Chart Color Schemes
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.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Elanora has an estimated 13,343 residents, up from 12,539 at the 2021 Census — a change of 804 people, or 6.4%. Growth has averaged 0.9% a year over five years. Overseas migration accounts for 56.3% of that increase. That puts 1,501 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to research from AreaSearch, the resident count in Elanora stands at roughly 13,343 as of Aug 2026. This represents an expansion of 804 people (6.4%) compared with the 12,539 people counted in the 2021 Census. Such growth is calculated using the ABS estimated resident population figure of 13,343 as of June 2025 alongside 4 validated new addresses added following the Census. The local density reaches 1,500 persons per square kilometer, placing it above the nationwide benchmark recorded by AreaSearch. Inbound overseas migration was the primary driver, generating roughly 56.3% of recent demographic expansion, with interstate arrivals and natural increases also contributing positively.
Projections utilised by AreaSearch for SA2 boundaries rely on ABS/Geoscience Australia figures published in 2024 (using 2022 as the base year). Where these are unavailable or extend past 2032, Queensland State Government SA2 forecasts published in 2023 (utilising 2021 data) are incorporated. Because the state series lacks age cohort breakdowns, AreaSearch applies proportional distribution weights derived from the ABS Greater Capital Region forecasts (published in 2023 from 2022 data) across age groups. Looking ahead, future population expansion is projected to track slightly below the national regional median, with local numbers anticipated to expand by 1,439 persons to 2041 under current annual ERP figures, translating to an overall growth rate of 10.8% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
87 new dwellings have been approved in Elanora over the past five years, an average of 17 a year. That is 1.4 approvals per 1,000 residents. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential building approvals in Elanora have averaged approximately 17 dwellings annually, generating 87 homes across the previous 5 financial years. With an inflow averaging 6.4 new residents per year per finished home over the last 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26), additions to supply are falling well short of incoming demand, creating heightened purchasing competition and price pressure. Meanwhile, construction costs for new dwellings average $443,000, sitting beneath regional figures and providing comparatively attainable alternatives for purchasers. Additionally, $9.1 million worth of commercial building permits were logged this financial year, underscoring the predominantly residential focus of the locality.
Building activity in Elanora sits well below the broader Rest of Qld market, registering 88.0% below regional average per person. This constrained development pipeline typically bolsters property valuations and buyer interest across established stock. Building rates also fall beneath the national benchmark, reflecting a mature urban environment alongside possible town planning constraints. Of recently approved residential stock, standalone houses represent 39.0% while attached dwellings account for 61.0%. This shift toward medium-density formats creates accessible price points that appeal to downsizers, property investors, and first home buyers. It also represents a substantial shift from the established housing stock (presently 79.0% houses), indicating a dwindling supply of vacant residential land and adapting to shifting lifestyle expectations and affordability requirements. With approximately 1568 people per approval, Elanora demonstrates the characteristics of a fully developed community. Demographic projections suggest Elanora is slated to add 1,439 residents through to 2041, based on the most recent quarterly figures from AreaSearch. Under prevailing building volumes, residential completions could fall short of demographic expansion, which may intensify competition among purchasers and support upward momentum in local dwelling values.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Elanora
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 6 current infrastructure and development projects inside Elanora, worth an estimated $465 million. A further 165 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $44.3 billion. 45 are already under construction and 80 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities and transport & logistics. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local capital works, major development initiatives, and planning schemes play a decisive role in shaping community outcomes. AreaSearch has pinpointed a total of 56 projects with the potential to influence the area. Notable undertakings include the Ellandra Reserve Estate, the Elanora Childcare Centre Development Site, Currumbin Eco-Parkland, and The Pines Elanora Shopping Centre, with key projects summarized below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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
Ellandra Reserve Estate
An exclusive gated community of 105 townhouse dwellings on a 10.98-hectare site in Elanora on the Gold Coast, delivered as a joint venture between Neumann Developments and Ritz Group. The development is designed to complement surrounding natural bushland, with significant rehabilitated environmental open space to be handed back to Council, forming part of the koala habitat corridor. A new Development Permit is being sought for the townhouses and community spaces, with the site's topographical challenges addressed through considered building form and earthworks.SCG Urban facilitated the JV agreement, pre-lodgement consultation with City of Gold Coast, and project management throughout the DA preparation process.
Elanora Childcare Centre Development Site
DA Approved 51-place dual-level childcare facility on a 755 sqm site directly adjoining Elanora State School. This development addresses a highly undersupplied catchment area with an estimated 3.9 children per place. The site currently includes a 5-bedroom modern home providing rental income while awaiting development commencement.
The Pines Elanora Shopping Centre
The Pines Elanora is a sub-regional shopping center on the southern Gold Coast, featuring major anchors including Coles, Woolworths, ALDI, and Kmart. The facility serves as a vital community hub with over 100 specialty stores, medical services, and a regional library. It underwent a significant 30 million AUD redevelopment in 2015 and features a major 636 kW rooftop solar installation.
Palm Beach Hotel
A $120 million luxury hotel development by Steer Developments on the former Centrelink building site at Palm Beach on the Gold Coast. The six-storey development will deliver 126 rooms with state-of-the-art amenities including a rooftop pool, gym, spa, and in-house dining. Designed by Plus Architecture, the project targets the undersupplied luxury hotel market on the southern Gold Coast. Construction was originally scheduled to commence in Q4 2023, however no evidence of works commencing has been confirmed as of April 2026.
Palm Beach Oceanway Extension
Extension of the beachfront cycling and walking path along Palm Beach, connecting to existing infrastructure to promote active transport and recreation. The project includes new pathways, lighting, and amenities to enhance community access.
Flourish Amargo on Sixth
Flourish Amargo on Sixth is an 18-storey residential development by Sherpa Property Group. It features 125 apartments, an 800sqm rooftop with heated lap pool and wellness centre, plus ground-floor cafe and commercial space.
Flourish Amargo
A 12-storey residential development comprising 125 one, two, and three-bedroom apartments (formerly known as Flourish on Sixth Ave), delivering world-class wellness and rooftop amenities including a heated lap pool, private cabanas, gym, yoga, steam and magnesium pools, and a pizza oven. Designed by HAL Architects and constructed by LPS Group, the project targets first-home buyers, downsizers, and families seeking quality coastal living in Palm Beach. The development is 84% sold with over $110 million in sales secured, and includes an on-site Community Sherpa to support residents post-settlement.
Philippine Parade Shopping Centre
A proposed two-storey shopping centre and dining precinct involving the demolition of up to 10 residential houses to create retail, dining, commercial, and office spaces. The development application (MCU/2024/177) includes provisions for office space, shops, and food and drink outlets to serve the growing Palm Beach community. As of early 2026, the project remains under assessment with the Gold Coast City Council.
7,075 residents of Elanora are employed, from a labour force of 7,278. Unemployment sits at 2.8%, with participation at 67.1%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.7% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 11,158, about 84% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Elanora maintains an experienced workforce with significant representation across key service sectors, an unemployment rate of only 2.8%, and estimated yearly jobs growth of 3.3%. As of March 2026, employed residents total 7,075, while the local jobless rate sits 1.1% below the 3.9% recorded for Regional Qld. Labor participation is typical at 67.1% compared to 64.2% across Regional Qld. Census data revealed that 15.0% of local workers operated from home, though the context of Covid-19 restrictions should be kept in mind. The primary employment sectors for local workers are health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.
The suburb exhibits a notable concentration in building and construction, capturing a workforce proportion 1.3 times the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for a minimal share of local employment, engaging only 0.4% of working residents in Elanora against 4.5% across Regional Qld. As a predominantly residential suburb, local employment volume appears limited when comparing Census workplace counts against resident worker tallies. Analysis by AreaSearch using SALM and ABS statistics indicates that for the year to March 2026, resident employment expanded by 3.3% while the local labor pool grew by 3.2%, keeping local unemployment levels steady. By comparison, Regional Qld saw employment rise by 0.1%, the workforce expand by 0.3%, and the jobless rate tick up by 0.1 percentage points. Broader insight into future workforce demand can be drawn from national employment forecasts released by Jobs and Skills Australia in Mar-26. These five-year and ten-year models have been applied against the local industry profile to gauge future employment trajectories. Nationwide employment is expected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with distinct variations across different sectors. Applying these industry growth rates to the local employment distribution suggests local workforce opportunities could expand by 6.7% over five years and 13.8% over ten years (note that this constitutes an illustrative weighted extrapolation that excludes localized demographic projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Elanora is $1,744 a week (about $91,000 a year), with median personal income at $738 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $54,878 a year against an average of $75,437. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Recent postcode-level data from the ATO compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicates that earnings in the Elanora SA2 sit comfortably above national benchmarks, with a median of $54,878 and a mean of $75,437. In comparison, Regional Qld recorded a median of $53,146 and a mean of $66,593. Accounting for an 11.36% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, indexed figures reach approximately $61,112 (median) and $84,007 (average) as of March 2026. Looking at the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual earnings placed in a moderate range, between the 36th and 49th percentiles.
The primary earnings cohort covers 31.2% of taxpayers taking home $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (4,163 residents), aligning closely with the broader region where 31.7% fall into this band. Housing cost pressures remain elevated, leaving 82.6% of income remaining after housing costs (ranking in the 48th percentile), while the area sits within the 6th decile on the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Elanora had 4,390 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 79% detached houses and 4% apartments. 44% are owned with a mortgage, 17% rented and 39% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $525 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,100 a month. Rent absorbs 30.1% of household income here and mortgage repayments 27.8%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, the local housing mix consisted of 78.7% houses and 21.3% other dwellings (incorporating apartments, townhouses, and alternate formats), whereas Regional Qld recorded 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Outright home ownership in Elanora was substantially higher than the regional benchmark at 38.8%, while remaining properties were either held with a mortgage (43.9%) or occupied by tenants (17.3%). The median monthly mortgage commitment was $2,100, notably higher than the Regional Qld median of $1,655, while weekly median rent reached $525 compared to $345 regionally. Against nationwide figures, mortgage payments in Elanora exceed the Australian median of $1,863, and local rental figures sit well above the national level of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Elanora counted 4,390 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 4,671 today, averaging 2.7 people each. 36% are couples with children, against 27% couples without children. 20% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the vast majority of local living arrangements, representing 76.9% of all households; this breakdown includes 35.6% couples with children, 26.5% couples without children, and 13.9% single parent families. Non-family living structures comprise the other 23.1%, consisting of single-person households at 19.8% and shared group dwellings at 3.3%. Average household occupancy sits at 2.7 people, exceeding the 2.5 average found across Regional Qld.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
22.5% of adults in Elanora hold a university qualification, including 16.2% with a bachelor degree and 4.1% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 28.8% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 1,895 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,040 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Tertiary educational attainment in Elanora sits beneath national benchmarks, with 22.5% of persons aged 15+ holding a higher education degree compared with 30.4% across Australia, indicating opportunity for further workforce upskilling. Bachelor degree holders account for 16.2%, followed by postgraduate degree holders (4.1%) and graduate diploma recipients (2.2%). Vocational and trade qualifications are widely held, with 40.9% of the population aged 15+ possessing technical training, comprising advanced diplomas (12.1%) alongside certificate qualifications (28.8%). Participation in study is substantial across the area, with 28.7% of the community actively engaged in formal study programs.
This group includes 10.0% attending primary school, 8.8% in high school, and 4.3% enrolled in higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Elanora means driving: households keep an average of 1.7 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
70.4% of residents in Elanora report no long-term health condition, a healthier profile than 79% of areas nationally. 5.6% need daily assistance with core activities, and 56.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.0 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators across Elanora remain strong across mortality statistics and long-term illness rates assessed by AreaSearch, with younger demographics demonstrating especially minimal rates of chronic conditions. Furthermore, private health insurance uptake is elevated, covering approximately 57% of the total population (~7,552 people), compared with 52.5% across Regional Qld. The most prevalent health conditions recorded locally were arthritis and mental health challenges, affecting 8.3 and 7.3% of the populace respectively, while 70.4% of residents reported having no diagnosed chronic medical conditions compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Health indicators among residents under 65 are particularly favourable.
Residents aged 65 and over account for 19.6% of the population (2,615 people), and while health outcomes among this senior group remain positive, their national relative standing is slightly lower than that of the broader local demographic.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Elanora is largely Australian-born, at 80.7% of residents, with 5.7% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (32.7%) and Australian (26.4%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity metrics for Elanora sit below broader averages, with 80.7% of the community Australian-born, 89.4% holding Australian citizenship, and 94.3% speaking exclusively English in their households. Christianity is the primary declared faith, representing 50.1% of residents in Elanora, compared with 52.2% across Regional Qld. Evaluating ancestral backgrounds based on parental country of birth, the three most common heritages in Elanora are English at 32.7%, Australian at 26.4%, and Irish at 9.5%. Certain other ethnic backgrounds show elevated proportions relative to the wider area, including New Zealand heritage at 1.3% (vs 0.9% regionally), Maori ancestry at 1.0% (vs 0.8%), and Scottish lineage at 8.8% (vs 7.8%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Elanora is 41. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 23.2% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The age distribution in Elanora tracks closely with Regional Qld benchmarks, showing a maximum variation of 2.7 percentage points across the four main demographic cohorts. The median age is estimated at 41, decreasing from 42 at the 2021 Census and matching the Regional Qld figure of 41 recorded at that Census. The most noticeable structural change since the Census occurred within the middle-aged and pre-retiree bracket (45 - 64), which dropped from 25.5% to an estimated 23.9% of residents. Looking toward 2041, younger to middle-aged adults (25 - 44) will account for the bulk of demographic expansion, adding 662 residents (20%) to total 3,898.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Elanora
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Apr 2026 6 months ago all 6 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Apr 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 4 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (12,539 at the 2021 Census → 13,343 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (309021233). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.