Townsville (QLD)

Demographics & education

In the 2006 Census, 143,328 people were usually resident in Townsville (QLD): of these 50.1% were male and 49.9% were female. Of the total population 5.7% were Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

In the 2006 Census, 21.7% of people usually resident in Townsville (QLD) were children aged 0-14 years, and 18.5% were people aged 55 years and over. The median age was 32 years.

In the 2006 Census, 88.3% of people usually resident in Townsville (QLD) were Australian citizens, 11.6% were born overseas and 1.2% people were overseas visitors.

In the 2006 Census, 44.7% of people aged 15 years and over usually resident in Townsville (QLD) were married, 12.0% were either separated or divorced, 4.5% were widowed and 38.8% were never married.

Cultural & language diversity

In the 2006 Census, 81.6% of people usually resident in Townsville (QLD), stated they were born in Australia. Other common responses for country of birth were England 2.8%, New Zealand 2.2%, Papua New Guinea 0.5%, Philippines 0.4% and Scotland 0.4%.

In the 2006 Census, the most common responses for religious affiliation for people usually resident in Townsville (QLD) were Catholic 27.9%, No Religion 19.6%, Anglican 19.3%, Uniting Church 7.3% and Presbyterian and Reformed 3.8%.

In the 2006 Census, the most common responses for language other than English spoken at home by people usually resident in Townsville (QLD) were Italian 0.6%, Greek 0.3%, German 0.3%, Spanish 0.2% and Cantonese 0.2%. English was stated as the only language spoken at home by 89.1%.

Employment

During the week prior to the 2006 Census, 74,052 people aged 15 years and over in Townsville (QLD) were in the labour force. Of these 64.1% worked full-time, 24.9% worked part-time, 4.1% were away from work, 2.6% were employed but did not state their hours worked and 4.5% were unemployed. 30,702 people were not in the labour force.

In the 2006 Census, the most common responses for occupation for Townsville (QLD) were Technicians and Trades Workers 16.8%, Professionals 16.5%, Clerical and Administrative Workers 14.8%, Community and Personal Service Workers 12.0%, Labourers 10.7%, Sales Workers 10.0%, Managers 9.8% and Machinery Operators And Drivers 7.8%.

In the 2006 Census, of the employed people aged 15 years and over in Townsville (QLD), the most common responses for industry of employment included Defence 6.1%, School Education 4.8%, Hospitals 4.0%, Cafes, Restaurants and Takeaway Food Services 4.0% and Supermarket and Grocery Stores 2.6%.

In the 2006 Census in Townsville (QLD), the median weekly personal income for people aged 15 years and over who were usual residents was $533, the median family income was $1,241 and the median household income was $1,101.

Family composition

In the 2006 Census, there were 36,741 families in Townsville (QLD): of these 36.7% were couple families without children, 44.4% were couple families with children, 17.1% were one parent families and 1.9% were other families.

Dwelling structure

Dwellings include visitor only and other not-classifiable households unless otherwise stated

In the 2006 Census 53,225 occupied private dwellings were counted in Townsville (QLD).

In the 2006 Census, of the occupied private dwellings in Townsville (QLD), 78.1% were separate houses, 4.7% were semi-detached, row or terrace houses, townhouses etc, 15.1% were flats, units or apartments and 2.0% were other dwellings.

In the 2006 Census in Townsville (QLD), 23.7% of occupied private dwellings were owned outright, 33.5% were owned with a mortgage and 34.9% were rented.

In the 2006 Census in Townsville (QLD), of the occupied private dwellings being rented, 54.4% were rented from a real estate agent, 14.7% were rented from a State or Territory housing authority and 29.0% were rented from other landlord type.

Dwelling characteristics

In the 2006 Census in Townsville (QLD), the median weekly rent was $185. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,213. The average people per household was 2.6 and the average number of people per bedroom was 1.1.

Household composition

In the 2006 Census in Townsville (QLD), 67.8% of occupied private dwellings were family households, 20.1% were single (or lone) person households and 5.1% were group households.