Median house price
—
No data available
QLD · Cairns Council
Smithfield, 4878
Est. population · Jun 2025
7,925
Growth (1 yr)
+2.6%
Growth (5 yr)
+19.3%
Median age
34
Median income
$1,840/wk
Employment rate
63.8%
Languages at home
18.3%non-English
Most common: Mandarin, Punjabi, Japanese
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- High desirability
- Green suburb
- National parks
- Dog friendly
- Café precinct
Suburb profile
Smithfield sits in Cairns Council as a regional mid-sized suburb that feels self-contained and a long way from big-city bustle. Neighbouring centres cover more of the weekly rhythm than the distant capital does. Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with plenty of young families in the mix.
Local shops, markets and community spots keep everyday life grounded in the town itself. Green space punches above what many regional towns offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Everyday errands are walkable, and buses keep the wider city within easy reach.
Housing is expensive relative to much of the state. A growing community is gradually adding fresh energy without losing its local identity.
The desirability picture is excellent, powered mainly by schools and education, plus local dining and lifestyle amenities relative to similar regional towns.
At a glance
Smithfield snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$685/wk
Population (ERP)
7,925
+2.6% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
5.5%
Census unoccupied dwellings
Livability profile
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#1
among Country & regional · Growth area
Safety
62nd
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
85th
percentile in QLD
Advantage (IRSAD)
7/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
67th
percentile among schools with ICSEA
Population growth
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Housing mix
Dwelling types from the 2021 Census
Risks & flags
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Living here
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
- Desirability score
- 75.0/100 — Excellent
- State standing
- Top 3% of Queensland's suburbs
- National rank
- 60th in Australia
- State rank
- 32nd in QLD
- Peer rank
- #1 among Country & regional · Growth area suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #3 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 77%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- All types (Mar 2026)
- $685
Median weekly rent from Queensland RTA rental bond data. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- RTA bond statistics — Residential Tenancies Authority (Queensland) · Mar 2026 · Updated · Quarterly releases
Population
Estimated resident population
7,925(June 2025)
+2.6% annual · +19.3% over 5 years · 85th percentile in QLD
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +2.6%
- 5-year growth
- +19.3%
- Change in 1 year
- +199
- Change in 5 years
- +1,280
- Growth rank in QLD
- 85th percentile
ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.
Methodology
Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.
The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~9,700), extrapolated at +4.1% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 6,664
- Median age
- 34
- Median household income / week
- $1,840
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5.5%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 134 of 2,446
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,755
- Employment rate
- 63.8%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 2,103 / 62 / 138
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
- Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries
Community & culture
No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
Reported offences are running lower than the same point last year.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2026 to Aug 2026)
- 389
- Against the person
- 62
- Against property
- 225
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 49.1
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 107 residents
- State safety percentile
- 62.3th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate, partial year)
- -3.2%
Most common offence types
- Assault75
- Drug Offences79
- Other Theft (Excl. Unlawful Entry)187
- Traffic And Related Offences91
- Unlawful Entry142
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- QPS Online Crime Map — Queensland Police Service · Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 → Jan 2026 to Aug 2026; Jan 2026 to Aug 2026 · Updated · Calendar-year aggregates
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 3
- Median school ICSEA (3 schools)
- 1,046
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 67th
School list
- Newman Catholic CollegeSecondary · Catholic · ICSEA 1046 · 67th percentile · LBOTE 8% · 625 students · Top SEA quarter 19% · 0.8 km awayView on My School →
- Tropical North Learning Academy - Smithfield State High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 983 · 39th percentile · LBOTE 20% · 1,135 students · Top SEA quarter 10% · 1.6 km awayView on My School →
- Holy Cross SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1058 · 71th percentile · LBOTE 12% · 572 students · Top SEA quarter 24% · 1.7 km awayView on My School →
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Childcare
3 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- Marlin Coast Day Carechildcare
- Milestones Early Learningkindergarten
- kindergartenkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Amenities
177 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 restaurants · 5 cafes · 1 pubs · 1 bars · 3 supermarkets · 1 pharmacies · 4 fast food · 2 libraries
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Highly walkable for everyday errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 15 parks mapped in suburb, 5 playgrounds nearby
- Reasonable bus and transport access — 11 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 12 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 81/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0.75
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 1.8
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 2.25
Food & drink(12)
- JCUSA barBar
- Cafe (2)
- Great Barrier Reef FoodCafe
- JCUSA refectoryCafe
- Teddy EspressoCafe
- Domino'sFast food
Captain Cook Highway
- Guzman y GomezFast food
- Kebab HouseFast food
- Splashes Fish & ChipsFast food
- Smithfield TavernPub
- Tryst Desert BarRestaurant
Shopping(4)
- ColesSupermarket
- Dan Murphy'sSupermarket
- SparSupermarket
Community(8)
- Marlin Coast Day CareChildcare
- Cairns Mountain Bike Club BaseCommunity centre
- Northern Beaches Scout GroupCommunity centre
- Kindergarten
- Milestones Early LearningKindergarten
- James Cook University libraryLibrary
- Smithfield LibraryLibrary
- Newman Catholic CollegeSchool
Health & services(7)
- The Relaxing DentistDentist
- North Qld X-Ray ServicesMedical clinic
- Smithfield Care ClinicMedical clinic
- TerryWhite ChemmartPharmacy
- Beachside Veterinary HospitalVeterinary
- Greencross VetsVeterinary
- Northern Beaches Veterinary ClinicVeterinary
Sport & outdoors(22)
- Dog park (2)
- Maxenergy FitnessGym
- Hockey Avenue ReservePark
- Information ParkPark
1073 Captain Cook Highway
- Oakville Parade ParkPark
- Park (5)
- Rainy Mountain ParkPark
- Tom Dooley ParkPark
- Playground (5)
- MTB Slopestyle TracksSports field
- Pump TrackSports field
- Sports field
- Marlin Coast Bicentennial PoolSwimming pool
Entertainment(2)
- Event CinemasCinema
- Viewpoint
Transport(11)
11 bus stops
Other(60)
- BWSAlcohol
- Life ChiropracticAlternative
- ArcadexAmusement Arcade
- A J Hackett BungyAttraction
- Skypark Cairns by AJ HackettAttraction
- Bbq (2)
- Evolution BeatyBeauty salon
- The Wax RoomBeauty salon
- Bench (8)
- Bicycle
- Bicycle Parking (2)
- JCUBicycle Parking
- JCU bookshopBooks
- James Cook University Bus StationBus Station
- Cairns Family Therapy
- Battery StoreCar Parts
- Northern Mechanical & BatteriesCar repair
- Avanti CarwashCar wash
10 Maisel Close
- Lifeline ShopCharity
- The Salvation ArmyCharity
- VinniesCharity
- Get That GeekComputer
- KmartDepartment Store
- Drinking water
- Crankworx CairnsEvents Venue
- Smithfield Fire StationFire station
- Watergardens NurseryGarden Centre
1055 Captain Cook Highway
- BullsnipsHairdresser
- MLB HairHairdresser
- Snip of ClassHairdresser
- Total ToolsHardware
- Information
- Laundry
- Smithfield LaundromatLaundry
- Smithfield Shopping CentreMall
- Stanton PlaceMall
2-4 Stanton Road
- Music
- JCUParking
- Parking (34)
- Parking Space
- 7-ElevenPetrol station
- BPPetrol station
- Cairns Innovative PhysiotherapyPhysiotherapist
- Picnic Table (3)
- North Queensland PodiatryPodiatrist
- Australia PostPost Box
- Public toilets
- Containers For Change SmithfieldRecycling
101 McGregor Road
- Sullivan Nicolaides PathologySample Collection
- Shelter (5)
- Eureka Cascade Gardens CairnsSocial Facility
17 Mount Milman Drive
- Big Blue Self StorageStorage Rental
- Cairns Beaches StorageStorage Rental
- TelstraTelephone
- Track
- James Cook UniversityUniversity
14-88 McGregor Road
- Vending machine (4)
- Waste Basket (2)
- First Aid TrainingYes
- NQ Sheds and PatiosYes
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Parks & reserves
7 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Hockey Avenue ReservePark
- Information ParkPark
- Kennedy ParkPark
- Oakville Parade ParkPark
- Rainy Mountain ParkPark
- Tom Dooley ParkPark
- Yumbabulla Green PlaygroundPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 27
- Parks (OSM)
- 15
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 13
- Nearest hospital
- Cairns North Community Health Facility (11.1 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- Not in suburb
- Alive Pharmacy SmithfieldPharmacy
- Cairns Innovative PhysiotherapyPhysiotherapist
- Cairns_Family_TherapyCairns_Family_Therapy
- Life ChiropracticAlternative
- North Qld X-Ray ServicesDoctor
- North Queensland PodiatryPodiatrist
- QLD X-rayClinic
- Queensland X-RayRadiology
- Smithfield Care ClinicDoctor
- Smithfield Central DoctorsMount Milman DriveDoctor
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 174
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 22.0
Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.
For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.
Data sources & freshness
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
Weather
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 31° / 25°
- Rainfall
- 1,038 mm · ~90 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 29° / 24°
- Rainfall
- 925 mm · ~92 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 25° / 20°
- Rainfall
- 164 mm · ~20 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 28° / 22°
- Rainfall
- 188 mm · ~24 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated
Future & Planning
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via Queensland Bushfire Prone Area mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated
Politics & representation
- Federal electorate
- Leichhardt
- Member of Parliament
- Matt SMITH (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 122,757
- Turnout (2025)
- 83.0%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +9.5 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 43.9%Labor 56.1%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 6.0 km away).
Coalition 36.2%Labor 63.8%
7.7 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +10.1 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- SmithfieldLabor 68.5% · Coalition 31.6% TPP (2025)0.8 km away
- Trinity ParkLabor 56.9% · Coalition 43.1% TPP (2025)1.3 km away
- CaravonicaLabor 55.0% · Coalition 45.0% TPP (2025)2.8 km away
- Trinity BeachLabor 57.9% · Coalition 42.1% TPP (2025)3.1 km away
- Yorkeys KnobLabor 57.8% · Coalition 42.2% TPP (2025)3.4 km away
Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.
Data sources & freshness
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 7/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 7/10
ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?
IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.
IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.
A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
This suburb ranks highly for
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
More in Cairns Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
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Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Queensland.