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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Tully has an estimated 11,965 residents, up from 10,999 at the 2021 Census — a change of 966 people, or 8.8%. Growth has averaged 1.3% a year over five years. 229 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Overseas migration accounts for 63.4% of that increase. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
As of Aug 2026, Tully's total population stands at approximately 11,965 according to AreaSearch evaluations. This represents an addition of 966 residents (8.8%) following the 2021 Census, when the recorded population was 10,999 people. That update draws upon ABS figures establishing an estimated resident population of 11,867 as of June 2025 alongside 229 validated new addresses added after the Census. Consequently, population density is 3.9 persons per square kilometer, ensuring spacious living conditions. With an 8.8% expansion rate since the 2021 census, Tully outpaced both the SA3 area (5.8%) and the wider SA4 region, standing out as a local growth frontrunner.
International arrivals served as the primary growth engine, making up roughly 63.4% of total net additions across recent tracking periods. Projections generated by ABS/Geoscience Australia (issued in 2024 using 2022 baseline figures) are utilised by AreaSearch across individual SA2 boundaries. Whenever locations lack coverage or require timelines beyond post-2032, Queensland State Government SA2 area projections (released in 2023 from 2021 numbers) are incorporated instead. Because state models exclude age-specific breakdowns, AreaSearch applies proportional distribution weights derived from the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (published in 2023 with 2022 reference data) across all individual cohorts. Looking at these forward estimates, expansion will track slightly under the national regional median, with the population projected to expand by 1,142 persons to 2041 under latest annual ERP figures, translating to an overall rise of 8.7% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
396 new dwellings have been approved in Tully over the past five years, an average of 79 a year. That places the area in the 79th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 7 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 79 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 97% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Building approvals in Tully have averaged approximately 79 dwellings per annum, totalling 396 homes sanctioned over the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26). Net demographic gains registered 1.9 people per year per completed home across the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26), indicating balanced market equilibrium between buyer demand and new volume. In addition, residential construction costs stand at an average of $399,000—under the regional benchmark—pointing to relatively economical build values. Meanwhile, non-residential activity saw $20.1 million in commercial approvals lodged during this financial year, evidencing a steady volume of commercial projects.
On an individual resident comparison, per-capita building volume in Tully runs 56.0% above Rest of Qld, creating substantial availability for prospective purchasers. The pipeline of recent approvals consists of 97.0% detached houses alongside 3.0% attached dwellings, reinforcing the locality's open footprint and catering directly to buyers wanting standalone homes. With an approval ratio of about 136 people per approval, the district continues to undergo steady physical expansion. Projections indicate that Tully will absorb 1,044 additional inhabitants through to 2041 (benchmarked against the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Given prevailing building rates, upcoming residential supply appears well placed to satisfy local requirements, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting higher population outcomes than current models anticipate.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Tully
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 37 current infrastructure and development projects close to Tully, worth an estimated $9.11 billion. 10 are already under construction and 14 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, energy and transport & logistics. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Regional momentum is heavily guided by capital works, strategic council plans, and major transport schemes. AreaSearch has identified 3 projects positioned to influence the surrounding region. Notable developments comprise Bruce Highway (Ingham - Innisfail) Ingham to Cardwell Range Deviation, North Queensland Super Hub, Hinchinbrook Shire Council Priority Projects, and North and Far North Queensland REZs, with key elements detailed below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Ella Bay Integrated Resort and Residential Community
A massive 450-hectare masterplanned community and resort development surrounded by World Heritage-listed national park. The project features four luxury resort precincts (890 keys), 610 permanent residences, and an 18-hole championship golf course. It includes a village community hub with retail and dining, alongside specialized research centers focused on sustainability and cassowary conservation. The design emphasizes ecological self-sufficiency and high-end nature-based tourism.
Chalumbin Wind Farm
The Chalumbin Wind Farm, planned for northern Queensland, near Ravenshoe and Innisfail, aims to feature 94 turbines and generate 600 megawatts within Queensland's Northern REZ. The project was later renamed to Wooroora Station Wind Farm, downsized to 42 turbines, and the proposal was withdrawn in April 2024 following indications from the Environment Minister that it would be rejected due to impacts on biodiversity.
Bruce Highway (Ingham - Innisfail) Ingham to Cardwell Range Deviation
A planning project to investigate a new alignment for the Bruce Highway to improve flood immunity and safety. The project will update findings from a previous study and consider a preferred alignment known as the Western 2A Deviation. There is no funding allocated for design or construction at this stage.
Orient Road Water Security Project
A project to improve water security in the Ingham area, funded under the Building our Regions program. The project involved the extension of the water main along Orient Road.
Karma Wind Farm (near Ingham)
The Karma Wind Farm is a proposed 600 MW renewable energy facility located 50 km west of Ingham. The project plans to feature approximately 88 wind turbines and is currently navigating state planning approvals under State Code 23. It aims to generate enough electricity to power 265,000 homes while avoiding 1.3 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. The developer is also exploring co-location of battery storage and solar components. Construction is targeted to begin in late 2026.
Dutton Street Culvert Crossing Project
Construction of a culvert crossing on Dutton Street to provide a linkage between the north and south of Ingham during flood events. The project was fully funded under the National Flood Infrastructure Mitigation Program.
North Queensland Bio-Energy Facility (Ingham)
The North Queensland Bio-Energy (NQBE) facility is a proposed $640 million integrated sugar, ethanol, and renewable power plant located on an 80-hectare site south of Ingham. As of early 2026, the project remains in the planning phase while awaiting favorable market conditions and finalized financing. The facility is designed to process sugarcane into 350,000 tonnes of raw sugar annually, produce up to 200,000 litres of ethanol per day, and export approximately 110-115 MW of renewable energy to the national grid.The project was recently a focal point in the 2026 Queensland Parliamentary Inquiry into Sugarcane Bioenergy Opportunities, which seeks to address regulatory and investment barriers for such industrial hubs.
Moduline Ingham Expansion - Factory and Showroom
Proposed ~4,400 sqm manufacturing facility with ~550 sqm office and retail showroom for Moduline in Ingham CBD. Development Application lodged 24 Feb 2025 for Medium Impact Industry (furniture manufacturing, display and sales) across multiple lots fronting Herbert St and Lynn St. State assessment (SARA) advice issued 17 Mar 2025. Project aims to modernize production, expand local jobs and renew the town centre retail presence.
5,496 residents of Tully are employed, from a labour force of 5,829. Unemployment sits at 5.7%, with participation at 57.3%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 4.8% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local labour pool in Tully displays an even distribution across administrative and manual roles across multiple sectors, accompanied by a 5.7% unemployment rate. Working residents numbered 5,496 as of March 2026, while the jobless rate stood 1.8% above the 3.9% recorded for Regional Qld. Labour engagement remains comparatively subdued, showing a participation rate of 57.3% compared to Regional Qld's 64.2%. Census returns also indicated that just 9.6% of workers carried out duties from home, though broader Covid-19 restrictions during that period should be noted. Primary sources of work for residents include agriculture, forestry & fishing, retail trade, and health care & social assistance.
Specialisation is exceptionally pronounced within agriculture, forestry & fishing, where local representation is 5.3 times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance accounts for a comparatively smaller share, employing 8.8% of workers versus 16.1% across the wider region. While local jobs exist, comparisons between Census resident employment figures and local workplace destinations indicate substantial outward commuting for work. Analysis by AreaSearch using ABS and SALM releases demonstrates that across the 12 months to March 2026, Tully's labour force contracted by 1.9% while employment dropped 4.2%, elevating the local unemployment rate by 2.2 percentage points. Over the same timeline, Regional Qld saw employment rise 0.1% and total workforce size grow 0.3%, alongside a 0.1 percentage point increase in joblessness. Future hiring conditions can be evaluated using Jobs and Skills Australia's Mar-26 national employment outlooks. Applying these five- and ten-year structural projections against local industry concentrations provides indicative future demand. Nationally, overall jobs are projected to rise 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though sector trajectories vary markedly. Weighted against Tully's employment distribution, these national forecasts suggest local positions could grow 4.8% over five years and 10.9% over ten years (note that this modelling serves purely as an illustrative weighting exercise without incorporating local demographic trends).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Tully is $1,190 a week (about $62,000 a year), with median personal income at $644 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $45,226 a year against an average of $55,458. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
According to aggregated ATO postcode statistics compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, the Tully SA2 reported a median taxpayer income of $45,226 alongside an average of $55,458. These earnings sit below broader Australian figures as well as Regional Qld's median of $53,146 and average of $66,593. Factoring in subsequent Wage Price Index expansion of 11.36% since financial year 2023, updated figures reach approximately $50,364 (median) and $61,758 (average) as of March 2026. Across the 2021 Census, personal, family, and household earnings throughout Tully were positioned between the 12th and 18th percentiles nationwide.
In terms of earnings brackets, 28.1% of the local population (3,362 individuals) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly band, closely aligning with the 31.7% observed across the wider district. While residents preserve 86.7% of earnings after housing outlays, overall disposable income remains low, placing at the 16th percentile across the country.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Tully had 4,237 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 84% detached houses and 7% apartments. 26% are owned with a mortgage, 31% rented and 43% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $265 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,300 a month. Rent absorbs 22.3% of household income here and mortgage repayments 25.2%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census records indicate that Tully's housing stock consisted of 84.4% houses and 15.6% other dwellings (incorporating townhouses, flats, and alternative accommodations), compared with 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings across Regional Qld. Fully owned homes without debt accounted for 43.4% of properties, exceeding regional averages, while mortgaged residences stood at 25.8% and rental arrangements represented 30.7%. Typical monthly mortgage commitments sat at $1,300, well below the regional benchmark of $1,655 and the national level of $1,863. Median weekly rents were recorded at $265, noticeably lower than the $345 typical of Regional Qld and the $375 recorded nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Tully counted 4,237 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 4,609 today, averaging 2.3 people each. 21% are couples with children, fewer than in 83% of areas nationally, against 35% couples without children. 29% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.0 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family configurations account for 66.6% of local residences, consisting of couples without children (35.0%), couples with children (21.1%), and single parent families (9.6%). Non-family setups constitute the remaining 33.4%, dominated by lone person households at 29.0% along with group households representing 4.4%. The typical household size sits at 2.3 people, which is slightly below the Regional Qld benchmark of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
14.1% of adults in Tully hold a university qualification, including 10.4% with a bachelor degree and 2.2% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 92% of areas nationally. A further 31.4% hold a vocational qualification. 10 schools serve the area, with 1,653 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 900 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Tertiary attainment levels in the district present ongoing development needs, with university degree holders comprising 14.1% of residents compared to the national rate of 30.4%. Within higher education qualifications, Bachelor degrees represent 10.4%, postgraduate qualifications account for 2.2%, and graduate diplomas make up 1.5%. Technical training is widespread, as 41.2% of individuals aged 15+ hold vocational credentials, split between advanced diplomas (9.8%) and certificates (31.4%). Active participation across study programs is strong, with 26.5% of the community undertaking formal study. By level, primary schooling accounts for 11.3% of the populace, secondary schooling involves 9.0%, and tertiary courses engage 1.9%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Tully means driving: households keep an average of 1.4 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
67.7% of residents in Tully report no long-term health condition. 6.3% need daily assistance with core activities, and 47.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.7 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Community wellness data reviewed by AreaSearch indicates notable health considerations, marked by elevated mortality rates and chronic health issues apparent across both younger and older age brackets. Additionally, private health insurance uptake is subdued, covering roughly 47% of the community (~5,671 people). This tracks below Regional Qld (52.5%) and the Australian norm (55.7%). Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent reported illnesses, diagnosed in 9.9 and 6.7% of residents, respectively. Meanwhile, 67.7% of residents reported having no medical ailments, in line with the 67.6% recorded across Regional Qld.
General health across working-age inhabitants remains typical. Seniors aged 65 and over make up 28.1% of the local population (3,366 people), well above the 20.3% observed regionally, with older cohorts registering above-average health results that outperform broader Australian benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Tully is largely Australian-born, at 83.0% of residents, with 8.7% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (26.6%) and Australian (26.3%). 4.9% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity measures across Tully sit below national baselines, with Australian citizens comprising 84.2% of the population, 83.0% born domestically, and 91.3% communicating solely in English at home. Christianity forms the dominant religious faith, adhered to by 56.1% of residents. The most pronounced local divergence appears in the Other category, which represents 1.7% locally versus 0.8% across Regional Qld. Looking at ancestral background through parental countries of birth, the primary groups in Tully are English (26.6%), Australian (26.3%), and Irish (8.9%). Several other heritages exhibit distinctive concentrations relative to regional norms, including Italian at 6.0% (compared to 2.4% across the region), Australian Aboriginal at 4.9% (versus 3.9%), and Samoan at 0.3% (against 0.2%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Tully is 48, older than 86% of areas nationally. 20.7% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Tully's demographic structure skews older than Regional Qld. As of August 2026, retiree and elderly cohorts (65+) represent 28.1% of the population, compared to 20.4% regionally, whereas children and young adults (0 - 24) constitute 23.8% against a regional share of 29.6%. The median age was an estimated 48 as at August 2026, matching the 2021 Census mark, which was 7 years older than the Regional Qld figure of 41 and above the national median of 38 at that Census. The most noticeable cohort shift since the Census occurred among retiree and elderly cohorts, rising from 24.8% to an estimated 28.1%.
Projections to 2041 suggest older brackets will account for the bulk of net expansion, gaining 791 residents (23%) to reach 4,158, whereas cohorts covering children and young adults, middle aged and young retiree cohorts are expected to decrease.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Tully
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 4 months ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 229 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (10,999 at the 2021 Census → 11,965 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (306031161). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.