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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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Mornington (Qld) has an estimated 1,826 residents. The population has thinned by an average 0.6% a year over five years, slower than 96% of areas nationally. That puts 1,863 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
Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census the suburb of Mornington (Qld)'s population is estimated at around 1,826 as of May 2026. This reflects a decrease of 20 people (1.1%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,846 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 1,826, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2025) and address validation since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,863 persons per square kilometer, which is above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch.
Over the past decade, the suburb of Mornington (Qld) has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a -0.3% compound annual growth rate, outpacing the SA3 area. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by natural growth that contributed approximately 65.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and for years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections, released in 2023 and based on 2021 data, are adopted. It should be noted that these state projections do not provide age category splits; hence where utilised, AreaSearch is applying proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age cohort. Considering the projected demographic shifts, Over this period, projections indicate a decline in overall population, with the area's population expected to shrink by 45 persons by 2041 according to this methodology. However, growth across specific age cohorts is anticipated, led by the 25 to 34 age group, which is projected to expand by 36 people. See the age section for more details.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Property approvals in this locality are exceptionally rare, with a typical volume of fewer than one certification annually, resulting in a minimal aggregate count over the previous five years. This sparse construction activity corresponds to the rustic characteristics of the zone, where building initiatives generally respond to specific local requirements for accommodation rather than broad market dynamics. It is worth noting that due to the tiny volume of certifications, solitary building ventures can exert a major influence on yearly expansion statistics and comparative calculations. This locality inherently registers a significantly smaller volume of construction approvals when compared against the Rest of Qld.
The building trajectory is likewise situated far below wider countrywide baselines. In light of steady or shrinking demographic projections, there may be reduced pressure on local housing resources, which could generate advantageous buying conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Mornington (Qld)
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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 12 current infrastructure and development projects close to Mornington (Qld), worth an estimated $1.09 billion. 3 are already under construction and 3 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, energy and health & medical. 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 updates, major developmental projects, and planning changes can heavily influence how a region performs. A single project has been identified by AreaSearch as having a likely effect on the local area. Principal undertakings include the Mount Isa Future Ready Economy Roadmap, the Mount Isa Mines - Black Star Open Cut Project, the Mount Isa Police Accommodation and Justice System Resourcing, and the Essential Pipeline Works - City Low and high Systems, with the following list highlighting those most likely to be relevant.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Residential Activation Fund - Central Queensland Allocation
The Residential Activation Fund is a 2 billion dollar program aimed at accelerating housing supply by funding critical trunk infrastructure such as water supply, sewerage, stormwater, and transport. At least 1 billion dollars is specifically earmarked for regional areas outside South East Queensland. Round 2 of the fund opened in early 2026, with funding announcements for successful projects expected from July 2026. The program targets construction-ready projects to fast-track the delivery of new homes.
Urban Public Housing - Peko Road
A $3.4 million project, part of a larger program to increase public housing supply. The project saw the construction of six new 1-bedroom units for individuals on the Northern Territory's social housing waitlist.
Venture Housing - Social and Affordable Homes
A $6.9 million partnership between Venture Housing, Housing Australia, the Northern Territory Government and the Australian Government delivered twelve new two-bedroom social and affordable homes across three adjoining sites in Tennant Creek. Venture Housing developed the homes and contributed land plus $1.5 million toward costs, supported by a $3 million Housing Australia grant, a $1.9 million joint Barkly Regional Deal grant, and a $500,000 NT Government capital grant. Habitat (NT) Pty Ltd was the building contractor.The development comprises five social and seven affordable homes, providing housing for older women at risk of homelessness, women and children fleeing domestic violence, and Aboriginal people eligible for social or affordable housing. Construction began in June 2024 and the project was confirmed completed by mid-2025.
Territory Energy Link
A multi-user, multi-asset infrastructure corridor running approximately 670km from near Elliott to the Middle Arm Precinct in Darwin. Formerly known as the Tennant Creek to Darwin Infrastructure Corridor, the project is currently in Stage 2 (feasibility phase) of a four-stage program, following completion of a 2024 prefeasibility study that identified a preliminary alignment within a 530m wide study area. The final corridor is expected to be approximately 130m wide and will support buried services including gas, water, optical fibre and future hydrogen pipelines, connecting the Beetaloo Sub-basin to the Middle Arm Precinct and other strategic infrastructure in Darwin.The NT Government will plan, secure and manage the corridor land, while individual pipelines and utilities will be delivered by industry proponents under separate approvals. In 2025 the government awarded a tender to CNC Project Management Pty Ltd for specialist technical advisory services, targeting a development-ready 670km priority section by 2028.
Tennant Creek Aviation and Accommodation Hub
Airport Development Group (ADG) has released a draft concept plan for a staged $30-35 million upgrade of Tennant Creek Airport to support regional aviation and logistics growth in the Barkly region. The plan proposes extending and strengthening the main runway for regular jet operations, expanding the apron for fixed-wing and rotary FIFO connections, upgrading the terminal and car park, modernising electrical systems and signage, and delivering an Essential Key Worker Accommodation Precinct for up to 100 personnel to support government, defence and industry operations.The project targets capacity growth to 100,000 passengers annually and has the support of the Barkly Regional Council and NT Government agencies.
Longreach Hospital Upgrade
An AUD10 million upgrade of the Longreach Hospital, which included the redevelopment of half the hospital, a full mechanical services upgrade, and a new Aramac Primary Health Centre. The project was completed in 2019.
Longreach Recreational Precinct
A $2.25 million project funded by the Australian Government's Growing Regions Program. The project will include a new fenced dog park, a pump track, a half basketball court, a botanical walkway, and shaded playgrounds with all-abilities elements, complementing the existing skate park.
Longreach Solar Farm
A 17.4 MW solar photovoltaic project developed by Canadian Solar, which began commercial operation in May 2018. The project consists of 51,330 solar panels.
1,169 residents of Mornington (Qld) are employed, from a labour force of 1,222. Unemployment sits at 4.3%, with participation at 79.8%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.6% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,250, about 68% 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
A qualified labor pool characterizes the workforce here, with essential services industries strongly represented, alongside a jobless rate of 4.3% calculated from AreaSearch's compiled regional statistics. As of March 2026, 1,169 local citizens are employed, which places the unemployment rate 0.4% higher than the Regional Qld benchmark of 3.9%, while participation in the workforce stands exceptionally high at 79.8% compared to 64.3% in Regional Qld. Census records indicate that a minor 2.5% of the working public performed their duties from home, though the consequences of pandemic-related restrictions should be kept in mind.
The primary sectors employing local citizens are mining, healthcare and social assistance, along with retail trade. The community displays a marked concentration in the extraction sector, where the employment proportion is 8.2 times the regional benchmark. Conversely, building activities employ only 4.2% of the local workforce, trailing the Regional Qld figure of 10.1%. This heavily residential locality seems to provide few local employment options, as shown by the variance between the tally of working residents and the local jobholder population. According to AreaSearch evaluations of SALM and ABS statistics compiled from broader geographic divisions, the labor force count contracted by 1.0% over the 12 months leading to March 2026, accompanied by a 1.0% drop in jobholders, while unemployment levels remained virtually unchanged. In contrast, Regional Qld experienced a job expansion of 0.1%, labor force growth of 0.3%, and a rise in unemployment of 0.1 percentage points. Future labor requirements could be clarified by examining Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment projections published in May-25. These forecasts, spanning five and ten-year horizons, have been aligned with the local industry profile to model expansion paths. Even though overall Australian employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the expected growth rates vary widely by industry sector. Translating these industry-specific projections to the local workplace distribution indicates that jobs in this locality should rise by 5.6% over five years and 12.8% over ten years, though this is a basic weight-based extrapolation for illustrative purposes that ignores local demographic trends.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Mornington (Qld) is $1,925 a week (about $100,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,100 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $67,869 a year against an average of $77,852. 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 the most recent postcode level ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, the median taxpayer earnings are $67,869, while the average stands at $77,852. This represents a very high level nationally, contrasting with 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, current projections suggest figures of approximately $75,579 for the median and $86,696 for the average as of March 2026. Based on 2021 Census returns, personal compensation is positioned at the 85th percentile nationwide, equating to $1,100 per week.
Regarding the distribution of income, the bracket between $1,500 and $2,999 contains 32.1% of the community, representing 586 residents, which mirrors the regional pattern where 31.7% fall into this same range. Once housing outlays are met, citizens retain 87.8% of their earnings, indicating strong discretionary options.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Mornington (Qld) had 723 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 48% detached houses and 15% apartments. 28% are owned with a mortgage, 57% rented and 16% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $245 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,517 a month. Rent absorbs 12.7% of household income here and mortgage repayments 18.2%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential structures in this locality, as recorded during the most recent Census, consisted of 47.8% traditional houses and 52.2% alternative housing types, such as townhouses, units, and other dwellings, which contrasts with Regional Qld where houses make up 76.4% and other formats represent 23.6%. The rate of home ownership was lower than the regional baseline, sitting at 15.8%, while the remaining properties were either held with a mortgage (27.5%) or occupied by tenants (56.7%). The median monthly housing loan payment was lower than the Regional Qld benchmark, recorded at $1,517, while the median weekly rental cost was $245, compared to Regional Qld averages of $1,655 and $345 respectively.
On a national scale, mortgage payments here are notably lower than the Australian median of $1,863, and rent levels are well below the nationwide figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Mornington (Qld) counted 723 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.1 people each. 21% are couples with children, fewer than in 83% of areas nationally, against 20% couples without children. 45% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.5 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Domestic units are predominantly family-based, representing 50.9% of the total, which includes 21.3% couples raising children, 19.8% couples without offspring, and 9.4% single parents with dependents. The remaining 49.1% consists of non-family setups, where single-occupant households account for 44.5% and shared households constitute 4.3% of the total. The median household occupancy of 2.1 individuals is smaller than the Regional Qld average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
26.4% of adults in Mornington (Qld) hold a university qualification, including 20.5% with a bachelor degree and 3.4% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 95% of areas nationally. A further 30.5% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Qualifications among residents are notably superior to broader geographic standards, with 26.4% of citizens aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 14.9% in the SA4 region and 16.6% in the SA3 zone. This significant academic lead places the community in an advantageous position for white-collar roles. Bachelor degrees represent the most common high-level credential at 20.5%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 3.4% and graduate diplomas at 2.5%. Practical and technical qualifications are also highly prevalent, with 37.7% of residents aged 15+ possessing vocational credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas at 7.2% and certificates at 30.5%.
Enrolment in school or study is remarkably high, with 37.9% of citizens currently participating in some form of structured learning. This student population includes 15.4% attending primary schools, 11.3% in high schools, and 3.7% enrolled in higher education courses.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Mornington (Qld) means driving: households keep an average of 1.3 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
72.5% of residents in Mornington (Qld) report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 77% of areas nationally. 3.3% need daily assistance with core activities, and 58.1% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 7.5 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Medical indicators point to notable health difficulties in this community, based on AreaSearch's evaluation of death rates and the frequency of ongoing illnesses, which are evident in both younger and older cohorts, though the rate of private health insurance is very high, covering roughly 58% of the population, or approximately 1,059 residents. This compares to a rate of 52.5% across Regional Qld. The most prevalent health concerns reported locally were asthma and mental health challenges, affecting 9.1% and 6.4% of the population, respectively, while 72.5% of citizens reported no chronic medical conditions, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld.
Citizens under the age of 65 enjoy health profiles that exceed average benchmarks. Residents aged 65 and over make up 9.4% of the population, which represents 171 people, a lower proportion than the 20.4% recorded in Regional Qld. Senior citizens face some medical difficulties, with national rankings for this cohort generally matching those of the broader public.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Mornington (Qld) is largely Australian-born, at 77.2% of residents, with 14.0% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (24.6%) and English (19.3%). 13.4% 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 local area displays elevated cultural variety relative to standard measures, with 22.8% of the populace born in another country and 14.0% utilizing a non-English language at home. Christianity stands as the primary religious affiliation, accounting for 51.4% of the local population, which is comparable to the 52.2% recorded across Regional Qld. Regarding family heritage based on parents' birthplaces, the three largest ancestral cohorts are Australian at 24.6%, English at 19.3% (which is considerably lower than the regional rate of 29.6%), and Australian Aboriginal at 13.4% (which is much higher than the regional average of 3.9%).
Furthermore, there are significant differences in the concentration of other heritages: Maori residents are highly represented at 2.8% of the population (compared to 0.8% regionally), Spanish at 1.0% (compared to 0.3%), and Filipino at 3.6% (compared to 0.9%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Mornington (Qld) is 34, younger than 76% of areas nationally. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 34.2% 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 of residents is 34 years, which is considerably younger than the Regional Qld average of 41 and the national median of 38. Compared to Regional Qld, there is a higher concentration of individuals aged 25 - 34 (19.3%) but fewer residents in the 65 - 74 bracket (5.0%). Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 25 to 34 has increased from 18.0% to 19.3%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 group contracted from 14.9% to 13.3%, and the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 11.1% to 9.7%.
By 2041, the local age structure is expected to undergo major adjustments. This transition will be led by the 25 to 34 age bracket, which is projected to grow by 10% (34 people) to reach 387 from 352, while both the 45 to 54 and 5 to 14 cohorts will see their numbers decline.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Mornington (Qld)
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, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 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 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. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (1,846 at the 2021 Census → 1,826 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 (SAL31923). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.