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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 1,512 residents, up from 1,391 at the 2021 Census — a change of 121 people, or 8.7%. Growth has averaged 1.2% 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
According to the latest demographic updates from the ABS and fresh address verification by AreaSearch after the Census, the suburb of Normanton has an estimated residency of 1,512 individuals in May 2026. This represents a growth of 121 people (8.7%) compared to the 2021 Census, when the count stood at 1,391 people. This estimate is calculated from the 1,512 residents identified by AreaSearch's review of the ABS June 2025 ERP data release combined with post-Census address verification. Such a population size results in a density of 0.20 persons per square kilometer, indicating a spacious residential environment.
The 8.7% rise since the 2021 census outpaced the broader SA4 region (3.5%), positioning the area as a regional growth leader. Population expansion was predominantly fueled by natural increase, which accounted for approximately 89.0% of the total population growth over recent periods. Projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia released in 2024 (using 2022 as a baseline) are utilized for SA2 zones. For locations lacking this data and for times beyond 2032, projections from the Queensland State Government released in 2023 (based on 2021 data) are substituted. Because Queensland state projections omit age-specific details, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings structured around the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (published in 2023, using 2022 data) across age groups. Looking ahead, population growth is expected to mirror the lower quartile expansion typical of regional areas, with the suburb of Normanton projected to grow by 15 persons by 2041, representing a total increase of 0.4% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Property development in Normanton is exceptionally quiet, with only 1 new dwellings approved on an annual basis, totaling 9 dwellings over the five-year timeframe. This minimal construction activity aligns with typical rural settings where housing requirements remain low and building is restricted by local demand and infrastructure limits. Because approval volumes are so low, isolated building projects can skew yearly growth trends and relative performance statistics. Recent residential construction comprises 67.0% detached houses and 33.0% apartments or townhouses, providing a diverse range of options spanning family residences and cheaper compact units.
This represents a notable shift from the established housing stock (which stands at 86.0% houses), driven by a scarcity of available development sites and changing lifestyle preferences and budget constraints. The ratio of 374 people for every single dwelling approval underscores the calm, low-scale nature of local construction. Future forecasts suggest Normanton will gain 6 residents by 2041, according to the latest quarterly estimates from AreaSearch. Current levels of residential construction suggest that housing supply is well-positioned to satisfy demand, offering positive conditions for buyers and potentially allowing growth to outpace current projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Normanton
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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 14 current infrastructure and development projects close to Normanton, worth an estimated $433 million. 5 are already under construction and 8 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans health & medical, residential development 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, major planning decisions, and new developments are critical drivers of local performance. Currently, no major projects have been identified by AreaSearch as having a direct impact on the immediate area. Key regional projects include CopperString 2032 - Northern Queensland SuperGrid, CopperString 2032, Queensland National Land Transport Network Maintenance, and Queensland Energy Roadmap - SuperGrid Infrastructure Program, with details of relevant works listed below.
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.
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 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.
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.
532 residents of Normanton are employed, from a labour force of 649. Unemployment sits at 18.0%, with participation at 58.7%. 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 84% 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
The local workforce shows an even split between professional and manual occupations, with solid representation in key public services, alongside an unemployment rate of 18.0% based on AreaSearch's statistical aggregations. As of March 2026, there are 532 residents employed, while the unemployment rate is 14.1% higher than the Regional Qld benchmark of 3.9%, highlighting potential for economic improvement. Workforce participation is also lower at 58.7% compared to 64.3% in Regional Qld. Census data indicates that a modest 6.2% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure may have been influenced by pandemic-related lockdowns.
The main industries employing local residents are education & training, public administration & safety, and health care & social assistance. Public administration & safety is highly concentrated, with employment shares reaching 2.8 times the regional benchmark. Conversely, accommodation & food services have a minor footprint, accounting for 3.7% of local jobs compared to 8.3% regionally. Comparing Census workforce numbers with the resident population suggests that local employment opportunities are somewhat scarce. AreaSearch evaluations of SALM and ABS data for the wider region reveal that over the 12-month period, the local labor force contracted by 1.5% and employment fell by 3.4%, causing the unemployment rate to climb by 1.8 percentage points. In contrast, Regional Qld experienced a 0.1% rise in employment, a 0.3% increase in the labor force, and a 0.1 percentage point rise in unemployment. National forecasts released in May-25 by Jobs and Skills Australia provide further context regarding future employment trends in Normanton. These five and ten-year forecasts have been aligned with local employment structures to project future trends. Nationally, employment is predicted to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though individual sectors will perform differently. Applying these national trends directly to the local employment structure suggests jobs in Normanton could grow by 6.1% over five years and 12.7% over ten years, representing a basic weighting extrapolation rather than a local population projection.
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
According to the latest ATO tax statistics compiled by AreaSearch for the 2023 financial year, local personal income ranks extremely high on a national scale. Taxpayers recorded a median income of $67,076 and an average income of $82,311, compared to Regional Qld benchmarks of $53,146 and $66,593. Adjusted for a Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since the 2023 financial year, updated estimates for March 2026 are approximately $74,696 for the median and $91,662 for the average. In contrast, the 2021 Census reports that household, family, and individual incomes are modest, placing between the 38th and 46th percentiles.
The largest income cohort is the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, which contains 35.5% of residents (536 people), close to the regional average of 31.7%. Once housing costs are met, households retain 91.6% of their earnings, indicating strong discretionary spending capacity.
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
At the time of the last Census, residential properties in Normanton consisted of 86.5% freestanding houses and 13.4% other formats like townhouses or apartments, compared to Regional Qld's breakdown of 76.4% houses and 23.6% other styles. Home ownership rates were relatively low at 19.6%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (7.9%) or rented (72.5%). The area's median monthly mortgage payment of $992 was notably lower than the regional average of $1,655, while the median weekly rent was $170 compared to Regional Qld's $345. On a national scale, mortgage commitments are far below the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are much lower than the national median of $375.
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 make up 75.1% of local households, consisting of couples with children (26.2%), couples without children (21.1%), and single parents (24.9%). The remaining 24.9% are non-family households, which are mostly lone persons (22.6%) and a small portion of group households (2.1%). The median household size is 3.0 people, which exceeds the Regional Qld average of 2.5.
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
Local education statistics indicate room for growth, with university completion rates at 12.3%, well below the national average of 30.4%. This highlights a clear opportunity for targeted educational support. Bachelor degrees account for 8.9% of qualifications, followed by postgraduate degrees at 1.7% and graduate diplomas at 1.7%. Vocational skills are highly represented, with 33.6% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (6.8%) and certificates (26.8%). Enrolment rates are high, with 32.3% of the local population currently engaged in study. This includes 18.8% in primary schooling, 6.8% in high schools, and 3.0% enrolled in higher education 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
Health outcomes present challenges in Normanton based on AreaSearch analysis of mortality and chronic disease rates, with medical issues affecting both younger and older cohorts, though private health insurance coverage is exceptionally high at approximately 60% of the population (902 people) compared to 52.5% in Regional Qld. The most common chronic illnesses locally are diabetes and asthma, which affect 7.6% and 6.0% of the community respectively, while 75.5% of residents reported having no long-term health conditions compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Health metrics for working-age residents are typical. Those aged 65 and older represent 11.7% of the population (176 people), which is lower than the Regional Qld proportion of 20.4%.
Health outcomes for local seniors are highly positive, ranking above national averages.
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
Cultural diversity measures are low in Normanton, where 88.3% of the community are citizens, 94.9% were born domestically, and 95.9% speak only English at home. The predominant religious affiliation is Christianity, chosen by 50.0% of residents, compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld. Regarding family heritage and parental birthplace, the three largest ancestry groups are Australian Aboriginal at 43.6% of the population (significantly above the regional rate of 3.9%), Australian at 25.2%, and English at 13.1% (substantially below the regional average of 29.6%). There are also specific differences in smaller ethnic populations: Samoan heritage accounts for 0.4% (compared to 0.2% regionally), Filipino represents 1.0% (compared to 0.9%), and Hungarian accounts for 0.2% (compared to 0.2%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Normanton is 30, younger than 93% of areas nationally. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 29.5% 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 local median age of 30 years is much younger than the Regional Qld average of 41 and the national median of 38 years. Compared to Regional Qld, there is a higher proportion of toddlers aged 0 - 4 (10.4%) but fewer seniors aged 75 - 84 (3.5%). Since the 2021 Census, young adults aged 25 to 34 grew from 14.9% to 17.2% of the population, and infants aged 0 to 4 rose from 8.5% to 10.4%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 bracket fell from 11.4% to 9.4%, and children aged 5 to 14 dropped from 18.5% to 17.0%.
Looking toward 2041, demographic forecasts project major shifts, with the 25 to 34 bracket growing fastest by 10% (adding 24 residents to reach 285), while declines are anticipated in the 55 to 64 and 15 to 24 age groups.
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 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) | Jul 2026 last 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 (1,391 at the 2021 Census → 1,512 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 (SAL32165). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.