Cairns Population 2026
Cairns has a population of 153,075, making it the #16 biggest city in 🇦🇺 Australia, located in Queensland. Roughly 0.6% of Australia's population lives here. It is about 37× smaller than Sydney, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
153,075
Rank in Australia
#16
Coordinates
16.92°S, 145.77°E
~7 m elevation · Australia/Brisbane
Distance to capital (Canberra)
2,069 km
1,285 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Queensland
| City | Population | Rank in Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Brisbane | 2,780,063 | #3 |
| Gold Coast | 640,778 | #6 |
| Sunshine Coast | 398,840 | #8 |
| Logan City | 345,098 | #11 |
| Townsville | 201,313 | #15 |
| Toowoomba | 142,163 | #17 |
| Caloundra | 96,305 | #22 |
| Mackay | 84,333 | #26 |
Cities near Cairns
- Townsville201,313 people · ~283 km away
- Mackay84,333 people · ~591 km away
- Mount Isa18,317 people · ~783 km away
- Rockhampton81,021 people · ~872 km away
- Gladstone45,185 people · ~959 km away
- Bundaberg73,747 people · ~1,116 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Cairns?
Cairns has a population of 153,075 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #16 biggest city in Australia.
What region is Cairns in?
Cairns is located in Queensland, Australia.
Is Cairns the capital of Australia?
No, the capital of Australia is Canberra, about 2,069 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.
← All biggest cities in Australia · Australia population by year