Coombabah

Coombabah is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Coombabah's population, as of February 2026, is around 10,819. This reflects an increase since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 10,298 people. The growth, inferred from ABS data, shows an increase of 521 people (5.1%) between June 2024 and February 2026, including 3 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 931 persons per square kilometer. Coombabah's growth rate of 5.1% since the census is within 1.4 percentage points of the SA3 area's growth rate of 6.5%. The primary driver for this growth was overseas migration, contributing approximately 70.1% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for SA2 areas. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023, based on 2021 data, are adopted. These state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings from the ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023, based on 2022 data, for each age cohort. Future population dynamics anticipate an increase just below the median of locations outside capital cities by 2041, with Coombabah expected to grow by 830 persons, reflecting a total increase of 7.2% over the 17 years based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Coombabah according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Coombabah has seen approximately four new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, with a total of 21 approvals. In FY26, three homes have been approved so far. This results in an average of 12.4 people moving to the area per year for each dwelling built during this period.

The demand for housing significantly outpaces supply, which typically exerts upward pressure on prices and intensifies competition among buyers. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $371,000. In FY26, commercial approvals have reached $666,000, indicating a predominantly residential focus in the area. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Coombabah has significantly less development activity, 90.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new homes tends to strengthen demand and prices for existing properties.

However, construction activity has recently intensified. Relative to the national average, this indicates the area's established nature and suggests potential planning limitations. Recent building activity consists solely of detached houses, maintaining Coombabah's traditional low-density character with a focus on family homes that appeal to those seeking space. Developers are constructing more detached housing than the existing pattern implies (49.0% at Census), reflecting persistent strong demand for family homes despite densification trends. The estimated population count per dwelling approval is 1836, reflecting Coombabah's quiet and low-activity development environment. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the area will gain 784 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Coombabah has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Twelve projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area. Key projects include Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area park upgrades, Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area Park Upgrades, Serenity 4212, and Coombabah Sewage Treatment Plant Stage 6 Upgrade. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

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The employment landscape in Coombabah shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

Coombabah has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. Its unemployment rate was 4.5% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 2.5%. As of September 2025, 4765 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.1%, which is 0.5% higher than Rest of Qld's rate.

Workforce participation was at 52.7%, significantly lower than Rest of Qld's 65.7%. Only 11.7% of residents worked from home, according to Census responses. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. The area has a strong specialization in administrative & support services, with an employment share 1.5 times the regional level.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing employs just 0.4% of local workers, below Rest of Qld's 4.5%. The area may offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the difference between working population and resident population counts. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 2.5%, and labour force increased by 2.3%, causing a fall in unemployment rate of 0.2 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment rise by 1.7% and unemployment rise by 0.3 percentage points during the same period. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, released in May-25, suggest potential future demand within Coombabah. These projections estimate national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Coombabah's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

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

The median income among taxpayers in Coombabah SA2 was $43,607 in financial year 2023. The average income stood at $60,574 for the same period. In comparison, Rest of Qld's median and average incomes were $53,146 and $66,593 respectively. By September 2025, estimated median and average incomes in Coombabah SA2 would be approximately $47,928 and $66,577 based on a 9.91% growth since financial year 2023. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Coombabah fell between the 6th and 12th percentiles nationally. Income analysis showed that the largest segment comprised 31.3% earning $400-$799 weekly, with 3,386 residents falling into this category. This differs from patterns across the metropolitan region where $1,500-$2,999 dominates at 31.7%. Housing affordability pressures were severe in Coombabah, with only 79.2% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 6th percentile nationally.

Coombabah displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Coombabah's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 49.3% houses and 50.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This contrasts with Non-Metro Qld's structure of 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Coombabah stood at 43.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 28.1% and rented ones at 28.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,647, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent figure in Coombabah was $415, higher than Non-Metro Qld's $345. Nationally, Coombabah's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households comprise 61.6% of all households, including 18.2% couples with children, 30.2% couples without children, and 12.3% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 38.4%, with lone person households at 34.6% and group households comprising 3.8%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

Educational outcomes in Coombabah fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 16.1%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 10.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.2%) and graduate diplomas (2.0%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 40.7% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 12.6% and certificates at 28.1%. A total of 23.5% of the population is actively engaged in formal education, including 8.2% in primary, 6.4% in secondary, and 3.6% in tertiary education.

A substantial 23.5% of the population actively pursues formal education. This includes 8.2% in primary education, 6.4% in secondary education, and 3.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Coombabah has 30 active public transport stops, all bus services. Five routes operate collectively making 1,790 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is good, with residents typically 221 meters from the nearest stop. Most commuters travel outward, primarily by car (92%). Average vehicle ownership per dwelling is 1.0, below regional average. In 2021 Census data, 11.7% of residents worked from home.

Service frequency averages 255 trips daily across all routes, around 59 weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Coombabah is lower than average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Coombabah faces significant health challenges, as assessed by AreaSearch's analysis of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The prevalence of common health conditions is notable across both younger and older age cohorts. Approximately 49% of Coombabah's total population (~5,322 people) has private health cover, compared to 52.5% in the rest of Queensland and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (13.1%) and mental health issues (8.1%), while 58.8% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.6% in the rest of Queensland. Working-age residents show a higher-than-average prevalence of chronic health conditions. Coombabah has 33.3% of residents aged 65 and over (3,603 people), which is higher than the 20.4% in the rest of Queensland. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Coombabah was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Coombabah had a higher cultural diversity than most local markets, with 11.7% of its population speaking languages other than English at home and 34.2% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion in Coombabah, accounting for 53.3% of its population. Notably, Judaism was overrepresented compared to the rest of Queensland, comprising 0.2% versus 0.1%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (33.1%), Australian (22.2%), and Irish (8.4%). There were also notable differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: New Zealanders were overrepresented at 1.7%, Maori at 1.6%, and Hungarians at 0.4%.

Coombabah ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Coombabah's median age is 51, surpassing Rest of Qld's figure of 41 and Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Rest of Qld, Coombabah has a notably higher percentage of the 75-84 age group (13.6% locally vs. average), while the 5-14 year-olds are under-represented (7.4%). This concentration of the 75-84 cohort is significantly above the national figure of 6.1%. Between 2021 and present, the 25 to 34 age group has grown from 9.6% to 11.2%, while the 15 to 24 cohort increased from 8.1% to 9.4%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 9.9% to 7.4%, and the 65 to 74 group decreased from 16.5% to 14.9%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Coombabah's age structure. The 85+ age cohort is projected to increase markedly by 462 people (an 89% rise) from 520 to 983. Residents aged 65 and above will drive 60% of population growth, reflecting demographic aging trends. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 45 to 54 and 55 to 64 age cohorts.