🔍

Ingham

QLD 4850 • Rest of QLD

4,455
Population (2021)
$31,512
Median Income
41.62 km²
Area
$210/wk
Median Rent
RuralHistoricFamily-FriendlyMulticultural

About Ingham

Ingham is the main town and commercial hub of the Hinchinbrook Shire in North Queensland, situated approximately 110 kilometres north of Townsville in the Herbert River Valley. With a population of around 4,455 residents, it is one of the larger towns in the region and serves as an important service centre for the surrounding agricultural and rural communities. The area is renowned for its deep Italian heritage, with many families descending from Sicilian and Calabrian migrants who came to work the sugarcane fields in the early 20th century. This cultural history is celebrated each year at the Australian-Italian Festival.

Ingham's economy is strongly tied to the sugarcane industry, which has dominated the Herbert Valley for over a century. The town offers a relaxed North Queensland lifestyle with essential amenities including a hospital, schools, supermarkets, and sporting facilities. The surrounding landscape features the Wet Tropics rainforest and proximity to Wallaman Falls — the tallest single-drop waterfall in Australia. Median weekly household income sits at $1,028, reflecting the town's working-class and agricultural character, while affordable housing with a median weekly rent of $210 makes it an accessible base for families and workers alike.

Ingham falls under postcode 4850 and is governed by Hinchinbrook Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Hinchinbrook electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4850
Urban Area
Ingham
LGA / Council
Hinchinbrook
Federal Electorate
Kennedy
State Electorate
Hinchinbrook
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-18.65°, 146.15°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
41.62 km²
Elevation
17m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Greyhound, Trans North — Townsville / Cairns 1.5-2.5 hours

Commute to Townsville CBD

Distance
111 km
By Train
Infrequent rail service via Townsville
By Car (Peak)
80-90 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
75 min

🛣️ Primary access via Bruce Highway (A1)

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Town centre services are accessible on foot; outer areas require a vehicle

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Cnr Lannercost Street & McIlwraith Street Ingham 4850 QLD
  • Woolworths
    Ann Street Ingham 4850 QLD

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$210
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,083
Avg Household Size
2.1 people
Median Age
49 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
5.7%

65 state housing + 39 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
4,426
Census 2021
4,455
▲ 0.7% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$26,364
Income 2021
$31,512
▲ 19.5% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,608
Born Overseas 417

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. Italy 142
  • 2. Philippines 48
  • 3. England 44
  • 4. New Zealand 36
  • 5. Netherlands 16
  • 6. Papua New Guinea 14
  • 7. Germany 13
  • 8. United States 10
  • 9. Malta 9
  • 10. Canada 6

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 1,441
English 1,420
Italian 1,260
Irish 399
Australian Aboriginal 368
Scottish 344
German 130
Filipino 69
Spanish 52
Chinese 44

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,815
Both parents born in Australia
747
Both parents born overseas
482
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
67.4%
No Religion
22.2%
Buddhism
0.3%
Hinduism
0.1%
Islam
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
206 (4.6%)
5-14 years
494 (11.1%)
15-19 years
233 (5.2%)
20-24 years
222 (5.0%)
25-34 years
452 (10.1%)
35-44 years
398 (8.9%)
45-54 years
521 (11.7%)
55-64 years
647 (14.5%)
65-74 years
562 (12.6%)
75-84 years
466 (10.5%)
85+ years
254 (5.7%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ingham known for? +

Ingham is renowned for its Italian cultural heritage, with many residents descended from Sicilian and Calabrian migrants. It hosts the annual Australian-Italian Festival and is close to Wallaman Falls.

How far is Ingham from Townsville? +

Ingham is approximately 110 km north of Townsville, about a 75-90 minute drive via the Bruce Highway.

What is the median rent in Ingham? +

The median weekly rent in Ingham is $210 according to 2021 Census data, making it one of the more affordable towns in North Queensland.

What is the main industry in Ingham? +

Sugarcane farming is the dominant industry in Ingham and the Herbert River Valley, supported by tourism and local services.