🔍

Garbutt

QLD 4814 • Rest of QLD

2,309
Population (2021)
$56,264
Median Household Income
12.29 km²
Area
$220/wk
Median Rent
AffordableDefence HubWorking ClassTropicalInner Suburb

About Garbutt

Garbutt is an inner suburb of Townsville in North Queensland, located about 5 kilometres south-west of the CBD. With a population of approximately 2,310 and a median age of 42, the suburb has a working-class character with a significant Indigenous community (14.6%). Garbutt covers 12.3 square kilometres of flat tropical terrain at just 2 metres elevation. The suburb is home to RAAF Base Townsville and the Townsville Airport, making it a strategic location within the city.

Garbutt offers affordable housing with median rents of $220 per week and mortgage repayments around $1,300 monthly, attracting budget-conscious residents and defence personnel. The suburb has a mix of older Queenslander homes and modest housing. Lavarack Barracks and the RAAF base are major employers in the area. While lacking in upscale amenities, Garbutt provides convenient access to Townsville's CBD and major transport routes, with a straightforward, no-frills suburban lifestyle.

Garbutt falls under postcode 4814 and is governed by Townsville Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Townsville electorate.

📰 Featured In

📰 Queensland Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4814
Urban Area
Townsville
LGA / Council
Townsville
Federal Electorate
Herbert
State Electorate
Townsville
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-19.26°, 146.77°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
12.29 km²
Elevation
2m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$220
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,300
Avg Household Size
2 people
Median Age
42 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
26%

248 state housing + 11 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Route 5 — Townsville CBD via Stuart Drive 15 min
  • Route 7 — Aitkenvale / Stockland 10 min
  • Route 2 — Townsville Hospital / James Cook Uni 20 min

Commute to Townsville CBD

Distance
5 km
By Bus
15-20 min
By Car (Peak)
10-12 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
8 min

🛣️ No passenger rail in Townsville; bus and car are the main commute options

Walkability Car-Dependent

Spread-out suburb with limited footpath connectivity; most errands require driving

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
2,390.7 / 100k
2yr Down 40.2% 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
639.8 / 100k
2yr Down 28.0% 10yr Up 17.0%
Non-FV assault
2,598.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 250.9%
Robbery (unarmed)
32.7 / 100k
2yr Down 35.4% 10yr Up 52.8%
Steal from vehicle
724.5 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
View all offence categories for Townsville →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,396
Census 2021
2,309
▼ 3.6% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$29,484
Personal Income 2021
$33,436
▲ 13.4% 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
$33,436 / yr
$643/wk
Household
$56,264 / yr
$1082/wk
Family
$76,024 / yr
$1462/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,664
Born Overseas 347

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. New Zealand 79
  • 2. Philippines 46
  • 3. England 42
  • 4. Scotland 15
  • 5. Malaysia 9
  • 6. Papua New Guinea 9
  • 7. Germany 8
  • 8. Italy 8
  • 9. Japan 7
  • 10. South Africa 7

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 801
Australian 703
Australian Aboriginal 270
Irish 265
Scottish 201
German 114
Italian 82
Filipino 55
Maori 36
Chinese 26

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,329
Both parents born in Australia
423
Both parents born overseas
244
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
44.2%
No Religion
37.2%
Buddhism
0.9%
Hinduism
0.7%
Islam
0.4%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
118 (5.1%)
5-14 years
217 (9.4%)
15-19 years
130 (5.6%)
20-24 years
185 (8.0%)
25-34 years
330 (14.3%)
35-44 years
252 (10.9%)
45-54 years
303 (13.1%)
55-64 years
325 (14.1%)
65-74 years
264 (11.4%)
75-84 years
139 (6.0%)
85+ years
37 (1.6%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Garbutt known for? +

Garbutt is an inner suburb of Townsville in North Queensland, located about 5 kilometres south-west of the CBD. With a population of approximately 2,310 and a median age of 42, the suburb has a working-class character with a significant Indigenous community (14.6%).

How far is Garbutt from Brisbane CBD? +

Garbutt is approximately 5 km from Townsville CBD. By car, the journey takes around 8 min off-peak and 10-12 min during peak hours.

Does Garbutt have public transport? +

Garbutt is served by bus routes connecting to Townsville CBD via Stuart Drive, though there is no direct rail service. A car is recommended for most journeys.

What is the population of Garbutt? +

According to the 2021 Census, Garbutt has a population of approximately 2,309 residents. It is a mid-sized suburb within the Townsville (City).

Is Garbutt a good place to live? +

Garbutt offers affordable housing options and practical suburban living, making it a good choice for first home buyers, families, and those on a budget who still want access to regional amenities.

What is the postcode for Garbutt? +

The postcode for Garbutt, QLD is 4814.

What is the average income in Garbutt? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Garbutt is about $643 per week (around $33,400 per year). The median household income is $1,082 per week and the median family income is $1,462 per week.

What is the age profile of Garbutt? +

The median age in Garbutt is 42. The largest age group is 25–34 (330 residents, around 14%). Around 20% of residents are under 20 and about 19% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Garbutt a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Garbutt is part of the Townsville 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 Garbutt? +

In Garbutt, the median weekly rent is $220, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,300 (2021 Census).