Manoora

QLD 4870 • Rest of QLD

6,175
Population (2021)
$54,808
Median Household Income
2.23 km²
Area
$270/wk
Median Rent
MulticulturalAffordableFamily-FriendlyInner City

About Manoora

Manoora is an established inner suburb of Cairns, located approximately 3 kilometres west of the Cairns CBD in Far North Queensland. With a population of around 6,000 residents and a compact area of just over 2 square kilometres, it is one of the more densely settled localities in the Cairns region. The suburb sits at low elevation on the coastal plain between the CBD and the outer western suburbs, giving it a central position in the city's layout. It is part of the Cairns Regional Council local government area.

Manoora has a diverse, working-class community and is known for its affordable housing compared to beachside Cairns suburbs. Residents enjoy easy access to Cairns Base Hospital, shopping centres, schools, and the Esplanade foreshore precinct. The suburb is well-served by local bus routes connecting to the city centre and surrounding areas. Its mix of post-war homes and newer infill development reflects Cairns' steady growth as the gateway city to Tropical North Queensland.

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

📍 Location

State
Postcode
4870
Urban Area
Manunda - Portsmith
LGA / Council
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-16.92°, 145.74°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
2.23 km²
Elevation
8m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$270
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,100
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
36 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • 1, 3, 5 — Cairns City Centre 10 min
  • 10, 11 — Cairns Hospital / Westcourt 8 min

Commute to Cairns CBD

Distance
3 km
By Train
No train service
By Car (Peak)
10-15 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
8 min

🛣️ Cairns does not have a suburban rail network; bus and car are the primary options

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Flat terrain with footpaths; local shops and services reachable on foot

🛒 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 Manoora. Rates are per 100,000 residents for calendar year 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
2,489.3 / 100k
Motor vehicle theft
602.7 / 100k
Non-FV assault
2,214 / 100k
Robbery (unarmed)
53.6 / 100k
Steal from vehicle
529.2 / 100k

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
6,027
Census 2021
6,175
2.5% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$28,704
Personal Income 2021
$32,708
13.9% 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
$32,708 / yr
$629/wk
Household
$54,808 / yr
$1054/wk
Family
$69,576 / yr
$1338/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,908
Born Overseas 1,387

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. Papua New Guinea 178
  • 2. New Zealand 173
  • 3. England 139
  • 4. Philippines 98
  • 5. Japan 90
  • 6. India 82
  • 7. Germany 39
  • 8. Thailand 34
  • 9. Indonesia 33
  • 10. Myanmar 32

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,505
Australian 1,406
Australian Aboriginal 937
Irish 456
Scottish 399
German 231
Italian 162
Filipino 145
Chinese 123
Indian 90

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,894
Both parents born in Australia
1,613
Both parents born overseas
721
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
41.4%
No Religion
37.0%
Buddhism
2.2%
Islam
1.0%
Sikhism
0.8%
Hinduism
0.7%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
423 (6.9%)
5-14 years
831 (13.5%)
15-19 years
344 (5.6%)
20-24 years
457 (7.4%)
25-34 years
916 (14.8%)
35-44 years
805 (13.0%)
45-54 years
755 (12.2%)
55-64 years
735 (11.9%)
65-74 years
541 (8.8%)
75-84 years
283 (4.6%)
85+ years
89 (1.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Manoora a suburb of Cairns? +

Yes, Manoora is an established inner suburb of Cairns in Far North Queensland, located about 3 km west of the Cairns CBD.

What schools are in Manoora? +

Manoora Primary School is the main government primary school in the suburb. Older students typically attend secondary schools in nearby Cairns suburbs.

How do you get around Manoora? +

Manoora is served by Cairns Transit bus routes connecting to the CBD, hospital, and surrounding suburbs. Cairns does not have a suburban rail network, so most residents commute by bus or car.

What is the population of Manoora? +

According to the 2016 Census, Manoora had a population of approximately 6,000 residents, making it one of the more populous inner Cairns suburbs.

Is Manoora affordable to live in? +

Manoora is considered one of the more affordable suburbs in Cairns, with relatively modest housing prices and rental rates compared to beachside or lifestyle suburbs in the region.

What is the average income in Manoora? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Manoora is about $629 per week (around $32,700 per year). The median household income is $1,054 per week and the median family income is $1,338 per week.

What is the age profile of Manoora? +

The median age in Manoora is 36. The largest age group is 25–34 (916 residents, around 15%). Around 26% of residents are under 20 and about 15% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Manoora a safe area? +

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

In Manoora, the median weekly rent is $270, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,100 (2021 Census).