Southport - South

Southport - South lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Southport - South's population, as per AreaSearch's analysis, was around 20,092 by February 2026. This figure indicates a rise of 1,199 individuals (6.3%) since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 18,893. The increase is inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 19,921 in June 2024 and an additional 570 validated new addresses post-Census. This results in a population density ratio of 3,021 persons per square kilometer, placing Southport - South in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch's assessments. Over the past decade, ending February 2026, Southport - South exhibited a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%, outperforming the Rest of Qld. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population growth during this period.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. 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. These state projections lack age category splits; thus, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023, using 2022 data for each age cohort. Future population trends forecast a significant increase in the top quartile of national non-metropolitan areas, with Southport - South expected to grow by 6,093 persons by 2041, reflecting a total gain of 29.5% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Southport - South among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Southport - South has averaged approximately 138 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 691 homes. As of FY26133 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.7 new residents arrive per new home constructed each year between FY21 and FY25. The average construction value for new properties is $386,000.

This financial year has seen $54.7 million in commercial approvals, indicating robust local business investment. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Southport - South has slightly more development activity, with 48.0% above the regional average per person over the past five years. New developments consist of 13.0% detached houses and 87.0% medium and high-density housing, marking a significant shift from existing housing patterns (currently 35.0% houses). Southport - South reflects a low density area with around 266 people per approval. Population forecasts indicate an increase of 5,922 residents by 2041.

If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth.

Southport - South has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 30 projects likely to impact the area. Notable projects include Paradiso Place, One Park Lane, 21 Minnie Street Affordable Housing, and Onyx Residences. The following list details 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.

Southport - South shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Southport - South has a well-educated workforce with prominent tourism and hospitality sectors. The unemployment rate is 5.2%, with an estimated employment growth of 2.2% over the past year as of September 2025. There are 10,658 residents in work, with an unemployment rate of 1.2% above Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%.

Workforce participation is broadly similar to Rest of Qld's 65.7%. According to Census responses, 13.1% of residents work from home. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade, with a notable concentration in accommodation & food at 1.6 times the regional average. Agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence with 0.4% employment compared to 4.5% regionally.

The area offers limited local employment opportunities as indicated by Census data. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 2.2% and labour force increased by 2.3%, keeping the unemployment rate relatively stable. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment rise by 1.7%, labour force grow by 2.1%, and unemployment rise by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with differing growth rates between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Southport - South's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 14.0% over ten years.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

Southport - South SA2's median income among taxpayers was $47,075 and average income stood at $57,964 in financial year 2023, according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. These figures compare to Rest of Qld's median income of $53,146 and average income of $66,593 respectively. By September 2025, based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91%, estimated incomes would be approximately $51,740 (median) and $63,708 (average). Census data shows household, family and personal incomes in Southport - South fall between the 24th and 25th percentiles nationally. In income distribution, 29.6% of the population (5,947 individuals) earn within the $1,500 - 2,999 range. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 77.1% of income remaining, ranking at the 17th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Southport - South displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Southport - South's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, comprised 34.7% houses and 65.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Southport - South was at 26.4%, with the rest being mortgaged (24.2%) or rented (49.4%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent was $435, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $345. Nationally, Southport - South's mortgage repayments were lower ($1,733 vs $1,863), while rents were higher ($435 vs $375).

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

Family households account for 58.9% of all households, including 18.5% couples with children, 26.0% couples without children, and 12.9% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 41.1%, with lone person households at 31.6% and group households comprising 9.5%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

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

Southport's educational attainment significantly exceeds broader benchmarks. Among residents aged 15 and above, 31.2% possess university qualifications, compared to 20.6% in the rest of Queensland and 25.4% in the SA4 region. This educational advantage is particularly notable for bachelor degrees (21.2%), postgraduate qualifications (7.6%), and graduate diplomas (2.4%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 34.0% of residents holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (12.9%) and certificates (21.1%).

Educational participation is high in Southport, with 32.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes tertiary education (8.7%), secondary education (8.3%), and primary education (6.7%).

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

Southport-South has 56 active public transport stops offering a mix of light rail and bus services. These are served by 10 routes facilitating 2,280 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 189 meters to the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward from this primarily residential area. Car is the dominant mode of travel at 81%, while walking accounts for 4%. The average vehicle ownership per dwelling is below the regional average at 1.0.

According to the 2021 Census, a relatively low 13.1% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 325 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 40 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health outcomes in Southport - South are marginally below the national average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Southport - South's health indicators show below-average outcomes based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high, with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover is very low at approximately 48% of the total population (~9,684 people), compared to 52.5% in Rest of Qld and the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are mental health issues (8.4%) and arthritis (8.0%). 69.5% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.6% in Rest of Qld. Under-65 population shows better than average health outcomes. The area has 18.9% of residents aged 65 and over (3,787 people), lower than the 20.4% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

Southport - South was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Southport scores highly in cultural diversity, with 25.1% speaking a language other than English at home and 39.5% born overseas as of the latest data from June 2021. Christianity is the main religion, comprising 46.0%. Judaism, however, is overrepresented at 0.3%, compared to 0.1% regionally.

For ancestry, the top groups are English (26.3%), Australian (19.3%), and Other (12.2%). Notably, Korean (1.9%) and Russian (0.6%) groups are overrepresented, while Maori is relatively high at 1.2%.

Southport - South's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age in Southport - South is 38 years, which is marginally below Rest of Qld's average of 41 but in line with Australia's median age of 38. The 25-34 age group shows strong representation at 21.6% compared to Rest of Qld's figure, whereas the 5-14 cohort is less prevalent at 7.3%. This concentration of the 25-34 age group is well above the national average of 14.4%. Post-2021 Census data shows that Southport - South has become younger, with its median age dropping from 39 to 38 years between censuses. Specifically, the 25-34 age group has grown from 16.9% to 21.6%, while the 5-14 cohort has declined from 9.3% to 7.3%. The 45-54 age group also dropped from 12.3% to 10.7%. By 2041, Southport - South is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to experience strong growth, expanding by 2,011 people (46%) from 4,349 to 6,361. In contrast, the 15-24 cohort shows minimal growth of just 4% (131 people).