White Rock (Cairns - Qld)

Population growth drivers in White Rock are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, as of Nov 2025, White Rock (Cairns - Qld) SA2's population is estimated at around 5,226. This reflects an increase of 308 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,918. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of resident population at 5,180 following examination of ABS's latest ERP data release (June 2024) and an additional 41 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 548 persons per square kilometer. White Rock's growth rate of 6.3% since census positions it within 1.7 percentage points of its SA3 area (8.0%). Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 52.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted. Considering projected demographic shifts, the White Rock (Cairns - Qld) SA2 is forecast to grow by 1,324 persons to 2041, reflecting a gain of 24.4% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees White Rock recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, shows White Rock recorded approximately 24 residential properties granted approval each year over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 120 homes. As of FY-26, 23 approvals have been recorded. The average number of people moving to the area per new home constructed over these five years is 2.3, indicating solid demand that supports property values.

New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $403,000. In FY-26, commercial approvals valued at $635,000 have been registered, reflecting the area's residential nature. Compared to the rest of Queensland, White Rock has slightly more development, with 35.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period. This preserves reasonable buyer options while sustaining existing property demand, although development activity has moderated in recent periods.

New development consists of 52.0% detached dwellings and 48.0% medium and high-density housing, showing an expanding range of medium-density options that create a mix of opportunities across price brackets. This represents a notable shift from the area's existing housing composition, which is currently 74.0% houses, indicating decreasing availability of developable sites and reflecting changing lifestyles and the need for more diverse, affordable housing options. White Rock reflects a low density area, with around 270 people per approval. Population forecasts indicate White Rock will gain 1,278 residents by 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. If current construction levels persist, housing supply could lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

White Rock has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 14 projects that could affect this region. Key projects include the Cairns Community and Multicultural Centre, Woree Social and Affordable Housing Precinct, Cairns Bruce Highway Upgrade, and Cairns Water Security Stage 1 (CWSS1) Project. The following list details those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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AreaSearch assessment indicates White Rock faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

White Rock's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs, with prominent essential services sectors. As of September 2025, the unemployment rate is 7.9%.

This is 3.9 percentage points higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%, indicating room for improvement. Workforce participation in White Rock stands at 56.9%, below Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Leading employment industries among residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food. Retail trade is particularly strong, with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented, with only 0.7% of White Rock's workforce compared to Rest of Qld's 4.5%. Local employment opportunities appear limited, as suggested by the difference between Census working population and resident population. Over the 12 months to September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 1.7%, while employment fell by 4.4%, leading to a rise in unemployment of 2.6 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment grow by 1.7% and labour force expand by 2.1%, with unemployment rising by 0.3 percentage points. State-level data as of 25-Nov shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1,210 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%, closely aligned with the national rate of 4.3%. Job and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to White Rock's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.1% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

As per AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released on June 30, 2023, the suburb of White Rock had a median income among taxpayers of $46,521 and an average income of $53,673. This was below the national average at that time. In comparison, Rest of Qld had a median income of $53,146 and an average income of $66,593 during the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $51,131 for the median income and $58,992 for the average income as of September 2025. According to Census 2021 income data, household, family, and personal incomes in White Rock all ranked modestly, between the 27th and 28th percentiles. The predominant income cohort spanned 36.4% of locals (1,902 people) within the $1,500 - 2,999 category, which was similar to the regional level where 31.7% occupied this range. Housing affordability pressures were severe in White Rock, with only 82.4% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 26th percentile.

White Rock is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

White Rock's residential structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 74.2% houses and 25.8% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 68.4% houses and 31.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in White Rock was at 24.4%, similar to Non-Metro Qld's figure. Dwellings were either mortgaged (37.4%) or rented (38.2%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,343, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,517 and the national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent figure in White Rock was $340, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $315 and the national figure of $375.

White Rock features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 69.1% of all households, including 24.6% couples with children, 25.2% couples without children, and 16.8% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 30.9%, with lone person households at 27.1% and group households at 4.0%. The median household size is 2.6 people, larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.4.

Educational outcomes in White Rock fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 13.8%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 10.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.7%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 43.9% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (10.5%) and certificates (33.4%).

Educational participation is high, with 33.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 13.1% in primary, 10.1% in secondary, and 3.1% in tertiary education.

Transport servicing is low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Transport analysis indicates 18 operational public transit stops in White Rock. These stops facilitate mixed bus services. Two distinct routes serve these stops, collectively accommodating 352 weekly passenger trips.

Transit accessibility is deemed good, with average resident proximity to the nearest stop being 263 meters. Service frequency averages 50 trips daily across all routes, translating to approximately 19 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in White Rock is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, though to a slightly higher degree among older age cohorts

White Rock faces significant health challenges with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across all age groups, but more so among older adults. The rate of private health cover in White Rock is very low at approximately 48% of the total population (around 2,533 people), compared to 50.9% across the rest of Queensland and a national average of 55.7%. The most common medical conditions reported were arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 7.8% and 7.8% of residents respectively.

However, 68.2% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 71.7% across the rest of Queensland. As of June 2021, 16.5% of White Rock's population is aged 65 and over (around 862 people). Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than those of the broader population.

In terms of cultural diversity, White Rock records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

White Rock has a higher than average cultural diversity, with 19.7% of its population born overseas and 15.2% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in White Rock, making up 51.6% of the population. Judaism, however, is notably overrepresented in White Rock at 0.1%, compared to the rest of Queensland where it comprises 0.1%.

The top three represented ancestry groups are Australian (23.0%), English (22.3%), and Other (15.4%). There are significant differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups, with Australian Aboriginal notably overrepresented at 10.2% compared to the regional average of 6.7%, New Zealand at 1.2% versus 0.8%, and Samoan at 0.5% against a regional average of 0.3%.

White Rock's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

White Rock's median age is 37 years, which is significantly lower than the Rest of Qld average of 41 and essentially aligned with Australia's median age of 38. Compared to the Rest of Qld average, White Rock has a notably higher proportion of 25-34 year-olds (14.4%) and a lower proportion of 55-64 year-olds (10.0%). According to the 2021 Census, the proportion of 25 to 34 year-olds has grown from 13.1% to 14.4%, while the proportion of 65 to 74 year-olds has declined from 9.9% to 9.0%. Demographic modeling suggests that White Rock's age profile will change significantly by 2041, with the strongest growth projected for the 25 to 34 cohort (44%), adding 333 residents to reach 1,086. The 5 to 14 group is expected to grow at a more modest rate of 5%, adding only 34 residents.