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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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Sales Activity
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Population
Population growth drivers in Clifton Beach - Kewarra Beach are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends
Clifton Beach - Kewarra Beach's population was 12,760 as of May 2026, according to AreaSearch's analysis. This figure represents an increase of 971 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 11,789. The growth is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 12,760 in June 2025 and an additional 412 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 339 persons per square kilometer. Clifton Beach - Kewarra Beach's growth rate of 8.2% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA4 region's growth rate of 7.5%, indicating it as a growth leader. Overseas migration contributed approximately 75.1% of overall population gains during recent periods, though natural growth and interstate migration also played positive roles.
AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data 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 from ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 using 2022 data for each age cohort. Demographic trends project an above median population growth for locations outside capital cities. Clifton Beach - Kewarra Beach is expected to grow by 2,041 persons to reach a total of 14,801 by 2041, reflecting a gain of 16.0% over the 16-year period based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Clifton Beach - Kewarra Beach among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide
Clifton Beach - Kewarra Beach has seen approximately 79 dwellings granted development approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25395 homes were approved, with an additional 103 approved in FY26 so far. On average, around 2.1 people have moved to the area per new home constructed over these five years, indicating strong demand that supports property values.
The average expected construction cost value of new homes is $395,000. This financial year has seen $2.7 million in commercial development approvals, reflecting the area's predominantly residential nature. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Clifton Beach - Kewarra Beach maintains similar development levels per capita, preserving market balance with the broader region despite recent acceleration in building activity.
New construction consists of 98.0% detached dwellings and 2.0% townhouses or apartments, retaining the area's low-density character and attracting space-seeking buyers. Developers are constructing more detached housing than the current pattern suggests (81.0% at Census), reflecting persistent strong demand for family homes amidst densification trends. With around 114 people per approval, Clifton Beach - Kewarra Beach is a developing area. Future projections estimate an addition of 2,041 residents by 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Current development levels appear aligned with future requirements, maintaining stable market conditions without significant price pressures.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Clifton Beach - Kewarra Beach
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
Infrastructure
Clifton Beach - Kewarra Beach has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally
Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 27 projects likely impacting the area. Notable projects include Reefsedge Resort & Waterpark, The Palms Collection Masterplan, The Palms, and Deep Creek Estate. Below is a list detailing those most relevant.
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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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Reefsedge Resort & Waterpark
A state-of-the-art $235 million waterpark and luxury resort development on the former Paradise Palms site. The project features 22 slides, including a three-level tower and the King Cobra slide, plus wave and lagoon pools. The masterplan includes 364 villas, 127 ensuited caravan sites, and a fully renovated clubhouse. Designed as a catalytic tourism project for Far North Queensland, it expects to attract 379,000 annual visitors and create over 400 operational jobs.
The Palms Collection Masterplan
A major $300 million mixed-use masterplan transforming the former Paradise Palms Golf Course into a sustainable community and tourist destination. The development features 438 residential lots, a 349-site land-lease retirement village, a Catholic primary school, and the 'Reefsedge' tourist park. Reefsedge includes a $210 million water park with 25 slides and a wave pool, scheduled for completion by mid-2026. The project is an EnviroDevelopment certified precinct with extensive walking trails and parklands.
The Palms
The Palms is a major masterplanned redevelopment of the former Paradise Palms Golf Course into a mixed-use precinct. The project features approximately 330 residential lots and the $210 million Reefsedge Waterpark and Tourist Park, which includes over 20 water slides, resort pools, 364 villas, and 47 caravan sites. The site also incorporates a proposed Catholic primary school and a village hub with retail and dining. Civil works are ongoing, with the waterpark and resort components targeted for a mid-2026 opening.
Woolworths Trinity Beach Shopping Centre
A $60 million retail development by Fabcot Pty Ltd, Woolworths' property arm. Following years of planning delays and legal challenges, construction is underway with completion targeted for Q2 2027. The project features a 3,800sqm full-line Woolworths supermarket, approximately 15 specialty retail stores, a medical/consulting precinct, 269 on-grade car parks, six direct-to-boot bays, and four electric vehicle charging stations.
Northern Beaches Water Network Upgrade
Council's 10-year program (circa $31m) to install and replace trunk and distribution water mains across Cairns' Northern Beaches to improve flow, reduce breakages, and increase reliability for about 34,000 residents. Staged delivery: Stages 1-5 completed (2015-2020), Stage 6 Kamerunga Road underway, Stage 7 Trinity Beach mains and booster station planned by Dec 2026, Stage 8 Paradise Palms to Clifton Beach trunk main planned by Jun 2032.
Breakwaters - Clifton Beach Erosion Management
Construction of three shore-connected rock breakwaters along Arlington Esplanade to trap northward-moving sand and reduce long-term erosion at Clifton Beach. Works scheduled across May-October 2025 with sand nourishment following completion.
Northern Beaches Catholic Primary School
New Catholic primary school proposed within The Palms (former Paradise Palms) masterplanned precinct at Kewarra Beach to cater for growing Northern Beaches enrolments. The Diocese of Cairns has contracted land within the estate and signalled intent to open subject to funding and approvals. Timeline has shifted from an initial hope of 2025; project remains in planning pending formal approvals and delivery program.
Deep Creek Estate
Masterplanned house-and-land estate by Kenfrost Homes spanning pockets near Cottesloe Drive, Clifton Beach. The Clifton Beach side launched in late 2023 with ongoing construction and sales. Estate marketing highlights generous lots, proximity to beach and schools, and on-site agents daily (except Tuesdays).
Employment
Employment conditions in Clifton Beach - Kewarra Beach demonstrate strong performance, ranking among the top 35% of areas assessed nationally
Clifton Beach - Kewarra Beach had an unemployment rate of 2.2% as of December 2025. It employed 6,799 residents at this time, with a participation rate similar to Regional Qld's 64.5%. The area's unemployment rate was 1.8% lower than Regional Qld's rate of 4.0%.
During Covid-19 lockdowns, 18.2% of residents worked from home. Employment was concentrated in health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade. Notably, employment in accommodation & food was at 1.5 times the regional average, while agriculture, forestry & fishing employed only 1.0% of local workers, below Regional Qld's 4.5%. The labour force decreased by 1.2% during the year to December 2025, with employment decreasing by 2.0%, leading to an unemployment rate rise of 0.8 percentage points.
By comparison, Regional Qld recorded employment growth of 0.7% and a smaller increase in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Clifton Beach - Kewarra Beach's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis
AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data for Clifton Beach - Kewarra Beach SA2 in financial year 2023 shows a median taxpayer income of $56,242 and an average income of $69,148. Nationally, the median is $53,146 and the average is $66,593. By March 2026, estimates based on Wage Price Index growth suggest a median income of approximately $62,631 and an average of $77,003. Census data places Clifton Beach - Kewarra Beach incomes modestly, between the 43rd and 52nd percentiles for household, family, and personal incomes. The $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket dominates with 34.0% of residents (4,338 people). Housing affordability is severe, with only 84.2% of income remaining, ranking at the 45th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Clifton Beach - Kewarra Beach is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership
In Clifton Beach-Kewarra Beach, as per the latest Census, 81.1% of dwellings were houses while 18.9% comprised semi-detached units, apartments and other types. This compares to Regional Qld's 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Clifton Beach-Kewarra Beach stood at 35.6%, with mortgages at 37.0% and rentals at 27.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, higher than Regional Qld's average of $1,655. Median weekly rent in the area was $400, compared to Regional Qld's $345. Nationally, Clifton Beach-Kewarra Beach's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,733 versus Australia's average of $1,863, while rents were higher at $400 against the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Clifton Beach - Kewarra Beach has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size
Family households account for 73.7% of all households, including 25.3% couples with children, 36.9% couples without children, and 10.6% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 26.3%, with lone person households at 23.0% and group households making up 3.4%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Regional Queensland average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
The educational profile of Clifton Beach - Kewarra Beach 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 25.8%, surpassing the Rest of Qld average of 20.6% and the SA4 region's rate of 21.1%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 16.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 6.5% and graduate diplomas at 2.5%. Vocational credentials are held by 40.9% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 13.6% and certificates at 27.3%.
Educational participation is high, with 27.5% currently enrolled in formal education, including 9.7% in primary, 7.9% in secondary, and 4.2% in tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
Clifton Beach - Kewarra Beach has 44 active public transport stops. These are served by three bus routes, offering a combined total of 382 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated good, with residents located an average of 375 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward daily. Cars remain the primary mode of transport, used by 91% of residents. On average, there are 1.4 vehicles per dwelling.
According to the 2021 Census, 18.2% of residents work from home, which may be due to COVID-19 conditions. Bus services operate at an average frequency of 54 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately eight weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Clifton Beach - Kewarra Beach's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions
Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Clifton Beach - Kewarra Beach, based on AreaSearch's assessment.
Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were low across both young and old age cohorts. Private health cover was high at approximately 53% of the total population (~6,801 people), leading the average SA2 area. The most common medical conditions were arthritis (8.0%) and mental health issues (7.6%). A majority, 69.7%, declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Health outcomes among the working-age population were broadly typical. The area had a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 23.6% (3,012 people), compared to 20.4% in Regional Qld. Health outcomes among seniors were particularly strong, with national rankings even higher than the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Clifton Beach - Kewarra Beach was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics
Clifton Beach-Kewarra Beach, surveyed in 2016, had 11.0% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 31.3% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion, with 44.8%. Judaism was overrepresented at 0.3%, compared to Regional Qld's 0.1%.
Top ancestry groups were English (31.9%), Australian (21.4%), and Irish (8.4%). French (0.9%), Welsh (0.8%), and Hungarian (0.4%) were notably overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0.5%, 0.5%, and 0.2% respectively.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Clifton Beach - Kewarra Beach hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide
Clifton Beach - Kewarra Beach's median age is 47 years, which is notably higher than Regional Queensland's median age of 41 and significantly older than the national norm of 38. Compared to the Regional Queensland average, the 55-64 cohort is notably over-represented in Clifton Beach-Kewarra Beach at 16.2%, while the 25-34 year-olds are under-represented at 9.5%. This concentration of the 55-64 age group is well above the national average of 11.2%. Between 2021 and present, the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 8.6% to 9.9%, while the 75 to 84 cohort increased from 6.1% to 7.2%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 15.7% to 13.5%. Demographic modeling suggests that Clifton Beach-Kewarra Beach's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 65 to 74 age cohort is projected to expand by 387 people (21%) from 1,859 to 2,247. Conversely, numbers in the 15 to 24 age range are expected to fall by 30.