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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Sales Detail
Nerang - Mount Nathan has an estimated 22,674 residents, up from 21,260 at the 2021 Census — a change of 1,414 people, or 6.7%. Growth has averaged 0.9% a year over five years. 226 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Overseas migration accounts for 70.9% of that increase. That puts 369 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to research by AreaSearch, the resident count in Nerang - Mount Nathan stands at approximately 22,674 as of Aug 2026. Compared to the 2021 Census tally of 21,260 people, this represents an expansion of 1,414 people (6.7%). This metric is derived from the ABS June 2025 estimated resident population figure of 22,560 alongside 226 validated new addresses registered following the Census. The local population density reaches 368 persons per square kilometer, indicating generous personal space alongside capacity for subsequent development. Nerang - Mount Nathan's post-census expansion of 6.7% sits within 2.7 percentage points of the Rest of Qld (9.4%), highlighting solid growth drivers.
Net overseas migration served as the primary growth contributor, accounting for roughly 70.9% of total population increases across recent periods. Projections developed by the ABS and Geoscience Australia (published in 2024 utilizing 2022 as a base year) are utilized by AreaSearch across SA2 locations. For territories omitted from this dataset or projections extending beyond 2032, figures rely on Queensland State Government SA2 modeling issued in 2023 from 2021 data. Because these state forecasts lack age-specific breakdowns, AreaSearch incorporates age-cohort growth weightings based on ABS Greater Capital Region projections (published in 2023 with 2022 data). Long-term demographic forecasts point to an above median population growth relative to nationwide non-metropolitan benchmarks, with local numbers projected to rise by 4,482 persons to 2041 under latest annual ERP data, generating an overall increase of 19.3% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
414 new dwellings have been approved in Nerang - Mount Nathan over the past five years, an average of 82 a year. That places the area in the 74th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 4 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 83 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 70% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential planning approvals in Nerang - Mount Nathan average roughly 82 dwellings annually, totaling 414 homes over the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26). Strong buyer demand supports local asset values, evidenced by an influx of 2.3 new residents annually per built home over the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26). Newly approved residences carry an average construction value of $481,000, aligning with wider regional activity. In addition, non-residential development remains energetic, with $30.3 million in commercial approvals logged during this financial year. Relative to Rest of Qld, building activity in Nerang - Mount Nathan is moderately higher (exceeding the per-capita regional benchmark by 24.0% over the 5 year period), preserving buyer options while bolstering local valuations.
New dwelling approvals consist of 70.0% standalone homes alongside 30.0% townhouses or apartments, delivering a diverse selection of medium-density formats that range from family residences to affordable entry-level properties. With roughly 226 people per approval, the district exhibits the hallmarks of an evolving market. Demographic projections indicate that Nerang - Mount Nathan will add 4,368 residents through to 2041 based on AreaSearch's latest quarterly calculations. If current building rates do not accelerate, new housing supply may fail to keep pace with population expansion, heightening buyer competition and driving capital values upward.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Nerang - Mount Nathan
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 9 current infrastructure and development projects inside Nerang - Mount Nathan, worth an estimated $235 million. A further 107 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $28.6 billion. 36 are already under construction and 54 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and health & medical. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Regional development and market trends are heavily shaped by strategic planning and major civil works. AreaSearch has pinpointed 54 projects positioned to influence the district, highlighted by the New Street Social Housing Development, Nerang Precinct Redevelopment, Beaudesert Nerang Road Shared Path, and Hinkler Drive Retail Showroom Complex.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
New Street Social Housing Development
A 5-storey mid-rise development providing 60 apartments, comprising 53 social homes and 7 affordable homes. Designed by Plus Architecture, the project features multi-level breezeways, subtropical landscaping, and a durable material palette of precast concrete with navy blue screening. It is the flagship project of Vinnies Queensland's 500 Homes initiative, providing secure housing for vulnerable residents including those impacted by domestic violence or disability.
Hinterland Gateway Community Hub
The City of Gold Coast is planning the Hinterland Gateway Community Hub to replace the Nerang Administration Precinct. Council has endorsed a recommendation to sell the precinct and partner with the private sector to deliver a modern, multi-purpose facility. Proposed features include a multi-purpose hall, meeting rooms, a new library, cafe, city customer service centre, and an evacuation centre.
Mooyumbin Creek Riparian Restoration
Restoration of up to 2.5 hectares of riparian zones along Mooyumbin Creek within the lower Nerang River catchment. The project aims to improve water quality, stabilize banks, control environmental weeds such as Cats Claw Creeper, and enhance biodiversity. Initial works commenced in late 2021 with ongoing maintenance scheduled until 2027.
Serenity Estate - Gilston
Serenity Estate - Gilston is a 31 lot residential subdivision in the family friendly suburb of Gilston on the western Gold Coast. The project delivers flat, usable lots ranging from about 426 m2 to 1,282 m2, with civil works and roads completed and land now being sold for detached homes close to schools, shops and parks.
Serenity Estate
A brand-new subdivision nestled in one of the Gold Coast's most family-friendly suburbs, Gilston, offering 31 blocks of land with a variety of sizes for building spacious family homes or securing investments.
Beaudesert Nerang Road Shared Path
Construction of 780 metres of new or upgraded footpath on both sides of Beaudesert-Nerang Road to enhance pedestrian and cyclist safety and connectivity between Billabirra Crescent and Oak Street in Nerang.
The Summit Highland Park
A prestigious gated community of 24 luxury homes with sweeping views from the Pacific Ocean to the hinterland, positioned on one of the Gold Coast's highest natural elevations.
Maudsland - Gaven Arterial Road and Felling Drive roadworks
Upgrading the intersection to a single lane roundabout, including upgrades to stormwater, lighting, kerb and channel, and road pavement. Constructing two new bus stops on Gaven Arterial Road and new pathways, kerb ramps, and cycle transition ramps to comply with requirements.
11,959 residents of Nerang - Mount Nathan are employed, from a labour force of 12,535. Unemployment sits at 4.6%, with participation at 67.5%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.4% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local labor market in Nerang - Mount Nathan is distinguished by strong representation in construction, a 4.6% unemployment rate, and an estimated 4.1% employment growth over the past year. As of March 2026, 11,959 residents are employed, with the unemployment rate standing at 0.7% above the Regional Qld average of 3.9%. Workforce participation remains relatively typical at 67.5%, compared to 64.2% in Regional Qld. Census data indicates that only 12.3% of residents worked from home, although the lingering effects of Covid-19 lockdowns should be taken into account when interpreting this figure.
Primary employment sectors for the local population are health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Construction shows distinct local concentration, capturing a workforce share 1.4 times the regional proportion. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for a minimal share, employing 0.8% of the local workforce compared to 4.5% across Regional Qld. Comparing Census workplace locations with resident worker numbers indicates that a significant proportion of the workforce travels outside the district for work. AreaSearch evaluated SALM and ABS data to determine that employment levels rose by 4.1% while the labour force grew by 3.2%, which led to a 0.8 percentage point drop in unemployment during the year to March 2026. In contrast, Regional Qld saw employment grow by 0.1%, the labour force expand by 0.3%, and unemployment rise by 0.1 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Mar-26 provide additional context for potential future demand within Nerang - Mount Nathan. These projections, which span five and ten-year periods, have been overlaid with the local employment profile to estimate growth trends. Although national employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth varies considerably across different industry sectors. When these sector-specific projections are applied to Nerang - Mount Nathan's employment mix, local employment is expected to increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.3% over ten years, though this represents a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not incorporate localised population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Nerang - Mount Nathan is $1,571 a week (about $82,000 a year), with median personal income at $741 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $53,380 a year against an average of $63,944. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Based on AreaSearch's release of ATO tax data for financial year 2023, taxpayers in the Nerang - Mount Nathan SA2 record a median income of $53,380 and an average of $63,944, falling short of national benchmarks and comparing with Regional Qld figures of $53,146 (median) and $66,593 (average). Factoring in an 11.36% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, estimated earnings as of March 2026 reach approximately $59,444 for the median and $71,208 for the average. Across the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual incomes ranked in the 37th to 39th percentiles nationally.
The largest income bracket encompasses 34.8% of taxpayers earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (7,890 residents), mirroring the regional rate of 31.7%. Living costs present substantial challenges, with uncommitted income at 80.3% (36th percentile) and an overall SEIFA income score positioned in the 4th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Nerang - Mount Nathan had 7,804 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 67% detached houses and 12% apartments. 45% are owned with a mortgage, 30% rented and 26% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $400 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,842 a month. Rent absorbs 25.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 27.1%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census records indicate that housing in Nerang - Mount Nathan comprises 66.8% separate houses and 33.2% other dwellings (incorporating semi-detached homes, apartments, and alternative structures), contrasting with Regional Qld proportions of 76.4% separate houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Full home ownership stands at 25.5%, lagging the regional benchmark, while 44.7% of homes are mortgaged and 29.8% are tenant-occupied. Typical monthly mortgage payments reach $1,842 and median weekly rent is $400, both exceeding Regional Qld levels of $1,655 and $345. On a nationwide scale, local mortgage costs sit below the Australian median of $1,863, whereas local rent surpasses the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Nerang - Mount Nathan counted 7,804 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 8,323 today, averaging 2.6 people each. 31% are couples with children, against 25% couples without children. 25% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.6 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units constitute 70.9% of all local households, divided into couples with children (30.6%), couples without children (25.1%), and single parent families (14.1%). The remaining 29.1% comprises non-family living arrangements, consisting of lone person households (24.8%) and group households (4.2%). The area records a median household size of 2.6 people, slightly higher than the Regional Qld figure of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
18.0% of adults in Nerang - Mount Nathan hold a university qualification, including 12.6% with a bachelor degree and 3.4% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 30.9% hold a vocational qualification. 6 schools serve the area, with 2,836 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,015 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Tertiary attainment presents an area for development, as the proportion of university-qualified residents (18.0%) trails the Australian benchmark of 30.4%, creating clear scope for educational advancement. Bachelor qualifications represent 12.6% of residents, while postgraduate degrees account for 3.4% and graduate diplomas comprise 2.0%. Vocational qualifications are prominent, with 43.0% of individuals aged 15+ holding technical credentials, divided between advanced diplomas (12.1%) and certificates (30.9%). Active learning rates are strong across the community, with 28.4% of the population participating in formal education. This group includes 10.2% attending primary school, 7.9% in secondary school, and 4.0% enrolled in tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Nerang - Mount Nathan means driving: households keep an average of 1.6 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
66.4% of residents in Nerang - Mount Nathan report no long-term health condition. 6.8% need daily assistance with core activities, and 50.5% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.6 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Community health measures for Nerang - Mount Nathan generally align with nationwide benchmarks based on AreaSearch evaluations of conditions and mortality. Broad health conditions remain limited across the general population but rise above national rates among older demographics, while private health insurance covers roughly 50% of residents (~11,450 people), tracking below the Australian average of 55.7%. Mental health concerns and arthritis represent the two most common diagnosed conditions, impacting 9.2 and 8.7% of the community, respectively, whereas 66.4% of residents report no chronic illnesses (compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld).
Long-term conditions are elevated among working-age individuals. Seniors aged 65 and over make up 18.8% of the local population (4,258 people), below the Regional Qld proportion of 20.3%, with elderly health indicators exhibiting specific challenges despite comparing favorably to broader national metrics.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Nerang - Mount Nathan is largely Australian-born, at 75.2% of residents, with 9.3% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (30.8%) and Australian (26.0%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in Nerang - Mount Nathan tracks above standard levels, with 24.8% of residents born abroad and 9.3% using a non-English language at home. Christianity is the predominant religious faith, representing 46.9% of the population. Notably, Judaism demonstrates clear overrepresentation, accounting for 0.2% of residents relative to 0.1% across Regional Qld. Leading parental ancestry groups comprise English (30.8%), Australian (26.0%), and Scottish (7.8%). Divergences appear among several other heritages, with above-average local representations recorded for New Zealand at 1.8% of Nerang - Mount Nathan (compared to 0.9% regionally), Maori at 1.9% (versus 0.8%), and French at 0.6% (versus 0.5%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Nerang - Mount Nathan is 39. 25.2% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Age distributions in Nerang - Mount Nathan mirror Regional Qld, with the greatest variance across the four broad cohorts measuring only 2.3 percentage points. The estimated median age is 39, identical to the 2021 Census figure and 2 years below the regional benchmark of 41 recorded at that time. Among mature adults and early retirees (45 - 64), the population share decreased from 25.1% at the Census to an estimated 23.6%. The strongest growth toward 2041 is expected in the young to middle aged adults bracket (25 - 44), projected to expand by 1,890 residents (30%) to reach 8,180.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Nerang - Mount Nathan
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 last month all 9 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 226 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (21,260 at the 2021 Census → 22,674 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (309061248). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.