Burleigh Waters

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

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Burleigh Waters's population is around 15,117 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 704 people (4.9%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 14,413 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 15,110 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 76 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population level equates to a density ratio of 2,249 persons per square kilometer, which is above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration, which contributed approximately 76.8% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and for years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections, released in 2023 and based on 2021 data, are adopted. It should be noted that these state projections do not provide age category splits; hence, where utilised, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age cohort. As we examine future population trends, a population increase just below the median of national regional areas is expected, with the area expected to grow by 1,453 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an increase of 9.6% in total over the 17 years.

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

Burleigh Waters has seen around 35 new homes approved annually, totalling 179 homes over the past 5 financial years. So far in FY-26, 24 approvals have been recorded. With an average of 2.5 people per year moving to the area per new home constructed over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), reflecting robust demand that underpins property values, new homes are being built at an average value of $536,000, demonstrating a developer focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. Additionally, $21.5 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded this financial year, indicating steady commercial investment activity.

Relative to the rest of Qld, Burleigh Waters has significantly less development activity (82.0% below regional average per person). This scarcity of new properties typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. This activity is similarly below the national average, indicating the area's established nature and suggesting potential planning limitations. New building activity shows 85.0% detached houses and 15.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's suburban nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. The location has approximately 776 people per dwelling approval, demonstrating an established market.

Population forecasts indicate Burleigh Waters will gain 1,446 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Building activity is keeping pace with growth projections, though buyers may experience heightened competition as the population grows.

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

Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. In total 22 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects include Burly Residences, ONE Burleigh, Burleigh Waters - Cassowary Drive Bridge Replacement, and Treetops North Precinct, with the list below detailing those likely to be of most relevance.

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

Burleigh Waters possesses a skilled workforce, with essential services sectors well represented, an unemployment rate of just 2.1%, and 2.7% in estimated employment growth over the past year. As of December 2025, 8,079 residents are in work while the unemployment rate is 1.9% below Regional Qld's rate of 4.0%, and workforce participation is broadly similar to Regional Qld's 65.4%. Based on Census responses, a moderate 17.3% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

Leading employment industries among residents comprise health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. The area shows particularly strong specialization in construction, with an employment share of 1.3 times the regional level. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 0.3% versus the regional average of 4.5%. The predominantly residential area appears to offer limited employment opportunities locally, as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population.

Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, the 12-month period saw employment increasing by 2.7% alongside labour force increasing by 2.6%, keeping the unemployment rate relatively stable. By comparison, Regional Qld recorded employment growth of 0.7%, labour force growth of 1.0%, with unemployment rising 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Burleigh Waters. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Burleigh Waters's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 13.8% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).

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 FY-23 reveals that income in the Burleigh Waters SA2 is higher than average nationally, with the median assessed at $52,538 while the average income stands at $70,426. This contrasts with Regional Qld's figures of a median income of $53,146 and an average income of $66,593. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since FY-23, current estimates would be approximately $57,745 (median) and $77,405 (average) as of September 2025. From the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes all rank modestly in Burleigh Waters, between the 49th and 49th percentiles. Income brackets indicate the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 31.3% of residents (4,731 people), consistent with broader trends across the region showing 31.7% in the same category. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.4% of income remaining, ranking at the 49th percentile and 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

Dwelling structure within Burleigh Waters, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 71.0% houses and 29.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), in comparison to Regional Qld's 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the level of home ownership within Burleigh Waters was well beyond that of Regional Qld, at 39.7%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (39.8%) or rented (20.5%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was well above the Regional Qld average at $2,021, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $500, compared to Regional Qld's $1,655 and $345. Nationally, Burleigh Waters's mortgage repayments are higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are 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 dominate at 73.8% of all households, comprising 33.4% couples with children, 27.2% couples without children, and 11.9% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 26.2%, with lone person households at 21.9% and group households comprising 4.4% of the total. The median household size of 2.6 people is larger than the Regional Qld average of 2.5.

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

The area's educational profile stands out regionally, with university qualification rates (25.9% of residents aged 15+) exceeding the Rest of Qld average of 20.6%, reflecting the community's emphasis on higher education. Bachelor degrees lead at 18.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.7%) and graduate diplomas (2.6%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 38.3% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (12.8%) and certificates (25.5%).

Educational participation is notably 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.

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

Public transport analysis reveals 55 active transport stops operating within Burleigh Waters, comprising a mix of buses. These stops are serviced by 5 individual routes, collectively providing 1,017 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 226 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward; the car remains the dominant mode at 92%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.5 per dwelling. Some 17.3% of residents work from home (2021 Census; may reflect COVID-19 conditions).

Service frequency averages 145 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 18 weekly trips per individual stop.

Burleigh Waters's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Health outcomes data demonstrates outstanding results across Burleigh Waters, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Younger cohorts in particular see very low prevalence of common health conditions, and the rate of private health cover is fairly high at approximately 54% of the total population (~8,178 people).

The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 8.6% and 6.6% of residents, respectively, while 71.3% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Working-age residents are notably healthy with low chronic condition prevalence. The area has 19.0% of residents aged 65 and over (2,875 people), which is lower than the 20.4% in Regional Qld. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, though ranking lower nationally than the broader population.

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 is roughly in line with the wider region's average in terms of cultural diversity, with 75.8% of its population born in Australia, 86.7% being citizens, and 91.6% speaking English only at home. The main religion in Burleigh Waters is Christianity, which makes up 53.0% of the population. However, the most apparent overrepresentation is in Judaism, which comprises 0.2% of the population, compared to 0.1% across Regional Qld.

In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Burleigh Waters are English, comprising 31.3% of the population, Australian, comprising 26.0% of the population, and Irish, comprising 9.3% of the population. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: New Zealand is notably overrepresented at 1.5% of Burleigh Waters (vs 0.9% regionally), Hungarian at 0.4% (vs 0.2%) and Maori at 0.9% (vs 0.8%).

Burleigh Waters's median age exceeds the national pattern

The 41-year median age in Burleigh Waters matches Regional Qld's average of 41 while being somewhat older than Australia's 38 years. Relative to Regional Qld, Burleigh Waters has a higher concentration of 35 - 44 residents (14.4%) but fewer 65 - 74 year-olds (8.6%). Following the 2021 Census, the 25 to 34 age group has grown from 10.7% to 12.5% of the population, while the 15 to 24 cohort increased from 10.2% to 11.9%. Conversely, the 65 to 74 cohort has declined from 10.4% to 8.6% and the 45 to 54 group dropped from 14.3% to 13.1%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections reveal significant shifts in Burleigh Waters's age structure. Leading the demographic shift, the 25 to 34 group will grow by 29% (542 people), reaching 2,432 from 1,889. Conversely, the 75 to 84 and 15 to 24 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.