling approval activity in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 area has seen 15 residential approvals over the past two financial years, based on AreaSearch's SA2 aggregation method. The South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2's current population of 5,653 has been supported by 5 approvals on average over recent years.
The long-run outlook for development is part of AreaSearch Operator and Pro. Log in to see the forecast detail in Full.
Looking at development activity over the past five years, the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2's approval levels have been below the yearly average of 5, indicating a recent decline in approval activity.
Over the past five years, the population in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 has grown by approximately 242 people, while 27 residential approvals were recorded. This equates to a ratio of 9.0 people added for each new dwelling approval. This high ratio suggests strong population growth relative to housing supply, potentially indicating unmet housing demand.
03People
Population, age, income, work, education and more.
99th = higher than 99 in every 100 neighbourhood-sized areas across Australia (ABS SA2 areas). Higher means more of the measure, not necessarily better.
An assessment of population growth drivers in South Townsville - Railway Estate reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,653 | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026, from the ABS June 2025 base | |
| Growth since 2021 Census | +6.7% | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026, against the 2021 Census | 50th percentile nationally |
| Population density | 616 per km² | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026, from the ABS June 2025 base | 44th percentile nationally |
| Average yearly growth, 2020 to 2025 | +0.9% | ABS estimated resident population series to June 2025 | |
| Average yearly growth, 2015 to 2025 | +0.4% | ABS estimated resident population series to June 2025 |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population at the 2021 Census | 5,296 | 2021 Census | |
| Residents added since the 2021 Census | 357 | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026, against the 2021 Census | |
| Average yearly growth, 2022 to 2025 | +1.3% | ABS estimated resident population series to June 2025 | |
| Population growth, 2024 to 2025 | +0.8% | ABS estimated resident population series to June 2025 | |
| Land area | 9.18 km² | AreaSearch boundary analysis |
Total population for the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 was estimated to be approximately 5,653 as at Aug 2026. This is based upon an estimated resident population of 5,618 from the ABS up to June 2025.
The south townsville - railway estate sa2 has added approximately 357 people and shown a 6.74% increase from the 5,296 people recorded at the 2021 Census period.
The population density in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 is estimated at 616 persons per square kilometre based on the latest population estimate.
Over the past 10 years, the population in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 has shown a compound annual growth rate of 0.4% per annum.
Population growth in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 is driven by: Overseas migration (59.7%), Natural increase (40.3%), Interstate migration (0.0%). The primary driver is Overseas migration, contributing 59.7% of overall population gains.
South Townsville - Railway Estate's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38 years | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | 46th percentile nationally |
| Aged 65 and over | 16.3% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Children under 15 | 13.8% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 15 to 34 | 31.5% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 25 to 64 | 56.0% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age at the 2021 Census | 39 years | 2021 Census | |
| Aged 0 to 4 | 5.3% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 5 to 14 | 8.5% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 15 to 24 | 14.0% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 25 to 34 | 17.6% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 35 to 44 | 13.4% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 45 to 54 | 12.0% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 55 to 64 | 13.0% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 65 to 74 | 9.8% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 75 to 84 | 5.3% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 85 and over | 1.1% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate |
AreaSearch estimates the median age in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 at 38 years as at August 2026. That is down from the 2021 Census figure of 39 years, with AreaSearch updating the age profile for population change recorded since the Census.
At an estimated 38 years as at August 2026, South Townsville - Railway Estate is 3 years younger than the Regional Qld 2021 Census average (41 years) and equal to the national Census average.
On AreaSearch estimates updated to August 2026, the most over-represented age group in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 compared to the Regional Qld region is the 25 - 34 group, making up 17.6% of the population.
On AreaSearch estimates updated to August 2026, the most under-represented age group in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 compared to the Regional Qld region is the 5 - 14 group, making up 8.5% of the population.
Yes, certain age groups in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 show significant variance compared to Regional Qld. The most over-represented age group is 25-34 year-olds (17.6% vs 12.6%). The most under-represented age group is 85+ year-olds (1.1% vs 2.3%).
AreaSearch estimates children aged 0-14 years at 13.8% of the population in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 as at August 2026.
AreaSearch estimates people aged 65 and over at 16.3% of the population in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 as at August 2026.
The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median taxable income (ATO) | $58,468 a year | ATO FY-24, annual | 47th percentile nationally |
| Average taxable income | $76,952 a year | ATO FY-24, annual |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Census household income / week | $1,524 | 2021 Census, weekly | 37th percentile nationally |
| Census personal income / week | $894 | 2021 Census, weekly | 66th percentile nationally |
| High-income households | 17.9% | 2021 Census | |
| Census family income / week | $2,103 | 2021 Census, weekly | |
| Low-income households | 24.0% | 2021 Census |
Based on Wage Price Index adjustments to June 2026, the estimated median taxable income in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 is approximately $62,625. The official ATO data from FY-24 recorded a median of $58,468.
Based on Wage Price Index adjustments to June 2026, the estimated average taxable income in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 is approximately $82,423. The official ATO data from FY-24 recorded an average of $76,952.
Based on Wage Price Index adjustments to June 2026, the estimated median taxable income in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 is approximately $62,625 compared to $60,755 in Regional Qld. The official ATO data from FY-24 shows $58,468 and $56,722 respectively.
Based on Wage Price Index adjustments to June 2026, the estimated average taxable income in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 is approximately $82,423 compared to $76,631 in Regional Qld. The official ATO data from FY-24 shows $76,952 and $71,544 respectively.
As per the 2021 Census, the weekly household income bracket containing the largest proportion of the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2's households (~33.0% / 729 households) is the $1,500 - 2,999 cohort.
The largest weekly household income cohort in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 is the $1,500 - 2,999 group, representing about 33.0% of households. In comparison, Regional Qld's largest household income cohort is the $1,500 - 2,999 group, representing 31.7% of its households, according to the 2021 Census.
The 2021 Census data indicates that the median household income in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 is $1,524/wk.
According to the 2021 Census, the median family income in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 is $2,103/wk.
The 2021 Census shows that the median personal income in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 is $894/wk.
According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for FY-24, the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $58,468 with the average level standing at $76,952. This is above the national average and compares to levels of $56,722 and $71,544 across Regional Qld respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 7.11% since FY-24, current estimates would be approximately $62,625 (median) and $82,423 (average) as of June 2026.
The estimated disposable income in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 is $5,557 per year according to AreaSearch analysis.
The south townsville - railway estate sa2's disposable income is $5,557 compared to $5,480 for Regional Qld, based on AreaSearch analysis.
The employment landscape in South Townsville - Railway Estate shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | ABS and DEWR labour data, compiled by AreaSearch | |
| Workforce participation | 64.9% | ABS and DEWR labour data, compiled by AreaSearch | |
| Employed residents | 3,008 | ABS and DEWR labour data, compiled by AreaSearch | |
| Daytime population | 5,870 | AreaSearch estimate of residents and workers present on a weekday | |
| Labour force | 3,138 | ABS and DEWR labour data, compiled by AreaSearch |
As of June 2026, the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 has approximately 3,008 employed residents with an unemployment rate of 4.1%. This healthy unemployment rate suggests a well-functioning labour market. Employment indicators are below the national average, suggesting room for improvement.
As of June 2026, the unemployment rate in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 stands at 4.1%, which is broadly in line with Regional Qld's rate of 3.8%. For comparison, the national unemployment rate is 4.2%.
The employment landscape in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 is dominated by several key sectors. The largest employers are health care & social assistance (16.2% of employment), public administration & safety (12.0%), and accommodation & food (10.5%). Other significant employers include construction and retail trade.
Over the past year to June 2026, the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 has experienced a decline in employment, with total jobs decreasing while the labour force decreased. As a result, the unemployment rate has fallen. By comparison, Regional Qld saw employment decreased and its unemployment rate dropped.
The workforce participation rate in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 is 64.9%, which represents the proportion of working-age residents who are either employed or actively seeking work. This healthy participation rate reflects good employment opportunities and workforce engagement. The local rate leading the Regional Qld average of 64.2%, showing similar workforce dynamics to Regional Qld.
The south townsville - railway estate sa2 shows notable specialisation in public administration & safety, which employs 12.0% of the local workforce compared to 5.9% across Regional Qld. With a local vs regional employment ratio of 2.0, this represents a significant industry cluster that likely serves markets beyond the local area. The area also shows above-average employment in 1 other sectors, contributing to a distinctive economic profile.
The long-run outlook for employment is part of AreaSearch Operator and Pro. Log in to see the forecast detail in Full.
The south townsville - railway estate sa2's employment market shows below-average performance in national comparisons. While employment opportunities exist, the area faces more challenges than many other regions. Recent job advertisement trends show the broader employment region saw a 0.8% decline, ranking 23rd out of 37 regions nationally.
Education in South Townsville - Railway Estate: university qualifications 25.5%, school advantage index (ICSEA) 913.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor qualifications | 17.5% | 2021 Census | 52nd percentile nationally |
| Postgraduate qualifications | 5.2% | 2021 Census | 51st percentile nationally |
| University qualifications | 25.5% | 2021 Census | |
| Vocational qualifications | 28.1% | 2021 Census | 61st percentile nationally |
| Graduate diploma or certificate | 2.8% | 2021 Census | 61st percentile nationally |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced diploma or diploma | 10.9% | 2021 Census | 54th percentile nationally |
| No post-school qualification | 35.5% | 2021 Census | |
| Residents attending an educational institution | 30.7% | 2021 Census | |
| Residents attending university or other higher education | 8.0% | 2021 Census | 86th percentile nationally |
| Residents attending primary school | 9.1% | 2021 Census | 29th percentile nationally |
| Residents attending secondary school | 7.8% | 2021 Census | 44th percentile nationally |
25.5% of people aged 15 and over in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 have university qualifications, compared to 20.6% in Regional Qld.
35.5% of people aged 15 and over in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 have no formal qualifications, compared to 39.2% in Regional Qld.
The south townsville - railway estate sa2 ranks in the 29th percentile nationally for education based on AreaSearch's analysis of qualification and performance metrics.
The most common qualifications in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 are: Certificate (28.1%), Bachelor Degree (17.5%), Advanced Diploma (10.9%).
30.7% of the population in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 is currently engaged in formal education, including 9.1% in primary school, 7.8% in secondary school, 8.0% at university (all shares of total residents).
The average ICSEA (Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage) score for schools in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 is 913, indicating below-average socio-educational advantage compared to the national average of 1000.
There are 3 schools within the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2, with a combined enrollment of approximately 1,115 students.
The south townsville - railway estate sa2 includes 2 primary schools, 1 secondary school.
South Townsville - Railway Estate features high concentrations of lone person households and group households but relatively few family households, with a smaller average household size than Regional Qld.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household size | 2.1 people | 2021 Census | 9th percentile nationally |
| Lone-person households | 37.3% | 2021 Census | 92nd percentile nationally |
| Couples with children | 17.2% | 2021 Census | 8th percentile nationally |
| Couples without children | 26.8% | 2021 Census | 49th percentile nationally |
| One-parent families | 10.9% | 2021 Census | 54th percentile nationally |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group households | 6.2% | 2021 Census | 88th percentile nationally |
| Households at the 2021 Census | 2,209 | 2021 Census | |
| Estimated households | 2,358 | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026 | |
| Family households | 56.3% | 2021 Census | 7th percentile nationally |
| Average children per family | 1.4 per family | 2021 Census | 20th percentile nationally |
As of the 2021 Census, the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 had 2,209 households. Based on population growth patterns, this has grown by approximately 6.7% to an estimated 2,358 households today.
The average household size in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 is 2.1 people. This compares to 2.5 in Regional Qld and reflects the area's household composition mix.
Family households dominate at 56.3% of all households. Non-family households consist of lone person households (37.3%), group households (6.2%), and other household types (0.0%).
Of the 1,244 family households, couples with children account for 17.2% of all households, couples without children at home 26.8%, and single parent families 10.9%. This mix shapes local demand for schools, family services, and housing types.
Compared to Regional Qld, the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 shows distinct household patterns. Lone person households are notably over-represented at 37.3% (versus 25.6% in Regional Qld). Conversely, family households are under-represented at 56.3% compared to 70.4% in Regional Qld. This higher proportion of single-person households drives demand for smaller dwellings and different community services.
Families in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 have an average of 1.4 children, slightly below the Regional Qld average of 1.7. This influences local demand for child-related services and larger family homes.
Marriage patterns reveal 31.4% of the adult population are currently married, while 48.3% have never married. This compares to 45.1% married and 35.6% never married across Regional Qld.
Single-person households represent 37.3% of all households in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2, higher than the average for Regional Qld of 25.6%. This affects demand for smaller dwellings and single-person accommodation.
Group households (unrelated people sharing) account for 6.2% of households, above the Regional Qld average of 4.0%. This higher rate points to more student or young professional shared accommodation.
South Townsville - Railway Estate ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Born overseas | 15.2% | 2021 Census | 28th percentile nationally |
| Speak another language at home | 7.4% | 2021 Census | 33rd percentile nationally |
| English only at home | 92.6% | 2021 Census | 66th percentile nationally |
| Australian citizens | 83.6% | 2021 Census | 34th percentile nationally |
| Born in Australia | 84.8% | 2021 Census | 71st percentile nationally |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents | 4.6% | 2021 Census | 85th percentile nationally |
South Townsville - Railway Estate was found to be below average in terms of cultural diversity, with 83.6% of its population being citizens, 84.8% born in Australia, and 92.6% speaking English only at home.
The main religion in South Townsville - Railway Estate was found to be Christianity, which makes up 49.1% of people in South Townsville - Railway Estate. However, the most apparent overrepresentation was in Judaism, which comprises 0.2% of the population, compared to 0.1% across Regional Qld.
In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in South Townsville - Railway Estate are English, comprising 28.5% of the population, Australian, comprising 24.7% of the population, and Irish, comprising 10.3% of the population. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Scottish is notably overrepresented at 9.2% of South Townsville - Railway Estate (vs 7.8% across Regional Qld), French at 0.7% (vs 0.5%) and Australian Aboriginal at 4.6% (vs 3.9%).
15.2% of the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 population was born overseas, compared to 19.8% across Regional Qld.
7.4% of the population in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 speaks a language other than English at home, compared to 9.6% in Regional Qld.
4.6% of the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 population identifies as Australian Aboriginal, compared to 3.9% in Regional Qld.
83.6% of the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 population holds citizenship, compared to 84.9% in Regional Qld.
04Place
Housing, health, transport, local services and the reports on them.
South Townsville - Railway Estate displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than Regional Qld.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rented homes | 45.9% | 2021 Census | 85th percentile nationally |
| Owned outright | 23.6% | 2021 Census | 22nd percentile nationally |
| Detached houses | 62.5% | 2021 Census | 20th percentile nationally |
| Median mortgage repayment | $1,473 a month | 2021 Census, monthly | 26th percentile nationally |
| Owned with a mortgage | 30.6% | 2021 Census | 33rd percentile nationally |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semi-detached, terrace and townhouses | 23.9% | 2021 Census | 89th percentile nationally |
| Median weekly rent paid, 2021 Census | $300 | 2021 Census, weekly | 26th percentile nationally |
| Median rent as a share of median household income | 19.7% | 2021 Census, ratio calculated by AreaSearch | 40th percentile nationally |
| Median mortgage repayment as a share of household income | 22.3% | 2021 Census, ratio calculated by AreaSearch | 33rd percentile nationally |
| People per bedroom | 0.8 per bedroom | 2021 Census | 47th percentile nationally |
In the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2, 23.6% of homes are owned outright, 30.6% are owned with a mortgage, and 45.9% are rented.
According to the latest data, 62.5% of dwellings in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 are houses.
In the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2, 12.5% of dwellings are apartments or units, with an additional 23.9% being semi-detached dwellings.
Outright home ownership in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 stands at 23.6%, compared to 33.4% in Regional Qld.
The median monthly mortgage repayment in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 is $1,473, compared to $1,655 in Regional Qld.
The aggregate monthly housing cost in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 is $1,047, which represents the average monthly cost across all housing types.
In the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2, households with mortgages typically spend 22.3% of their income on mortgage repayments, while renters spend 19.7% of their income on rent.
The average persons per bedroom ratio in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 is 0.8, indicating the level of household density.
Housing affordability in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 shows mortgage holders spending 22.3% of income on repayments (vs 25.3% in Regional Qld), while renters spend 19.7% of income on rent (vs 22.9% in Regional Qld).
The dwelling mix in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 consists of 62.5% detached houses, 23.9% semi-detached dwellings, 12.5% apartments, and 1.1% other dwelling types.
Housing in South Townsville - Railway Estate consumes approximately 15.9% of median household income ($6,599 monthly), indicating costs are highly affordable. The generally accepted benchmark is that housing should not exceed 30% of household income.
Recent development applications in South Townsville - Railway Estate show attached dwellings contributing 0% of approvals compared to 38% of existing stock, while detached houses represent 100% of applications versus 62% of current dwellings. This suggests development patterns consistent with existing housing mix. The area shows minimal growth in housing density compared to other Australian locations.
South Townsville - Railway Estate's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private health cover | 55.4% | ATO FY 2024, private health cover | 60th percentile nationally |
| No long-term health condition | 67.8% | 2021 Census | 41st percentile nationally |
| Need help with daily activities | 5.2% | 2021 Census | 46th percentile nationally |
| No long-term health condition, under 65 | 73.2% | 2021 Census | 29th percentile nationally |
| Three or more long-term health conditions, under 65 | 2.0% | 2021 Census | 77th percentile nationally |
Around 55.4% of people in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 are covered by private health insurance, which compares to 53.3% in Regional Qld.
In the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2, 5.2% of the population is identified as requiring ongoing medical assistance. By comparison, 6.3% of people in Regional Qld require similar assistance.
7.1% of people in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 are diagnosed with asthma. In comparison, 7.4% of the population across Regional Qld is affected by asthma.
Diabetes affects 3.4% of the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 population, while in Regional Qld, 4.2% of people are diagnosed with diabetes.
4.0% of people in the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 have heart disease. Across Regional Qld,4.1% of the population is affected by heart disease.
In the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2, 55.4% of the population are estimated to have private health insurance. Comparatively, Regional Qld sees an estimated private health coverage rate of 53.3%.
Transport servicing is low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport access | 38 out of 100 | AreaSearch transport analysis of timetable data | 38th percentile nationally |
| Public transport stops | 33 | Public transport timetable (GTFS) data, compiled by AreaSearch | 30th percentile nationally |
| Weekly public transport trips | 145 | Public transport timetable (GTFS) data, compiled by AreaSearch | 12th percentile nationally |
| People per public transport stop | 171 | Public transport timetable (GTFS) data, compiled by AreaSearch | |
| Public transport routes | 2 | Public transport timetable (GTFS) data, compiled by AreaSearch |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per dwelling | 1.2 per dwelling | 2021 Census | |
| Working residents who worked from home | 5.7% | 2021 Census, taken during COVID-19 restrictions |
There are 33 public transport stops within the South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2.
The South Townsville - Railway Estate SA2 has 145 weekly trips across 2 routes, averaging 20 trips per day.
On average, residential properties are 194 metres from the nearest transport stop.
From the typical resident, the nearest child care centre is 457 m away and the nearest school 566 m.
Distance from the typical resident to the nearest of each service. Every bar starts at 0 m. The nearest is orange.
Public transport 33 stops nearby, 145 weekly trips, access rating 38 out of 100.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amenity score | 73 out of 100 | AreaSearch proximity analysis | 73rd percentile nationally |
| Nearest child care | 457 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest school | 566 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest dentist | 954 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest supermarket | 997 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearest shopping centre | 1.4 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest bank | 1.4 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest GP | 1.4 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest pharmacy | 1.4 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest fitness centre | 1.5 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest government service | 6.6 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest hospital | 8.3 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident |
Sector reports that go deeper on these services: child care, medical, retail, aged care and specialist disability accommodation (SDA). There are 2 long day care centres with 145 places in South Townsville - Railway Estate, about 2.1 children aged 0-4 per place.
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05Reports and tools
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06About this profile
Where the figures come from, downloads and nearby areas.
On AreaSearch's development drivers ranking, residential development activity is lower than average in South Townsville - Railway Estate compared with local real estate markets nationally.
South Townsville - Railway Estate has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 19% nationally.
No headline figures are reported for this area.
Median rent in South Townsville - Railway Estate is $502 a week, +5.7% over 12 months to Jun 2026.
An assessment of population growth drivers in South Townsville - Railway Estate reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends.
South Townsville - Railway Estate's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms.
The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis.
The employment landscape in South Townsville - Railway Estate shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators.
Education in South Townsville - Railway Estate: university qualifications 25.5%, school advantage index (ICSEA) 913.
South Townsville - Railway Estate features high concentrations of lone person households and group households but relatively few family households, with a smaller average household size than Regional Qld.
South Townsville - Railway Estate ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics.
South Townsville - Railway Estate displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than Regional Qld.
South Townsville - Railway Estate's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts.
Transport servicing is low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility.
Amenity provision was found to be above the typical area assessed nationally by AreaSearch, based on counts and proximity analysis.
South Townsville - Railway Estate has an estimated 5,653 residents, up 6.7% since the 2021 Census, with 41 projects tracked in the area around South Townsville - Railway Estate.
Latest estimate as at Aug 2026; other figures from the 2021 Census, ATO FY-24 and AreaSearch estimates where labelled. Updated 14 Oct 2026.
Sources: ABS Census 2021, ABS estimated resident population, ATO taxation statistics, state rental bonds and property sales records where published, and AreaSearch analysis for South Townsville - Railway Estate.
Data currency
Refreshed . Rents to Jun 2026, population and age estimated to Aug 2026, taxable income FY 2024 and projects to Oct 2026. Housing, households and cultural diversity are from the 2021 Census (next update with the 2026 Census results).
Infrastructure projects and development applications also include sites in the surrounding area, and are labelled as such. Other sections were compiled 14 Oct 2026 from sources that update on their own cycles; "See the evidence" lists each source and its cycle.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (for example census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb or locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For a complete picture, consider both boundary types where available.
Main sources: ABS, Geoscience Australia, GNAF, ATO, State governments, Valuer General, Rental Board and Infrastructure Australia.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (318021488). QuickStats reports 2021 only; the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.
This page uses ABS Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2) boundaries for statistical reporting (for example census and ERP). SA2 areas can differ materially from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, even when they share similar names, because they are defined for different purposes and often use different geographic boundaries.
AreaSearch compiles this page from official and industry sources, including ABS, Geoscience Australia, GNAF, ATO, State governments, Valuer General, Rental Board and Infrastructure Australia, then calculates statistics for the boundary shown, and ranks, growth rates and benchmarks itself. Property sales come from the state valuation authority, rents from state rental bond lodgements, development applications from council and state planning portals, school data from ACARA, and public transport from state transport departments. Infrastructure projects and development applications also include sites in the surrounding area, labelled as such.
No. Most of this page is built beyond the Census. Dated for this area: population (Aug 2026), age profile (Aug 2026), infrastructure projects (Oct 2026) and income (FY 2024). Compiled with this profile from sources that publish on their own cycles: development and approvals, property sales and rents, employment, education, transport, health and services and amenities. Only housing, households and cultural diversity remain wholly Census-based, because no more current small-area dataset exists for those measures.
Key demographics and figures for South Townsville - Railway Estate from the 2021 Census, ATO taxpayer data and AreaSearch estimates and analysis. Each topic has its own table of key figures beside the section it belongs to, and each row names its source and date. The percentile compares South Townsville - Railway Estate with every neighbourhood-sized area across Australia (ABS SA2 areas): a higher percentile means more of that measure than most, not necessarily better.
Source: AreaSearch (areasearch.com.au) compiled from ABS Census 2021, ATO and other public sources.
