🔍

Atherton

QLD 4883 • Rest of QLD

7,724
Population (2021)
$33,332
Median Income
94.05 km²
Area
$280/wk
Median Rent
RuralHistoricAffordableFamily-FriendlyScenic

About Atherton

Atherton is a rural town on the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland, approximately 80 kilometres south-west of Cairns. With a population of 7,724 at the 2021 census, it serves as the commercial hub of the Tablelands Region. Sitting at an elevation of 752 metres, Atherton enjoys a cooler climate than coastal Cairns, with lush green surroundings and rich volcanic soils.

The town offers a full range of services including supermarkets, schools, a hospital, and sporting facilities. The surrounding tablelands are known for dairy farming, maize, and tropical fruit production. Atherton attracts retirees, tree-changers, and families seeking an affordable, relaxed lifestyle with easy access to the World Heritage-listed rainforests and waterfalls of the region.

Atherton falls under postcode 4883 and is governed by Tablelands Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Hill electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4883
Urban Area
Atherton
LGA / Council
Tablelands
Federal Electorate
Kennedy
State Electorate
Hill
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-17.27°, 145.48°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
94.05 km²
Elevation
790m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Trans North — Cairns 1 hr 30 min
  • Trans North — Herberton / Ravenshoe 30-45 min
  • Local — Mareeba / Tolga 15-25 min

Commute to Cairns

Distance
80 km
By Bus
1 hr 30 min
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 15 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 10 min

🛣️ No rail service; most residents drive via Kennedy Highway to Cairns

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Town centre is walkable with shops and services clustered along the main street, but a car is needed for most activities.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Woolworths
    Atherton Shopping Village, 4 Cook Street Atherton 4883 QLD

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$280
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,300
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
46 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
6.4%

127 state housing + 71 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
7,331
Census 2021
7,724
▲ 5.4% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$27,456
Income 2021
$33,332
▲ 21.4% increase

Income Comparison

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 5,916
Born Overseas 1,052

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 220
  • 2. New Zealand 150
  • 3. Italy 65
  • 4. Philippines 61
  • 5. Germany 55
  • 6. Papua New Guinea 53
  • 7. India 44
  • 8. United States 40
  • 9. South Africa 29
  • 10. Netherlands 23

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 2,884
Australian 2,809
Irish 961
Scottish 804
Australian Aboriginal 631
Italian 557
German 443
Dutch 108
Chinese 77
Filipino 71

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

4,793
Both parents born in Australia
1,304
Both parents born overseas
864
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
48.3%
No Religion
38.4%
Buddhism
0.7%
Hinduism
0.4%
Sikhism
0.3%
Islam
0.2%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
347 (4.5%)
5-14 years
960 (12.4%)
15-19 years
473 (6.1%)
20-24 years
353 (4.6%)
25-34 years
893 (11.6%)
35-44 years
734 (9.5%)
45-54 years
923 (11.9%)
55-64 years
948 (12.3%)
65-74 years
1,063 (13.8%)
75-84 years
698 (9.0%)
85+ years
334 (4.3%)

Nearby Suburbs