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.
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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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Sales Detail
What it costs to rent in Glass House Mountains
Median weekly rents, year-on-year movement and bond-lodgement activity for Glass House Mountains (4519). Sourced from the NSW Rental Bond Board, DCJ Family & Community Services.
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| Dwelling | Bedrooms | Median $/wk | Active bonds | New bonds (Qtr) | YoY | Quality |
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SOURCE: NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ Family & Community Services), processed by AreaSearch. Imputed values are flagged. Latest publication:
Population
Population growth drivers in Glass House Mountains are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends
Glass House Mountains' population was approximately 7,330 as of May 2026. This figure represents an increase of 778 people, a rise of 11.9% since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 6,552. The change is inferred from the ABS's estimated resident population of 7,309 in June 2025 and an additional 244 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density of 39 persons per square kilometer. Glass House Mountains' growth rate exceeded that of the Rest of Qld (9.2%) and the national average, indicating it as a region with significant population growth. Interstate migration contributed approximately 54.4% to overall population gains during recent periods, though all factors including overseas migration and natural growth were positive.
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 released in 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 for each age cohort. Looking ahead, above median population growth is projected for Australia's non-metropolitan areas. The area is expected to expand by 989 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total increase of 13.2% over the 16-year period.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Glass House Mountains among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide
Glass House Mountains has seen approximately 61 new homes approved annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25, around 306 homes were approved, with an additional 9 approved in FY-26 so far. Each dwelling built over the past five financial years has resulted in an average of 2.5 new residents per year.
The average construction cost value of these new homes was $218,000, lower than the regional average. This suggests more affordable housing options for buyers. In FY-26, around $1.9 million in commercial approvals have been registered to date.
Compared to Rest of Qld, Glass House Mountains has about two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person but ranks among the 78th percentile nationally when measured against other areas assessed. The area's new development primarily consists of detached houses (92.0%) and medium/high-density housing (8.0%), maintaining its traditional low density character appealing to families seeking space. With around 167 people per approval, Glass House Mountains reflects a developing area. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, it is projected to add approximately 968 residents by 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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Glass House Mountains
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
Infrastructure
Glass House Mountains has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally
Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified ten projects likely to impact the area. Notable projects include Glass House Mountains Surf Park, Old Gympie Road road widening, Beerwah Station upgrade, and Australia Zoo. The following list details those most relevant:.
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
Aura - Australia's Largest Master-Planned Community
Australia's largest master-planned community covering 2,360 hectares (24 sq km), designed for 50,000 residents and 20,000 homes across multiple suburbs including Baringa, Nirimba, Banya and Gagalba. Construction of the Aura Town Centre (Stage 1: 16,300sqm with Woolworths, ALDI, two mini-majors and ~55 specialty retailers) broke ground in March 2026, with doors expected to open in late 2027. The 5.3-hectare Aura Parklands including a 2,100sqm swimming lagoon is under construction, also targeting late 2026 completion. A $150 million Baringa Business Park is under construction (occupancy from late 2026). The Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line corridor is being preserved through Aura, with enabling works underway ahead of a 2026 TMR handover. A $15 million PCYC facility has been announced for the community. Notre Dame College (P-12, capacity 1,836) opened in 2025. A new Energex substation on Bells Creek Arterial Road is under construction, targeting late 2025 completion. Road duplication works on Aura Boulevard and Graf Drive to four lanes are progressing, with a third community access point via Racecourse Road opened early 2026.
Stockland Aura
Aura is Stockland's major Caloundra South masterplanned community south of Caloundra. The Caloundra South Priority Development Area covers about 2323.5 hectares and is planned to deliver about 20000 dwellings, more than 50000 residents and about 15000 jobs. Delivery is continuing across established and new suburbs including Baringa, Nirimba, Banya and Gagalba. Current works include the first stage of Aura Town Centre, which has commenced construction with FDC Construction & Fitout and is expected to open in late 2027 with Woolworths, ALDI, specialty retail, services and links to Aura Parklands and the future Aura Hotel.
Beerwah East SEQ Development Area
Beerwah East is a 5,200-hectare SEQ Development Area (Category 2) under ShapingSEQ 2023 and the long-term preferred growth front for the Sunshine Coast. Subject to detailed planning, the area has the potential to accommodate up to around 35,000 dwellings and approximately 95,000 residents over the long term, with earlier estimates of 20,000 homes by 2041. The site sits between the Bruce Highway, Steve Irwin Way and Roys Road, with the planned Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line (The Wave) running through it from Beerwah toward Caloundra and Birtinya. Most of the land is owned by the State and held under a 99-year HQPlantations forestry lease, with parts also subject to native title held by the Kabi Kabi First Nation. In March 2025 the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning conditionally endorsed the proposed Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme but directed Council to revert most of Beerwah East from Emerging Community zoning back to Rural, allowing only land not subject to native title to be zoned Emerging Community. Sunshine Coast Council subsequently identified two early-release parcels totalling about 45 hectares near the Beerwah Golf Course off Roys Road, bordered by Foley Road, as the first land to potentially come forward for residential development. The proposed planning scheme remains in the review process and is expected to progress through 2026, while the Queensland Government continues investigations alongside Council, HQPlantations and the Kabi Kabi First Nation to unlock the broader area.
Northern Intermodal Terminal (Elimbah)
The Northern Intermodal Terminal is a proposed major freight hub near Elimbah, designed to facilitate freight transfer between the North Coast Rail Line and road networks. As part of the ShapingSEQ 2023 regional plan, it aims to reduce heavy vehicle movements through Brisbane. Current 2026 status indicates the project is in detailed planning alongside the Elimbah SEQ Development Area and the North Coast Line Stabling Expansion, which is slated for construction in 2027 to support the terminal's long-term viability.
The Wave - Stages 1 and 2 (Rail)
The Wave Stages 1 and 2 is a Queensland Government heavy passenger rail project that will directly connect Beerwah to Birtinya, with an upgraded Beerwah station and new stations at Bells Creek (Aura), Caloundra, Aroona and Birtinya. Stage 1 from Beerwah to Caloundra is jointly funded by the Queensland and Australian governments for $5.5 billion, with procurement underway and major construction expected to start in early 2027 subject to environmental approvals. Stage 2 from Caloundra to Birtinya is progressing through procurement and includes about 7 km of dual-track rail, two new stations and an approximately 1 km tunnel, subject to approvals and funding.
Australia Zoo
700-acre zoo and major tourist attraction established by Steve Irwin family. Features Crocoseum stadium, wildlife hospital, and conservation programs. Includes ongoing expansions and improvements to facilities and animal habitats. Major economic driver for Beerwah region.
Bruce Highway Upgrade - Caboolture-Bribie Island Road to Steve Irwin Way (Exit 163)
A major $662.5 million upgrade of an 11km section of the Bruce Highway from Caboolture-Bribie Island Road to Steve Irwin Way (Exit 163). The project widened the highway from four to six lanes and delivered 10 new, higher bridges to significantly improve flood immunity, including at King Johns and Lagoon Creeks. It also included upgrading interchanges, installing smart motorways technology, and supported 664 direct jobs during construction. Major construction was completed in April 2024.
Aura South
Aura South is a proposed masterplanned residential community spanning 1,231 hectares, located within the Halls Creek Priority Future Growth Area adjacent to Stockland's Aura development. The site is a former exotic pine plantation that has been cleared for over 50 years and is currently used for low-intensity grazing. The project is currently undergoing Commonwealth environmental assessment under the EPBC Act. If approved, it will provide much-needed housing supply for the Sunshine Coast region post-2046, with up to 400 hectares dedicated to environmental rehabilitation and conservation. The development would leverage existing infrastructure from the neighboring Aura community including the Bells Creek Arterial Road and planned transport connections.
Employment
While Glass House Mountains retains a healthy unemployment rate of 3.8%, recent employment declines have impacted its national performance ranking
Glass House Mountains has a diverse workforce with both white and blue-collar jobs. The construction sector is prominent, with an unemployment rate of 3.8%. As of December 2025, 3,589 residents are employed, which is 0.3% lower than Regional Qld's rate of 4.0%.
Workforce participation is similar to Regional Qld at 64.5%. According to Census responses, 15.3% of residents work from home. Key industries include construction, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Construction has a strong presence with an employment share 1.5 times the regional level, while retail trade is less prominent at 8.1% compared to Regional Qld's 10.0%.
The area may offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data. Between May-24 and May-25, labour force decreased by 3.1%, employment by 2.8%, leading to a fall in unemployment rate of 0.3 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.0% over ten years for Glass House Mountains, based on its current employment mix.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment
The Glass House Mountains SA2 had a median income of $52,215 and an average income of $63,982 among taxpayers in the financial year 2023, according to ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. These figures are lower than Regional Qld's median income of $53,146 and average income of $66,593 for the same period. Based on a Wage Price Index growth rate of 11.36% from financial year 2023 to March 2026, estimated incomes would be approximately $58,147 (median) and $71,250 (average). Census data from 2021 shows that Glass House Mountains ranks modestly in terms of household, family, and personal incomes, between the 35th and 46th percentiles. Income distribution reveals that 34.8% of residents fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket (2,550 people), which is similar to the surrounding region where 31.7% occupy this bracket. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Glass House Mountains, with only 84.8% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 48th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the fifth decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Glass House Mountains is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership
The dwelling structure in Glass House Mountains, as per the latest Census, consisted of 98.0% houses and 2.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compared to Regional Qld's 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Glass House Mountains was 38.2%, with the rest being mortgaged (46.1%) or rented (15.8%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,814, higher than Regional Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent was $398, compared to Regional Qld's $345. Nationally, Glass House Mountains' mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Glass House Mountains features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size
Family households constitute 79.6% of all households, including 33.2% couples with children, 35.1% couples without children, and 10.8% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 20.4%, with lone person households at 17.4% and group households making up 3.0%. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Regional Queensland average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Educational outcomes in Glass House Mountains fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment
The area's university qualification rate is 16.3%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.4%, followed by graduate diplomas (2.0%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.9%). Vocational credentials are held by 46.2% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 12.1% and certificates at 34.1%. Educational participation is high, with 27.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.
This includes 10.5% in primary education, 8.5% in secondary education, and 3.5% pursuing tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is moderate compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
Public transport analysis shows six active transport stops operating within the Glass House Mountains area, consisting of a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 41 individual routes, collectively providing 601 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as limited, with residents typically located 1370 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward. The car remains the dominant mode of transportation at 92%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.8 per dwelling, which is above the regional average.
According to the 2021 Census, some 15.3% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 85 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 100 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Glass House Mountains's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts
Glass House Mountains residents have relatively positive health outcomes according to data analysis by AreaSearch. Mortality rates and health conditions in the area are broadly comparable to national benchmarks.
The prevalence of common health conditions is low among the general population but higher among older, at-risk cohorts compared to national averages. Approximately 50% (~3,701 people) of residents have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (9.9%) and mental health issues (8.9%), with 64.8% of residents reporting no medical ailments, compared to 67.6% in Regional Queensland. Working-age residents have a higher prevalence of chronic health conditions than average. The area has 19.7% (1,444 people) of residents aged 65 and over. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges but rank lower nationally than the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
Glass House Mountains ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics
Glass House Mountains, surveyed in June 2016, showed low cultural diversity with 83.2% of its population born in Australia, 89.0% being citizens, and 95.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, practiced by 47.3%. This is lower than the Regional Qld average of 52.2%.
The top three ancestral groups were English (32.9%), Australian (27.7%), and Scottish (8.5%). Notably, New Zealanders comprised 1.1%, higher than the regional 0.9%, while Dutch (1.8%) and German (5.1%) also had slightly higher representations compared to Regional Qld's 1.1% and 4.7% respectively.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Glass House Mountains's median age exceeds the national pattern
The median age in Glass House Mountains is 41 years, which matches Regional Queensland's average of 41 years but is older than Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Regional Queensland, Glass House Mountains has a higher percentage of residents aged 35-44 (14.5%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (10.9%). According to the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 35-44 increased from 12.7% to 14.5%, while the proportion of those aged 65-74 decreased from 12.1% to 10.8%, and the proportion of those aged 55-64 dropped from 13.7% to 12.5%. By 2041, demographic projections show significant shifts in Glass House Mountains' age structure. The 35-44 age group is expected to grow by 23%, reaching 1,312 people from the current 1,065. Conversely, the 55-64 and 15-24 age cohorts are projected to experience population declines.