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Cooktown, Australia

Queensland · Australia

Cooktown is a small town in Queensland, Australia with a population of 3,173. Elevation: 39 ft (12 m). Average temperature: 78°F (25°C).

Data updated June 2026

3.0 /5.0
B Good
3,173 Population 2/sq mi density
39 ft Elevation 12 meters
78°F Avg Temperature 25°C
76.2 in Annual Rain
Australia / Brisbane Timezone
$22,916 Median Income
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.6 / 5.0
$22,916 median income, 5.5% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.5 / 5.0
$129,600 home value, $648/mo rent

Discover Cooktown, Australia

Explore over 40 sections covering people, economy, housing, health, crime, climate, community, costs, trends, schools, colleges, hospitals, treatment centers, industries, museums, libraries, breweries, farmers markets, grocery stores, pharmacies, campgrounds, parks, trails, stadiums, ski resorts, daycare centers, nursing homes, churches, fire stations, cell towers, bridges, power plants, EV stations, prisons, radio stations, airports, police stations, post offices, Amtrak stations, superfund sites, UNESCO sites, and more.
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Full City Profile

About Cooktown

Cooktown

Cooktown is a coastal town and locality in the Shire of Cook, Queensland, Australia. Cooktown is at the mouth of the Endeavour River, on Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland where James Cook beached his ship, the Endeavour, for repairs in 1770. Both the town and Mount Cook which rises up behind the town were named after James Cook.

People

Population3,173
Median Age44.0 yrs
Density2/mi²

Economy

C+
Median Income$22,916
Per Capita$22,916
Unemployment5.5%

Housing

B
Home Value$129,600
Rent$648
Ownership60.8%
Housing Units1,269

Climate

Avg Temp78°F (25°C)
Rain76.2 in/yr
Sunny Days212/yr
Elevation39 ft (12 m)
Population3,173
Population Density2 / sq mi
Elevation39 ft (12 m)
Coordinates-15.4657°, 145.2498°
TimezoneAustralia/Brisbane
Country🇦🇺 Australia
State / ProvinceQueensland
Average Temperature78°F (25°C)
January Average82°F (28°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Annual Precipitation76.2 inches (1,935 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)
Median Household Income$22,916
Median Age44.0 years

About Cooktown

Cooktown is a small town in Australia (Queensland) with a population of 3,173. The city sits at an elevation of 39 feet (12 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 78°F (25°C). Temperatures range from 82°F in January to 72°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 76.2 inches. The timezone is Australia/Brisbane.

Cooktown has a population of 3,173 with a density of 2 people per square mile, spread across 1,670.9 square miles. The median age is 44.0 years, 13% older than the national median of 38.9.

Population

3,173
Total Population
2
People / sq mi
44.0yrs
Median Age
13% above Australia avg
1,670.9mi²
Land Area

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages 100.0%

Social Characteristics

Cooktown vs Australia Average

The median household income in Cooktown is $22,916, which is 70% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $22,916 (below the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $441, 69% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 5.5% (above the 3.6% US average). The area has 301 business establishments.

Income: Cooktown vs Australia

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$22,916
70% below Australia avg
Per Capita Income$22,916
Avg Weekly Wage$441

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.5%
53% above Australia avg
Establishments (County)301

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

The median home value in Cooktown is $129,600, 54% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $648 (44% below the national average of $1,163). 60.8% of housing units are owner-occupied. There are 1,269 total housing units in the city. The home price-to-income ratio is 5.7x, above the traditionally affordable threshold of 3-4x.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$129,600
54% below Australia avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$648
44% below Australia avg

Ownership & Property

Homeownership60.8%
Owner-Occupied60.8%
Renter-Occupied39.2%
Housing Units1,269

Property Tax

Climate in Cooktown

Cooktown has an average annual temperature of 25.8°C (78°F). The hottest month is Dec (28.6°C), the coldest is Jul (22.2°C). Average annual precipitation is 1461 mm.

Month Avg °C / °F Min / Max °C Rain (mm)
Jan 28.1°C / 83°F 24.3° / 31.9° 298.8
Feb 28.2°C / 83°F 24.3° / 32° 366.6
Mar 27.2°C / 81°F 23.9° / 30.6° 342.1
Apr 26.1°C / 79°F 23° / 29.2° 101.2
May 24.4°C / 76°F 21.2° / 27.7° 23.3
Jun 22.6°C / 73°F 18.8° / 26.3° 32.2
Jul 22.2°C / 72°F 18° / 26.3° 22.2
Aug 22.5°C / 73°F 17.9° / 27.2° 11.4
Sep 25°C / 77°F 21.2° / 28.8° 8.3
Oct 26.5°C / 80°F 22.6° / 30.4° 30.7
Nov 27.8°C / 82°F 23.9° / 31.8° 49.2
Dec 28.6°C / 83°F 24.6° / 32.6° 175.3
Cooktown has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 78°F (25°C). Winters average 82°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 212 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 76.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 39 feet, near sea level.

Temperature

82°F Jan (28°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average77.6°F
44% above Australia avg
January Average82°F (28°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days212 days/yr

Geography

Elevation39 ft (12 m)
Area1,670.9 sq mi (4,327.7 km²)
Population Density2/sq mi
Coordinates-15.4657°N, 145.2498°W
TimezoneAustralia/Brisbane

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 76.2"
100% above Australia avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Feb) 16.06"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.91"

Air Quality

Hurricane History

15 hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 500 km since 1980. Strongest: Category 5. Most recent: Narelle (2026).

Year Name Category Closest
2026 Narelle Category 4 205 km
2021 Niran Category 1 291 km
2019 Trevor Category 3 289 km
2015 Nathan Category 3 79 km
2014 Ita Category 5 27 km
2011 Yasi Category 4 282 km
2009 Hamish Category 2 178 km
2006 Larry Category 4 229 km
2006 Monica Category 2 285 km
2005 Ingrid Category 4 209 km
1998 Nathan Category 1 153 km
1991 Joy Category 2 161 km
1990 Ivor Category 1 152 km
1986 Winifred Category 2 253 km
1986 Manu Category 1 222 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Cat 1+, 1980–2026)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 82°F (28°C) 14.5 in
February 81°F (27°C) 16.1 in Wettest
March 80°F (27°C) 15.4 in
April 79°F (26°C) 9.5 in
May 76°F (24°C) 4.4 in
June 73°F (23°C) 1.4 in
July 72°F (22°C) 0.9 in Coldest, Driest
August 73°F (23°C) 0.9 in
September 76°F (24°C) 1.0 in
October 78°F (26°C) 1.5 in
November 81°F (27°C) 3.1 in
December 82°F (28°C) 7.5 in Warmest

Cooktown has a seasonal temperature swing of 10°F / from 72°F in July to 82°F in December. Total annual precipitation is 76.2 inches, with February being the wettest month (16.1") and July the driest (0.9").

View full weather details →

Schools in Cooktown

2 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Cooktown State School
Endeavour Christian College
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Cooktown

0 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality

Museums in Cooktown

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
James Cook Museum

Libraries in Cooktown

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Cooktown Library0.0
Hope Vale Indigenous Knowledge Centre0.0

Hotels in Cooktown

1 hotels within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Cooktown Hotel

Restaurants in Cooktown

3 restaurants within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Cook's Landing Kiosk
Jackey Jackey Thai
Shipwreck Bar & Cafe

Cafes in Cooktown

3 cafes within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Botanic Gardens Cafe
Cooktown Cafe
Driftwood Cafe

Gas Stations in Cooktown

2 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

AU #94749307
Caltex Cooktown

Golf Courses in Cooktown

1 golf courses within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Cooktown Country Golf Club

Airports Near Cooktown

6 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Cooktown AirportCTNMedium Airport
Bloomfield River AirportBFCSmall Airport
Cape Flattery AirportCQPSmall Airport
Helenvale AirportHLVSmall Airport
Hope Vale AirportHPESmall Airport
Lakeland AirportLKDSmall Airport

UNESCO World Heritage Sites Near Cooktown

1 UNESCO sites.

SiteCategoryYear
Wet Tropics of QueenslandNatural1988

Churches & Religious Organizations in Cooktown

1 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
Kingdom Hall

Explore Near Cooktown

Waterfalls
2
Natural waterfalls documented by USGS and OpenStreetMap contributors
View all →

Quick Facts

Timezone
Australia/Brisbane

🇦🇺 About Australia

Capital Canberra
Population 24,992,369
Area 7,686,850 km²
GDP (USD) $1,734,451,264,656
GDP per capita $65,058
HDI 0.946
Life expectancy 83.1 years
Internet users 97.1%
Urban population 87.5%
Currency AUD (Dollar)
Languages English
Calling code +61
TLD .au
Driving side left

UNESCO World Heritage Sites Near Cooktown

Wet Tropics of Queensland
Natural · inscribed 1988
This area, which stretches along the north-east coast of Australia for some 450 km, is made up largely of tropical rainforests. This biotope offers a particularly extensive and varied array of plants, as well as marsupials and singing birds, along with other r...

Public Holidays in Australia

25 public holidays this year

Date Holiday Local Name
Jan 1 New Year's Day New Year's Day
Jan 26 Australia Day Australia Day
Mar 2 Labour Day Labour Day
Mar 9 Adelaide Cup Day Adelaide Cup Day
Mar 9 Canberra Day Canberra Day
Mar 9 Eight Hours Day Eight Hours Day
Mar 9 Labour Day Labour Day
Apr 3 Good Friday Good Friday
Apr 4 Holy Saturday Easter Eve
Apr 5 Easter Sunday Easter Sunday
Apr 6 Easter Monday Easter Monday
Apr 25 Anzac Day Anzac Day
Apr 27 Anzac Day Anzac Day
May 4 Labour Day Labour Day
May 4 May Day May Day
Jun 1 Reconciliation Day Reconciliation Day
Jun 1 Western Australia Day Western Australia Day
Jun 8 King's Birthday King's Birthday
Aug 3 Picnic Day Picnic Day
Sep 28 King's Birthday King's Birthday
Oct 5 King's Birthday King's Birthday
Oct 5 Labour Day Labour Day
Nov 3 Melbourne Cup Melbourne Cup
Dec 25 Christmas Day Christmas Day
Dec 28 St. Stephen's Day Boxing Day

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Frequently Asked Questions About Cooktown

What is the population of Cooktown?

Cooktown has a population of 3,173 residents and is located in Australia. The population density is 2 people per square mile, spread across 1,670.9 square miles. The median age of residents is 44.0 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years.

Is Cooktown expensive to live in?

The median household income is $22,916, 70% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $129,600 (54% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $648 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 5.7x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.

What is the weather like in Cooktown?

Cooktown has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 78°F (25°C). Winter temperatures average 82°F in January, while summers reach an average of 72°F in July. The area receives 212 sunny days per year. Annual rainfall totals 76.2 inches.

How is the job market in Cooktown?

The unemployment rate in Cooktown is 5.5%, somewhat above the national average of 3.6%. Job seekers may face moderate competition. The average weekly wage is $441. There are 301 business establishments in the area.

How much does housing cost in Cooktown?

The median home value in Cooktown is $129,600. For renters, the median monthly rent is $648. The homeownership rate is 60.8%.

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