Tweed Heads

Tweed Heads has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Tweed Heads' population is approximately 21,624 as of May 2026. This figure represents an increase of 1,061 people from the 2021 Census total of 20,563, indicating a growth rate of 5.2%. This change is inferred from ABS' estimated resident population of 21,576 in June 2025 and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density stands at 215 persons per square kilometer. Tweed Heads' population growth exceeded both its SA4 region (3.7%) and SA3 area between the 2021 Census and May 2026, driven primarily by overseas migration contributing approximately 54.7% of overall population gains. AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections where applicable, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021.

Future demographic trends suggest a population increase just below the median for Australia's non-metropolitan areas by 2041, with an expected growth of 7.4% based on latest annual ERP population numbers.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Tweed Heads when compared nationally

Tweed Heads has approved approximately 54 residential properties annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25, around 270 homes were approved, with another 107 approved so far in FY-26. On average, about 3.9 new residents arrived per dwelling constructed over the past five financial years.

This indicates that supply is lagging demand, leading to heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures. The average construction value of new properties is $225,000, which is under regional levels, offering more affordable housing choices for buyers. In FY-26, commercial development approvals totalled $28.8 million, suggesting robust local business investment. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Tweed Heads has 15.0% less new development per person and ranks in the 23rd percentile nationally, indicating somewhat limited buyer options but strengthening demand for established dwellings. Recent construction comprises 42.0% detached dwellings and 58.0% attached dwellings, offering affordable entry pathways and attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers.

The area has an estimated 672 people per dwelling approval, reflecting its quiet development environment. Population forecasts indicate Tweed Heads will gain 1,606 residents by 2041. Building activity is keeping pace with growth projections, though buyers may experience heightened competition as the population grows.

Tweed Heads has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Local infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 85 projects likely impacting the region. Notable initiatives include Sceniq Bilambil Heights, Edify Australia Build-To-Rent Development, Enid Street Residential Towers, and Tweed Heads Social Housing Development. The following list details projects most relevant to the area.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

The employment landscape in Tweed Heads presents a mixed picture: unemployment remains low at 3.5%, yet recent job losses have affected its comparative national standing

Tweed Heads has a skilled workforce with well-represented essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 3.5%, lower than Regional NSW's 3.9%. Over the past year, employment stability has been relative.

As of December 2025, 9,464 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.1%. Workforce participation in Tweed Heads is 53.3%, lower than Regional NSW's 60.5%. According to Census responses, 14.5% of residents work from home. Leading employment industries among Tweed Heads residents are health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.

Construction stands out with employment levels at 1.4 times the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented, with only 1.1% of Tweed Heads's workforce compared to Regional NSW's 5.3%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the working population vs resident population count from Census data. Between December 2024 and December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 0.3%, with employment remaining unchanged at 9,464, leading to a 0.2 percentage point drop in unemployment. In contrast, Regional NSW experienced an employment decline of 1.2% and a labour force decline of 0.8% over the same period, resulting in a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Tweed Heads's employment mix indicates potential local employment growth of 6.8% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that income in Tweed Heads SA2 is below the national average. The median income is $47,699 and the average income stands at $60,293. This contrasts with Regional NSW figures of a median income of $52,390 and an average income of $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $52,622 (median) and $66,515 (average) as of March 2026. Census 2021 income data shows that household, family, and personal incomes in Tweed Heads all fall between the 12th and 20th percentiles nationally. Income distribution reveals that the predominant cohort spans 28.2% of locals (6,097 people) in the $800 - $1,499 category, differing from the broader area where the $1,500 - $2,999 category predominates at 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Tweed Heads, with only 80.6% of income remaining, ranking at the 11th percentile nationally.

Tweed Heads displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Tweed Heads' dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, had 48.9% houses and 51.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other'). Regional NSW had 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Tweed Heads was 41.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 28.4% and rented ones at 29.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, matching Regional NSW's average, while the median weekly rent was $390, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Tweed Heads' mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents higher than the national figure of $375.

Tweed Heads features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households compose 61.0% of all households, including 19.3% couples with children, 29.3% couples without children, and 11.4% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 39.0%, with lone person households at 34.3% and group households comprising 4.8%. The median household size is 2.2 people, smaller than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

Educational attainment in Tweed Heads aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 20.7%, significantly lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 14.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.8%) and graduate diplomas (2.0%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 41.2% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 11.6% and certificates at 29.6%. Educational participation is high, with 25.7% currently enrolled in formal education: 8.2% in primary, 6.5% in secondary, and 4.0% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 25.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.2% in primary education, 6.5% in secondary education, and 4.0% pursuing tertiary education.

Transport servicing is moderate compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Tweed Heads has 172 operational public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These are served by 65 different routes that collectively facilitate 2,373 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is deemed excellent, with residents typically residing just 184 meters from the nearest stop. Predominantly residential, most Tweed Heads residents commute outward. Cars remain the primary mode of transportation at 91%, with walking accounting for 4%. On average, there are 1.1 vehicles per dwelling, lower than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 14.5% of residents work from home, a figure potentially influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Daily service frequency averages 339 trips across all routes, translating to roughly 13 weekly trips per individual stop. The accompanying map illustrates the 100 nearest stops relative to the location's central point.

Health performance in Tweed Heads is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Tweed Heads faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high, with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover is relatively low at approximately 49% of the total population (~10,639 people), compared to 51.9% in Regional NSW and the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (11.0%) and mental health issues (8.4%). 62.7% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.3% in Regional NSW. Working-age residents show above-average prevalence of chronic health conditions. As of 29.0% of residents are aged 65 and over (6,275 people), higher than the 23.4% in Regional NSW.

Tweed Heads ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Tweed Heads, as per the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2016 data, had a cultural diversity index of 79.3%, indicating below-average diversity. Its population composition was predominantly Australian-born citizens speaking English at home: 84.5%, 79.9%, and 92.6% respectively. Christianity was the dominant religion in Tweed Heads, with 52.5% of residents identifying as Christian compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW.

The top three ancestry groups were English (32.1%), Australian (25.7%), and Irish (10.3%). Notable differences existed in the representation of Maori (0.7% vs regional 0.3%), Scottish (8.5% vs 8.0%), and New Zealand (0.8% vs 0.4%) ethnic groups.

Tweed Heads hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Tweed Heads' median age is 48 years, which is older than Regional NSW's median of 43 and significantly higher than Australia's median of 38. The age profile shows that those aged 75-84 make up 10.4%, while those aged 5-14 constitute 9.0%. Post-2021 Census data indicates the 35 to 44 age group grew from 11.1% to 12.8%, and the 0 to 4 cohort increased from 4.6% to 5.6%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort declined from 14.1% to 12.2%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Tweed Heads' age profile. The 85+ age cohort is projected to expand by 505 people (57%), from 884 to 1,390. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 15-24 and 55-64 cohorts.