Chart Color Schemes
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
Sales Activity
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Sales Detail
What it costs to rent in Thursday Island
Median weekly rents, year-on-year movement and bond-lodgement activity for Thursday Island (4875). Sourced from the NSW Rental Bond Board, DCJ Family & Community Services.
Median rent
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YoY change
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Active bonds
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Latest Quarter Breakdown ·
| Dwelling | Bedrooms | Median $/wk | Active bonds | New bonds (Qtr) | YoY | Quality |
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SOURCE: NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ Family & Community Services), processed by AreaSearch. Imputed values are flagged. Latest publication:
Population
Thursday Island is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends
Thursday Island's population is estimated at around 2,842 as of May 2026, reflecting an increase of 37 people since the 2021 Census. The 2021 Census reported a population of 2,805 in the suburb of Thursday Island. This growth was primarily driven by natural factors, contributing approximately 85% of overall gains during recent periods. The latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2025) and validation of new addresses were used to estimate this current population figure. This level of population results in a density ratio of 764 persons per square kilometer, which is comparable to averages seen across other locations assessed by AreaSearch. Since the Census date, an additional 7 validated new addresses have been identified.
Thursday Island's growth rate of 1.3% since the census positions it within 2.2 percentage points of the SA4 region (3.5%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are used, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so proportional growth weightings aligned with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) are applied when utilised. Looking ahead, lower quartile growth of regional areas across the nation is anticipated, with the area expected to grow by 90 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of approximately 3.1% in total over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
The level of residential development activity in Thursday Island is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch
Thursday Island had 3 dwelling approvals annually between 2016 and 2020, totalling 17 dwellings. This low development activity reflects its rural nature, where housing needs drive development rather than broad market demand. The small sample size means annual growth can be influenced by individual projects.
New developments consist of 50% standalone homes and 50% townhouses or apartments, favouring compact living which is affordable for downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. With an estimated 638 people per dwelling approval, Thursday Island's quiet development environment is expected to gain 87 residents by 2041. Current construction levels should meet demand adequately, benefiting buyers and potentially exceeding current population forecasts.
Population forecasts indicate Thursday Island will gain 87 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Thursday Island
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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.
Infrastructure
Thursday Island has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 37thth percentile nationally
Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified three major projects expected to influence the region. Key initiatives include Saila Terrace Townhouses, Thursday Island Affordable Modular Homes, Victoria Parade Units, and Queensland National Land Transport Network Maintenance.
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
Queensland Energy Roadmap - SuperGrid Infrastructure Program
The Queensland Energy Roadmap (released October 2025) replaced the former Energy and Jobs Plan SuperGrid Blueprint, shifting from rigid renewable percentage targets to a reliability and emissions-reduction focus. Key infrastructure programs include: CopperString (QIC-led 330kV Eastern Link from Hughenden to Burdekin region, major construction commencing 2028, commercial operations by 2032, supported by a $200 million North West Energy Fund); the Gladstone Project Priority Transmission Investment (new 275kV Calvale to Calliope River transmission line, Gladstone West Substation by mid-2029, Bouldercombe to Larcom Creek line by mid-2030, with construction on initial works expected from mid-2026); and synchronous condenser installations at Stanwell, Nebo and Calliope River substations (Hitachi Energy contract signed April 2026, delivery by 2029). QIC has assumed oversight of the Borumba, Mt Rawdon, Big T and Capricornia pumped hydro assessments. The Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro project has been cancelled. Coal assets will continue operating to technical life. The roadmap projects whole-of-system cost savings of approximately $26 billion to 2035 versus the previous plan. Renewable energy targets have been formally repealed, with net zero by 2050 retained as the overarching commitment. By 2030, around 16GW of new generation and storage capacity is forecast, including 6.8GW of wind and large-scale solar and 3.8GW of storage.
Queensland Energy Roadmap 2025
The Queensland Energy Roadmap 2025 is a five-year strategic framework delivered by the Crisafulli Government on 10 October 2025 to deliver affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy through 2035. Key initiatives include a $1.6 billion Electricity Maintenance Guarantee for existing government-owned coal and gas assets, a $400 million Energy Investment Fund to catalyse private sector investment in renewables (solar, hydro) and storage, and a mandate for at least 2.6 GW of new gas generation by 2035 including a Central Queensland Gas Power Tender for 400 MW of gas-fired capacity. The supporting Energy Roadmap Amendment Act 2025 was passed by Queensland Parliament on 10 December 2025, formally repealing previous renewable energy targets while maintaining a net-zero by 2050 commitment. The Act establishes a QIC Investor Gateway to attract private capital, renames Renewable Energy Zones as Regional Energy Hubs, and enshrines a framework for the CopperString transmission project connecting North and North West Queensland to the National Electricity Market. By 2030, the Roadmap forecasts up to 6.8 GW of additional wind and large-scale solar, 600 MW of new gas-fired generation, and up to 3.8 GW of new storage. The plan is projected to reduce energy system costs by $26 billion to 2035 versus the previous government's plan.
Queensland Energy Roadmap 2025
Released on 10 October 2025, the Queensland Energy Roadmap is the Crisafulli Government's five-year energy strategy, replacing the previous Labor Energy and Jobs Plan. It focuses on affordability, reliability and sustainability, targeting net zero by 2050 while operating state-owned coal assets to their technical life (at least 2046). Key initiatives include: a $1.6 billion Electricity Maintenance Guarantee for existing coal assets; a $400 million Queensland Energy Investment Fund managed by QIC; the QIC-led delivery of CopperString 330kV Eastern Link from Townsville to Hughenden (major construction from 2028, commercial operations by 2032); a $200 million North West Energy Fund; QIC assessment of pumped hydro projects at Borumba, Mt Rawdon, Big T and Capricornia; a Central Queensland Gas Power Tender for 400MW of new gas-fired capacity; and Powerlink's Gladstone Project transmission upgrades. Planned energy capital expenditure is $6.7 billion in 2025-26.
Queensland Energy Roadmap 2026
The Queensland Energy Roadmap 2026 is a state policy framework released on 10 October 2025. It reverses earlier plans by extending state-owned coal asset operations until at least 2046 supported by a 1.6 billion dollar maintenance guarantee. The plan focuses on a market-driven approach to Regional Energy Hubs, doubling gas capacity to 8.3GW by 2035, and accelerating large-scale battery storage. Significant infrastructure includes the 400MW Central Queensland Gas Power Tender and the CopperString Eastern Link (330kV) transmission project.
Queensland Energy Roadmap 2026
The Queensland Energy Roadmap 2026 is a strategic policy framework released by the Crisafulli Government on 10 October 2025. It replaces the previous SuperGrid Infrastructure Blueprint, shifting focus toward a market-based approach to power reliability and affordability. Key pillars include extending the operating life of state-owned coal power stations until 2046, doubling gas-fired generation capacity to 8.3GW by 2035, and transitioning 'Renewable Energy Zones' into 'Regional Energy Hubs' to integrate solar, wind, and storage with existing grid infrastructure. Major active components include the $1.6 billion Electricity Maintenance Guarantee, a 400MW gas generation tender in Central Queensland, and the CopperString Eastern Link (330kV) targeted for 2032 completion.
Enabling Digital Health Services for Regional and Remote Australia
A national digital infrastructure program under the Digital Health Blueprint 2023-2033 designed to provide equitable healthcare access for regional and remote Australians. The initiative is currently rolling out the 'Share by Default' legislative framework, which mandates the uploading of pathology and diagnostic imaging reports to My Health Record starting July 2026. Current 2026 milestones include the launch of the Digital Health Implementer Hub to accelerate software conformance and the implementation of the National Allied Health Digital Uplift Plan to integrate allied health practitioners into the national digital ecosystem.
Building Future Hospitals Program
Now referred to as the Hospital Rescue Plan, this $18.5 billion program is the largest health infrastructure investment in Queensland history. It aims to deliver over 2,600 new public hospital beds by 2032 through three new hospitals (Coomera, Bundaberg, Toowoomba) and major expansions at 10 existing facilities including QEII, Logan, and Princess Alexandra hospitals. Recent milestones in 2026 include the completion of the concept design for the 600-bed Coomera Hospital and the final concrete pour for the QEII Hospital expansion clinical building.
Thursday Island Affordable Modular Homes
A partnership between the Queensland Government Housing Investment Fund, the Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust and modular builder Oly Homes has delivered eight affordable modular homes on Thursday Island. The project, located on church land at 6 Chester Street and 142 Douglas Street, includes a mix of one and two bedroom homes, studio units and accessible units designed for the local climate and cultural needs. The homes were factory built on the mainland, transported to Thursday Island and installed in around eight months, with tenants moving in from early 2025.
Employment
Employment performance in Thursday Island has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally
Thursday Island has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. Its unemployment rate is 5.0%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of December 2025, 1,350 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 6.0% compared to Regional Qld's 4.0%.
Workforce participation is similar at 66.9% versus Regional Qld's 64.5%. Census responses show that only 4.2% of residents work from home, but Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and education & training. The area specializes in public administration & safety with an employment share 3.5 times the regional level.
However, manufacturing is under-represented at 0.2% compared to Regional Qld's 5.6%. Limited local employment opportunities are indicated by Census working population vs resident population counts. During the year to December 2025, labour force decreased by 2.5% and employment declined by 1.6%, causing unemployment rate to fall by 0.8 percentage points. This contrasts with Regional Qld where employment grew by 0.7%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Thursday Island's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 7.3% over five years and 15.0% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis
AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows the median income among taxpayers in Thursday Island suburb is $51,667. The average income is $61,586. Nationally, this is lower than average. In Regional Qld, the median income is $53,146 and average is $66,593. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Thursday Island would be approximately $57,536 (median) and $68,582 (average) as of March 2026. Census 2021 income data indicates that incomes in Thursday Island cluster around the 70th percentile nationally. The dominant income bracket is $1,500 - 2,999 with 38.4% of residents (1,091 people). After housing costs, residents retain 91.4% of their income.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Thursday Island displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region
Dwelling structure in Thursday Island, as evaluated at the latest Census held on 28 August 2016, comprised 57.9% houses and 42.1% other dwellings. In comparison, Regional Queensland had 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Thursday Island was at 9.8%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (3.0%) or rented (87.2%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,408, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $200. Nationally, Thursday Island's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, as reported on 25 June 2021, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375 for the same period.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Thursday Island has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size
Family households comprise 73.6% of all households, including 34.0% couples with children, 18.0% couples without children, and 18.9% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 26.4%, with lone person households at 23.1% and group households comprising 3.1%. The median household size is 3.2 people, larger than the Regional Queensland average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Thursday Island faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally
Thursday Island's educational qualifications trail regional benchmarks, with 21.1% of residents aged 15+ holding university degrees compared to Australia's 30.4%. This indicates potential for educational development and skills enhancement. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 14.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.6%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 41.5% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas account for 9.9% and certificates for 31.6%.
Educational participation is high, with 35.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 16.8% in primary education, 10.8% in secondary education, and 3.1% pursuing tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
No public transport data available for this catchment area.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Thursday Island's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts
Thursday Island's health data shows positive results, aligning with national benchmarks for mortality rates and health conditions.
Common health issues are seen across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is relatively low at approximately 52% of the total population (around 1,465 people). The most prevalent medical conditions are diabetes (7.1%) and asthma (5.4%). A majority of residents, 80.1%, report no medical ailments, compared to 67.6% in Regional Queensland. In Thursday Island, 10.4% of residents are aged 65 or over (295 people), lower than the 20.4% in Regional Queensland. Health outcomes among seniors on the island are above average and rank higher nationally than those of the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
In terms of cultural diversity, Thursday Island records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics
Thursday Island's cultural diversity was above average, with 7.2% of its population born overseas and 53.6% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion on Thursday Island, comprising 75.0% of people, compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld. In terms of ancestry, the top groups were Other (51.3%, regional average: 6.9%), Australian Aboriginal (15.4%, regional average: 3.9%), and Australian (11.9%, regional average: 26.5%).
Samoan representation was notably higher at 0.8% on Thursday Island compared to the regional average of 0.2%. Maori representation was also notable, with 0.5% on Thursday Island versus a regional average of 0.8%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Thursday Island hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide
Thursday Island's median age is 30 years, which is considerably lower than Regional Queensland's average of 41 years, and also younger than Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Regional Queensland, Thursday Island has a higher concentration of residents aged 5-14 years (17.4%), but fewer residents aged 75-84 years (2.5%). This percentage for the 5-14 age group is well above the national average of 12.0%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the population aged 65 to 74 has grown from 5.0% to 7.1%, while the proportion of residents aged 5 to 14 has declined from 19.5% to 17.4%, and the percentage of those aged 55 to 64 has decreased from 10.3% to 8.8%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes for Thursday Island, with the strongest projected growth in the 25-34 age cohort, expected to increase by 19%, adding 81 residents to reach a total of 505. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 65 to 74 and 55 to 64 age groups.