Charters Towers City
At $278,000, the median house price in Charters Towers City sits well below the Queensland state average, yet a 17.5% vacancy rate reveals that affordability alone is not driving demand. The suburb registers IRSAD decile 1 and IEO decile 1, placing it among the most disadvantaged areas nationally on both education-occupation and relative advantage measures. Household income lands in just the 16.6th percentile. Population has drifted down 2.4% over the past decade, with current estimates around 8,172 for the broader area. Education and healthcare together employ over 43% of local workers, making public-sector stability the primary economic anchor rather than private enterprise or population growth.
Population
2,219
Median Age
41.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,078/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$278K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The $278,000 median house price makes Charters Towers City one of QLD's most affordable urban centres, far below the state median for comparable regional towns. Separate houses dominate at 86.0% of dwellings, with semi-detached homes at 12.8% and apartments at just 0.6%, so buyers almost always access a standalone property. The most common bedroom count is three, at 43.0% of dwellings, followed by two-bedroom homes at 30.7% and four-plus at 22.1%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,009, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.6%, below the 30% stress threshold. Outright owners account for 34.3% and mortgage holders 22.7%, while 43.0% rent. The high renter share and low purchase price signal a market where buying is accessible but demand pressure is limited.
For Buyers
The $278,000 median house price makes Charters Towers City one of QLD's most affordable urban centres, far below the state median for comparable regional towns. Separate houses dominate at 86.0% of dwellings, with semi-detached homes at 12.8% and apartments at just 0.6%, so buyers almost always access a standalone property. The most common bedroom count is three, at 43.0% of dwellings, followed by two-bedroom homes at 30.7% and four-plus at 22.1%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,009, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.6%, below the 30% stress threshold. Outright owners account for 34.3% and mortgage holders 22.7%, while 43.0% rent. The high renter share and low purchase price signal a market where buying is accessible but demand pressure is limited.
For Investors
A 43.0% renter share is well above the national average, providing investors a large tenant pool, yet the 17.5% vacancy rate is exceptionally high and points to structural oversupply rather than speculative opportunity. Weekly rent of $220 against a $278,000 median implies a gross yield near 4.1%, reasonable on paper but undermined by the vacancy risk. Rent growth was 12.8% over the measurement period, showing some upward momentum despite population decline. Net internal migration runs at minus 4 per year and overseas arrivals add 28, leaving overall migration close to balanced. Population fell 2.4% over the decade. With no recorded development applications in the past 12 months and IRSAD at decile 1, the investment case depends on yield rather than capital growth, and tenant selection risk is elevated given unemployment at 8.8%.
Schools in Charters Towers City iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Charters Towers State High School
7-12 · 303 students
Charters Towers Central State School
Prep-6 · 113 students
Demographics
The median age of 41 is 1.0 year above the national figure, and the trajectory is aging, with the senior share rising 5.1 points and the working-age share falling 2.9 points over the decade. Overseas-born residents make up just 9.0% of the population, which is 12.6 percentage points below the national average, reflecting a largely Australian-born community. English ancestry leads at 757 residents, followed by Irish at 258 and Scottish at 214. Average household size is 2.1, which is 0.4 below the national figure. University qualifications reach 17.8%, which is 12.3 points below the national rate, consistent with the IEO decile 1 ranking for education and occupation. Christianity is the dominant religion at 996 residents. The population is relatively settled, with 73.8% having remained in the same address over the five-year period before the census.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
86.0%
Houses
12.8%
Townhouse
0.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Ownership without a mortgage accounts for 34.3% of dwellings and mortgaged ownership for 22.7%, while 43.0% of residents rent, a renter share substantially above what outright ownership suggests for an affordable market. The dominant stock is separate houses at 86.0%, which is well above the national average. Three-bedroom homes are the most common at 43.0%, with two-bedroom at 30.7% and four-plus bedroom at 22.1%. The 17.5% vacancy rate is a defining feature: it is far above a healthy market rate and reduces pricing power for both sellers and landlords. Mortgage stress is not a widespread concern, with monthly repayments of $1,009 equating to 21.6% of household income. Rent-to-income at 20.4% also stays below stress levels, meaning that for those who are employed, housing costs remain manageable relative to income.
Mortgage / mo
$1,009
Rent / wk
$220
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$601
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
17.5%
Unoccupied
182
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.6%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
34.1%
Couples, no children
1,327
Total families
Economy & Employment
Education employs 22.5% of local workers (97 people) and healthcare employs 21.1% (91 people), making these two public-sector industries the dominant employers by a clear margin compared to the national occupational mix. Mining accounts for 11.6% (50 workers), reflecting the regional identity of Charters Towers as a historic gold-mining centre. Public administration contributes 8.1% and hospitality 6.5%. By occupation, professionals lead at 144 workers, followed closely by labourers at 134 and community and personal service workers at 124. The unemployment rate of 8.8% is elevated above the national average, and the participation rate of 46.4% is low, meaning a substantial portion of residents are not actively in the workforce. The IRSD decile 2 and IRSAD decile 1 scores indicate deep relative disadvantage, with personal weekly income of $601 and household weekly income of $1,078 placing the suburb in the 16.6th percentile nationally.
Unemployment
8.6%
Labour Force
3,598
Unemployed
308
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
63.2%
Part-time
28.0%
Participation
46.4%
Employed
758
Occupations
Top Industries
University
17.8%
Postgraduate
3.2%
Born Overseas
9.0%
Dwellings
857
Transport to Work
Car dependency is the primary transport mode, with 74.7% of residents driving to work, while 12.5% walk or cycle, which is above the national average and reflects the small 2.87 km2 footprint. Public transport use is low at 3.1%, consistent with a regional centre without a rail or bus network comparable to metropolitan areas. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families draw on institutions across the broader Charters Towers region. The IRSAD decile 1 score places the suburb in the most disadvantaged tier nationally, and 7.5% of residents (144 people) require daily assistance, which is higher than average relative to the population of 2,219. Volunteering is at 19.0%, a meaningful rate that indicates community participation. Crime data is not available for this suburb, limiting a direct safety comparison to state or national benchmarks.
Drive
74.7%
Public Transport
3.1%
Walk / Cycle
12.5%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
-0.2%/yr
(-16 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation in the broader Charters Towers area has been essentially stable, recorded at 8,166 in 2023, 8,154 in 2024 and 8,172 in 2025. However, the city suburb itself declined 2.4% over the decade, averaging a loss of 16 persons per year. Medium forecasts project a continued slow decline, with the area estimated at 8,038 by 2031. Net internal migration averages minus 4 per year, while overseas arrivals contribute a positive 28 per year, making overseas migration the only consistent growth driver. The gentrification score is 0, placing the suburb firmly in the not gentrifying stage, consistent with SEIFA decile 1 on both IRSAD and IRSAD measures and no development activity recorded in the past 12 months. Affordability improved from 40.0% in 2011 to 34.3% in 2021, a positive shift, but declining population and low income growth limit the scope for price appreciation.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+28
Net Internal / yr
-4
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Charters Towers City compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charters Towers City a good suburb to live in?
Charters Towers City offers very affordable housing at a $278,000 median with mortgage repayments averaging $1,009 per month. However, it ranks in IRSAD decile 1 nationally, the most disadvantaged tier, with household income in just the 16.6th percentile and unemployment at 8.8%. It suits residents seeking low housing costs in a regional Queensland setting.
What is the median house price in Charters Towers City?
The median house price is estimated at $278,000 based on 2025 rental data. Weekly rent averages $220 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $1,009. The suburb is among the most affordable urban centres in QLD, with a mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.6%, well below the stress threshold.
What schools are in Charters Towers City?
No schools are recorded inside the Charters Towers City suburb boundary in this dataset. The broader Charters Towers region has educational facilities, and 22.5% of local workers are employed in the education sector (97 people), indicating significant schooling infrastructure across the surrounding area.
Is Charters Towers City safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Charters Towers City in this dataset. As context, the suburb scores IRSAD decile 1, the most disadvantaged tier nationally, and unemployment sits at 8.8%, both factors associated with elevated crime risk in comparable regional areas. Residents seeking safety data should consult the QLD Police crime map.
Is Charters Towers City good for property investment?
The 43.0% renter share is well above the national average, and rent growth reached 12.8% over the measurement period. However, a 17.5% vacancy rate signals real oversupply, and the 10-year population decline of 2.4% limits capital growth prospects. Gross yield near 4.1% is the primary return driver, with tenant selection risk elevated given 8.8% unemployment.
How is Charters Towers City's population changing?
The broader area population was 8,172 in 2025, having been stable across 2023 to 2025. The city suburb itself declined 2.4% over the decade, averaging minus 16 persons per year. Medium forecasts project 8,038 residents by 2031. Overseas migration adds 28 per year, partially offsetting a net internal outflow of 4 per year.
What industries employ people in Charters Towers City?
Education is the largest employer at 22.5% of workers (97 people), followed by healthcare at 21.1% (91 people). Mining accounts for 11.6% (50 workers), reflecting the regional gold-mining heritage. Public administration employs 8.1% and hospitality 6.5%, making government and services the dominant economic base alongside mining.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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