Torres Strait Islands

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 February 2026. This figure reflects an increase of 168 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,124. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 4,289 in June 2024 and an additional five validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of approximately 8.8 persons per square kilometer. Torres Strait Islands' growth rate of 4.1% since the census is within 0.2 percentage points of the SA4 region's growth rate of 4.3%. The population growth was primarily driven by natural growth, contributing around 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 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 proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) are applied where utilized. Future population dynamics anticipate lower quartile growth for locations outside capital cities, with the area expected to increase by 211 persons to 2041, reflecting an overall increase of approximately 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

Torres Strait Islands experiences very limited development activity, averaging one approval per year between 2016 and 2020. This resulted in minimal dwelling construction over the five-year period. Such low development levels are characteristic of rural areas where housing needs are modest and construction activity is naturally limited by local demand and infrastructure capacity.

It should be noted that due to the small number of approvals, individual development projects can significantly impact annual growth and relativity statistics. Torres Strait Islands shows significantly less construction activity than the rest of Queensland. This activity level is similarly below national patterns.

Torres Strait Islands has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

No infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified zero projects that could impact this area. Notable initiatives include Queensland National Land Transport Network Maintenance, Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan SuperGrid, Queensland Energy Roadmap, and Network Optimisation Program - Rail. The following list details those most relevant:.

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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 has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. Essential services sectors are well represented. The unemployment rate was 19.1% as of September 2025.

This is 15.0% higher than the Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation lags significantly, at 43.3% compared to Rest of Qld's 65.7%. Only 2.2% of residents work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts may have affected this figure. Employment is concentrated in public administration & safety, education & training, and health care & social assistance.

The area specializes in public administration & safety, with an employment share 5.9 times the regional level. However, accommodation & food employs only 2.7% of local workers, below Rest of Qld's 8.3%. Over the year to September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 0.3%, and employment declined by 0.4%, leaving unemployment broadly flat. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment rise by 1.7% and the labour force grow by 2.1%. 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 Strait Islands' employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.8% over five years and 12.4% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

In financial year 2023, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of postcode level ATO data, Torres Strait Islands SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $52,725 and an average income of $62,273. Both figures are below the national averages of $53,146 (median) and $66,593 (average) for Rest of Qld. By September 2025, these incomes are estimated to be approximately $57,950 (median) and $68,444 (average), based on a 9.91% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023. The 2021 Census data shows that household, family, and personal incomes in Torres Strait Islands fall between the 1st and 2nd percentiles nationally. The earnings profile indicates that 31.3% of locals (1,343 people) earn between $800 and $1,499 per week, contrasting with the region where the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket leads at 31.7%. With 40.1% earning under $800 per week, income constraints significantly impact local spending patterns. Despite modest housing costs allowing for 87.6% of income retention, total disposable income ranks at just the 5th 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' dwellings were 95.8% houses and 4.2% other types at the latest Census. Non-Metro Qld had 76.4% houses and 23.6% others. Home ownership in Torres Strait Islands was 6.5%, with 0.3% mortgaged and 93.1% rented. Median monthly mortgage repayment was $0, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $1,863 and Australia's $1,857 (as of March 2021). Median weekly rent in Torres Strait Islands was $130, while Non-Metro Qld was $345 and Australia was $440.

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

Family households comprise 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 account for 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, larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

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 the Australian average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 3.3%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.3%) and postgraduate qualifications (0.3%). Trade and technical skills are prevalent, with 48.1% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (6.4%) and certificates (41.7%).

Educational participation is high, with 33.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 21.2% in primary education, 6.7% in secondary education, and 0.4% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Torres Strait Islands's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data shows positive outcomes for Torres Strait Islands residents. Mortality rates and health conditions align with national benchmarks. Prevalence of common health conditions is low across younger and older age cohorts.

Approximately 50% (~2,163 people) have private health cover, compared to 52.5% in Rest of Qld and a national average of 55.7%. Diabetes and asthma are the most common medical conditions, affecting 9.3 and 3.8% respectively. 82.0% report no medical ailments, higher than Rest of Qld's 67.6%. The area has 9.3% (401 people) aged 65 and over, lower than Rest of Qld's 20.4%. Health outcomes among seniors rank high nationally.

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

Torres Strait Islands' cultural diversity is above average, with 3.5% of its population born overseas and 93.1% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Torres Strait Islands, practiced by 86.6%, compared to 52.2% across Rest of Qld. The top three ancestry groups are Other (79.3%), Australian Aboriginal (14.8%), and Australian (2%).

These figures differ significantly from regional averages: Other is substantially higher (79.3% vs 6.9%), Australian Aboriginal is also notably higher (14.8% vs 3.9%), while Australian is lower (2% vs 26.5%). Notably, Samoan representation in Torres Strait Islands is overrepresented at 0.3%, compared to the regional average of 0.2%.

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

Torres Strait Islands' median age is 28 years, which is notably younger than the Rest of Queensland average of 41 years and significantly lower than the national average of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of Queensland, Torres Strait Islands has a higher proportion of residents aged 5-14 (18.8%), but fewer residents aged 65-74 (6.3%). This concentration of 5-14 year-olds is well above the national average of 12.1%. Post-2021 Census data indicates demographic aging, with the median age increasing from 27 to 28 years. Key changes show the 45 to 54 age group grew from 10.1% to 12.4%, while the 35 to 44 cohort increased from 12.8% to 14.8%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 21.4% to 18.8%, and the 15 to 24 group dropped from 13.6% to 11.8%. Demographic modeling suggests Torres Strait Islands' age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 45 to 54 cohort is projected to grow strongly at 32%, adding 171 residents to reach 703. However, the 15 to 24 and 5 to 14 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.