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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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Garbutt has an estimated 2,508 residents, up from 2,309 at the 2021 Census — a change of 199 people, or 8.6%. Growth has averaged 1.5% a year over five years. Overseas migration accounts for 53.0% of that increase. That puts 204 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
According to AreaSearch's evaluation of regional ABS updates and address validations conducted post-Census, the suburb of Garbutt has an estimated population of approximately 2,508 as of Aug 2026. This represents an expansion of 199 people (8.6%) relative to the 2,309 residents recorded in the 2021 Census. Such movement is calculated from an estimated resident base of 2,507 determined by AreaSearch following the ABS June 2025 ERP release, alongside 73 validated new addresses confirmed after the Census. With a density of 204 persons per square kilometer, the locality offers generous space per resident as well as capacity for future expansion.
Outperforming both the broader SA3 area and the SA4 region (7.2%), the suburb of Garbutt registered an 8.6% increase since the 2021 census, establishing itself as a regional pacesetter. Inflow from overseas migration served as the primary growth catalyst, generating roughly 53.0% of total demographic gains in recent times. SA2 projections published jointly by the ABS and Geoscience Australia in 2024 (benchmarked to 2022) form the foundation of AreaSearch's demographic modeling. For timeframes past 2032 or areas omitted from that series, 2023 Queensland State Government SA2 figures based on 2021 benchmarks are utilized. Because those state releases do not separate cohorts by age, AreaSearch incorporates cohort weightings derived from the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections (based on 2022 data). Under this framework, demographic momentum is expected to soften, with total numbers projected to shrink by 184 persons by 2041. Even so, certain segments are slated for expansion, most prominently residents aged 85 and over, which should gain 48 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
83 new dwellings have been approved in Garbutt over the past five years, an average of 16 a year. That is 4.2 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
ABS building approval statistics compiled by AreaSearch indicate that the local residential pipeline averages approximately 16 dwellings approved per year. Across the last 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), around 83 residences received permits, including 3 logged to date in FY-25. Construction costs for newly approved residences average $539,000. With approximately 3.5 new residents per year added for each dwelling built over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), construction has lagged behind incoming demand, a dynamic that typically spurs buyer rivalry and price appreciation. Furthermore, the current financial year has seen $29.5 million in commercial building approvals, demonstrating substantial momentum across non-residential sectors.
Per capita construction activity aligns closely with Rest of Qld benchmarks, preserving structural market balance relative to the surrounding region. Recent residential building activity is weighted toward standalone houses at 80.0%, while attached dwellings account for 20.0%, sustaining the neighborhood's low-density environment and providing detached family options tailored to buyers prioritizing space. A ratio of roughly 293 people per approval highlights a locality currently undergoing market transition. Given that demographic figures are projected to plateau or reduce, housing demand pressures should moderate, potentially opening up favorable opportunities for purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Garbutt
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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 5 current infrastructure and development projects inside Garbutt, worth an estimated $740 million. A further 22 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $3.99 billion. 10 are already under construction and 6 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and communities, precincts & urban renewal. 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
Infrastructure upgrades, major developments, and strategic initiatives play a defining role in shaping local growth. AreaSearch has pinpointed 16 projects poised to influence the surrounding area, with notable developments including the Army Aviation Program of Works - RAAF Base Townsville, Weststate Private Hospital, Queensland Rail Support Facilities, Bolam Street, and the Townsville Airport Redevelopment.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Army Aviation Program of Works - RAAF Base Townsville
A AUD 700 million Defence infrastructure upgrade at RAAF Base Townsville and the Townsville Field Training Area to support the Australian Army AH-64E Apache fleet and expanded aviation operations. Works include new and refurbished aircraft hangars, command and working accommodation, training facilities, simulator facilities, maintenance and refuelling infrastructure, explosive ordnance areas, airfield upgrades and multi-storey car parking. The program supports relocation of 1st Aviation Regiment from Darwin and 16th Aviation Brigade Headquarters from Brisbane. Construction is underway, CPB Contractors is the managing contractor, and works are expected to be completed by 2028.
Queensland Rail Support Facilities, Bolam Street
Establishment of new rail support facilities adjacent to the rail corridor at 40 Bolam Street, Garbutt. Construction works include movement of trucks, project vehicles, and general construction noise.
Weststate Private Hospital
A $60 million short-stay private hospital development transforming the heritage-listed former Townsville West State School into specialist consulting suites, with a new five-storey purpose-built hospital next door. The project includes four operating theatres, one procedure room, a HDU/ICU, 19 day beds, 26 overnight rooms, consulting rooms, cafe and 24/7 kitchen. Official project sources indicate construction has commenced and Centuria schedules completion for 2026.
Summerset Estate
Summerset Estate is an exciting new community nestled within Townsvilles established suburb of Mount Louisa. It is located just 8km from the CBD and is surrounded by existing amenities such as shops, schools, childcare, sporting grounds, parks, and playgrounds, making it a short distance from everything needed for a comfortable lifestyle.
Townsville Airport Redevelopment
Expansion of the airport terminal and development of the surrounding precinct, including a new gateway precinct with an airport hotel, retail, food and beverage offerings. The master plan guides development over the next 20 years to support predicted passenger growth to 3.7 million by 2043.
Eden Park Estate
Premium acreage estate in Townsville's Northern Beaches offering large blocks ranging from 2000sqm to over 4000sqm. This master-planned park residential development provides a rural lifestyle combined with modern comfort, featuring town water and fully sewered lots.
Francis Street Roadworks, West End
Townsville City Council is delivering roadworks on Francis Street between Henry Street and Leigh Street, West End. Works form part of Council's annual roadworks program and include removing and replacing the kerb and channel, upgrading identified driveway crossovers, and renewing sections of concrete medians.
4A Plant Street
A recently completed, award-winning home in West End, constructed by Franzmann Constructions. The sophisticated home spans 282my on a 405my block and was recognized with the 2024 HIA Award for Interior Design.
1,053 residents of Garbutt are employed, from a labour force of 1,204. Unemployment sits at 12.5%, with participation at 55.8%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.4% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 7,470, about 3.0 times the resident population, so the area draws in more workers than it sends out. 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 local labour market maintains a diverse mix of blue-collar and professional occupations alongside solid representation in essential services, with statistical aggregation from AreaSearch showing an unemployment rate of 12.5%. Working residents stood at 1,053 as of March 2026, though local unemployment exceeds Regional Qld's 3.9% by 8.6%, and the labor participation rate of 55.8% trails the Regional Qld benchmark of 64.2%. Remote workers accounted for only 3.4% of the workforce at the Census, though pandemic-related lockdown measures may have influenced these figures. Resident employment is concentrated primarily in public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and construction.
Public administration & safety is an especially prominent sector, engaging workers at 2.5 times the wider regional proportion. In contrast, no local workers are engaged in agriculture, forestry & fishing, falling short of the 4.5% seen across Regional Qld. Boasting 4.4 workers for every resident at the Census, the locality serves as a substantial job generator, drawing in commuter talent from nearby communities. Over the 12-month period leading up to March 2026, analysis of ABS and SALM data shows the local workforce shrank by 1.4% and total employment fell by 2.0%, lifting unemployment by 0.5 percentage points. In comparison, Regional Qld experienced a 0.3% increase in its labour pool, a 0.1% rise in employed persons, and a 0.1 percentage point increase in joblessness. National forecasts released by Jobs and Skills Australia in Mar-26 provide perspective on potential longer-term labor demand. When applying nationwide industry trajectories—forecast to grow 6.6% across five years and 13.7% over ten years—to the local occupational profile, projected job gains for the area reach 6.4% over five years and 13.4% over ten years (representing a direct baseline weighting that excludes localized population adjustments).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Garbutt is $1,082 a week (about $56,000 a year), with median personal income at $643 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $46,589 a year against an average of $60,451. 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
Taxation records aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 reveal a median taxpayer income of $46,589 alongside a mean of $60,451, positioning the area below national levels and trailing Regional Qld benchmarks of $53,146 (median) and $66,593 (average). Applying an 11.36% increase in line with the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023 yields updated estimates of roughly $51,882 for median income and $67,318 for average earnings as of March 2026. Across household, family, and personal metrics, 2021 Census returns position the locality between the national 6th and 18th percentiles.
The primary earnings tier is the $1,500 - 2,999 range, which captures 26.6% of residents (667 people), echoing broader regional distributions where 31.7% fall into that bracket. Budget constraints remain elevated, with households retaining only 81.5% of income after shelter costs, placing the area in the 6th percentile nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Garbutt had 998 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 67% detached houses and 1% apartments. 25% are owned with a mortgage, 56% rented and 18% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $220 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,300 a month. Rent absorbs 20.3% of household income here and mortgage repayments 27.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
The local housing stock at the most recent Census was divided between standalone houses (66.5%) and attached or alternative dwellings (33.4%), compared with 76.4% houses and 23.6% other configurations throughout Regional Qld. Outright home ownership stood at 18.4%, trailing regional benchmarks, while 25.2% of homes were held under a mortgage and 56.4% were tenanted. Typical mortgage commitments sat at $1,300 per month and median weekly rental outlays were $220, both noticeably more affordable than the Regional Qld averages of $1,655 and $345. Across Australia, these figures compare favorably against nationwide medians of $1,863 for monthly home loans and $375 for weekly rents.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Garbutt counted 998 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 1,084 today, averaging 2.0 people each. 13% are couples with children, fewer than in 96% of areas nationally, against 18% couples without children. 45% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families account for 49.2% of local residences, comprising couples without children (18.3%), single parent families (16.3%), and couples with children (12.8%). The remaining 50.8% consists of non-family living arrangements, primarily lone person households (44.7%) alongside group residences (6.0%). At 2.0 people per dwelling, median household occupancy remains below the 2.5 person average recorded across Regional Qld.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
15.6% of adults in Garbutt hold a university qualification, including 11.7% with a bachelor degree and 2.8% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 92% of areas nationally. A further 31.7% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 95 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 784 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
Tertiary attainment represents a prominent structural disparity, with only 15.6% of residents possessing a university qualification compared to 30.4% across Australia, highlighting a key target for future development. Bachelor degrees constitute the largest share of higher education credentials at 11.7%, while postgraduate degrees make up 2.8% and graduate diplomas 1.1%. Applied technical learning is strong, with 41.3% of individuals aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, including certificates (31.7%) and advanced diplomas (9.6%). A substantial 28.3% of the population is actively participating in formal study. By level of schooling, this cohort includes 8.9% attending primary institutions, 8.0% enrolled in secondary classes, and 5.7% engaged in higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Garbutt reaches 32 stops on 5 routes, timetabled for about 540 services a week. The typical home sits about 170 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 0.9 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local public transit network includes 32 active transport stops, providing bus connections across the area. These stops are linked by 5 distinct routes that generate 542 weekly passenger trips in total. Accessibility is high, with typical walking distances of 171 meters to the nearest transit point. Given the residential makeup of the area, daily travel is predominantly outbound, led by private vehicles at 89%. Car ownership sits below the wider regional baseline at 0.9 per dwelling, while 3.4% of employed residents worked remotely according to the 2021 Census, a figure potentially shaped by pandemic conditions.
Transit services run at a frequency of 77 trips per day across all routes combined, delivering roughly 16 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
60.7% of residents in Garbutt report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 94% of areas nationally. 9.2% need daily assistance with core activities, and 51.2% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 7.4 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Epidemiological data compiled by AreaSearch demonstrates notable health hurdles, with chronic illnesses and elevated mortality impacting demographic groups across all age brackets, while private health insurance adoption is limited to approximately 51% of residents (~1,283 people). Arthritis and mental health conditions rank as the most prevalent health concerns, reported by 9.5% and 11.4% of residents, respectively, while 60.7% of the community reported having no long-term medical conditions compared to 67.6% throughout Regional Qld. Chronic ailments present notable challenges among working-age individuals. Meanwhile, residents aged 65 and over comprise 20.6% of the population (516 people), experiencing health outcomes that align broadly with wider national senior benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Garbutt is largely Australian-born, at 82.7% of residents, with 10.3% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (27.5%) and Australian (24.1%). 9.3% 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
Measures of cultural diversity sit below national benchmarks, with 89.7% of residents speaking exclusively English in domestic settings, 82.7% born in Australia, and 81.5% holding Australian citizenship. Christianity represents the leading religious affiliation at 52.6% of the populace. Notably, affiliations classified under Other show a higher presence locally at 1.1%, compared to 0.8% in Regional Qld. Regarding ancestral heritage, the leading lineages identified are English (27.5%), Australian (24.1%), and Australian Aboriginal (9.3%), with Indigenous ancestry sitting well above the wider regional mark of 3.9%. Additional cultural backgrounds show higher concentrations relative to broader trends, including Filipino at 1.9% (vs 0.9%), Maori at 1.2% (vs 0.8%), and Spanish at 0.5% (vs 0.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Garbutt is 41. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 30.8% 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
Age distributions align closely with Regional Qld patterns, showing a maximum divergence of 2.6 percentage points across the major demographic tiers. The local median age is estimated at 41, softening from 42 at the 2021 Census and matching the Regional Qld figure of 41 recorded during the same Census. Among the broader age segments, the most pronounced change since the Census occurred across the 45 - 64 bracket, dropping from 27.3% to an estimated 23.0%. Looking toward 2041, senior cohorts (65+) are slated to capture the bulk of population growth, expanding by 53 residents (10%) to reach 570, while younger cohorts and middle-aged brackets are projected to shrink.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Garbutt
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, State agencies, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 months ago all 5 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 — 73 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (2,309 at the 2021 Census → 2,508 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 (SAL31098). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.