Earlville

QLD 4870 • Rest of QLD

4,200
Population (2021)
$36,400
Median Income
3.53 km²
Area
$290/wk
Median Rent
Family-FriendlySuburbanTropicalShopping HubCairns

About Earlville

Earlville is a well-established residential suburb of Cairns, located approximately 5 kilometres southwest of the Cairns CBD in Far North Queensland. With a population of around 4,200 residents as of the 2021 census, Earlville is a medium-density suburban area that blends older Queenslander-style homes with modern housing. The suburb falls within the Cairns Regional Council local government area and enjoys a tropical climate characteristic of the region, with warm, humid summers and mild dry winters. Earlville is one of Cairns' most convenient inner-ring suburbs, offering strong connectivity to the city centre.

A major drawcard of Earlville is the Cairns Central Shopping Centre—one of the region's largest retail hubs—along with a range of cafes, services, and parklands. The suburb has 13 parks covering nearly 4.3% of its total area, making it a pleasant environment for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Several well-regarded schools, including Cairns State High School, are nearby, and the suburb is well-served by Cairns Transit bus routes connecting it to the CBD and wider region. Earlville attracts a diverse mix of residents including families, retirees, and professionals who value its proximity to both the city and natural attractions like the Wet Tropics rainforest and Great Barrier Reef.

Earlville falls under postcode 4870 and is governed by Cairns Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Cairns electorate.

📍 Location

State
Postcode
4870
Urban Area
Cairns - West
LGA / Council
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-16.95°, 145.73°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
3.53 km²
Elevation
24m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Sunbus Route 1,Route 1A — Cairns CBD / Northern Beaches ~15 min to CBD
  • Sunbus Route 6 — Earlville / Westcourt loop ~10 min to CBD

Commute to Cairns CBD

Distance
5 km
By Train
N/A – Cairns has no urban rail network
By Bus
~15 min via Sunbus services
By Car (Peak)
10–15 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
8–10 min

🛣️ Cairns does not have a metropolitan rail network. Bus is the main public transport option. Cycling is viable given the flat terrain and tropical climate.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Cairns Central Shopping Centre and local amenities are within walking distance for many residents. Flat terrain makes cycling and walking practical for shorter trips.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Stockland Shopping Centre Mulgrave Road Earlville 4870 QLD

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$290
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,500
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
44 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
9%

117 state housing + 40 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
4,030
Census 2021
4,200
4.2% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$30,888
Income 2021
$36,400
17.8% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,896
Born Overseas 916

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 135
  • 2. New Zealand 115
  • 3. Papua New Guinea 67
  • 4. Philippines 66
  • 5. Japan 40
  • 6. South Korea 40
  • 7. India 37
  • 8. China 29
  • 9. Scotland 26
  • 10. Germany 23

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,449
Australian 1,170
Irish 504
Scottish 405
Australian Aboriginal 337
German 196
Italian 157
Chinese 108
Filipino 93
Korean 53

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,124
Both parents born in Australia
1,136
Both parents born overseas
530
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
49.2%
No Religion
36.7%
Buddhism
1.6%
Hinduism
0.9%
Islam
0.4%
Sikhism
0.3%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
202 (4.8%)
5-14 years
481 (11.5%)
15-19 years
221 (5.3%)
20-24 years
213 (5.1%)
25-34 years
525 (12.5%)
35-44 years
501 (11.9%)
45-54 years
571 (13.6%)
55-64 years
483 (11.5%)
65-74 years
450 (10.7%)
75-84 years
373 (8.9%)
85+ years
180 (4.3%)

Nearby Suburbs