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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.
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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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Nerang - Mount Nathan has an estimated 22,671 residents, up from 21,260 at the 2021 Census — a change of 1,411 people, or 6.6%. Growth has averaged 0.9% a year over five years. 224 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
As of May 2026, the population of Nerang - Mount Nathan is estimated to be approximately 22,671, representing an expansion of 1,411 residents (6.6%) from the 21,260 recorded during the 2021 Census. This upward trend is calculated from the ABS June 2025 estimated resident population of 22,560, combined with 224 validated new addresses registered after the Census. The region maintains a population density of 368 persons per square kilometer, indicating low-density living and potential capacity for future growth. The post-Census growth rate of 6.6% trails that of the Rest of Qld (9.2%) by 2.6 percentage points, indicating competitive local demographic momentum.
The primary driver of these gains was overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 70.9% of the overall population increase in recent times. Projections utilize ABS and Geoscience Australia data published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline. For areas where this is unavailable, or for periods past 2032, Queensland Government projections from 2023 (using a 2021 baseline) are used instead. Because the state-level data lacks age-specific breakdowns, cohort projections are weighted using the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections based on 2022 numbers. Looking ahead, regional areas are anticipated to expand faster than capital cities, with this locality projected to gain 4,522 residents by 2041 according to recent ERP statistics, which translates to a total increase of 19.5% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
383 new dwellings have been approved in Nerang - Mount Nathan over the past five years, an average of 76 a year. That places the area in the 76th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 3 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 68 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 63% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 75, broadly in line with that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Approval figures indicate approximately 76 residential dwellings are authorized annually, totaling 383 home approvals over the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, alongside 69 approvals during FY-26 so far. An average of 2.5 new residents moved to the area for each finished dwelling during the 5 financial years between FY-21 and FY-25, pointing to healthy demand that underpins property values, with new construction showing an average cost of $410,000. Commercial approvals have also reached $30.3 million this financial year, showing strong local business investment. Development activity is slightly elevated compared to the Rest of Qld, running 35.0% higher than the regional per-capita average over the 5 year period, which maintains supply options for buyers while defending existing values.
However, approvals remain below the national benchmark, reflecting the established status of the community and possible planning restrictions. Recent residential additions consist of 63.0% detached houses and 37.0% medium to high-density options, offering a broader selection of apartments and townhouses to suit diverse budgets. The market averages 264 people for every dwelling approved, signaling a transitioning property sector. Long-term estimates suggest the population will expand by 4,411 residents by 2041, based on recent quarterly data. If building activity remains at its current pace, the delivery of new homes may fall behind population growth, which could increase buyer demand and drive up property prices.
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
Local infrastructure projects, planning choices, and major works have a significant effect on the performance of a suburb. A search has identified 54 projects that could influence this locality. Some of the most notable developments include the New Street Social Housing Development, the Nerang Precinct Redevelopment, the Beaudesert Nerang Road Shared Path, and the Hinkler Drive Retail Showroom Complex, with the key projects listed below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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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 67.6%. 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 pool is characterized by skilled workers, with construction representing a major employment sector, an unemployment rate of 4.6%, and estimated job growth of 4.1% over the past year. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 11,959, while the unemployment rate was 0.7% higher than the Regional Qld benchmark of 3.9%. Participation in the workforce is moderate at 67.6%, compared to 64.3% in Regional Qld. Census data indicates that only 12.3% of the workforce worked from home, though this figure was likely influenced by pandemic restrictions. The primary employment sectors for local residents are health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.
The workforce shows a high concentration in construction, which is 1.4 times the average rate for the region. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 0.8% of local employment, falling short of the 4.5% seen across Regional Qld. Although there are employment opportunities within the boundary, a comparison between local job numbers and the resident working population suggests many workers travel outside the area for employment. Analysis of SALM and ABS statistics shows that in the year ending March 2026, employment grew by 4.1% and the labor force expanded by 3.2%, which led to a 0.8 percentage point drop in the unemployment rate. Over the same period, Regional Qld saw employment rise by 0.1% and its labor force grow by 0.3%, while its unemployment rate ticked up by 0.1 percentage points. National forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia released in May-25 provide context for local demand trends. These projections, spanning five and ten years, have been aligned with local industry structures to estimate future employment trajectories. Nationally, employment is expected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but rates differ significantly by industry. Applying these trends to the local sector mix suggests employment for residents could rise by 6.4% over five years and 13.3% over ten years, assuming a simple weighted extrapolation that does not adjust for local population forecasts.
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
Taxpayer data from the ATO for the 2023 financial year indicates that the median income in Nerang - Mount Nathan was $53,380, with an average of $63,944. These figures are below national benchmarks and compare to median and average incomes of $53,146 and $66,593 in Regional Qld. Adjusting for Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates are approximately $59,444 for the median and $71,208 for the average as of March 2026. According to the Census, household, family, and personal incomes are relatively modest, falling between the 37th and 39th percentiles.
The largest bracket is the $1,500 - 2,999 range, containing 34.8% of residents (7,889 people), which is similar to the regional average of 31.7% in this bracket. Affordability pressures are high, with residents retaining only 80.3% of their income, putting the area in the 36th percentile, while the SEIFA index ranks the local income level 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 data shows that the housing stock in the area consists of 66.8% detached houses and 33.2% other options (such as townhouses and apartments), compared to 76.4% houses and 23.6% other options across Regional Qld. Home ownership rates are lower than the regional average, standing at 25.5%, with mortgaged properties making up 44.7% and rented properties making up 29.8%. The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,842 is higher than the Regional Qld average of $1,655, while the median weekly rent of $400 is higher than the regional average of $345.
On a national level, monthly mortgage payments are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, but rents exceed the national benchmark of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Nerang - Mount Nathan counted 7,804 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 8,322 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
Families comprise the majority of households at 70.9%, which includes couples with children at 30.6%, couples without children at 25.1%, and single parents at 14.1%. Single persons and group households make up the remaining 29.1%, with lone person households representing 24.8% and group living situations at 4.2%. The average household size is 2.6 residents, slightly larger than the Regional Qld average 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
Educational statistics show room for improvement, as the proportion of residents with university qualifications (18.0%) is lower than the national figure of 30.4%. This highlights a clear opportunity for local educational programs. Among university graduates, bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.6%, followed by postgraduates at 3.4% and graduate diplomas at 2.0%. Vocational training is common, with 43.0% of residents aged 15+ holding trade qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas (12.1%) and certificates (30.9%). Student enrollment is high, with 28.4% of the population participating in formal studies. This group includes 10.2% in primary schools, 7.9% in secondary schools, and 4.0% enrolled in tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Nerang - Mount Nathan reaches 62 stops on 32 routes, timetabled for about 2,900 services a week. The typical home sits about 570 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.6 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport services in the area feature 62 active stops, providing a combination of train and bus options. These stops support 32 distinct routes, which generate 2,900 passenger trips each week. Transport connectivity is moderate, with residents living an average of 566 meters from their nearest stop. Because of the residential nature of the suburb, most workers commute out of the area, and private vehicles remain the primary travel mode at 93%. Households own an average of 1.6 vehicles. Only 12.3% of residents worked from home according to the 2021 Census, a figure that may reflect pandemic-era conditions.
Daily services average 414 trips across the network, which translates to roughly 46 weekly departures from each individual stop.
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
Health indicators are generally positive, with mortality rates and illness trends mirroring national benchmarks. The prevalence of common illnesses is low overall, though it rises above national averages in older, vulnerable cohorts. Approximately 50% of the population (~11,448 people) holds private health insurance, which is lower than the national benchmark of 55.7%. Mental health conditions and arthritis are the most frequently reported medical issues, affecting 9.2% and 8.7% of residents, respectively. Meanwhile, 66.4% of the population reported no chronic conditions, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Chronic health issues are slightly higher than average among working-age residents.
Residents aged 65 and older make up 18.5% of the population (4,200 people), which is lower than the regional average of 20.4%. Senior health metrics present some concerns, though they rank lower nationally than the statistics for the broader population.
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
The local population displays moderate cultural diversity, with 9.3% of residents speaking a non-English language at home and 24.8% born outside Australia. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 46.9% of the population. However, Judaism is the most statistically overrepresented faith relative to the region, accounting for 0.2% of residents compared to 0.1% across Regional Qld. The most common ancestral origins are English at 30.8%, Australian at 26.0%, and Scottish at 7.8%. There are also distinct concentrations of certain backgrounds, with New Zealand ancestry representing 1.8% of the population (compared to 0.9% regionally), Maori ancestry at 1.9% (compared to 0.8%), and French ancestry at 0.6% (compared to 0.5%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Nerang - Mount Nathan is 38. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 26.0% 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
The median age of residents is 38, matching the national average and sitting just below the Regional Qld average of 41. The 35 - 44 age bracket is well represented at 14.6% compared to Regional Qld, while the 65 - 74 bracket is less common at 9.2%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 15 to 24 grew from 11.2% to 12.2%. In contrast, the 5 to 14 cohort decreased from 13.0% to 11.8%, and the 45 to 54 group fell from 13.5% to 12.4%. Projections for 2041 suggest shifting demographics, with the 25 to 34 group estimated to rise by 37% (representing 1,158 additional people) to reach 4,280 from 3,121, while the 15 to 24 age bracket is expected to decline by 23 residents.
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 Aug 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) | May 2026 3 months ago 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 this 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 5 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 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month 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 — 224 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (21,260 at the 2021 Census → 22,671 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 May 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.