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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
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Parkwood has an estimated 9,138 residents, up from 8,837 at the 2021 Census — a change of 301 people, or 3.4%. That puts 1,472 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
Parkwood's total population stands at approximately 9,138 as of Aug 2026, according to AreaSearch data. This reflects an addition of 301 people (3.4%) relative to the 8,837 people counted in the 2021 Census. In deriving this update, figures incorporate the ABS estimated resident population figure of 9,135 recorded in June 2025 alongside 8 validated new addresses registered following the Census. The local density reaches 1,471 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the benchmark among national locations evaluated by AreaSearch. Inbound overseas migration was the primary driver of this demographic expansion, accounting for roughly 87.9% of recent population additions.
Projections for each SA2 area utilise ABS/Geoscience Australia models published in 2024 (using 2022 as their base year). Where locations fall outside that series or extend beyond 2032, AreaSearch integrates Queensland State Government SA2 projections released in 2023 from 2021 baseline data. Because the state-level figures omit age-specific breakdowns, cohort distributions are adjusted using proportional weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region forecasts released in 2023 (benchmarked to 2022 data). Demographic shifts point to long-term expansion pacing slightly below the national median for regional areas, with the locality projected to gain 1,137 persons by 2041 against the latest annual ERP totals, representing overall growth of 12.4% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
218 new dwellings have been approved in Parkwood over the past five years, an average of 43 a year. That is 4.8 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 44 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 9% 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 construction approvals across Parkwood have averaged around 43 dwellings annually, accumulating to 218 homes over the past 5 financial years. Over the course of the past 5 financial years (from FY-22 to FY-26), the inflow averaged merely 0.4 new residents per year for each newly approved dwelling, indicating building activity is equal to or outpacing population pressure, broadening buyer selection and potentially facilitating demographic gains above current projections. Approved residential projects carry an average expected construction cost of $494,000, aligning with regional construction patterns. Furthermore, approved commercial undertakings have reached $11.9 million during this financial year, pointing to a moderate commercial development pipeline.
Per capita residential development in Parkwood tracks 18.0% lower than in Rest of Qld, placing the community in the 7th percentile of evaluated national locations, constraining stock additions and bolstering demand for established properties. Recent planning approvals break down into 9.0% detached houses alongside 91.0% medium and high-density housing formats. This emphasis on medium- and high-density buildings provides attainable pricing options, drawing in downsizers, property investors, and first-time buyers. It represents a substantial departure from the existing residential landscape (which currently stands at 91.0% houses), reflecting a tightening supply of vacant sites alongside emerging preferences for manageable, affordable accommodation. With roughly 2666 people per dwelling approval, the locality exhibits characteristics of a mature urban market. Projections indicate that Parkwood will add 1,134 residents leading up to 2041 (benchmarked against the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Maintaining current building momentum should allow residential supply to satisfy oncoming requirements comfortably, fostering favourable conditions for purchasers and potentially accommodating population growth ahead of existing baseline forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Parkwood
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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 Parkwood, worth an estimated $2.1 billion. A further 131 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $38.2 billion. 46 are already under construction and 69 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and transport & logistics. 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
Major infrastructure deliveries, strategic developments, and municipal planning projects exert a transformative influence on local area performance. AreaSearch has identified 32 active and prospective projects anticipated to affect the district. Among the most notable undertakings are the Coomera Connector Stage 1 - Central Section, Palm Valley Gold Coast Resort, Griffith University Village Student Accommodation Tower, and the 2 Uplands Drive Aged Care Facility, with further significant initiatives detailed below.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
2 Uplands Drive Aged Care Facility
This 8,906 sqm development site holds approval for a 130-bed, three-storey residential aged care facility. Following a receivers' sale by Cor Cordis, the property was purchased in May 2025 for $3.63 million by a private investor. The project is strategically positioned at the corner of Napper Road and Uplands Drive, near the Gold Coast University Hospital medical precinct. The development approval remains current through April 2026, though construction has not yet commenced as of early 2026.
Coomera Connector Stage 1 - Central Section
Construction of an 8km, six-lane section of the Coomera Connector (Second M1) between Helensvale Road and Smith Street Motorway. The project features three grade-separated interchanges at Helensvale Road, Gold Coast Highway, and Smith Street Motorway, along with 8km of shared active transport paths connecting to Helensvale and Parkwood light rail stations and dedicated wildlife corridors.
Palm Valley Gold Coast Resort
A $300 million integrated surf and golf resort at Parkwood International Golf Club on the Gold Coast, rebranded as Palm Valley Gold Coast Resort. Anchored by the Gold Coast's first surf park featuring an Endless Surf wave lagoon capable of generating 25-second barrelling waves, the development also includes a $10 million makeover of the existing 18-hole golf course, a five-star hotel, 222 residential apartments, 12 surf villas, a brewery, beach club, retail, medical and dining facilities.Three-time world surf champion Mick Fanning is brand ambassador and investor. Development Approval was granted in December 2023. Construction is scheduled to commence mid-2026 with opening planned for mid-2027. Phase one, including the wave pool and core facilities, is budgeted at approximately $120 million.
Griffith University Village Student Accommodation Tower
Campus Living Villages, in partnership with Griffith University, is building a new student accommodation tower at the Gold Coast campus. The project will add about 459 to 460 purpose-built student beds, with studios, two-bedroom rooms and accessible units, plus amenities including a swimming pool, cinema and communal spaces. Early works are complete and the main construction stage is under way, with the building targeting a 5 Star Green Star rating and WELL Gold certification.
Parkwood Investigation Area Study
Long-term strategic planning for the Parkwood area along Napper Road to transition rural residential land into urban use. Following Council endorsement of the Preferred Concept Plan in December 2024, the project is in the Statutory Phase as of early 2026. Proposed changes include zoning for buildings up to 10 storeys along Napper Road to support housing diversity near the Gold Coast University Hospital and light rail corridor.
City of Gold Coast Ecological Restoration Program - Parkwood
Ongoing City of Gold Coast natural areas and ecological restoration works in and around Parkwood, delivered as part of the broader citywide program to restore degraded ecosystems, increase native vegetation cover, improve biodiversity, support threatened species recovery, improve waterways and connect natural habitat corridors.
Urbana Stage 3
Urbana Stage 3 is a four-tower mixed-use precinct in Coomera by Cadmium. The approved scheme includes 720 apartments above a connected podium with retail, dining, commercial tenancies, resident amenity, a gym and medical centre. Council approval followed amendments that reduced the planned tower heights, with the approved towers reported at 15, 21, 22 and 26 levels.
170 Napper Road Townhouse Development
Impact assessable material change of use application for 27 multiple dwellings at 170 Napper Road, Parkwood. The proposal is for a townhouse-style residential development with associated resident and visitor parking, close to existing local medical, aged care, childcare and transport services.
5,273 residents of Parkwood are employed, from a labour force of 5,496. Unemployment sits at 4.1%, with participation at 70.8%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.7% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 7,187, about 79% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Parkwood features a skilled resident workforce with significant concentration across essential services, an unemployment rate of 4.1%, and annual employment gains estimated at 2.8%. There are 5,273 residents employed as of March 2026. The local jobless rate stands 0.1% higher than the Regional Qld figure of 3.9%, while labour force participation is exceptionally robust at 70.8% versus 64.2% in Regional Qld. Census data revealed that only 12.4% of workers operated from home, a metric influenced by Covid-19 lockdown circumstances at the time. Leading fields of resident employment comprise health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction.
Conversely, primary industry shows minimal local engagement, with agriculture, forestry & fishing employing just 0.3% of the Parkwood workforce compared to 4.5% across Regional Qld. Given the disparity between resident workers and local employment figures recorded at the Census, this largely residential district provides relatively few jobs within its own boundaries. Analysis of ABS and SALM figures indicates that local jobs expanded by 2.8% over the 12-month period, while the workforce grew by 3.2%, lifting the unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. Across Regional Qld over the same span, employment increased by 0.1% and the labour force by 0.3%, resulting in a 0.1 percentage point increase in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia national employment projections dated Mar-26 offer further perspective on medium-to-long-term demand. Projecting national benchmarks (which anticipate overall expansion of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years) onto Parkwood's industry breakdown suggests local employment would rise by 6.7% over five years and 13.9% over ten years, though sector trajectories diverge substantially (this simple weighted extrapolation serves illustrative goals and excludes local demographic adjustments).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Parkwood is $2,064 a week (about $107,000 a year), with median personal income at $736 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $51,204 a year against an average of $64,171. 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 income within the Parkwood SA2 tracks under nationwide medians based on ATO records for financial year 2023 aggregated by AreaSearch. In financial year 2023, the local median taxpayer income was $51,204 and the average was $64,171, benchmarked against $53,146 and $66,593 across Regional Qld. Factoring in Wage Price Index increases of 11.36% since financial year 2023 brings current estimated earnings to around $57,021 (median) and $71,461 (average) as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census, local household earnings ranked at the 69th percentile ($2,064 weekly) while individual incomes sat at the 35th percentile.
A substantial 37.5% of residents (3,426 people) earned between $1,500 - 2,999, which closely aligns with the 31.7% recorded across the greater capital region. Housing payments account for 16.8% of income, yet robust overall remuneration maintains disposable income at the 68th percentile and positions the district in the 6th decile on the SEIFA income scale.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Parkwood had 2,763 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 91% detached houses and 2% apartments. 42% are owned with a mortgage, 30% rented and 28% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $538 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,894 a month, a total housing cost higher than 80% of areas nationally. Rent absorbs 26.1% of household income here and mortgage repayments 21.2%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
The residential stock in Parkwood at the most recent Census was composed of 90.7% separate houses alongside 9.3% other dwellings (including semi-detached units, apartments, and alternative structures), contrasting with Regional Qld where 76.4% were houses and 23.6% were other dwellings. Fully owned homes accounted for 27.7% of properties, trailing Regional Qld ownership rates, with mortgaged properties representing 41.9% and tenanted homes making up 30.4%. Typical monthly mortgage commitments stood at $1,894 and median weekly rents reached $538, both considerably higher than Regional Qld marks of $1,655 and $345. On a broader scale, local mortgage servicing exceeds the Australian median of $1,863, and local rental costs significantly outstrip the national level of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Parkwood counted 2,763 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 3.0 people each. 38% are couples with children, against 28% couples without children. 13% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.5 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families form the vast majority of local domestic arrangements at 80.6%, consisting of couples with children (38.1%), couples without children (27.5%), and single parent families (13.3%). Non-family living situations account for the other 19.4%, with lone person households representing 12.8% and group households making up 6.8%. The typical household comprises 3.0 people, exceeding the Regional Qld benchmark of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
26.8% of adults in Parkwood hold a university qualification, including 18.1% with a bachelor degree and 6.7% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 24.5% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Educational attainment in the district is elevated when compared regionally, as 26.8% of residents aged 15+ hold tertiary degrees against 20.6% across Rest of Qld, indicating a strong local commitment to higher learning. Bachelor degrees are held by 18.1% of residents, while postgraduate qualifications account for 6.7% and graduate diplomas represent 2.0%. Vocational pathways are also prominent, with 36.4% of residents aged 15+ possessing technical qualifications across advanced diplomas (11.9%) and certificates (24.5%). A significant 32.7% of local residents are actively pursuing formal study. Among these learners, 9.6% attend tertiary institutions, 9.0% are in primary education, and 7.8% are enrolled in secondary schools.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Parkwood means driving: households keep an average of 1.9 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
71.5% of residents in Parkwood report no long-term health condition. 5.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 51.2% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.3 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
General health measures for Parkwood point to outcomes below broader benchmarks according to AreaSearch evaluations of mortality and chronic illness rates, with common conditions showing slightly higher incidence across both younger and older demographics, while private medical insurance coverage is relatively subdued at roughly 51% of the overall population (~4,678 people). Asthma and arthritis represent the most prevalent chronic conditions in the locality, diagnosed in 7.4 and 7.3% of the community respectively, though 71.5% of residents reported having no long-term illnesses, exceeding the 67.6% rate across Regional Qld. Health metrics for people aged under 65 are comparatively positive.
Residents aged 65 and over make up 15.0% of the population (1,374 people), a smaller share than the 20.3% observed across Regional Qld. Older residents achieve above-average health results, with national health standings that surpass those of the broader local community.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
33.3% of Parkwood residents were born overseas and 17.9% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (29.0%) and Australian (21.9%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Parkwood demonstrates elevated cultural diversity compared to most Australian regional communities, with 33.3% of residents born overseas and 17.9% speaking a language other than English in the home. Christianity constitutes the primary faith, practiced by 47.2% of the local population. Islam shows the most pronounced relative representation, accounting for 2.6% of residents in comparison to 0.6% across Regional Qld. Regarding reported parental ancestry, the dominant heritages in Parkwood are English (29.0%), Australian (21.9%), and Other (9.9%). Several other demographic origins display notable concentration relative to broader benchmarks: New Zealand ancestry stands at 1.7% (compared to 0.9% across the region), Maori ancestry accounts for 2.0% (versus 0.8%), and Korean ancestry registers at 0.8% (against 0.2%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Parkwood is 36. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 33.5% 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 demographic profile of Parkwood leans younger than regional averages. Estimates updated to August 2026 show children and young adults (0 - 24) representing 33.9% of residents, compared to 29.6% in Regional Qld, whereas senior and retirement cohorts (65+) comprise 15.0% locally against 20.4% regionally. The estimated median age in August 2026 is 36, shifting down from 37 at the 2021 Census and sitting 5 years beneath the Regional Qld median of 41 from that same Census. Over the post-Census period, mature working and pre-retirement cohorts (45 - 64) decreased from 27.3% to an estimated 24.5%.
Looking ahead to 2041, adults in the 25 - 44 age bracket will account for the majority of expansion, adding 655 residents (27%) to total 3,076.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Parkwood
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 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 2 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago 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 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| 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 Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Apr 2026 6 months ago 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 Apr 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 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) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 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 — 8 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (8,837 at the 2021 Census → 9,138 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 (309091265). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.