Molendinar

An assessment of population growth drivers in Molendinar reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Molendinar's population is around 6,709 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 259 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,450 people. The change was inferred from ABS estimated resident population data of 6,708 in June 2024 and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 877 persons per square kilometer. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 77.6% 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 and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted. 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 and based on 2022 data. Future population trends project an above median growth for locations outside capital cities, with the area expected to grow by 977 persons to 2041 based on latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total increase of 14.6% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Molendinar, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Molendinar has seen approximately seven new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling 38 homes. As of FY26, two approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.2 new residents per year per dwelling constructed were added between FY21 and FY25. However, this figure increased to 18.3 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, suggesting increasing demand and tightening supply. The average construction value of development projects was $389,000.

In FY26, $21.6 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating balanced commercial development activity. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Molendinar records significantly lower building activity, which is 76.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established properties. The area's development has been entirely comprised of detached dwellings, maintaining its traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. Interestingly, developers are building more traditional houses than the current mix suggests, indicating continued strong demand for family homes despite density pressures.

The estimated count of 1662 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment. Looking ahead, Molendinar is expected to grow by 976 residents through to 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 16 projects likely to impact the area. Key projects include Foxwell Day Hospital & Health Precinct, Costco Wholesale Coomera, Westfield Coomera Shopping Centre, and Griffith University Gold Coast Campus Expansion. 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.

Molendinar has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Molendinar has a skilled workforce with notable representation in lifestyle and retail sectors. The unemployment rate was 5.1% as of September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 1.3% over the past year. As of this date, 3679 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 1.0% higher than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%.

Workforce participation was fairly standard at 69.1%, compared to Rest of Qld's 65.7%. According to Census responses, only 10.9% of residents worked from home. The key industries of employment among residents were health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and construction. Molendinar had a particularly notable concentration in accommodation & food, with employment levels at 1.4 times the regional average.

Meanwhile, agriculture, forestry & fishing had limited presence with 0.3% employment compared to the regional average of 4.5%. There were 1.2 workers for every resident as at the Census, indicating that Molendinar functions as an employment hub hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas. During the year to September 2025, employment levels increased by 1.3% and labour force increased by 2.2%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.8 percentage points. By comparison, Rest of Qld recorded employment growth of 1.7%, labour force growth of 2.1%, with unemployment rising by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Molendinar's employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation of industry-specific projections against the local employment mix.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

In AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ending June 2023, Molendinar SA2's median income among taxpayers is $48,908. The average income in the area was $61,294 during this period. This is below the national average. In comparison, Rest of Qld had a median income of $53,146 and an average income of $66,593 for the same financial year. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since June 2023, current estimates suggest Molendinar's median income would be approximately $53,755 by September 2025, with an average income of around $67,368 during the same period. According to the 2021 Census figures, Molendinar's household income ranks at the 51st percentile ($1,767 weekly), while personal income sits at the 28th percentile. The income brackets indicate that the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 36.3% of residents (2,435 people). This aligns with the metropolitan region where this cohort also represents 31.7%. Housing affordability pressures in Molendinar are severe, with only 80.9% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 48th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Molendinar is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Molendinar's dwelling structure in its latest Census evaluation consisted of 84.2% houses and 15.8% 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 Molendinar was at 23.0%, with the rest being mortgaged (41.5%) or rented (35.6%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,850, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,655. Median weekly rent in Molendinar was recorded at $450, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $345. Nationally, Molendinar's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially higher than the national figure of $375.

Molendinar features high concentrations of group households and family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 78.9% of all households, including 39.0% couples with children, 23.3% couples without children, and 15.4% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 21.1%, with lone person households at 14.8% and group households making up 6.5%. The median household size is 3.0 people, which is larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

Molendinar shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

The area's educational profile is notable regionally with university qualification rates at 25.6% among residents aged 15+, surpassing the Rest of Qld average of 20.6%. This reflects the community's emphasis on higher education. Bachelor degrees are most common at 17.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 5.7% and graduate diplomas at 2.2%.

Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 36.4% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas at 11.9% and certificates at 24.5%. Educational participation is high, with 32.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.5% in primary education, 8.9% in secondary education, and 6.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Molendinar has 22 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are serviced by five different routes that together provide 588 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these stops is rated as good, with residents typically located 299 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to Molendinar being primarily residential. Cars remain the dominant mode of transport at 92%, with an average vehicle ownership of 1.8 per dwelling, which is above the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, only 10.9% of residents work from home, a figure that may reflect COVID-19 conditions.

The service frequency averages 84 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 26 weekly trips per individual stop.

Molendinar's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Molendinar shows strong health performance according to AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were low across both young and old age cohorts. Private health cover was relatively low at approximately 50% of the total population (~3,341 people), compared to 52.5% in Rest of Qld and the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions were mental health issues (8.1%) and asthma (7.9%), while 71.8% reported being completely clear of medical ailments, higher than Rest of Qld's 67.6%. Health outcomes among working-age residents are typical. Seniors aged 65 and over comprise 12.0% of the population (802 people), lower than Rest of Qld's 20.4%. Senior health outcomes are above average, aligning with national rankings for the general population.

Molendinar was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Molendinar has a high level of cultural diversity, with 26.1% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 37.0% born overseas. Christianity is the main religion in Molendinar, comprising 47.1% of the population. Judaism is overrepresented in Molendinar compared to the rest of Queensland, making up 0.3% versus 0.1%.

The top three ancestry groups are English at 24.0%, Australian at 20.5%, and Other at 10.5%. Notably, Korean (2.0%), Maori (1.9%), and New Zealand (1.4%) ethnicities are overrepresented in Molendinar compared to regional averages of 0.2%, 0.8%, and 0.9% respectively.

Molendinar's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Molendinar's median age in 2021 was 36, which is lower than the Rest of Qld figure of 41 and marginally lower than Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of Qld average, Molendinar has an over-representation of the 15-24 cohort (16.4% locally) and an under-representation of the 65-74 year-olds (7.0%). Between 2021 and the present day, the 25 to 34 age group has grown from 12.5% to 15.2%, while the 15 to 24 cohort increased from 14.8% to 16.4%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 13.3% to 11.5%, and the 45 to 54 group dropped from 15.3% to 13.8%. Demographic modeling projects significant changes in Molendinar's age profile by 2041, with the 25 to 34 age cohort expected to expand notably, increasing by 373 people (37%) from 1,018 to 1,392. Conversely, both the 5 to 14 and 15 to 24 age groups are projected to see reduced numbers.