🔍

Edge Hill

QLD 4870 • Rest of QLD

4,088
Population (2021)
$87,048
Median Household Income
2.60 km²
Area
$310/wk
Median Rent
LeafyCafé CultureTropicalCharacter HomesBotanic Gardens

About Edge Hill

Edge Hill is a leafy inner suburb of Cairns in Far North Queensland, situated just 3 kilometres west of the Cairns CBD at the base of Mount Whitfield. With a population of around 4,100 and a median age of 42, it is one of Cairns' most desirable residential areas, known for its elevated position, tropical gardens, and character Queenslander homes. The suburb attracts professionals and long-term residents who appreciate its established, village-like atmosphere.

The Edge Hill dining and café precinct along Collins Avenue is a local gem, featuring popular restaurants, the Botanic Gardens, and the Tanks Arts Centre housed in converted WWII fuel tanks. Residents enjoy direct access to the Flecker Botanic Gardens and walking trails through the Mount Whitfield Conservation Park. The suburb appeals to professionals, academics, and retirees seeking a tropical lifestyle close to the CBD with a strong sense of community.

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

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4870
Urban Area
Mount Whitfield
LGA / Council
Cairns
Federal Electorate
Leichhardt
State Electorate
Cairns
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-16.90°, 145.74°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
2.60 km²
Elevation
13m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$310
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,618
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
42 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.5%

22 state housing + 3 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Cairns Railway Station
3.5 km
42 min

Bus Services

  • 131 — Edge Hill to Cairns CBD 7-10 min
  • 131N — Cairns CBD to Edge Hill (night service) 7-10 min

Commute to Cairns CBD

Distance
3 km
By Train
N/A - no suburban rail
By Bus
7-10 min
By Car (Peak)
7 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
5 min

🛣️ Very close to the CBD. Route 131 bus runs hourly. Most residents drive the short distance or cycle.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

The café precinct and Botanic Gardens are walkable, but the hilly terrain and spread-out nature of the suburb make a car useful for most errands.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Cairns Local Government Area, which contains Edge Hill. 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
3,916
Census 2021
4,088
▲ 4.4% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$40,248
Personal Income 2021
$48,984
▲ 21.7% 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
$48,984 / yr
$942/wk
Household
$87,048 / yr
$1674/wk
Family
$114,452 / yr
$2201/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,859
Born Overseas 965

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 199
  • 2. New Zealand 133
  • 3. Japan 67
  • 4. Philippines 60
  • 5. Papua New Guinea 52
  • 6. United States 41
  • 7. Germany 33
  • 8. India 32
  • 9. China 27
  • 10. Malaysia 23

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,578
Australian 1,206
Irish 609
Scottish 488
German 276
Italian 171
Australian Aboriginal 164
Chinese 107
Filipino 78
Dutch 71

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,037
Both parents born in Australia
1,189
Both parents born overseas
592
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
47.8%
Christianity
39.2%
Buddhism
2.4%
Sikhism
0.4%
Islam
0.3%
Hinduism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
180 (4.4%)
5-14 years
586 (14.3%)
15-19 years
238 (5.8%)
20-24 years
164 (4.0%)
25-34 years
475 (11.6%)
35-44 years
566 (13.8%)
45-54 years
626 (15.3%)
55-64 years
559 (13.7%)
65-74 years
455 (11.1%)
75-84 years
188 (4.6%)
85+ years
57 (1.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Edge Hill known for? +

Edge Hill is a leafy inner suburb of Cairns in Far North Queensland, situated just 3 kilometres west of the Cairns CBD at the base of Mount Whitfield. With a population of around 4,100 and a median age of 42, it is one of Cairns' most desirable residential areas, known for its elevated position, tropical gardens, and character Queenslander homes.

How far is Edge Hill from Brisbane CBD? +

Edge Hill is approximately 3 km from Cairns CBD. By car, the journey takes around 5 min off-peak and 7 min during peak hours.

Does Edge Hill have public transport? +

Edge Hill is served by Cairns Railway Station (3.5 km away) on the Queensland Rail Spirit of Queensland / Kuranda Scenic Railway. Bus services also connect to Edge Hill to Cairns CBD. The commute to Brisbane CBD takes approximately 5 min by car.

What is the population of Edge Hill? +

According to the 2021 Census, Edge Hill has a population of approximately 4,088 residents. It is a mid-sized suburb within the Cairns (Regional Council).

Is Edge Hill a good place to live? +

Edge Hill offers a comfortable suburban lifestyle with access to local amenities and services. It suits a range of residents from families to retirees, depending on personal preferences for pace of life and proximity to urban centres.

What is the postcode for Edge Hill? +

The postcode for Edge Hill, QLD is 4870.

What is the average income in Edge Hill? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Edge Hill is about $942 per week (around $49,000 per year). The median household income is $1,674 per week and the median family income is $2,201 per week.

What is the age profile of Edge Hill? +

The median age in Edge Hill is 42. The largest age group is 45–54 (626 residents, around 15%). Around 25% of residents are under 20 and about 17% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Edge Hill a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Edge Hill 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 Edge Hill? +

In Edge Hill, the median weekly rent is $310, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,618 (2021 Census).