Main Beach

Population growth drivers in Main Beach are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Main Beach's population was approximately 4,662 as of November 2025. This figure reflects an increase of 664 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,998. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 4,225 in June 2024 and an additional 266 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,347 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Main Beach's growth rate of 16.6% since the 2021 census exceeded both the non-metro area (8.8%) and the national average, indicating it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration was primarily responsible for this population increase.

AreaSearch uses 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, based on 2021 data and released in 2023. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings from the ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 using 2022 data. By 2041, based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, Main Beach is forecast to increase by 1,627 persons, reflecting a total increase of 25.5% over the 17 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Main Beach when compared nationally

Main Beach has seen approximately 155 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 777 homes. As of FY26, 31 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.2 people per year moved to the area for each dwelling built between FY21 and FY25. This indicates that supply is meeting or exceeding demand, offering more buyer choices while supporting potential population growth above projections.

The average construction value of new homes is $804,000, suggesting a focus on premium properties by developers. In FY26, $14.2 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Main Beach records 84.0% more new home approvals per person, offering buyers greater choice. However, building activity has slowed in recent years. This level is significantly above the national average, indicating strong developer interest in the area. New building activity shows 2.0% standalone homes and 98.0% medium and high-density housing, creating more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers.

With around 281 people per dwelling approval, Main Beach exhibits a developing market. Future projections estimate Main Beach to add 1,190 residents by 2041, suggesting that current construction levels should adequately meet demand and create favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth exceeding current forecasts.

Main Beach has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 47 projects potentially impacting the region. Notable initiatives include La Mer Main Beach, Marine Quarter Scenic Tower, Bella Vie Residences, and AMALI Main Beach. The following details projects likely 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.

Employment performance in Main Beach ranks among the strongest 15% of areas evaluated nationally

Main Beach's workforce is well-educated with strong professional services representation. The unemployment rate is 1.7%, lower than the Rest of Qld's 4.1%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 2.5%. As of September 2025, 2,366 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.3% below the regional average. Workforce participation is lower at 51.6%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Leading employment industries include health care & social assistance, professional & technical, and education & training.

The area specializes in professional & technical services with an employment share of 1.9 times the regional level. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 0.7% versus the regional average of 4.5%. The worker-to-resident ratio is 0.8, indicating higher local employment opportunities than usual. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 2.5%, labour force grew by 2.3%, leading to a decrease in unemployment by 0.2 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of Qld where employment rose by 1.7%, labour force grew by 2.1%, and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. State-level data up to 25-Nov-25 shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1,210 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%, closely aligned with the national rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia indicate growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Main Beach's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, assuming constant population projections for illustrative purposes.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

AreaSearch reports that Main Beach SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $54,454 and an average income of $90,138 in financial year 2022. These figures are high compared to national levels of $50,780 and $64,844 for Rest of Qld respectively. By September 2025, estimates suggest the median income will be approximately $62,072 and average income $102,748, based on a Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022. According to the 2021 Census, personal income ranks at the 72nd percentile ($938 weekly) and household income at the 46th percentile in Main Beach SA2. The largest income segment comprises 27.9% of residents earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (1,300 residents). Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 84.7% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 47th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Main Beach features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Dwelling structure in Main Beach, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 3.4% houses and 96.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 25.1% houses and 74.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Main Beach was 47.8%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (20.6%) or rented (31.6%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Main Beach was $2,091, while the median weekly rent figure was $500. Nationally, Main Beach's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Main Beach features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 58.6% of all households, including 11.1% that are couples with children, 40.8% that are couples without children, and 6.1% that are single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 41.4%, with lone person households at 35.5% and group households comprising 5.7% of the total. The median household size is 1.9 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.1.

The educational profile of Main Beach exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

In Main Beach, residents aged 15 and above have a higher level of educational attainment compared to broader benchmarks. Specifically, 35.7% hold university qualifications, surpassing the Rest of Qld's 20.6% and the SA4 region's 25.4%. This area's educational advantage is evident in its residents' pursuit of knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 24.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.2%) and graduate diplomas (3.1%).

Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 32.1% of residents aged 15 and above holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas account for 14.4% and certificates for 17.7%. Furthermore, a significant portion of the population is actively pursuing formal education, with 23.7% doing so. This includes 8.4% in tertiary education, 5.2% in secondary education, and 4.2% pursuing primary education.

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

Transport analysis shows 18 active stops operating within Main Beach. These comprise lightrail and buses. Three routes service these stops, providing 2,844 weekly passenger trips in total.

Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 117 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 406 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 158 weekly trips per individual stop.

Main Beach's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Main Beach's health metrics closely align with national benchmarks. Common health conditions are seen equally across young and old age cohorts. Private health cover rate is exceptionally high at approximately 67% (3,109 people), compared to 58.1% in Rest of Qld and the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (10.6%) and asthma (5.9%). 67.9% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 72.6% in Rest of Qld. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 38.7% (1,803 people), higher than the 21.8% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors are strong, outperforming the general population in health metrics.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Main Beach was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Main Beach, surveyed in June 2016, had above-average cultural diversity with 10.0% of residents speaking a language other than English at home and 29.4% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 59.4%. Judaism's representation was notably higher at 0.6%, compared to the Rest of Qld average of 0.6%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (33.2%), Australian (18.9%), and Irish (11.8%). French (1.0%) and Scottish (9.5%) were overrepresented, while Russian (0.5%) was slightly under the regional average of 0.6%.

Main Beach ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Main Beach is 56 years, which is significantly higher than Rest of Qld's average of 41 years and considerably older than the national norm of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of Qld average, the 75-84 cohort is notably over-represented at 15.0% locally, while the 5-14 year-olds are under-represented at 2.6%. This concentration of the 75-84 age group is well above the national average of 6.0%. Between the 2016 and 2021 Census, the 85+ age group grew from 2.3% to 5.2%, while the 75-84 cohort increased from 12.5% to 15.0%. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort declined from 12.8% to 10.0%, and the 55-64 group dropped from 19.0% to 16.2%. By 2041, Main Beach is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition, with the 85+ age cohort projected to expand substantially by 621 people (258%), from 240 to 862. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 72% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. On the other hand, both the 45-54 and 15-24 age groups are projected to see reduced numbers.