Cairns North (Qld)

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Based on geographic details from the ABS and fresh address verification by Districts since the Census, Cairns North has an estimated 5,814 residents as of May 2026. This represents a gain of 480 people (9.0%) relative to the 2021 Census, which counted 5,334 people. This estimate aligns with the 5,808 inhabitants calculated by Districts using the ABS ERP release from June 2025 alongside subsequent address confirmations. Such population figures translate to 2,106 persons per square kilometer, outstripping the typical density across national locations analyzed by Districts. The 9.0% expansion in Cairns North since the 2021 census outpaced both the SA3 area (6.9%) and the SA4 region, establishing the suburb as a regional growth leader. Overseas migration was the primary driver of this growth, accounting for approximately 92.0% of the total population gains in recent times.

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Cairns North is characterized by a highly educated workforce with strong representation in essential services, alongside an unemployment rate of 5.4% according to aggregated statistical data from Districts. In March 2026, there were 3,400 residents in employment. The local unemployment rate stands 1.5% higher than the 3.9% recorded in Regional Qld, while participation in the labour force is exceptionally high at 69.5% compared to the regional benchmark of 64.3%. Census data indicates that a modest 13.1% of local workers operated from home, though this figure may have been influenced by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

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Taxpayer income in the suburb of Cairns North matches national averages based on financial year 2023 ATO statistics aggregated by Districts. In the suburb of Cairns North, taxpayers recorded a median income of $54,444 and an average income of $67,713, compared to Regional Qld benchmarks of $53,146 and $66,593. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, current estimates for March 2026 are approximately $60,629 for the median and $75,405 for the average. According to the 2021 Census, individual earnings place the area at the 63rd percentile with a weekly figure of $873, while household income is positioned at the 29th percentile. The largest earnings segment contains 32.6% of residents, representing 1,895 people, who fall within the $1,500 - range, which is very similar to the regional share of in the same bracket. Housing costs consume a large portion of earnings, leaving residents with only of their income, which ranks in the rd percentile, while the SEIFA index for income places the area in the th decile.

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The mix of housing in Cairns North at the time of the latest Census consisted of 14.4% separate houses and 85.6% alternative dwellings such as townhouses, units, and other formats, contrasting with Regional Qld where separate houses make up 76.4% and other styles constitute 23.6%. Home ownership rates in Cairns North were lower than the regional average, standing at 16.4%, with the remaining properties occupied by households with a mortgage (18.2%) or renting tenants (65.4%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,300 was lower than the regional average of $1,655, and the median weekly rent was $340, compared to the regional figure of $345. On a national scale, Cairns North mortgage payments are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rent costs are below the national median of $375.

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Families make up 45.1% of local households, consisting of 12.7% couples with children, 21.0% couples without children, and 10.3% single parent arrangements. The remaining 54.9% are non-family households, with lone person households representing 45.6% and group housing accounting for 9.2%. The median household size is 1.9 people, which is smaller than the Regional Qld average of 2.5.

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Academic achievement in Cairns North is high compared to regional averages, with 37.2% of residents aged 15 and over holding a university degree, compared to 20.6% in the Rest of Qld and 21.1% in the SA4 region. This strong educational profile positions the suburb well for jobs in professional and knowledge-based fields. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 25.1%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 8.6% and graduate diplomas at 3.5%. Vocational education is also common, with 36.5% of the population aged 15 and over holding technical qualifications, including advanced diplomas at 14.2% and certificates at 22.3%.

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Analysis of public transport options shows 16 active stops operating in Cairns North, consisting of bus services. These stops are connected to 11 distinct routes that provide a total of 1,045 passenger trips each week. Access to transport is high, with residents living an average of 198 meters from the nearest stop. The suburb is mostly residential, with many workers commuting to other areas. Cars are the primary mode of travel to work at 72%, while 14% of residents walk and 4% travel by bicycle. Vehicle ownership is low, averaging 0.7 cars per household, which is below the regional average. A relatively low 13.1% of residents worked from home at the time of the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic conditions.

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Health indicators are positive for residents in Cairns North. Analysis by Districts regarding mortality and illness indicates the community aligns with national standards, with a low incidence of common health issues across younger and older demographics, and private health insurance coverage is high at approximately 54% of the population, which accounts for around 3,141 people.

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Cairns North displays high cultural diversity, with 28.2% of residents speaking a language other than English in their homes and 39.7% of the population born outside Australia. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, representing 41.3% of the community. The most notable difference from regional averages is in the Other religious category, which accounts for 2.7% of the local population compared to 0.8% across Regional Qld.

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The median age in Cairns North is 36, which is lower than the Regional Qld median of 41 and slightly below the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to Regional Qld, the suburb has a high concentration of residents aged 25 to 34, who make up 26.7% of the local population, while children aged 5 to 14 are underrepresented at 6.7%. The proportion of residents in the 25 to 34 age bracket is higher than the national average of 14.6%. Since 2021, younger residents have contributed to a decrease in the median age by 1.5 years down to 36. The 25 to 34 demographic increased from 21.9% to 26.7% of the population, whereas the 45 to 54 cohort fell from to and the to group declined from to . Population forecasts for predict demographic shifts in the suburb, led by the to age group which is projected to grow by (an increase of people), moving from to . In contrast, the to age bracket is expected to see minimal change, growing by (an increase of people).

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Cairns North currently has an estimated 261 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 130 children aged 0-2 and 87 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 25% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 35% by 2041 (to approximately 353 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 263. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been low, with approximately 6.4 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the bottom 20% of areas assessed nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.