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 is approximately 14,228 as of February 2026. This figure represents an increase of 1,193 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 13,035. The growth was inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 13,987 in June 2024 and an additional 495 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,361 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's 9.2% growth since the 2021 census surpassed Rest of Qld's 9.1%, positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Interstate migration contributed approximately 59.1% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving this growth.

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 released in 2023 based on 2021 data are used, applying proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort where necessary. Future population trends project an above median growth for Australian non-metropolitan areas, with the area expected to expand by 2,677 persons to 2041, reflecting a total gain of 17.1% over the 17 years based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.

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

Golden Beach - Pelican Waters has granted approximately 136 residential property approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 684 homes. As of FY26, 62 approvals have been recorded. On average, each dwelling constructed between FY21 and FY25 accommodates about 1.7 new residents per year. This suggests a balanced supply and demand dynamic in the market for new properties, which are being developed at an average construction cost value of $648,000, indicating targeting of the premium market segment.

In FY26, commercial approvals have amounted to $1.6 million, reflecting the residential nature of the area. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Golden Beach - Pelican Waters has around two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person, yet it ranks among the 87th percentile nationally in terms of areas assessed. The location's new building activity comprises 80% standalone homes and 20% medium and high-density housing, maintaining its suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suitable for buyers seeking space.

It has approximately 99 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Golden Beach - Pelican Waters is projected to grow by 2,436 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing favourable 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 in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 44 projects that could affect the region. Notable initiatives include Aura Home + Life, Palm Lake Resort Pelican Waters, Aura Parklands & Lagoon, and Pelican Waters Infrastructure Upgrade B. The following list outlines those projects likely to be 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.

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

Golden Beach - Pelican Waters had an unemployment rate of 2.7% as of September 2025, with 5,982 residents employed. This was 1.4% lower than the Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation in Golden Beach - Pelican Waters was 49.6%, significantly lower than the Rest of Qld's 65.7%.

According to Census responses, 19.9% of residents worked from home. The dominant employment sectors were health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Construction had a particularly high share of employment at 1.3 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing had a limited presence at 0.8%. Between September 2024 and September 2025, Golden Beach - Pelican Waters saw its labour force decrease by 2.5% and employment decline by 2.2%, leading to a fall in unemployment of 0.3 percentage points.

In contrast, Rest of Qld had employment growth of 1.7% and labour force growth of 2.1%, with unemployment rising by 0.3 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, released in May-25, projected a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Golden Beach - Pelican Waters' employment mix suggests local employment should grow by 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 latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows Golden Beach - Pelican Waters SA2 had a median income of $46,132 and an average of $58,248 among taxpayers. This is lower than the national average. Rest of Qld had a median of $53,146 and an average of $66,593 during this period. Based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023, current estimates for Golden Beach - Pelican Waters are approximately $50,704 (median) and $64,020 (average) as of September 2025. Census data indicates incomes in Golden Beach - Pelican Waters fall between the 21st and 23rd percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. Income analysis reveals that 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 after housing costs, ranking at the 23rd percentile nationally. 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

The dwelling structure in Golden Beach - Pelican Waters, as per the latest Census, consisted of 72.8% houses and 27.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compared to Non-Metro Qld's 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Golden Beach - Pelican Waters stood at 53.1%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (24.9%) or rented (22.1%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,123, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent figure was $440, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $345. Nationally, Golden Beach - Pelican Waters' mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,123 versus 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 constitute 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 comprise the remaining 26.6%, with lone person households at 23.9% and group households comprising 2.6%. 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's Pelican Waters trails regional benchmarks in educational qualifications. 20.8% of residents aged 15+ hold university degrees compared to Australia's 30.4%. 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+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (13.0%) and certificates (26.7%).

A substantial 22.3% of the population actively pursues formal education, including 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, operated by buses. These stops are served by one route, facilitating 169 weekly passenger trips in total. The area's transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents located an average of 391 meters from the nearest stop. Primarily residential, most residents commute outward, predominantly using cars (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 daily across all routes, resulting in approximately four weekly trips per stop.

Golden Beach - Pelican Waters's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Golden Beach - Pelican Waters' health data shows positive results, aligning with national benchmarks for mortality rates and health conditions. The prevalence of common health issues is low among both younger and older residents. Private health cover stands at approximately 48% (6,857 people), compared to 52.5% in the rest of Queensland and a national average of 55.7%.

Arthritis and mental health issues are the most prevalent conditions, affecting 12.2 and 7.3% respectively, while 61.1% report no medical ailments, compared to 67.6% in the rest of Queensland. Working-age residents have a higher prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 36.1% of seniors aged 65 and over (5,130 people), exceeding the 20.4% in the rest of Queensland. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, ranking broadly in line with the general population nationally.

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 had a cultural diversity score below average, with 77.9% of its population born in Australia, 88.9% being citizens, and 95.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 59.2%, compared to the regional average of 52.2%. The top three ancestry groups were English (34.7%), Australian (25.3%), and Irish (9.6%).

Notably, Scottish ancestry was overrepresented at 9.4% compared to the regional average of 7.8%. German ancestry stood at 4.9%, slightly higher than the regional average of 4.7%. Welsh ancestry was also marginally higher at 0.7% versus 0.5% regionally.

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

Golden Beach - Pelican Waters has a median age of 55, which is higher than the Rest of Qld figure of 41 and substantially exceeds the national norm of 38. Compared to Rest of Qld, Golden Beach - Pelican Waters has a higher concentration of 65-74 residents at 18.2%, but fewer 25-34 year-olds at 6.3%. This 65-74 concentration is well above the national figure of 9.5%. Between the 2021 Census and the 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 9.6%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 13.9% to 11.6%, and the 5 to 14 group dropped from 9.9% to 8.3%. 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 114%, reaching 1,272 people from 594. The aging population dynamic is clear, with those aged 65 and above comprising 66% of projected growth. Conversely, the 15 to 24 group is projected to contract by 109 residents.