Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland

Population growth drivers in Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

Mooloolaba-Alexandra Headland's population was 12,443 as of the 2021 Census. By May 2026, it had increased to around 13,111, a rise of 668 people (5.4%). This increase is inferred from ABS estimated resident populations and validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density was 2,383 persons per square kilometer in May 2026. AreaSearch's analysis places Mooloolaba-Alexandra Headland in the upper quartile for national locations assessed by them. Its growth rate of 5.4% since the Census is within 2.9 percentage points of the SA3 area (8.3%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals.

Overseas migration was the primary driver of population growth during recent periods. AreaSearch uses 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 from 2023 are adopted. These state projections do not provide age category splits; therefore, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort. Based on projected demographic shifts, the area is expected to grow by just below the median of national regional areas by 2041. The latest annual ERP population numbers project an increase of 1,111 persons by 2041, reflecting a total gain of 8.4% over the 16 years.

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 recorded approximately 33 residential property approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 168 homes. In FY26 so far, 24 approvals have been recorded. An average of 2.7 people per year moved to the area for each new home constructed between FY21 and FY25, indicating strong demand that supports property values. New homes are being built at an average cost of $758,000, targeting the premium market segment with higher-end properties.

This financial year has seen $12.1 million in commercial approvals, reflecting steady commercial investment activity. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland records lower building activity, 67.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established dwellings, which is also under the national average, suggesting the area's established nature and potential planning limitations. New development consists of 59.0% detached dwellings and 41.0% medium and high-density housing, offering choices across price ranges from spacious family homes to more compact options. Notably, developers are constructing more detached housing than the existing pattern implies (38.0% at Census), reflecting persistent strong demand for family homes amid densification trends.

The area indicates a mature market with around 512 people per approval. Looking ahead, Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland is expected to grow by 1,101 residents through to 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Construction is maintaining a reasonable pace with projected growth, although buyers may encounter growing competition as population increases.

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 26 projects that could affect the area. Key projects 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.

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Employment conditions in Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland demonstrate strong performance, ranking among the top 35% of areas assessed nationally

Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland has a well-educated workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate here is 2.5%. As of December 2025, 7,267 residents are employed, which is 1.5% below Regional Qld's rate of 4.0%.

Workforce participation is on par with Regional Qld at 64.5%. According to Census responses, 17.7% of residents work from home. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, construction, and accommodation & food. The area has a particular employment specialization in accommodation & food, with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence here with 1.3% employment compared to 4.5% regionally. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Over the 12 months to December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 3.2%, and employment decreased by 3.1%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.2 percentage points. This contrasts with Regional Qld where employment grew by 0.7%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland's employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The median taxpayer income in Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland SA2 is $53,126 and the average is $72,581 according to AreaSearch's aggregation of postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023. This is higher than Regional Queensland's median income of $53,146 and average income of $66,593. Using Wage Price Index growth of 11.36%, estimated incomes as of March 2026 are approximately $59,161 (median) and $80,826 (average). Based on the 2021 Census, personal income ranks at the 61st percentile ($861 weekly), while household income is at the 38th percentile. Income brackets show that 31.5% of individuals earn between $1,500 and $2,999 annually, similar to surrounding regions where 31.7% fall within this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe with only 82.8% of income remaining, 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 above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland, as per the latest Census, 37.9% of dwellings were houses while 62.2% were other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and others. This contrasts with Regional Qld's figures of 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in the area stood at 33.9%, similar to Regional Qld's rate. Mortgaged dwellings accounted for 25.1%, and rented ones made up 41.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,800, higher than Regional Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent was $400, compared to Regional Qld's $345. Nationally, Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland had lower mortgage repayments at $1,800 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and higher rents at $400 compared to the national figure of $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 make up the remaining 40.2%, with lone person households at 33.3% and group households comprising 6.8%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Regional Queensland average of 2.5.

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 at 30.0% of residents aged 15+, surpassing the Rest of Qld average of 20.6% and the SA4 region rate of 24.9%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 21.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.1%) and graduate diplomas (2.6%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 37.7% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas at 12.6% and certificates at 25.1%.

Educational participation is high, with 25.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 7.3% in primary education, 6.7% in secondary education, 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 47 active public transport stops serving a mix of bus routes. These stops are serviced by 5 individual routes, providing a total of 1,020 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 182 meters from the nearest stop. The area is primarily residential, with most commuters traveling outward. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 88%, while 4% walk. Vehicle ownership averages 1.2 per dwelling, below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 17.7% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 145 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 21 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Mooloolaba-Alexandra Headland demonstrates above-average health outcomes based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both young and old age cohorts show low prevalence of common health conditions.

Private health cover is very high at approximately 55% of the total population (~7,263 people), compared to 52.5% across Regional Qld. The most common medical conditions are arthritis (8.9%) and mental health issues (7.7%). 69.3% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Health outcomes among the working-age population are broadly typical. As of June 2021, 22.6% of residents are aged 65 and over (2,961 people), higher than the 20.4% in Regional Qld. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, with national rankings even higher than the general population.

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, as per the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2016 data, exhibited higher cultural diversity compared to the regional average. The proportion of residents speaking a language other than English at home was 8.7%, while those born overseas constituted 25.5%. Christianity was identified as the predominant religion in the area, accounting for 47.8% of its population.

Notably, Hinduism showed an overrepresentation with 1.4% compared to the regional average of 0.8%. The top three ancestry groups based on parents' country of birth were English (32.7%), Australian (23.2%), and Irish (10.3%). Significant disparities were observed in the representation of New Zealanders at 1.3%, Scots at 9.1%, and French at 0.7%, each higher than their respective regional averages of 0.9%, 7.8%, and 0.5%.

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

Mooloolaba-Alexandra Headland's median age is 44 years, which is slightly higher than Regional Queensland's average of 41 years and Australia's average of 38 years. Among its residents, those aged 25-34 are notably prominent at 16.2%, while the proportion of those aged 5-14 is relatively smaller at 8.6% compared to Regional Queensland. Between 2021 and the present day, the population share of those aged 75-84 has increased from 6.1% to 7.9%, while the 25-34 age group has grown from 14.7% to 16.2%. Conversely, the 45-54 age group has decreased from 13.4% to 11.6%, and the 55-64 age group has dropped from 15.5% to 14.4%. By 2041, population projections indicate significant demographic shifts for Mooloolaba-Alexandra Headland. The 25-34 age cohort is expected to grow by 20%, adding 420 residents to reach a total of 2,551. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 65-74 and 5-14 age cohorts.