Torres
Statistical Area - sa2

Torres is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Torres's population is 3,603 as of August 2025. This reflects an increase of 182 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,421. The change was inferred from ABS estimated resident population of 3,495 in June 2024 and 16 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 4.1 persons per square kilometer. Torres's growth of 5.3% since the 2021 Census exceeded the SA4 region (3.7%) and SA3 area, marking it as a growth leader. Natural growth contributed approximately 84.5% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are used. These state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings using ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data for each age cohort. Future population trends anticipate lower quartile growth outside capital cities, with the area expected to expand by 98 persons to 2041 based on latest numbers, resulting in a reduction of 0.3% over 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Torres, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Torres has seen approximately six new homes approved each year. Development approval data is provided by the ABS on a financial year basis, with 32 homes approved over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25. As of now, there have been zero approvals in FY-26. Despite population decline, housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with good buyer choice.

New properties are constructed at an average expected construction cost value of $824,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment. In this financial year, $37.5 million in commercial approvals have been registered, suggesting high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Torres has around two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 48th percentile nationally, implying limited buyer options but strengthening demand for established properties. Building activity has accelerated recently, with 67.0% detached houses and 33.0% attached dwellings approved, offering a mix of housing options across price brackets.

The area has an estimated 350 people per dwelling approval, reflecting its quiet development environment. With population expected to remain stable or decline, Torres should see reduced pressure on housing, potentially creating opportunities for buyers.

Torres has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 24thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified three key projects that could impact this region. Notable projects include Affordable Modular Homes Project, Saila Terrace Townhouses, Victoria Parade Residences, and Queensland National Land Transport Network Maintenance. The following list highlights those most relevant.

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

The employment landscape in Torres shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

Torres has a skilled workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 5.0% as of June 2024, with an estimated employment growth of 0.6%.

As of June 2025, 1,706 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 4.9%, which is 1.0% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation in Torres is 62.9%, slightly higher than Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and education & training. Notably, public administration & safety employs 3.4 times the regional level.

Manufacturing employment stands at 0.8%, below Rest of Qld's 5.6%. Many residents may commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 0.6% while the labour force grew by 0.5%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.1 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment rise by 1.8%, labour force grow by 2.0%, and unemployment increase by 0.2 percentage points. State-level data from Sep-25 shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.23% (losing 8,070 jobs) with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. Nationally, the unemployment rate is 4.5% with employment growth of 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Torres's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.9%% over five years and 14.5% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

Torres's median income among taxpayers was $50,288 in the financial year 2022, according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. The average income stood at $59,942 during this period. In comparison, Rest of Qld's median income was $50,780 and average income was $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes for March 2025 would be approximately $56,177 (median) and $66,961 (average). According to 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes in Torres cluster around the 65th percentile nationally. Income analysis reveals that the largest segment comprises 38.0% earning between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, with a total of 1,369 residents falling into this category. This is consistent with broader trends across the metropolitan region, where 31.7% of residents earn within the same income bracket. After accounting for housing costs, residents retain 90.8% of their income.

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

In Torres, as per the latest Census evaluation, 60.9% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 39.1% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types of dwellings. This is compared to Non-Metro Qld's 82.5% houses and 17.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Torres stood at 12.5%, with mortgaged properties at 4.8% and rented ones at 82.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,791, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,517. Weekly rent in Torres averaged $200, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $140. Nationally, Torres' mortgage repayments were lower at $1,791 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 70.9% of all households, including 33.7% couples with children, 17.1% couples without children, and 17.4% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 29.1%, with lone person households at 25.6% and group households comprising 3.5%. The median household size is 3.1 people, larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.9.

Torres 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 19.6%, substantially below the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 13.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.1%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 42.2% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (10.7%) and certificates (31.5%).

Educational participation is high at 34.3%, including 16.5% in primary education, 11.1% in secondary education, and 2.9% pursuing tertiary education. Torres's 5 schools have a combined enrollment of 1,385 students, with varied educational conditions across the area. The educational mix includes 3 primary, 1 secondary, and 1 K-12 school. The area functions as an education hub with 38.4 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 15.4, attracting students from surrounding communities. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Torres's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Torres Strait Islander health outcomes show impressive results with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. Approximately half (around 1,783 people) of Torres Strait residents have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

Diabetes and asthma are the most prevalent medical conditions in the area, affecting 6.6% and 5.4% of residents respectively. Around 80.6% of residents report being free from any medical ailments, slightly higher than the 79.2% reported across the Rest of Queensland. The area has a lower proportion of seniors (aged 65 and over), with 9.3% compared to 11.5% in the Rest of Queensland. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Torres Strait are notably strong, mirroring those of the general population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Torres was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Torres had an above average cultural diversity, with 8.4% of its population born overseas and 54.0% speaking a language other than English at home. The predominant religion in Torres was Christianity, comprising 73.6% of the population, compared to 64.7% across Rest of Qld. In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were Other (50.4%), Australian Aboriginal (16.3%), and Australian (11.5%).

Notably, Other group's representation was substantially higher than the regional average of 28.1%, while Australian Aboriginal was notably lower at 16.3% compared to the regional average of 25.3%. Additionally, Samoan and Maori groups were notably overrepresented in Torres at 0.8% and 0.4% respectively, compared to their regional averages of 0.2% and 0.4%.

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

Torres's median age is 30 years, which is considerably lower than the Rest of Qld average of 41 years and also younger than Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Rest of Qld, Torres has a higher concentration of residents aged 5-14 years (17.7%), but fewer residents aged 75-84 years (1.9%). This 5-14 year age group is well above the national average of 12.2%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the 65 to 74 age group has grown from 5.5% to 6.8% of Torres's population, while the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 10.4% to 9.0%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Torres. The 25 to 34 age group is projected to grow by 22%, adding 128 residents to reach a total of 708. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 45 to 54 and 65 to 74 age cohorts.