Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland

Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland's population was around 13,125 as of November 2025. This figure reflects an increase of 682 people from the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 12,443. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 13,075 in June 2024 and an additional 100 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2,386 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopted ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data were used, applying proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort. Future demographic trends indicate a population increase just below the median of national non-metropolitan areas by 2041, with an expected growth of 1,132 persons reflecting an 8.2% gain over 17 years based on latest annual ERP population numbers.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland has seen approximately 33 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling 168 homes. In FY26 so far, 19 approvals have been recorded. Each dwelling built between FY21 and FY25 has resulted in an average of 2.7 new residents per year. The average construction cost value for new homes is $758,000, indicating a focus on the premium market with high-end developments.

This financial year has seen $12.1 million in commercial development approvals, showing steady investment activity. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland has 67.0% lower building activity per person, which typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties due to scarcity of new homes. Recent construction comprises 59.0% detached dwellings and 41.0% attached dwellings, offering a mix of medium-density options across various price brackets. Developers are constructing more detached housing than the current pattern implies (38.0% at Census), suggesting strong demand for family homes despite densification trends. The area has approximately 512 people per dwelling approval, reflecting its established nature.

According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland is projected to add 1,082 residents by 2041, with building activity keeping pace with growth projections despite potential increased competition as the population grows.

Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 29 projects likely affecting the region. Key initiatives include Mooloolaba Foreshore Revitalisation Project, Mooloolaba Transport Corridor Upgrade, SOL by Walker - Maroochydore City Centre, and Alex Bluff Foreshore Coastal Pathway. 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 labour market in Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland shows considerable strength compared to most other Australian regions

Mooloolaba-Alexandra Headland has a well-educated workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate here is 2.3%.

As of September 2025, 7,357 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.8% below the Rest of Queensland's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation is similar to the regional level at 59.1%. Key industries include health care & social assistance, construction, and accommodation & food, with a strong specialization in accommodation & food (1.4 times the regional level). Agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented, with only 1.3% of the workforce compared to 4.5% in Rest of Queensland.

Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. In the period from September 2024 to August 2025, labour force decreased by 2.8%, employment decreased by 2.1%, leading to a fall in unemployment rate by 0.7 percentage points. Meanwhile, Rest of Queensland saw employment growth of 1.7% and labour force growth of 2.1%, with a rise in unemployment rate 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%. National employment forecasts from May-25 project a growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Mooloolaba-Alexandra Headland's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2022, Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $51,443. The average income stood at $71,930. Nationally, these figures are very high compared to the levels of $50,780 and $64,844 for Rest of Qld respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $58,640 (median) and $81,993 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census figures, personal income ranks at the 61st percentile ($861 weekly), while household income sits at the 38th percentile. Distribution data shows that 31.5% of the population (4,134 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, mirroring regional levels where 31.7% occupy this bracket. Housing affordability pressures are severe in the area, with only 82.8% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 38th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Mooloolaba-Alexandra Headland, as per the latest Census, 37.9% of dwellings were houses while 62.2% were other types (semi-detached, apartments, 'other'). In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 51.7% houses and 48.3% others. Home ownership stood at 33.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 25.1% and rented ones at 41.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,800, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,820. Median weekly rent was $400 compared to Non-Metro Qld's $420. Nationally, mortgage repayments were lower at $1,863 and rents higher at $375.

Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 59.8% of all households, including 18.5% couples with children, 31.3% couples without children, and 9.2% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 40.2%, with lone person households at 33.3% and group households making up 6.8%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.2.

The educational profile of Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates of 30.0% among residents aged 15+, surpassing the Rest of Qld average of 20.6% and the SA4 region rate of 24.9%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 21.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.1%) and graduate diplomas (2.6%). Vocational credentials are held by 37.7% of residents aged 15+, including advanced diplomas (12.6%) and certificates (25.1%).

Educational participation is high, with 25.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 7.3% in primary, 6.7% in secondary, and 6.1% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland has 46 active public transport stops serving a mix of bus routes. These stops are covered by 5 individual routes that together facilitate 1,106 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents on average located 182 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 158 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 24 weekly trips per stop.

Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland'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

Mooloolaba-Alexandra Headland's health metrics closely align with national benchmarks. Common health conditions are seen across both young and old age cohorts at a standard level.

Private health cover is high, with approximately 55% of the total population (~7,258 people) having it, compared to 52.7% in Rest of Qld. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 8.9% of residents) and mental health issues (7.7%). A majority, 69.3%, report being completely free from medical ailments, compared to 67.2% across Rest of Qld. The area has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 21.7% (2,846 people), compared to 24.4% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors are notably strong, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

In terms of cultural diversity, Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Mooloolaba-Alexandra Headland, surveyed in June 2016, had a cultural diversity index of 8.7%, with 25.5% born overseas. Christianity was the dominant religion at 47.8%. Hinduism, at 1.4%, was slightly overrepresented compared to Rest of Qld's 1.2%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (32.7%), Australian (23.2%), and Irish (10.3%). Notable ethnic group divergences included New Zealand (1.3% vs regional 1.0%) and Scottish (9.1% vs 9.1%).

Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland has a median age of 44 years, which is slightly higher than Queensland's average of 41 years and Australia's average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 25-34 are particularly prominent at 16.7%, while the 5-14 age group is comparatively smaller at 8.2%. Between 2021 and present, the 25-34 age group has increased from 14.7% to 16.7%, and the 75-84 cohort has grown from 6.1% to 7.2%. Conversely, the 55-64 age group has decreased from 15.5% to 14.4%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland, with the strongest projected growth in the 25-34 cohort at 24%, adding 514 residents to reach 2,701. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 65-74 and 5-14 age groups.