Southport - North
Statistical Area - sa2

Southport - North lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Southport - North's population is approximately 20,535 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 2,644 people, a 14.8% rise from the 2021 Census count of 17,891 residents. The growth can be attributed to an estimated resident population of 20,057 in June 2024 and an additional 478 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density of 2,663 persons per square kilometer, placing Southport - North in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch's assessments. The area's growth rate exceeded that of both its SA3 region (8.5%) and non-metro areas, indicating it as a growth leader. Overseas migration contributed approximately 79.2% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections from 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits; therefore, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 and based on 2022 data for each age cohort. Based on projected demographic shifts, Southport - North is predicted to experience exceptional growth, placing it in the top 10 percent of non-metropolitan areas nationally. By 2041, the area's population is expected to increase by 10,489 persons, marking a total rise of 48.8% over the 17-year period.

The level of residential development activity in Southport - North was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

Southport - North has granted around 120 residential property approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling approximately 600 homes. As of FY-26210 approvals have been recorded. On average, 4.8 people move to the area annually for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating high demand outpacing supply, which typically influences prices positively and intensifies competition among buyers. The average construction value of new homes is $207,000, below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options.

In terms of commercial activity, Southport - North has registered approximately $155.0 million in approvals during FY-26, demonstrating high levels of local commercial development. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Southport - North shows elevated construction activity, with a 38.0% increase per person over the five-year period, balancing buyer choice while supporting property values. However, recent periods have seen a moderation in development activity. The majority of new building activity consists of townhouses or apartments (89.0%), with standalone homes making up around 11.0%.

This focus on higher-density living creates more affordable entry points and caters to downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. Southport - North currently has approximately 2513 people per approval, indicating a mature, established area. Looking ahead, Southport - North is projected to grow by 10,011 residents by the year 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may struggle to keep pace with population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Southport - North has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

The performance of a region is significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified 50 such projects that are expected to impact the area. Notable among these are Southport Supportive Housing Project, Marine Quarter Scenic Tower, Southport-Nerang Street Revitalisation, and Four Residential Towers & Retail Clarke Street. The following list details those projects considered 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.

Employment performance in Southport - North has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Southport - North has a well-educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 6.2% as of June 2025.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 2.3%. As of June 2025, 10,988 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.3% above Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%, and workforce participation at 57.0% compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key industries of employment among residents are health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade. The area has a notable concentration in accommodation & food, with employment levels at 1.9 times the regional average.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented, with only 0.4% of Southport - North's workforce compared to 4.5% in Rest of Qld. There are 1.5 workers for every resident, indicating that the area functions as an employment hub hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas. Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 2.3% while labour force increased by 2.0%, resulting in a decrease of unemployment by 0.2 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia (May 2025) project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Southport - North's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.8%% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

Southport - North's median income among taxpayers in financial year 2022 was $44,862. The average income stood at $56,668 during the same period. These figures compare to Rest of Qld's median and average incomes of $50,780 and $64,844 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, estimated median income for Southport - North as of September 2025 would be approximately $51,138, with the average being around $64,596. Census data indicates that household, family and personal incomes in Southport - North fall between the 13th and 20th percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals that 30.7% of the population (6,304 individuals) earn within the $800 - $1,499 income range, differing from surrounding regions where the $1,500 - $2,999 range dominates with 31.7%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Southport - North, with only 72.6% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 6th percentile nationally.

Southport - North features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Southport - North, as assessed in the latest Census, 13.5% were houses while 86.5% comprised semi-detached dwellings, apartments, and others, contrasting with Non-Metro Qld's 44.5% houses and 55.5% other dwellings. Home ownership stood at 16.3%, with mortgages at 13.2% and rentals at 70.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,459, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,750. Weekly rents averaged $400 compared to Non-Metro Qld's $420. Nationally, Southport - North's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,459 versus Australia's average of $1,863, while weekly rents were higher at $400 against the national figure of $375.

Southport - North features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 50.6% of all households, including 11.2% couples with children, 26.1% couples without children, and 11.2% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 49.4%, with lone person households at 38.6% and group households comprising 10.9%. The median household size is 2.0 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.3.

The educational profile of Southport - North exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Southport - North has higher educational attainment than broader benchmarks. 30.9% of residents aged 15+ have university qualifications compared to 20.6% in Rest of Qld and 25.4% in the SA4 region. Bachelor degrees are most common at 21.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.4%) and graduate diplomas (2.4%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 34.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas (13.6%) and certificates (21.2%).

Educational participation is high at 34.7%, including tertiary education (15.8%), secondary education (4.9%), and primary education (4.8%). Twelve schools serve 7,177 students with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 1038). The educational mix includes three primary, six secondary, and three K-12 schools. Southport - North functions as an education hub with 35.0 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 18.0, attracting students from surrounding communities. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments please refer to parent campus.

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

Southport-North has 77 active public transport stops, served by a mix of lightrail and buses. These stops are covered by 18 routes, offering a total of 3,676 weekly passenger trips. Residents' average distance to the nearest stop is 154 meters, indicating excellent accessibility.

The service frequency averages 525 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 47 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Southport - North is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, though to a considerably higher degree among older age cohorts

Southport North faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across age cohorts, particularly among older residents. Private health cover is low at approximately 48%, compared to the national average of 55.3%.

Mental health issues impact 10.2% and arthritis affects 7.5% of residents. 67.7% report no medical ailments, compared to 69.4% in Rest of Qld. 16.1% are aged 65 and over (3,306 people), lower than the 17.1% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention.

Southport - North is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Southport - North has a high level of cultural diversity, with 28.6% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 43.3% born overseas. Christianity is the main religion in Southport - North, comprising 41.6% of its population. The most notable overrepresentation is in the 'Other' category, which makes up 1.5% of the population compared to 1.0% across the rest of Queensland.

In terms of ancestry, the top three represented groups are English (25.4%), Australian (18.8%), and Other (13.4%). There are also notable differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Korean is overrepresented at 2.3% compared to 1.6% regionally, New Zealand at 1.3% versus 1.4%, and Maori at 1.5% versus 1.6%.

Southport - North's population is younger than the national pattern

The median age in Southport - North as of 2021 is 34 years, notably under Rest of Qld's average of 41 and substantially under the Australian median of 38. Relative to Rest of Qld, Southport - North has a higher concentration of residents aged 25-34 (25.7%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (4.9%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is well above the national average of 14.5%. Since the Census conducted on 28 August 2021, a demographic rejuvenation has been evident with the median age falling from 35 to 34 years. Specifically, the proportion of residents aged 25-34 has grown from 21.4% to 25.7%, while the proportion of residents aged 45-54 has declined from 10.7% to 9.4%. The proportion of residents aged 5-14 has also dropped, from 6.1% to 4.9%. By 2041, Southport - North is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition, with the 25-34 age group projected to grow by 74%, reaching a total of 9,198 residents from 5,281.