Cairns City

Cairns City lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, the estimated population of Cairns City as of Nov 2025 is around 4,135. This reflects an increase of 519 people (14.4%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,616 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 4,010 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 235 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2,284 persons per square kilometer, which is above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's 14.4% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA4 region (7.8%), along with the SA3 area, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 92.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and for years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections, released in 2023 and based on 2021 data, are adopted. It should be noted that these state projections do not provide age category splits; hence where utilised, AreaSearch is applying proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age cohort. Anticipating future population dynamics, a significant population increase in the top quartile of regional areas nationally is forecast, with the suburb expected to increase by 1,223 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 24.2% in total over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Cairns City according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Cairns City averaged approximately 5 new dwelling approvals per year. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, around 26 homes were approved, with an additional 20 approved so far in FY26. This results in about 8.8 new residents arriving annually for each dwelling constructed during these years.

Consequently, demand exceeds supply, typically leading to price growth and increased buyer competition. In the current financial year, $289.9 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating robust local business investment. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Cairns City has significantly lower building activity, at 61.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established properties, which is also under the national average, suggesting a mature market with potential planning limitations. Recent construction comprises approximately 20.0% standalone homes and 80.0% townhouses or apartments, indicating a trend towards denser development to provide accessible entry options for downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers. However, developers are building more traditional houses than the current mix suggests (3.0% at Census), indicating continued strong demand for family homes despite density pressures.

Cairns City reflects a highly mature market with around 3886 people per dwelling approval. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Cairns City is expected to grow by approximately 1,001 residents through to 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Cairns City has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 18thth percentile nationally

The performance of an area is significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified 57 such projects that are expected to impact the area. Notable projects include the Cairns Hospital Expansion Project, Cairns Health and Innovation Centre (CHIC), Cairns Smart Green Economy Initiative, and Cairns Shipping Development Project - Channel Upgrade (Dredging). The following list details those projects most likely to be 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 performance in Cairns City has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Cairns City has an educated workforce with prominent tourism and hospitality sectors. The unemployment rate was 4.6% as of AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

In June 2025, 2,504 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 0.7% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation in Cairns City lagged at 40.7%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Leading employment industries among residents included accommodation & food, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. The area showed strong specialization in accommodation & food with an employment share three times the regional level.

However, education & training was under-represented at 3.8% compared to Rest of Qld's 9.1%. There were 3.8 workers for every resident as per the Census, indicating Cairns City functioned as an employment hub hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas. Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force decreased by 2.0% while employment declined by 3.0%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.0 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld experienced employment growth of 1.8% and labour force growth of 2.0%, with a 0.2 percentage point rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 projected national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates varied significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Cairns City's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 13.9% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes not accounting for localised population projections.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ended June 2022, Cairns City had a median income among taxpayers of $56,565 with the average level standing at $70,350. This is above the national average and compares to levels of $50,780 and $64,844 across Rest of Qld respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% from financial year ended June 2022 to September 2025, current estimates would be approximately $64,478 (median) and $80,192 (average). Census data reveals personal income ranks at the 68th percentile ($907 weekly), while household income sits at the 43rd percentile. Income brackets indicate the predominant cohort spans 29.7% of locals (1,228 people) in the $1,500 - 2,999 category. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 82.9% of income remaining, ranking at the 42nd percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

Cairns City features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Dwelling structure in Cairns City, as per the latest Census, consisted of 2.6% houses and 97.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This contrasts with Non-Metro Qld's 68.4% houses and 31.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Cairns City was at 31.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 18.6% and rented dwellings at 49.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,517. Median weekly rent in Cairns City was $413, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $315. Nationally, Cairns City's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially higher at $413 versus the national figure of $375.

Cairns City features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 52.5% of all households, including 10.1% that are couples with children, 36.6% that are couples without children, and 4.8% that are single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 47.5%, with lone person households at 39.4% and group households comprising 7.8%. The median household size is 1.9 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.4.

Educational achievement in Cairns City places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

Cairns City's educational attainment is notably higher than broader benchmarks. 39.8% of residents aged 15 and above hold university qualifications, compared to 20.6% in the rest of Queensland and 21.1% in the SA4 region. Bachelor degrees are most common at 27.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (9.1%) and graduate diplomas (3.5%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 39.2% of residents aged 15 and above holding them - advanced diplomas accounting for 15.6% and certificates for 23.6%.

Educational participation is high, with 46.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 14.3% in tertiary education, 8.9% in primary education, and 8.9% pursuing secondary education. Mastery Schools Australia - Cairns Campus and St Monica's College serve a total of 706 students in the area. The ICSEA score for socio-educational conditions is 1058, indicating above-average conditions. There is one secondary school and one K-12 school in the area. School places per 100 residents (17.1) are below the regional average (22.4), with some students likely attending schools in nearby areas.

Transport servicing is good compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Public transport analysis shows 11 active transport stops operating within Cairns City, consisting of a mix of buses. These stops are served by 20 individual routes, collectively providing 1856 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 264 metres from the nearest transport stop.

Service frequency averages 265 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 168 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Cairns City is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Cairns City shows superior health outcomes with both youth and elderly experiencing low prevalence of common health conditions. Approximately 55% (~2,277 people) have private health cover, higher than Rest of Qld's 50.1%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (6.8%) and asthma (5.9%), with 72.5% reporting no medical ailments, compared to Rest of Qld's 71.7%. Cairns City has 20.6% (851 people) aged 65 and over, higher than Rest of Qld's 15.7%. Seniors' health outcomes are notably strong, outperforming the general population in health metrics.

Cairns City is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Cairns City has a high level of cultural diversity, with 26.7% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 42.3% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Cairns City, accounting for 45.6% of people. Judaism is overrepresented compared to the rest of Queensland, comprising 0.4% of Cairns City's population versus 0.1%.

The top three ancestry groups are English at 26.4%, Australian at 14.1% (lower than the regional average of 21.9%), and Other at 13.1%. Some ethnic groups show notable differences: French is overrepresented at 1.8% versus 0.5% regionally, Spanish at 1.3% versus 0.4%, and Polish at 1.1% versus 0.4%.

Cairns City hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Cairns City's median age is 43 years, higher than Rest of Qld's average of 41 and the national average of 38. The 25-34 age group comprises 27.8% in Cairns City compared to Rest of Qld, while the 5-14 cohort stands at 2.6%. Nationally, this 25-34 concentration is above the 14.5% average. Post-2021 Census data shows median age has decreased by 1.4 years to 43 due to younger residents shifting demographics. Notably, the 25-34 age group grew from 24.2% to 27.8%, while the 45-54 cohort declined from 14.2% to 12.0% and the 55-64 group dropped from 14.7% to 13.3%. By 2041, Cairns City's population is forecasted to undergo significant demographic changes. The 25-34 age group is projected to grow by 36%, adding 410 residents to reach 1,560. Meanwhile, the 15-24 group shows modest growth of 2%, adding only 7 residents.