Burleigh Heads

Population growth drivers in Burleigh Heads are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

Burleigh Heads' population was 10,221 as of November 2025, according to AreaSearch's analysis. This figure represents an increase of 1,045 people from the 2021 Census total of 9,176, marking a growth rate of 11.4%. The change was inferred from ABS estimated resident population data for June 2024 (9,839) and validated new addresses since the Census date (638). This results in a population density ratio of 1,194 persons per square kilometer. Burleigh Heads' growth rate exceeded both the non-metro area average (8.8%) and the national average during this period. Overseas migration contributed approximately 86.2% of overall population gains recently.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by these data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections lack age category splits; thus, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Future population trends suggest a growth of just below the median national regional areas' rate, with an expected increase of 1,052 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 6.5% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Burleigh Heads among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Burleigh Heads has seen approximately 129 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling 645 homes. As of FY-26, 44 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.9 new residents arrive per year for each new home built between FY-21 and FY-25. This pace matches or exceeds demand, providing more options for buyers and enabling population growth.

The average value of new dwellings is $770,000, indicating a focus on the premium market segment. In FY-26, there have been $26.0 million in commercial approvals, reflecting steady investment activity. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Burleigh Heads has comparable new home approvals per person, suggesting market stability. However, development activity has moderated recently. Nationally, Burleigh Heads shows stronger developer confidence due to higher approval rates. New building activity consists of 13.0% detached houses and 87.0% townhouses or apartments, marking a shift from the current housing pattern of 33.0% houses.

This denser development caters to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers. With around 133 people per dwelling approval, Burleigh Heads exhibits growth area characteristics. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Burleigh Heads is projected to add 664 residents by 2041. Current development patterns should readily meet demand, offering favourable conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Burleigh Heads has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 45 projects that may affect the area. Notable projects include Isabel by Mosaic, Morris Property Group Burleigh Development, Bondi Burleigh - Morris Property Group, and GURNER Burleigh Heads. The following list details those most likely to be 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 Burleigh Heads demonstrates typical performance when compared to similar areas across Australia

Burleigh Heads has a highly educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 3.7% as of September 2021.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 2.3%. As of September 2025, there were 5,752 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.7%, which is 0.4% lower than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation in Burleigh Heads was on par with Rest of Qld's figure of 59.1%. The leading employment industries among residents were health care & social assistance, construction, and accommodation & food services.

There was particularly strong specialization in professional & technical services, with an employment share of 1.7 times the regional level. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing showed lower representation at 0.3% compared to the regional average of 4.5%. The area functioned as an employment hub with 1.5 workers for every resident as at the Census. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 2.3%, while labour force increased by 2.5%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.2 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of Qld recorded employment growth of 1.7% and an increase in unemployment by 0.3 percentage points. State-level data from November 2025 showed Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01%, with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%. National employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Burleigh Heads' employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.0% over ten years.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that Burleigh Heads SA2 has a high national median income of $55,042 and an average income of $74,966. This contrasts with Rest of Qld's median income of $50,780 and average income of $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $62,742 (median) and $85,454 (average). According to the 2021 Census, personal income ranks at the 64th percentile ($883 weekly), while household income sits at the 42nd percentile. Income brackets indicate that 30.3% of residents (3,096 people) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, consistent with broader regional trends showing 31.7% in the same category. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 81.5% of income remaining, ranking at the 40th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

Burleigh Heads features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Burleigh Heads' dwellings in its latest Census report were 33.4% houses and 66.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other'). Non-Metro Qld had 45.3% houses and 54.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Burleigh Heads was at 36.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 27.4% and rented ones at 36.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, below Non-Metro Qld's average of $2,019. Median weekly rent in Burleigh Heads was $480, higher than Non-Metro Qld's $465. Nationally, Burleigh Heads' mortgage repayments were higher at $2,000 compared to Australia's average of $1,863. Rents were substantially higher at $480 versus the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 57.9% of all households, including 17.9% couples with children, 30.3% couples without children, and 8.9% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 42.1%, with lone person households at 33.0% and group households comprising 8.9%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.3.

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

Burleigh Heads has a higher proportion of residents with university qualifications than the broader region. Specifically, 33.4% of residents aged 15 and above have such qualifications, compared to 20.6% in the rest of Queensland and 25.4% in the SA4 region. The most common type of university qualification is a Bachelor degree, held by 23.3% of residents. Postgraduate qualifications are held by 7.1%, while graduate diplomas account for 3%.

Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 37.2% of residents aged 15 and above holding such qualifications. Advanced diplomas make up 13.8% of this group, and certificates account for 23.4%. Educational participation is high in Burleigh Heads, with 27.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 7.5% in tertiary education, 7.3% in primary education, and 6.3% pursuing secondary education.

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

Transport analysis shows 22 active transport stops operating within Burleigh Heads. These include a mix of train and bus services. There are 12 individual routes servicing these stops, collectively providing 2,244 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 204 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 320 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 102 weekly trips per individual stop.

Burleigh Heads's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Burleigh Heads residents show positive health outcomes with low prevalence rates for common conditions across both younger and older age groups. Approximately 57% (~5,836 people) have private health cover, compared to 68.9% in the rest of Queensland.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (8.1%) and mental health issues (7.4%), with 70.1% reporting no medical ailments, slightly lower than the rest of Queensland at 72.7%. As of 2021, 21.7% (~2,217 people) are aged 65 and over, higher than the 18.4% in the rest of Queensland. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are strong, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

In terms of cultural diversity, Burleigh Heads records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Burleigh Heads' cultural diversity aligns with the broader region, with 81.4% being citizens, 76.5% born in Australia, and 92.0% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, comprising 47.9%. Judaism is slightly overrepresented at 0.3%, compared to 0.4% regionally.

The top three ancestral groups are English (31.2%), Australian (23.5%), and Irish (11.0%). Notable divergences include New Zealand's representation at 1.3%, French at 0.9%, and Scottish at 8.9%.

Burleigh Heads hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Burleigh Heads's median age is 43 years, which is higher than the Rest of Qld average of 41 years and exceeds the national average of 38 years. The 25-34 age group comprises 20.9% of Burleigh Heads' population, compared to Rest of Qld's percentage, while the 5-14 cohort makes up 6.5%. This proportion is higher than the national average of 14.5%. Post-2021 Census data shows that younger residents have lowered the median age by 1.4 years to 43 years. Notably, the 25-34 age group grew from 17.4% to 20.9%, and the 15-24 cohort increased from 9.2% to 11.0%. Conversely, the 65-74 cohort declined from 13.6% to 11.1%, and the 45-54 group dropped from 12.6% to 11.1%. Population forecasts for Burleigh Heads in 2041 indicate significant demographic changes, with the strongest projected growth in the 25-34 age group at 24%, adding 517 residents to reach 2,650. Meanwhile, both the 45-54 and 55-64 age groups are expected to decrease in numbers.