Caloundra - Kings Beach

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

Caloundra - Kings Beach's population is around 7,123 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 150 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,973 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 7,072 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 298 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,785 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.

AreaSearch is adopting 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. 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 based on 2022 data. A significant population increase is forecast in the top quartile of regional areas across the nation by 2041, with the area expected to increase by 2,540 persons, reflecting a total 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. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, a total of 244 homes were approved, with an additional 41 approved so far in FY26. The average population growth per year for each dwelling built over these five years was 0.2 people.

This indicates that new supply has kept pace with or exceeded demand, providing ample buyer choice and creating capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts. The average construction value of new properties is $388,000. In terms of commercial development, $25.1 million in approvals have been registered this financial year, demonstrating moderate levels of activity. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Caloundra - Kings Beach records significantly lower building activity, approximately 54.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction often reinforces demand and pricing for existing homes.

Recent construction comprises 7.0% detached dwellings and 93.0% attached dwellings, indicating a preference for compact living which offers affordable entry pathways and attracts downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. The location currently has approximately 483 people per dwelling approval, reflecting an established area. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Caloundra - Kings Beach is projected to add 2,482 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match this population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases in the future.

Caloundra - Kings Beach has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 23 projects that could impact this region. Notable ones include the Caloundra Centre Activation Project, Holiday Inn & Suites Caloundra Sunshine Coast, Caloundra Transport Corridor Upgrade (CTCU), and Sunset Caloundra. The following list details those most 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.

AreaSearch assessment indicates Caloundra - Kings Beach faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Caloundra - Kings Beach has a skilled workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate here was 6.0% as of September 2025.

In this period, 3,136 residents were employed while the unemployment rate stood at 1.9% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation lagged significantly behind Rest of Qld, at 47.3% compared to 59.1%. Employment among residents is concentrated in health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade. Notably, accommodation & food employs 1.5 times the regional average.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing employs just 1.1% of local workers, below Rest of Qld's 4.5%. The ratio of one worker per resident indicates substantial employment opportunities in the area. Between September 2024 and September 2025, the labour force decreased by 2.9%, while employment declined by 1.7%, leading to a fall in unemployment rate by 1.2 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment growth of 1.7% and labour force growth of 2.1%, with unemployment rising by 0.3 percentage points. As of 25-Nov-25, Queensland's employment had contracted by 0.01%, losing 1,210 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, released in May-25, project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Caloundra - Kings Beach's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.2% over ten years. However, these are simple weighted extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localised population projections.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

The median taxpayer income in Caloundra - Kings Beach SA2 was $44,082 and the average was $56,282 according to AreaSearch's aggregation of postcode level ATO data for the financial year 2022. This is lower than the national averages of $50,780 median income and $64,844 average income in Rest of Qld. By September 2025, adjusted for Wage Price Index growth of 13.99%, estimated incomes would be approximately $50,249 (median) and $64,156 (average). Census 2021 data shows that household, family, and personal incomes in Caloundra - Kings Beach fall between the 8th and 22nd percentiles nationally. In this area, 28.3% of individuals earn between $800 and $1,499, compared to the region's leading bracket of $1,500 to $2,999 at 31.7%. Housing affordability is severe with only 80.1% of income remaining, ranking at the 7th percentile nationally.

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

Caloundra - Kings Beach's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 15.4% houses and 84.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This contrasts with Non-Metro Qld's figures of 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, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,950. Weekly rent median in the area was $370, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $450. Nationally, Caloundra - Kings Beach's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,517 than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were less at $370 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 constitute 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 comprise the remaining 45.5%, with lone person households at 41.1% and group households making up 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

In Caloundra's Kings Beach area, as of the latest data point provided, 24.0% of residents aged 15 years and above hold university degrees, compared to Australia's national average of 30.4%. The most common educational qualification is a bachelor degree, held by 16.8% of residents in this age group. Postgraduate qualifications are held by 4.7%, and graduate diplomas by 2.5%. Vocational credentials are prominent, with 37.6% of residents aged 15 years and above holding such qualifications.

This includes advanced diplomas (11.9%) and certificates (25.7%). Currently, 20.2% of the population is actively engaged in formal education, comprising 5.9% in primary education, 5.0% in secondary education, and 4.4% pursuing tertiary education.

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, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by nine different routes that together facilitate 2612 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents on average being located 207 meters from the nearest stop.

Across all routes, there is an average of 373 trips per day, which equates to approximately 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. Approximately 48% (~3,419 people) have private health cover, compared to 52.7% across the rest of Queensland and a national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 12.4%) and mental health issues (9.3%).

However, 59.3% report having no 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% (2,317 people), compared to 22.3% in the rest of Queensland. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are above average and better than those of the general population.

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 aligns with the broader region, with 83.4% being citizens, 76.5% born in Australia, and 92.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, at 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 (9.6%) and Welsh (0.8%) are overrepresented, while German (5.1%) is slightly higher than the regional average of 4.6%.

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

Caloundra-Kings Beach has a median age of 55, which is considerably higher than the Rest of Qld figure of 41 and substantially exceeds the national norm of 38. Relative to Rest of Qld, Caloundra-Kings Beach has a higher concentration of 65-74 residents at 16.5%, but fewer 5-14 year-olds at 5.6%. This 65-74 concentration is well above the national figure of 9.4%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the 25 to 34 age group has grown from 10.3% to 13.0% of the population. Conversely, the 65 to 74 cohort has declined from 18.0% to 16.5%, and the 45 to 54 group has dropped from 12.6% to 11.3%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections reveal significant shifts in Caloundra-Kings Beach's age structure. The 25 to 34 group is projected to grow by 61%, reaching 1,488 people from the current figure of 925.