Townsville City

QLD 4810 • Rest of QLD

2,945
Population (2021)
$104,676
Median Household Income
1.96 km²
Area
$390/wk
Median Rent
Urban CentreTropicalWaterfrontDefence HubUniversity Town

About Townsville City

Townsville City is the vibrant urban heart of North Queensland, located on the shores of Cleveland Bay approximately 1,350 km north of Brisbane. With a population of around 2,945, this compact CBD precinct has a median age of 39 and attracts a mix of young professionals, defence personnel, and university students. The suburb has a distinctly tropical character with a warm, multicultural community where English, Australian, and Irish ancestries predominate.

The Townsville CBD offers an enviable lifestyle with The Strand waterfront promenade, Reef HQ Aquarium, and the Museum of Tropical Queensland all within walking distance. Palmer Street and Flinders Street provide a thriving dining and nightlife scene, while Castle Hill offers panoramic views and popular walking trails. The area appeals to singles and couples seeking an urban tropical lifestyle, with easy access to Magnetic Island ferries and the Great Barrier Reef.

Townsville City 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
-19.26°, 146.82°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
1.96 km²
Elevation
24m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$390
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,663
Avg Household Size
1.8 people
Median Age
39 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2.2%

16 state housing + 12 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Multiple Sunbus routes — Townsville suburbs, JCU, Aitkenvale 10-30 min
  • Route T1/T2 — Aitkenvale Shopping Centre 15 min
  • Route T3 — Lavarack Barracks / Kirwan 20 min

Commute to Townsville CBD

Distance
0 km
By Train
N/A
By Bus
N/A - is the CBD
By Car (Peak)
N/A
By Car (Off-Peak)
N/A

🛣️ This suburb is the Townsville CBD. Townsville railway station is located here, servicing the Spirit of Queensland long-distance rail service.

Walkability Very Walkable

Most errands can be accomplished on foot with shops, restaurants, and services concentrated in the CBD grid.

🛒 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 Townsville City. 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
2,910
Census 2021
2,945
1.2% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$49,088
Personal Income 2021
$61,464
25.2% 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
$61,464 / yr
$1182/wk
Household
$104,676 / yr
$2013/wk
Family
$136,760 / yr
$2630/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,858
Born Overseas 747

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 134
  • 2. New Zealand 95
  • 3. United States 49
  • 4. India 44
  • 5. Philippines 33
  • 6. South Korea 26
  • 7. Papua New Guinea 26
  • 8. Scotland 24
  • 9. South Africa 21
  • 10. Canada 19

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,075
Australian 783
Irish 375
Scottish 338
German 176
Italian 160
Australian Aboriginal 97
Chinese 80
Dutch 46
Filipino 43

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,409
Both parents born in Australia
853
Both parents born overseas
331
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
42.6%
No Religion
41.1%
Hinduism
1.2%
Buddhism
1.2%
Islam
0.4%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
73 (2.5%)
5-14 years
129 (4.4%)
15-19 years
86 (2.9%)
20-24 years
265 (9.0%)
25-34 years
694 (23.6%)
35-44 years
392 (13.3%)
45-54 years
400 (13.6%)
55-64 years
441 (15.0%)
65-74 years
315 (10.7%)
75-84 years
121 (4.1%)
85+ years
28 (1.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Townsville City known for? +

Townsville City is known as the commercial and cultural hub of North Queensland, famous for The Strand waterfront promenade, Reef HQ Aquarium, proximity to Magnetic Island, and its significant Australian Defence Force presence at RAAF Base Townsville and Lavarack Barracks.

How far is Townsville City from Brisbane? +

Townsville City is approximately 1,375 kilometres north of Brisbane CBD. The drive via the Bruce Highway takes around 15-16 hours. Regular flights between Townsville Airport and Brisbane take approximately 2 hours.

Does Townsville City have public transport? +

Townsville City is served by Sunbus, the local bus network. There is no urban rail service in Townsville. The city also has taxi and rideshare services. Most residents rely on private vehicles.

What is the population of Townsville City? +

According to the 2021 Census, the Townsville City suburb has a population of approximately 2,945 residents. Greater Townsville, however, is home to over 190,000 people, making it the largest city in tropical Australia.

Is Townsville City a good place to live? +

Townsville City offers a tropical lifestyle with warm weather year-round, vibrant waterfront dining, a strong arts and culture scene, and excellent access to the Great Barrier Reef and natural areas. It is popular with defence families, professionals, and university students.

What is the postcode for Townsville City? +

The postcode for Townsville City, Queensland is 4810.

What is the average income in Townsville City? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Townsville City is about $1,182 per week (around $61,500 per year). The median household income is $2,013 per week and the median family income is $2,630 per week.

What is the age profile of Townsville City? +

The median age in Townsville City is 39. The largest age group is 25–34 (694 residents, around 24%). Around 10% of residents are under 20 and about 16% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Townsville City a safe area? +

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

In Townsville City, the median weekly rent is $390, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,663 (2021 Census).