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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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Normanton has an estimated 1,511 residents, up from 1,391 at the 2021 Census — a change of 120 people, or 8.6%. Growth has averaged 1.1% a year over five years. Natural increase accounts for 89.0% of that increase. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
In the suburb of Normanton, the population is estimated at around 1,511 as of Aug 2026, according to AreaSearch's evaluation of ABS regional updates and address validation conducted since the Census. Compared to the 1,391 people documented in the 2021 Census, this marks an expansion of 120 people (8.6%). AreaSearch deduced this 1,511 resident total following review of the ABS June 2025 ERP release alongside post-Census address verification. This demographic level translates to a density ratio of 0.20 persons per square kilometer, ensuring considerable room per resident. With an 8.6% increase since the 2021 census, the suburb of Normanton outperformed the broader SA4 region (3.5%), positioning it as a key regional growth contributor.
Natural increase served as the primary growth catalyst, generating approximately 89.0% of recent population additions. For individual SA2 boundaries, AreaSearch relies on ABS/Geoscience Australia projections published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline. For uncovered SA2 localities or dates extending beyond post-2032, Queensland State Government SA2 projections issued in 2023 (utilising 2021 data) are used. Because these state figures do not break down age brackets, AreaSearch integrates proportional cohort weightings from the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (published in 2023, based on 2022 data). Demographic forecasts suggest growth tracking within the lower quartile of Australian non-metropolitan areas, with the suburb of Normanton projected to add 17 persons to 2041 across aggregated SA2 modelling, representing an overall rise of 0.5% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential building activity across Normanton remains subdued, generating 2 dwelling approvals annually and reaching a five-year cumulative total of 11. These constrained volumes align with rural property environments where construction demand is tempered by modest local requirements and existing infrastructure. Because approval counts are so limited, individual construction ventures can disproportionately alter annual growth trajectories and relative trends. Of recent building projects, detached houses represent 67.0% while medium and high-density formats make up 33.0%, incorporating an expanding selection of townhouses and apartments to deliver varied pricing across family residences and compact living options.
This differs from the current residential stock (where houses comprise 86.0%), pointing to fewer available development sites, changing lifestyle trends, and an increased requirement for diversified, affordable housing. With approximately 272 people per dwelling approval, the locality retains capacity for future development. Forecasts indicate that Normanton will add 8 residents by 2041 relative to the most recent AreaSearch quarterly release. Under prevailing construction volumes, upcoming residential supply is well positioned to accommodate demand, supporting favorable purchasing conditions and potentially enabling growth beyond baseline forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Normanton
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 14 current infrastructure and development projects close to Normanton, worth an estimated $423 million. 5 are already under construction and 7 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, retail 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
Local economic and community performance is strongly shaped by capital works and planning programs. AreaSearch has identified no major projects specifically within the immediate bounds, though significant regional initiatives of interest include CopperString 2032 - Northern Queensland SuperGrid, CopperString 2032, Queensland National Land Transport Network Maintenance, and Queensland Energy Roadmap - SuperGrid Infrastructure Program.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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
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.
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 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.
Haren Street Residential Aged Care Facility
The Haren Street Residential Aged Care Facility is an approved 120-bed single-level aged care development designed across a 2.89-hectare site in Mareeba, North Queensland. Proposed by Croft Developments Pty Ltd, the facility comprises four distinct 30-bed residential wings, specialized memory and dementia support units, nurse stations, dining hubs, and landscaped courtyards. The development application was approved by Mareeba Shire Council and stands shovel-ready.
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).
Vernon Apartments
A three-storey mixed-use development providing 27 affordable rental units (12 one-bedroom and 15 two-bedroom) with ground-floor commercial premises for potential food outlets, offices, shops, or healthcare services, complementing the adjacent Priors Creek Development.
531 residents of Normanton are employed, from a labour force of 647. Unemployment sits at 17.9%, with participation at 59.0%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.1% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,277, about 85% 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
Normanton maintains a balanced labor market encompassing both blue-collar and white-collar roles, supported by essential services and an unemployment rate of 17.9% based on AreaSearch statistical aggregations. As of March 2026, employed residents total 531, while the jobless rate sits 14.0% above the Regional Qld figure of 3.9%, highlighting room for improvement; workforce participation also trails at 59.0% compared to 64.2% across Regional Qld. Census records show just 6.2% of workers operating from home, though Covid-19 lockdowns provide relevant context. Local workforce participation is primarily centered across education & training, public administration & safety, and health care & social assistance.
Public administration & safety shows particular concentration, holding an employment share 2.8 times the regional benchmark. Conversely, accommodation & food accounts for only 3.7% of resident workers, trailing the 8.3% recorded across Regional Qld. Comparing resident counts with Census workplace tallies suggests that localized employment opportunities remain constrained. AreaSearch assessment of broader SALM and ABS datasets indicates that over the 12-month period, the labor force contracted by 1.4% and employment fell by 3.3%, elevating the unemployment rate by 1.5 percentage points. In contrast, Regional Qld recorded a 0.1% increase in employment, a 0.3% labor force expansion, and a 0.1 percentage points rise in unemployment. Long-range outlooks can be informed by Jobs and Skills Australia national projections from Mar-26 across five- and ten-year horizons. Nationally, employment is projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though industry variations exist. Weighting these sectoral expectations against Normanton's workforce structure indicates prospective local employment growth of 6.1% over five years and 12.7% over ten years (serving as an illustrative extrapolation that excludes localized population projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Normanton is $1,691 a week (about $88,000 a year), with median personal income at $750 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $67,076 a year against an average of $82,311. 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 statistics aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 reveal that the suburb of Normanton recorded a median taxpayer income of $67,076 and an average of $82,311. These figures rank among the highest nationally, exceeding the respective Regional Qld benchmarks of $53,146 and $66,593. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023 brings estimated figures to roughly $74,696 (median) and $91,662 (average) as of March 2026. Looking at the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal income percentiles in Normanton were more modest, falling between the 38th and 46th percentiles.
The primary earnings cohort includes 35.5% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (536 residents), aligning with the regional share of 31.7%. After meeting housing expenses, households retain 91.6% of income, maintaining healthy spending power.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Normanton had 389 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 87% detached houses and 9% apartments. 8% are owned with a mortgage, 73% rented and 20% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $170 a week and the median mortgage repayment $992 a month. Rent absorbs 10.1% of household income here and mortgage repayments 13.5%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, separate houses made up 86.5% of residential stock in Normanton, with 13.4% classified as other dwellings (such as semi-detached units, apartments, and alternative structures), whereas Regional Qld recorded 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Outright home ownership reached 19.6%, lagging the wider region, while 7.9% of properties were mortgaged and 72.5% were rented. The median monthly mortgage repayment stood at $992 and median weekly rent was $170, notably below the Regional Qld averages of $1,655 and $345. On a national scale, Normanton's mortgage costs and rental rates sit well below the Australian averages of $1,863 and $375 respectively.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Normanton counted 389 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 423 today, averaging 3.0 people each. 26% are couples with children, against 21% couples without children. 23% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.2 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute 75.1% of households in the area, divided into couples with children (26.2%), single parent families (24.9%), and couples without children (21.1%). The remaining 24.9% comprises non-family arrangements, with lone person households representing 22.6% and group households making up 2.1%. The median household size is 3.0 people, exceeding the 2.5 average observed across Regional Qld.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
12.3% of adults in Normanton hold a university qualification, including 8.9% with a bachelor degree and 1.7% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 96% of areas nationally. A further 26.8% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 271 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 730 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 levels show that 12.3% of residents hold university qualifications, trailing the national benchmark of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees account for 8.9%, with postgraduate qualifications at 1.7% and graduate diplomas at 1.7%. Vocational pathways are well established, with 33.6% of the population aged 15+ possessing technical credentials, including certificates (26.8%) and advanced diplomas (6.8%). Formal study engagement is substantial, with 32.3% of local residents participating in an educational course. This cohort includes 18.8% attending primary school, 6.8% in secondary education, and 3.0% enrolled in tertiary programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Normanton 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
75.5% of residents in Normanton report no long-term health condition. 2.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 59.7% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 10.7 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
AreaSearch evaluations of chronic condition incidence and mortality show notable health hurdles in Normanton, with common conditions present across younger and older demographics. Private health insurance coverage is prominent, held by approximately 60% of the population (901 people) compared to 52.5% across Regional Qld. Diabetes and asthma represent the most frequent medical conditions locally, diagnosed in 7.6 and 6.0% of the population respectively, while 75.5% reported no long-term medical conditions compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Working-age health metrics generally align with broader norms. Seniors aged 65 and over account for 11.5% of the population (173 people), below the Regional Qld level of 20.3%, and display strong relative health outcomes with national rankings above the local general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Normanton is largely Australian-born, at 94.9% of residents, with 4.1% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian Aboriginal (43.6%) and Australian (25.2%). 43.6% 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
Normanton displays lower cultural diversity metrics relative to broader benchmarks, with Australian citizens comprising 88.3% of the community, 94.9% born in Australia, and 95.9% speaking only English at home. Christianity represents the primary religious affiliation, accounting for 50.0% of residents compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld. Parental country of birth statistics indicate that the three primary ancestries in Normanton are Australian Aboriginal at 43.6% (substantially exceeding the 3.9% regional rate), Australian at 25.2%, and English at 13.1% (below the regional level of 29.6%). Other ancestral backgrounds show varying representation, including Samoan at 0.4% (vs 0.2% regionally), Filipino at 1.0% (vs 0.9%), and Hungarian at 0.2% (vs 0.2%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Normanton is 31, younger than 93% of areas nationally. 29.2% 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 demographic structure in Normanton is comparatively younger than that of Regional Qld. As at August 2026, children and young adults (0 - 24) comprise 40.6% of residents versus 29.6% regionally, while seniors aged 65+ account for 11.5% compared to 20.4% across Regional Qld. As at August 2026, the estimated median age is 31, matching the 2021 Census figure and sitting below both the Regional Qld median of 41 and the national median of 38 from that Census. The 45 - 64 age group has contracted from 23.2% at the Census to an estimated 20.5%.
By 2041, adults aged 25 - 44 are projected to experience the largest numerical increase, rising by 46 (11%) to 472, while younger cohorts and the 45 - 64 bracket are anticipated to decrease.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Normanton
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, Local governments Daily | May 2026 4 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 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. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (1,391 at the 2021 Census → 1,511 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 (SAL32165). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.