Railway Estate

QLD 4810 • Rest of QLD

2,871
Population (2021)
$79,508
Median Household Income
4.13 km²
Area
$300/wk
Median Rent
Inner SuburbTownsvilleHistoricQueenslander HomesWaterfront Proximity

About Railway Estate

Railway Estate is an inner suburb of Townsville, Queensland, located approximately 2 kilometres south of the Townsville CBD on the southern tip of Ross Island, bounded by Ross Creek and Ross River. With a population of around 2,871, it is one of Townsville's oldest residential areas, with its name reflecting the suburb's historic role as home to workers from the nearby Great Northern Railway terminus. The suburb features a blend of traditional Queenslander timber homes on generous blocks alongside newer unit developments.

Railway Estate offers the convenience of inner-city living with a relaxed North Queensland lifestyle. Residents are minutes from Palmer Street's vibrant dining and entertainment precinct, Townsville's CBD, and the popular Strand waterfront esplanade. The suburb attracts young professionals, families, and long-term locals who value the character housing, large blocks, and central location. Multiple schools, parks along Ross Creek, and easy access to Townsville's main sporting venues add to its liveability.

Railway Estate falls under postcode 4810 and is governed by Townsville Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Townsville electorate.

📍 Location

State
Postcode
4810
Urban Area
Townsville
LGA / Council
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-19.28°, 146.82°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
4.13 km²
Elevation
7m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$300
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,430
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
36 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
3.5%

42 state housing + 0 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Townsville City Bus – Route 3,Route 4 — Townsville CBD / Aitkenvale Approx 10–15 min to CBD
  • Route 7 — Stuart / Bohle Approx 30–40 min

Commute to Townsville CBD

Distance
2 km
By Train
No local train network. Townsville Railway Station is ~2 km away for long-distance services only
By Bus
Approx 10–15 min via local Townsville bus routes
By Car (Peak)
Approx 5–10 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
Approx 5 min

🛣️ Townsville has no metropolitan rail network. The suburb is very close to the CBD and walkable or cyclable for many residents. Buses provide regular connections throughout the city.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Many daily errands and the CBD are accessible on foot or by bicycle. Flat terrain and proximity to the city centre make walking and cycling practical for a good portion of daily trips.

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
2,390.7 / 100k
Motor vehicle theft
639.8 / 100k
Non-FV assault
2,598.2 / 100k
Robbery (unarmed)
32.7 / 100k
Steal from vehicle
724.5 / 100k

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,852
Census 2021
2,871
0.7% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$38,636
Personal Income 2021
$45,604
18.0% 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
$45,604 / yr
$877/wk
Household
$79,508 / yr
$1529/wk
Family
$105,716 / yr
$2033/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,300
Born Overseas 367

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 76
  • 2. New Zealand 76
  • 3. Germany 18
  • 4. Philippines 15
  • 5. India 14
  • 6. Scotland 14
  • 7. Ireland 12
  • 8. Canada 11
  • 9. South Africa 11
  • 10. United States 10

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,149
Australian 1,054
Irish 351
Scottish 338
Australian Aboriginal 218
German 177
Italian 132
Dutch 41
New Zealander 30
Greek 28

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,845
Both parents born in Australia
429
Both parents born overseas
388
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
45.9%
Christianity
43.6%
Buddhism
1.1%
Hinduism
0.5%
Islam
0.1%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
148 (5.2%)
5-14 years
336 (11.7%)
15-19 years
178 (6.2%)
20-24 years
255 (8.9%)
25-34 years
461 (16.1%)
35-44 years
360 (12.5%)
45-54 years
381 (13.3%)
55-64 years
376 (13.1%)
65-74 years
255 (8.9%)
75-84 years
87 (3.0%)
85+ years
40 (1.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Railway Estate known for? +

Railway Estate is an inner suburb of Townsville, Queensland, located approximately 2 kilometres south of the Townsville CBD on the southern tip of Ross Island, bounded by Ross Creek and Ross River. With a population of around 2,871, it is one of Townsville's oldest residential areas, with its name reflecting the suburb's historic role as home to workers from the nearby Great Northern Railway termi

How far is Railway Estate from Brisbane CBD? +

Railway Estate is approximately 2 km from Townsville CBD. By car, the journey takes around Approx 5 min off-peak and Approx 5–10 min during peak hours.

Does Railway Estate have public transport? +

Railway Estate is served by bus routes connecting to Townsville CBD / Aitkenvale, though there is no direct rail service. A car is recommended for most journeys.

What is the population of Railway Estate? +

According to the 2021 Census, Railway Estate has a population of approximately 2,871 residents. It is a mid-sized suburb within the Townsville (City).

Is Railway Estate a good place to live? +

Railway Estate 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 Railway Estate? +

The postcode for Railway Estate, QLD is 4810.

What is the average income in Railway Estate? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Railway Estate is about $877 per week (around $45,600 per year). The median household income is $1,529 per week and the median family income is $2,033 per week.

What is the age profile of Railway Estate? +

The median age in Railway Estate is 36. The largest age group is 25–34 (461 residents, around 16%). Around 23% of residents are under 20 and about 13% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Railway Estate a safe area? +

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

In Railway Estate, the median weekly rent is $300, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,430 (2021 Census).