Torres Strait Islands
Statistical Area - sa2

Torres Strait Islands has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Torres Strait Islands' population is approximately 4,292 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 168 individuals (4.1%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,124 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 4,289 in June 2024 and an additional 6 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 8.8 persons per square kilometer. Torres Strait Islands' growth rate of 4.1% since the census is within 0.4 percentage points of the SA4 region's growth rate of 4.5%, indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Natural growth contributed approximately 96.7% 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 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 ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Future population dynamics anticipate lower quartile growth for locations outside capital cities, with the area expected to increase by 211 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 4.8% over the 17 years.

The level of residential development activity in Torres Strait Islands is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Development activity data is being compiled for this area.

Torres Strait Islands has substantially lower development levels than Rest of Qld. This activity level is similarly below national patterns.

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

No changes can significantly affect a region's performance like alterations to local infrastructure, major undertakings, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified zero projects that are expected to impact the area. Notable projects include Queensland National Land Transport Network Maintenance, Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan SuperGrid, Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, and Network Optimisation Program - Rail. The following list details those projects likely to be most relevant.

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

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Employment conditions in Torres Strait Islands face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Torres Strait Islands had a balanced workforce in June 2025 with white and blue collar employment. Essential services sectors were well represented but the unemployment rate was high at 20.5%.

Residents employed totalled 1,045 while the unemployment rate was 16.6% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation was lower at 41.1% compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key industries were public administration & safety, education & training, and health care & social assistance. Public administration & safety had a strong presence with an employment share 5.9 times the regional level.

Conversely, accommodation & food showed lower representation at 2.7% versus the regional average of 8.3%. The area offered limited local employment opportunities as indicated by Census data. During the year to June 2025, labour force increased by 0.4% but employment declined by 5.9%, resulting in a rise in unemployment rate by 5.3 percentage points. Rest of Qld recorded employment growth of 1.8% and unemployment rose by 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 estimated that national employment would expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Torres Strait Islands' employment mix suggested local growth of approximately 5.8%% over five years and 12.4% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

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 Torres Strait Islands' median income among taxpayers is $50,320, with an average of $59,982. This is lower than the national average, compared to Rest of Qld's median of $50,780 and average of $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $57,360 (median) and $68,373 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census figures, incomes in Torres Strait Islands fall between the 1st and 3rd percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. Income analysis reveals that 31.3% of residents (1,343 people) earn within the $800 - $1,499 bracket, unlike surrounding regions where 31.7% fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 range. With 40.1% earning under $800 per week, this suburb faces income constraints affecting local spending patterns. Housing costs are modest with 87.6% of income retained, but total disposable income ranks at just the 6th percentile nationally.

Torres Strait Islands is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Torres Strait Islands' dwelling structures, as per the latest Census evaluation, consisted of 95.8% houses and 4.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This is compared to Non-Metro Qld's 82.5% houses and 17.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Torres Strait Islands was at 6.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 0.3% and rented ones at 93.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $0, significantly lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,863 and the national figure of $2,747. The median weekly rent in Torres Strait Islands was $130, substantially below Non-Metro Qld's $140 and the national average of $375.

Torres Strait Islands features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 78.1% of all households, including 36.4% couples with children, 11.0% couples without children, and 28.2% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 21.9%, with lone person households at 21.4% and group households comprising 0.8%. The median household size is 3.5 people, which is larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.9.

Torres Strait Islands faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 4.9%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common (3.3%), followed by graduate diplomas (1.3%) and postgraduate qualifications (0.3%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 48.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 6.4% and certificates at 41.7%.

Educational participation is high, with 33.5% currently enrolled in formal education: 21.2% in primary, 6.7% in secondary, and 0.4% in tertiary education. There are 15 schools serving no students; they focus exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available nearby. No schools exist within Torres Strait Islands, requiring residents to travel for educational services. Note: where school enrolments show 'n/a', please refer to the parent campus.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

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

Health outcomes data shows exceptional results across Torres Strait Islands with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is relatively low at approximately 50% of the total population (around 2,124 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are diabetes and asthma, affecting 9.3% and 3.8% of residents respectively. A significant majority, 82%, report being free from medical ailments, higher than the Rest of Qld's 79.2%. The area has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 9%, compared to Rest of Qld's 11.5%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are notably robust, aligning with the general population's health profile.

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

Torres Strait Islands had a cultural diversity index above average, with 3.5% of its population born overseas and 93.1% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Torres Strait Islands, accounting for 86.6%, compared to 64.7% across Rest of Qld. In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were Other (79.3%), Australian Aboriginal (14.8%), and Australian (2%).

These percentages differed significantly from regional averages: Other was substantially higher (79.3% vs 28.1%), while Australian Aboriginal and Australian were notably lower (14.8% vs 25.3%, and 2% vs 15.4%, respectively). There were also notable divergences in the representation of certain ethnic groups, such as Samoan, which was notably overrepresented at 0.3%.

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

Torres Strait Islands has a median age of 28 years, which is significantly younger than Queensland's average of 41 years and lower than Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Torres Strait Islands has a higher proportion of residents aged 5-14 (20.2%) but fewer residents aged 65-74 (6.2%). This concentration of 5-14 year-olds is well above the national average of 12.2%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 45 to 54 age group has increased from 10.1% to 11.8%, while the 35 to 44 cohort has risen from 12.8% to 14.5%. Conversely, the 0 to 4 age group has declined from 10.9% to 8.8%, and the 15 to 24 age group has dropped from 13.6% to 11.9%. Demographic modeling suggests that Torres Strait Islands' age profile will evolve significantly by 2041, with the strongest projected growth in the 45 to 54 cohort (39%), adding 196 residents to reach 703. However, population declines are projected for the 15 to 24 and 5 to 14 age cohorts.