Chart Color Schemes
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
Sales Activity
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Population
Cannonvale lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends
Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validation, the estimated population of Cannonvale as of Feb 2026 is around 7,815. This reflects an increase of 1,219 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,596. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 7,557 in June 2024, using latest ERP data release by ABS and an additional 113 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,051 persons per square kilometer. Cannonvale's growth rate of 18.5% exceeded the SA4 region (7.9%) and Rest of Qld, marking it as a growth leader. Overseas migration contributed approximately 57.99999999999999% to overall population gains during recent periods, with natural growth and interstate migration also positive factors.
AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data or years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, released in 2023 and based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort. Considering projected demographic shifts, a significant population increase is forecast for the top quartile of non-metropolitan areas nationally by 2041, with Cannonvale expected to increase by 2,628 persons, reflecting an overall increase of 28.1%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Cannonvale among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide
Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Cannonvale experienced around 58 dwellings receiving development approval each year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 293 homes. So far in FY-26, 29 approvals have been recorded. Over these five financial years, an average of 3 people moved to the area per new home constructed. The average construction cost value for new homes was $1,982,000 during this period, indicating a focus on premium properties.
In FY-26, $80.6 million in commercial approvals have been registered, suggesting high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Cannonvale had 25.0% more development per person over these five years, balancing buyer choice with support for property values. Recent construction comprised 62.0% standalone homes and 38.0% townhouses or apartments, offering choices across price ranges.
With around 217 people per dwelling approval, Cannonvale shows a developing market. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Cannonvale is projected to add 2,197 residents by 2041, maintaining reasonable construction pace despite growing competition as population increases.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Infrastructure
Cannonvale has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally
Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 18 projects likely impacting the area. Notable projects are Cannonvale Business Park, Whitsunday Emergency Services Hub, Cannonvale Community Hub, and Cannonvale Manufacturing Precinct. The following details projects expected to have the most relevance.
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
Whitsunday Medical Centre Development
State-of-the-art medical facility providing comprehensive healthcare services to the Whitsunday region. Features include emergency department, diagnostic imaging, specialist consulting suites, and day surgery facilities.
Cannonvale Community Hub
A 1,882m2 multi-purpose facility including a modern library, meeting rooms, business and education spaces, and disaster resilience infrastructure to support the growing population.
Cannonvale Manufacturing Precinct
Light industrial and manufacturing zone featuring food processing facilities, marine equipment manufacturing, and logistics centers to support regional economic diversification.
Cannonvale Business Park
Mixed-use business park concept in the Carlo Drive industrial precinct with potential for office, light industrial, retail and conference spaces aimed at supporting local business growth in the Whitsundays.
Whitsunday Regional Sports Precinct (Cannonvale)
Council-led sports and recreation precinct to deliver multi-purpose outdoor fields and indoor/outdoor courts with club and community facilities, spectator amenities and active recreation spaces, creating a regional venue for local clubs, schools and events in the Cannonvale-Airlie Beach catchment.
Whitsunday Water Treatment Facility
Advanced water treatment and recycling facility to support population growth and ensure sustainable water supply for the Whitsunday region. Includes reverse osmosis technology and advanced filtration systems.
Airlie Beach Super Retail Centre
A 2600 square meter large format retail development in Cannonvale, featuring anchor tenants BCF and Supercheap Auto, located opposite Whitsunday Plaza Shopping Centre, providing retail options for boating, camping, and automotive needs in the Whitsundays region.
Whitsunday Technology Innovation Hub
State-of-the-art technology and innovation center featuring research laboratories, startup incubator spaces, conference facilities, and collaborative work areas to foster technology development and entrepreneurship.
Employment
AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Cannonvale performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia
Cannonvale has a skilled workforce with prominent tourism and hospitality sectors. The unemployment rate was 2.0% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 5.2%. As of September 2025, 4,508 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.1%, below Rest of Qld's 4.1%.
Workforce participation is high at 72.6% compared to Rest of Qld's 65.7%. Only 8.0% of residents work from home, considering Covid-19 lockdown impacts. Leading employment industries are accommodation & food (2.3 times the regional average), retail trade, and construction. Health care & social assistance employs just 8.2% of local workers, below Rest of Qld's 16.1%.
The area offers limited local employment opportunities. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment increased by 5.2%, labour force by 5.0%, reducing unemployment by 0.2 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment rise by 1.7%, labour force grow by 2.1%, and unemployment increase by 0.3 percentage points. National employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% growth over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Cannonvale's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.6% over five years and 11.9% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment
AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that Cannonvale's median income is $49,173 and average income is $63,048. This is below the national average of Rest of Qld's median income at $53,146 and average income at $66,593. By September 2025, adjusting for Wage Price Index growth of 9.91%, estimated median income would be approximately $54,046 and average income would be around $69,296. According to the 2021 Census, personal income ranks at the 63rd percentile ($873 weekly) and household income at the 44th percentile. The income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 captures 36.8% of Cannonvale's community (2,875 individuals), which is consistent with broader trends in the area showing 31.7% in the same category. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 81.9% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 41st percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Cannonvale displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region
The dwelling structure in Cannonvale, as per the latest Census, consisted of 58.1% houses and 41.8% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In contrast, Non-Metro Qld had 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Cannonvale was recorded at 20.9%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (33.0%) or rented (46.1%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,713, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent figure for Cannonvale was $360, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $345. Nationally, Cannonvale's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Cannonvale features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size
Family households comprise 66.7% of all households, including 24.7% couples with children, 28.9% couples without children, and 12.3% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 33.3%, with lone person households at 26.7% and group households comprising 6.7%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Educational attainment in Cannonvale aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics
The area's university qualification rate is 18.9%, 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 prevalent at 14.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.9%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Vocational credentials are also common, with 46.5% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (12.9%) and certificates (33.6%).
Educational participation is high, with 30.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes primary education (11.8%), secondary education (8.8%), and tertiary education (2.5%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
Cannonvale has 18 active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with two individual routes collectively providing 679 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 327 meters from the nearest stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward. The dominant mode of transport is car at 85%, with 5% walking. Vehicle ownership averages 1.3 per dwelling, below the regional average.
According to the 2021 Census, a relatively low 8.0% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 97 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 37 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
The level of general health in Cannonvale is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions
Cannonvale shows above-average health outcomes based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence.
Both young and old age cohorts have low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover is approximately 52% of the total population (~4,078 people), leading that of the average SA2 area. The most common medical conditions are mental health issues (7.7%) and asthma (6.6%). A majority (75.2%) declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.6% across Rest of Qld. The under-65 population has better than average health outcomes. Cannonvale has 12.6% of residents aged 65 and over (984 people), lower than the 20.4% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, with national rankings higher than those of the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
In terms of cultural diversity, Cannonvale records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics
Cannonvale, in its demographic analysis, showed higher than average cultural diversity with 9.1% of residents speaking a language other than English at home and 24.2% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 39.6% of Cannonvale's population. Notably, Judaism had an overrepresentation in Cannonvale at 0.1%, compared to the regional average of also 0.1%.
In terms of ancestry based on parents' country of birth, the top three groups were English (32.2%), Australian (25.7%), and Irish (8.1%). Some ethnic groups showed significant differences in representation: New Zealanders were overrepresented at 1.3% compared to the regional average of 0.9%, French residents were at 0.7% versus the regional 0.5%, and Maori people were also overrepresented at 1.0% against a regional average of 0.8%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Cannonvale's population is slightly younger than the national pattern
Cannonvale has a median age of 36, which is lower than both the Rest of Qld figure of 41 and Australia's median age of 38 years. The 25-34 age group is notably over-represented in Cannonvale at 19.3%, compared to the Rest of Qld average. Conversely, the 75-84 year-olds are under-represented at 3.6%. Between 2021 and present, the 25-34 age group has increased from 16.1% to 19.3%, while the 45-54 cohort has declined from 13.8% to 11.8% and the 5-14 age group has dropped from 12.6% to 10.9%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Cannonvale's age profile will evolve significantly. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to expand by 641 people (43%), growing from 1,508 to 2,150. Meanwhile, the 15-24 cohort is expected to grow modestly by 2% (19 people).