Suburb in Tablelands

Atherton, QLD

Atherton had a population of 7,724 at the 2021 Census (+5.4% since 2016). Median age 46.0. Median weekly household income $1,099. Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. Census 2026 data arrives June 2027.

Atherton at a glance

What the 2021 Census says, compared with Queensland.

In Cairns

Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Atherton's population grew by 5.4% to 7,724, slower than Queensland as a whole (+9.6%). With a median age of 46.0, it is older than the QLD average (38.2). Children under 10 make up 10.2% of residents, and people aged 70 and over 20.4%.

37.8% of households rent, a larger share than the QLD average of 33.6%. 37.8% own their home outright. Flats and apartments are 6.9% of homes (12.5% across Queensland). The 2021 Census counted 3,094 households.

The median household earns $1,099 a week, below the QLD average of $1,676. Renters pay a median $278 a week, and households with a mortgage repay $1,326 a month.

15.1% of residents were born overseas, fewer than the QLD average of 24.1%. 6.7% use a language other than English at home. 43.3% report no religion, close to the QLD average (44.8%).

Key figures

2021 Census, Atherton beside QLD and Australia.

MeasureAthertonQLDAustralia
Population7,7245,156,15825,422,828
Growth since 2016+5.4%+9.6%+8.6%
Median age46.038.238.2
Households3,0941,869,4529,275,123
Flats and apartments6.9%12.5%14.3%
Renting37.8%33.6%31.1%
Owned outright37.8%29.5%31.4%
Median household income a week$1,099$1,676$1,747
Median rent a week$278$364$376
Median mortgage repayment a month$1,326$1,740$1,866
Born overseas15.1%24.1%29.3%
Other language at home6.7%14.1%23.6%
No religion43.3%44.8%41.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Population and age

Each census since 2011, and the age profile in 2021.

Population

+5.4% since 2016.

Population · each census
  1. 7,1112011
  2. 7,3312016
  3. 7,7242021

Age

Median age 46.0, against 38.2 for Queensland.

Atherton Queensland
Share of people by age, Atherton and Queensland
0–910.2%
10–1912.9%
20–2910.6%
30–3910.3%
40–4910.6%
50–5912.1%
60–6912.9%
70–7912.0%
80+8.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Cultural background

The largest groups in Atherton at the 2021 Census.

Ancestry

Top 5 · ancestry
  1. English41.2%
  2. Australian40.1%
  3. Irish13.7%
  4. Scottish11.5%
  5. Australian Aboriginal9.0%

Languages at home

Top 5 · languages at home
  1. Italian1.1%
  2. Australian Indigenous languages0.5%
  3. German0.5%
  4. Punjabi0.3%
  5. Filipino0.3%

Country of birth

Top 5 · country of birth
  1. England3.2%
  2. New Zealand2.2%
  3. Italy0.9%
  4. the Philippines0.9%
  5. Germany0.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Around Atherton

The places it belongs to, sits beside and contains.

Explore Atherton in Censible

Every census figure for Atherton, mapped and compared with any other place. A free account takes a minute.