Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of August 2025, Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland's population is approximately 13,079. This reflects a growth of 636 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 12,443. The increase is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 13,075 as of June 2024 and an additional 78 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2,378 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch assessments. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration 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 and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections from 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted, with proportional growth weightings applied for age cohorts. By 2041, the population is expected to increase by approximately 1,132 persons, representing an 8.6% gain over the 17-year period, in line with trends of national non-metropolitan areas.

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. Development approval data, produced by the ABS on a financial year basis, totals 168 approvals across the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, with an additional 5 approvals recorded in FY-26 so far. On average, around 2.7 people have moved to the area per new home constructed over these five financial years. This suggests solid demand for property in the area, which supports property values.

New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $1,120,000, indicating that developers are focusing on the premium market with high-end developments. In FY-26 alone, $12.1 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, suggesting balanced commercial development activity compared to previous years. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland has significantly less development activity, at 67.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established dwellings in the area. The location's development activity level is also under the national average, indicating its established nature and suggesting potential planning limitations.

Recent construction comprises 59.0% detached dwellings and 41.0% attached dwellings, showing an expanding range of medium-density options that create a mix of opportunities across price brackets, from traditional family housing to more affordable compact alternatives. Notably, developers are constructing more detached housing than the existing pattern implies (38.0% at Census), reflecting persistent strong demand for family homes. The location has approximately 512 people per dwelling approval, reflecting its established nature as an area. Population forecasts indicate that Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland will gain 1,128 residents through to 2041. Building activity is keeping pace with growth projections, though buyers may experience heightened competition for properties as the population grows.

Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 17thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 30 projects likely affecting the region. Notable 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.

The labour market in Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland shows considerable strength compared to most other Australian regions

Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland has an educated workforce with a low unemployment rate of 2.2% as of June 2025. It has 7,550 residents in work, which is 1.8% below the Rest of Qld's unemployment rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation is similar to Rest of Qld at 59.1%. Key industries are health care & social assistance, construction, and accommodation & food, with a strong specialization in the latter, employing 1.4 times more residents than the regional level. Agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented, employing only 1.3% of the workforce compared to Rest of Qld's 4.5%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work.

Over a 12-month period ending June 2025, labour force decreased by 2.2%, employment decreased by 1.3%, resulting in a 0.9 percentage point drop in unemployment rate. In contrast, Rest of Qld experienced employment growth of 1.8% and labour force growth of 2.0%, with a 0.2 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. State-level data to Sep-25 shows QLD employment contracted by 0.23%, losing 8,070 jobs, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. National unemployment rate is 4.5%, with national employment growth at 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's forecasts suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 14.1% over ten years. Applying these projections to Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.9%% over five years and 14.1% over ten years.

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ended June 2022, Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland had a median income among taxpayers of $51,443. The average income stood at $71,930. Nationally, median and average incomes were $50,780 and $64,844 respectively for Rest of Qld. By March 2025, estimated median and average incomes would be approximately $57,467 and $80,353 based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since June 2022. According to the Census conducted in August 2021, personal income ranked at the 61st percentile ($861 weekly), while household income was at the 39th percentile. Income distribution showed 31.5% of the population (4,119 individuals) fell within the $1,500 - $2,999 range, similar to regional levels where 31.7% occupied this bracket. Housing affordability pressures were severe, with only 82.8% of income remaining, ranking at the 39th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed 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

The dwelling structure in Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland, as per the latest Census, consisted of 37.9% houses and 62.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 51.7% houses and 48.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland was 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 and the national figure of $1,863. The median weekly rent was $400, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $420 and Australia's $375.

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

Family households comprise 59.8% of all households, including 18.5% couples with children, 31.3% couples without children, and 9.2% single parent families. The remaining 40.2% are non-family households, consisting of 33.3% lone person households and 6.8% group households. 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 at 30.0% of residents aged 15+, surpassing the Rest of Qld average of 20.6% and the SA4 region average of 24.9%. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 21.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.1%) and graduate diplomas (2.6%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 37.7% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas comprise 12.6% while certificates make up 25.1%.

Educational participation is high at 25.8%, including 7.3% in primary education, 6.7% in secondary education, and 6.1% pursuing tertiary education. Mooloolaba State School serves the area with an enrollment of 793 students as of a recent report. The suburb demonstrates above-average socio-educational conditions, indexed at 1068. The single school focuses exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in nearby areas. School places per 100 residents stand at 6.1, below the regional average of 9.7, indicating some students may attend schools outside the immediate area.

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. The area's 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, translating to about 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 align closely with national averages. Common health conditions are prevalent across both young and old age groups.

Private health cover is high at approximately 55% of the total population (~7,232 people), compared to 52.7% in the rest of Queensland. The most common medical conditions are arthritis (8.9%) and mental health issues (7.7%). About 69.3% of residents report no medical ailments, slightly higher than the 67.2% across the rest of Queensland. Approximately 21.7% of residents are aged 65 and over (2,836 people), lower than the 24.4% in the rest of Queensland. Health outcomes among seniors in the area exceed those of the general population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Mooloolaba-Alexandra Headland had cultural diversity above average, with 8.7% speaking a language other than English at home and 25.5% born overseas. Christianity was the main religion, comprising 47.8%. Hinduism showed overrepresentation at 1.4%, compared to 1.2% regionally.

Top ancestry groups were English (32.7%), Australian (23.2%), and Irish (10.3%). New Zealand had notable overrepresentation at 1.3%, Scottish was equal at 9.1%, and French also had equal representation at 0.7%.

Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland has a median age of 44 years, which is slightly higher than Queensland's average of 41 years and Australia's median age of 38 years. The area's age profile shows that those aged 25-34 are most prominent at 16.7%, while the 5-14 age group is smaller at 8.2% compared to the rest of Queensland. Between 2021 and present, the proportion of 25-34 year-olds has increased from 14.7% to 16.7%, while those aged 75-84 have grown from 6.1% to 7.2%. Conversely, the 55-64 age group has decreased from 15.5% to 14.4%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to grow by 24%, adding 522 residents to reach a total of 2,701. Meanwhile, the 65-74 and 5-14 age groups are projected to decline in population.