🔍

Earlville

QLD 4870 • Rest of QLD

4,200
Population (2021)
$60,632
Median Household Income
3.53 km²
Area
$290/wk
Median Rent
Family-FriendlySuburbanTropicalShopping HubCairns

About Earlville

Earlville is a well-established residential suburb of Cairns, located approximately 5 kilometres southwest of the Cairns CBD in Far North Queensland. With a population of around 4,200 residents as of the 2021 census, Earlville is a medium-density suburban area that blends older Queenslander-style homes with modern housing. The suburb falls within the Cairns Regional Council local government area and enjoys a tropical climate characteristic of the region, with warm, humid summers and mild dry winters. Earlville is one of Cairns' most convenient inner-ring suburbs, offering strong connectivity to the city centre.

A major drawcard of Earlville is the Cairns Central Shopping Centre—one of the region's largest retail hubs—along with a range of cafes, services, and parklands. The suburb has 13 parks covering nearly 4.3% of its total area, making it a pleasant environment for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Several well-regarded schools, including Cairns State High School, are nearby, and the suburb is well-served by Cairns Transit bus routes connecting it to the CBD and wider region. Earlville attracts a diverse mix of residents including families, retirees, and professionals who value its proximity to both the city and natural attractions like the Wet Tropics rainforest and Great Barrier Reef.

Earlville falls under postcode 4870 and is governed by Cairns Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Cairns electorate.

📰 Featured In

📰 Queensland Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4870
Urban Area
Cairns - West
LGA / Council
Cairns
Federal Electorate
Leichhardt
State Electorate
Cairns
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-16.95°, 145.73°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
3.53 km²
Elevation
24m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$290
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,500
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
44 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
9%

117 state housing + 40 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Sunbus Route 1,Route 1A — Cairns CBD / Northern Beaches ~15 min to CBD
  • Sunbus Route 6 — Earlville / Westcourt loop ~10 min to CBD

Commute to Cairns CBD

Distance
5 km
By Train
N/A – Cairns has no urban rail network
By Bus
~15 min via Sunbus services
By Car (Peak)
10–15 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
8–10 min

🛣️ Cairns does not have a metropolitan rail network. Bus is the main public transport option. Cycling is viable given the flat terrain and tropical climate.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Cairns Central Shopping Centre and local amenities are within walking distance for many residents. Flat terrain makes cycling and walking practical for shorter trips.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Stockland Shopping Centre Mulgrave Road Earlville 4870 QLD

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Cairns Local Government Area, which contains Earlville. Rates are per 100,000 residents for calendar year 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
2,489.3 / 100k
2yr Down 18.8% 10yr Up 19.6%
Motor vehicle theft
602.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 51.9%
Non-FV assault
2,214 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 207.8%
Robbery (unarmed)
53.6 / 100k
2yr Down 36.0% 10yr Up 49.4%
Steal from vehicle
529.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 39.5%
View all offence categories for Cairns →

Source: Queensland Police Service via data.qld.gov.au

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
4,030
Census 2021
4,200
▲ 4.2% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$30,888
Personal Income 2021
$36,400
▲ 17.8% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$36,400 / yr
$700/wk
Household
$60,632 / yr
$1166/wk
Family
$91,676 / yr
$1763/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,896
Born Overseas 916

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 135
  • 2. New Zealand 115
  • 3. Papua New Guinea 67
  • 4. Philippines 66
  • 5. Japan 40
  • 6. South Korea 40
  • 7. India 37
  • 8. China 29
  • 9. Scotland 26
  • 10. Germany 23

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,449
Australian 1,170
Irish 504
Scottish 405
Australian Aboriginal 337
German 196
Italian 157
Chinese 108
Filipino 93
Korean 53

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,124
Both parents born in Australia
1,136
Both parents born overseas
530
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
49.2%
No Religion
36.7%
Buddhism
1.6%
Hinduism
0.9%
Islam
0.4%
Sikhism
0.3%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
202 (4.8%)
5-14 years
481 (11.5%)
15-19 years
221 (5.3%)
20-24 years
213 (5.1%)
25-34 years
525 (12.5%)
35-44 years
501 (11.9%)
45-54 years
571 (13.6%)
55-64 years
483 (11.5%)
65-74 years
450 (10.7%)
75-84 years
373 (8.9%)
85+ years
180 (4.3%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Earlville known for? +

Earlville is best known as the home of Cairns Central Shopping Centre — one of Far North Queensland's major retail hubs — along with a range of cafes, medical services, and parklands. The suburb has a family-friendly tropical character close to the Cairns CBD.

How far is Earlville from Cairns CBD? +

Earlville is approximately 5 kilometres south-west of the Cairns CBD, a drive of about 10 minutes or a short bus journey.

Does Earlville have public transport? +

Earlville is well served by Cairns Transit bus routes connecting to the CBD, northern beaches, and Cairns Airport. Cairns Central Shopping Centre is a major bus interchange for the region.

What is the population of Earlville? +

The 2021 Census recorded approximately 4,200 residents in Earlville, an established and well-amenitised suburb within the Cairns Regional Council area.

Is Earlville a good place to live? +

Earlville is an excellent option for families who want proximity to Cairns CBD and excellent shopping, while enjoying the amenity of 13 local parks and a well-serviced suburban environment. The tropical lifestyle is a major drawcard.

What is the postcode for Earlville? +

The postcode for Earlville is 4870, shared with the Cairns CBD and southern suburban areas of Far North Queensland.

What is the average income in Earlville? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Earlville is about $700 per week (around $36,400 per year). The median household income is $1,166 per week and the median family income is $1,763 per week.

What is the age profile of Earlville? +

The median age in Earlville is 44. The largest age group is 45–54 (571 residents, around 14%). Around 22% of residents are under 20 and about 24% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Earlville a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Earlville is part of the Cairns LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Earlville? +

In Earlville, the median weekly rent is $290, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,500 (2021 Census).