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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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Mareeba has an estimated 12,782 residents, up from 11,825 at the 2021 Census — a change of 957 people, or 8.1%. Growth has averaged 1.3% a year over five years. 206 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Overseas migration accounts for 46.0% of that increase. Density is about 27 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
According to ABS population updates and subsequent address validation by AreaSearch, the suburb of Mareeba has an estimated 12,782 residents as of May 2026. This represents a gain of 957 residents, or an 8.1% increase, since the 2021 Census reported a count of 11,825 people. This figure is derived from the estimated resident population of 12,752 calculated by AreaSearch using the ABS June 2025 ERP release, combined with 206 validated new addresses registered since the Census. The density of the suburb of Mareeba stands at 26 persons per square kilometer, which represents a low-density environment.
This 8.1% growth rate since the 2021 census outpaced both the wider SA3 area at 7.3% and the broader SA4 region, establishing the suburb of Mareeba as a regional growth leader. The expansion was primarily driven by international migration, which accounted for approximately 46.0% of the overall population gains, although interstate migration and natural growth also made positive contributions. Projections released in 2024 with a 2022 baseline from the ABS and Geoscience Australia are applied to each SA2 region. For areas lacking this coverage, or for periods extending past 2032, projections from the Queensland State Government released in 2023 utilizing 2021 data are used. Because these state projections lack age-specific breakdowns, AreaSearch applies age cohort weighting based on the ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 and based on 2022 data. Moving forward, regions outside capital cities are projected to see above-median growth, with the suburb of Mareeba expected to add 2,302 persons by 2041 based on collective SA2-level estimates, representing a total expansion of 17.8% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
360 new dwellings have been approved in Mareeba over the past five years, an average of 72 a year. That places the area in the 76th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 6 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 66 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 86% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 62, broadly in line with 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
Data from building approvals indicates that the suburb of Mareeba averages approximately 72 approved residential properties each year, amounting to 360 dwellings over the preceding 5 financial years. In the current financial year of FY-26, there have been 57 approvals registered. Over the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, the area added an average of 2.2 people per new home built, pointing to steady demand that supports local property values. The average construction cost of these new homes is $403,000. Additionally, commercial approvals worth $16.0 million have been approved in the current financial year, representing steady non-residential activity.
The volume of new home approvals in the suburb of Mareeba is moderately higher than the regional average, running 12.0% above the per-capita rate for the Rest of Qld over the 5 year period, which maintains local values while providing housing options. Detached housing makes up 86.0% of recent approvals, with attached dwellings accounting for the remaining 14.0%, reinforcing the low-density profile sought by buyers looking for space. The area currently has a ratio of approximately 182 people per dwelling approval, showing a growing market. Based on the most recent quarterly estimate from AreaSearch, the suburb of Mareeba is projected to add 2,272 residents by 2041. Although construction levels are matching these growth projections, purchasers may face increased market competition as the population increases.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Mareeba
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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 8 current infrastructure and development projects inside Mareeba, worth an estimated $273 million. A further 31 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $2.5 billion. 15 are already under construction and 19 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and retail. 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 projects, planning choices, and major works are critical to regional growth. AreaSearch has tracked 10 developments that are expected to influence the area. Prominent works include the Haren Street Residential Aged Care Facility, the Mareeba Retail Centre, the Mareeba CBD Project Blueprint, and the Homes for Queenslanders - Mareeba Social Housing scheme, with details of the most significant projects listed below.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Haren Street Residential Aged Care Facility
A 120-bed residential aged care facility approved for a 2.89 hectare site at Lot 1 Haren Street. The facility is designed as a single-level complex featuring four wings (houses) of 30-36 residents, each with dedicated nurse stations, serveries, and dining areas. Key features include 24-hour nursing care, secure dementia units, a cafe, commercial laundry, and high-standard fittings. While the development permit (MCU/19/0019) remains active, the site has been periodically marketed for sale as a 'shovel-ready' opportunity for developers or owner-occupiers.
Mareeba Central
Mareeba Central is an approved neighbourhood shopping centre planned for the former sawmill site at 232 Byrnes Street and Close Avenue, Mareeba. The approved development comprises a Woolworths supermarket, retail tenancies, a food and drink outlet and on-site parking. Council approved the original material change of use in March 2023 and considered a minor change application in August 2025 for updated plans, retail floor area changes, layout modifications and an increase to 253 car parking spaces.A September 2025 report said Council support for freeholding a 1128 sqm government land parcel may have removed the final tenure hurdle, with the developer aiming to start once documentation is resolved and targeting operation by April 2027.
Mareeba Solar Farm
A 72MW ground-mounted solar photovoltaic facility spanning 110 hectares on the Atherton Tablelands. The project utilizes approximately 196,000 solar modules to generate 147GWh of clean energy annually, enough to power over 18,000 homes. Developed by ACE Power in partnership with Osaka Gas Energy Oceania, it connects to the grid via the nearby Turkinje Substation.
Mareeba CBD Project Blueprint
A $2.14 million revitalisation initiative funded by the Australian Government's regional Precincts and Partnerships Program (rPPP) to develop construction-ready plans for Mareeba's CBD. The Masterplan was formally endorsed at the February 2026 Council meeting following extensive community engagement involving over 800 participants. Key priorities include upgrading stormwater infrastructure, improving lighting and pedestrian safety along Byrnes Street, enhancing accessibility, creating shaded green spaces, improving wayfinding, celebrating Mareeba's heritage through public art and signage, and revitalising key streets with outdoor dining and event spaces.Detailed design work will proceed through 2026 with Council to seek State and Federal construction funding upon completion.
Mareeba Research Facility Upgrades
Upgrade of fruit handling laboratories at Mareeba research facility, enabling scientists to provide research services to expanding and new horticultural industries. Part of Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries infrastructure program.
Homes for Queenslanders - Mareeba Social Housing
New social housing development providing affordable housing options for vulnerable Queenslanders. Part of Queensland Government's Homes for Queenslanders program targeting key regional centres with housing supply challenges.
Enviroplas Recycling Plant
A major recycling facility transforming 6,000 tonnes of agricultural, commercial, and consumer plastic waste annually into products like plastic bags and clips for the banana industry. The facility employs 45 people across three shifts and promotes a circular economy, supported by a $1.08 million grant from the Queensland Recycling Modernisation Fund. The operation processes various plastic types including PP bags, twine ropes, HDPE, and LDPE into pelletized forms.
Kennedy Highway Safety Upgrades (Mareeba to Atherton)
Safety upgrades delivered along approximately 21 km of the Kennedy Highway between Mareeba and Atherton. Works included wide centre line treatments, audio tactile line marking, shoulder widening, safety barriers and targeted intersection upgrades (turning lanes, bike lanes, improved lighting and line marking).
5,642 residents of Mareeba are employed, from a labour force of 6,156. Unemployment sits at 8.3%, with participation at 58.1%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.5% 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 labor force in the suburb of Mareeba displays a mix of white-collar and blue-collar roles, with a strong presence in essential services. The unemployment rate is 8.3% based on aggregated local data. As of March 2026, there are 5,642 employed residents. This unemployment rate is 4.4% higher than the Regional Qld rate of 3.9%, while the workforce participation rate of 58.1% is lower than the 64.3% recorded across Regional Qld. Census data shows only 8.0% of the workforce worked from home, though this figure was influenced by pandemic-related lockdowns.
The primary sectors employing local residents are agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. The suburb of Mareeba exhibits a high concentration in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with its share of employment reaching 3.8 times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance is less prevalent, employing 13.5% of the workforce compared to 16.1% in Regional Qld. Census figures comparing the resident working population to local jobs suggest that many employed residents travel outside the area to work. Analysis conducted by AreaSearch, which combines SALM and ABS data from larger statistical regions, indicates that over a twelve month span, the labour force fell by 2.0% while employment dropped by 5.6%, leading to an increase in the unemployment rate of 3.5 percentage points. On the other hand, Regional Qld recorded employment growth of 0.1% and labour force growth of 0.3%, accompanied by a 0.1 percentage point rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia provides national employment forecasts for May-25 that can help understand future demand in Mareeba. These forecasts span five and ten year periods and have been aligned with Mareeba's current employment structure to project growth trends. Nationally, employment is expected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though these growth rates vary widely across different industry sectors. When these sector-specific forecasts are applied to Mareeba's employment composition, local employment is projected to grow by 5.5% over five years and 12.0% over ten years, though this is a basic weighting exercise for illustration and does not incorporate local population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Mareeba is $1,282 a week (about $67,000 a year), with median personal income at $689 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $45,578 a year against an average of $52,997. 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
Postcode-level ATO statistics released for the financial year 2023 show that taxpayers in the suburb of Mareeba recorded a median income of $45,578 and an average income of $52,997. This falls below the national average as well as the respective Regional Qld figures of $53,146 and $66,593. Applying the Wage Price Index increase of 11.36% since financial year 2023 yields estimated values of approximately $50,756 for the median and $59,017 for the average as of March 2026. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in the suburb of Mareeba placed between the 19th and 26th percentiles nationally.
Income distribution statistics show that 29.3% of the population, representing 3,745 individuals, earn between $1,500 - 2,999, which is comparable to the 31.7% in this bracket regionally. Discretionary income remaining after housing costs stands at 85.4%, placing the suburb of Mareeba in the 21st percentile nationally for this metric.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Mareeba had 4,281 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 89% detached houses and 7% apartments. 28% are owned with a mortgage, 32% rented and 40% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $285 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,495 a month. Rent absorbs 22.2% of household income here and mortgage repayments 26.9%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the most recent Census, the housing stock in the suburb of Mareeba consisted of 89.3% standalone houses and 10.6% alternative housing types including apartments, townhouses, and other dwellings, compared to 76.4% houses and 23.6% other options across Regional Qld. The rate of outright home ownership was 40.1%, which is higher than the Regional Qld level, with mortgaged properties making up 27.9% and rental properties accounting for 32.1%. The median monthly mortgage payment was $1,495, and the median weekly rent was $285, both below the Regional Qld benchmarks of $1,655 and $345.
Locally, mortgage payments are lower than the Australian median of $1,863, and rents are below the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Mareeba counted 4,281 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 4,627 today, averaging 2.5 people each. 25% are couples with children, against 31% couples without children. 27% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.0 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of households at 69.5%, consisting of couples with children at 24.7%, couples without children at 30.6%, and single parent households at 13.0%. The remaining 30.5% are non-family households, including single-person households at 26.8% and group households at 3.6%. The median household size of 2.5 people matches the average for Regional Qld.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
15.2% of adults in Mareeba hold a university qualification, including 11.6% with a bachelor degree and 2.1% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 83% of areas nationally. A further 28.9% hold a vocational qualification. 5 schools serve the area, with 2,531 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 949 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 in the area is lower than average, with university degrees held by 15.2% of residents compared to the national rate of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher education qualification at 11.6%, with postgraduate degrees at 2.1% and graduate diplomas at 1.5%. Vocational and technical qualifications are common, with 38.9% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas at 10.0% and certificate level qualifications at 28.9%. Enrolment rates are high, with 28.7% of the population engaged in study. This group includes 12.0% in primary school, 9.8% in high school, and 2.1% enrolled in higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Mareeba means driving: households keep an average of 1.5 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
69.3% of residents in Mareeba report no long-term health condition. 6.3% need daily assistance with core activities, and 48.2% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.3 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Assessments of mortality rates and chronic illnesses by AreaSearch indicate lower health outcomes in the suburb of Mareeba. Common health issues are slightly more prevalent across both younger and older cohorts, while the proportion of residents with private health insurance is low at approximately 48% of the population, or roughly 6,160 people. This compares to 52.5% in Regional Qld and a national average of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent issues, affecting 8.5% and 6.6% of residents respectively. Conversely, 69.3% of the population reported no chronic conditions, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld.
Health outcomes for working-age residents are typical. Residents aged 65 and older make up 22.5% of the population, representing 2,875 people, which is higher than the 20.4% regional average. Senior health outcomes are above average, ranking higher nationally than the general local population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Mareeba is largely Australian-born, at 81.0% of residents, with 14.6% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (24.6%) and English (23.3%). 8.8% 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
The suburb of Mareeba has higher levels of cultural diversity than average, with 19.0% of residents born outside Australia and 14.6% using a language other than English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 58.6% of the population, compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld. Ancestry details show the top three backgrounds are Australian at 24.6%, English at 23.3%, which is lower than the regional rate of 29.6%, and Italian at 10.7%, which is higher than the regional average of 2.4%. Other groups show notable concentrations, with Australian Aboriginal ancestry at 8.8% compared to 3.9% regionally, Spanish at 0.6% compared to 0.3% regionally, and Croatian at 0.8% compared to 0.2% regionally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Mareeba is 41. 25.2% 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 Mareeba is 41 years, matching Regional Qld's median of 41 and older than the national median of 38 years. Compared to Regional Qld, there is a higher proportion of residents in the 75 - 84 cohort at 8.7% but fewer in the 45 - 54 range at 11.1%. Since the 2021 Census, the 35 to 44 age cohort has increased from 10.6% to 12.0% of the population. In contrast, the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 12.5% to 11.1%, and the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 12.9% to 11.6%.
Projections to 2041 indicate that the 25 to 34 cohort will increase by 27% or 472 people, rising from 1,751 to 2,224, while the 15 to 24 cohort is projected to shrink by 124 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Mareeba
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 | May 2026 3 months ago all 8 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 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 — 206 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (11,825 at the 2021 Census → 12,782 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 (SAL31763). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.