Cooloola

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

Cooloola's population, as per AreaSearch's analysis, was approximately 7,148 by May 2026. This figure indicates a growth of 580 individuals, representing an 8.8% increase since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,568. The change is inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 7,148 in June 2025 and an additional 75 validated new addresses post-Census. This results in a density ratio of 6.3 persons per square kilometer. Cooloola's growth rate of 8.8% since the Census is close to that of the Rest of Qld at 9.2%, indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Interstate migration contributed approximately 89.9% of overall population gains in 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 from 2023, based on 2021 data, are adopted. These state projections lack age category splits; thus, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections from 2023, based on 2022 data. Considering projected demographic shifts, a population increase just below the median of Australia's non-metropolitan areas is expected by 2041, with an anticipated expansion of 328 persons, reflecting a total increase of 4.6% over 16 years.

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

Cooloola has averaged approximately 53 new dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling 267 homes. As of FY-26 so far, 32 approvals have been recorded. On average, each dwelling has accommodated about 2.3 new residents annually between FY-21 and FY-25, reflecting robust demand that supports property values. The average construction cost value for new homes is around $261,000, which is below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers.

This financial year has seen approximately $18.9 million in commercial approvals, indicating moderate levels of commercial development compared to the rest of Queensland. Cooloola shows 11.0% lower construction activity per person than the rest of Queensland and ranks among the 76th percentile nationally when measured against other areas assessed. New building activity consists of approximately 95.0% detached dwellings and 5.0% medium and high-density housing, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers.

The location has approximately 158 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Cooloola is expected to grow by around 328 residents through to 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Cooloola has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified one major project likely affecting the region: Forest Wind Farm, Bruce Highway (Cooroy to Curra) Section D - Northern Contract, Gympie Water Resilience and Augmentation Project (GWRAP) Phase 1, and Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program - Wide Bay Burnett are key projects. Relevant details for these projects follow.

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

Cooloola has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar employment. Tourism and hospitality sectors are prominent. The unemployment rate is 5.8%, with an estimated employment growth of 9.1% over the past year.

As of December 2025, there are 2,332 residents in work, but the unemployment rate is higher than Regional Qld's at 6.8%. Workforce participation is lower at 38.0%, compared to Regional Qld's 64.5%. Home-based workers make up a moderate 13.9% of residents. Key industries include accommodation & food, retail trade, and health care & social assistance.

Cooloola has a high specialization in accommodation & food (1.9 times the regional level) but is under-represented in health care & social assistance (9.9% vs Regional Qld's 16.1%). Employment opportunities locally appear limited. Over a 12-month period, employment increased by 9.1%, labour force grew by 8.9%, and unemployment fell by 0.2 percentage points. In comparison, Regional Qld had lower growth rates of 0.7% for employment and 1.0% for labour force, with unemployment rising by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Cooloola's employment should increase by 5.6% over five years and 11.9% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

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

The Cooloola SA2's median income among taxpayers was $36,035 in financial year 2023, according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. The average income stood at $49,039 during the same period. These figures are lower than those for Regional Qld, which were $53,146 and $66,593 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of March 2026 would be approximately $40,129 (median) and $54,610 (average). Census data from 2021 shows that household, family and personal incomes in Cooloola fall between the 0th and 2nd percentiles nationally. Income distribution indicates that 41.5% of individuals earn between $400 - 799 per week, contrasting with regional levels where earnings predominantly lie within the $1,500 - 2,999 band at 31.7%. This reveals a significant proportion of lower-income residents (51.3% earning under $800/week), suggesting constrained household budgets across Cooloola. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 84.4% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 2nd percentile nationally.

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

Cooloola's latest Census data shows 85.2% houses and 14.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Regional Qld's 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Cooloola was 57.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 19.9% and rented dwellings at 22.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, below Regional Qld's average of $1,655. Median weekly rent in Cooloola was $280, compared to Regional Qld's $345. Nationally, Cooloola's mortgage repayments are lower at $1,300 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents are 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 account for the remaining 36.4%, with lone person households at 33.1% and group households comprising 3.2%. The median household size is 2.0 people, which is smaller than the Regional Queensland average of 2.5.

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 disparity presents both challenges and opportunities for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 7.7%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.4%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.3%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 43.1% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 9.6% and certificates at 33.5%.

School and university attendance comprises 19.1% of the community, including 7.3% in primary education, 6.8% in secondary education, and 1.3% pursuing tertiary education.

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

The analysis of public transport in Cooloola shows that there are currently 24 active transport stops operating within the area. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 15 weekly passenger trips provided collectively by these routes. The accessibility of transport in Cooloola is rated as limited, with residents typically residing 608 meters away from the nearest transport stop. As a predominantly residential area, most residents commute outward. The car remains the primary mode of transportation for commuting, used by 88% of residents, while walking accounts for 8%. On average, there are 1.2 vehicles per dwelling in Cooloola, which is below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 13.9% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 2 trips per day across all routes, resulting in approximately 0 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Cooloola faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Notably, common health conditions are prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover is extremely low in Cooloola, with approximately 46% of the total population (~3,295 people) having it, compared to 52.5% in Regional Qld and a national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (15.9%) and mental health issues (9.1%). Conversely, 51.6% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, which is lower than the 67.6% in Regional Qld. The working-age population faces notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. Cooloola has a higher proportion of seniors, with 44.2% of residents aged 65 and over (3,162 people), compared to 20.4% in Regional Qld. Health outcomes among seniors present additional challenges, ranking even higher than the general population nationally.

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 main religion, comprising 53.6% of Cooloola's population compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld. The top three ancestry groups were English (34.5%), Australian (28.5%), and Irish (9.4%).

Notably, German ancestry was overrepresented at 5.8% in Cooloola versus 4.7% regionally, Scottish at 8.9% versus 7.8%, and French at 0.6% versus 0.5%.

Cooloola ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Cooloola's median age is 62 years, which exceeds Regional Qld's median of 41 years and is well above Australia's median of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 65-74 are particularly prominent at 26.1%, while the 25-34 group is smaller at 5.1% compared to Regional Qld. This concentration of those aged 65-74 is higher than the national figure of 9.4%. Between 2021 and the present, the 75-84 age group has grown from 13.2% to 14.9%, while the 15-24 cohort has increased from 5.4% to 6.4%. Conversely, the 65-74 cohort has declined from 27.9% to 26.1%, and the 45-54 group has dropped from 10.9% to 9.5%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Cooloola's age structure. The 85+ age cohort is projected to rise substantially, increasing by 209 people (90%) from 231 to 441. Senior residents aged 65 and above will drive 81% of population growth, highlighting demographic aging trends. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 5-14 and 55-64 age cohorts.