Golden Beach - Pelican Waters

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' population was around 14,555 as of May 2026. This figure reflects an increase of 1,520 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 13,035. The change is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 14,293 in June 2025 and an additional 631 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,392 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's population growth of 11.7% since the 2021 Census exceeded both the Rest of Qld (9.2%) and the national average, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Interstate migration contributed approximately 63.1% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. These state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings based on ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 using 2022 data for each age cohort. Future population trends project an above median growth for Australian non-metropolitan areas, with the area expected to expand by 2,651 persons to 2041 based on latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a gain of 16.4% in total over the 16 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 recorded approximately 136 residential properties granted approval each year over the past five financial years, totalling 684 homes. In the current financial year FY-26, around 100 approvals have been recorded to date. Over these five years, an average of 1.7 new residents per dwelling constructed has been observed. The average construction cost value for new properties is $648,000, indicating a focus on the premium market segment.

In FY-26, commercial approvals worth approximately $1.6 million have been registered. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Golden Beach - Pelican Waters has around two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person, while it ranks in the 87th percentile nationally based on areas assessed. The area's building activity consists of 80% standalone homes and 20% medium and high-density housing, maintaining its suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space.

Currently, there are approximately 99 people per dwelling approval in the location, suggesting an expanding market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Golden Beach - Pelican Waters is expected to grow by around 2,389 residents through to 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.

Golden Beach - Pelican Waters has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 44 projects likely affecting the region. Notable initiatives include Aura Home + Life, Palm Lake Resort Pelican Waters, Aura Parklands & Lagoon, and Caloundra South Industrial Precinct. The following list details those most relevant:.

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

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.

The employment landscape in Golden Beach - Pelican Waters presents a mixed picture: unemployment remains low at 3.1%, yet recent job losses have affected its comparative national standing

Golden Beach - Pelican Waters has a skilled workforce with an unemployment rate of 3.1% as of December 2025. It has 5,899 residents in work, which is 1.0% lower than Regional Qld's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation lags at 48.1%, compared to Regional Qld's 64.5%.

A moderate 19.9% of residents work from home. The dominant employment sectors are health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Construction is particularly specialized with an employment share of 1.3 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 0.8%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities.

Between December 2024 and 2025, the labour force decreased by 3.1% alongside a 3.4% employment decline, causing unemployment to rise by 0.3 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia suggest Golden Beach - Pelican Waters' employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 13.9% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $46,132 and an average of $58,248. This is lower than the national average. In comparison, Regional Qld's median was $53,146 with an average of $66,593. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of March 2026 would be approximately $51,373 (median) and $64,865 (average). Census data indicates household, family, and personal incomes in Golden Beach - Pelican Waters fall between the 21st and 23rd percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals 26.8% of the population falls within the $800 - $1,499 income range, differing from the surrounding region where the $1,500 - $2,999 category is predominant at 31.7%. Housing affordability pressures are severe with only 83.7% of income remaining, ranking at the 23rd percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th 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, evaluated at the latest Census, 72.8% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 27.1% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This compares to Regional Queensland's figures of 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Golden Beach - Pelican Waters stood at 53.1%, with mortgaged properties at 24.9% and rented ones at 22.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,123, higher than Regional Queensland's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent in the area was recorded as $440, compared to Regional Queensland's $375. Nationally, Golden Beach - Pelican Waters' mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,123 against the Australian average of $1,863, while 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 comprise 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 account for the remaining 26.6%, with lone person households at 23.9% and group households making up 2.6%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Regional Queensland 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. In this area, 20.8% of residents aged 15 and above hold university degrees compared to the Australian average of 30.4%. This indicates potential for educational development and skills enhancement. Bachelor degrees are most common at 14.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.2%) and graduate diplomas (2.4%).

Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 39.7% of residents aged 15 and above holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (13.0%) and certificates (26.7%). A substantial 22.3% of the population is actively pursuing formal education. This includes 7.7% in secondary education, 7.6% in primary education, and 3.3% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Golden Beach - Pelican Waters has 37 active public transport stops, served by buses along a single route. This provides 169 weekly passenger trips. The average distance to the nearest stop for residents is 391 meters, indicating good accessibility. Most commuters travel outward from this primarily residential area, with cars being the dominant mode at 93%. On average, there are 1.4 vehicles per dwelling. According to the 2021 Census, 19.9% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

The service frequency averages 24 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 4 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Golden Beach - Pelican Waters shows superior health outcomes, as assessed by AreaSearch using mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both younger and older age groups exhibit low prevalence of common health conditions. Private health cover is quite low at approximately 48% of the total population (~7,015 people), compared to Regional Qld's 52.5%, and the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (12.2%) and mental health issues (7.3%). 61.1% of residents claim to be entirely free from medical ailments, compared to Regional Qld's 67.6%. Working-age residents have a higher-than-average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 36.4% (5,299 people), compared to Regional Qld's 20.4%. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, aligning with national rankings for 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 dominant religion, comprising 59.2%, compared to regional Queensland's 52.2%. The top three parental ancestry groups were English (34.7%), Australian (25.3%), and Irish (9.6%).

Notably, Scottish ancestry was higher at 9.4% compared to the regional average of 7.8%. German ancestry stood at 4.9%, slightly above the regional 4.7%. Welsh ancestry was recorded at 0.7%, compared to the region's 0.5%.

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

The median age in Golden Beach - Pelican Waters is 55, which is higher than Regional Qld's figure of 41 and significantly exceeds the national norm of 38. Compared to Regional Qld, Golden Beach - Pelican Waters has a higher proportion of residents aged 65-74 (18.2%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (6.3%). This concentration of 65-74 year-olds is well above the national figure of 9.4%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 has grown from 11.7% to 13.8%, while those aged 15 to 24 increased from 8.4% to 9.6%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 45 to 54 has declined from 13.9% to 11.7%, and the 5 to 14 age group has dropped from 9.9% to 8.5%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections show significant shifts in Golden Beach - Pelican Waters' age structure. The 85+ age group is projected to grow by 112%, reaching 1,354 people from 637. This growth is led by the aging population dynamic, with those aged 65 and above comprising 67% of projected growth. Conversely, the 15 to 24 age group is projected to contract by 122 residents.