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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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Mossman has an estimated 2,092 residents, up from 1,935 at the 2021 Census — a change of 157 people, or 8.1%. Growth has averaged 1.3% a year over five years. Interstate and internal migration accounts for 55.0% of that increase. That puts 174 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
According to AreaSearch evaluations combining post-Census validated address counts with broader ABS demographic releases, the suburb of Mossman has an estimated population of approximately 2,092 as of Aug 2026. This indicates an expansion of 157 residents (8.1%) relative to the 1,935 individuals recorded during the 2021 Census. Such figures are drawn from an Estimated Resident Population of 2,085 determined from the ABS June 2025 ERP update alongside 69 newly confirmed addresses logged post-Census. With a resulting density of 173 persons per square kilometer, the locality offers generous living space and capacity for future expansion.
The suburb of Mossman achieved an 8.1% rate of increase, outpacing both its broader SA4 district and the 6.8% recorded across the wider SA3 area, positioning it as a key local growth driver. Net gains were predominantly underpinned by interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 55.00000000000001% of aggregate additions, while natural increases and overseas arrivals also made positive contributions. For demographic modelling, AreaSearch incorporates ABS and Geoscience Australia SA2 projections published in 2024 using 2022 benchmarks. Where coverage is absent or for periods extending beyond 2032, Queensland State Government 2023 SA2 releases based on 2021 numbers are utilised instead. Because state-level datasets do not separate age demographics, AreaSearch distributes cohorts by applying age-specific growth proportions from the 2023 Greater Capital Region ABS series (2022 base). Looking forward, the suburb of Mossman is projected to register population expansion exceeding the national median for regional communities, adding 288 persons through to 2041 under consolidated SA2 forecasts to record an overall 13.4% rise across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
36 new dwellings have been approved in Mossman over the past five years, an average of 7 a year. That places the area in the 57th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 3 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 11, running ahead of 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 ABS building approvals mapped to local areas indicates that the property sector in Mossman has generated an average of roughly 7 residential building consents annually, accumulating approximately 36 dwellings across the past 5 financial years. In FY-25 to date, 11 residential approvals have been registered. Between FY-21 and FY-25, the influx of new residents averaged 6 people annually per newly constructed home, creating a notable supply deficit that places upward pressure on local real estate values and spurs buyer demand. The mean expected construction cost stands at $442,000—below broader regional benchmarks—providing relatively economical building opportunities.
Non-residential activity remains modest, with $5.1 million in commercial building approvals granted during this financial year, underscoring the locality's primarily residential focus. Dwelling construction per capita in Mossman runs at roughly 57% of the level recorded across Rest of Qld, positioning it in the 59th percentile among evaluated localities nationally despite recent momentum in building approvals. Tracking below the wider Australian baseline points to the area's mature urban footprint and possible planning restrictions. Detached houses constitute the entirety of recent development, preserving a traditional low-density suburban fabric tailored toward family living and open space. New construction exhibits an even greater lean toward freestanding homes than the 83.0% share documented at the Census, demonstrating sustained buyer appetite for traditional houses. Furthermore, the ratio of approximately 230 people per dwelling approval suggests considerable scope for additional residential building. Demographic projections anticipate that Mossman will absorb an extra 281 residents by 2041 based on the most recent quarterly estimate by AreaSearch. If dwelling completions persist at existing speeds, residential construction may fall short of demographic expansion, likely intensifying buyer competition and reinforcing upward price momentum.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Mossman
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
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 Mossman, worth an estimated $16 million. A further 56 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $4.05 billion. 18 are already under construction and 15 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, tourism and environmental & disaster management. 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
Capital investments, planning strategies, and local works exert a considerable influence on regional performance, with AreaSearch cataloguing a total of 3 major initiatives likely to influence the district. Prominent projects include the Mossman River Intake (Alternate Water Intake Project), the Principal Cycle Network - Mossman to Newell Beach, the Principal Cycle Network: Cooya Beach to Mossman (stage 3) & Cooya Beach Road (stage 2), and the Draft Far North Queensland Regional Plan 2025, with details provided below on the most impactful developments.
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INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Mossman River Intake (Alternate Water Intake Project)
Development of a second water intake on the Mossman River, approximately 5 km downstream of the Mossman Gorge Visitors Centre, to improve water security and resilience for the Mossman-Port Douglas catchment. The intake will use a submerged gallery system to extract raw water and pump it to the existing Mossman Water Treatment Plant, supplementing the Rex Creek intake which currently serves around 7,000 people across Port Douglas, Craiglie and Mossman. The project is co-funded through the National Water Grid Fund's WISER initiative, with the Australian and Queensland governments contributing $10 million of the $16.4 million construction cost.Development approval was granted in October 2023, preliminary design and all approvals are complete, and a pre-RFT briefing was held in July 2025. Council intends to issue a Request for Tender in August 2025, award the design and construction contract in January 2026, and complete construction by June 2027.
Port Douglas Skatepark Replacement
Douglas Shire Council is progressing the replacement and upgrade of the existing Port Douglas Skatepark with a modern community facility. The design phase has concluded following extensive public consultation, and the project is positioned for construction pending external government grant funding allocation.
Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina Redevelopment
Proposed mixed-use renewal of the Port Douglas marina into a modern waterfront precinct, including a 5-star hotel, new superyacht berths, dining and retail, and a limited number of residences. Earlier development applications were withdrawn and the asset was marketed for sale; the marina continues operating while long-term redevelopment options are reviewed.
KAYA VILLAS
Four luxury freehold villas (each four bedrooms with private pool) on individual titles with no body corporate fees, located on Warner Street in central Port Douglas. DA approved with construction underway; one villa previously marketed as remaining for sale. Target completion indicated for late 2025.
Port Douglas Splash Park
Bespoke splash park with a rainforest meets reef nature theme, zero depth, designed for families and visitors.
49 Macrossan Street (Mixed-Use Development Site)
DA-approved site for a premium mixed-use (residential and commercial) development on Port Douglas' main street.
The Davidson by Gurner (Port Douglas Resort)
$250 million luxury wellness resort with 112 hotel rooms and 44 ultra-luxury townhomes, amenities inspired by European beach clubs, and includes six 'underwater' aquarium rooms. A $250-million resort featuring 112 hotel rooms, 44 luxury townhomes, and six underwater aquarium rooms.
Port Douglas Public Boat Ramp Upgrade
Resurfacing project with new pre-cast planks and grouted rock shoulders to improve safety, access, and usability for recreational and commercial users.
878 residents of Mossman are employed, from a labour force of 966. Unemployment sits at 9.0%, with participation at 56.6%. 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 1,641, about 78% 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
Mossman features a balanced labor market encompassing both manual and professional occupations, with notable employment bases across lifestyle and retail trades, alongside a jobless rate of 9.0% derived from statistical area aggregates. In March 2026878 local inhabitants were employed, while the unemployment rate sat 5.1% higher than the 3.9% recorded throughout Regional Qld, pointing to available labor capacity. Moreover, labor force participation remains comparatively subdued at 56.6% versus 64.2% across Regional Qld. Census records also showed that a modest 6.7% of the local workforce operated from home, though this metric was captured during periods influenced by Covid-19 restrictions.
The primary employment generators for local workers consist of retail trade, health care & social assistance, and accommodation & food services. The local labor market is particularly concentrated in retail trade, where resident engagement is 1.4 times higher than broader regional averages. Conversely, health care & social assistance accounts for a smaller share locally at 11.8% compared to 16.1% across the wider region. Comparing the resident workforce against the number of local jobs counted at the Census highlights that local commercial employment opportunities remain relatively constrained. According to ABS and SALM statistical data, the local workforce contracted by 1.4% over a 12-month timeframe alongside a 5.2% reduction in employed residents, pushing the jobless rate up by 3.5 percentage points. By comparison, Regional Qld recorded a 0.1% increase in employment and a 0.3% rise in labor supply, with its unemployment rate shifting upward by 0.1 percentage point. Looking ahead, the Mar-26 five- and ten-year occupational projections from Jobs and Skills Australia point to nationwide job growth of 6.6% and 13.7% respectively, though trends vary considerably by industry. Weighting these sectoral forecasts against Mossman's occupational distribution indicates prospective employment expansion of 5.6% across five years and 12.1% over ten years (representing an illustrative weighting model that excludes localized population changes).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Mossman is $1,197 a week (about $62,000 a year), with median personal income at $625 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $41,672 a year against an average of $49,539. 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
ATO postcode taxation statistics for financial year 2023 show personal earnings in the suburb of Mossman trailing national standards, with a median of $41,672 and an average of $49,539. These figures compare against Regional Qld benchmarks of $53,146 (median) and $66,593 (average). Factoring in an 11.36% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, updated figures indicate a median of roughly $46,406 and an average of $55,167 as of March 2026. Across household, family, and individual brackets at the Census, local earnings consistently align with the 13th to 15th percentiles across the nation.
The single largest income bracket comprises 30.0% of earners receiving $1,500 - 2,999 per week (627 residents), closely tracking the 31.7% observed across the broader region. After meeting residential costs, disposable income stands at 85.0%, placing the area at the 15th percentile nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Mossman had 708 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 83% detached houses and 10% apartments. 26% are owned with a mortgage, 41% rented and 33% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $250 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,300 a month. Rent absorbs 20.9% of household income here and mortgage repayments 25.1%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the most recent Census, the local housing stock consisted of 82.7% separate houses and 17.2% alternative residential formats such as apartments and attached dwellings, whereas Regional Qld recorded 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Outright homeownership aligned with the Regional Qld benchmark of 33.2%, while remaining homes were under a mortgage (25.7%) or occupied by tenants (41.1%). The median monthly mortgage commitment was $1,300, notably below the Regional Qld figure of $1,655, while weekly median rent stood at $250 against $345 regionally. Relative to nationwide benchmarks, Mossman remains considerably more affordable, sitting far below the Australian median mortgage payment of $1,863 per month and typical weekly rent of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Mossman counted 708 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 765 today, averaging 2.4 people each. 24% are couples with children, against 25% couples without children. 32% 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 constitute the vast majority of local living arrangements at 65.5%, made up of couples with children (23.6%), couples without children (25.3%), and single parent families (14.7%). The remaining 34.5% consists of non-family living situations, led by single-person residences at 31.5% and group arrangements at 3.3%. The median household size is 2.4 people, slightly lower than the Regional Qld benchmark of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
13.3% of adults in Mossman hold a university qualification, including 9.3% with a bachelor degree and 2.1% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 84% of areas nationally. A further 37.3% hold a vocational qualification. 4 schools serve the area, with 996 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 929 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 outcomes in the area highlight significant room for development, with higher education attainment standing at 13.3% compared to the 30.4% recorded across Australia. Bachelor qualifications form the largest tertiary category at 9.3%, followed by postgraduate study at 2.1% and graduate diplomas at 1.9%. Vocational and practical certifications represent a strong pillar of the community, with 45.4% of citizens aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (8.1%) and certificates (37.3%). Engagement with learning institutions is relatively high, with 31.7% of local inhabitants actively attending an educational program. Among this student cohort, 14.1% are in primary school, 10.9% attend secondary school, and 1.4% are engaged in higher educational studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Mossman means driving: households keep an average of 1.2 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
67.8% of residents in Mossman report no long-term health condition. 6.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 46.8% 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
Health assessments indicate notable community challenges based on mortality statistics and the incidence of chronic ailments, which affect both younger and older demographics, while private medical coverage is held by approximately 47% of residents (~979 people). This uptake falls behind the 52.5% documented throughout Regional Qld as well as the Australian baseline of 55.7%. Asthma and arthritis represent the primary chronic conditions within the community, diagnosed in 7.3 and 7.0% of the population respectively, while 67.8% of individuals reported having no long-term illnesses, closely matching the 67.6% recorded across Regional Qld.
Chronic conditions are observed at above-average levels among working-age individuals. Seniors aged 65 and over make up 25.5% of the community (533 people), exceeding the 20.3% share across Regional Qld, with local elderly residents recording health metrics that rank higher than national averages.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Mossman is largely Australian-born, at 85.7% of residents, with 9.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (24.6%) and English (24.6%). 13.7% 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 displays lower levels of cultural heterogeneity, with Australian citizens making up 85.9% of the population, 85.7% born domestically, and 90.6% communicating exclusively in English at home. Christianity forms the dominant religious affiliation, representing 49.1% of community members, compared against 52.2% across Regional Qld. Looking at parental birthplaces, the primary ancestries in the community are Australian (24.6%), English (24.6%, below the 29.6% regional average), and Australian Aboriginal (13.7%, notably exceeding the 3.9% regional rate). Distinct variations are also evident across other heritages, with Italian ancestry accounting for 5.1% (compared to 2.4% regionally), New Zealand heritage at 1.2% (against 0.9%), and Welsh representation at 0.7% (versus 0.5%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Mossman is 44. That is 1 year older than at the 2021 Census. 20.0% 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 suburb of Mossman presents a more mature demographic distribution than Regional Qld overall. Seniors aged 65+ comprise 25.5% of the population as at August 2026, compared to 20.4% across Regional Qld, whereas young to middle-aged adults aged 25 - 44 account for 18.5% locally versus 25.5% regionally. AreaSearch assesses the median age at 44 as at August 2026, rising from 43 at the 2021 Census, which sits 3 years older than the Regional Qld median of 41 and above the Australian figure of 38 at that same Census. Since the Census, the 65+ cohort has risen from 21.1% to an estimated 25.5%.
Projections indicate this group will generate the bulk of future growth by 2041, increasing by 195 residents (36%) to total 728, while youth and younger adult cohorts are expected to decrease.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Mossman
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 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 Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | May 2026 4 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 May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 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 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago 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 — 69 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (1,935 at the 2021 Census → 2,092 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL31929). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.