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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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Gulliver has an estimated 3,096 residents, up from 2,884 at the 2021 Census — a change of 212 people, or 7.4%. Growth has averaged 1.1% a year over five years. Natural increase accounts for 63.0% of that increase. That puts 1,692 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
As of Aug 2026, the suburb of Gulliver has an estimated population of approximately 3,096 residents, according to AreaSearch analysis combining broader ABS updates with post-Census address validations. This represents an addition of 212 people (7.4%) relative to the 2021 Census tally of 2,884 people. This updated figure is based on AreaSearch's evaluation of the ABS ERP release from June 2025 alongside 27 validated new addresses identified since the Census. Consequently, population density stands at 1,691 persons per square kilometer, tracking higher than the national benchmark across assessed locations. With a 7.4% expansion since the 2021 census, the suburb of Gulliver outpaced the wider SA4 region (7.2%), establishing itself as a regional growth frontrunner.
Natural increase served as the primary growth catalyst, generating roughly 63.0% of recent population gains. Projections for the suburb of Gulliver utilise ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 modeling released in 2024 (2022 base year), supplemented beyond 2032 and for unmapped areas by 2023 Queensland State Government figures (2021 base year). Because state forecasts omit age breakdowns, AreaSearch incorporates age-cohort weightings aligned with the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections (2022 base data). Applying this framework forward, the suburb of Gulliver is projected to experience a net population contraction of 136 persons by 2041. In contrast to this aggregate decline, certain demographics will expand, particularly the 25 to 34 age bracket, which is slated to add 62 people. Consult the age section for further details.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential planning and building activity across Gulliver remains subdued, registering an average of 3 new dwellings approved each year (amounting to 16 approvals across a five-year timeframe). Limited building activity aligns with typical low-density rural markets where local demand remains modest and existing infrastructure constraints curtail construction volume. Given the small number of total approvals, individual building projects can generate noticeable variations in annual statistics and growth comparisons. Building approvals in Gulliver trail behind both Rest of Qld and broader Australian averages. Detached houses constitute 75.0% of new residential development, while medium and high-density formats make up 25.0%, catering primarily to households seeking spacious rural living.
Reflecting a mature urban landscape, the area records roughly 474 people per dwelling approval. Given that long-range population forecasts indicate a steady or declining demographic base, future demand pressures on local housing supply should ease, creating more favourable conditions for prospective purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Gulliver
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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 32 current infrastructure and development projects close to Gulliver, worth an estimated $3.64 billion. 14 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
Local infrastructure investment, strategic planning, and capital projects play a pivotal role in shaping area growth. AreaSearch has identified 3 significant developments poised to impact the locality, featuring major undertakings such as Harris Crossing Estate, Eden Park Estate, Sanctum Estate, and the Army Aviation Program of Works - RAAF Base Townsville.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
Garbutt - Upper Ross Road (Riverway Drive) Stage 2 Duplication
Stage 2 upgrades a 3.1 km section of Riverway Drive in Kelso, Townsville, including widening a 1.6 km section between Allambie Lane and Hammond Way to four lanes, plus median treatments and right turn improvements on the remaining 1.5 km to Dunlop Street. The project also delivers new and upgraded signalised intersections at Rosewood/Buunong Avenue, Yut Fay Avenue and Ponti Road, along with active transport links and bus stop upgrades. Construction started on 30 September 2024 and is expected to finish by mid-2027, weather and construction conditions permitting.The project supports more than 140 local jobs and serves around 17,000 motorists daily, targeting safety, network reliability and congestion relief for the Upper Ross growth area.
Annandale Christian College Master Plan
The Annandale Christian College Master Plan is a 10-stage expansion plan approved by the College Board in 2022, developed with input from students, parents, staff, and the community. In 2023 the college commenced a Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) application covering all ten stages. Stage 1, approved by Townsville City Council, involves a roof and spectator seating over the existing basketball court, a new maintenance workshop, and a dedicated off-street bus parking and turnaround area, relocated to the south-west corner of the site to allow room for future stages.Proposed completion of Stage 1 was targeted for 2024. As of the most recent update, the college had appointed a new architect to continue developing the master plan and was pursuing Block Grant Authority funding for the next phase.
Willows Shopping Centre Redevelopment
Major redevelopment and expansion of Willows Shopping Centre including new fresh food precinct and introduction of ALDI, TK Maxx, and Planet Fitness. Centre sold for $212 million in 2024 featuring 44,507sqm GLA on 15.39-hectare site.
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.
1,374 residents of Gulliver are employed, from a labour force of 1,511. Unemployment sits at 9.1%, with participation at 58.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.5% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. 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 force in Gulliver maintains strong coverage across key essential industries, alongside an unemployment rate of 9.1% according to aggregated statistical figures compiled by AreaSearch. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 1,374, while the jobless rate sat 5.2% higher than the Regional Qld benchmark of 3.9%, highlighting potential for labour market improvements. Labour participation also trails at 58.7% compared to 64.2% across Regional Qld. Census records indicate that 4.8% of workers operated from home, though pandemic restrictions at the time should be kept in mind. Major employment sectors among local workers include health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction.
In particular, public administration & safety shows a heavy local footprint, employing residents at 1.7 times the broader regional rate. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for merely 0.2% of the local workforce, well under the 4.5% seen in Regional Qld. The mismatch between resident workers and local operational jobs underlines the area's predominantly residential character with constrained internal employment options. Based on AreaSearch analysis aggregating SALM and ABS datasets over a 12-month period, the local labour force contracted by 0.9% as overall employment fell 2.6%, driving a 1.5 percentage points lift in unemployment. In comparison, Regional Qld recorded a 0.1% rise in employment, a 0.3% increase in the labour pool, and a 0.1 percentage points uptick in unemployment. Looking forward, national forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 outline broader industry trajectories over five and ten-year horizons. Across Australia, workforce numbers are projected to grow 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with performance varying widely across different industries. Weighting these sectoral forecasts against Gulliver's local employment distribution indicates prospective growth of 6.5% across five years and 13.6% over ten years (representing an unadjusted industry-weighted model that excludes local population shifts).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Gulliver is $1,343 a week (about $70,000 a year), with median personal income at $728 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $53,159 a year against an average of $62,488. 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
According to AreaSearch's evaluation of ATO postcode data for financial year 2023, taxpayers in Gulliver recorded a median income of $53,159 and an average of $62,488. These earnings fall below national figures, while comparing to a median of $53,146 and an average of $66,593 across Regional Qld. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, updated estimates as of March 2026 reach approximately $59,198 for the median and $69,587 for the average. In the 2021 Census, Gulliver's personal, family, and household earnings placed in the lower tiers nationally, between the 23rd and 34th percentiles.
A substantial 31.9% of local earners (987 individuals) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly band, closely matching the regional proportion of 31.7%. Residual income after servicing housing costs stands at 85.2%, placing the suburb in the 25th percentile across Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Gulliver had 1,118 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 89% detached houses and 2% apartments. 37% are owned with a mortgage, 33% rented and 30% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $270 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,300 a month. Rent absorbs 20.1% of household income here and mortgage repayments 22.3%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential housing in Gulliver at the latest Census was comprised of 88.8% detached houses and 11.2% other property types (including apartments, townhouses, and semi-detached units), contrasting with Regional Qld where houses accounted for 76.4% and other dwellings 23.6%. Outright home ownership stood at 30.3%, slightly trailing the broader regional proportion, while 36.5% of homes were mortgaged and 33.2% were occupied by tenants. Typical monthly mortgage payments stood at $1,300, substantially lower than the Regional Qld median of $1,655 and the national benchmark of $1,863. Median weekly rent was $270, remaining well under the regional rate of $345 and the Australian figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Gulliver counted 1,118 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 1,200 today, averaging 2.3 people each. 22% are couples with children, fewer than in 81% of areas nationally, against 24% couples without children. 32% 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 form 63.6% of local households, consisting of couples without children (24.2%), couples with children (21.8%), and single parent arrangements (15.3%). The remaining 36.4% consists of non-family living situations, led by single-person dwellings at 32.4% and group households at 3.9%. The area's median household size is 2.3 people, lower than the Regional Qld figure of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
17.6% of adults in Gulliver hold a university qualification, including 12.5% with a bachelor degree and 2.7% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 32.1% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 1,977 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 950 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
Educational attainment levels show that 17.6% of residents hold university qualifications, lagging the national figure of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees comprise the largest tertiary segment at 12.5%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.7% and graduate diplomas at 2.4%. Vocational and technical qualifications are widespread, with 40.3% of individuals aged 15+ possessing vocational credentials, including certificates (32.1%) and advanced diplomas (8.2%). Enrolment rates are robust, with 33.4% of the population actively engaged in study. This includes 12.9% attending secondary institutions, 10.1% enrolled in primary education, and 4.3% undertaking tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Gulliver reaches 17 stops on 3 routes, timetabled for about 310 services a week. The typical home sits about 190 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.2 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
Public transit across the suburb of Gulliver includes 17 bus stops connected by 3 separate routes that provide 314 weekly services. Accessibility is strong, with the typical resident situated 192 meters from their closest transit facility. Outbound commuting is prevalent given the suburban setting, with private vehicles accounting for 94% of journeys. Vehicle availability averages 1.2 per dwelling, below regional norms, while 4.8% of the workforce worked from home at the 2021 Census under potential pandemic influences. Transit services run at a combined frequency of 44 trips per day across the network, translating to roughly 18 weekly departures per stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
63.4% of residents in Gulliver report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 89% of areas nationally. 7.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 52.0% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 7.1 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health metrics evaluated by AreaSearch indicate notable challenges in Gulliver across chronic illness rates and mortality, with common conditions impacting both younger and older cohorts. Private health insurance uptake covers approximately 52% of the community (~1,608 people), slightly under the average SA2 benchmark. Mental health conditions and arthritis represent the most prevalent diagnosed issues, affecting 10.5 and 9.4% of residents, respectively, while 63.4% of residents reported having no long-term medical ailments compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Chronic illness remains elevated among the working-age cohort. Seniors aged 65 and over account for 18.9% of the population (585 people), below the Regional Qld share of 20.3%, with elderly health indicators tracking consistently with broader population trends.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Gulliver is largely Australian-born, at 88.7% of residents, with 9.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (28.0%) and English (26.2%). 5.9% 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 metrics show Gulliver sitting below Australian diversity norms, with Australian citizens comprising 87.6% of residents, 88.7% born domestically, and 90.6% speaking solely English at home. Christianity forms the predominant faith, practiced by 52.1% of the community, which aligns closely with the Regional Qld figure of 52.2%. Regarding reported heritage based on parental birthplace, the leading backgrounds in Gulliver are Australian (28.0%), English (26.2%), and Irish (9.1%). Distinct variations also emerge in other ancestries: Australian Aboriginal representation is notably elevated at 5.9% compared to 3.9% across the wider region, while French stands at 0.6% (vs 0.5%) and Hungarian at 0.3% (vs 0.2%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Gulliver is 39. 27.7% 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
Demographic age distributions in Gulliver align closely with Regional Qld, with the largest variance across broad age groups measuring 2.1 percentage points. The median age remains at an estimated 39, matching the 2021 Census level and sitting 2 years younger than the Regional Qld median of 41 from that same Census. The 45 - 64 age bracket has decreased from 26.0% at the Census to an estimated 24.3%. Through to 2041, the 25 - 44 age cohort is projected to see the largest gain, adding 44 residents (5%) to reach 852, whereas younger demographics and mature adult/early retiree groups are expected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Gulliver
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, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 months ago all 2 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 — 27 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (2,884 at the 2021 Census → 3,096 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 (SAL31263). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.