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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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Palm Island has an estimated 2,371 residents, up from 2,138 at the 2021 Census — a change of 233 people, or 10.9%. Growth has averaged 1.2% a year over five years. Natural increase accounts for 99.0% of that increase. Density is about 27 people per square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census the suburb of Palm Island's population is estimated at around 2,371 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 233 people (10.9%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,138 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 2,371, 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 26 persons per square kilometer, a level providing ample space per person.
Palm Island's 10.9% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area (3.4%), along with the SA4 region, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by natural growth that contributed approximately 99.0% 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. Looking at population projections moving forward, an above median population growth of non-metropolitan areas nationally is projected, with the area expected to increase by 397 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting recording a gain of 16.7% in total over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
69 new dwellings have been approved in Palm Island over the past five years, an average of 13 a year. That places the area in the 62nd percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 5 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Few approvals have been recorded in the most recent months, well below the longer-run average; the latest ABS periods are still being reported. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Analysis by AreaSearch of ABS building approvals, distributed from statistical zones, reveals that Palm Island has averaged approximately 13 residential approvals annually. This sums to a total of 69 dwellings authorized over the past 5 financial years (spanning FY-21 to FY-25), with no approvals recorded during the course of FY-26. With an average of 2 additional occupants per built dwelling over the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, the local market exhibits solid equilibrium between supply and demand to support steady trends, while newly approved housing units average an expected construction cost of $351,000.
Palm Island records building activity that is 186.0% higher on a per capita basis than the Rest of Qld, expanding options for prospective buyers. Furthermore, all recent development approvals consist of standalone houses, preserving the locality's established low-density setting and focusing on spacious residences suitable for families. Averaging roughly 81 people per approved dwelling, the location displays key traits of an expanding district. Forecasts for the local population suggest Palm Island will add 397 new occupants by 2041, measured from the latest quarterly figures compiled by AreaSearch. Supported by current construction volumes, the incoming housing stock is set to comfortably satisfy demand, establishing positive dynamics for buyers and potentially supporting expansion beyond these projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Palm Island
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| 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 Palm Island. A further 51 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $5.64 billion. 14 are already under construction and 10 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and communities, precincts & urban renewal. 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
Changes to local zoning, public works, and planning initiatives exert a significant influence on local performance. In total, no projects have been identified by AreaSearch as likely to impact this vicinity. Notable infrastructure projects nearby include the Bruce Highway (Townsville-Ingham) upgrade program, North and Far North Queensland REZs, Queensland National Land Transport Network Maintenance, and the Queensland Energy Roadmap - SuperGrid Infrastructure Program, with details on the most relevant schemes provided below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA)
A series of underwater art installations near Townsville, including the 'Coral Greenhouse' at John Brewer Reef and the 'Ocean Siren' at The Strand. It is the only underwater art museum in the Southern Hemisphere.
North Queensland Bio-Energy Facility (Ingham)
The North Queensland Bio-Energy (NQBE) facility is a proposed $640 million integrated sugar, ethanol, and renewable power plant located on an 80-hectare site south of Ingham. As of early 2026, the project remains in the planning phase while awaiting favorable market conditions and finalized financing. The facility is designed to process sugarcane into 350,000 tonnes of raw sugar annually, produce up to 200,000 litres of ethanol per day, and export approximately 110-115 MW of renewable energy to the national grid.The project was recently a focal point in the 2026 Queensland Parliamentary Inquiry into Sugarcane Bioenergy Opportunities, which seeks to address regulatory and investment barriers for such industrial hubs.
Orient Road Water Security Project
A project to improve water security in the Ingham area, funded under the Building our Regions program. The project involved the extension of the water main along Orient Road.
Moduline Ingham Expansion - Factory and Showroom
Proposed ~4,400 sqm manufacturing facility with ~550 sqm office and retail showroom for Moduline in Ingham CBD. Development Application lodged 24 Feb 2025 for Medium Impact Industry (furniture manufacturing, display and sales) across multiple lots fronting Herbert St and Lynn St. State assessment (SARA) advice issued 17 Mar 2025. Project aims to modernize production, expand local jobs and renew the town centre retail presence.
Dutton Street Culvert Crossing Project
Construction of a culvert crossing on Dutton Street to provide a linkage between the north and south of Ingham during flood events. The project was fully funded under the National Flood Infrastructure Mitigation Program.
Hinchinbrook Shire Council Priority Projects
A list of priority projects for the Hinchinbrook Shire, including upgrades to marine and tourism infrastructure, recycling facilities, and digital connectivity. Specific projects include the Dungeness Marine Access Upgrade, Wallaman Falls Eco and Adventure Tourism, and Forrest Beach Boat Ramp Facilities.
Residential Activation Fund - Hinchinbrook Housing
Two critical infrastructure projects to unlock more than 180 new homes in Ingham. The projects are funded through the Queensland Government's Residential Activation Fund and align with the Hinchinbrook Shire Council's Local Housing Action Plan to address housing shortages.
Atlantic North Ingham
Atlantic North Ingham is a proposed mixed-use development at 70 Townsville Road, Ingham, designed to expand the commercial hub of Hinchinbrook Shire. The precinct comprises six retail showrooms of approximately 800 square metres each, an 18-room motel, and a 30-bed dormitory building for school groups and tourists. Located within walking distance of the Tyto Wetlands, the development incorporates North Queensland architectural elements and flood-proof design with floor levels 2.40 metres above natural ground, supported by 310 car parking bays.
82 residents of Palm Island are employed, from a labour force of 438. Unemployment sits at 81.3%, with participation at 26.4%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 7.7% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Data consolidated by AreaSearch shows Palm Island has a balanced labor market split between white-collar and blue-collar roles, with a strong presence of essential service sectors and an unemployment rate of 81.3%. In March 2026, 82 local citizens were employed, while the jobless rate was 77.4% higher than the rate of 3.9% recorded in Regional Qld, pointing to potential for labor market improvements. Additionally, labor force participation is low at 26.4% compared to 64.3% in Regional Qld, and only a tiny 0.9% of residents worked from home during the Census, though pandemic restriction factors should be noted.
The primary sectors employing local residents are health care & social assistance, education & training, and public administration & safety. A strong occupational concentration is visible in health care & social assistance, where the employment proportion is 2.0 times higher than the broader region. On the other hand, construction is underrepresented, accounting for 2.4% of local jobs compared to the regional average of 10.1%. Comparison of the Census working cohort against local residents indicates that this residential zone offers few local jobs. According to AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics aggregated from wider geographic bounds, the local workforce contracted by 1.8% in the year leading to March 2026, while total employment fell by 43.4%, resulting in a rise of 13.8 percentage points in the jobless rate. This trend diverges from Regional Qld, where employment expanded by 0.1%, the workforce grew by 0.3%, and unemployment ticked up by 0.1 percentage points. National employment projections published by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 provide a benchmark for future local demand. Over five-year and ten-year periods, these national targets suggest an expansion of 6.6% and 13.7% respectively, though trends vary greatly by industry. Applying these trends to the local industry mix yields an estimated employment rise of 7.7% over five years and 16.0% over ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Palm Island is $973 a week (about $51,000 a year), with median personal income at $384 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $52,258 a year against an average of $63,468. 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 ATO postcode statistics published for financial year 2023, taxpayers in the suburb of Palm Island earn a median income of $52,258 and an average of $63,468. These values fall short of the national average, as well as the Regional Qld median of $53,146 and average of $66,593. Accounting for WPI wage inflation of 11.36% since financial year 2023, current equivalent values would sit at roughly $58,195 for the median and $70,678 for the average as of March 2026. According to the Census, personal, family, and household earnings here sit between the 1st and 2nd percentiles across Australia.
Income brackets show that 27.3% of the local population (647 individuals) earn between $400 - 799 weekly, which contrasts with the broader region where 31.7% of residents fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 range. Constrained family budgets are common, with 40.4% of residents receiving under $800/week. Although residents retain 87.4% of their earnings due to low housing outlays, overall disposable funds place the area in the 5th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Palm Island had 494 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 88% detached houses and 8% apartments. 0% are owned with a mortgage, 98% rented and 2% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $125 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,167 a month. Rent absorbs 12.8% of household income here and mortgage repayments 51.4%. 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 latest Census, the housing mix in Palm Island consisted of 87.9% detached houses and 12.1% alternative formats such as semi-detached homes, units, or other dwelling categories, compared to 76.4% houses and 23.6% other options in Regional Qld. Home ownership rates in Palm Island are low at 2.2%, with the remaining properties occupied by renters (97.8%) or subject to a mortgage, of which there were none. Typical monthly mortgage payments in the locality were $2,167, well above the Regional Qld average of $1,655, whereas median weekly rents were recorded at $125, compared to regional averages of $345 and $1,655.
On a national level, Palm Island's mortgages are higher than the Australian median of $1,863, while weekly rent levels are much lower than the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Palm Island counted 494 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 548 today, averaging 3.7 people each. 28% are couples with children, against 11% couples without children. 21% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.5 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of local households at 75.9%, which includes 27.6% couples with children, 11.2% couples without children, and 30.0% single-parent households. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 24.1%, with lone person households representing 21.1% and group houses accounting for 3.7%. The typical household size stands at 3.7 residents, exceeding the Regional Qld median of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
7.3% of adults in Palm Island hold a university qualification, including 4.9% with a bachelor degree and 1.4% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 98% of areas nationally. A further 18.1% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 459 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 667 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 present local hurdles, with university graduation rates of 7.3% falling far behind the national level of 30.4%, creating a clear opening for focused academic programs. Among university graduates, bachelor degrees are held by 4.9% of residents, followed by postgraduate degrees at 1.4% and graduate diplomas at 1.0%. Vocational certifications are held by 22.6% of the population aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas at 4.5% and certificates at 18.1%. School enrollment rates are very high, with 30.3% of local residents actively participating in academic programs. This cohort is divided into 21.0% enrolled in primary education, 6.4% in high schools, and 0.5% enrolled in higher education programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
83.9% of residents in Palm Island report no long-term health condition. 3.3% need daily assistance with core activities, and 52.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 13.1 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Analyses of death rates and chronic illness rates show that Palm Island faces significant health issues, with common ailments observed across both older and younger demographics, while private health insurance coverage is slightly ahead of the typical SA2 average at approximately 52% of the population, which equals about 1,241 people. Diabetes and heart disease represent the most prevalent diagnoses locally, affecting 7.2% and 4.3% of the community respectively, whereas 83.9% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. The working-age population exhibits good health outcomes with low rates of chronic illness.
Residents aged 65 and over make up 7.4% of the community (175 people), below the 20.4% representation seen across Regional Qld. Elderly residents enjoy better than average health outcomes, ranking higher nationally than the local population as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Palm Island is largely Australian-born, at 97.8% of residents, with 43.3% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian Aboriginal (72.6%) and Australian (4.6%). 72.6% 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
Palm Island mirrors regional averages for cultural variety, with citizens accounting for 93.2% of the population, 97.8% of residents born in Australia, and 56.7% using only English at home. The predominant faith is Christianity, followed by 81.7% of the local population, compared to 52.2% recorded throughout Regional Qld. Ancestry details show that the top three parent origins in Palm Island are Australian Aboriginal at 72.6% of the population, which is much higher than the regional rate of 3.9%, Other at 16.4%, also substantially higher than the regional average of 6.9%, and Australian at 4.6%, which is far below the regional average of 26.5%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Palm Island is 27, younger than 99% of areas nationally. 30.6% 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
With a median age of 27 years, Palm Island's population is much younger than the Regional Qld average of 41 and the national median of 38. The suburb contains a high proportion of kids aged 5 - 14 (19.4%) compared to Regional Qld, but has a smaller share of seniors aged 65 - 74 (5.2%). This school-aged group of 5 - 14 year-olds is also much larger than the national average of 12.0%. Since 2021, the 35 to 44 age cohort has increased from 11.1% to 12.9% of the population, and the 75 to 84 cohort has risen from 0.9% to 2.2%.
In contrast, the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 11.6% to 9.0%, and the 15 to 24 age bracket declined from 16.0% to 14.1%. Age projections for 2041 show that the local age profile will undergo major shifts. The 25 to 34 age bracket is set to grow steadily, rising by 115 people (30%) from 391 to 507, whereas the cohort aged 5 to 14 is projected to decrease by 6 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Palm Island
8 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 8 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. | ||
| 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 3 sections | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jul 2025 about a year 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 Jul 2025. | ||
| 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 (2,138 at the 2021 Census → 2,371 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 (SAL32260). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.