Burleigh Waters
Statistical Area - sa2

Burleigh Waters is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Burleigh Waters' population is approximately 15,112 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 699 people, a 4.8% rise from the 2021 Census count of 14,413 residents. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 15,110 in June 2024 and the addition of 74 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2,248 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed approximately 76.8% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered 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, so proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) are applied for each age cohort where necessary. Future population trends suggest a growth of 1,453 persons to 2041, an increase of approximately 9.6% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Burleigh Waters according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Burleigh Waters has recorded approximately 35 residential properties granted approval annually. Between FY21 and FY25, a total of 179 homes were approved, with an additional 17 approved in FY26 to date. Each dwelling built over the past five financial years has attracted an average of 2.5 new residents per year, indicating strong demand that supports property values.

New homes are constructed at an average cost of $536,000, reflecting a focus on the premium market with high-end developments. In FY26, commercial approvals have reached $21.5 million, demonstrating consistent commercial investment activity. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Burleigh Waters has significantly less development activity, 82.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing properties. Nationally, Burleigh Waters also reflects lower development activity, suggesting market maturity and possible development constraints.

New development in Burleigh Waters consists of 85.0% detached dwellings and 15.0% medium to high-density housing, preserving the area's suburban nature with a focus on detached housing that attracts space-seeking buyers. With around 776 people per dwelling approval, the market reflects high maturity. Looking ahead, Burleigh Waters is projected to grow by 1,451 residents by 2041. Construction maintains a reasonable pace with projected growth, although increasing competition among buyers can be expected as population increases.

Burleigh Waters has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 22 projects that could impact this region. Notable ones include Burly Residences, Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 4, ONE Burleigh, and Burleigh Waters - Cassowary Drive Bridge Replacement. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

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

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The labour market strength in Burleigh Waters positions it well ahead of most Australian regions

Burleigh Waters has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 2.0% in June 2025, which is 1.9% lower than the Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 2.1%. As of June 2025, 8,011 residents were in work and workforce participation was 62.1%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. The dominant employment sectors among residents include health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. Construction is particularly strong, with an employment share of 1.3 times the regional level.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing employs just 0.3% of local workers, below Rest of Qld's 4.5%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by Census data. Over a 12-month period ending in June 2025, employment increased by 2.1% while the labour force grew by 2.0%, keeping the unemployment rate relatively stable at 1.9%. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment rise by 1.8%, labour force grow by 2.0%, and unemployment rise to 4.1%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, published in May 2025, project national growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Burleigh Waters's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.7% over five years and 13.8% 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 ended June 2022 shows median income in Burleigh Waters was $50,056 and average income was $68,174. This compares to Rest of Qld's median income of $50,780 and average income of $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% from July 2022 to September 2025, estimated current incomes would be approximately $57,059 (median) and $77,712 (average). According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Burleigh Waters rank between the 49th and 50th percentiles. The earnings profile shows that 31.3% of locals (4,730 people) earn between $1,500 - 2,999 annually, similar to metropolitan regions where 31.7% fall within this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Burleigh Waters, with only 83.4% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 49th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

Burleigh Waters is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Burleigh Waters' dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, comprised 71.0% houses and 29.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro Qld's 45.3% houses and 54.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Burleigh Waters was at 39.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 39.8% and rented ones at 20.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,021, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $2,019. Median weekly rent in Burleigh Waters was $500, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $465. Nationally, Burleigh Waters' median monthly mortgage repayment is higher at $2,021 than the Australian average of $1,863, and its median weekly rent is substantially above the national figure of $375.

Burleigh Waters features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 73.8% of all households, including 33.4% couples with children, 27.2% couples without children, and 11.9% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 26.2%, with lone person households at 21.9% and group households comprising 4.4%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which is larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.3.

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

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates at 25.9% of residents aged 15+, surpassing the Rest of Qld average of 20.6%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 18.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.7%) and graduate diplomas (2.6%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 38.3% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas at 12.8% and certificates at 25.5%.

Educational participation is high, with 28.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.5% in primary education, 7.9% in secondary education, and 4.4% pursuing tertiary education. Burleigh Waters's three schools have a combined enrollment reaching 3,447 students as of the latest data. The area demonstrates above-average socio-educational conditions (ICSEA: 1064). Education provision is balanced with two primary and one secondary school serving distinct age groups. As an education hub, the area offers 22.8 school places per 100 residents – significantly higher than the regional average of 11.5 – attracting students from surrounding communities as of the current statistics available.

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

The analysis of public transport in Burleigh Waters indicates that there are 55 active transport stops currently operating. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 5 individual routes providing service to the area. The collective weekly passenger trips facilitated by these routes amount to 1,017.

Residents of Burleigh Waters have good access to public transport, with an average distance of 227 meters to the nearest transport stop. On average, there are 145 trips per day across all routes, which translates to approximately 18 weekly trips per individual stop.

Burleigh Waters's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Health data for Burleigh Waters shows positive outcomes overall, with common health conditions seen across both young and old age groups being fairly standard. Private health cover is high at approximately 54% of the total population (~8,115 people), compared to 68.9% across the rest of Queensland.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 8.6 and 6.6% of residents respectively. A total of 71.3% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.7% in the rest of Queensland. As of 2021, 19.3% of residents are aged 65 and over (2,912 people). Health outcomes among seniors are above average, aligning with the general population's health profile.

In terms of cultural diversity, Burleigh Waters 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 Waters' cultural diversity aligns with the broader region's average. 75.8% of its residents were born in Australia, 86.7% are citizens, and 91.6% speak English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, practiced by 53.0%.

Judaism, however, is more prevalent in Burleigh Waters than the regional average (0.2% vs 0.4%). The top three ancestral groups are English (31.3%), Australian (26.0%), and Irish (9.3%). Notably, New Zealanders (1.5%) and Hungarians (0.4%) are overrepresented compared to regional averages of 1.3% and 0.3%, respectively. Maori representation is also higher at 0.9%.

Burleigh Waters hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Burleigh Waters is 41 years, matching Rest of Qld's average and slightly older than Australia's average of 38 years. Compared to Rest of Qld, Burleigh Waters has a higher proportion of residents aged 35-44 (14.3%) but fewer residents aged 65-74 (8.8%). According to the 2021 Census, the population aged 15-24 grew from 10.2% to 11.8%, while the 25-34 age group increased from 10.7% to 12.1%. Conversely, the 65-74 age group declined from 10.4% to 8.8%, and the 45-54 age group dropped from 14.3% to 13.3%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant changes in Burleigh Waters's age structure. Notably, the 25-34 age group is expected to grow by 33%, reaching 2,432 people from 1,824. Conversely, the 15-24 and 75-84 age groups are projected to experience population declines.