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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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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.
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Glass House Mountains has an estimated 7,330 residents, up from 6,552 at the 2021 Census — a change of 778 people, or 11.9%. Growth has averaged 2.4% a year over five years, faster than 77% of areas nationally. 244 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Interstate and internal migration accounts for 54.4% of that increase. Density is about 40 people per 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
Demographic assessment by AreaSearch indicates that Glass House Mountains reaches an estimated resident count of 7,330 as of Aug 2026. This represents an expansion of 778 people (11.9%) relative to the 2021 Census tally of 6,552 people. This adjustment is calculated using the ABS estimated resident population figure of 7,309 recorded in June 2025 alongside 244 validated new addresses added post-Census. With 39 persons per square kilometer, the locality offers generous living space. Outperforming both the Rest of Qld benchmark (9.4%) and nationwide metrics, the community's 11.9% expansion establishes it among the swiftest expanding districts.
Inward interstate migration served as the foremost catalyst, generating roughly 54.4% of total net additions over recent timeframes, though natural increases and overseas migration also contributed positively. Forecast modeling relies on 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 projections established on 2022 baseline figures. Where SA2 coverage is absent or extends beyond 2032, calculations incorporate Queensland State Government projections published in 2023 utilizing 2021 data. Because state datasets omit granular age brackets, AreaSearch allocates cohort distributions using proportional weightings from the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region series (2022 base year). Looking ahead, the district is slated to outpace typical non-metropolitan growth rates, adding 975 persons by 2041 according to recent annual ERP statistics, representing a cumulative 16-year increase of 13.0%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
203 new dwellings have been approved in Glass House Mountains over the past five years, an average of 40 a year. That places the area in the 65th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 5 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 40 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 93% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. 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 Glass House Mountains run at approximately 40 dwellings per annum, totaling 203 approved homes across the latest 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26). Over this span (between FY-22 and FY-26), roughly 4.1 people arrived for each new residence constructed, generating substantial demand pressures that typically heighten competition and lift property values. Concurrently, mean construction costs for new dwellings sit at $357,000—below broader regional benchmarks—providing relatively economical building opportunities. Commercial approvals of $1.9 million during the ongoing financial year further underscore the district's predominantly residential profile.
Building activity within Glass House Mountains lags significantly behind the Rest of Qld, trailing the regional per-capita baseline by 55.0%. Such restricted supply pipelines generally bolster values and buyer interest across existing dwellings. Low-density detached homes make up 92.0% of recent construction while attached residences comprise 8.0%, preserving a spacious neighborhood fabric tailored to family living. A ratio of 394 people per approved dwelling highlights the calm, restrained pace of local development. According to the latest quarterly projections from AreaSearch, Glass House Mountains is set to expand by 954 residents leading up to 2041. Ongoing building volumes appear well-positioned to satisfy incoming housing requirements, fostering balanced purchasing conditions while creating capacity for growth to outstrip current demographic projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Glass House Mountains
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 3 current infrastructure and development projects inside Glass House Mountains, worth an estimated $3.4 billion. A further 141 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $87.3 billion. 52 are already under construction and 49 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans transport & logistics, residential development and sports & recreation. 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
Strategic planning initiatives and public works exert a fundamental influence on local development trajectories, with 10 impactful projects identified in the region. Prominent developments include the Australia Zoo, Beerwah Station Upgrade, Old Gympie Road - Road widening, and Glass House Mountains Surf Park, with subsequent documentation detailing the most significant undertakings.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Glass House Mountains Surf Park
Plans for a 13.4ha site including a wave pool, wellness centre, amenities, dining, and education centre as well as learn-to-surf facilities.
Old Gympie Road - Road widening
This upgrade will improve the safety of this intersection for all road users. The works include: Road widening. New turning lane onto Glass House Woodford Road from Old Gympie Road. Drainage upgrades. Sightline improvements. New signage and line marking.
Aura South
Aura South is Stockland's proposed 1,231 hectare masterplanned community at Halls Creek on the southern Sunshine Coast. Following Commonwealth environmental approval, the Queensland Government declared the area a Priority Development Area in July 2026 to accelerate planning for up to 12,000 homes together with schools, employment land, retail, community facilities and extensive conservation areas. More than half of the site is planned to remain as open space and environmental rehabilitation.
Beerwah Fire and Rescue Station Replacement
Replacement and upgrade of the permanent fire and rescue station and rural fire brigade station in Beerwah. The 10 million AUD complex will deliver two purpose-built stations side by side to improve emergency response capabilities and support frontline services in the Sunshine Coast region.
Beerwah Affordable Housing Development
A five-storey, 70-apartment social and affordable housing development located opposite Beerwah Railway Station. Comprising 58 one-bedroom and 12 two-bedroom units with 88 ground-floor car spaces, the project is designed to Gold Level Social Housing Design Guidelines. Delivered by BlueCHP in partnership with the Queensland Government through the Housing Investment Fund, with construction contractor Altum. The development supports essential service workers and individuals on the state Housing Register, and aligns with future growth linked to the Sunshine Coast Direct Rail Line.
The Wave - Sunshine Coast Rail and Public Transport Project
The Wave is an integrated transport initiative for the Sunshine Coast incorporating a 19km heavy rail line from Beerwah to Caloundra (Stage 1), a 7km rail extension with a 1.0km tunnel to Birtinya (Stage 2), and a 12km Bus Rapid Transit metro network to Sunshine Coast Airport via Maroochydore CBD (Stage 3). Delivered by the Queensland Government and Department of Transport and Main Roads, the project targets completion by 2032 to support the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Beerwah Station Upgrade (The Wave - Stages 1 and 2 Rail)
Upgrade of the existing Beerwah railway station as part of The Wave - Stages 1 and 2 (Rail), formerly known as the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line. Beerwah will become an interchange station with an additional third platform so passengers can travel south without changing trains. The station upgrade connects into a new 19km dual-track line from Beerwah to Caloundra (Stage 1), with a further extension to Birtinya (Stage 2). The Queensland and Australian Governments each committed 2.75 billion AUD in March 2025 to deliver Stage 1.Pre-delivery activities including site investigations, reference design and procurement are underway, with major construction expected to start in early 2027, targeting completion in time for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
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.
3,594 residents of Glass House Mountains are employed, from a labour force of 3,740. Unemployment sits at 3.9%, with participation at 62.5%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.2% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 6,338, about 86% 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
The local labour market features an even distribution across blue-collar and white-collar roles, anchored by an exceptionally prominent construction sector and a low jobless rate of 3.9%. As of March 2026, employed residents total 3,594, aligning with Regional Qld's unemployment benchmark of 3.9% and closely matching its 64.2% labour participation rate. Census records indicate that 15.3% of workers performed their duties from home, though period-specific Covid-19 restrictions should be considered. Resident employment centers primarily around construction, health care & social assistance, alongside education & training. Construction demonstrates notable concentration, maintaining an employment share 1.5 times the regional norm.
In contrast, retail trade is comparatively underrepresented, accounting for 8.1% of local workers against the 10.0% regional benchmark. Disparities between local resident totals and Census workplace counts suggest a limited volume of jobs situated directly within the area. Analysis of ABS and SALM records indicates that over the 12 months to March 2026, the local workforce contracted by 2.3% while net jobs dropped by 2.8%, lifting the unemployment rate by 0.5 percentage points. In comparison, Regional Qld recorded a 0.1% rise in employment, a 0.3% workforce expansion, and a minor 0.1 percentage points uptick in unemployment. National outlooks from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide additional context on potential workforce trajectories across Glass House Mountains. Applying these five- and ten-year nationwide sectoral trajectories—projected at 6.6% and 13.7% overall across the country—against the local occupational structure indicates prospective job gains of 6.2% across five years and 13.0% over ten years (representing an illustrative weighting model that does not factor in localized population changes).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Glass House Mountains is $1,686 a week (about $88,000 a year), with median personal income at $737 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $52,215 a year against an average of $63,982. 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
ATO taxation data compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 shows taxpayers in the Glass House Mountains SA2 recorded a median earnings level of $52,215 and a mean of $63,982, sitting below national figures as well as Regional Qld equivalents of $53,146 and $66,593. Factoring in an 11.36% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023 yields updated estimates of roughly $58,147 (median) and $71,250 (average) as of March 2026. The 2021 Census places personal, family, and household earnings modestly between the 35th and 46th percentiles. The $1,500 - 2,999 weekly bracket includes 34.8% of local earners (2,550 individuals), mirroring the 31.7% observed regionally.
Mortgage and rental costs leave residents with 84.8% of income (ranking at the 48th percentile), while SEIFA metrics position the area in the 5th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Glass House Mountains had 2,269 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 98% detached houses and 1% apartments. 46% are owned with a mortgage, 16% rented and 38% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $398 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,814 a month. Rent absorbs 23.6% of household income here and mortgage repayments 24.8%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the most recent Census, the local housing stock comprised 98.0% standalone houses and 2.0% other dwellings (incorporating apartments, semi-detached, and alternative structures), contrasting with Regional Qld where houses represented 76.4% and alternative dwellings 23.6%. Outright homeownership reached 38.2%, notably exceeding regional averages, while mortgaged properties accounted for 46.1% and rental accommodations made up 15.8%. Typical monthly mortgage payments stood at $1,814 and median weekly rent reached $398, higher than Regional Qld benchmarks of $1,655 and $345. On a national scale, mortgage commitments remain below the $1,863 Australian norm, whereas rental costs exceed the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Glass House Mountains counted 2,269 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 2,538 today, averaging 2.7 people each. 33% are couples with children, against 35% couples without children. 17% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute 79.6% of local residences, broken down into couples without children (35.1%), couples with children (33.2%), and single parent arrangements (10.8%). Non-family setups make up the remaining 20.4%, consisting of single-occupant households at 17.4% and shared group living at 3.0%. The community's average household size of 2.7 people exceeds the Regional Qld benchmark of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
16.3% of adults in Glass House Mountains hold a university qualification, including 12.4% with a bachelor degree and 1.9% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 34.1% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 482 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 974 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 attainment levels present an area for potential growth, as 16.3% of residents hold university credentials compared to the national rate of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees account for the largest proportion at 12.4%, with graduate diplomas representing 2.0% and postgraduate qualifications comprising 1.9%. Vocational and technical pathways are heavily favored, with 46.2% of individuals aged 15+ possessing trade credentials, split between certificates (34.1%) and advanced diplomas (12.1%). A significant 27.8% of the population is actively engaged in studies, reflecting robust educational participation. This cohort includes 10.5% attending primary schools, 8.5% in secondary education, and 3.5% enrolled in higher education programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Glass House Mountains means driving: households keep an average of 1.8 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
64.8% of residents in Glass House Mountains report no long-term health condition. 6.1% need daily assistance with core activities, and 50.5% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 3.8 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 Glass House Mountains generally align with broader national standards, showing low general illness rates among the wider population, though chronic condition rates rise above the nationwide norm for older cohorts. Private hospital and health insurance uptake stands at approximately 50% of residents (~3,701 people), lagging the Australian benchmark of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health challenges represent the most prevalent diagnosed conditions, affecting 9.9% and 8.9% of residents, respectively, while 64.8% of the community reported no long-term medical conditions compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Chronic health issues are elevated among working-age demographics.
Seniors aged 65 and over total 1,504 people (20.5% of the populace) and face specific healthcare demands, although broader health metrics remain comparatively sound nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Glass House Mountains is largely Australian-born, at 83.2% of residents, with 4.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (32.9%) and Australian (27.7%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural metrics show a relatively homogenous profile, with 83.2% of residents born domestically, 89.0% holding Australian citizenship, and 95.6% speaking solely English at home. Christianity represents the leading religious affiliation at 47.3%, below the 52.2% recorded across Regional Qld. Looking at parental lineage, the leading ancestries comprise English (32.9%), Australian (27.7%), and Scottish (8.5%). Certain background representations diverge from regional standards, including New Zealand heritage at 1.1% (compared to 0.9% regionally), Dutch at 1.8% (versus 1.1%), and German ancestry at 5.1% (against 4.7%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Glass House Mountains is 42. 21.9% 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
Age distributions across Glass House Mountains mirror Regional Qld patterns, with variations across the four main cohorts staying within 0.7 percentage points. As at August 2026, the estimated median age remains steady at 42, matching the 2021 Census outcome and exceeding the 2021 regional baseline of 41 by 1 year. The proportion of mature adults and early retirees aged 45 - 64 has reduced from 27.1% at the Census to an estimated 25.1%. Projections through 2041 identify the 25 - 44 age cohort as the fastest-expanding demographic, increasing by 429 residents (24%) to reach 2,246.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Glass House Mountains
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 | Aug 2026 2 months ago all 3 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 Aug 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 — 244 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (6,552 at the 2021 Census → 7,330 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 (316061441). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.