Peregian Beach - Marcus Beach

An assessment of population growth drivers in Peregian Beach - Marcus Beach reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

The population of Peregian Beach - Marcus Beach, as per AreaSearch's analysis, stands at approximately 4,343 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 236 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,107 people. The growth is inferred from the estimated resident population of 4,355 in June 2024 and an additional 22 validated new addresses post-Census. This results in a density ratio of 317 persons per square kilometer, indicating ample space per person with potential for further development. Peregian Beach - Marcus Beach's growth rate of 5.7% since the Census is close to its SA3 area's average growth rate of 6.5%, showing strong fundamental growth factors. Overseas migration contributed approximately 80.4% of overall population gains in recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections lack age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort. Future demographic shifts indicate an overall population decline of 127 persons by 2041 according to this methodology. Nevertheless, specific age cohorts are expected to grow, notably the 65 to 74 age group projected to increase by 100 people.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Peregian Beach - Marcus Beach when compared nationally

Peregian Beach - Marcus Beach has averaged approximately 19 new dwelling approvals annually. Between FY21-FY25, 96 homes were approved, with an additional 5 approved so far in FY26. Each year, around 3 new residents are associated with each dwelling approval over the past five financial years.

This consistent demand supports property values, with new homes averaging $1,058,000, indicating a focus on premium developments. In FY26, there have been $1.3 million in commercial approvals, suggesting minimal commercial development activity. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Peregian Beach - Marcus Beach maintains comparable new home approvals per capita, reflecting market balance consistent with the broader area.

Building activity shows 65% detached dwellings and 35% townhouses or apartments, offering choices across price ranges. With around 282 people per dwelling approval, it is considered a low-density area. Stable or declining population forecasts may reduce housing pressure, creating favourable conditions for buyers in the area.

Peregian Beach - Marcus Beach has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Area infrastructure changes significantly influence local performance. AreaSearch identified 13 projects potentially impacting the area. Notable projects include Peregian Beach Reservoir Upgrade, Peregian Beach Park Upgrade, SEQ Liveability Fund - Peregian Beach Pathways, and Essence of Peregian Beach. Below is a list detailing those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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.

Peregian Beach - Marcus Beach ranks among the top 25% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance

Peregian Beach - Marcus Beach has an educated workforce with professional services well represented. The unemployment rate is 1.9%.

As of September 2025, there are 2,363 residents employed, with the unemployment rate at 2.2%, below Rest of Qld's 4.1%. Workforce participation stands at 63.0%. Leading industries include health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and retail trade. The area has a notable concentration in professional & technical services, with employment levels at 2.2 times the regional average.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing employs just 0.6% of local workers, below Rest of Qld's 4.5%. Between September 2024 and September 2025, the labour force decreased by 2.7%, employment declined by 1.8%, causing unemployment to fall by 0.9 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment rise by 1.7% over the same period. State-level data shows QLD employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1,210 jobs) as of 25-Nov, with a state unemployment rate of 4.2%. National employment forecasts from May-25 project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Peregian Beach - Marcus Beach's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.2% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that income in Peregian Beach - Marcus Beach SA2 is among the highest in Australia. The median income is $53,144 and the average income stands at $77,530. This contrasts with Rest of Qld's figures where the median income is $50,780 and the average income is $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $60,579 (median) and $88,376 (average) as of September 2025. From the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Peregian Beach - Marcus Beach cluster around the 56th percentile nationally. Income analysis reveals that the predominant cohort spans 30.5% of locals (1,324 people) earning between $1,500 and $2,999 per week. This aligns with the surrounding region where this cohort likewise represents 31.7%. High housing costs consume 16.1% of income. Despite this, strong earnings place disposable income at the 51st percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Peregian Beach - Marcus Beach is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

In Peregian Beach - Marcus Beach, as per the latest Census evaluation, 75.7% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 24.3% consisting of semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This is similar to Non-Metro Qld's dwelling structure, which was 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Peregian Beach - Marcus Beach stood at 40.1%, matching Non-Metro Qld's figure, with mortgaged properties at 33.4% and rented dwellings at 26.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,100, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent in Peregian Beach - Marcus Beach was $455, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $500. Nationally, mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,100 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Peregian Beach - Marcus Beach features high concentrations of group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households comprise 70.8% of all households, including 30.2% couples with children, 32.2% couples without children, and 7.7% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 29.2%, with lone person households at 25.0% and group households comprising 3.9%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which matches the average for the Rest of Qld.

The educational profile of Peregian Beach - Marcus Beach exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Educational attainment in Peregian Beach and Marcus Beach shows a significant advantage compared to broader benchmarks. As of the 2016 Census, 39% of residents aged 15 years and over held university qualifications, which is higher than the Rest of Queensland figure at 20.6% and the SA4 region's 24.9%. This high educational attainment positions the area favourably for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification, with 26.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 8.3% and graduate diplomas at 4.2%.

Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 33.6% of residents aged 15 years and over holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas being 13.2% and certificates 20.4%. Educational participation is notably high in the area, with 28.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education as of the 2016 Census. This includes 9.7% in secondary education, 9.4% in primary education, and 4.2% pursuing tertiary education.

Transport servicing is low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Peregian Beach - Marcus Beach has 14 active public transport stops. These are served by buses operating along two routes, offering a total of 260 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated good, with residents on average located 286 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 37 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 18 weekly trips per individual stop.

Peregian Beach - Marcus Beach's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Peregian Beach - Marcus Beach.

Both young and old age cohorts experienced low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover was found to be exceptionally high at approximately 59% of the total population, which numbered 2,553 people. The most common medical conditions in the area were arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 7.9 and 6.8% of residents respectively. A total of 73.9% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 68.8% across Rest of Qld. The area has 20.8% of residents aged 65 and over, numbering 905 people, which is lower than the 25.8% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, performing even better than the general population in health metrics.

In terms of cultural diversity, Peregian Beach - Marcus Beach records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Peregian Beach, specifically the area known as Marcus Beach, was found to have cultural diversity roughly in line with the wider region's average. As of a certain date, 75.4% of its population were born in Australia, 87.6% were citizens, and 93.1% spoke English only at home. Christianity was the main religion in Peregian Beach - Marcus Beach, comprising 39.4% of people in the area.

However, Judaism was notably overrepresented, making up 0.4% of the population compared to 0.3% across the rest of Queensland. In terms of ancestry, the top three represented groups were English at 33.1%, Australian at 21.3%, and Irish at 10.7%. There were also notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Scottish was overrepresented at 10.3% compared to 9.7% regionally, French remained at 1.0%, and German was overrepresented at 5.4% compared to 4.5%.

Peregian Beach - Marcus Beach hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Peregian Beach - Marcus Beach has a median age of 46 years, which is significantly higher than Rest of Qld's 41 years and the national average of 38 years. Compared to Rest of Qld, Peregian Beach - Marcus Beach has a higher proportion of residents aged 55-64 (17.3%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (8.3%). This concentration of 55-64 year-olds is well above the national average of 11.2%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the proportion of residents aged 65 to 74 has grown from 12.1% to 12.9%, while the proportions of residents aged 5-14 and 45-54 have declined, from 13.2% to 12.1% and from 15.6% to 14.6% respectively. By 2041, Peregian Beach - Marcus Beach is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. The number of residents aged 65 to 74 is projected to grow by 14%, reaching 638 from 561, with residents aged 65 and older representing 78% of the anticipated growth. Conversely, both the 45-54 and 55-64 age groups are expected to decrease in number.