TP Human Capital report shows Townsville population more than 200,000

It’s time to pop the champagne, Townsville has reached 200,000 residents according to a new report. Here’s how it has happened.

Townsville’s population has increased to more than 200,000 people.

It’s time to pop the champagne, Townsville has reached 200,000 residents, according to a new report based on Australian Bureau of Statistics data.

TB Human Capital has released its population report based on the statistics, with the numbers crunched to reveal the number of people living in the city is 201,433.

However, experts say while it is putting pressure on the rental market, it is not the only thing impacting housing availability in the region.

The report shows that in 2022-23, Townsville families were having more babies and overseas net migration had improved.

“The net result is a positive Townsville population growth rate but a slower performance compared to SEQ cities where, as expected, most of the domestic and international migration has been heading since the Covid-19 pandemic,” TP Human Capital managing director Clayton Cook said.

Clayton Cook. Picture: Josephine Carter.

The city’s population grew by 3299 (1.7 per cent) in the year to June 2023, this was lower in comparison to the rest of the state (2.7 per cent) and nationally (2.5 per cent).

This was made up of 1197 natural increases with 1693 from overseas arrivals, according to the report.

As a whole, the Townsville region has grown to 243,798 with the Burdekin reaching 17,020 (0.9 per cent), Charter Towers 12,013 (0.3 per cent), Hinchinbrook 11,118 (0.3 per cent) and Palm Island 2,214 (1.0 per cent).

The population of Mount Isa decreased by 0.5 per cent.

Regional economist Colin Dwyer said since Covid there had been much speculation about a large influx of new residents from the south.

“Its now clear how many people have moved north of Bundaberg and to Townsville Region,” he said.

Mr Dwyer added that it did not explain why the rental market had become “so tight”.

“There is certainly a solid flow of Boomerangers and VESPAS to Townsville but as expected there are other factors involved in the housing/rental crisis, such as rental dwelling sales by investors, family break ups requiring two homes, transfers of rental accommodation to short term accommodation and other factors.”

Mr Cook said poor access to rental properties was restricting the city’s ability to attract workers with “key skills”.

“RTA bonds continue to fall and investors are still selling or transferring their assets to the short term market,” he said.

“Fewer investment properties and investor sentiment adds pressure and complexity to a tight Townsville residential rental market.”

Housing availability in Townsville sits at 0.9 per cent as of March.

Originally published as TP Human Capital report shows Townsville population more than 200,000