Caloundra Hinterland

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

Caloundra Hinterland's population was approximately 9,396 as of November 2025. This figure indicates an increase of 286 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 9,110. The change is inferred from the ABS estimated resident population of 9,304 in June 2024 and an additional 232 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density of 20 persons per square kilometer. Interstate migration contributed approximately 64.4% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses 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 adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 and based on 2022 data. Looking ahead, lower quartile growth is anticipated for Australia's non-metropolitan areas, with the area expected to expand by 69 persons to 2041, reflecting a decline of 0.2% over the 17 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Caloundra Hinterland when compared nationally

Caloundra Hinterland has granted approval for approximately 53 residential properties each year over the past five financial years, totalling 265 homes. As of FY-26, 32 approvals have been recorded. On average, around 0.8 people per year moved to the area for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25. The average construction value of new properties is approximately $570,000, indicating a focus on the premium market segment.

This financial year has seen $8.7 million in commercial approvals. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Caloundra Hinterland shows reduced construction activity, with 61.0% fewer approvals per person. The area maintains a low density character, with 81.0% detached houses and 19.0% townhouses or apartments. There are approximately 142 people per dwelling approval in the location.

Given stable or declining population forecasts, Caloundra Hinterland may experience less housing pressure.

Caloundra Hinterland has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 34 projects that could impact the area. Major ones include Landsborough-Maleny Road and Maleny-Montville Road Intersection Upgrade, Maleny Soldiers Memorial Hospital Upgrade, Maleny Grove Expansion, and Coral Residences Maleny. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

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While Caloundra Hinterland retains a healthy unemployment rate of 4.0%, recent employment declines have impacted its national performance ranking

Caloundra Hinterland has a well-educated workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate is 4.0%.

As of September 2025, there are 3968 residents in work and the unemployment rate is 0.1% lower than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation stands at 46.5%, significantly below Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Employment among residents is concentrated in health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction. The area shows strong specialization in professional & technical services with an employment share 1.7 times the regional level.

Conversely, mining shows lower representation at 1.5% versus the regional average of 3.6%. Over the year to September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 2.9% and employment declined by 1.9%, leading to a 0.9 percentage point drop in unemployment rate. In comparison, Rest of Qld recorded employment growth of 1.7% and labour force growth of 2.1%, with unemployment rising by 0.3 percentage points. State-level data as of 25-Nov shows QLD employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1210 jobs) with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%, closely aligned with the national rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, covering five and ten-year periods, project overall growth of 6.6% and 13.7% respectively. Applying these projections to Caloundra Hinterland's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years.

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released for financial year 2022, Caloundra Hinterland SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $38,255 and an average level of $57,720. This is below the national average of $64,844 and compares to levels of $50,780 across Rest of Qld. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $43,607 (median) and $65,795 (average) as of September 2025. From the Census conducted in August 2021, household incomes in Caloundra Hinterland fall between the 15th and 17th percentiles nationally. The predominant income cohort spans 27.7% of locals in the $800 - 1,499 category, differing from patterns across the region where $1,500 - 2,999 dominates with 31.7%. After housing costs, 86.6% of income remains, ranking at the 21st percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

The latest Census showed that in Caloundra Hinterland, 93.3% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 6.6% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This is similar to Non-Metro Qld's figures of 93.2% houses and 6.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Caloundra Hinterland was higher at 56.0%, compared to mortgaged dwellings at 28.0% and rented ones at 16.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,700, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,863. The median weekly rent in Caloundra Hinterland was $370, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $400. Nationally, Caloundra Hinterland's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,700 than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were also lower at $370 compared to the national figure of $375.

Caloundra Hinterland has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 71.5% of all households, including 19.8% couples with children, 40.9% couples without children, and 10.0% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 28.5%, with lone person households at 25.6% and group households making up 3.0%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.6.

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

Educational attainment in Caloundra Hinterland exceeds broader benchmarks. Specifically, 32.0% of residents aged 15 years or older have university qualifications compared to 20.6% in the rest of Queensland and 23.1% in the SA3 area. University qualifications are led by bachelor degrees at 20.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.4%) and graduate diplomas (4.0%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 37.2% of residents aged 15 years or older holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (14.4%) and certificates (22.8%).

Additionally, a significant proportion of the population is actively pursuing formal education, with 23.3% engaged in this activity. This includes 7.6% in primary education, 7.6% in secondary education, and 3.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Transport analysis shows 13 active transport stops operating within Caloundra Hinterland. These stops serve a mix of bus routes. There are 2 individual routes collectively providing 145 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated as limited with residents typically located 2757 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 20 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 11 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Caloundra Hinterland is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Caloundra Hinterland faces significant health challenges. Both younger and older age groups have high prevalence rates for common health conditions.

Private health cover is relatively low at approximately 49%, with around 4594 people covered, compared to the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (11.9%) and mental health issues (8.3%). However, 61.3% of residents report having no medical ailments, slightly lower than Rest of Qld's 66.4%. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, at 35.1% or approximately 3293 people, compared to the Rest of Qld's 20.1%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are strong and even better than those of the general population in certain metrics.

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

Caloundra Hinterland's population showed lower cultural diversity, with 78.3% born in Australia, 88.2% being citizens, and 95.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, comprising 41.3%. The 'Other' category was slightly overrepresented at 0.9%, compared to 0.6% regionally.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (33.4%), Australian (24.3%), and Irish (11.1%). Some ethnic groups showed notable differences: Scottish was higher at 10.2% (vs regional 9.0%), Welsh at 0.8% (vs 0.7%), and German at 5.4% (vs 5.0%).

Caloundra Hinterland ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Caloundra Hinterland is 56 years, which is significantly higher than Rest of Qld's average of 41 years and considerably older than the national norm of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of Qld average, the 65 - 74 cohort is notably over-represented in Caloundra Hinterland at 19.1%, while the 25 - 34 year-olds are under-represented at 5.7%. This 65 - 74 concentration is well above the national average of 9.4%. From the 2021 Census to present, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 11.0% to 12.2%, and the 15 to 24 cohort increased from 7.2% to 8.3%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 12.8% to 11.5%, and the 65 to 74 group dropped from 20.3% to 19.1%. By 2041, Caloundra Hinterland is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. The 85+ age cohort is projected to expand considerably, with an increase of 248 people (71%), from 347 to 596. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 72% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. On the other hand, both the 45 to 54 and the 5 to 14 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.