Annandale, a residential suburb, is six km south-west of central Townsville and on the south bank of the Ross River. It is a dormitory suburb for James Cook University, and the Lavarack Barracks which it adjoins. Annandale is also well positioned for access to central Townville with river-bridge crossings at its eastern and western extremities. The name was first used for a residential estate in 1974, and it is thought that the name had applied to Annandale Paddocks in the late nineteenth century.

A suburb of the 1970s-90s, Annandale's first school was the independent Annandale Christian School (1982), followed by a State high in 1991. By then the socio-economic level was improving and the Southern Cross Catholic primary school and the junior campus of Townsville Grammar opened in the late 1990s. They coincided with a State primary school (1998). There are two shopping centres, but neither offers a full range of outlets appropriate for a population of over 9000. Parklands are generously provided; linear ones along several water courses, a botanic garden in the west and a large sports complex in the east.

Housing is at the higher-priced end of the market, mainly low-set single and two storeys. The median weekly income per resident in 2001 was $578, $180 more than the median for all of Townsville.

Annandale's census populations have been:

These figures include people in Lavarack Barracks.