Area profile · Rest of Qld
Golden Beach - Pelican Waters has an estimated 14,718 residents, up 12.9% since the 2021 Census, with 26 projects tracked in Golden Beach - Pelican Waters.
Updated 14 Oct 2026.
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01Profile
The analysis, national rankings and who lives there.
Situated 71 kilometres north from Brisbane CBD, the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters Statistical Area (Lv2) is a scenic coastal enclave renowned for its picturesque natural environment, which includes pristine golden sandy beaches, extensive parks, open green spaces, and the Pumicestone Passage. Offering a relaxed, friendly, and safe lifestyle popular with retirees, holiday-makers, and families, the area supports an outdoor way of life through its cycling tracks, walking trails, and waterways suitable for boating, kayaking, and fishing, along with a rich selection of shopping facilities, cafes, and restaurants. Based on AreaSearch's analysis, the population reached around 14,718 as of August 2026, with the latest population estimate date being Aug 2026. This reflects a substantial gain of 1,683 people (12.9%) since the 2021 Census reported a total of 13,035 people, an increase inferred from the ABS Estimated Resident Population (ERP) of 14,293 as of June 2025 and 764 Validated New Addresses recorded since the Census date.
Estimated resident population by year (ABS, not Census counts): 6,409 in 2001 and 14,293 in 2025. The dashed segment ends at the AreaSearch estimate for Aug 2026: 14,718 (ABS June 2025 base).
Share of residents in each age band (ABS age profile, scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate). Largest: 65 to 74, 18%.
Share of households in each weekly household income band (2021 Census). Largest: $800 - 1,499, 26.8%.
Golden Beach - Pelican Waters ranks in the 90th percentile nationally for amenities and the 86th for development activity.
Each bar and spoke is a national percentile; the dashed ring is the typical area. 99th = higher than 99 in every 100 neighbourhood-sized areas across Australia (ABS SA2 areas). Higher means more of the measure, not necessarily better. Orange marks the top three measures where a higher percentile is better; not Age, Housing or Housing Cost.
02Market and pipeline
Rents, sale prices and what is being built.
The median rent in Golden Beach - Pelican Waters is $694 a week, up 7.1% over 12 months to Jun 2026 and 8% above Regional Qld.
8% above Regional Qld on median weekly rent
Median weekly rent by year, lodged bonds. Houses (solid line): $442 in 2017, $739 in 2026; Units (dashed orange line): $352 in 2017, $605 in 2026. The latest is to Jun 2026.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $694 a week | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Change in median rent over 12 months | +7.1% | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Median rent, houses | $739 a week | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Change in median rent for houses over 12 months | +6.0% | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Median rent, units | $605 a week | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Change in median rent for units over 12 months | +9.4% | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Median rent, Caloundra | $742 a week | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Change in median rent, Caloundra, over 12 months | +6.7% | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Median rent, Sunshine Coast | $704 a week | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Change in median rent, Sunshine Coast, over 12 months | +5.3% | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Median rent, Regional Qld | $640 a week | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Change in median rent, Regional Qld, over 12 months | +6.9% | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Median rent, QLD | $632 a week | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 | |
| Change in median rent, QLD, over 12 months | +7.3% | Rental bond lodgements, median for the 12 months to Jun 2026 |
See the development applications we track, then draw your own catchment and map retailers, health, schools and more.
Status of the 51 tracked applications: 36 approved, 5 under assessment, 10 other (refused, withdrawn or no status).
Add retailers, health, schools and development applications around Golden Beach - Pelican Waters, then export the list.
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AreaSearch tracks 26 projects in Golden Beach - Pelican Waters (8 under construction) and 142 more in the surrounding area.
Aura Home + Life is an $80 million, 20,000 sqm large-format home and lifestyle retail precinct in the Aura master-planned community.
Aura Parklands & Lagoon is a 5.3 hectare regional recreation destination under construction within the Aura City Centre.
A premium house and land precinct within the Aura masterplanned community in Nirimba, bordered by the Northern Bells Creek Conservation…
Palm Lake Resort Pelican Waters is a master-planned luxury over-50s lifestyle resort delivering over 150 architecturally designed homes…
Major employment precinct within the Caloundra South (Aura) Priority Development Area.
Environmental parkland development within the Aura masterplan, featuring restored wetlands, walking trails, and biodiversity conservation…
Planned sports and recreation facility in Nirimba to serve the northern areas of the Sunshine Coast.
A declared Priority Development Area encompassing over 1,200 hectares at Coochin Creek, south of Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast.
Luxury residential community featuring 226 completed waterfront apartments across two stages.
Approved mixed-use development with two residential towers, 40 three-bedroom apartments, and ground floor retail/commercial space on a…
Large environmental conservation park within the Caloundra South area providing habitat protection, walking trails and environmental…
Planning is underway to determine upgrade options to improve safety and reduce congestion at the intersection connecting Nicklin Way to…
Images marked AI impression are illustrative only and not photographs of the project; follow the project links for actual imagery. Original imagery? Contact us.
Estimated completion year of the 81 projects in and around the area that are not yet completed and have one: 2024 1, 2025 7, 2026 26, 2027 17, 2028 12, 2029 2, 2030 3, 2031 2, 2032 7, 2033 1, 2034 0, 2035 1, 2036 2. 43 have no completion year.
AreaSearch has tracked 51 substantial development applications lodged in and around Golden Beach - Pelican Waters over the past 5 years, 3 in the last 12 months; 5 are recorded as under assessment. Coverage varies by council.
Applications per year (dashed: part year): 2021 (part year) 1, 2022 11, 2023 11, 2024 15, 2025 12, 2026 (to Oct) 1.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tracked applications | 51 | Tracked by AreaSearch, in and around the area, last 5 years | |
| Tracked, last 12 months | 3 | Tracked by AreaSearch, in and around the area | |
| ABS building approvals | 10.9 per 1,000 people | ABS building approvals | 86th percentile nationally |
| Average approvals a year | 145 | ABS building approvals | 87th percentile nationally |
| Applications approved | 36 | Tracked by AreaSearch, in and around the area, last 5 years | |
| Applications under assessment | 5 | Tracked by AreaSearch, in and around the area, last 5 years |
Key infrastructure and planning changes likely to influence the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 include: Aura Home + Life (Construction); Palm Lake Resort Pelican Waters (Construction); Aura Parklands & Lagoon (Construction); The Avenues, Aura (Construction); and Aura Brook Parklands Development (Construction). These projects represent significant developments that will shape the area's future infrastructure landscape.
Infrastructure development impacting the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 spans multiple sectors including Retail, Environmental & Disaster Management, and Sports & Recreation, among others.
AreaSearch's development drivers ranking positions Golden Beach - Pelican Waters among the top 14% of areas assessed nationwide.
Dwelling approval activity in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 area has seen 260 residential approvals over the past two financial years, based on AreaSearch's SA2 aggregation method. The Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2's current population of 14,718 has been supported by 145 approvals on average over recent years.
The Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 has seen 10.9 approvals per 1,000 people in recent years, compared to 6.3 approvals in Regional Qld. This means that one dwelling has been approved for every 109 people in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2, compared to one for every 152 in Regional Qld.
The long-run outlook for development is part of AreaSearch Operator and Pro. Log in to see the forecast detail in Full.
Looking at development activity over the past five years, the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2's approval levels have been below the yearly average of 145, indicating a recent decline in approval activity.
Over the past five years, the population in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 has grown by approximately 1,297 people, while 727 residential approvals were recorded. This equates to a ratio of 1.8 people added for each new dwelling approval. This suggests a balanced relationship between population growth and housing supply.
03People
Population, age, income, work, education and more.
99th = higher than 99 in every 100 neighbourhood-sized areas across Australia (ABS SA2 areas). Higher means more of the measure, not necessarily better.
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.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,718 | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026, from the ABS June 2025 base | |
| Growth since 2021 Census | +12.9% | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026, against the 2021 Census | 78th percentile nationally |
| Population density | 1,408 per km² | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026, from the ABS June 2025 base | 59th percentile nationally |
| Average yearly growth, 2020 to 2025 | +1.9% | ABS estimated resident population series to June 2025 | |
| Average yearly growth, 2015 to 2025 | +2.0% | ABS estimated resident population series to June 2025 |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population at the 2021 Census | 13,035 | 2021 Census | |
| Residents added since the 2021 Census | 1,683 | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026, against the 2021 Census | |
| Average yearly growth, 2022 to 2025 | +2.3% | ABS estimated resident population series to June 2025 | |
| Population growth, 2024 to 2025 | +2.2% | ABS estimated resident population series to June 2025 | |
| Land area | 10.45 km² | AreaSearch boundary analysis |
Total population for the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 was estimated to be approximately 14,718 as at Aug 2026. This is based upon an estimated resident population of 14,293 from the ABS up to June 2025.
The golden beach - pelican waters sa2 has added approximately 1,683 people and shown a 12.91% increase from the 13,035 people recorded at the 2021 Census period.
The population density in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 is estimated at 1,408 persons per square kilometre based on the latest population estimate.
Over the past 10 years, the population in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 has shown a compound annual growth rate of 2.0% per annum.
Population growth in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 is driven by: Interstate migration (63.1%), Overseas migration (36.9%), Natural increase (0.0%). The primary driver is Interstate migration, contributing 63.1% of overall population gains.
Golden Beach - Pelican Waters ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 55 years | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | 96th percentile nationally |
| Aged 65 and over | 36.5% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Children under 15 | 11.5% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 15 to 34 | 16.2% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 25 to 64 | 42.2% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age at the 2021 Census | 55 years | 2021 Census | |
| Aged 0 to 4 | 2.8% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 5 to 14 | 8.6% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 15 to 24 | 9.9% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 25 to 34 | 6.3% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 35 to 44 | 8.1% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 45 to 54 | 11.8% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 55 to 64 | 16.0% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 65 to 74 | 18.0% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 75 to 84 | 14.2% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 85 and over | 4.3% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate |
AreaSearch estimates the median age in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 at 55 years as at August 2026. That is in line with the 2021 Census figure of 55 years, on an age profile AreaSearch re-estimates for population change recorded since the Census.
At an estimated 55 years as at August 2026, Golden Beach - Pelican Waters is 14 years older than the Regional Qld 2021 Census average (41 years) and 17 years older than the national Census average (38 years).
On AreaSearch estimates updated to August 2026, the most over-represented age group in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 compared to the Regional Qld region is the 75 - 84 group, making up 14.2% of the population.
On AreaSearch estimates updated to August 2026, the most under-represented age group in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 compared to the Regional Qld region is the 25 - 34 group, making up 6.3% of the population.
Yes, certain age groups in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 show significant variance compared to Regional Qld. The most over-represented age groups are 75-84 year-olds (14.2% vs 7.1%) and 85+ year-olds (4.3% vs 2.3%). The most under-represented age groups are 25-34 year-olds (6.3% vs 12.6%) and 0-4 year-olds (2.8% vs 5.3%).
AreaSearch estimates children aged 0-14 years at 11.5% of the population in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 as at August 2026.
AreaSearch estimates people aged 65 and over at 36.5% of the population in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 as at August 2026.
Income figures position the area below 77% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median taxable income (ATO) | $49,617 a year | ATO FY-24, annual | 15th percentile nationally |
| Average taxable income | $62,214 a year | ATO FY-24, annual |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Census household income / week | $1,347 | 2021 Census, weekly | 23rd percentile nationally |
| Census personal income / week | $664 | 2021 Census, weekly | 21st percentile nationally |
| High-income households | 18.4% | 2021 Census | |
| Census family income / week | $1,619 | 2021 Census, weekly | |
| Low-income households | 29.0% | 2021 Census |
Based on Wage Price Index adjustments to June 2026, the estimated median taxable income in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 is approximately $53,145. The official ATO data from FY-24 recorded a median of $49,617.
Based on Wage Price Index adjustments to June 2026, the estimated average taxable income in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 is approximately $66,637. The official ATO data from FY-24 recorded an average of $62,214.
Based on Wage Price Index adjustments to June 2026, the estimated median taxable income in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 is approximately $53,145 compared to $60,755 in Regional Qld. The official ATO data from FY-24 shows $49,617 and $56,722 respectively.
Based on Wage Price Index adjustments to June 2026, the estimated average taxable income in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 is approximately $66,637 compared to $76,631 in Regional Qld. The official ATO data from FY-24 shows $62,214 and $71,544 respectively.
As per the 2021 Census, the weekly household income bracket containing the largest proportion of the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2's households (~26.8% / 1,432 households) is the $800 - 1,499 cohort.
The largest weekly household income cohort in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 is the $800 - 1,499 group, representing about 26.8% of households. In comparison, Regional Qld's largest household income cohort is the $1,500 - 2,999 group, representing 31.7% of its households, according to the 2021 Census.
The 2021 Census data indicates that the median household income in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 is $1,347/wk.
According to the 2021 Census, the median family income in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 is $1,619/wk.
The 2021 Census shows that the median personal income in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 is $664/wk.
As per AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for FY-24, the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2's median income among taxpayers is $49,617, with an average of $62,214. This is below the national average, and compares to Regional Qld's median of $56,722 and average of $71,544. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 7.11% since FY-24, current estimates would be approximately $53,145 (median) and $66,637 (average) as of June 2026.
The estimated disposable income in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 is $4,887 per year according to AreaSearch analysis.
The golden beach - pelican waters sa2's disposable income is $4,887 compared to $5,480 for Regional Qld, based on AreaSearch analysis.
While Golden Beach - Pelican Waters retains a healthy unemployment rate of 3.1%, recent employment declines have impacted its national performance ranking.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate | 3.1% | ABS and DEWR labour data, compiled by AreaSearch | |
| Workforce participation | 48.2% | ABS and DEWR labour data, compiled by AreaSearch | |
| Employed residents | 5,973 | ABS and DEWR labour data, compiled by AreaSearch | |
| Daytime population | 12,780 | AreaSearch estimate of residents and workers present on a weekday | |
| Labour force | 6,162 | ABS and DEWR labour data, compiled by AreaSearch |
As of June 2026, the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 has approximately 5,973 employed residents with an unemployment rate of 3.1%. This healthy unemployment rate suggests a well-functioning labour market. Employment indicators are below the national average, suggesting room for improvement, though the very low unemployment rate of 3.1% indicates the ranking primarily reflects recent job losses rather than underlying labor market weakness.
As of June 2026, the unemployment rate in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 stands at 3.1%, which is 0.7 percentage points below Regional Qld's rate of 3.8%. This lower unemployment rate suggests stronger local employment conditions. For comparison, the national unemployment rate is 4.2%.
The employment landscape in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 is dominated by several key sectors. The largest employers are health care & social assistance (18.1% of employment), construction (12.7%), and retail trade (11.0%). Other significant employers include education & training and accommodation & food.
Over the past year to June 2026, the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 has experienced a decline in employment, with total jobs decreasing while the labour force decreased. As a result, the unemployment rate has risen. By comparison, Regional Qld saw employment decreased and its unemployment rate dropped.
The workforce participation rate in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 is 48.2%, which represents the proportion of working-age residents who are either employed or actively seeking work. The relatively low participation rate may indicate limited job opportunities or demographic factors affecting workforce engagement. The local rate trailing the Regional Qld average of 64.2%, suggesting potential for increased workforce participation.
The golden beach - pelican waters sa2 shows notable specialisation in construction, which employs 12.7% of the local workforce compared to 10.1% across Regional Qld. This moderate specialisation indicates some local strength in the sector.
The long-run outlook for employment is part of AreaSearch Operator and Pro. Log in to see the forecast detail in Full.
The golden beach - pelican waters sa2's employment market shows below-average performance in national comparisons. While employment opportunities exist, the area faces more challenges than many other regions. However, the low unemployment rate of 3.1% suggests the ranking is driven by recent job losses rather than structural weakness. Recent job advertisement trends show the broader employment region saw a 1.7% decline, ranking 25th out of 37 regions nationally.
Golden Beach - Pelican Waters ranks slightly above average for education relative to locations nationally, based on AreaSearch's ranking of qualification and academic performance metrics.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor qualifications | 14.2% | 2021 Census | 38th percentile nationally |
| Postgraduate qualifications | 4.2% | 2021 Census | 43rd percentile nationally |
| University qualifications | 20.8% | 2021 Census | |
| Vocational qualifications | 26.7% | 2021 Census | 55th percentile nationally |
| Graduate diploma or certificate | 2.4% | 2021 Census | 49th percentile nationally |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced diploma or diploma | 13.0% | 2021 Census | 92nd percentile nationally |
| No post-school qualification | 39.4% | 2021 Census | |
| Residents attending an educational institution | 22.3% | 2021 Census | |
| Residents attending university or other higher education | 3.3% | 2021 Census | 31st percentile nationally |
| Residents attending primary school | 7.6% | 2021 Census | 12th percentile nationally |
| Residents attending secondary school | 7.7% | 2021 Census | 42nd percentile nationally |
20.8% of people aged 15 and over in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 have university qualifications, compared to 20.6% in Regional Qld.
39.4% of people aged 15 and over in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 have no formal qualifications, compared to 39.2% in Regional Qld.
The golden beach - pelican waters sa2 ranks in the 57th percentile nationally for education based on AreaSearch's analysis of qualification and performance metrics.
The most common qualifications in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 are: Certificate (26.7%), Bachelor Degree (14.2%), Advanced Diploma (13.0%).
22.3% of the population in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 is currently engaged in formal education, including 7.6% in primary school, 7.7% in secondary school, 3.3% at university (all shares of total residents).
The average ICSEA (Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage) score for schools in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 is 1059, indicating average socio-educational advantage (national average is 1000).
There are 2 schools within the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2, with a combined enrollment of approximately 826 students.
The golden beach - pelican waters sa2 includes 1 primary school, 1 combined school.
Golden Beach - Pelican Waters features high concentrations of couples without children but relatively few couples with children, with a smaller average household size than Regional Qld.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household size | 2.3 people | 2021 Census | 25th percentile nationally |
| Lone-person households | 23.9% | 2021 Census | 44th percentile nationally |
| Couples with children | 22.0% | 2021 Census | 19th percentile nationally |
| Couples without children | 42.2% | 2021 Census | 99th percentile nationally |
| One-parent families | 8.5% | 2021 Census | 24th percentile nationally |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group households | 2.6% | 2021 Census | 43rd percentile nationally |
| Households at the 2021 Census | 5,347 | 2021 Census | |
| Estimated households | 6,037 | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026 | |
| Family households | 73.4% | 2021 Census | 58th percentile nationally |
| Average children per family | 1.8 per family | 2021 Census | 68th percentile nationally |
As of the 2021 Census, the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 had 5,347 households. Based on population growth patterns, this has grown by approximately 12.9% to an estimated 6,037 households today.
The average household size in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 is 2.3 people. This compares to 2.5 in Regional Qld and reflects the area's household composition mix.
Family households dominate at 73.4% of all households. Non-family households consist of lone person households (23.9%), group households (2.6%), and other household types (0.0%).
Of the 3,925 family households, couples with children account for 22.0% of all households, couples without children at home 42.2%, and single parent families 8.5%. This mix shapes local demand for schools, family services, and housing types.
Compared to Regional Qld, the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 shows distinct household patterns. This family-oriented profile influences local demand for family homes, schools, and children's services.
Families in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 have an average of 1.8 children, slightly above the Regional Qld average of 1.7. This influences local demand for child-related services and larger family homes.
Marriage patterns reveal 57.9% of the adult population are currently married, while 22.0% have never married. This compares to 45.1% married and 35.6% never married across Regional Qld.
Single-person households represent 23.9% of all households in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2, similar to the average for Regional Qld of 25.6%. This affects demand for smaller dwellings and single-person accommodation.
Group households (unrelated people sharing) account for 2.6% of households, below the Regional Qld average of 4.0%. This lower rate suggests less student or young professional shared accommodation.
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.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Born overseas | 22.1% | 2021 Census | 46th percentile nationally |
| Speak another language at home | 4.7% | 2021 Census | 20th percentile nationally |
| English only at home | 95.3% | 2021 Census | 79th percentile nationally |
| Australian citizens | 88.9% | 2021 Census | 66th percentile nationally |
| Born in Australia | 77.9% | 2021 Census | 53rd percentile nationally |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents | 1.3% | 2021 Census | 46th percentile nationally |
Golden Beach - Pelican Waters was found to be below average in terms of cultural diversity, with 77.9% of its population born in Australia, 88.9% being citizens, and 95.3% speaking English only at home.
The main religion in Golden Beach - Pelican Waters was found to be Christianity, which makes up 59.2% of people in Golden Beach - Pelican Waters. This compares to 52.2% across Regional Qld.
In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Golden Beach - Pelican Waters are English, comprising 34.7% of the population, which is substantially higher than Regional Qld's 29.6%, Australian, comprising 25.3% of the population, and Irish, comprising 9.6% of the population. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Scottish is notably overrepresented at 9.4% of Golden Beach - Pelican Waters (vs 7.8% across Regional Qld), German at 4.9% (vs 4.7%) and Welsh at 0.7% (vs 0.5%).
22.1% of the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 population was born overseas, compared to 19.8% across Regional Qld.
4.7% of the population in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 speaks a language other than English at home, compared to 9.6% in Regional Qld.
1.3% of the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 population identifies as Australian Aboriginal, compared to 3.9% in Regional Qld.
88.9% of the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 population holds citizenship, compared to 84.9% in Regional Qld.
04Place
Housing, health, transport, local services and the reports on them.
Golden Beach - Pelican Waters is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rented homes | 22.1% | 2021 Census | 32nd percentile nationally |
| Owned outright | 53.1% | 2021 Census | 95th percentile nationally |
| Detached houses | 72.8% | 2021 Census | 29th percentile nationally |
| Median mortgage repayment | $2,123 a month | 2021 Census, monthly | 72nd percentile nationally |
| Owned with a mortgage | 24.9% | 2021 Census | 14th percentile nationally |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semi-detached, terrace and townhouses | 9.5% | 2021 Census | 54th percentile nationally |
| Median weekly rent paid, 2021 Census | $440 | 2021 Census, weekly | 77th percentile nationally |
| Median rent as a share of median household income | 32.7% | 2021 Census, ratio calculated by AreaSearch | 97th percentile nationally |
| Median mortgage repayment as a share of household income | 36.4% | 2021 Census, ratio calculated by AreaSearch | 98th percentile nationally |
| People per bedroom | 0.7 per bedroom | 2021 Census | 12th percentile nationally |
In the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2, 53.1% of homes are owned outright, 24.9% are owned with a mortgage, and 22.1% are rented.
According to the latest data, 72.8% of dwellings in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 are houses.
In the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2, 16.9% of dwellings are apartments or units, with an additional 9.5% being semi-detached dwellings.
Outright home ownership in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 stands at 53.1%, compared to 33.4% in Regional Qld.
The median monthly mortgage repayment in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 is $2,123, compared to $1,655 in Regional Qld.
The aggregate monthly housing cost in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 is $950, which represents the average monthly cost across all housing types.
In the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2, households with mortgages typically spend 36.4% of their income on mortgage repayments, while renters spend 32.7% of their income on rent.
The average persons per bedroom ratio in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 is 0.7, indicating the level of household density.
Housing affordability in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 shows mortgage holders spending 36.4% of income on repayments (vs 25.3% in Regional Qld), while renters spend 32.7% of income on rent (vs 22.9% in Regional Qld).
The dwelling mix in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 consists of 72.8% detached houses, 9.5% semi-detached dwellings, 16.9% apartments, and 0.7% other dwelling types.
Housing in Golden Beach - Pelican Waters consumes approximately 16.3% of median household income ($5,833 monthly), indicating costs are highly affordable. The generally accepted benchmark is that housing should not exceed 30% of household income.
Recent development applications in Golden Beach - Pelican Waters show attached dwellings contributing 7% of approvals compared to 27% of existing stock, while detached houses represent 93% of applications versus 73% of current dwellings. This suggests development patterns consistent with existing housing mix. Density increases remain below national trends.
The level of general health in Golden Beach - Pelican Waters is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private health cover | 48.8% | ATO FY 2024, private health cover | 21st percentile nationally |
| No long-term health condition | 61.1% | 2021 Census | 12th percentile nationally |
| Need help with daily activities | 7.0% | 2021 Census | 75th percentile nationally |
| No long-term health condition, under 65 | 74.4% | 2021 Census | 37th percentile nationally |
| Three or more long-term health conditions, under 65 | 1.5% | 2021 Census | 58th percentile nationally |
Around 48.8% of people in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 are covered by private health insurance, which compares to 53.3% in Regional Qld.
In the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2, 7.0% of the population is identified as requiring ongoing medical assistance. By comparison, 6.3% of people in Regional Qld require similar assistance.
6.9% of people in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 are diagnosed with asthma. In comparison, 7.4% of the population across Regional Qld is affected by asthma.
Diabetes affects 4.3% of the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 population, while in Regional Qld, 4.2% of people are diagnosed with diabetes.
5.7% of people in the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 have heart disease. Across Regional Qld,4.1% of the population is affected by heart disease.
In the Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2, 48.8% of the population are estimated to have private health insurance. Comparatively, Regional Qld sees an estimated private health coverage rate of 53.3%.
From the typical resident, the nearest child care centre is 685 m away and the nearest supermarket 795 m.
Distance from the typical resident to the nearest of each service. Every bar starts at 0 m. The nearest is orange.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amenity score | 90 out of 100 | AreaSearch proximity analysis | 90th percentile nationally |
| Nearest child care | 685 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest fitness centre | 783 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest supermarket | 795 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest pharmacy | 806 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearest GP | 817 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest dentist | 1.1 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest shopping centre | 1.1 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest school | 1.1 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest bank | 3.2 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest hospital | 3.3 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest government service | 3.8 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident |
Sector reports that go deeper on these services: child care, medical, retail, aged care and specialist disability accommodation (SDA). There are 3 long day care centres with 255 places in Golden Beach - Pelican Waters, about 1.6 children aged 0-4 per place.
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05Reports and tools
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06About this profile
Where the figures come from, downloads and nearby areas.
AreaSearch's development drivers ranking positions Golden Beach - Pelican Waters among the top 14% of areas assessed nationwide.
Golden Beach - Pelican Waters ranks in the 81st percentile nationally for infrastructure.
No headline figures are reported for this area.
Median rent in Golden Beach - Pelican Waters is $694 a week, +7.1% over 12 months to Jun 2026.
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.
Golden Beach - Pelican Waters ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide.
Income figures position the area below 77% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch.
While Golden Beach - Pelican Waters retains a healthy unemployment rate of 3.1%, recent employment declines have impacted its national performance ranking.
Golden Beach - Pelican Waters ranks slightly above average for education relative to locations nationally, based on AreaSearch's ranking of qualification and academic performance metrics.
Golden Beach - Pelican Waters features high concentrations of couples without children but relatively few couples with children, with a smaller average household size than Regional Qld.
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 is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership.
The level of general health in Golden Beach - Pelican Waters is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions.
Transport in Golden Beach - Pelican Waters: transport access 10/100.
Amenity provision was found to be above the typical area assessed nationally by AreaSearch, based on counts and proximity analysis.
Golden Beach - Pelican Waters has an estimated 14,718 residents, up 12.9% since the 2021 Census, with 26 projects tracked in Golden Beach - Pelican Waters.
Latest estimate as at Aug 2026; other figures from the 2021 Census, ATO FY-24 and AreaSearch estimates where labelled. Updated 14 Oct 2026.
Sources: ABS Census 2021, ABS estimated resident population, ATO taxation statistics, state rental bonds and property sales records where published, and AreaSearch analysis for Golden Beach - Pelican Waters.
Data currency
Refreshed . Rents to Jun 2026, population and age estimated to Aug 2026, taxable income FY 2024 and projects to Sep 2026. Housing, households and cultural diversity are from the 2021 Census (next update with the 2026 Census results).
Infrastructure projects and development applications also include sites in the surrounding area, and are labelled as such. Other sections were compiled 14 Oct 2026 from sources that update on their own cycles; "See the evidence" lists each source and its cycle.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (for example census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb or locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For a complete picture, consider both boundary types where available.
Main sources: ABS, Geoscience Australia, GNAF, ATO, State governments, Valuer General, Rental Board and Infrastructure Australia.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (316021421). QuickStats reports 2021 only; the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.
This page uses ABS Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2) boundaries for statistical reporting (for example census and ERP). SA2 areas can differ materially from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, even when they share similar names, because they are defined for different purposes and often use different geographic boundaries.
AreaSearch compiles this page from official and industry sources, including ABS, Geoscience Australia, GNAF, ATO, State governments, Valuer General, Rental Board and Infrastructure Australia, then calculates statistics for the boundary shown, and ranks, growth rates and benchmarks itself. Property sales come from the state valuation authority, rents from state rental bond lodgements, development applications from council and state planning portals, school data from ACARA, and public transport from state transport departments. Infrastructure projects and development applications also include sites in the surrounding area, labelled as such.
No. Most of this page is built beyond the Census. Dated for this area: population (Aug 2026), age profile (Aug 2026), infrastructure projects (Sep 2026) and income (FY 2024). Compiled with this profile from sources that publish on their own cycles: development and approvals, property sales and rents, employment, education, transport, health and services and amenities. Only housing, households and cultural diversity remain wholly Census-based, because no more current small-area dataset exists for those measures.
Key demographics and figures for Golden Beach - Pelican Waters from the 2021 Census, ATO taxpayer data and AreaSearch estimates and analysis. Each topic has its own table of key figures beside the section it belongs to, and each row names its source and date. The percentile compares Golden Beach - Pelican Waters with every neighbourhood-sized area across Australia (ABS SA2 areas): a higher percentile means more of that measure than most, not necessarily better.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport access | 10 out of 100 | AreaSearch transport analysis of timetable data | 10th percentile nationally |
| Vehicles per dwelling | 1.4 per dwelling | 2021 Census | |
| Working residents who worked from home | 19.9% | 2021 Census, taken during COVID-19 restrictions |
Source: AreaSearch (areasearch.com.au) compiled from ABS Census 2021, ATO and other public sources.