Urban Centre · Area profile
Charters Towers
42 km²
A car-dependent lifestyle defines Charters Towers, where 86% of homes are separate houses and a walkability score of 3.5 marks it as mostly reliant on vehicles. The community is distinct for its high Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, which is well above the national figure at 11.4%. While the population has shrunk slightly since 2011 to 8,040 people, it remains larger than most similar areas. It is a place where a significant number of residents live alone or in one-parent families, creating a unique social landscape in regional Queensland.
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The community is notably diverse, with an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population of 11.4%, which is well above the national average. It is also an ageing area, as 21.7% of residents are seniors—well above the national figure of 17.2%.
People born overseas make up only 7.0% of the population, which is far below the national figure of 27.7%. Most residents claim Australian (41.0%) or English (35.7%) ancestry.
English is the dominant language, with only 3.0% of people using another tongue at home, far below the national average of 22.3%. Very few people speak little or no English, at just 0.1%.
About 35.0% of residents report having no religion, which is well below the national figure of 38.9%. Christianity remains the most common affiliation at 48.2%.
Qualifications are lower than the national average, with only 10.9% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. About 37.5% of residents completed Year 12, far below the national figure of 58.8%.
Typical weekly household income is $1,282, which is well below the national figure of $1,746. However, the number of people earning $2,000 or more a week is higher than in most similar areas.
A little more than 7.3% of people need help with daily activities, which is higher than most areas. Long-term health conditions are slightly more common than the national figure, with arthritis being the most reported.
Volunteer rates are a little above the national average at 15.4%, though this has fallen since 2011. Unpaid care for children and housework is much lower than in most similar areas.
Single-person households are common, with 32.7% of people living alone, well above the national figure. One-parent families are also much more frequent here than in most areas, at 23.0%.
Renting is common at 34.8%, well above the national average, but typical weekly rent is far below the national figure at $220. Detached houses are very popular, making up 85.9% of all homes.
Cars are essential, as only 3.0% of people commute by public transport. Working from home is rare, with only 4.3% of the workforce doing so, far below the national figure of 21.0%.
The area sees a fair amount of movement, with 37.3% of residents having moved in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas are well above the national average at 17.6%.
Full-time employment is well above the national average at 62.5%, though the unemployment rate is also a little higher than the national figure at 6.5%. Education and health care are the biggest employers.
The area is mostly car-dependent, with 0.0% of homes within a 10-minute walk of public transport. While many people can walk to a school, overall walkable amenities are far below the Queensland average.