The Shire of Etheridge is a local government area in Far North Queensland, Australia in what is known as the Savannah Gulf region. Its economy is based on cattle grazing and mining.

It covers an area of 39,199 square kilometres (15,134.8 sq mi), and has existed as a local government entity since 1882.

In the 2021 census, the Shire of Etheridge had a population of 714 people.

History

The Einasleigh Division was created on 11 November 1879 as one of 74 divisions around Queensland under the Divisional Boards Act 1879 with a population of 720. In 1891 it was reported that the divisional board had made no progress, perhaps because it covered a large area that was sparsely settled.

With the passage of the Local Authorities Act 1902, Einasleigh Division became the Shire of Einasleigh on 31 March 1903.

On 15 March 1919, it was renamed Shire of Etheridge.

Towns and localities

The Shire of Etheridge includes the following settlements:

• Georgetown
• Einasleigh
• Forsayth
• Gilbert River
• Mount Surprise
• Abingdon Downs
• Conjuboy
• Gilberton
• Lyndhurst
• Northhead
• Strathmore
• Talaroo

Former towns and localities

The Etheridge Shire had many mines in the late 1800s. This gave rise to a number of communities that no longer exist today:

• Cumberland
• Kidston

Amenities

The Etheridge Shire Council operate a public library at Georgetown.

Demographics

Year	Population	Notes
1933	1,085
1947	860
1954	815
1961	828
1966	936
1971	974
1976	940
1981	1,010
1986	1,210
1991	1,377
1996	1,273
2001 census	1,431
2006 census	851
2011 census	893
2016 census	799
2021 census	714

Chairmen and mayors

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (November 2017)

• 1888: C. Battersby 
• 1927: W. H. G. Gard 
• 2008–2012: Warren Devlin 
• 2012–2016: William Attwood 
• 2016–2020: Warren Devlin 
• 2020–present: Barry Gilbert Hughes