Tully

An assessment of population growth drivers in Tully reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Tully's population was around 11,910 as of November 2025. This reflected an increase of 911 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 10,999. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 11,722 in June 2024 and an additional 193 validated new addresses since the Census date. This resulted in a density ratio of 3.9 persons per square kilometer. Tully's growth of 8.3% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area (5.2%) and the SA4 region, marking it as a growth leader. Overseas migration contributed approximately 63.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopted 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 were used, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. These state projections do not provide age category splits, so proportional growth weightings were applied in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort. Considering projected demographic shifts, a population increase just below the median of regional areas was expected by 2041, with an increase of 1,274 persons reflecting a gain of 9.1% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Tully among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Tully has seen approximately 71 new homes approved annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25358 homes were approved, with an additional 45 approved in FY26 as of now. On average, each new home attracts about 1.9 new residents per year over these five years, indicating a balanced supply and demand scenario.

The average construction cost value for new homes is around $323,000, aligning with regional trends. This financial year has seen $20.1 million in commercial approvals, indicating moderate commercial development activity. Tully has 62.0% more new home approvals per person compared to the rest of Queensland, offering greater choice for buyers. Recent construction comprises predominantly detached dwellings at 97.0%, with townhouses or apartments making up the remaining 3.0%, preserving the area's low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers.

With around 154 people per dwelling approval, Tully exhibits characteristics of a growth area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Tully is projected to gain approximately 1,086 residents by 2041. Current construction levels should meet housing demand adequately, creating favorable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling population growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Tully has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 46thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified three projects that could affect this region: 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. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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.

Employment drivers in Tully are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Tully's workforce comprises both white and blue-collar jobs across diverse sectors, with an unemployment rate of 5.4% as of September 2025. In this month, 5,596 residents were employed, which was 1.3% higher than Rest of Qld's unemployment rate of 4.1%.

Workforce participation in Tully stood at 53.3%, significantly lower than Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key industries for employment among residents included agriculture, forestry & fishing, retail trade, and health care & social assistance. Tully had a particular specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with an employment share 5.3 times the regional level. However, health care & social assistance was under-represented, accounting for only 8.8% of Tully's workforce compared to 16.1% in Rest of Qld.

Local employment opportunities existed, but many residents appeared to commute elsewhere for work based on Census working population data. Over the 12 months to September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 1.2%, with a 3.4% decline in employment leading to an unemployment rate rise of 2.1 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of Qld saw employment growth of 1.7% and labour force growth of 2.1%, with unemployment rising by 0.3 percentage points. State-level data from November 25 showed Queensland's employment had contracted by 0.01% (losing 1,210 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%, closely aligned with the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 indicated that overall employment was projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates varied significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Tully's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 4.8% over five years and 10.9% over ten years.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that Tully SA2 has lower income compared to national averages. The median income is $43,814 and the average is $53,157. This contrasts with Rest of Qld's median income of $50,780 and average income of $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $49,944 (median) and $60,594 (average). Census data reveals that Tully's household, family, and personal incomes fall between the 12th and 18th percentiles nationally. In Tully, 28.1% of individuals (3,346 people) earn within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, similar to metropolitan regions where 31.7% fall in this range. Housing costs are modest, with 86.7% of income retained, but total disposable income ranks at only the 16th percentile nationally.

Tully is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Tully's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 84.4% houses and 15.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 87.1% houses and 12.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Tully was 43.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 25.8% and rented dwellings at 30.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Tully was $1,300, aligning with Non-Metro Qld's average. The median weekly rent figure in Tully was $265, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $250. Nationally, Tully's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Tully features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 66.6% of all households, including 21.1% couples with children, 35.0% couples without children, and 9.6% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 33.4%, with lone person households at 29.0% and group households making up 4.4%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.4.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 14.1%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common among qualified residents at 10.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 41.2% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (9.8%) and certificates (31.4%). Educational participation is high, with 26.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 11.3% in primary, 9.0% in secondary, and 1.9% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 26.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.3% in primary education, 9.0% in secondary education, and 1.9% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health performance in Tully is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Tully faces significant health challenges with common conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover rate is very low at approximately 47% (5,561 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (9.9%) and mental health issues (6.7%). 67.7% report no medical ailments, similar to Rest of Qld at 68.1%. Tully has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over (27.2%, or 3,239 people), compared to Rest of Qld at 23.6%. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

Tully ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Tully had a cultural diversity index below average, with 84.2% of its population being citizens, 83.0% born in Australia, and 91.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, making up 56.1% of Tully's population. The 'Other' category showed an overrepresentation in Tully compared to the rest of Queensland, with 1.7% versus 3.3%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (26.6%), Australian (26.3%), and Irish (8.9%). Notably, Italian (6.0%) was overrepresented compared to regional levels (7.5%), while Australian Aboriginal (4.9%) and Samoan (0.3%) were underrepresented relative to their regional percentages of 11.3% and 0.1%, respectively.

Tully hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Tully has a median age of 48, which is higher than Rest of Qld's figure of 41 and significantly above the national norm of 38. The 65-74 age group makes up 16.1% of Tully's population, compared to Rest of Qld, while the 15-24 cohort comprises 9.0%. This concentration in the 65-74 age group is well above the national figure of 9.4%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 75-84 age group grew from 7.6% to 8.8%, and the 65-74 cohort increased from 15.0% to 16.1%. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort declined from 12.9% to 11.7%, and the 55-64 group dropped from 16.8% to 15.8%. By 2041, Tully's age composition is expected to shift notably. Leading this demographic change, the 65-74 group will grow by 16% (302 people), reaching 2,215 from 1,912. The aging population trend is clear, with those aged 65 and above comprising 64% of projected growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 45-54 and 55-64 cohorts.