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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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Kuranda has an estimated 3,343 residents, up from 3,273 at the 2021 Census — a change of 70 people, or 2.1%. Growth has averaged 0.8% a year over five years, slower than 79% of areas nationally. Density is about 29 people per 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
Based on demographic assessments of the broader region and recent address validations conducted by AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Kuranda has an estimated population of approximately 3,343 as of May 2026. This marks an expansion of 70 people (2.1%) from the 2021 Census, when the count stood at 3,273 people. This estimate derives from a resident baseline of 3,335 calculated by AreaSearch using the ABS June 2025 release of estimated resident population statistics, combined with 13 validated new addresses registered since the Census. The local population density stands at 29 persons per square kilometer, indicating a spacious residential environment.
Net interstate migration served as the primary growth contributor, accounting for roughly 56.00000000000001% of the total demographic increase, with natural growth and overseas arrivals also serving as positive influences. Projections utilize ABS and Geoscience Australia forecasts issued in 2024 with a 2022 baseline, supplemented by 2023 Queensland Government projections based on 2021 data for areas lacking local coverage and for periods past 2032. Because state projections exclude age breakdowns, AreaSearch scales cohorts based on the 2023 capital region projections from 2022 data. Expectations point to population growth in regional districts exceeding national medians, with the suburb of Kuranda projected to expand by 547 persons by 2041, representing a total rise of 16.1% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
29 new dwellings have been approved in Kuranda over the past five years, an average of 5 a year. That is 1.8 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
Analysis of building permit statistics indicates the suburb of Kuranda averages approximately 5 residential approvals annually, totaling 29 home approvals over the preceding 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25) and 3 in the current FY-26 period. With local population growth generating an average demand of 4.3 residents per new dwelling built from FY-21 to FY-25, construction rates are falling short of housing needs, which typically drives up local buyer competition and puts upward pressure on prices. Newly approved dwellings carry an average value of $592,000, pointing to developer activity focused on higher-end builds.
Additionally, the area recorded $494,000 in commercial approvals this fiscal year, highlighting its primarily residential focus. Furthermore, all recent construction approvals have been for detached houses, reinforcing the low-density character of the area which draws buyers seeking spacious properties. The presence of 836 people per housing approval underscores the low level of local construction activity. Looking forward, the suburb of Kuranda is projected to add 539 residents by 2041 based on the most recent quarterly estimate from AreaSearch. If building activity remains at its current pace, the supply of new housing may not keep pace with population growth, potentially heightening competition among buyers and supporting price growth.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Kuranda
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks one current infrastructure or development project inside Kuranda, worth an estimated $3 million. A further 42 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $4.15 billion. 14 are already under construction and 17 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and transport & logistics. 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
Changes to local planning, major infrastructure, and developmental projects have significant impacts on the performance of a region. AreaSearch has identified 9 projects likely to influence the local area. The most relevant projects include the Kuranda Subdivision Project, the Northern Beaches Water Network Upgrade, The Palms, and Estia on Arlington.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Barnwell Road Subdivision Project
A rural residential subdivision development on Barnwell Road in Kuranda, bordering Cain Creek. Initially proposed as a six-lot development, it was approved by the Mareeba Shire Council as a four-lot subdivision. The consolidation ensures land parcels are between 1.5 and 2.7 hectares to match the area's character and address community concerns regarding water supply and wildlife habitat.
Northern Beaches Water Network Upgrade
Council's 10-year program (circa $31m) to install and replace trunk and distribution water mains across Cairns' Northern Beaches to improve flow, reduce breakages, and increase reliability for about 34,000 residents. Staged delivery: Stages 1-5 completed (2015-2020), Stage 6 Kamerunga Road underway, Stage 7 Trinity Beach mains and booster station planned by Dec 2026, Stage 8 Paradise Palms to Clifton Beach trunk main planned by Jun 2032.
Reefsedge Resort & Waterpark
A state-of-the-art $235 million waterpark and luxury resort development on the former Paradise Palms site. The project features 22 slides, including a three-level tower and the King Cobra slide, plus wave and lagoon pools. The masterplan includes 364 villas, 127 ensuited caravan sites, and a fully renovated clubhouse. Designed as a catalytic tourism project for Far North Queensland, it expects to attract 379,000 annual visitors and create over 400 operational jobs.
The Palms
The Palms is a major masterplanned redevelopment of the former Paradise Palms Golf Course into a mixed-use precinct. The project features approximately 330 residential lots and the $210 million Reefsedge Waterpark and Tourist Park, which includes over 20 water slides, resort pools, 364 villas, and 47 caravan sites. The site also incorporates a proposed Catholic primary school and a village hub with retail and dining. Civil works are ongoing, with the waterpark and resort components targeted for a mid-2026 opening.
The Palms Collection Masterplan
A $300 million-plus masterplanned community transforming the former Paradise Palms Golf Course into a mixed-use precinct. The development comprises 438 residential lots (including an estate and a 349-site land-lease retirement village), a Catholic primary school, EnviroDevelopment-certified open space with walking trails, and planned tourism accommodation. The Reefsedge Resort and Waterpark component ($210 million, 427 cabins, water slides and wave pool) was cancelled in May 2026 after civil works were largely completed, due to a significant escalation in project costs linked to global supply chain disruptions and the conflict in Iran.The residential subdivision and retirement village remain under active construction. Civil works contractor FGF Developments and builder Keir Queensland Design and Construct were engaged for the waterpark stage.
Northern Beaches Catholic Primary School
Proposed Catholic primary school within The Palms masterplanned community at the former Paradise Palms site in Kewarra Beach. The school is intended to service growing enrolments across the Cairns Northern Beaches. Cairns Catholic Education continues to identify the school as a future project subject to funding, statutory approvals and delivery scheduling. No construction commencement has been announced.
Estia on Arlington
Independent living retirement apartments developed by St John's Community Care in Clifton Beach. The project comprises two towers with 32 two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments and shared amenities such as a heated pool, gym, library, allied health rooms and outdoor areas. Officially inaugurated in June 2024 and now selling with apartments available.
Seascape Terraces, Trinity Park
Residential development featuring terraced housing and apartments in Trinity Park. Multiple building types proposed with contemporary tropical architecture and landscaped outdoor spaces.
1,369 residents of Kuranda are employed, from a labour force of 1,556. Unemployment sits at 12.1%, with participation at 55.8%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.7% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,796, about 84% 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 local labor pool is characterized by skilled workers and solid representation across essential services, alongside an unemployment rate of 12.1% based on aggregated local data. As of March 2026, 1,369 local citizens are employed, with the unemployment rate sitting 8.2% higher than the Regional Qld benchmark of 3.9%, and participation rates falling behind at 55.8% compared to the regional average of 64.3%. Census statistics indicate that a moderate 21.8% of workers operate from home, though this figure reflects historical lockdown circumstances. The primary sectors employing local workers are healthcare & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade.
The community shows a clear specialization in education & training, employing workers at 1.4 times the regional rate. Conversely, manufacturing accounts for only 3.1% of employment, which is lower than the Regional Qld benchmark of 5.6%. Comparing Census working population counts with resident numbers indicates a limited volume of local job opportunities. Data from SALM and the ABS indicates that over the 12-month period, the local labor force contracted by 3.0% and employment fell by 7.6%, leading to a 4.5 percentage point rise in the unemployment rate. This trend diverges from Regional Qld, which recorded a 0.1% rise in employment, a 0.3% increase in the labor force, and a minor 0.1 percentage point uptick in unemployment. National employment projections published in May-25 by Jobs and Skills Australia provide further context regarding future demand. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential changes. While nationwide jobs are projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trends vary widely by sector. Applying these trends to the local employment mix suggests job numbers in the suburb of Kuranda could grow by 6.7% over five years and 13.9% over ten years, noting this is a simple weighted extrapolation that does not incorporate localized population shifts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Kuranda is $1,284 a week (about $67,000 a year), with median personal income at $600 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $40,974 a year against an average of $53,568. 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
Based on tax data for the 2023 financial year, the suburb of Kuranda recorded a median taxpayer income of $40,974 and an average income of $53,568. These figures sit below the national averages and compare to Regional Qld benchmarks of $53,146 (median) and $66,593 (average). Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since the 2023 financial year yields updated estimates of approximately $45,629 for the median and $59,653 for the average as of March 2026. According to Census data, household, family, and personal incomes in the suburb of Kuranda rank between the 11th and 19th percentiles nationally.
The largest income bracket contains 29.1% of residents (972 people) earning between $1,500 - 2,999, mirroring the regional pattern where this group comprises 31.7%. Affordability pressures are high, with residents retaining only 84.8% of their income, placing the area in the 20th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Kuranda had 1,155 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 88% detached houses and 4% apartments. 34% are owned with a mortgage, 27% rented and 39% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $260 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,595 a month. Rent absorbs 20.2% of household income here and mortgage repayments 28.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Housing profiles from the latest Census show that the suburb of Kuranda consists of 88.3% houses and 11.6% other dwelling types such as apartments and semi-detached properties, compared to Regional Qld averages of 76.4% and 23.6% respectively. Home ownership stands out at 39.3% of homes owned outright, with mortgaged properties making up 34.0% and rentals accounting for 26.7%. The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,595 is below the Regional Qld average of $1,655, while the median weekly rent of $260 is below the regional benchmark of $345. Locally, mortgage costs are also below the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are lower than the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Kuranda counted 1,155 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.5 people each. 23% are couples with children, fewer than in 77% of areas nationally, against 31% couples without children. 29% 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 make up 66.8% of local households, consisting of 23.0% couples with children, 30.8% couples without children, and 11.3% single parent households. The remaining 33.2% are non-family households, with single person dwellings making up 29.2% and group houses comprising 4.2%. The median household size of 2.5 people is equal to the Regional Qld average.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
27.3% of adults in Kuranda hold a university qualification, including 17.9% with a bachelor degree and 5.7% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 28.0% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 490 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 971 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 profiles in the area are distinctive, with tertiary qualification rates at 27.3% of residents aged 15+ exceeding the Rest of Qld average of 20.6% and the SA4 region level of 21.1%. Bachelor degrees are held by 17.9% of residents, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 5.7% and graduate diplomas at 3.7%. Technical and vocational credentials are held by 41.1% of residents aged 15+, which includes advanced diplomas at 13.1% and certificates at 28.0%. Enrolment in formal education is high, with 33.5% of residents currently studying. This group comprises 12.3% of residents in primary schools, 11.4% in secondary schools, and 4.4% enrolled in tertiary courses.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Kuranda means driving: households keep an average of 1.4 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
70.8% of residents in Kuranda report no long-term health condition. 4.9% need daily assistance with core activities, and 48.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.1 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health outcomes in the suburb of Kuranda are higher than average, based on assessments of mortality rates and chronic health conditions, with low rates of common illnesses reported among both younger and older cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is low, held by approximately 48% of the population (~1,619 people), compared to 52.5% in Regional Qld and a national average of 55.7%. The primary medical diagnoses in the area are arthritis and mental health challenges, affecting 7.8 and 7.6% of residents respectively. However, 70.8% of the population reported no chronic conditions, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld.
Health outcomes for residents under the age of 65 exceed averages. Residents aged 65 and older make up 23.1% of the population (772 people), which is higher than the regional average of 20.4%. Health outcomes in this senior cohort are strong, with national rankings exceeding those of the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Kuranda is largely Australian-born, at 76.7% of residents, with 9.1% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (26.9%) and Australian (20.6%). 12.0% 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 measures align closely with regional benchmarks, with citizens making up 81.9% of the population, Australian-born residents accounting for 76.7%, and English-only speakers at home representing 90.9%. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 37.0% of the community. The most distinct variance is in Judaism, which represents 0.1% of residents, matching the Regional Qld average of 0.1%. Ancestry records show the three main groups in the suburb of Kuranda are English at 26.9%, Australian at 20.6% (which sits below the regional average of 26.5%), and Australian Aboriginal at 12.0% (which sits above the regional average of 3.9%).
Other notable groups include Dutch ancestry at 2.2% of the population (compared to 1.1% regionally), French at 0.9% (compared to 0.5% regionally), and Welsh at 0.7% (compared to 0.5% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Kuranda is 46, older than 82% of areas nationally. 17.7% 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
The median age in the suburb of Kuranda is 46 years, which is older than the Regional Qld median of 41 years and the national median of 38 years. The area has a higher share of residents aged 55 - 64 (16.5%) compared to Regional Qld, and a lower share of residents aged 25 - 34 (8.2%). The share of residents aged 55 - 64 sits above the national level of 11.2%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 grew from 6.1% to 7.6%, and the 65 to 74 cohort grew from 13.0% to 14.3%, while the cohort aged 5 to 14 fell from 13.7% to 12.0%.
By 2041, demographic shifts are expected, with the cohort aged 25 to 34 projected to grow by 36% (99 people) to reach 374 from 274, while the cohort aged 15 to 24 is projected to decrease by 14 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Kuranda
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 | Jun 2026 2 months ago all 1 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 Jun 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 — 13 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (3,273 at the 2021 Census → 3,343 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 (SAL31589). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.