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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Alligator Creek (Townsville - Qld) has an estimated 1,852 residents, up from 1,550 at the 2021 Census — a change of 302 people, or 19.5%. Growth has averaged 3.5% a year over five years, faster than 90% of areas nationally. Interstate and internal migration accounts for 77.0% of that increase. Density is about 38 people per square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to AreaSearch's evaluation of regional ABS updates alongside validated new addresses logged after the Census, the suburb of Alligator Creek (Townsville - Qld) records an estimated population of approximately 1,852 as of Aug 2026. This represents an expansion of 302 people (19.5%) compared to the 1,550 residents counted in the 2021 Census. Such growth is calculated from an estimated resident population of 1,791 derived from the June 2025 ABS ERP release, supplemented by 88 validated new addresses added following the Census. With 37 persons per square kilometer, the locality maintains a spacious living environment.
The community's 19.5% expansion since the 2021 census outpaced the SA4 region (7.2%) as well as the adjoining SA3 territory, establishing it as a regional growth hotspot. Interstate migration served as the primary growth catalyst, generating roughly 77.0% of recent population additions, while overseas migration and natural increase also delivered positive contributions. Projections for the suburb of Alligator Creek (Townsville - Qld) utilize 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia data mapped at the SA2 level using 2022 as a baseline. For timeframes beyond 2032 or locations lacking coverage, figures incorporate Queensland State Government SA2 forecasts published in 2023 from 2021 data. Because state figures omit cohort breakdowns, proportional weightings from the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region release (using 2022 data) are applied across age groups. Future outlooks indicate remarkable momentum, ranking within the top 10 percent of non-metropolitan Australia, with cumulative SA2 projections anticipating an influx of 1,584 persons to 2041, translating to an overall expansion of 82.2% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
73 new dwellings have been approved in Alligator Creek (Townsville - Qld) over the past five years, an average of 14 a year. That places the area in the 76th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 8 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 25, running ahead of that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Analysis of ABS building approvals by AreaSearch shows that the locality averages roughly 14 residential construction permits annually. Across the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), 73 dwellings received approval, including 25 so far in FY-25. Over the same 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), population additions averaged 3.4 people per completed dwelling, demonstrating that demand outpaces new supply and putting upward pressure on property values and buyer competition. New homes involve an average construction cost of $500,000, aligning with broader regional building patterns, while $1.1 million in commercial building approvals this financial year underscores the predominant focus on residential development.
Per capita building activity in the area exceeds the Rest of Qld benchmark by 143.0%, ensuring an active pipeline of construction for purchasers. Recent residential approvals have consisted solely of standalone houses, preserving low-density surroundings tailored toward family living and open space. With approximately 80 people per approved dwelling, the locality demonstrates ongoing residential expansion. According to the most recent quarterly projections from AreaSearch, the area is anticipated to add 1,523 residents through to 2041. Should current construction rates persist, the supply of new dwellings may lag behind demographic expansion, intensifying market competition and underpinning local property values.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Alligator Creek (Townsville - Qld)
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| 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 26 current infrastructure and development projects close to Alligator Creek (Townsville - Qld), worth an estimated $2.52 billion. 9 are already under construction and 8 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, science & research 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 development and community performance are heavily shaped by strategic infrastructure works and public planning. At present, AreaSearch has identified no major projects likely to exert a direct influence on the locality. Key regional programs of interest include the Douglas Water Treatment Plant Clarifiers Upgrade, the Bruce Highway (Townsville-Ingham) upgrade program, the Flinders Highway (Townsville - Torrens Creek) Pavement Strengthening and Rehabilitation (Package 1), and Queensland National Land Transport Network Maintenance, with the most relevant initiatives 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
Queensland Resources Common User Facility
Australian-first critical minerals processing test facility being developed by the Queensland Government at Cleveland Bay Industrial Park, Townsville. The facility will enable demonstration-scale processing trials, initially for vanadium with future capability for cobalt, rare earth elements and other critical minerals. Construction and commissioning are progressing with Sedgman as managing contractor, with opening targeted for late 2026.
Wulguru Group Stuart Facility Expansion
Multi-stage expansion of Wulguru Group's 17 hectare Stuart manufacturing and engineering facility. Stage 1, including an 8,500 sqm heavy fabrication workshop, 2,000 sqm paint and blast facility and new head office, was completed in 2025. Stage 2 has development approval and will deliver rail wagon maintenance, locomotive maintenance, rail wheel workshop and rolling stock paint and blast facilities. The balance of the site is currently being developed with operations targeted during 2027.
SunHQ Hydrogen Hub
Renewable hydrogen production and refuelling hub at the Sun Metals Zinc Refinery precinct featuring a 1 MW PEM electrolyser powered by the co-located Sun Metals Solar Farm, with compression, storage and dispensing infrastructure to supply Ark Energy/Townsville Logistics heavy vehicles and third-party users (up to ~155,000 kg p.a.).
Iluka
Masterplanned residential community to be delivered over 10 stages in Wulguru, Townsville. Promoted by PointCorp as large, mostly level lots with ocean views in proximity to Townsville CBD, hospital, ADF base, and James Cook University.
GEON Build-to-Rent at Fairfield & Co
Large-scale Build-To-Rent (BTR) project at Fairfield & Co, comprising two 12-storey apartment towers with 294 apartments and ground floor retail/commercial spaces. GEON plans North Queensland's first build-to-rent development featuring two towers, 294 apartments, and retail spaces at Fairfield & Co site. Part of the $125 million mixed-use Fairfield & Co precinct. Has received formal development approval from Townsville City Council.
Fairfield Business Precinct
Built business park within the Fairfield Precinct at Idalia, Townsville. Offers freehold and lease opportunities adjacent to major retailers including Bunnings and the Fairfield Central shopping centre. Tenants in the precinct include Liberty Fuel, Reece Plumbing, Bridgestone and Containers for Change. Ingenta indicates one prime allotment (Lot 2, 2/67 Lakeside Drive) remains for sale.
Riverway Arts Centre and Library
Modern cultural facility providing community access to arts, library services, and cultural programs along the scenic Ross River precinct.
Townsville Connection Road (Stuart Drive), University Road to Bowen Road Bridge (Idalia) Upgrade
Upgrade of Townsville Connection Road (Stuart Drive) to dual lanes between University Road and Bowen Road Bridge, including intersection upgrades at Gartrell Drive, Mervyn Crossman Drive/Fairfield Waters Drive, and Kokoda Street. Aims to improve safety, increase capacity, and reduce congestion.
840 residents of Alligator Creek (Townsville - Qld) are employed, from a labour force of 856. Unemployment sits at 1.8%, with participation at 61.1%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.5% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth, so in an area growing as fast as this one it understates the likely rise in local jobs. The working-day population is estimated at 1,447, about 78% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
A well-qualified workforce characterizes the area, featuring substantial representation across core service sectors and a jobless rate standing at only 1.8% according to statistical aggregations by AreaSearch. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 840, with local unemployment sitting 2.2% below the 3.9% recorded for Regional Qld, while labor participation stood slightly lower at 61.1% against 64.2% regionally. Census returns indicated that only 8.5% of workers operated from home, though pandemic restrictions during that period should be noted. Primary employment sectors for local residents include health care & social assistance, construction, and public administration & safety.
Concentration is exceptionally pronounced in public administration & safety, where local participation reaches 1.7 times the wider regional baseline. Conversely, accommodation & food accounts for just 4.7% of jobs locally versus 8.3% regionally, and comparisons between resident numbers and locally based jobs suggest relatively few workplace opportunities within the immediate area. AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics indicates that over the twelve months to March 2026, the local workforce contracted by 3.8% alongside a 3.9% reduction in employed persons, leaving unemployment levels generally unchanged. By comparison, Regional Qld recorded a 0.1% rise in employment and a 0.3% increase in its labor force, alongside a 0.1 percentage point uptick in unemployment. Looking ahead, national projections from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 outline broader industry trajectories; Australia-wide employment is anticipated to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these sectoral forecasts across the local industry distribution suggests employment among residents could rise by 6.5% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, based on simple weighted extrapolations rather than local demographic modeling.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Alligator Creek (Townsville - Qld) is $2,404 a week (about $125,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,018 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $61,690 a year against an average of $74,975. 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
ATO postcode data compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 demonstrates elevated earnings in the community, where the median income reached $61,690 and the average was $74,975, compared to Regional Qld benchmarks of $53,146 (median) and $66,593 (average). Factoring in an 11.36% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, March 2026 estimates place median earnings at approximately $68,698 and average earnings at $83,492. At the 2021 Census, personal, family, and household earnings placed between the 80th and 88th percentiles across Australia. The weekly bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 encompasses 35.3% of workers (653 individuals), close to the 31.7% observed across the broader region.
Furthermore, 35.3% of households bring in weekly earnings exceeding $3,000. Residents retain 88.6% of their earnings after meeting accommodation expenses, contributing to high local purchasing capacity and placing the area in the 7th decile on the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Alligator Creek (Townsville - Qld) had 486 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 100% detached houses and 0% apartments. 59% are owned with a mortgage, 5% rented and 36% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $325 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,893 a month. Rent absorbs 13.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 18.2%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the most recent Census, the local housing stock consisted entirely of 100.0% separate houses, with no other forms of dwellings (such as apartments, semi-detached properties, or other units) recorded, contrasting with Regional Qld where houses accounted for 76.4% and alternative dwellings represented 23.6%. Outright home ownership reached 35.9%, exceeding the regional benchmark, while 59.0% of homes were mortgaged and 5.2% were leased. Monthly mortgage commitments stood at a median of $1,893 compared to $1,655 across Regional Qld, whereas median weekly rent was lower at $325 against $345 regionally. Relative to national figures, mortgage costs sit above the Australian average of $1,863, while rental rates remain substantially lower than the $375 national benchmark.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Alligator Creek (Townsville - Qld) counted 486 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 581 today, averaging 2.8 people each. 40% are couples with children, more than in 79% of areas nationally, against 39% couples without children. 11% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the vast majority of local households at 86.0%, consisting of 39.7% couples with dependent offspring, 38.5% couples without children, and 7.6% single parent arrangements. Non-family living situations account for the remaining 14.0%, made up of 10.9% lone occupants and 1.0% group households. The median household occupancy of 2.8 people exceeds the Regional Qld figure of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
26.8% of adults in Alligator Creek (Townsville - Qld) hold a university qualification, including 16.6% with a bachelor degree and 6.4% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 99% of areas nationally. A further 30.0% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local population displays strong educational attainment relative to the broader region, with tertiary credentials held by 26.8% of individuals aged 15+, surpassing both the SA4 average of 20.1% and the Rest of Qld figure of 20.6%. Bachelor degrees represent the most common higher education qualification at 16.6%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 6.4% and graduate diplomas at 3.8%. Technical and vocational training is also widespread, with 40.6% of residents aged 15+ possessing vocational qualifications, consisting of 10.6% with advanced diplomas and 30.0% with certificates. Formal study engagement is substantial, with 33.7% of the population currently participating in education.
This proportion comprises 12.9% attending primary school, 9.7% enrolled in secondary school, and 4.1% undertaking tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Alligator Creek (Townsville - Qld) means driving: households keep an average of 2.2 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
72.6% of residents in Alligator Creek (Townsville - Qld) report no long-term health condition. 3.9% need daily assistance with core activities, and 56.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.5 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators across the community are favorable based on AreaSearch evaluations of chronic illnesses and mortality, with both younger and older residents exhibiting low rates of standard medical conditions. Private health insurance uptake is high, covering roughly 57% of the population (~1,053 people), compared with 52.5% throughout Regional Qld. Mental health conditions and asthma constitute the most prevalent diagnosed ailments, affecting 7.7 and 7.6% of residents respectively, while 72.6% of the local population reported no long-term health conditions, higher than the 67.6% recorded across Regional Qld. Health outcomes among working-age individuals align closely with standard levels.
Residents aged 65 and over make up 15.0% of the community (277 people), below the 20.3% observed regionally, and older residents experience above-average health metrics broadly consistent with nationwide standards.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Alligator Creek (Townsville - Qld) is largely Australian-born, at 87.9% of residents, with 3.8% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (30.6%) and English (29.7%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity measures lower than broader averages, with Australian citizens comprising 84.1% of the populace, 87.9% born in Australia, and 96.2% using only English at home. Christianity forms the dominant religious affiliation, accounting for 57.1% of residents compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld. In terms of parental heritage, the three most frequently reported backgrounds are Australian (30.6%), English (29.7%), and Irish (9.6%). Notable variations appear across specific ancestries, with Italian heritage representing 5.3% locally versus 2.4% regionally, German ancestry at 4.7% (vs 4.7%), and South Australian background at 0.6% (vs 0.5%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Alligator Creek (Townsville - Qld) is 40. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 20.9% 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
Demographic composition in the suburb of Alligator Creek (Townsville - Qld) closely mirrors Regional Qld, with the largest divergence across the primary age brackets measuring only 5.4 percentage points. The median age is estimated at 40 as at August 2026, slightly lower than the 41 recorded during the 2021 Census and 1 year below the Regional Qld benchmark of 41 at that time. The 45 - 64 age cohort has decreased from 31.4% at the Census to an estimated 27.2%. Over the period to 2041, the 25 - 44 demographic is projected to experience the greatest absolute increase, adding 453 people (93%) to reach 938, while seniors aged 65+ are forecast to expand most rapidly in proportional terms, rising 97% to 546 residents.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Alligator Creek (Townsville - Qld)
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) 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 2 months ago 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 2 months ago 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 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| 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 Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 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 7 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) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month 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 — 88 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (1,550 at the 2021 Census → 1,852 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 (SAL30040). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.