Cooloola
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Cooloola's population was approximately 7,304 as of August 2025. This figure reflects a growth of 736 people, an increase of 11.2% since the 2021 Census which recorded a population of 6,568. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 7,088 reported by the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 73 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 6.4 persons per square kilometer. Cooloola's growth rate exceeded both the non-metro area (8.6%) and the national average, positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Interstate migration contributed approximately 92.1% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts 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 used, 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 the ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 and based on 2022 data. Future population trends indicate a moderate increase, with Cooloola expected to grow by approximately 352 persons by 2041, resulting in a total growth of about 1.8% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Cooloola among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Cooloola has seen approximately 53 new homes approved annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis, showing 267 dwellings approved between fiscal years FY-21 and FY-25, with 9 approvals so far in FY-26. On average, each dwelling has resulted in 2.3 new residents annually over the past five financial years. This robust demand supports property values, with new homes being constructed at an average cost of $393,000, reflecting more affordable housing options compared to regional norms.

In FY-26, commercial approvals totalling $18.9 million have been registered, indicating moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Cooloola has 12.0% less new development per person but ranks in the 76th percentile nationally among assessed areas. Recent construction consists of 95.0% detached houses and 5.0% medium and high-density housing, maintaining the area's low density character while attracting space-seeking buyers.

The population density is approximately 158 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. By 2041, Cooloola is projected to grow by 128 residents. With current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Cooloola has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 47thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. Two projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to affect this region: Bruce Highway Upgrades from Brisbane to Cairns; Forest Wind Farm Project; Bruce Highway (Cooroy to Curra) Section D - Northern Contract; and Gympie Water Resilience and Augmentation Project (GWRAP) Phase 1. The following details projects most likely to be relevant.

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

Employment performance in Cooloola has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Cooloola's workforce comprises both white and blue-collar jobs, with tourism and hospitality sectors prominent. The unemployment rate was 7.1% in the past year, showing an employment growth of 5.6%.

As of June 2025, 2,242 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.2%, which is 3.9% higher than Rest of Qld's rate. Workforce participation lags at 31.1%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Employment is concentrated in accommodation & food (1.9 times regional average), retail trade, and health care & social assistance (9.9% vs regional average of 16.1%). Over the year to June 2025, employment increased by 5.6%, while labour force rose by 7.5%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.7 percentage points.

In comparison, Rest of Qld saw employment grow by 1.8% and unemployment rise by 0.2%. As of Sep-25, Queensland's employment contracted by 0.23%, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, compared to the national rate of 4.5%. National employment forecasts from May 2025 project a growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but local growth patterns may differ based on Cooloola's industry-specific projections.

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

AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Cooloola had a median taxpayer income of $34,812 and an average income of $46,943. Nationally, the averages were $50,780 and $64,844 respectively for Rest of Qld. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year 2022, estimated median and average incomes in Cooloola as of March 2025 are approximately $38,888 and $52,440 respectively. The 2021 Census revealed that incomes in Cooloola fall between the 1st and 2nd percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. Income analysis indicates that 41.5% of the community (3,031 individuals) earn between $400 - 799 weekly, compared to the region's leading bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 at 31.7%. The concentration of 51.3% in sub-$800 weekly brackets suggests economic challenges for a significant portion of the community. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 84.4% of income remaining, ranking at the 3rd percentile nationally.

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

Cooloola's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 85.2% houses and 14.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 91.8% houses and 8.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Cooloola was at 57.4%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (19.9%) or rented (22.7%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Cooloola was $1,300, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,326. The median weekly rent figure in Cooloola was $280, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $290. Nationally, Cooloola's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Cooloola features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 63.6% of all households, including 11.2% couples with children, 44.8% couples without children, and 7.2% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 36.4%, with lone person households at 33.1% and group households at 3.2%. The median household size is 2.0 people, smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.4.

Cooloola faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 10.4%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 7.7%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.4%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.3%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 43.1% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (9.6%) and certificates (33.5%).

School and university attendance accounts for 19.1% of the community, including 7.3% in primary education, 6.8% in secondary education, and 1.3% pursuing tertiary education. Educational provision includes Tin Can Bay State School and Rainbow Beach State School, serving a total of 340 students. Cooloola demonstrates typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 958) with balanced educational opportunities, comprising 1 primary and 1 K-12 school. Local school capacity is limited at 4.7 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 13.8, resulting in many families traveling to nearby areas for schooling.

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

Analysis of public transport in Cooloola shows that there are currently nineteen active transport stops operating within the area. These stops offer a mix of bus services. There is one individual route serving these stops, collectively providing fifteen weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of transport in the region is rated as limited, with residents typically located 607 meters from the nearest transport stop. The service frequency averages two trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately zero weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Cooloola faces significant health challenges with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Approximately 46% (~3,359 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (15.9%) and mental health issues (9.1%). Notably, 51.6% report no medical ailments, compared to 60.3% in the rest of Queensland. Cooloola has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 42.8% (3,127 people), compared to the state's average of 25.4%. While health outcomes among seniors are challenging, they perform better than the general population in health metrics.

Cooloola is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Cooloola's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 88.2% of its population being citizens, 83.8% born in Australia, and 97.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, making up 53.6% of Cooloola's population compared to 50.4% across Rest of Qld. The top three ancestry groups were English (34.5%), Australian (28.5%), and Irish (9.4%).

Notably, German (5.8%) was proportionally equal with the regional average, Scottish (8.9%) was slightly higher than the regional average of 8.3%, and French (0.6%) was also slightly higher than the regional average of 0.4%.

Cooloola ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Cooloola's median age is 62 years, which is notably higher than Rest of Qld's median of 41 and well above Australia's median of 38. The age profile shows that those aged 65-74 make up a significant portion at 25.5%, while the 25-34 group is relatively small at 5.2%. This concentration of people in the 65-74 age bracket is higher than the national average of 9.4%. Between 2021 and present, the 75 to 84 age group has increased from 13.2% to 14.4%, while the 15 to 24 cohort has risen from 5.4% to 6.5%. Conversely, the 65 to 74 cohort has decreased from 27.9% to 25.5%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Cooloola's age structure. The 85+ age group is projected to rise substantially by 210 people (99%), from 212 to 423. Senior residents aged 65 and above will drive 79% of population growth, highlighting demographic aging trends. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 75 to 84 age group and those aged 5-14.