Caloundra - Kings Beach
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Caloundra - Kings Beach's population was around 7,127 as of Aug 2025. This reflected an increase of 154 people (2.2%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,973 people. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 7,071 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 301 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equated to a density ratio of 1,786 persons per square kilometer, above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopted 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 released in 2023 based on 2021 data were used. These state projections did not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applied proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data for each age cohort. Future population dynamics anticipated a significant increase in the top quartile of regional areas across the nation, with the area expected to increase by 2,540 persons to 2041 based on the latest population numbers, reflecting an overall increase of 34.8% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Caloundra - Kings Beach recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Caloundra - Kings Beach has averaged approximately 48 new dwelling approvals annually. Development approval data is produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on a financial year basis, with 244 homes approved over the past five financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, and an additional 36 approved so far in FY-26. This supply has been meeting or exceeding demand, as indicated by an average of only 0.2 people moving to the area per dwelling built over the same period. The average construction value for new homes is $993,000, suggesting developers are targeting the premium market segment with higher-end properties.

Commercial approvals this financial year totalled $25.1 million, indicating moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Caloundra - Kings Beach has significantly less development activity, at 54.0% below the regional average per person. Recent construction comprises 7.0% detached dwellings and 93.0% townhouses or apartments, reflecting a trend towards denser development that appeals to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers. With around 483 people per dwelling approval, Caloundra - Kings Beach shows a developed market with approximately 2,478 residents expected to be added by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth.

Population forecasts indicate Caloundra - Kings Beach will gain 2,478 residents through to 2041. Should current construction levels persist, housing supply could lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Caloundra - Kings Beach has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 34thth percentile nationally

The performance of an area is significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of 25 projects that are likely to impact the area. Notable projects include the Caloundra Centre Activation Project, BIANCO Caloundra, Caloundra Transport Corridor Upgrade (CTCU), and Sunset Caloundra. The following list details those projects most relevant to the area.

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

Employment drivers in Caloundra - Kings Beach are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Caloundra - Kings Beach, as of June 2025, has an unemployment rate of 5.5% with 3,243 residents employed. This rate is 1.6% higher than the Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation in the area is 47.3%, significantly lower than the Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key industries of employment among residents are health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade. The area has a particular specialization in accommodation & food, with an employment share of 1.5 times the regional level. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented, comprising only 1.1% of Caloundra - Kings Beach's workforce compared to Rest of Qld's 4.5%.

The ratio of workers per resident at the Census indicates substantial local employment opportunities. Over the year ending June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 2.3%, with an employment decline of 0.5%, leading to a fall in unemployment rate by 1.7 percentage points. By contrast, Rest of Qld recorded employment growth of 1.8% and labour force growth of 2.0%, with unemployment rising by 0.2 percentage points. State-level data from Sep-25 shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.23%, losing 8,070 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%. Nationally, employment grew by 0.26% while the unemployment rate was 4.5%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years nationally. Applying these projections to Caloundra - Kings Beach's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.9% over five years and 14.2% over ten years.

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

AreaSearch's data for financial year 2022 shows median income in Caloundra - Kings Beach is $44,082 and average income is $56,282. Nationally, these figures are lower than average. In Rest of Qld, median income is $50,780 and average income is $64,844. By March 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $49,244 (median) and $62,873 (average), based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year 2022. Census data places Caloundra - Kings Beach's household, family, and personal incomes between the 9th and 22nd percentiles nationally. In this area, 28.3% (2,016 individuals) have income in the $800-$1,499 range, differing from metropolitan regions where the $1,500-$2,999 category is predominant at 31.7%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 80.1% of income remaining, ranking at the 8th percentile nationally.

Caloundra - Kings Beach features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Caloundra - Kings Beach, as per the latest Census, 15.4% of dwellings were houses while 84.6% were other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This compares to Non-Metro Qld's 70.4% houses and 29.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Caloundra - Kings Beach stood at 38.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 15.7% and rented ones at 45.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,517, below Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,950. The median weekly rent in the area was $370, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $450. Nationally, Caloundra - Kings Beach's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Caloundra - Kings Beach features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 54.5% of all households, including 10.7% couples with children, 33.4% couples without children, and 9.5% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 45.5%, with lone person households at 41.1% and group households comprising 4.3%. The median household size is 1.9 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

Educational attainment in Caloundra - Kings Beach aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

Educational qualifications in Caloundra - Kings Beach show 24.0% of residents aged 15+ have university degrees, compared to Australia's 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 16.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.7%) and graduate diplomas (2.5%). Vocational credentials are held by 37.6% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 11.9% and certificates at 25.7%. 20.2% of the population is actively pursuing formal education, including 5.9% in primary, 5.0% in secondary, and 4.4% in tertiary education.

The area's 4 schools have a combined enrolment of 2,248 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 1027) offering balanced educational opportunities. There is 1 primary, 2 secondary, and 1 K-12 school. Caloundra - Kings Beach functions as an education hub with 31.5 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 13.3, attracting students from surrounding communities. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to parent campus.

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

Caloundra - Kings Beach has 30 active public transport stops operating. These are mixed-use bus stops serviced by 9 different routes. Together, these routes facilitate 2,612 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is good with residents located an average of 207 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 373 trips per day across all routes, resulting in about 87 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Caloundra - Kings Beach is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Caloundra - Kings Beach faces significant health challenges with various conditions affecting both younger and older age groups. Private health cover stands at approximately 48%, covering around 3,420 people, compared to 52.7% across the rest of Queensland and a national average of 55.3%. Residents commonly report arthritis (12.4%) and mental health issues (9.3%).

Conversely, 59.3% claim to be free from medical ailments, compared to 66.2% in the rest of Queensland. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 32.5%, totaling around 2,318 people, compared to 22.3% in the rest of Queensland. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are above average, outperforming the general population in health metrics.

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

Caloundra-Kings Beach's cultural diversity is similar to the broader region's, with 83.4% of residents being citizens, 76.5% born in Australia, and 92.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, practiced by 53.6%, compared to 50.0% across Rest of Qld. The top three ancestry groups are English (33.4%), Australian (23.1%), and Irish (10.7%).

Notably, Scottish ancestry is higher at 9.6% versus the regional average of 8.8%. Welsh ancestry stands at 0.8%, slightly above the regional 0.6%, and German ancestry is at 5.1%, compared to 4.6% regionally.

Caloundra - Kings Beach ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Caloundra - Kings Beach has a median age of 55, which is significantly higher than Queensland's median age of 41 and the national median age of 38. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Caloundra - Kings Beach has a higher proportion of residents aged 65-74 (16.5%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (5.6%). This concentration of 65-74 year-olds is notably above the national figure of 9.4%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the proportion of the population aged 25 to 34 has increased from 10.3% to 13.0%, while the proportion of those aged 65 to 74 has decreased from 18.0% to 16.5%. Additionally, the proportion of residents aged 45 to 54 has dropped from 12.6% to 11.3%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate substantial shifts in Caloundra - Kings Beach's age structure. Notably, the number of residents aged 25 to 34 is projected to grow by 61%, from 925 to 1,488.