Cooktown

Cooktown has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

As of Nov 2025, Cooktown's population is estimated at around 3,008 people. This reflects a growth of 262 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,746 people. The increase was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population as 3,010 following examination of ABS ERP data released in June 2024, along with validation of six new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 1.4 persons per square kilometer. Cooktown's growth rate of 9.5% since the 2021 census exceeded both the non-metro area average of 8.8% and the national average, indicating it as a growth leader in the region. Natural growth contributed approximately 64.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

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 and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are used, applying proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort. Looking ahead, demographic trends suggest a population increase just below the median of Australia's regional areas, with an expected expansion to 3,336 persons by 2041, reflecting a total increase of 10.1% over the 17-year period.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Cooktown when compared nationally

Cooktown recorded approximately 16 residential properties granted approval annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 84 homes. Between FY-21 and FY-25, there was an average of 2.4 new residents per year for each dwelling. As of FY-26, one approval has been recorded.

The average construction cost value of new homes over the past five financial years is $418,000. New development consists of 81% detached dwellings and 19% attached dwellings.

Cooktown reflects a developing area with around 80 people per approval. Future projections estimate an addition of 303 residents by 2041. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should meet demand, potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Cooktown has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 5thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified two projects likely impacting the area. Key projects are Cooktown Multi-Purpose Health Service Redevelopment, Gigers Residential Subdivision, Queensland National Land Transport Network Maintenance, and Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan SuperGrid. The following 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 performance in Cooktown has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Cooktown has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. Its unemployment rate was 5.0% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 1.2%.

As of June 2025, 1,407 residents are employed, while the unemployment rate is 1.1% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation lags at 50.6%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and construction. Cooktown specializes in public administration & safety, with an employment share 2.3 times the regional level.

Manufacturing is under-represented, at 0.8% compared to Rest of Qld's 5.6%. Employment opportunities appear limited locally, as indicated by Census data. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 1.2%, labour force by 1.8%, resulting in a 0.6 percentage point unemployment rise. In comparison, Rest of Qld saw employment grow by 1.8%, labour force expand by 2.0%, and unemployment rise by 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Cooktown's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2022 shows Cooktown had a median income among taxpayers of $66,211. The average income stood at $75,830. Nationally, these figures are high compared to Rest of Qld's $50,780 and $64,844 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, estimates as of September 2025 would be approximately $75,474 (median) and $86,439 (average). Census 2021 income data indicates household, family, and personal incomes in Cooktown fall between the 14th and 24th percentiles nationally. The $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket dominates with 27.9% of residents, mirroring the broader area's 31.7%. Housing costs are modest, with 86.8% of income retained, but total disposable income ranks at just the 17th percentile nationally.

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

Dwelling structure in Cooktown, as evaluated at the latest Census held on 9 August 2016, comprised 86.1% houses and 13.9% other dwellings such as semi-detached units, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. In contrast, Non-Metro Qld had no recorded houses or other dwellings at the time of the Census. Home ownership in Cooktown stood at 37.6%, with mortgaged properties making up 24.0% and rented dwellings comprising 38.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Cooktown was $1,300, aligning with Non-Metro Qld's average. The median weekly rent figure for Cooktown was recorded at $230, while Non-Metro Qld had no reported rental figures. Nationally, Cooktown's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, as reported in the 2017 Housing Industry Association - Bankwest Housing Finance Report. Similarly, rents in Cooktown were substantially below the national figure of $375 per week, according to the same report.

Cooktown features high concentrations of lone person households, with a median household size of 2.3 people

Family households constitute 62.8% of all households, including 22.0% couples with children, 27.5% couples without children, and 12.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 37.2%, with lone person households at 33.8% and group households comprising 3.7%. The median household size is 2.3 people.

Educational outcomes in Cooktown fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The region faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 20.2%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives in the area. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 14.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.8%). Vocational credentials are also common, with 45.7% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas account for 10.1% and certificates for 35.6%.

Educational participation is notably high, with 33.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 14.9% in primary education, 10.0% in secondary education, and 3.0% pursuing tertiary education. Cooktown's three schools have a combined enrollment of 631 students as of the latest data. The area demonstrates varied educational conditions with an ICSEA score of 874. The educational mix includes one secondary school and two K-12 schools. With 21.0 school places per 100 residents, the area shows strong educational infrastructure serving both local and surrounding communities.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

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

Cooktown shows superior health outcomes for both young and elderly residents, with low prevalence of common health conditions.

Approximately 57% (~1,722 individuals) have private health cover, a rate significantly higher than the Queensland average. The most prevalent medical issues are arthritis (8.1%) and mental health concerns (6.3%), while 73.2% report no medical ailments, compared to 0% in the rest of Queensland. The area has 21.0%, or 631 people, aged 65 and over. Health outcomes among seniors are notably strong, outperforming the general population in health metrics.

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

Cooktown has lower cultural diversity, with 81.2% citizens, 84.9% born in Australia, and 89.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, accounting for 48.5%. This contrasts with no data available for the rest of Queensland.

Ancestry-wise, Australians make up 27.7%, English 25.4%, and Australian Aboriginal 12.5%. Notably, New Zealanders are overrepresented at 0.9% (regional none%), Maori at 0.8% (none%), and Germans at 4.4% (none%).

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

Cooktown's median age is 44 years, which is marginally above the Rest of Qld average of 41, and considerably older than Australia's median age of 38. The age profile shows that those aged 55-64 are particularly prominent, making up 15.4% of the population, while those aged 15-24 comprise only 8.7%. Between 2021 and present, the 35 to 44 age group has grown from 12.0% to 12.6% of the population. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 13.7% to 11.8%. Population forecasts for Cooktown in 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes. The 35 to 44 age group is projected to grow by 21%, adding 79 residents to reach a total of 459. In contrast, population declines are projected for those aged 55-64 and 5-14 years old.