Council (LGA) · Area profile
Charters Towers
68,382 km²
Life in Charters Towers is largely car-dependent and centered around a population that is noticeably older than the state and national figures. This regional community has a significant First Nations presence and a high proportion of seniors, though it also supports a fair number of children. While the population has shrunk slightly since 2011, the area remains a distinct hub where most people live in separate houses and work in sectors like education, health, and mining.
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The typical resident is 42, which is older than the national figure, and 21.4% of the population are seniors—a figure well above the Australian average. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 9.7% of the community, which is much higher than in most other areas.
The community is predominantly Australian and English in ancestry, with very few people born overseas at 6.2%, far below the national figure of 27.7%.
English is the primary language here, with only 2.5% of people using another language at home, which is far below the state and national averages.
About half of the population identifies as Christian, while 33.2% report no religion, though this figure is still well below the national average.
Education levels are lower than most areas, with only 9.7% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher and 36.7% completing Year 12, both of which are far below the national figures.
Typical weekly household income is $1,307, which is well below the national figure of $1,746, though typical personal incomes have risen by $182 since 2011.
A slightly higher share of people need help with daily activities at 6.4% compared to the national average, while long-term health conditions are around the middle for similar areas.
Volunteering is a little above the national average at 16.7%, and there is a higher presence of former Defence Force members than in most areas.
The First Nations population is noticeably younger than the national average, with a typical age of 19, although they face a much higher unemployment rate of 15.5%.
One-parent families are much more common here at 18.8%, well above the national figure, and more people live alone compared to most areas.
Most people live in separate houses, and 37.3% own their homes outright, which is well above the national average. Typical weekly rents are far below the national figure at $220.
The area is heavily reliant on cars, with no public transport routes or stops available and only 10.3% of people working from home.
While fewer people have moved recently compared to the rest of the state, the area has seen a slightly higher rate of recent arrivals from overseas.
Full-time employment is well above the national average at 64.6%, with many residents working in education, health, and agriculture.
The area ranks low for overall advantage and job skills compared to other regions, and population growth has been well below the Queensland average.
Charters Towers experiences much higher minimum temperatures than most areas and has annual rainfall far above the Queensland average.
Recorded offences are much higher than in most areas, with drug offences and assault rates among the highest for this level of community.
The area is mostly car-dependent, with a walkability score far below the state average and very few homes within a 15-minute walk of health services or groceries.