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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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Charters Towers City has an estimated 2,283 residents, up from 2,219 at the 2021 Census — a change of 64 people, or 2.9%. That puts 779 residents on each 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
Charters Towers City has a population of approximately 2,283 as of May 2026, which is derived from analysis of ABS demographic updates and address files validated by AreaSearch since the Census. This population represents an addition of 64 people (2.9%) compared to the 2,219 people recorded in the 2021 Census. This adjustment is based on a resident count of 2,282 estimated by AreaSearch using the ABS ERP release from June 2025 alongside subsequent address confirmations. The suburb has a population density of 779 persons per square kilometer, matching typical averages across evaluated suburbs.
The 2.9% expansion rate since the census matches closely with the SA3 area (3.4%), remaining within 0.5 percentage points. External migration served as the primary contributor to population gains over the recent timeframe. ABS and Geoscience Australia projections published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline are used for each SA2. For periods past 2032 or areas lacking these details, projections published by the Queensland State Government in 2023 with a 2021 baseline are substituted. Because Queensland projections exclude age cohorts, AreaSearch distributes growth across age segments using weights from the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections with a 2022 baseline. Over the forecast horizon, overall numbers are expected to contract, with the population shrinking by 33 persons by 2041. Growth is still expected for specific age segments, particularly those aged 25 to 34, who are anticipated to increase by 74 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
40 new dwellings have been approved in Charters Towers City over the past five years, an average of 8 a year. That is 3.5 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 3, well below 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
Annual residential approvals in the suburb of Charters Towers City average approximately 8 dwellings, with 40 residences approved from FY-21 to FY-25 and an additional 3 registered during FY-26. Since population growth relative to new construction averaged only 0.1 people per completed dwelling from FY-21 to FY-25, residential supply is meeting or exceeding demand, providing home buyers with options and room for population growth. Newly built properties average a value of $264,000, which sits below regional averages and provides affordable entry points. Commercial approvals stand at $1.1 million for the current financial year, highlighting a focus that is mostly residential.
Per capita residential construction activity in the suburb of Charters Towers City is 67.0% higher than the Rest of Qld average, providing extra options for prospective purchasers. This rate is lower than the nationwide average, indicating a mature market and potential development constraints. Detached houses constitute 86.0% of the new pipeline, while medium and high-density dwellings make up the remaining 14.0%, maintaining the low-density profile with freestanding homes that appeal to buyers wanting space. Averaging 228 people for every approved dwelling, the area is characterized by low density. Faced with flat or shrinking population forecasts, the suburb of Charters Towers City is likely to see reduced housing pressure, which supports buying conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Charters Towers City
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 3 current infrastructure and development projects inside Charters Towers City. A further 32 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $10.3 billion. 17 are already under construction and 8 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and environmental & disaster management. 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
Local infrastructure projects, major planning, and development initiatives influence performance. AreaSearch has identified 4 projects that will impact the area. The key projects include Renew Charters Towers, Queensland Inland Freight Route (Mungindi to Charters Towers), Grand Secret Estate, and Goldtower Central.
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
Grand Secret Estate
Charters Towers' newest masterplanned residential development, comprising approximately 133 lots. Lot sizes range from 1500sqm to over 1ha, offering space for custom-built homes. Construction commenced in mid-2021, and it is located just 1km from the town centre.
Renew Charters Towers
A Regional Place Activation Program initiative to revitalise the Charters Towers CBD by temporarily activating vacant shopfronts on Gill and Mosman Streets. The program allowed eligible creatives, startups, social enterprises and community groups to trial rent-free premises on a 30-day rolling licence, with insurance support via Renew Australia. The program aimed to increase foot traffic, support local business growth and help property owners secure long-term tenants. The program has now officially closed after receiving multiple expressions of interest.
Queensland Inland Freight Route (Mungindi to Charters Towers)
Early works package underway as part of the overarching Inland Freight Route investment strategy, covering the segment from Charters Towers to Mungindi. This is a significant road infrastructure upgrade spanning nearly 1,200km, aiming to upgrade roads for better efficiency and safety, including widening and bridge enhancements, as an alternative to the Bruce Highway.
Pinnacle Views Estate
Pinnacle Views is a residential land development offering 52 large blocks from 2,000 to 9,899 sqm in an open space living neighbourhood. Features wide roads, quiet avenues, lush native bushland backdrop, NBN ready with fiber to premises, sewered blocks, town water, and includes $10,000 contribution towards fencing and driveways with every block sold.
River Parks Estate
River Parks is a master-planned residential community spanning 72 hectares in Kelso, approximately 20 kilometres south-west of Townsville CBD. The development provides 888 residential allotments for families and young professionals, featuring seven hectares of dedicated parkland, 2.3 kilometres of walking and cycling pathways, and a planned 6,800 square metre retail and commercial hub including a village with shops, a cafe, and a childcare centre. The estate is bound by Dunlop Street to the north and Riverway Drive to the east, with the Ross River Dam within walking distance.
Riverway Plaza Stage 2 Extension
Stage 2 expansion of Riverway Plaza in the Upper Ross growth corridor of Townsville. The project delivers a new 3,585 sqm full-line Coles supermarket, approximately 30-35 specialty stores, and a 650 sqm Snap Fitness gym. Infrastructure improvements include a 140-space basement car park, additional shaded surface parking, and upgraded public amenities, completing the transition into a comprehensive district retail hub.
Ross River Dam to Douglas Water Treatment Plant Pipeline Renewal
Renewal and duplication of a 9.5km pipeline connecting Ross River Dam to Douglas Water Treatment Plant, enhancing resilience and water security for Townsville, which supplies approximately 85% of the city's water.
Rasmussen Village and Community Hub
A new community vision for approximately 2,500 people along the Bohle River in Townsville's Upper Ross. The project aims to create a vibrant, integrated residential community by linking and expanding existing neighbourhoods and infrastructure. It envisions diverse housing choices, including collaboration with Defence Housing Authority, and redefines the Bohle River as a regional open space destination.
889 residents of Charters Towers City are employed, from a labour force of 1,001. Unemployment sits at 11.2%, with participation at 52.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.1% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,855, about 81% 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
The labor force in the suburb of Charters Towers City is split between white-collar and blue-collar occupations, with a notable presence of essential services. AreaSearch data indicates the unemployment rate stands at 11.2%. As of March 2026, employed residents count 889, while the unemployment rate is 7.3% higher than the Regional Qld rate of 3.9%, showing potential for improvement. Participation in the workforce is lower at 52.7%, compared to 64.3% in Regional Qld. Census data shows that a small proportion of residents, 5.8%, worked from home, though the impact of pandemic lockdowns should be kept in mind.
The primary employment sectors for residents are health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. The suburb displays a strong specialization in education & training, which employs 1.8 times the regional proportion. Conversely, construction is underrepresented, employing 5.1% of the local workforce compared to 10.1% across Regional Qld. Local employment opportunities are limited, as shown by comparing the count of working residents to the locally employed Census population. Analysis of SALM and ABS statistics shows that during the 12 months ending March 2026, the local workforce shrank by 2.1% and employment fell by 3.4%, which pushed the unemployment rate up by 1.2 percentage points. By comparison, Regional Qld saw employment rise by 0.1% and the labor force expand by 0.3%, with a 0.1 percentage point increase in unemployment. National forecasts released by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 provide context for future employment demand. Applying these five-year (6.6% national growth) and ten-year (13.7% national growth) industry projections to the local employment mix suggests employment within the suburb of Charters Towers City could rise by 6.1% over five years and 13.2% over ten years, assuming basic industry weightings without adjusting for local population shifts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Charters Towers City is $1,078 a week (about $56,000 a year), with median personal income at $601 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $49,524 a year against an average of $59,556. 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
Taxpayer statistics for the 2023 financial year show a median income of $49,524 and an average income of $59,556 in the suburb of Charters Towers City. These figures are below national levels and compare to a median of $53,146 and an average of $66,593 in Regional Qld. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates would equal roughly $55,150 for the median and $66,322 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census indicates that household, family, and individual incomes are positioned between the 6th and 11th percentiles nationally.
The largest income bracket contains 29.1% of residents (664 people) who earn between $400 - 799, contrasting with the broader region where the $1,500 - 2,999 range is largest at 31.7%. Discretionary income remaining after housing costs stands at 86.3%, placing the area in the 9th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Charters Towers City had 859 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 86% detached houses and 1% apartments. 23% are owned with a mortgage, 43% rented and 34% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $220 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,009 a month. Rent absorbs 20.4% of household income here and mortgage repayments 21.6%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the last Census, the housing stock in the suburb of Charters Towers City consisted of 86.0% separate houses and 14.0% alternative structures such as semi-detached homes, units, and other dwellings, compared to 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings in Regional Qld. Home ownership is equivalent to regional levels at 34.1%, while mortgaged properties make up 22.9% and rentals account for 42.9%. The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,009 is lower than the Regional Qld average of $1,655. The median weekly rent is $220, compared to $345 across Regional Qld.
Nationally, mortgage costs are lower than the Australian median of $1,863, and rent is below the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Charters Towers City counted 859 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.1 people each. 15% are couples with children, fewer than in 94% of areas nationally, against 26% couples without children. 39% 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
Families make up 57.3% of households, consisting of 15.4% couples with children, 26.4% couples without children, and 13.7% single parents. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 42.7%, with single-person households at 38.6% and group households at 4.0%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Regional Qld average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
14.6% of adults in Charters Towers City hold a university qualification, including 10.6% with a bachelor degree and 2.4% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 94% of areas nationally. A further 28.1% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 476 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 874 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
The local population has low rates of higher education, with 14.6% of residents holding a university qualification, which is below the national average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are held by 10.6% of residents, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.4% and graduate diplomas at 1.6%. Vocational and technical training is common, with 35.5% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications, including advanced diplomas at 7.4% and certificates at 28.1%. School enrollment is high, with 34.5% of the population participating in formal education. Secondary school students make up 15.9% of residents, primary school students make up 11.8%, and tertiary students make up 2.0%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Charters Towers City means driving: households keep an average of 1.0 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
62.1% of residents in Charters Towers City report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 90% of areas nationally. 6.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 50.8% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 7.7 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Analysis of mortality rates and the prevalence of chronic illnesses indicates that the suburb of Charters Towers City faces significant health issues across all age groups. Private health insurance coverage is low, with approximately 51% of the population (~1,159 people) holding cover. Asthma and arthritis are the most common diagnoses, affecting 9.3 and 9.2% of residents respectively. Conversely, 62.1% of the population reported no chronic conditions, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Health challenges are notable among the working-age population. Residents aged 65 and over make up 20.6% of the population (470 people), and seniors experience poor health outcomes relative to national averages.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Charters Towers City is largely Australian-born, at 91.0% of residents, with 5.1% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (32.9%) and English (27.2%). 8.3% 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 is below average, with citizens making up 83.6% of the population, Australian-born residents at 91.0%, and English-only speakers at 94.9%. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 54.0% of residents, compared to 52.2% in Regional Qld. The top parental ancestries are Australian at 32.9% (exceeding the regional average of 26.5%), English at 27.2%, and Irish at 9.3%. Notable differences include Australian Aboriginal ancestry at 8.3% (compared to 3.9% regionally), Maori ancestry at 0.4% (compared to 0.8% regionally), and Scottish ancestry at 7.7% (compared to 7.8% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Charters Towers City is 41. 26.4% 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
The median age of 41 years matches the Regional Qld average of 41, which is older than the national median of 38 years. Compared to Regional Qld, the suburb has a higher share of youth aged 15 - 24 (15.2%) but fewer residents aged 25 - 34 (11.2%). Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age bracket rose from 13.2% to 15.2%, and the 25 to 34 bracket rose from 10.1% to 11.2%. The 5 to 14 age group fell from 14.9% to 13.3%, and the 45 to 54 group declined from 12.3% to 10.8%.
Projections for 2041 indicate shifts, with the 25 to 34 age bracket increasing by 24% (61 people) to reach 317 from 255, while the 65 to 74 and 45 to 54 brackets are projected to shrink.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Charters Towers City
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 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) | May 2026 3 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 3 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 5 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 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 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. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (2,219 at the 2021 Census → 2,283 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 May 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 (SAL30585). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.