[5] Townsville City takes its name from Robert Towns, a merchant and entrepreneur, who was a pioneer financial supporter of pastoral development around the Ross River area.

[2] Services of worship for members of the Baptist Church commenced in Townsville in January 1888 in rented premises.

In 1891 the Townsville Baptist Church bought the land and two cottages (at the rear of the allotment) from the original landholder, Duncan McVean, for £500.

[6] St Anne's Church of England Girls’ School opened on 1 January 1917 with an initial enrolment of 71 students in Walker Street (now occupied by the Townsville City Council centre, approx 19°15′31″S 146°48′52″E / 19.2585°S 146.8145°E / -19.2585; 146.8145 (St Anne's Church of England School for Girls (former))).

In 1953, the need for expand results in the purchase of 23 acres (9.3 ha) of land in Mundingburra, where the foundation stone was laid in 1956.

[1] The dominant land use in the Townsville CBD (Central Business District) is commercial but with a growing residential aspect.

Some companies that have offices in the CBD include Wilmar International, RID Insect Repellent, Suncorp Insurance, Adani Australia.

Townsville City is home to many regional offices of government organisations as well as many private companies, serving as a hub for northern Queensland.

As of 2020 some new projects include Flinders Lane,[22] a new home for the Australian Taxation Office[23] and recently completed is the Queensland Country Bank Stadium that opened 29 February 2020 with a concert by Elton John.

In coming years new projects under construction will include new offices for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority,[24] a new access stairway to Castle Hill,[25] and completion of the Townsville Courthouse upgrade.