Townsville: population and official figures
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Townsville: The median total income of residents of the City of Townsville who had income was $62,262 a year in 2022-23 (before tax, excluding government pensions and allowances), 7th highest of 26 areas; the Australian median was $58,216. Boundary: the City of Townsville local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
- Health in Townsville: 2,454 births were registered to mothers living in the City of Townsville in 2024, and the total fertility rate was 1.74 births per woman, above the national figure (1.54). Boundary: the City of Townsville local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
- Education in Townsville: 54.1% of residents of the City of Townsville aged 15 and over had completed Year 12 or equivalent at the 2021 Census, 9th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (58.8%). Boundary: the City of Townsville local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
- Poverty and living standards in Townsville: The median weekly rent paid by households in the City of Townsville was $305 at the 2021 Census (rents on census night, 10 August 2021), 5th lowest of 31 areas; the national median was $375. Boundary: the City of Townsville local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
What is the population of Townsville?
The City of Townsville had an estimated 206,260 residents on 30 June 2025 (ABS preliminary estimate), 13th lowest of 31 areas covered on this site. Boundary: the City of Townsville local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyIs the population of Townsville growing?
The population of the City of Townsville grew by 2,288 people (1.1%) in the year to 30 June 2025, from 203,972 to 206,260; Australia as a whole grew 1.5%.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow fast has the population of Townsville grown in the last five years?
Between 30 June 2020 and 30 June 2025 the estimated population of the City of Townsville rose 5.9%, from 194,679 to 206,260, compared with 7.7% for Australia.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people moved to Townsville in 2024-25?
In the year to 30 June 2025 the City of Townsville had net overseas migration of +1,225 people and net internal (within Australia) migration of +173 people.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the population density of Townsville?
The City of Townsville covers 3,731 square kilometres, so its 2025 population works out at about 55 people per square kilometre.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median age in Townsville?
The median age of residents of the City of Townsville was 36.1 years in 2024, below the national figure (38.3 years).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many households are there in Townsville?
The 2021 Census counted 69,892 households in the City of Townsville, with an average of 2.5 people per household.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Townsville were born overseas?
At the 2021 Census 14.0% of residents of the City of Townsville were born overseas, below the national figure (27.6%), and 7.9% spoke a language other than English at home, below the national figure (22.3%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWho runs Townsville?
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
- Gold Coast-Tweed Heads 761,634
- Gold Coast 691,230
- Newcastle-Maitland 541,634
- 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
- Melbourne 194,481
- Toowoomba 186,276
- Cairns 179,334
- Newcastle 178,935
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.