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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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Whitsundays has an estimated 2,285 residents. Density is about 11 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
According to the latest investigations of ABS demographic statistics for the surrounding region alongside newly confirmed physical addresses recorded by AreaSearch following the Census, the resident count for the suburb of Whitsundays is estimated to be approximately 2,285 in May 2026. This indicates a growth of 4 people (0.2%) from the 2021 Census, which documented a total of 2,281 residents. The adjustment is determined from the current resident population of 2,285, calculated by AreaSearch through analysing the ABS's recent ERP release (June 2025) and address tracking since the official Census.
Such a population size results in a density of 10.5 persons per square kilometer, which represents a spacious living environment. The expansion of the local populace was primarily driven by arrivals from abroad, which comprised roughly 57.99999999999999% of all gains in recent times, though positive impacts were also seen from natural increases and people moving from interstate. Projections developed by the ABS and Geoscience Australia for individual SA2 regions are used by AreaSearch, based on a 2022 baseline published in 2024. For locations without these figures, as well as all periods following 2032, projections from the Queensland State Government released in 2023 utilizing 2021 information are applied. Because these state-level projections lack detailed age cohorts, AreaSearch distributes growth across age segments using weights from the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections, which reference 2022 data. Looking at future demographic trends, a substantial rise in residents is predicted within the country's upper quartile of regional locations, with this specific territory projected to gain 673 persons by 2041 using combined SA2 projections, representing a total expansion of 29.4% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
The suburb of Whitsundays experiences exceptionally quiet building development, averaging under 1 approvals annually, representing minimal approvals over five years. This low level of building projects is typical of the local rural setting, where construction is generally triggered by individual residential requirements rather than broader market forces. Because the volume of projects is so low, year-on-year variations and comparative rates can fluctuate significantly depending on single projects. The suburb of Whitsundays registers far lower levels of building activity than the Rest of Qld, with construction rates also lagging behind national averages.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Whitsundays
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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 73 current infrastructure and development projects close to Whitsundays, worth an estimated $11.9 billion. 26 are already under construction and 37 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans transport & logistics, 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 works, and municipal planning strategies are primary drivers of regional growth. AreaSearch has identified a total of 27 development projects expected to influence the locality. High-profile initiatives include the Cannonvale Aquaculture Research Station, the Shute Harbour Road Upgrade, the Port of Airlie Marina Development, and the Airlie Beach Waterfront Revitalization, with the primary projects of local significance outlined below.
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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
Proserpine - Shute Harbour Road Upgrades
Major staged upgrade of Proserpine - Shute Harbour Road including flood immunity improvements at Hamilton Plains and capacity upgrades between Paluma Road and Valley Drive in Cannonvale. Works include road widening, intersection upgrades, raised road levels, drainage improvements, larger culverts and improved facilities for active transport to improve safety, resilience and traffic capacity.
Port of Airlie Marina Development
Major integrated marina, residential and tourism development on the Airlie Beach waterfront, including a 240 berth marina, Cruise Whitsundays ferry and cruise terminal, public boat ramp, village square, and about 510 resort style and standard apartments and houses, delivered as the main new marina supply for the Whitsundays. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Airlie Beach Foreshore Revitalisation
Completed public foreshore upgrade delivered by Whitsunday Regional Council between the Whitsunday Sailing Club and Fairy Tree Park. Works included a 10.5 metre playground with skywalk and rope bridge, 65 sealed car parks, seating, shade, landscaping, a sound stage, refurbished amenities and a 3 metre beachfront path linking the foreshore to the Airlie Beach Lagoon. A separate 2026 Airlie Beach Precinct Master Plan now guides future staged renewal, and the Bicentennial Boardwalk Stage 3 upgrade is being delivered as a separate current project.
Whitsunday Cultural Arts Centre
Proposed multi-purpose cultural facility for the Whitsunday region featuring performance spaces, art galleries, workshop areas, and community meeting spaces. Intended to showcase local artists and provide cultural programming for residents and tourists. No standalone public project of this name and value was located in council or state records; the Whitsunday region's confirmed nearby community/cultural capital works include the Proserpine Entertainment Centre rebuild (completed 2026) and the Cannonvale Community Hub (library and community facility, in planning).
Whitsunday Technology Innovation Hub
Concept proposal for a technology and innovation hub in the Whitsunday region incorporating research facilities, startup incubation, collaborative workspaces and conference facilities to support innovation, entrepreneurship and technology-based industries. As of July 2026, no formal development application, government funding commitment or confirmed delivery program has been identified.
Shingley Dr, Cannonvale
The $80-million waterfront hotel and resort includes 160 rooms, reducing its height to minimize visual impact, aiming for approval.
Whitsunday Regional Sports Precinct
A 95-hectare regional sports and recreation precinct in Cannonvale. Stage 1 is co-funded by the Federal Government and will deliver multi-purpose outdoor fields, indoor/outdoor courts, and club facilities for sports including netball, football, and touch. The master plan has been adopted with Stage 1 completion anticipated for late 2027.
Whitsunday Community Health Centre Development
The Whitsunday Community Health Centre expansion provides enhanced healthcare services to the Whitsunday region. The facility includes specialist consulting suites, diagnostic imaging, and mental health services, supporting the growing population of Cannonvale and surrounding areas.
2,036 residents of Whitsundays are employed, from a labour force of 2,044. Unemployment sits at 0.4%, with participation at 91.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.9% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 4,090, about 179% of the resident population, so the area draws in more workers than it sends out. 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 workforce in Whitsundays is highly educated, with tourism and hospitality playing major roles, and an unemployment rate of just 0.4%. Estimated employment growth over the past year stands at 3.3%, according to AreaSearch aggregation of statistical area data. As of March 2026, 2,036 residents are employed, and the local unemployment rate is 3.5% below the Regional Qld rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation is significantly above the standard, at 91.7% compared to Regional Qld's 64.3%. Census responses indicate that only 2.3% of residents work from home, though the effects of Covid-19 lockdowns should be taken into account.
The primary industries employing local citizens are accommodation & food, transport, postal & warehousing, and administrative & support services. A particularly strong concentration is observed in accommodation & food, where employment density is 9.5 times the regional norm. Conversely, health care & social assistance accounts for only 1.5% of local employment, which is lower than the 16.1% average in Regional Qld. Recording 2.5 workers for each resident at the time of the Census, the locality operates as a key employment center, offering more positions than it has working residents and drawing in commuting staff from nearby areas. According to AreaSearch's evaluation of SALM and ABS statistics aggregated from surrounding regions, employment expanded by 3.3% during the 12 months leading to March 2026, while the available labor force grew by 3.4%, keeping the level of joblessness relatively stable. In comparison, Regional Qld experienced employment expansion of 0.1% and labor force growth of 0.3%, with its unemployment rate increasing by 0.1 percentage points. National employment predictions issued by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 provide additional context regarding future worker demand in the suburb of Whitsundays. These five and ten-year forecasts have been aligned with the local industry breakdown to project future hiring trends. Globally, the nation's employment is anticipated to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though these trajectories vary widely depending on the sector. Applying these industry-specific trends to the local workforce composition suggests that employment in the suburb of Whitsundays is set to rise by 5.9% over five years and 11.9% over ten years, representing a basic weighted extrapolation for illustrative purposes that does not incorporate local population forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Whitsundays is $1,902 a week (about $99,000 a year), with median personal income at $942 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $53,060 a year against an average of $68,031. 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
The most recent postcode-level ATO statistics for the financial year 2023 show that personal earnings in the suburb of Whitsundays align closely with national averages, registering a median of $53,060 and an average of $68,031. This compares to Regional Qld where the median is $53,146 and the average is $66,593. Factoring in a Wage Price Index rise of 11.36% since the financial year 2023, current projections suggest figures of approximately $59,088 for the median and $75,759 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census indicated that household, family, and personal earnings in the suburb of Whitsundays are generally situated around the 65th percentile nationwide.
Income distribution statistics show that the largest segment, comprising 41.5% of local residents (948 people), falls into the $1,500 - 2,999 range, which is comparable to the wider region where this segment accounts for 31.7%. Once housing expenditure is subtracted, residents keep 87.4% of their earnings, indicating healthy financial flexibility.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Whitsundays had 131 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 43% detached houses and 15% apartments. 11% are owned with a mortgage, 55% rented and 34% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $356 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,790 a month. Rent absorbs 18.7% of household income here and mortgage repayments 21.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential architecture in the suburb of Whitsundays, based on the latest Census, was composed of 43.1% detached houses and 56.9% alternative dwellings such as townhouses, flats, and other structures, differing from Regional Qld where houses make up 76.4% and other formats account for 23.6%. The rate of home ownership was comparable to the wider state average, recording 34.4%, while the remaining properties were occupied by residents with mortgages (10.9%) or tenants renting (54.7%). Typical monthly home loan payments in the area stood at $1,790, which is higher than the Regional Qld average of $1,655, while typical weekly rent payments were $356, compared to $345 in Regional Qld.
At a national level, mortgage commitments in the suburb of Whitsundays are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents remain below the countrywide average of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Whitsundays counted 131 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.0 people each. 11% are couples with children, fewer than in 97% of areas nationally, against 35% couples without children. 40% of households are people living alone, and families average 0.4 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the largest share of homes at 48.1%, consisting of couples raising children at 10.7%, childless couples at 35.2%, and single parents at 4.1%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 51.9% of homes, which includes single-person households at 40.2% and share houses at 9.8%. The typical household size of 2.0 people is smaller than the Regional Qld average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
32.2% of adults in Whitsundays hold a university qualification, including 25.9% with a bachelor degree and 4.9% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 30.5% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 20 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,060 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
Rates of academic achievement in the suburb of Whitsundays are considerably higher than regional standards, with 32.2% of residents aged 15+ holding tertiary degrees, compared to 15.6% within the SA4 region and 17.7% in the SA3 area. This educational profile positions the locality well for knowledge-based industries. Undergraduate degrees are the most common at 25.9%, followed by postgraduate studies (4.9%) and graduate diplomas (1.4%). Vocational and technical training is also highly prevalent, with 47.5% of the population aged 15+ holding practical qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas (17.0%) and certificates (30.5%).
The level of academic enrollment is notably strong, with 33.8% of the local population currently engaged in study. This includes 13.9% attending higher education institutions, 5.8% in primary schools, and 3.4% enrolled in secondary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
83.5% of residents in Whitsundays report no long-term health condition. 0.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 54.2% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.7 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
An analysis of community health metrics indicates favorable outcomes throughout the suburb of Whitsundays, based on AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality patterns and long-term health issues, with both younger and older demographics showing low rates of widespread illnesses, and private medical insurance uptake being relatively strong, covering approximately 54% of the population (~1,237 people). The primary medical diagnoses reported locally were asthma and mental health concerns, affecting 6.4 and 6.2% of the population, respectively, while 83.5% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. The suburb of Whitsundays has 6.4% of its population aged 65 and over (146 people), which is lower than the 20.4% average in Regional Qld.
Senior residents enjoy particularly good physical health, with national health rankings outperforming the general public.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
38.1% of Whitsundays residents were born overseas and 23.8% speak a language other than English at home, more culturally diverse than 75% of areas nationally. The largest reported ancestries are English (27.8%) and Australian (20.3%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
The suburb of Whitsundays displays higher levels of cultural variety than most regional areas, with 23.8% of residents speaking a non-English language at home and 38.1% having been born outside Australia. Christianity is the predominant religious affiliation, claimed by 36.5% of local residents. The most distinct statistical overrepresentation is observed in Judaism, which is practiced by 0.3% of the population, compared to 0.1% across Regional Qld. Regarding family backgrounds and parental origins, the three most common ancestries in the suburb of Whitsundays are English at 27.8%, Australian at 20.3% (which is lower than the regional figure of 26.5%), and Other at 11.2%.
Significant differences are also visible in other European heritages: Spanish ancestry is unusually common at 2.6% (compared to 0.3% regionally), Hungarian at 0.5% (compared to 0.2%), and French at 0.9% (compared to 0.5%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Whitsundays is 28, younger than 98% of areas nationally. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 62.1% 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 28 years, the population in the suburb of Whitsundays is younger than the Regional Qld average of 41 and the national average of 38. Compared to Regional Qld, there is an elevated proportion of residents aged 25 - 34 (38.9%) but a smaller share of children aged 5 - 14 year-olds (1.3%). The proportion of 25 - 34 year-olds is higher than the national figure of 14.6%. Data collected after the 2021 Census indicates that younger arrivals have pulled the median age down by 1.0 years to 28.
Notable shifts show the 25 to 34 age segment increasing from 36.0% to 38.9% of the population. In contrast, the 5 to 14 age bracket dropped from 3.0% to 1.3%, while the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 9.5% to 8.4%. Demographic models project that the age structure in the suburb of Whitsundays will change by 2041, with the 25 to 34 demographic expected to grow the fastest at 44%, adding 387 residents to total 1,276.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Whitsundays
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) | 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 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 (2,281 at the 2021 Census → 2,285 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 (SAL33066). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.