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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 AreaSearch's evaluation of post-Census validated address data alongside ABS demographic revisions for the surrounding region, the suburb of Whitsundays has an estimated population of approximately 2,285 as of Aug 2026. Compared with the 2,281 residents recorded in the 2021 Census, this indicates an addition of 4 people (0.2%). This trend is deduced from the 2,285 inhabitant figure generated by AreaSearch after reviewing address validations since Census night together with the ABS ERP release from June 2025. This population corresponds to a population density of 10.5 persons per square kilometer, ensuring considerable room per resident.
Net overseas migration served as the primary catalyst for demographic expansion, representing roughly 57.99999999999999% of recent overall population growth, although interstate arrivals and natural increases also delivered positive gains. Projections published by the ABS and Geoscience Australia in 2024 (using 2022 as their baseline) are utilized by AreaSearch across SA2 boundaries. For post-2032 horizons or locations lacking this coverage, Queensland State Government SA2 forecasts released in 2023 (founded on 2021 numbers) are implemented. Because these state figures omit age-bracket breakdowns, AreaSearch allocates proportional cohort weighting based on the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region data (derived from 2022 metrics). In light of these expected demographic trends, the suburb of Whitsundays is positioned within the top quartile for non-metropolitan growth, with aggregated SA2 figures forecasting a gain of 678 persons through to 2041, representing a cumulative increase of 29.7% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential building approvals in Whitsundays are extremely restricted, tracking at fewer than 1 dwelling approvals on an annual basis (with minimal approvals over five years). Such restrained residential building volumes are characteristic of the district's rural setting, in which property development responds primarily to distinct local requirements rather than widespread market demand. Given these minimal approval totals, annual comparisons and rates of change may fluctuate substantially from one project to another. Levels of construction activity in Whitsundays fall substantially behind those recorded across Rest of Qld. Furthermore, local building patterns track well below national benchmarks.
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 $12.2 billion. 26 are already under construction and 39 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
Strategic planning policies, major infrastructure initiatives, and regional public works exert a fundamental influence on property performance. AreaSearch has identified 27 significant projects anticipated to shape the local environment. Notable undertakings include the Airlie Beach Waterfront Revitalization, Cannonvale Aquaculture Research Station, Port of Airlie Marina Development, and Shute Harbour Road Upgrade, with the most pertinent projects documented below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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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.
2,032 residents of Whitsundays are employed, from a labour force of 2,040. Unemployment sits at 0.4%, with participation at 91.8%. 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 4,092, 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
Whitsundays boasts an educated labour pool with substantial representation across the hospitality and tourism sectors, accompanied by an unemployment rate of merely 0.4% and an estimated 3.3% rise in employment over the preceding year, according to statistical area aggregations by AreaSearch. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 2,032, keeping local unemployment 3.5% beneath the 3.9% figure seen in Regional Qld, while the 91.8% participation rate substantially outpaces the regional benchmark of 64.2%. Only 2.3% of local workers conducted their duties from home at the Census, though the context of Covid-19 pandemic restrictions should be noted.
The primary sectors employing local residents are accommodation & food, transport, postal & warehousing, along with administrative & support. Concentration in accommodation & food is exceptional, registering at 9.5 times the wider regional baseline. In contrast, health care & social assistance accounts for only 1.5% of local employment, well under the 16.1% regional level. With Census figures showing 2.5 workers for every resident, the locality operates as an employment center that draws commuter talent from neighbouring districts and contains more positions than local residents. AreaSearch's synthesis of ABS and SALM statistical data shows that during the twelve months leading to March 2026, the local workforce grew by 3.3% while employment climbed by 3.3%, maintaining a consistent unemployment rate. By comparison, Regional Qld registered employment gains of 0.1% alongside labour force growth of 0.3%, driving a 0.1 percentage point rise. National occupational projections released by Jobs and Skills Australia in Mar-26 give additional perspective on long-term labor demand in Whitsundays. Mapping these five-year and ten-year forecasts against local industry compositions reveals structural variations, as nationwide employment is expected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these sectoral trajectories to the existing industry distribution indicates that local employment could expand by 5.9% over five years and 11.9% over ten years (note that this weighting model is purely illustrative and does not incorporate local demographic projections).
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
Aggregated postcode data from the ATO for financial year 2023 shows that the suburb of Whitsundays recorded a median income per taxpayer of $53,060 alongside an average income of $68,031. These earnings sit close to nationwide medians and parallel Regional Qld, which reported a median of $53,146 and an average of $66,593. Factoring in an 11.36% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023 brings estimated figures to approximately $59,088 (median) and $75,759 (average) as of March 2026. In the 2021 Census, individual, family, and household earnings within Whitsundays generally aligned with the 65th percentile across Australia.
The dominant earning category comprises 41.5% of the population receiving between $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (948 residents), comparable to the 31.7% share recorded regionally. Accounting for accommodation expenses, households retain 87.4% of their earnings, demonstrating strong spending capacity.
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
According to the latest Census, residential dwellings in Whitsundays were divided into 43.1% houses and 56.9% other dwellings (incorporating apartments, semi-detached properties, and 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Regional Qld where houses accounted for 76.4% and other dwellings made up 23.6%. Outright home ownership stood at 34.4%, matching the wider Regional Qld rate, while 10.9% of homes were held under a mortgage and 54.7% were rented. Typical monthly mortgage payments were $1,790, exceeding the regional benchmark of $1,655, while weekly median rental payments reached $356 compared to $345 across Regional Qld.
Relative to national figures, mortgage commitments in Whitsundays sit below the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents remain under the nationwide standard 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
Family units constitute 48.1% of all local residences, consisting of 35.2% couples without children, 10.7% couples with children, and 4.1% single parent families. The remaining 51.9% of dwellings are non-family households, made up of 40.2% lone person households and 9.8% group households. The median household occupancy is 2.0 people, which is lower than the Regional Qld norm 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
Higher education qualifications in Whitsundays comfortably outstrip regional averages, with 32.2% of people aged 15+ holding tertiary degrees, versus 15.6% across the SA4 region and 17.7% within the SA3 area. Such qualifications establish strong foundations for professional and knowledge-intensive industries. Bachelor degrees constitute the largest share at 25.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 4.9% and graduate diplomas at 1.4%. Vocational and technical qualifications are likewise widespread, with 47.5% of residents aged 15+ holding technical credentials, broken down into advanced diplomas (17.0%) and certificates (30.5%). Rates of study in the community are elevated, with 33.8% of the populace actively undertaking formal study.
Among these students, 13.9% are enrolled in tertiary education, 5.8% attend primary education, and 3.4% are engaged 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
Health indicators across Whitsundays demonstrate favorable conditions based on AreaSearch metrics covering mortality and long-term illness, with low occurrences of widespread medical ailments across both older and younger demographics. Furthermore, private health insurance uptake is strong, encompassing roughly 54% of all inhabitants (~1,237 people). Asthma and mental health issues represent the most prevalent health conditions locally, recorded at 6.4 and 6.2% of the population, respectively. Meanwhile, 83.5% of citizens reported no chronic health conditions, exceeding the 67.6% baseline for Regional Qld. Inhabitants aged 65 and over account for 6.8% of the local community (155 people), below the 20.3% observed regionally.
Health measures for elderly residents are exceptionally positive, ranking higher against national benchmarks than the general local average.
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
Whitsundays exhibits broader cultural variety than most regional areas, with 38.1% of the populace born abroad and 23.8% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary faith, accounting for 36.5% of local residents. The most pronounced relative difference is seen in Judaism, which represents 0.3% of the community compared to 0.1% throughout Regional Qld. Based on parental birthplaces, the principal ancestral backgrounds reported in Whitsundays are English at 27.8%, Australian at 20.3% (trailing the regional level of 26.5%), and Other at 11.2%. Other distinct demographic differences include Spanish ancestry at 2.6% (compared with 0.3% across the region), French at 0.9% (versus 0.5%), and Hungarian at 0.5% (compared to 0.2% regionally).
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. 61.2% 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 demographic profile of the suburb of Whitsundays is predominantly concentrated among adults prior to family-raising life stages. According to August 2026 calculations by AreaSearch, young to middle aged adults (25 - 44) make up 50.1% of the population, in contrast to 25.5% for Regional Qld, while retiree and elderly cohorts (65+) comprise merely 6.8% compared to 20.4% regionally. The estimated median age stood at 28 as at August 2026, down from 29 at the 2021 Census and 13 years lower than the Regional Qld median of 41 at the same Census, with the national median standing at 38.
By cohort, young to middle aged adults expanded from 48.0% at the Census to an estimated 50.1%. Looking ahead to 2041, the largest numerical gain is anticipated among young to middle aged adults, projected to add 504 residents (44%) to reach 1,649, while retiree and elderly cohorts represent the fastest relative increase, expanding by 45% to reach 225 residents.
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 Oct 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) | Aug 2026 2 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| 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 Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 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 7 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) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 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 Aug 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 Aug 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.