Economy, jobs and prices in Townsville, Australia: official figures
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.
What is the median wage in Townsville?
The median employee income in the City of Townsville was $63,999 for the year 2022-23, 9th highest of 26 areas; the Australian median was $61,966.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median household income in Townsville?
The median equivalised household income in the City of Townsville was $1,080 a week at the 2021 Census (household income adjusted for household size), 12th lowest of 26 areas; for Australia it was $1,070.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Townsville?
The unemployment rate in the City of Townsville was 5.1% at the 2021 Census (census night, 10 August 2021), joint 14th highest of 31 areas, about the same as the national figure (5.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the labour force participation rate in Townsville?
63.6% of residents of the City of Townsville aged 15 and over were in the labour force (working or looking for work) at the 2021 Census, 14th highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (61.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Townsville?
Of the 93,989 employed residents of the City of Townsville at the 2021 Census, the largest industries were health care and social assistance (17.5%; 14.5% nationally), public administration and safety (12.6%) and education and training (9.4%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many businesses are there in Townsville?
13,122 businesses were registered in the City of Townsville at 30 June 2025, which is 64 for every 1,000 residents (the lowest of 26 areas; Australia 99); 56% of them had no employees.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many new homes were approved in Townsville in 2024-25?
Building approvals in the City of Townsville in 2024-25 covered 947 new dwellings (4.6 per 1,000 residents; Australia 6.8) and building work worth $1,208 million in total.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median house price in Townsville?
The median price of an established house sold in the City of Townsville in 2023-24 was $456,000, the lowest of 26 areas (Australia $780,000); the median price of an attached dwelling (such as a unit or townhouse) was $305,000.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people rent in Townsville?
7.0% of occupied homes in the City of Townsville were flats or apartments at the 2021 Census (Australia 14.2%), and 36.6% of homes were rented (Australia 30.6%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many households in Townsville do not own a car?
5.4% of households in the City of Townsville had no motor vehicle at the 2021 Census, 6th lowest of 26 areas (Australia 7.4%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many solar panels were installed in Townsville in 2024?
3,641 small-scale solar panel systems were installed in the City of Townsville in 2024, 17.9 per 1,000 residents (Australia 11.7).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow Townsville compares with other cities in Australia
Unemployment rate, 2021 Census (2021 Census (10 August 2021))
Townsville ranks 15 of 31, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like.
| Rank | City | Unemployment rate, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Greater Melbourne | 5.3% |
| 13 | Greater Perth | 5.3% |
| 14 | Greater Sydney | 5.1% |
| 15 | Townsville | 5.1% |
| 16 | Brisbane | 5.0% |
| 17 | Toowoomba | 5.0% |
| 18 | Wollongong | 4.9% |
Median total income of income earners, 2022-23 (2022-23)
Townsville ranks 7 of 26, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like. Not published for Significant Urban Areas.
| Rank | City | Median total income of income earners, 2022-23 |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Sydney | $65,191 |
| 5 | Brisbane | $63,317 |
| 6 | Greater Perth | $63,138 |
| 7 | Townsville | $62,262 |
| 8 | Greater Sydney | $62,180 |
| 9 | Newcastle | $61,846 |
| 10 | Greater Brisbane | $59,968 |
Businesses per 1,000 residents, 30 June 2025 (30 June 2025)
Townsville ranks 26 of 26, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like. Not published for Significant Urban Areas.
| Rank | City | Businesses per 1,000 residents, 30 June 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | Greater Darwin | 79 |
| 21 | Canberra | 76 |
| 22 | Greater Hobart | 76 |
| 23 | Central Coast | 76 |
| 24 | Wollongong | 73 |
| 25 | Bendigo | 72 |
| 26 | Townsville | 64 |
More on Townsville: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · all cities in Australia
Sources
- 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…)
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