Charters Towers City

The population is noticeably older than the national average, with 20.6% of residents aged 65 and over. A strong First Nations presence is evident, as 12.5% of the community is Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, which is well above the state figure.

People born overseas make up only 7.8% of the population, a figure far below the national average of 27.7%. Most residents claim Australian, English, Irish, or Scottish ancestry.

English is the dominant language, with only 4.4% of people using another tongue at home, which is well below the Queensland average. Very few residents speak little or no English.

Christianity remains the most common affiliation at 44.9%, while 36.5% of people report no religion, which is a little below the national figure.

Educational attainment is far below the state and national averages, with only 10.1% of adults holding a bachelor degree and just 35.9% completing Year 12. However, the area is well-served by schools, with eight within 3 km.

Earnings are well below national levels, with a typical household bringing in $1,078 a week. Only 7.5% of households earn $3,000 or more weekly, which is far below the national figure.

Health challenges are more common here than in most areas, with 32.0% of people living with a long-term condition. This is well above the national figure of 27.7%.

Unpaid care for children and general caregiving are much less common here than in other areas. Notably, a much higher proportion of residents have served in the Defence Force compared to most areas.

The First Nations community is a significant part of the area, though the typical personal income of $495 is a little below the national figure. Year 12 completion for this group is also lower than the national average.

Single-person households are very common at 38.6%, far above the national figure. Conversely, one-parent families are among the highest at this level, making up 24.3% of homes.

Renting is far more common here than nationally, at 41.1%. While most people live in separate houses, typical weekly rents of $220 are far below the national figure.

Car ownership is lower than usual, with 13.5% of homes having no motor vehicle, which is well above the state average. Very few people work from home compared to the rest of the country.

Recent arrivals from overseas are much more common here than in most similar areas. However, the percentage of people who moved in the last five years is well below the state figure.

The unemployment rate of 8.1% is a little above the national average. A significant portion of the workforce is employed in health, education, and retail trade.

The city is very walkable, with 99.1% of homes having easy access to a variety of amenities. Almost all residents live within a 15-minute walk of groceries, health services, and schools.