Living in Townsville
Providing a laid back tropical lifestyle that is complemented by capital city comforts, no other Australian city boasts the resilience, diversity, lifestyle and economic potential that the Townsville North Queensland Region enjoys.
Known as the Second Capital of Queensland and with a population of approximately 193,601 people, Townsville offers a dynamic lifestyle coupled with strong economic prosperity. Townsville is a thriving precinct with access to a variety of world class education facilities, leading edge health care, affordable housing, unique retailing, spectacular events and entertainment, dining precincts and a wide range of outdoor recreation options. With over 300 days of sunshine each year, Townsville’s lifestyle is second to none.
Make the move to Townsville, North Queensland
Watch our video to find out why you should make the move to Townsville.
Our Population
Outside the southeast corner, Townsville is the largest city in regional Queensland.
- Our current official population count is 196,800 persons (Australian Bureau of Statistics Estimated Resident Population, 30 June 2020).
- It is estimated that by 2041, we will have a population of approximately 282,281 people (Queensland Population Projections, 2018 edition).
Our Economy
Townsville has a diverse economy in which significant industries include retail trade, health and education services, government administration and defence, construction, mining, manufacturing, and property and business services.
Together, Queensland Rail and the Port of Townsville provide a transport hub for the region’s mining and agricultural industries, as well as for locally-based Xstrata Copper Refinery, Sun Metals Zinc Refinery and the Queensland Sugar Corporation Distribution Centre.
Our city is a major service centre, and the main centre for government administration outside Brisbane. Regional health services are provided by the Townsville Hospital. There are a number of research institutions such as James Cook University, the Australian Institute of Marine Science, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the CSIRO. Our large Australian Defence Force community, due to our army and airforce bases, also influences the local economy.
Current job vacancies at Council can be located on the Job Vacancies webpage.
Our Geography
Townsville is located about halfway between the tip of Cape York and Brisbane. The Ross River flows from the foothills of the Hervey and Mount Stuart ranges to its outlet in Cleveland Bay, where the CBD’s skyline is dominated by the distinctive Castle Hill and Magnetic Island lies just eight kilometres offshore.
Our local government area covers 3,736 square kilometres (0.2% of the total area of the State of Queensland), and is currently experiencing rapid residential development through the Northern Beaches growth corridor.
Our Environment
Townsville lies in the Burdekin Dry Tropics Region, which covers approximately 95,000 square kilometres and includes Bowen, Ayr and Charters Towers.
In the low lying coastal plain there are a number of rivers, creeks and freshwater wetlands. Hills and mountains rise out of the coastal plan, creating distinctive landmarks such as Castle Hill. The long coastline features beaches, mangrove estuaries, saltpans and coastal swamps. These natural habitats support a wide range of flora and fauna including: 53 mammal species; a large number of reptiles and amphibians including land snakes, estuarine crocodiles, and a diverse range of lizard and frog species; and at least 365 bird species. Endangered, vulnerable and rare species are also found, including mahogany gliders, dugong and cassowaries.
National parks and other reserves include Magnetic Island, Paluma Range, and Bowling Green Bay National Parks; and the Cape Pallarenda and Townsville Town Common Conservation Parks. Our region is partly within and adjoins the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and the Queensland State Marine Park.
