Mareeba

Population growth drivers in Mareeba are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of Feb 2026, the population of Mareeba is estimated at around 12,732, reflecting an increase of 907 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 11,825. This growth represents a 7.7% increase and was inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 12,602 based on the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024), along with an additional 186 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density is approximately 26 persons per square kilometer. Mareeba's growth rate exceeded that of its SA3 area at 7.4%, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed around 46.0% to overall population gains, with other factors such as interstate migration and natural growth also being positive contributors. AreaSearch uses 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 adopted, applying proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort where necessary. By 2041, the suburb of Mareeba is projected to increase by 2,430 persons, reflecting a gain of 18.1% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Mareeba among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis shows Mareeba averaged around 72 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 360 homes. As of FY-26, 42 approvals have been recorded. Between FY-21 and FY-25, approximately 2.2 people moved to the area per new home constructed. The average construction value for new homes was $403,000.

This financial year, $16.0 million in commercial approvals have been registered. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Mareeba had 12.0% higher new home approvals per person over the five-year period. Recent construction comprised 86.0% detached dwellings and 14.0% attached dwellings.

The area has approximately 180 people per dwelling approval. Population forecasts indicate Mareeba will gain 2,300 residents by 2041. Building activity is keeping pace with growth projections.

Mareeba has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified nine projects that could impact this region. Notable ones are Haren Street Residential Aged Care Facility, Mareeba Retail Centre, Mareeba CBD Project Blueprint, and Homes for Queenslanders - Mareeba Social Housing. 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.

The labour market performance in Mareeba lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Mareeba has a balanced workforce comprising white and blue collar jobs, with essential services sectors well-represented. Its unemployment rate is 7.7%, as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of September 2025, 5,764 residents are employed while the unemployment rate stands at 3.6% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%.

Workforce participation in Mareeba is lower at 60.1%, compared to Rest of Qld's 65.7%. Census responses indicate that only 8.0% of residents work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Key industries for employment among Mareeba residents are agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. The area shows strong specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with an employment share 3.8 times the regional level.

Conversely, health care & social assistance is under-represented, with only 13.5% of Mareeba's workforce compared to 16.1% in Rest of Qld. Local employment opportunities exist, but many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. In the 12-month period ending September 2025, Mareeba's labour force decreased by 1.5% and employment decreased by 4.3%, leading to a 2.7 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. Rest of Qld experienced employment growth of 1.7% and labour force growth of 2.1%, with a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment rate during the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Mareeba's employment should increase by 5.5% over five years and 12.0% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to Mareeba's employment mix.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ending June 30, 2023 indicates Mareeba suburb had median taxpayer income of $45,578 and average income of $52,997. These figures are below national averages of $66,593 in Rest of Qld. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% from July 2023 to September 2025, estimated median and average incomes for Mareeba would be approximately $50,095 and $58,249 respectively. According to Australian Bureau of Statistics Census data from 2021, household, family, and personal incomes in Mareeba fall between the 19th and 26th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows 29.3% of Mareeba's population (3,730 individuals) earn within $1,500 - $2,999 range, similar to regional levels at 31.7%. After housing costs, 85.4% of income remains, ranking at the 21st percentile nationally.

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

Dwelling structure in Mareeba, as evaluated at the 2016 Census, comprised 89.3% houses and 10.6% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Mareeba was 40.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 27.9% and rented dwellings at 32.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Mareeba was $1,495, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $1,655. The median weekly rent figure for Mareeba was $285, while Non-Metro Qld recorded $345. Nationally, Mareeba's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Mareeba has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 69.5% of all households, including 24.7% couples with children, 30.6% couples without children, and 13.0% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 30.5%, with lone person households at 26.8% and group households comprising 3.6%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which aligns with the average for the Rest of Qld.

Mareeba faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 15.2%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 11.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.1%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Trade and technical skills are prevalent, with 38.9% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (10.0%) and certificates (28.9%).

Educational participation is high, with 28.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.0% in primary education, 9.8% in secondary education, and 2.1% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health outcomes in Mareeba are marginally below the national average with common health conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts

Mareeba's health indicators show below-average outcomes based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover is very low at approximately 48% of Mareeba's total population (~6,136 people), compared to 52.5% in Rest of Qld and the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (impacting 8.5% of residents) and mental health issues (6.6%). Approximately 69.3% of Mareeba's residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.6% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among the working-age population are typical. The area has 22.0% of residents aged 65 and over (2,801 people), higher than Rest of Qld's 20.4%. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, with national rankings even higher than the general population.

In terms of cultural diversity, Mareeba records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Mareeba's population showed above-average cultural diversity, with 19.0% born overseas and 14.6% speaking a language other than English at home. The predominant religion was Christianity, accounting for 58.6%, compared to 52.2% in the rest of Queensland. In terms of ancestry, Australians made up 24.6%, English 23.3% (lower than the regional average of 29.6%), and Italians comprised 10.7% (substantially higher than the regional average of 2.4%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginals were overrepresented at 8.8% in Mareeba (vs 3.9% regionally), as were Spanish at 0.6% (vs 0.3%) and Croatian at 0.8% (vs 0.2%).

Mareeba's median age exceeds the national pattern

Mareeba has a median age of 40, which is close to the Rest of Qld figure of 41 but modestly exceeds the national norm of 38. The 25-34 age group shows strong representation at 14.0%, compared to Rest of Qld, while the 45-54 cohort is less prevalent at 10.9%. Following the 2021 Census, the 35-44 age group has grown from 10.6% to 11.9% of the population. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort has declined from 12.5% to 10.9%, and the 5-14 group dropped from 12.9% to 11.5%. Demographic modeling suggests Mareeba's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. Leading this demographic shift, the 25-34 group is expected to grow by 27% (488 people), reaching 2,271 from 1,782. Meanwhile, numbers in the 15-24 age range are projected to fall by 128.