Golden Beach - Pelican Waters
Statistical Area - sa2

Golden Beach - Pelican Waters lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

AreaSearch's analysis indicates Golden Beach - Pelican Waters' population is approximately 14,364 as of August 2025. This represents an increase of 1,329 people, a 10.2% rise since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 13,035. The growth is inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 13,987 in June 2024 and an additional 463 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density of 1,374 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Golden Beach - Pelican Waters' growth of 10.2% since the 2021 census exceeds the non-metro area's 8.6% and the national average, positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Interstate migration contributed approximately 59.1% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts 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 are used, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Future population trends project an above median growth of non-metropolitan areas nationally, with the area expected to expand by 2,677 persons to 2041, representing a 16.0% increase over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Golden Beach - Pelican Waters among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Golden Beach - Pelican Waters has averaged approximately 136 new dwelling approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis, totalling 684 approvals from FY-21 to FY-25, with 22 approvals recorded so far in FY-26. Over the past five financial years (FY-21 to FY-25), an average of 1.7 new residents have been arriving per new home developed. This indicates a balanced supply and demand dynamic, maintaining stable market conditions.

The average value of new dwellings under development is $835,000, suggesting a focus on the premium market with high-end developments. In FY-26, there has been $1.6 million in commercial approvals, reflecting a predominantly residential focus. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Golden Beach - Pelican Waters has about two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person while ranking among the 88th percentile nationally.

Recent construction comprises 80% detached houses and 20% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suitable for buyers seeking space. With around 99 people per approval, Golden Beach - Pelican Waters reflects an evolving area. Future projections indicate that by 2041, Golden Beach - Pelican Waters will add approximately 2,300 residents. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should meet demand adequately, offering favourable conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Golden Beach - Pelican Waters has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 46 projects that may impact this region. Key projects include Palm Lake Resort Pelican Waters, Pelican Waters Infrastructure Upgrade B, Caloundra South Industrial Precinct, and Caloundra South Environmental Park. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

AreaSearch assessment positions Golden Beach - Pelican Waters ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Golden Beach - Pelican Waters has an unemployment rate of 2.4% as of June 2025, with 6,045 residents employed. The area's unemployment rate is 1.6% lower than the Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation in Golden Beach - Pelican Waters lags behind the region at 46.9%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Major employment sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Construction has a notably high concentration with employment levels at 1.3 times the regional average. Agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence, accounting for just 0.8% of employment compared to the regional average of 4.5%.

Labour force decreased by 2.2% over a 12-month period ending in June 2025, while employment decreased by 1.3%, leading to a fall in unemployment rate by 0.9 percentage points. State-level data for Queensland as of Sep-25 shows employment contracted by 0.23%, with the state's unemployment rate at 4.2%. National employment forecasts from May 2025 project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Golden Beach - Pelican Waters' employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.8% over five years and 13.9% over ten years.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2022 shows Golden Beach - Pelican Waters had a median income among taxpayers of $43,818 and an average income of $55,945. These figures are lower than the national averages of $50,780 and $64,844 respectively for Rest of Qld. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year 2022, current estimates as of March 2025 would be approximately $48,949 (median) and $62,496 (average). Census 2021 income data indicates that Golden Beach - Pelican Waters' household, family, and personal incomes all fall between the 22nd and 24th percentiles nationally. Income brackets show that 26.8% of individuals in the area earn between $800 and $1,499 annually, differing from the surrounding region where earnings predominantly fall within the $1,500 to $2,999 category at 31.7%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.7% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 24th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the fifth decile.

Golden Beach - Pelican Waters is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Golden Beach - Pelican Waters, as per the latest Census, 72.8% of dwellings were houses, with 27.1% being other types such as semi-detached homes and apartments. This is compared to Non-Metro Qld's 70.4% houses and 29.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in the area stood at 53.1%, higher than Non-Metro Qld, with mortgaged dwellings at 24.9% and rented ones at 22.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,123, above Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,950. Weekly rent was recorded at $440, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $450. Nationally, mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Golden Beach - Pelican Waters has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 73.4% of all households, including 22.0% couples with children, 42.2% couples without children, and 8.5% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 26.6%, composed of 23.9% lone person households and 2.6% group households. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

Golden Beach - Pelican Waters performs slightly above the national average for education, showing competitive qualification levels and steady academic outcomes

Golden Beach - Pelican Waters has educational qualifications that trail regional benchmarks. 20.8% of residents aged 15+ hold university degrees compared to the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 14.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.2%) and graduate diplomas (2.4%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 39.7% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas comprise 13.0% and certificates make up 26.7%.

Active pursuit of formal education is high at 22.3%, including 7.7% in secondary education, 7.6% in primary education, and 3.3% pursuing tertiary education. Educational provision includes Caloundra City Private School and Golden Beach State School, serving a total of 826 students as of the given date. The area demonstrates above-average socio-educational conditions with an ICSEA score of 1059. The educational mix consists of one primary school and one K-12 school. Local school capacity is limited at 5.8 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 13.3, leading many families to travel for schooling.

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

Analysis shows 36 active public transport stops operating within Golden Beach - Pelican Waters area. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with one route currently in operation. Collectively, they facilitate 191 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of these transport services is rated as good, with residents typically located approximately 391 meters from the nearest stop. On average, service frequency is 27 trips per day across all routes, translating to about five weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Golden Beach - Pelican Waters is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data shows significant challenges for Golden Beach - Pelican Waters, with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 48% of the total population (around 6,894 people), compared to 52.7% in the rest of Queensland and a national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis affecting 12.2% of residents and mental health issues impacting 7.3%.

Around 61.1% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 66.2% in the rest of Queensland. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 35.4% (around 5,079 people), compared to 22.3% in the rest of Queensland. Health outcomes among seniors are above average and better than those seen in the general population.

Golden Beach - Pelican Waters ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Golden Beach-Pelican Waters showed lower cultural diversity, with 77.9% born in Australia, 88.9% being citizens, and 95.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, at 59.2%, compared to 50.0% regionally. Top ancestral groups were English (34.7%), Australian (25.3%), and Irish (9.6%).

Notably, Scottish ancestry was higher at 9.4% versus 8.8% regionally, German at 4.9% versus 4.6%, and Welsh at 0.7% versus 0.6%.

Golden Beach - Pelican Waters ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Golden Beach - Pelican Waters has a median age of 55, which is considerably higher than the Rest of Qld figure of 41 and substantially exceeds the national norm of 38. Relative to Rest of Qld, Golden Beach - Pelican Waters has a higher concentration of 65-74 residents at 17.8%, but fewer 25-34 year-olds at 6.1%. This 65-74 concentration is well above the national figure of 9.4%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 11.7% to 13.7% of the population, while the 15 to 24 cohort increased from 8.4% to 9.4%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 13.9% to 12.2%, and the 65 to 74 group dropped from 19.3% to 17.8%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections reveal significant shifts in Golden Beach - Pelican Waters's age structure. Leading this shift, the 85+ group is projected to grow by 128%, reaching 1,272 from 557. The aging population dynamic is clear, with those aged 65 and above comprising 70% of projected growth. Conversely, both the 5-14 and 45-54 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.