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Palm Island, Australia

Queensland · Australia

Palm Island is a small town in Queensland, Australia with a population of 2,516. Elevation: 20 ft (6 m). Average temperature: 74°F (23°C).

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
2,516 Population 1/sq mi density
20 ft Elevation 6 meters
74°F Avg Temperature 23°C
72.8 in Annual Rain
Australia / Brisbane Timezone
$12,979 Median Income
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
D
Economy
1.9 / 5.0
$12,979 median income, 9.5% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.6 / 5.0
$70,400 home value, $352/mo rent

Discover Palm Island, 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 Palm Island

Palm Island

Palm Island is a locality consisting of an island group of 16 islands, split between the Shire of Hinchinbrook and the Aboriginal Shire of Palm Island, in Queensland, Australia. The locality coincides with the geographical entity known as the Palm Island group, also known as the Greater Palm group, originally named the Palm Isles.

People

Population2,516
Median Age27.0 yrs
Density1/mi²

Economy

D
Median Income$12,979
Per Capita$12,979
Unemployment9.5%

Housing

B+
Home Value$70,400
Rent$352
Ownership1.7%
Housing Units1,006

Climate

Avg Temp74°F (23°C)
Rain72.8 in/yr
Sunny Days213/yr
Elevation20 ft (6 m)
Population2,516
Population Density1 / sq mi
Elevation20 ft (6 m)
Coordinates-18.7357°, 146.5779°
TimezoneAustralia/Brisbane
Country🇦🇺 Australia
State / ProvinceQueensland
Average Temperature74°F (23°C)
January Average80°F (27°C)
July Average66°F (19°C)
Annual Precipitation72.8 inches (1,849 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)
Median Household Income$12,979
Median Age27.0 years

About Palm Island

Palm Island is a small town in Australia (Queensland) with a population of 2,516. The city sits at an elevation of 20 feet (6 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 74°F (23°C). Temperatures range from 80°F in January to 66°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 72.8 inches. The timezone is Australia/Brisbane.

Palm Island has a population of 2,516 with a density of 1 people per square mile, spread across 2,360.5 square miles. The median age is 27.0 years, 31% younger than the national median of 38.9.

Population

2,516
Total Population
1
People / sq mi
27.0yrs
Median Age
31% below Australia avg
2,360.5mi²
Land Area

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages 100.0%

Social Characteristics

Palm Island vs Australia Average

The median household income in Palm Island is $12,979, which is 83% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $12,979 (below the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $250, 83% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 9.5% (above the 3.6% US average). The area has 239 business establishments.

Income: Palm Island vs Australia

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$12,979
83% below Australia avg
Per Capita Income$12,979
Avg Weekly Wage$250

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment9.5%
164% above Australia avg
Establishments (County)239

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

The median home value in Palm Island is $70,400, 75% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $352 (70% below the national average of $1,163). 1.7% of housing units are owner-occupied (below the 65.4% national rate). There are 1,006 total housing units in the city. The home price-to-income ratio is 5.4x, above the traditionally affordable threshold of 3-4x.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$70,400
75% below Australia avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$352
70% below Australia avg

Ownership & Property

Homeownership1.7%
Owner-Occupied1.7%
Renter-Occupied98.3%
Housing Units1,006

Property Tax

Climate in Palm Island

Palm Island has an average annual temperature of 24.8°C (77°F). The hottest month is Feb (27.9°C), the coldest is Jul (20.6°C). Average annual precipitation is 1066 mm.

Month Avg °C / °F Min / Max °C Rain (mm)
Jan 27.8°C / 82°F 25.4° / 30.2° 188.8
Feb 27.9°C / 82°F 25.4° / 30.4° 229.1
Mar 27.2°C / 81°F 24.9° / 29.6° 183.7
Apr 25.8°C / 78°F 23.7° / 27.8° 95.3
May 23.5°C / 74°F 21.4° / 25.6° 63.8
Jun 21.6°C / 71°F 19.5° / 23.8° 26.2
Jul 20.6°C / 69°F 18.4° / 22.9° 20.5
Aug 21.4°C / 71°F 18.9° / 23.8° 21.7
Sep 23.2°C / 74°F 20.8° / 25.5° 39.9
Oct 24.9°C / 77°F 23° / 26.8° 33.0
Nov 26.2°C / 79°F 24.4° / 28.1° 84.2
Dec 27.5°C / 82°F 25.5° / 29.5° 79.5
Palm Island has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 74°F (23°C). Winters average 80°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 213 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 72.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 20 feet, near sea level.

Temperature

80°F Jan (27°C) 66°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average73.7°F
36% above Australia avg
January Average80°F (27°C)
July Average66°F (19°C)
Sunny Days213 days/yr

Geography

Elevation20 ft (6 m)
Area2,360.5 sq mi (6,113.6 km²)
Population Density1/sq mi
Coordinates-18.7357°N, 146.5779°W
TimezoneAustralia/Brisbane

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 72.8"
92% above Australia avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Feb) 17.87"
Driest Month (Jul) 1.42"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

3 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.8. Most recent: M4.1 on Mar 1, 2025.

Aug 11, 2003 65 km ENE of Palm Island, Australia M4.8 66 km
Mar 1, 2025 0 km SE of Kelso, Australia M4.1 75 km
Jul 28, 2006 139 km ENE of Palm Island, Australia M3.9 140 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Hurricane History

9 hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 500 km since 1980. Strongest: Category 4. Most recent: Debbie (2017).

Year Name Category Closest
2017 Debbie Category 4 253 km
2011 Yasi Category 4 106 km
2010 Ului Category 1 251 km
2009 Hamish Category 4 245 km
2006 Larry Category 4 137 km
1996 Celeste Category 1 187 km
1991 Joy Category 2 212 km
1989 Aivu Category 4 131 km
1986 Winifred Category 2 136 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Cat 1+, 1980–2026)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 80°F (27°C) 11.3 in Warmest
February 80°F (26°C) 17.9 in Wettest
March 78°F (26°C) 11.6 in
April 75°F (24°C) 7.2 in
May 72°F (22°C) 4.1 in
June 68°F (20°C) 2.5 in
July 66°F (19°C) 1.4 in Coldest, Driest
August 67°F (19°C) 2.2 in
September 70°F (21°C) 1.5 in
October 73°F (23°C) 2.1 in
November 77°F (25°C) 4.1 in
December 79°F (26°C) 7.1 in

Palm Island has a seasonal temperature swing of 14°F / from 66°F in July to 80°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 72.8 inches, with February being the wettest month (17.9") and July the driest (1.4").

View full weather details →

Colleges & Universities in Palm Island

Institution Type Founded Website
Orpheus Island Research Station University Visit →

Schools in Palm Island

2 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Saint Michaels School
Bwgcolman Community School
View full schools details →

Libraries in Palm Island

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Bwgcolman Indigenous Knowledge Center0.0

Airports Near Palm Island

8 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Townsville Airport / RAAF Base TownsvilleTSVMedium Airport
Battery Downs AirportSmall Airport
Bluewater park AirstripSmall Airport
Dallachy(Cardwell) AerodromeSmall Airport
Ingham AirportIGHSmall Airport
Lavarack (Military) AirportSmall Airport
Palm Island AirportPMKSmall Airport
Paluma AirstripSmall Airport

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

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 Palm Island

What is the population of Palm Island?

Palm Island has a population of 2,516 residents and is located in Australia. The population density is 1 people per square mile, spread across 2,360.5 square miles. The median age of residents is 27.0 years, which is younger than the national median of 38.9 years.

Is Palm Island expensive to live in?

The median household income is $12,979, 83% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $70,400 (75% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $352 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 5.4x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.

What is the weather like in Palm Island?

Palm Island has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 74°F (23°C). Winter temperatures average 80°F in January, while summers reach an average of 66°F in July. The area receives 213 sunny days per year. Annual rainfall totals 72.8 inches.

How is the job market in Palm Island?

The job market in Palm Island faces challenges, with unemployment at 9.5% / significantly above the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $250. There are 239 business establishments in the area.

How much does housing cost in Palm Island?

The median home value in Palm Island is $70,400. For renters, the median monthly rent is $352. The homeownership rate is 1.7%.

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