Buddina - Minyama

Population growth drivers in Buddina - Minyama are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Buddina-Minyama's population was around 7,645 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 689 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,956. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 7,199 in June 2024 and an additional 373 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,864 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Buddina-Minyama's growth rate of 9.9% since the 2021 census exceeded both the non-metro area (8.8%) and the national average. Overseas migration contributed approximately 82.4% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving this growth.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are used, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) are applied for each age cohort where necessary. Looking ahead, an above median population growth is projected for regional areas across the nation. Buddina-Minyama is expected to increase by 1,359 persons to 2041, reflecting an overall increase of 11.9% over the 17-year period based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Buddina - Minyama when compared nationally

Buddina - Minyama has seen approximately 62 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 314 homes. As of FY-26, 12 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.1 new residents per year per dwelling constructed were noted between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating a balanced supply and demand in the market. The average construction value for these properties was $653,000, suggesting developers are targeting the premium market segment.

This financial year has seen $4.0 million in commercial approvals, showing limited focus on commercial development compared to residential. In comparison to Rest of Qld, Buddina - Minyama records around 59% of building activity per person and ranks among the 64th percentile nationally for areas assessed. New developments consist of 24.0% detached houses and 76.0% attached dwellings, a shift from current housing patterns which are predominantly houses at 69.0%. This focus on higher-density living creates more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. With around 276 people per dwelling approval, Buddina - Minyama displays a growing market.

By 2041, the area is expected to grow by 913 residents according to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate. Current construction levels should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Buddina - Minyama has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

AreaSearch has identified 12 projects that could impact the area. Key projects include Mooloolaba Foreshore Revitalisation Project - Stage 2, The Point Buddina, Mooloolaba Foreshore Revitalisation Project, and Lowanna Beach Resort. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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 labour market in Buddina - Minyama shows considerable strength compared to most other Australian regions

Buddina - Minyama had an unemployment rate of 2.4% as of September 2025, with 3,789 residents employed. The unemployment rate was 1.7% lower than the Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%, and workforce participation was similar at 59.1%.

Employment was concentrated in health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade, with notable concentration in construction at 1.5 times the regional average. Agriculture, forestry & fishing showed lower representation at 0.9% compared to the regional average of 4.5%. Between September 2024 and September 2025, labour force decreased by 2.8%, employment declined by 2.7%, causing unemployment rate to fall by 0.1 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment rise by 1.7% and unemployment rise by 0.3 percentage points.

As of 25-Nov-25, QLD employment contracted by 0.01%, with state unemployment rate at 4.2%. National employment forecasts from May-25 project a growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Buddina - Minyama's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Buddina - Minyama SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $53,434 and an average of $76,860. These figures are higher than national averages. Comparing with Rest of Qld's median of $50,780 and average of $64,844 further highlights this difference. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $60,909 (median) and $87,613 (average). Census data indicates household, family, and personal incomes in Buddina - Minyama cluster around the 51st percentile nationally. The earnings profile shows the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 29.0% of residents (2,217 people), similar to the region where this cohort represents 31.7%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 84.3% of income remaining, ranking at the 49th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

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

Buddina-Minyama had 69.2% houses and 30.8% other dwellings in its latest Census report, compared to Non-Metro Qld's 70.4% houses and 29.6% other dwellings. Home ownership was at 43.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 29.1% and rented ones at 27.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,950. Median weekly rent was $450, the same as Non-Metro Qld's figure. Nationally, Buddina-Minyama's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,167 compared to Australia's average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Buddina - Minyama features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 69.8% of all households, including 26.8% couples with children, 31.9% couples without children, and 10.1% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 30.2%, with lone person households at 25.6% and group households making up 4.6% of the total. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

The educational profile of Buddina - Minyama exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates of 27.6% among residents aged 15+ exceeding the Rest of Qld average of 20.6% and the SA3 area average of 23.6%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 20.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.2%) and graduate diplomas (2.3%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 37.9% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (12.3%) and certificates (25.6%).

Educational participation is high, with 26.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 9.5% in primary education, 7.9% in secondary education, and 4.7% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Buddina-Minyama has six operational public transport stops. These are served by seven different bus routes that together facilitate 1534 weekly passenger trips. Residents' access to transportation is considered limited, with an average distance of 619 meters to the nearest stop.

The service frequency across all routes is 219 trips per day, equating to approximately 255 weekly trips per individual stop.

Buddina - Minyama's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Buddina-Minyama's health metrics closely align with national benchmarks, with common health conditions seen across both young and old age groups. Private health cover is high at approximately 58% of the total population (~4,418 people), compared to 52.7% across the rest of Queensland.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (9.8%) and mental health issues (7.0%), while 69.4% report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 66.2% in the rest of Queensland. As of 24 June 2021, 24.6% of residents are aged 65 and over (1,881 people), higher than the 22.3% in the rest of Queensland. Health outcomes among seniors are notably strong, outperforming those of the general population in health metrics.

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

Buddina-Minyama was found to have below average cultural diversity, with 86.9% of its population being Australian citizens, born in Australia (79.1%), and speaking English only at home (94.3%). Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 49.3%. Judaism was overrepresented at 0.2%, compared to 0.1% regionally.

The top three ancestry groups were English (33.3%), Australian (25.4%), and Scottish (9.6%). South African (0.7%) and New Zealand (0.9%) groups were notably overrepresented, while German was slightly underrepresented at 4.4%.

Buddina - Minyama hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Buddina-Minyama's median age of 47 years is notably higher than Rest of Qld's 41, which is also older than the national norm of 38. The 65-74 cohort is significantly over-represented in Buddina-Minyama at 13.0%, while the 5-14 age group is under-represented at 9.3%. Between 2021 and present, the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 10.4% to 11.7% of the population. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort has decreased from 10.8% to 9.3%, and the 55 to 64 age group has dropped from 14.9% to 13.4%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Buddina-Minyama's age profile will change significantly. The 25 to 34 cohort is projected to expand by 328 people (37%), from 884 to 1,213. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 5 to 14 and 15 to 24 cohorts.