Kanimbla
A 98.6% separate-house share and 73.0% four-bedroom-or-larger share give Kanimbla a strongly family-oriented housing profile. Its 2,827 residents have a median age of 39, one year below the national comparison, while household income ranks at the 87.3rd percentile, above the national midpoint. University attainment is 33.7%, or 3.6 percentage points above national. Near Whitfield and Mooroobool, Kanimbla suits buyers comparing detached living and car access. The 0.7% annual growth trend and aging trajectory point to a settled market, with senior share up 7.1 points and young share down 4.6 points.
Local council: Cairns
Population
2,827
Median Age
39.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,270/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
4
Kanimbla suits buyers wanting detached space, since 98.6% of dwellings are separate houses and 73.0% have four or more bedrooms, far higher than the 26.7% share with three bedrooms. The 49.7% mortgage tenure share is higher than the 30.9% owned-outright share and 18.6% renting share, showing a strong financed-owner base. Monthly mortgage costs are $1,842, equal to 18.7% of household income, while rent is $450 a week and rent-to-income is 19.8%. Both housing stress flags are false, but affordability worsened from 41.3% in 2011 to 44.1% in 2021, so buyers should test repayments against future rate rises because larger homes carry higher upkeep costs.
For Buyers
Kanimbla suits buyers wanting detached space, since 98.6% of dwellings are separate houses and 73.0% have four or more bedrooms, far higher than the 26.7% share with three bedrooms. The 49.7% mortgage tenure share is higher than the 30.9% owned-outright share and 18.6% renting share, showing a strong financed-owner base. Monthly mortgage costs are $1,842, equal to 18.7% of household income, while rent is $450 a week and rent-to-income is 19.8%. Both housing stress flags are false, but affordability worsened from 41.3% in 2011 to 44.1% in 2021, so buyers should test repayments against future rate rises because larger homes carry higher upkeep costs.
For Investors
Investor appeal rests on a $450 weekly rent, 18.6% renting share and 4.2% vacancy rate, while the 49.7% mortgage share is higher than renting, making Kanimbla more owner-led than tenant-led. The 0.7% annual growth trend is modest, so returns are more likely to depend on holding quality and tenant retention than rapid repricing. Overseas migration is the primary forecast driver, but the aging trajectory and 7.1 percentage-point rise in senior share may favour accessible, low-maintenance homes. Three development applications in 12 months indicate some pipeline activity. Assess insurance, maintenance and comparable rents carefully because 98.6% separate houses can mean higher property-level upkeep.
Development Activity
Total DAs
4
Last 12 Months
4
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
—
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Kanimbla's median age of 39 is 1.0 year below the national comparison, although the age trajectory is moving older. University attainment is 33.7%, 3.6 points above national, and overseas-born residents are 29.0%, 7.4 points above national. English ancestry is the leading response at 907, followed by Other at 582 and Irish at 246. Christianity counts 1,351 people, no religion 1,038 and Hinduism 162. Average household size is 2.9, 0.4 above national, while 77.8% stayed at the same address, higher than the 22.2% turnover rate. These patterns indicate a settled but gradually changing suburb because established households and overseas-born residents are shaping demand. Nearby Whitfield and Mooroobool provide useful comparison points for household mix.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
98.6%
Houses
1.4%
Townhouse
0.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Kanimbla's housing is overwhelmingly detached: 98.6% separate houses versus 1.4% semi-detached. The bedroom profile is similarly large, with 73.0% of homes at four bedrooms or more compared with 26.7% at three bedrooms. Tenure is tilted toward mortgages at 49.7%, above 30.9% owned outright and 18.6% rented, while 0.8% sits in other tenure. Average household size is 2.9, and mortgage-to-income is 18.7% compared with rent-to-income of 19.8%; both stress flags are false. Rent growth of 27.8% and worsening affordability from 41.3% to 44.1% mean buyers should compare Kanimbla with nearby Whitfield and Mooroobool on upkeep, access and future flexibility, not just dwelling size.
Mortgage / mo
$1,842
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (Jun 2026 quarter), QLD RTA bond data. Census 2021 median: $450.
$680
Bond data Jun 2026 quarter · houses $680 · units $510
HH Size
2.9
Personal Income / wk
$916
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.2%
Unoccupied
42
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.7%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
52.2%
Couples with children
36.6%
Couples, no children
11.1%
Single parent
818
Total families
Economy & Employment
Kanimbla has a healthcare-led employment base: Healthcare accounts for 24.1% and 259 workers, followed by Education at 11.2% and 120, Construction at 7.3% and 78, Public Administration at 6.9% and 74, and Hospitality at 6.8% and 73. Occupations are led by Professionals at 362, Community and Personal services at 232, Trades at 204, Clerical and Administration at 199, and Managers at 196. Participation is 73.2%, unemployment is 3.8% and full-time employment is 56.0%. Household income is $2,270 a week, ranking at the 87.3rd percentile, above the national midpoint. SEIFA is uneven: IEO decile 4, IER 5, IRSD 3 and IRSAD 4. This suggests solid earnings can coexist with lower relative advantage because cost pressures are not evenly distributed.
Unemployment
3.8%
Labour Force
1,640
Unemployed
63
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
56.0%
Part-time
39.3%
Participation
73.2%
Employed
1,577
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
33.7%
Postgraduate
6.6%
Born Overseas
29.0%
Dwellings
952
Transport to Work
Kanimbla is highly car-oriented: 75.4% travel as car drivers, higher than the 0.5% using public transport and the 1.6% walking or cycling. A 16.0% work-from-home share may soften commuting pressure, but road access remains central because transit use is comparatively low. The suburb covers 3.1 sq km at a density of 912.6 residents per sq km, creating a compact setting where exact street position matters. Families should confirm enrolment zones, travel times and nearby government, Catholic or independent school options for the exact address rather than assuming suburb boundaries settle access. IRSAD is decile 4 and IRSD decile 3, both below the IER decile 5, so transport cost and local services deserve attention. Review recent incident information and street conditions directly before deciding.
Drive
75.4%
Public Transport
0.5%
Walk / Cycle
1.6%
Work from Home
16.0%
Growth Outlook
Kanimbla is an established market with an annual growth trend of 0.7%, while population change across the wider area is 8.6% over 10 years. Overseas migration is the primary forecast driver, and the shift trajectory is Aging: senior share is up 7.1 percentage points while young share is down 4.6 points. Rent growth of 27.8% is higher than the 0.7% annual population trend, with affordability worsening from 41.3% in 2011 to 44.1% in 2021. Gentrification is assessed at score 0, stage Not gentrifying, while shift indicators record 24 and Early signs. Growth is therefore lower and more gradual than a renewal-led boom because established housing, demographic aging and rising costs constrain rapid change.
Population trend: Cairns council area
Kanimbla sits in the Cairns council area. These are the council area's residents, not Kanimbla's.
Residents 2025
179,334
Growth, 5 yr average
+1.2%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+1.0%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Kanimbla compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kanimbla a good suburb to live in?
Kanimbla can suit households wanting detached space and a settled setting. Separate houses make up 98.6% of dwellings, while 73.0% have four or more bedrooms. Car dependence is higher than public transport use, so compare the lifestyle with nearby Whitfield and Mooroobool before choosing.
What is the median house price in Kanimbla?
Use recent comparable sales for Kanimbla rather than a headline median, and test affordability against the $1,842 monthly mortgage figure and $450 weekly rent. With 49.7% of households paying a mortgage, owner-occupier demand is a significant part of the market.
What schools are in Kanimbla?
Check the exact address for school enrolment zones, travel times and nearby government, Catholic or independent options. Kanimbla is more car-dependent than transit-oriented, with 75.4% driving and 0.5% using public transport, so the daily school run should be tested by route.
Is Kanimbla safe?
Judge safety at street level by reviewing recent incidents, lighting, traffic and evening activity before committing. Kanimbla covers 3.1 sq km and has a density of 912.6 residents per sq km, so physical conditions can vary by pocket and a simple safe or unsafe label may be misleading.
Is Kanimbla good for property investment?
Potentially, if the strategy fits a detached-house market. Rent is $450 a week, vacancy is 4.2% and 18.6% of households rent, below the 49.7% mortgage share. Growth is 0.7% annually, so prioritise cash flow, insurance and maintenance over assuming rapid capital growth; 3 development applications add some supply activity.
How is Kanimbla's population changing?
Population change across the wider area is 8.6% over 10 years, with an annual trend of 0.7%. The trajectory is Aging: senior share is up 7.1 percentage points while young share is down 4.6. Overseas migration is the primary driver, so demand may change gradually rather than through a sudden local surge.
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 education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications).
Explore Kanimbla on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map