🔍

Thursday Island

QLD 4875 • Rest of QLD

2,805
Population (2021)
$111,072
Median Household Income
3.71 km²
Area
$200/wk
Median Rent
IslandIndigenousRemoteCoastalTropical

About Thursday Island

Thursday Island, colloquially known as TI, is a small island in the Torres Strait located approximately 39 kilometres north of Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland. It serves as the administrative hub of the Torres Strait Islands and is part of Torres Shire Council. With a population of around 2,805 as recorded in the 2021 census, Thursday Island is one of Australia's most culturally diverse and remote communities, with a strong Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal population comprising the majority of residents.

Life on Thursday Island revolves around the sea, community, and culture — fishing, pearling history, and the vibrant traditions of Torres Strait Islander peoples are central to daily life. The island's main town, Port Kennedy, offers essential services including shops, a hospital, schools, and government offices serving the broader island community. Thursday Island has a warm tropical climate and attracts visitors drawn to its unique multicultural heritage, seafood, and proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait marine environments.

Thursday Island falls under postcode 4875 and is governed by Torres Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Cook electorate.

📰 Featured In

📰 Queensland Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4875
Urban Area
Port Kennedy (Thursday Island)
LGA / Council
Torres
Federal Electorate
Leichhardt
State Electorate
Cook
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-10.58°, 142.22°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
3.71 km²
Elevation
47m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$200
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,408
Avg Household Size
3.2 people
Median Age
30 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
40%

265 state housing + 32 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Local island transport — Port Kennedy town centre Short distances only

Commute to Cairns CBD

Distance
900 km

🛣️ Thursday Island is accessible only by air (flights to Cairns ~2 hours) or sea. Regular ferry services connect TI to Horn Island where the regional airport is located, from which flights depart to Cairns and other Queensland centres.

Walkability Walkable

Thursday Island is small enough that most local errands and services in Port Kennedy are reachable on foot, though the island's hilly terrain and tropical heat can make walking challenging.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
573.2 / 100k
2yr Down 73.6% 10yr Down 70.6%
Motor vehicle theft
172 / 100k
2yr Down 59.9% 10yr Up 117.8%
Non-FV assault
2,550.9 / 100k
2yr Down 10.7% 10yr Up 70.0%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
114.6 / 100k
2yr Down 71.3% 10yr Down 74.4%
View all offence categories for Torres →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,938
Census 2021
2,805
▼ 4.5% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$40,976
Personal Income 2021
$46,904
▲ 14.5% 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
$46,904 / yr
$902/wk
Household
$111,072 / yr
$2136/wk
Family
$106,912 / yr
$2056/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,399
Born Overseas 186

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. New Zealand 35
  • 2. Papua New Guinea 31
  • 3. England 30
  • 4. India 13
  • 5. United States 9
  • 6. Thailand 7
  • 7. Japan 6
  • 8. Philippines 6
  • 9. Scotland 6
  • 10. Sri Lanka 6

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian Aboriginal 587
Australian 455
English 313
Scottish 114
Irish 113
Chinese 51
German 41
Samoan 29
Italian 27
Filipino 23

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,136
Both parents born in Australia
221
Both parents born overseas
221
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
68.4%
No Religion
20.5%
Islam
0.6%
Buddhism
0.5%
Hinduism
0.4%
Sikhism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
216 (7.7%)
5-14 years
544 (19.4%)
15-19 years
221 (7.9%)
20-24 years
199 (7.1%)
25-34 years
417 (14.9%)
35-44 years
381 (13.6%)
45-54 years
328 (11.7%)
55-64 years
287 (10.2%)
65-74 years
141 (5.0%)
75-84 years
48 (1.7%)
85+ years
12 (0.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Thursday Island known for? +

Thursday Island is a small suburban locality in QLD with approximately 2805 residents, known for its quiet character and proximity to Brisbane and surrounding services.

How far is Thursday Island from Brisbane CBD? +

Thursday Island is approximately 2192 kilometres from Brisbane CBD. The drive typically takes null outside peak hours, though most residents use local regional centres rather than commuting to the capital CBD.

Does Thursday Island have public transport? +

Public transport in Thursday Island is very limited. There is no rail service, and bus connections to major centres are infrequent or unavailable. A private vehicle is strongly recommended.

What is the population of Thursday Island? +

According to the 2021 Census, Thursday Island has a population of approximately 2,805 residents.

Is Thursday Island a good place to live? +

Thursday Island suits those who appreciate a modest community-oriented neighbourhood with access to local services. Residents typically travel to larger towns for comprehensive services.

What is the postcode for Thursday Island? +

The postcode for Thursday Island, QLD is 4875.

What is the average income in Thursday Island? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Thursday Island is about $902 per week (around $46,900 per year). The median household income is $2,136 per week and the median family income is $2,056 per week.

What is the age profile of Thursday Island? +

The median age in Thursday Island is 30. The largest age group is 5–14 (544 residents, around 19%). Around 35% of residents are under 20 and about 7% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Thursday Island a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Thursday Island is part of the Torres 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 Thursday Island? +

In Thursday Island, the median weekly rent is $200, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,408 (2021 Census).