Cairns: population and official figures
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Cairns: The median total income of residents of the Cairns Region who had income was $55,547 a year in 2022-23 (before tax, excluding government pensions and allowances), 7th lowest of 26 areas; the Australian median was $58,216. Boundary: the Cairns Region local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
- Health in Cairns: 1,950 births were registered to mothers living in the Cairns Region in 2024, and the total fertility rate was 1.64 births per woman, above the national figure (1.54). Boundary: the Cairns Region local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
- Education in Cairns: 54.7% of residents of the Cairns Region aged 15 and over had completed Year 12 or equivalent at the 2021 Census, 10th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (58.8%). Boundary: the Cairns Region local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
- Poverty and living standards in Cairns: The median weekly rent paid by households in the Cairns Region was $340 at the 2021 Census (rents on census night, 10 August 2021), 7th lowest of 31 areas; the national median was $375. Boundary: the Cairns Region local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
What is the population of Cairns?
The Cairns Region had an estimated 179,334 residents on 30 June 2025 (ABS preliminary estimate), 10th lowest of 31 areas covered on this site. Boundary: the Cairns Region local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyIs the population of Cairns growing?
The population of the Cairns Region grew by 1,761 people (1.0%) in the year to 30 June 2025, from 177,573 to 179,334; Australia as a whole grew 1.5%.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow fast has the population of Cairns grown in the last five years?
Between 30 June 2020 and 30 June 2025 the estimated population of the Cairns Region rose 6.3%, from 168,710 to 179,334, compared with 7.7% for Australia.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people moved to Cairns in 2024-25?
In the year to 30 June 2025 the Cairns Region had net overseas migration of +1,859 people and net internal (within Australia) migration of -741 people.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the population density of Cairns?
The Cairns Region covers 1,689 square kilometres, so its 2025 population works out at about 106 people per square kilometre.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median age in Cairns?
The median age of residents of the Cairns Region was 39.5 years in 2024, above the national figure (38.3 years).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many households are there in Cairns?
The 2021 Census counted 60,318 households in the Cairns Region, with an average of 2.5 people per household.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Cairns were born overseas?
At the 2021 Census 22.3% of residents of the Cairns Region were born overseas, below the national figure (27.6%), and 14.1% spoke a language other than English at home, below the national figure (22.3%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWho runs Cairns?
In Australia, cities and towns are run by local governments: Councillors elected (methods vary by state; voting compulsory in some states); mayors directly elected in some places and chosen by councillors in others. Local roads, planning approvals, waste, libraries, parks, rates (property tax).
How local power works in Australia
Cities of a similar size in Australia
- Canberra-Queanbeyan 521,049
- Canberra 484,630
- Sunshine Coast 381,957
- Central Coast 357,816
- Greater Wollongong 322,343
- Geelong 295,052
- Greater Hobart 255,250
- Sydney 241,797
- Wollongong 224,327
- Townsville 206,260
- Melbourne 194,481
- Toowoomba 186,276
- Newcastle 178,935
- Greater Darwin 159,284
- Bendigo 126,568
- Ballarat 122,661
Up a level: all cities in Australia · Australia · government and power
Sources
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Regional population 2024-25: estimated resident population by Local Government Area and Significant Urban Area, 2001 to 2025 (data cube 32180DS0004), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 625c7c3de3b7…)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Data by region 2011-2025: Local Government Areas (ASGS Edition 3), 18 city councils, all indicators, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 788eca55906d…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.