Mareeba · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
A modest 4.5% population increase since 2021 marks the recent pace of change for Mareeba. While the area has seen steady growth in its number of businesses and homes, it generally faces more challenges with money and education than most parts of the country.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is Mareeba — lower than 71% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
The typical resident in Mareeba has less access to money and job skills than about 70% of other similar areas. This is reflected in an overall advantage score of 921, which is smaller than about 74% of areas at this level.
3
Lower than 71% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the 10% most advantaged. IRSAD summarises both advantage and disadvantage, so a high score reflects relatively many high-income, well-educated households and few low-income, low-skill ones.
3
Lower than 71% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the least disadvantaged. IRSD focuses on disadvantage alone (low income, low education, unemployment, unskilled occupations), so a higher decile means relatively less disadvantage.
3
Lower than 71% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Economic Resources, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for economic resources in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IER reflects the income, housing costs, dwelling size and assets of households, so a higher decile means relatively greater economic resources.
4
Lower than 64% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Education and Occupation, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for education and occupation in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IEO reflects residents' qualifications and the skill level of their jobs, so a higher decile means a more highly educated and skilled workforce.
921
Lower than 73% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a raw index score (standardised so the Australian average is about 1000). Higher scores indicate relatively greater advantage; lower scores greater disadvantage.
Annual population estimates and change since the census.
The population has grown to 24,205 people, making it larger than about 62% of similar areas. However, the 4.5% growth since 2021 is well below the Queensland figure of 8.7%.
24,205
Higher than 60% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
4.5%
Higher than 58% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
Mareeba is home to 2,300 businesses, a total that is larger than about 62% of similar areas. This activity is paired with 99 approved dwellings, which is also larger than about 60% of similar areas.
2,300
Higher than 60% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
99
Higher than 59% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Mareeba [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA34880/mareeba/topic/economy-advantage
